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Corn straw-based board has great potential for the protection of forest resources, waste recycling, and sustainable economic development. However, corn stalk-based board has poor mechanical properties due to its short fiber length and poor water resistance because of the presence of numerous hydrophilic hydroxyl functional groups in its structure. Natural mycelium originating from waste Pleurotus ostreatus substrate is a hydrophobic bio-adhesive. In the present study, formaldehyde-free corn stalk/P. ostreatus substrate bio-composites were prepared using the hot-pressing technique without the addition of any chemical adhesive. The mechanical properties and water resistance of the prepared bio-composites were excellent. The highest internal bonding strength (IBS) of 2.16 MPa and the minimum thickness swelling (TS) of 18.3% were observed, which are beyond the national standards for particleboard in China. These bio-composites were prepared using a simple, green, and convenient manufacturing method to promote their popularization and application. The method may, therefore, be used as a novel technical measure to resolve the problem of overuse of forestry resources and waste disposal.

Abstract Electronic skins are expected to replicate a human‐like tactile sense, which significantly detects surface information, including geometry, material, and temperature. Although most texture features can be sensed in the horizontal direction, the lack of effective approaches for detecting vertical properties limits the development of artificial skin based on tactile sensors. In this study, an all‐printed finger‐inspired tactile sensor array is developed to realize the 3D detection and reconstruction of microscale structures. A beam structure with a suspended multilayer membrane is proposed, and a tactile sensor array of 12 units arranged in a dual‐column layout is developed. This architecture enables the tactile sensor array to obtain comprehensive geometric information of micro‐textures, including 3D morphology and clearance characteristics, and optimizes the 3D reconstruction patterns by self‐calibration. Moreover, an innovative screen‐printing technology incorporating multilayer printing and sacrificial‐layer techniques is adopted to print the entire device. In additon, a Braille recognition system utilizing this tactile sensor array is developed to interpret Shakespeare's quotes printed in Grade 2 Braille. The abovementioned demonstrations reveal an attractive future vision for endowing bioinspired robots with the unique capability of touching and feeling the microscale real world and reconstructing it in the cyber world.

Introduction: Acute liver injury (ALI) is a common complication of sepsis and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. We aimed to develop a model to predict the risk of ALI in patients with sepsis after hospitalization. Methods: Medical records of 3196 septic patients treated at the Lishui Central Hospital in Zhejiang Province from January 2015 to May 2023 were selected. Cohort 1 was divided into ALI and non-ALI groups for model training and internal validation. The initial laboratory test results of the study subjects were used as features for machine learning (ML), and models built using nine different ML algorithms were compared to select the best algorithm and model. The predictive performance of model stacking methods was then explored. The best model was externally validated in Cohort 2. Results: In Cohort 1, LightGBM demonstrated good stability and predictive performance with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.841. The top five most important variables in the model were diabetes, congestive heart failure, prothrombin time, heart rate, and platelet count. The LightGBM model showed stable and good ALI risk prediction ability in the external validation of Cohort 2 with an AUC of 0.815. Furthermore, an online prediction website was developed to assist healthcare professionals in applying this model more effectively. Conclusions: The Light GBM model can predict the risk of ALI in patients with sepsis after hospitalization.

Abstract Intestinal fibrosis is one of the major complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and a pathological process that significantly impacts patient prognosis and treatment selection. Although current imaging assessment and clinical markers are widely used for the diagnosis and stratification of fibrosis, these methods suffer from subjectivity and limitations. In this study, we aim to develop a radiomics diagnostic model based on multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) and clinical factors. MSCT images and relevant clinical data were collected from 218 IBD patients, and a large number of quantitative image features were extracted. Using these features, we constructed a radiomics model and transformed it into a user-friendly diagnostic nomogram. A nomogram was developed to predict fibrosis in IBD by integrating multiple factors. The nomogram exhibited favorable discriminative ability, with an AUC of 0.865 in the validation sets, surpassing both the logistic regression (LR) model (AUC = 0.821) and the clinical model (AUC = 0.602) in the test set. In the train set, the LR model achieved an AUC of 0.975, while the clinical model had an AUC of 0.735. The nomogram demonstrated superior performance with an AUC of 0.971, suggesting its potential as a valuable tool for predicting fibrosis in IBD and improving clinical decision-making. The radiomics nomogram, incorporating MSCT and clinical factors, demonstrates promise in stratifying fibrosis in IBD. The nomogram outperforms traditional clinical models and offers personalized risk assessment. However, further validation and addressing identified limitations are necessary to enhance its applicability.

ABSTRACTThe immobilization of enzymes is an important strategy to improve their stability and reusability. However, it often comes with a trade off of reduced biological activity and catalytic efficiency. In this study, a composite hydrogel based on corn stalk carboxymethyl cellulose, acrylic acid, and mesoporous silica SBA-15 was developed as a support for the immobilization of lipase from Pseudomonas S.P. (PSL). The surface morphology and functional properties of the composite hydrogels were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction and simultaneous thermal analyzer, respectively. The composite hydrogel materials had a large number of mesopores and macropores were present in the wall of the hydrogel sheet. The hydrogel had a network structure that reduced the diffusion resistance of the substrate and improved the accessibility of the enzyme. The immobilized PSL exhibited high enantioselectivity (E value: 88.2) and enzyme activity (316.8 µmol/g/min) in the preparation of (S)-ibuprofen by enzymatic hydrolytic resolution of racemic ibuprofen ethyl ester. This prepared novel composite hydrogel is a promising supporting matrix for the immobilization of enzymes.

Angelica dahurica is a kind of Chinese traditional herbs with economic and ornament value, widely distributed in China. Despite its significance, there have been limited comprehensive investigations on the genome of A. dahurica, particularly regarding mitochondrial genomes. To investigate the conversion between mitochondrial genome and chloroplast genome, a complete and circular mitochondrial genome was assembled using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) long reads. The mitochondrial genome of A. dahurica had a length of 228,315 base pairs (bp) with 45.06% GC content. The mitochondrial genome encodes 56 genes, including 34 protein-coding genes, 19 tRNA genes and 3 rRNA genes. Moreover, we discovered that 9 homologous large fragments between chloroplast genome and mitochondrial genome based on sequence similarity. This is the first report for A. dahurica mitochondrial genome, which could provide an insight for communication between plastid genome, and also give a reference genome for medicinal plants within the Angelica family.

This research paper explores the integration of novel technologies in hospital emergency evacuations, particularly in Operating Rooms (ORs) and Emergency Departments (EDs). It examines the application of advanced tools like simulation modeling, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Digital Twin technology, sensor data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve evacuation strategies in the building. The study extends to in-depth case studies for assessing the practicality of existing protocols, while also highlighting the critical importance of staff training and preparedness. Additionally, it addresses the ethical and psychological impacts of emergencies on patients and healthcare staff, underscoring the need for technology to be complemented with human-centered care. The paper concludes by emphasizing the ongoing necessity for innovative research in enhancing safety and operational resilience in healthcare emergency management.

