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High‐performance membranes are critical to membrane separation technology. In recent years, 2D covalent organic frameworks (2D COFs) have attracted extensive attention in the field of membrane separation due to their high porosity, ordered channels, and fine‐tuned pore sizes, which are considered as excellent candidate to solve the trade‐off between membrane selectivity and permeability. Herein, two kinds of ionic 2D COFs with different charge properties (termed as iCOFs) are integrated into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) substrates to form two composite membranes (PAN@iCOFs) with excellent selective perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) separation performance with high solvent permeability and good mechanical properties. The as‐prepared PAN@iCOFs composite membranes can selectively reject more than 99.0% of positively and negatively charged PFASs in wastewater while maintaining good stability and recyclability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discovering the relationships between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and diseases is significant in the treatment, diagnosis and prevention of diseases. However, current identified lncRNA-disease associations are not enough because of the expensive and heavy workload of wet laboratory experiments. Therefore, it is greatly important to develop an efficient computational method for predicting potential lncRNA-disease associations. Previous methods showed that combining the prediction results of the lncRNA-disease associations predicted by different classification methods via Learning to Rank (LTR) algorithm can be effective for predicting potential lncRNA-disease associations. However, when the classification results are incorrect, the ranking results will inevitably be affected. We propose the GraLTR-LDA predictor based on biological knowledge graphs and ranking framework for predicting potential lncRNA-disease associations. Firstly, homogeneous graph and heterogeneous graph are constructed by integrating multi-source biological information. Then, GraLTR-LDA integrates graph auto-encoder and attention mechanism to extract embedded features from the constructed graphs. Finally, GraLTR-LDA incorporates the embedded features into the LTR via feature crossing statistical strategies to predict priority order of diseases associated with query lncRNAs. Experimental results demonstrate that GraLTR-LDA outperforms the other state-of-the-art predictors and can effectively detect potential lncRNA-disease associations. Availability and implementation: Datasets and source codes are available at http://bliulab.net/GraLTR-LDA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are regarded as drug targets and biomarkers for the diagnosis and therapy of diseases. However, biological experiments cost substantial time and resources, and the existing computational methods only focus on identifying missing associations between known piRNAs and diseases. With the fast development of biological experiments, more and more piRNAs are detected. Therefore, the identification of piRNA-disease associations of newly detected piRNAs has significant theoretical value and practical significance on pathogenesis of diseases. In this study, the iPiDA-LTR predictor is proposed to identify associations between piRNAs and diseases based on Learning to Rank. The iPiDA-LTR predictor not only identifies the