Abstract Background Laparoscopic radical resection of gastrointestinal cancer is associated with a high incidence of postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD). Studies on the benefits of magnesium sulfate intravenous infusion during the perioperative period post-laparoscopic surgery are yet lacking. Methods A total of 88 gastrointestinal cancer male patients scheduled for laparoscopic radical resection were randomly divided into two groups: normal saline (control) and magnesium. In the magnesium group, a 40 mg/kg loading dose of intravenous magnesium sulfate was administered for 10 min just after the induction of anesthesia, followed by continuous intravenous infusion of 15 mg/kg/h magnesium sulfate until the end of the surgery; the control group was administered the same dose of normal saline. Subsequently, 2 μg/kg sufentanil was continuously infused intravenously by a postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) device. The primary outcome was the incidence of CRBD at 0 h after the surgery. The secondary outcomes included incidence of CRBD at 1, 2, and 6 h postsurgery, the severity of CRBD at 0, 1, 2, and 6 h postsurgery. Remifentanil requirement during surgery, sufentanil requirement within 24 h postsurgery, the postoperative numerical rating scale (NRS) score at 48 h after the surgery, magnesium-related side effects and rescue medication (morphine) requirement were also assessed. Results The incidence of CRBD at 0, 1, 2, and 6 h postoperatively was lower in the magnesium group than the control group (0 h: P = 0.01; 1 h: P = 0.003; 2 h: P = 0.001; 6 h: P = 0.006). The incidence of moderate to severe CRBD was higher in the control group at postoperative 0 and 1 h (0 h: P = 0.002; 1 h: P = 0.028), remifentanil requirement during surgery were significantly lower in the magnesium group than the control group. Sufentanil requirements during the 24 h postoperative period were significantly lower in the magnesium group than the control group. The NRS score was reduced in the magnesium group compared to the control group in the early postoperative period. Magnesium-related side effects and rescue medication (morphine) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions Intravenous magnesium sulfate administration reduces the incidence and severity of CRBD and remifentanil requirement in male patients undergoing radical resection of gastrointestinal cancer. Also, no significant side effects were observed. Trial registration Chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2100053073. The study was registered on 10/11/2021.

Mudstone and shale formations developed in the first sub-member of the third member of the Shahejie Formation (Es31Member) in the Qikou Sag, Bohai Bay Basin due to continuous lacustrine sedimentation. Atomic force microscopy, nitrogen adsorption, high-pressure mercury intrusion porosimetry, and field emission scanning electron microscopy were used to quantify the pore structure of the three main lithofacies in the study area. The results show that the average porosity and permeability of the mudstone are 3.54% and 0.00087 md, respectively. The pore structure is complex, and only the laminated shale has a high correlation between porosity and permeability. The laminated shale contains intergranular and intercrystalline pores, whereas the bedded shale primarily has intergranular dissolution pores and intergranular pores. The pore diameters of the two shales are predominantly at the submicron level. The pores of the laminated shale are located in and between the felsic laminae, and the pore connectivity is high. This lithofacies type is believed to be the most promising location for continental shale oil exploration in desert regions. The bedded shale is dominated by isolated pores with a large pore radius and large fluctuation. In contrast, to the laminated shale, the bedded shale has a high content of brittle minerals and low bedding density and is more likely to produce high-angle hydraulic fractures. The rock facies should be the focus of future shale oil evaluations in desert regions.

To study the impact of faults on the enrichment and mobility of shale oil in the Gulong area, representative rock samples were selected in this paper. Based on geochemical data and chemical kinetics methods, coupled with shale oil enrichment and mobility analysis techniques, the shale oil generation quantity and in situ oil content were evaluated from the perspectives of shale oil generation and micro migration, and the mobility of shale oil was revealed. At the same time, the hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency (HEE) of shale was qualitatively and quantitatively characterized, combined with the development of faults. The research results indicate that the study area mainly develops organic-rich felsic (ORF)/organic-containing felsic (OCF) shale, their proportion in both wells exceeds 65%, and the resource amount is the largest in this type of lithofacies. The development of a fault controls the enrichment of shale oil, and the in situ oil content and oil saturation index (OSI) of the shale in well Y58, which is close to the fault, are significantly worse than those in well S2. Well Y58 has 9.52 mg/g and 424.83 mg/g TOC respectively, while well S2 has 11.34 mg/g and 488.73 mg/g TOC respectively. The fault enhanced the migration of shale oil, increasing the efficiency of oil expulsion. As a result, the components with weak polarity or small molecules, such as saturated hydrocarbons and low carbon number n-alkanes, are prone to migration, reducing the mobility of shale oil.

In this paper, the limestone reservoir of the Upper Permian Taiyuan Formation in the Ordos Basin is taken as the research object. Through various analysis and testing methods, the characterization and classification evaluation of pore structure were carried out. The core porosity and pore structure characteristics were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance, gas measurement, and CT scanning. Based on the characteristics of the limestone reservoir, the optimal parameters of NMR testing were calibrated, the NMR testing method of limestone reservoir properties was established, and the NMR porosity of limestone was calculated. Using the core gray map obtained using CT scanning imaging technology, the three-dimensional digital core model of limestone was constructed, its pore space was extracted, and the porosity, pore fractal dimension, and tortuosity were calculated. The results show that with the thermodynamic experiment, the porosity of the sample will remain basically unchanged after 180 min, and the pressure in the sample was measured after 4 h and no air leakage was found. The T2 spectrum of saturated marlite is in the form of three peaks, two peaks, and one peak. On the whole, the p1 peak of the T2 spectrum of limestone corresponds to micropores, and most of the p2 and p3 peaks correspond to mesopores–macropores. The pore size of high porosity samples is 150–350 nm, and the micropores are well developed; the pore size of medium porosity samples is 80–150 nm, and some samples are well developed; the pore size of low porosity samples is mostly bimodal, with two peaks >> 300 nm and <

The frequent occurrence of landslides poses a serious threat to people’s lives and property. In order to evaluate disaster hazards based on remote sensing images via machine learning means, it is essential to establish an image database with manually labeled boundaries of landslides. However, the existing datasets do not cover diverse types of mountainous landslides. To address this issue, we propose a high-resolution (1 m) diverse mountainous landslide remote sensing dataset (DMLD), including 990 landslide instances across different terrain in southwestern China. To evaluate the performance of the DMLD, seven state-of-the-art deep learning models with different loss functions were implemented on it. The experiment results demonstrate not only that all of these deep learning methods with different characteristics can adapt well to the DMLD, but also that the DMLD has potential adaptability to other geographical regions.

The immobilization of enzymes is an important strategy to improve their stability and reusability. Enzyme immobilization technology has broad application prospects in biotechnology, biochemistry, environmental remediation, and other fields. In this study, composites of chitosan (CS) and sodium alginate (SA) with Cu2+ forming a double-network crosslinked structure of hydrogels were prepared and used for the immobilization of laccase. Fourier infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy tests revealed that laccase molecules were immobilized on the composite hydrogel surface by a covalent bonding method. Compared to free laccase, the pH, temperature, and storage stability of the immobilized laccase were markedly improved. In addition, the immobilized laccase could be easily separated from the reaction system and reused, and it maintained 81.6% of its initial viability after six cycles of use. Bisphenol A (BPA) in polluted water was efficiently degraded using immobilized laccase, and the factors affecting the degradation efficiency were analyzed. Under the optimal conditions, the BPA removal was greater than 82%, and the addition of a small amount of ABTS had a significant effect on BPA degradation, with a removal rate of up to 99.1%. Experimental results indicated that immobilized laccases had enormous potential in actual industrial applications.

In the present study, the effectiveness of catalytic wet oxidation triggered by using Cu-Ce/γ-Al2O3 to degrade antibiotic excess sludge was investigated, during which some small molecule carboxylic acids were produced, which are valuable in biological wastewater treatment as an organic carbon source. The influence of reaction parameters on the degradation efficiency was explored through single-factor and orthogonal experiments, including catalyst amount, reaction temperature and time, and oxygen supply amount. The results illustrated that the treatment system can achieve 81.2% COD and 93.8% VSS removal rates under optimized reaction conditions. Carboxylic acids produced after the sludge degradation mainly included acetic acid, propanoic acid, etc. The results of wastewater biological treatment experiments exhibited that the degraded solution after catalytic wet oxidation has potential to be used as a carbon source to meet the demand of biological treatment, which helps the removal of COD and TN. This work confirms the effectiveness of catalyst for enhancing antibiotic excess sludge treatment, which provided a new idea for the rational disposal of antibiotic excess sludge.

In order to reduce the probability of damage to the cross arm of a 1 000 kV UHV steel tube tower， the general software TTA and the finite element software ANSYS are used for refined analysis on the internal force of the cross arm. Two cross arm arrangement methods are proposed： one is to reduce the first diagonal member and the other is to reduce the last diagonal member. Moreover， the internal force changes of the cross arm of the strain tower and the straight line tower under the two arrangement modes are compared under the two layout methods， and the reasons of the difference in internal forces are analyzed. Studies have shown that the internal forces of the cross arm on the upper plane in case of the reduced first diagonal member and the last diagonal member are smaller than those under the fully sealed condition； the internal forces of the cross member on the lower plane are larger than those under the fully sealed condition； the overall force of the straight line tower is less than that of the strain tower. Under the first-member-less or last-member-less layout of the cross member on the upper plane， it is suggested to adopt ANSYS finite element to calculate and analyze internal forces on the upper plane under the two arrangement modes； when the cross member on the upper plane of the cross arm is fully sealed， the TTA and the ANSYS share the same calculation results.

Gastrodia elata Blume (Tianma in Chinese), a myco-heterotrophic orchid, is widely distributed in China. Tubers derived from this orchid are traditionally used as both medicinal and edible materials. At present, five primary varieties of G. elata are recorded in the “Flora of China.” Among them, the three main varieties currently in artificial cultivation are G. elata f. elata (GR, red stem), G. elata f. glauca (GB, black stem), and G. elata f. viridis (GG, green stem). In our study, the metabolic profiles and chemical composition of these three varieties were determined via UPLC-MS/MS and HPLC-UV. In total, 11,132 metabolites were detected, from which multiple phytometabolites were identified as aromatic compounds, heteroatomic compounds, furans, carbohydrates, organic acids, and their derivatives. A number of differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were annotated as bioactive ingredients. Overall, parishins, vanilloloside, and gastrodin A/B in the GB group were markedly higher, whereas gastrodin, gastrol, and syringic acid were more enriched in the GG or GR groups. Moreover, HPLC fingerprint analysis also found six metabolites used as markers for the identification of Gastrodiae Rhizoma in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which were also typical DEMs in metabolomics. Of these, gastrodin, 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, citric acid, and adenosine were quantitatively detected, showing a similar result with the metabolomic data. In summary, our findings provide novel insights into the phytochemical ingredients of different G. elata varieties, highlighting diverse biological activities and healthcare value.

Hot-air and heat-conduction drying are the most common drying patterns in green tea production. However, the differences between them in terms of the resulting green tea chemical compounds have not been illustrated systematically. In this study, 515 volatile and 204 nonvolatile metabolites were selected to compare the differences between hot-air drying green tea (HAGT) and four heat-conduction drying green teas (HCDGTs) using widely targeted metabolomics. The results showed notable changes in volatile compounds; for example, two kinds of HCDGTs preferred to form chestnut-like and caramel-like key odorants. In addition, 14 flavonol glycosides, 10 catechins, 9 phenolic acids, 8 amino acids, 7 flavonols, and 3 sugars were significantly changed between HAGT and HCDGTs (p

The major enrichment type of shale oil in the Chang 73 shale of Upper Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Ordos Basin is unknown. This paper analyzes the organic matter transformation ratio, hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency and roof/floor sealing conditions of the Chang 73 shale, and evaluates the major enrichment type of shale oil in this interval. The average organic matter transformation ratio of the Chang 73 shale is about 45%; in other words, more than 50% of the organic matters have not transformed to hydrocarbons, and the lower the maturity, the greater the proportion of untransformed organic matters. The cumulative hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency of the transformed hydrocarbon is 27.5% on average, and the total proportion of untransformed organic matters plus retained hydrocarbons is greater than 70%. The relative hydrocarbon expulsion efficiency of the Chang 73 shale is 60% on average, that is, about 40% of hydrocarbons retain in the shale. The Chang 73 shale corresponds to Chang 71+2 and Chang 8 sandstones as the roof and floor, respectively, and is further overlaid by Chang 6 shale, where extensive low porosity and low permeability–tight oil reservoirs have formed in the parts with relatively good porosity and permeability. Moreover, the Chang 73 shale is tested to be in a negative pressure system (the pressure coefficient of 0.80–0.85). Therefore, the roof/floor sealing conditions of the Chang 73 shale are poor. The retained hydrocarbons appear mostly in absorbed status, with low mobility. It is concluded that the medium–high mature shale oil is not the major enrichment type of shale oil in the Chang 73 shale, but there may be enrichment opportunity for shale oil with good mobility in the areas where the sealing conditions are good without faults and fractures and oil reservoirs are formed off Chang 71+2, Chang 6 and Chang 8. Furthermore, low–medium mature shale oil is believed to have great potential and is the major enrichment type of shale oil in the Chang 73 shale. It is recommended to prepare relevant in-situ conversion technologies by pilot test and figure out the resource availability and distribution.

Abstract In this work, wet oxidation and catalytic wet oxidation of pharmaceutical sludge using homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts were investigated. The results indicate that wet oxidation is a promising method for the highly efficient degradation of pharmaceutical sludge. Under optimal conditions, the highest removal efficiencies of volatile suspended solids (VSS) 86.8% and chemical oxygen demand (COD) 62.5% were achieved at 260 °C for 60 min with an initial oxygen pressure of 1.0 MPa. NaOH exhibited excellent acceleration performance on the VSS removal. The highest VSS removal efficiency of 95.2% was obtained at 260 °C for 60 min with an initial oxygen pressure of 1.0 MPa and 10 g·L−1 of NaOH. By using a Cu–Ce/γ-Al2O3 catalyst, the highest removal rates of VSS 87.3% and COD 72.6% were achieved at 260 °C for 60 min with an initial oxygen pressure of 1.0 MPa and 10 g·L−1 of catalyst. The wet oxidation reaction can be maintained itself owing to the exothermic heat. The produced low-molecular-weight carboxylic acids have potential commercial utilization as organic carbon sources in the biological wastewater treatment processes. The inorganic residues can be utilized for the building materials production. These results implied that the catalytic wet oxidation is a promising method for the volume reduction and resource utilization of pharmaceutical sludge.

Ultra-low permeability–tight sandstone (gravel) gas reservoir is an important exploration target for natural gas both domestically and internationally. As a crucial oil and gas exploration basin in China, the Bohai Bay Basin has discovered tight sandstone (gravel) gas in every depression. However, the distribution, origin, and accumulation model of tight sandstone (gravel) gas reservoirs were not systematically studied by previous researchers, who instead mainly concentrated on depressions from the basin-wide perspective. The research conclusively demonstrates that ultra-low permeability–tight sandstone (gravel) gas reservoirs are widely distributed in the Bohai Bay Basin, covering various depressions and multiple strata of Paleozoic, Cenozoic, and Upper Paleozoic coal-formed gas as well as Paleogene oil-type gas. The Upper Paleozoic ultra-low permeability–tight sandstone gas reservoirs are mainly distributed in residual Upper Paleozoic strata of the Huanghua, Linqing, and Jiyang depressions. Most of those reservoirs, which are located in uplifted sag zones, are structural gas reservoirs, and because the strata were buried deeply in the past, most of the reservoirs have worse physical properties. This natural gas is typical coal-formed gas originating in Carboniferous and Permian, and others are Paleogene oil-type gas. Paleogene ultra-low permeability–tight gas reservoirs are widely distributed in all depressions, including the multiple strata in the Kongdian Formation and the second, third. and fourth members of the Shahejie Formation (Es2, Es3, and Es4); The gas reservoirs are located in the uplift, slope, and steep slope zones of the sags, including a variety of trap types, such as lithology, lithology-structure, structure reservoirs, and others. Sandstone reservoirs often found in the Es2 and Es3 are distributed in gentle slopes, whereas sandstone and glutenite reservoirs can be found in the Es4 and Kongdian Formation (Ek), with the glutenites mainly distributed in steep slope area. Since the Paleogene is a continuous deposit, burial depth appears to be a controlling factor in the reservoirs physical properties. Densification threshold depths for distinct depressions range from 3200 m to 4000 m. The majority of the natural gas is gas formed from Paleogene oil-type, while some of it is gas formed from Upper Paleozoic coal. Four different hydrocarbon accumulation models have been developed in this area in accordance with the relationship between gas sources and reservoirs. These models include migration along fault with old source rock and new reservoir, near-source accumulation with new source rock and new reservoir, distant-source accumulation with old source rock and old reservoir, and migration along fault with new source rock and old reservoir, of which the first two are the main hydrocarbon accumulation models. Two sets of Carboniferous–Permian and Paleogene strata are developed, and the remaining natural gas resources have great potential in the Bohai Bay Basin. The Carboniferous–Permian beneficial zone of secondary hydrocarbon generation, the structures adjacent to the margin of the Paleogene gas generation center, and the sweet spot in lithology reservoirs would all be promising areas for further exploration. The research is of instructive significance for tight sandstone (gravel) gas exploration in the Bohai Bay Basin.

The deep strata of the northern margin of the Qaidam Basin are currently unexplored and have high resource potential. To clarify the characteristics and control factors of the deep sandstone reservoir in the study area, a comprehensive investigation of the Xiaganchaigou Formation deep reservoir in the northern Qaidam margin is carried out using the casting thin section, SEM, porosity and permeability measurements, and well logging and mud logging data. The results show that the feldspar lithic sandstone and lithic feldspar sandstone, which are well sorted and medium-rounded and have high compositional and textural maturities, make up the majority of the deep reservoir rock of the Xiaganchaigou Formation in the northern Qaidam margin. Extensive development of primary pores is observed and the porosity and permeability are well correlated with each other, with the average porosity and permeability of 10.7% and 25.74 × 10−3 μm2, respectively. The pore-throat has excellent connectivity and is medium-fine in texture. The sands of the braided river delta front underwater distributary channel deposition and the sheet sands of the shore-shallow lake deposition are the basis for the formation of high-quality reservoirs. The carbonate cement is subjected to prolonged early shallow burial and late rapid burial during the diagenesis, effectively protecting primary pores. Feldspar particles and early carbonate cement are partially dissolved during the telodiagenesis, improving the physical properties of the reservoir by generating a certain number of inter- and intra-granular dissolved pores. Thick mudstone layers are deposited both above and below the sandstone reservoir. The drainage of pore fluids from the sandstone reservoir is therefore suppressed during the deposition-diagenesis and rapid burial, trapping the fluids in the pore space to bear part of the overburden pressure. This reduces the effects of normal compaction on the reservoir rock and helps in the preservation of primary pores to a large extent. The abnormal pressure zone in the Palaeogene Xiaganchaigou Formation, which develops the under-compacted mudstone of the braided river delta deposition, is found in the central part of the northern Qaidam margin and is afavorable play for natural gas exploration and development.

The Qaidam Basin is a Cenozoic continental basin formed by the subduction and collision between the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. It is the only large oil- and gas-bearing basin in China on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The Qaidam Basin has recorded the uplift of the plateau with its complete Cenozoic sequences. Therefore, studying the structural characteristics of the Qaidam Basin helps us to understand the uplift of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Studies have shown that the structural activities in the Qaidam Basin were episodic, transformable, and inconsistent, which reflected the characteristics of the uplift of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. In general, the structural activities of the Qaidam Basin are divided into three phases, which are characterized by the shifting of structural activities from the south to the north, the west to the east, and from the margin to the hinterland of the basin, respectively. The intensity of the early activity was greater than that of the early basin in both time and space. In conclusion, the uplift of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau controls the structural and sedimentary characteristics of the basin and ultimately, the hydrocarbon accumulation and distribution of the basin.

Abstract Additive manufacturing (AM), which is often referred to as three‐dimensional printing, revolutionizes manufacturing by providing a high degree of design freedom and customization. Several AM methods entail precise control of droplet interfacial properties to ensure the high quality of the printed products. At the same time, the rapid growth of AM technology has made it possible to prepare novel surfaces with complex structures, further expanding the range of potential applications of droplet interface. To provide a unified framework to guide the continuous development of AM that involves droplet interface, this manuscript reviews related work in this field from two aspects—the droplet interface phenomenon in AM processes and the applications of droplet interface prepared by AM. Limitations of existing works are discussed, and potential future directions are suggested.

Efficient protein secretion is closely correlated with vesicle sorting and packaging, especially with cargo receptor-mediated selective transport for ER exit. Even though Aspergillus niger is considered an industrially natural host for protein production due to its exceptional secretion capacity, the trafficking mechanism in the early secretory pathway remains a black box for us to explore. Here, we identified and characterized all putative ER cargo receptors of the three families in A. niger. We successfully constructed overexpression and deletion strains of each receptor and compared the colony morphology and protein secretion status of each strain. Among them, the deletion of Erv14 severely inhibited mycelial growth and secretion of extracellular proteins such as glucoamylase. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the proteins associated with Erv14, we developed a high-throughput method by combining yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. We found Erv14 specifically interacted with transporters. Following further validation of the quantitative membrane proteome, we determined that Erv14 was associated with the transport of proteins involved in processes such as cell wall synthesis, lipid metabolism, and organic substrate metabolism.

An improved catalytic wet oxidation method for the disposal of excess activated sludge from a coal chemical wastewater treatment process by using the prepared Cu-Ce/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was reported. The effects of catalyst dosage, reaction temperature and time, and initial oxygen pressure on the degradation of the sludge were investigated. The maximum removal rate of volatile suspended solids, 93.2%, was achieved at 260 °C for 60 min with the catalyst 7.0 g·L−1 and initial oxygen pressure 1.0 MPa. The removal rate of chemical oxygen demand was 78.3% under the same conditions. The production of volatile fatty acids, including mainly acetic acid, propanoic acid, and isobutyric acid, increased with the increasing temperature. These acids have the potential to be carbon sources for the biological treatment of wastewater. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the sludge became a loose porous structure, which is beneficial for dewatering performance. The results of an energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis illustrated that the carbon element in the sludge substantially migrated from solid to liquid phases. Therefore, these results demonstrated that the proposed catalytic wet oxidation method offers a promising pathway for the disposal and utilization of excess activated sludge from the coal chemical wastewater treatment process.

The performance of catalytic wet oxidation of excess activated sludge derived from pharmaceutical wastewater treatment over a Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was investigated. The experiments were performed with a stainless steel autoclave reactor by using the prepared Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalyst. The effects of reaction conditions were examined, including additional catalyst amount, reaction temperature, time, and initial oxygen pressure. Results demonstrated that the catalyst, fabricated via co-precipitating method, has excellent catalytic performance. Through the study on condition optimization, the highest removal rates of volatile suspended solids (VSS, 93.6%) and total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD, 76.5%) were acquired with the reaction temperature 260 °C, time 60 min, initial oxygen pressure 1.0 MPa, and the prepared catalyst 5.0 g/L. The volatile fatty acids (VFAs) produced from the wet oxidation of sludge included acetic (mainly), propanoic, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids, which have great potential for the utilization as organic carbon sources in biological wastewater treatment plant. These results demonstrated that the proposed method, catalytic wet oxidation over Cu/γ-Al2O3 catalyst, is effective for treating excess activated sludge and resource utilization of organic carbon in the sludge.

Background. Drug-induced lupus (DIL) is an autoimmune phenomenon where the patient develops lupus-like symptoms after exposure to a long-term medication. Case Summary. Here we describe a 10-year-old female with absence seizures who developed a lupus-like syndrome after being on ethosuximide for three months. She presented with nephrotic syndrome (NS) and acute kidney injury. Four weeks prior to presentation, she had been prescribed a seven-day course of oral amoxicillin for submental swelling after dental extraction. Investigations showed high titer of antinuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-double stranded DNA, elevated serum IgE level, and positive Coombs’ test, along with positive anti-histone antibodies. Renal biopsy showed features of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) and partial podocyte foot process effacement without evidence of lupus nephritis. The patient had an excellent response to the steroid therapy with remission within two weeks. The patient remained in remission for two months as evaluated during the most recent follow-up; the autoimmune antibodies and immunoglobulin E trended down. Ethosuximide has been reported to cause DIL, however its possible association with TIN has not been reported. Although amoxicillin could have caused the TIN and NS in this patient, a possible novel association of ethosuximide with this nephrotic-nephritic presentation (NNP) cannot be ruled out. Conclusions. A renal histology is important to determine the accurate etiology of NNP in patients with DIL. Further studies are necessary to determine any possible causal effect of ethosuximide with NNP.

Staggered-grid finite-difference (FD) method is widely used to solve the wave equation for the numerical seismic modeling, and it is a key step of the advanced seismic imaging and inversion problem. However, the conventional FD method is prone to instability and dispersion error due to the insufficient approximation accuracy. In this work, we propose an efficient temporal high-order finite-difference (FD) scheme with the cross-rhombus stencil. Compared with the standard cross-rhombus method, the new method has less computational cost due to we simplify the FD scheme. Moreover, the dispersion relation of the new method is easy to obtain the dispersion-relation-preserving (DRP) FD coefficients, which can significantly alleviate the spatial and temporal dispersion errors. Dispersion and stability analyses indicate that the new scheme has better performance in seismic modeling than the conventional method, and numerical experiments also indicate that the new scheme can effectively mitigate dispersion error and improve the numerical accuracy.

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are important tools for maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and conserving and restoring natural ecosystems. Management effectiveness assessment is an important component of conservation management in protected areas. In this study, we constructed a management effectiveness assessment tool based on publicly available information for China, with a total score of 126. We used the tool to systematically assess 27 national MPAs in the East China Sea. Our results showed that marine nature reserves (MNRs) and marine special reserves (MSRs) could be classified into two and three classifications, respectively, including MNRs I (n = 4, scores = 88-100), MNRs II (n = 6, scores = 75-81), MSRs I (n = 8, scores = 75-90), MSRs II (n = 6, scores = 59-75) and MSRs III (n = 3, scores = 53-56). Factors influencing the management effectiveness of nature reserves were the length of establishment and general public budget revenue, while for special reserves they were the length of establishment and total agricultural output value. Furthermore, protected areas with high management effectiveness scores tend to have a longer establishment time, dedicated management departments, adequate management staff and financial investment compared to those with low scores. In addition, the low-score MPAs require more communication with stakeholders. The study provides an objective and comprehensive systematic scoring of MPAs’ management using METT-based framework and multi-source data. It overcomes the challenge of the general lack of data on MPAs and provides a new approach to management effectiveness assessment.

As a crucial coastal wetland habitat in the transition zone between land and sea, global tidal flats have severely declined by 16% over the last two decades under the dual threats of intense human activities and climate change. The Yangtze River Delta of China, the largest estuary in the western Pacific Ocean, has abundant mudflat resources and a dense human population. It also has some of the most prominent conflicts between economic development and ecological conservation. The current lack of understanding of landscape patterns and influencing factors of the Yangtze River Delta mudflats has severely hampered the region’s ecological conservation and restoration efforts. Based on Landsat time-series images, this study generated a 30-m spatial resolution map of mudflats in the Yangtze River Delta, which shrank by 47% during 1990–2020, with a higher density of mudflat loss in Yancheng and Nantong cities of the Jiangsu province and Hangzhou, Shaoxing, and Ningbo cities of the Zhejiang province. Landscape indices, such as the patch density of tidal flats, have gradually changed since 2000, with most of them showing significant changes in 2010. Mudflats in Lianyungang, northwestern Yancheng, Nanhui, Jiaxing, and Hangzhou showed sharp negative changes in landscape characteristics. Natural and anthropogenic factors had synergistic effects on the above changes in mudflat landscape patterns in the Yangtze River Delta. Mudflat landscape features were mainly influenced by population growth, economic development, reclamation, sediment discharge, and air temperature. Based on the evolving characteristics of mudflat landscape patterns, we recommend improving mudflat landscape management and planning by strengthening mudflat policies, laws, and regulations, developing countermeasures against threats from major stressors, and enhancing the effectiveness of nature reserves for mudflat protection.

A large amount of agro-industrial residues are produced from the planting, production and processing of traditional Chinese herbs. As a tonic, edible, and economical herb, Codonopsis pilosula root has been extensively developed into medicine and functional food. However, thousands of tons of aerial parts (stems, leaves, flowers and fruits) have been directly discarded after harvest each year. To utilise agro-wastes, Pleurotus ostreatus was cultivated on a basal substrate supplemented with C. pilosula stems and leaves (CSL). Physicochemical analyses revealed that the basal substrate mixed with CSL was more abundant in cellulose, hemicellulose, and most of micronutrients such as K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Zn and Mo. After the first flush, the fruit bodies in CSL group exhibited a higher fresh weight, a wider average pileus diameter and a lower moisture level. Nutrition analyses presented a higher protein content and a lower fat content in mushrooms from CSL group compared with control group. Interestingly, 14 amino acids (glutamine, arginine, valine, leucine, and etc.) and 3 micronutrients (Se, Fe and Zn) were increased after CSL addition to the substrate. Based on untargeted metabolomics, a total of 710 metabolites were annotated. Compared with control group, there were 142 and 117 metabolites significantly increased and decreased in the CSL group. Most of them were grouped into classes of amino acids and peptids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, terpenoids, and etc. Moreover, an abundance of phytometabolites from Codonopsis were detected in P. ostreatus from CSL group, including polyacetylenes or polyenes, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, organic acids, and etc. UPLC-MS/MS results demonstrated that lobetyolin content in the CSL group samples was 0.0058%. In summary, the aerial parts of C. pilosula processed for use in the production of edible mushroom is an emerging strategy to converting agricultural waste into functional foods.

The area from the northwestern Qaidam Basin to Yiliping is large and the exploration degree of proved petroleum reserves is low. It is of great significance for future petroleum resource assessment to recover the thickness of eroded formation. In this paper, several methods including stratigraphic trend extension, interval transit time, vitrinite reflectivity and Easy%Ro optimization were used to calculate the formation erosion thickness during the late tectonic movement in the study area, and its significance for hydrocarbon accumulation was quantitatively discussed. The Quaternary and Pliocene Shizigou Formation (N23) in the study area were generally eroded, with a maximum erosion thickness of about 1 000 m on the top of some local structures. The Upper Youshashan Formation (N22) was eroded on the top of some structures such as Youquanzi, and the Lower Youshashan Formation (N21) was eroded only at the periphery of the basin. The Yingxiongling structural belt, the top of each structure and the Altun foreland are the areas experienced the most serious erosion, generally more than 500 m of thickness. The erosion thickness in the depression and the eastern part of the study area is relatively smaller, usually less than 500 m, and the tectonic activities here are relatively stable. The distribution of petroleum reservoirs and hydrocarbon shows are closely related to the erosion thickness of sedimentary strata. The erosion thickness with appropriate strength (300-1 500 m) is conducive to the formation of oil and gas reservoirs, while an erosion thickness over 1 500 m is easy to cause damage to oil and gas reservoirs.

In the present study, enhanced wet oxidation of excess sludge from pharmaceutical wastewater by NaOH as an alkaline homogeneous catalyst was investigated. The experiments were carried out in a stainless-steel batch autoclave reactor. The highest volatile suspended solids (VSS) removal rate, 95.2%, was achieved at 260 °C within 60 min with an initial oxygen pressure of 1.0 MPa and NaOH 0.5 g·L−1. Simultaneously, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate of 57.3% was reached. The increase in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) demonstrated that the degradation of sludge was greatly accelerated by NaOH. Interestingly, the production of acetic acid, an intermediate by-product generated from the oxidation of organic compounds, increased significantly. These results illustrated that NaOH is a promising catalyst for the utilization of wet oxidation liquid of excess sludge as a carbon source for the treatment of wastewater.

Developing an effective method to achieve stability and improve the quality of Tibetan tea has scientific significance. Aspergillus niger K1 isolated and identified from Tibetan tea was inoculated in unsterilized or sterilized tea leaves to develop the bioaugmented fermentation (BF) and normal fermentation (NF) processes of Tibetan tea. The results showed that BF resulted in infusions with a deeper color, a stronger aroma, and a thicker taste compared to NF. The dominant bacterium in BF was Staphylococcus (23.76%), while the dominant fungus was Blastobotrys adeninivorans (50.95%). Moreover, 859 metabolites were identified, and the level of 90 differentially changed metabolites (DCMs) in BF increased significantly (VIP > 1, p < 0.05, FC > 2) compared to those in NF, while the level of 37 DCMs in BF decreased significantly (VIP > 1, p < 0.05, FC < 0.5). Correlation analysis demonstrated that A. niger significantly positively correlated with theabrownins, caffeine, and glutamylisoleucine (p < 0.05, |r| > 0.8). B. adeninivorans showed significant negative correlations with 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-1,4-dihydronicotinamide and 2-hydroxyacetaminophen sulfate (p < 0.05, |r| > 0.8). Consequently, the inoculation of A. niger for BF has the potential to alter the metabolites in tea through a synergistic interaction with other microorganisms, ultimately improving the sensory quality of Tibetan tea.

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell treatment is a rapidly emerging therapy for relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancies. Although cytokine release syndrome is a common complication, a concomitant development of biopsy-proven collapsing glomerulopathy and acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been described with CAR-T cell therapy. We report a man in his early 20s with relapsed/refractory pre–B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and compensated liver cirrhosis who received 3 courses of CD19-directed CAR-T cells. After the third CAR-T cell therapy, he developed severe cytokine release syndrome accompanied by new onset of nephrotic syndrome and AKI. Cytokine release syndrome was treated with tocilizumab. His kidney biopsy showed collapsing glomerulopathy, glomerulitis, and interstitial nephritis along with complete podocyte foot-process effacement. Due to disease progression, he was subsequently treated with bispecific CD19-directed CD3 T-cell engager antibody, blinatumomab, during which he developed another episode of cytokine release syndrome with exacerbation of nephrotic-range proteinuria and his AKI progressed to stage 3 chronic kidney disease. Excess cytokine-induced podocyte and renal tubulointerstitial injury and/or “on-target off-tumor” direct renal cell toxicity are the probable mechanisms of kidney injury. Further such reports will increase our understanding of the pathophysiologic basis of kidney injury with CAR-T treatment.

Lupus podocytopathy (LP) is an uncommon manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and is not included in the classification of lupus nephritis. The diagnosis of LP is confirmed by the presence of diffuse foot process effacement in the absence of capillary wall deposits with or without mesangial immune deposits in a patient with SLE. Here we describe a 13-year-old female who presented with nephrotic syndrome (NS) seven years after the diagnosis of SLE. The renal function had been stable for seven years since the SLE diagnosis, as manifested by the normal serum creatinine, serum albumin and absence of proteinuria. Renal biopsy showed evidence of minimal change disease without immune complex deposits or features of membranous nephropathy. Renal function was normal. The patient had an excellent response to steroid therapy with remission within two weeks. The patient remained in remission five months later during the most recent follow-up. This report highlights the importance of renal histology to determine the accurate etiology of NS in patients with SLE. Circulating factors, including cytokines such as interleukin 13, may play a role in the pathophysiology of LP and needs to be studied further in future larger studies.

Abstract Polyporus umbellatus is a precious medicinal fungus. Oxalic acid was observed to affect sclerotial formation and sclerotia possessed more medicinal compounds than mycelia. In this study, the transcriptome of P. umbellatus was analysed after the fungus was exposed to various concentrations of oxalic acid. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding a series of oxidases were upregulated, and reductases were downregulated, in the low-oxalic-acid (Low OA) group compared to the control (No OA) group, while the opposite phenomenon was observed in the high-oxalic-acid (High OA) group. The detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in P. umbellatus mycelia was performed visually, and Ca2+ and H2O2 fluxes were measured using non-invasive micro-test technology (NMT). The sclerotial biomass in the Low OA group increased by 66%, however, no sclerotia formed in the High OA group. The ROS fluorescence intensity increased significantly in the Low OA group but decreased considerably in the High OA group. Ca2+ and H2O2 influx significantly increased in the Low OA group, while H2O2 exhibited efflux in the High OA group. A higher level of oxidative stress formed in the Low OA group. Different concentrations of oxalic acid were determined to affect P. umbellatus sclerotial formation in different ways.

China’s coastal areas face serious environmental degradation as a consequence of large-scale economic development. To balance environmental sustainability with economic development, China is currently implementing a strategy of ‘eco-civilization’, with marine protected areas (MPAs) expected to be one approach to achieving sustainable marine ecosystems. Since the 1990s, China has established over 270 MPAs, but their effectiveness remains unknown, particularly in the Yangtze River Delta. This study modified pre-existing frameworks to evaluate the effectiveness of three national MPAs in the Yangtze River Delta. The modified framework includes conservation outcomes and their potential drivers. Drivers consist of – attributes species or ecosystems within the MPA, attributes of the MPA, institutional design principles, and participation. Five scenarios were proposed based on score combinations of the four drivers: proactive, well designed, well governed, interactive, and learning. All three MPAs achieved a satisfactory level of outcomes and most of the drivers for all three MPAs achieved a satisfactory level. Two of the MPAs were categorized into the learning scenario, and the third into the well-designed scenario, indicating that there is still room to improve institutional design principles and public participation. We suggest developing cost and benefit indicators to more deeply understand proportionality among stakeholders. In addition, the role of participation should be clarified and promoted. We recommend regular environmental performance monitoring and assessment to identify problems and optimize management.

An integrated process by coupling hydrothermal reactions, including CO2 reduction and H2O dissociation with metals, is proposed. The hydrogen could be rapidly produced under hydrothermal conditions, owing to the special characteristics of high temperature water, generating metal hydrides as intermediates. Hydrogen production from the H2O dissociation under hydrothermal conditions is one of the most ideal processes due to its environmentally friendly impact. Recent experimental and theoretical studies on the hydrothermal reduction of CO2 to value-added products by in situ generated metal hydrides are introduced, including the production of formic acid, methanol, methane, and long-chain hydrocarbons. These results indicate that this process holds promise in respect to the conversion of CO2 to useful chemicals and fuels, and for hydrogen storage, which could help alleviate the problems of climate change and energy shortage.

The lithology and lithofacies assemblage of shale are highly complex and heterogeneous in the continental shale formations due to rapid changes in the sedimentary environment and source material, complicating the evaluation of shale oil enrichment areas, such as the member 3 of the Shahejie Formation in the Qikou sag, Bohaibay Basin, China. We used core observations and descriptions of well F39 × 1 and performed X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption analysis, and nuclear magnetic resonance analysis to investigate the shale lithofacies characteristics and types in member 3 of the Shahejie Formation, and their effects on shale oil enrichment. The results showed the following. (1) The lithofacies are divided into four types according to the shale’s laminar structure, lithological characteristics, mineral composition, and organic matter content: thin laminar shale, thick laminar shale, massive mudstone, and argillaceous siltstone. These are divided into six subcategories. Each lithofacies has thin vertical layers. (2) The thin and thick laminar shale layers have favorable conditions for shale oil enrichment, such as a high total organic carbon content (TOC) (1.1–1.6%), many micropores (with the diameter of 0.5–2 µm) and fissures, a high residual hydrocarbon content (1.0–2.3 mg/g), and a good source-reservoir relationship, making them suitable for shale oil exploration. (3) The degree of lamina development influences the organic matter and residual hydrocarbon contents, the number of micropores, and the degree of shale oil enrichment. The semi-deep and deep lake facies are favorable areas for shale oil development.

At present, the management mode of optical cable account data is mainly based on the traditional manual document entry method, and the electronic forms, CAD drawings, electronic documents and other types are used for manual recording. This method not only has large workload and low accuracy, but also can not accurately record the specific geographical location of the optical cable, thus affecting the efficiency of the operation and maintenance personnel in troubleshooting. There is an urgent need for a set of auxiliary system to facilitate the management of optical cable account data, so as to improve the efficiency of optical cable account management and optical cable operation and maintenance. On the basis of the existing new technology, the operation mode and information management mode of the power cable are analyzed to make the relevant data flow direction. This paper introduces a set of power communication optical cable account management system based on GIS to meet the needs of relevant users, combining the current status and requirements of optical cable account data management.The system can implement a comprehensive management of the communication optical cable, including the operation, maintenance, overhaul and accident management of the optical cable, which plays a positive role in improving the operation and management level of the optical cable.

C32H32N2O2, orthorhombic, P212121$P{2}_{1}{2}_{1}{2}_{1}$ (no. 19), a = 9.78920(12) Å, b = 12.71913(14) Å, c = 20.9423(3) Å, V = 2607.53(5) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0535, wRref(F2) = 0.1365, T = 149.99(10) K.

Abstract Background Flammulina filiformis (previously known as Asian F. velutipes) is a popular commercial edible mushroom. Many bioactive compounds with medicinal effects, such as polysaccharides and sesquiterpenoids, have been isolated and identified from F. filiformis, but their biosynthesis and regulation at the molecular level remains unclear. In this study, we sequenced the genome of the wild strain F. filiformis Liu355, predicted its biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) and profiled the expression of these genes in wild and cultivar strains and in different developmental stages of the wild F. filiformis strain by a comparative transcriptomic analysis. Results We found that the genome of the F. filiformis was 35.01 Mb in length and harbored 10,396 gene models. Thirteen putative terpenoid gene clusters were predicted and 12 sesquiterpene synthase genes belonging to four different groups and two type I polyketide synthase gene clusters were identified in the F. filiformis genome. The number of genes related to terpenoid biosynthesis was higher in the wild strain (119 genes) than in the cultivar strain (81 genes). Most terpenoid biosynthesis genes were upregulated in the primordium and fruiting body of the wild strain, while the polyketide synthase genes were generally upregulated in the mycelium of the wild strain. Moreover, genes encoding UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, which are involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis, had relatively high transcript levels both in the mycelium and fruiting body of the wild F. filiformis strain. Conclusions F. filiformis is enriched in a number of gene clusters involved in the biosynthesis of polysaccharides and terpenoid bioactive compounds and these genes usually display differential expression between wild and cultivar strains, even in different developmental stages. This study expands our knowledge of the biology of F. filiformis and provides valuable data for elucidating the regulation of secondary metabolites in this unique F. filiformis strain.

Astragalus membranaceus var. mongolicus (AMM) is an edible and medicinal material and is commonly used in East Asia. According to the pharmacopeia of China, the dried root of AMM is medicinal. However, the aerial parts of AMM are always directly discarded after harvest. The stems and leaves are also rich in active compounds, including saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides. To rationally use resources, waste products from AMM stems and leaves are useful substrates for edible fungus cultivation. Here, oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida) was cultivated on a basal substrate supplemented with AMM stems and leaves (AMM group). The nutritional and chemical composition of the fruiting body were analyzed by metabolomics and chemometrics. Our results showed that AMM addition to the substrate affected the fresh weight, moisture, fat, protein, and element concentrations, and amino acid composition of oyster mushroom. Moreover, 2,156 metabolites were detected and annotated based on the metabolomics data, of which 680 were identified as differentially expressed metabolites. Many active phytometabolites previously identified in AMM herbs were also detected in the metabolomics of oyster mushroom from AMM group, including 46 terpenoids, 21 flavonoids, 17 alkaloids, 14 phenylpropanoids, and 3 fatty acids. In summary, our results imply that oyster mushroom cultured with AMM stems and leaves might have very high nutritional therapy health care value.

The Chang 7 member in Ordos Basin is an important shale oil exploration layer, with new shale-oil discoveries in recent years. The Chang 73 submember is rich in organic shale, which is the main source rock of shale oil in the Yanchang Formation. In order to clarify the lamina structure, composition, types, and distribution characteristics in Chang 73 submember and its influence on organic matter enrichment, a full coring well in Chang 73 submember located in deep-lacustrine facies is selected to obtain intensive systematic core samples. Core observation, thin section identification, X-ray fluorescence element analysis, X-diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscope, electron probe, rock pyrolysis, and other techniques are performed to systematically analyze the morphology, structure, thickness, mineral compositions, and organic matter content of the shale lamina in the Chang 73 submember. Five types of lamina are identified: silty felsic lamina (SF), tuffaceous lamina (TF), organic-rich clay lamina (ORC), organic-bearing clay lamina (OBC), and homogeneous clay lamina (HC), which are further subdivided into eight subtypes. The lamina types change greatly vertically in the Chang 73 submember, in which the lower part is mainly silty felsic lamina, organic-rich clay, and tuffaceous lamina, the middle part is mainly organic rich and organic clay lamina and organic-bearing clay lamina, and the upper part is mainly homogeneous clay lamina and a small amount of silty felsic organic-bearing clay lamina and organic-bearing clay lamina. Different laminae show various organic matter types, organic matter content (TOC), and organic matter occurrence states which can be divided into four occurrence types. The TOC in organic-rich clay lamina and part of homogeneous clay lamina is high, while that of silty felsic lamina is lower. The relationship between shale lamina and organic matter enrichment is established according to the correlation analysis of laminar characteristics, mineral content, and organic matter content. Among them, the organic-rich lamina is richest of TOC and is a favorable “sweet point” for shale oil exploration.

Codonopsis pilosula has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years, where it has been used to treat anaemia, fatigue, a weak spleen, and stomach problems, among other ailments. The roots of C. pilosula are considered medicinal, while the aerial parts are always directly discarded after harvest in autumn or winter. Some studies have shown that the stems and leaves of C. pilosula also contain a variety of active metabolites, including saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides. To efficiently utilise resources, waste products from C. pilosula leaves and stems were analysed by untargeted metabolomics and chemometrics. A total of 1508 metabolites were detected and annotated, of which 463 were identified as differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). These DEMs were grouped into classes, such as carboxylic acids and derivatives, steroids, organic oxygen compounds, fatty acyls, prenol lipids, and flavonoids. Metabolic profiling of C. pilosula tissues showed that the contents of polyacetylenes, polyenes, flavonoids, some alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, and organic acids were higher in stems and leaves, whereas the contents of the main lignans and some alkaloids were more enriched in roots. Moreover, C. pilosula stems and leaves also contained a lobetyolin, syringin and atractylenolide III, which were detected by LC-MS/MS and HPLC-UV. The extracts of C. pilosula aerial parts also showed stronger antioxidant properties than roots. C. pilosula stems and leaves were rich in active ingredients and might have great value for development and utilisation.

This study focuses on the organic-rich mud shale in the Upper Palaeozoic transitional facies in the southeastern margin of the Ordos Basin. It systematically analyzes the shale gas accumulation conditions of the organic-rich mud shale in the Lower Permian Shanxi-Taiyuan Formation, including the thickness, distribution, organic matter type and content, thermal maturity, reservoir space, gas-bearing property, and rock brittleness. The results show that the thick dark mud shale contains a high organic matter content, is a suitable kerogen type for gas generation, and exhibits moderate thermal evolution, providing excellent conditions for hydrocarbon accumulation. Residual primary pores formed by shale compaction, secondary pores formed by organic matter hydrocarbon generation, clay mineral transformation and dissolution, and fractures provide suitable reservoir spaces for shale gas. The shale in the study area has a higher gas content than the shale strata in the marine basins of the United States. In addition, the content of brittle minerals such as quartz is higher, and Poisson’s ratio is lower, facilitating the subsequent transformation. The accumulation conditions indicate the high potential of the study area for shale gas exploration and development. The geological analogy method is used to compare the study area with five major shale gas basins in the United States. The results indicate that the shale gas resources of the Shanxi-Taiyuan Formation in the study area are in the range of 2800–3200×108 m3. The primary controlling factors affecting shale gas reservoirs in this area are the abundance of organic matter, thermal maturity, shale thickness, and quartz content. Favorable areas are predicted based on these factors.

In order to clarify the characteristics of pore-throat in tight sandstone reservoirs in the Dibei area of the Kuqa Depression in the Tarim Basin (Northwest China) and to make clear its impact on reservoir quality and productivity, microscopic observation and quantitative analysis of 310 tight sandstones in the Kuqa Depression are carried out by using various methods. Microscopic observation shows that the shapes of the pores are flat, oval, and long-narrow. A great number of throats connect the nanoscale pores in the form of a network. Quantitative analyses including RCMP (rate-controlled mercury penetration), HPMI (high-pressure mercury injection), NA (nitrogen adsorption), and routine and stress-dependent core analysis show that the peak of pores radius ranges from 125 μm to 150 μm, and the throat radius is in the range of 1 μm-4 μm. The throat space accounts for about 2/3 of the total space of the tight sandstones, which is the major storage space for natural gas. The space shape has a great influence on the reservoir seepage capacity, particularly under the condition of overburden pressure. The pores with throat radius greater than 300 nm have free fluid, and they contribute more than 98% of the reservoir permeability. The pore spaces with throat radius among 300 nm-52 nm can release fluids by reservoir stimulation. The pore-throats with radius

The Cenozoic in the western Qaidam Basin is rich in oil and gas resources and has good prospects for exploration. The maturity, sedimentary environment, and biological source of the crude oil in the western Qaidam Basin are discussed based on the composition characteristics of biomarkers in crude oil and source rocks. The above is performed to classify the genetic types of crude oil and determine the oil source relationship. It is found that the crude oil shows the characteristics of low mature–mature and is formed in the reducing environment with high salinity. The organic matter is from the mixed source with dominant aquatic plants input. According to the sedimentary environment, parent material types, and maturity characteristics, the crude oil in the western Qaidam Basin can be classified into four types. (1) Type I is from the Shizigou-Yuejin areas, which have a high content of gammacerane, a low value of Pr/Ph, C27 sterane predominance, and “tail-upwarping” phenomenon. (2) Type II is from the Qiekelike-Zhahaquan and Nanyishan-Youquanzi areas, which have C27 sterane predominance and no “tail-upwarping” phenomenon. Its content of gammacerane is lower than type I. (3) Type III is from the Dafengshan and Huangguamao areas, which have C29 sterane predominance and no “tail-upwarping” phenomenon. (4) Type IV is from the Kaitemilike area, which has a C27 sterane predominance, no “tail-upwarping” phenomenon, and lower content of gammacerane than that of others. The result of the oil-source correlation shows that the crude oil is dominantly derived from source rocks of the lower Ganchaigou Formation (E3) and the upper Ganchaigou Formation (N1).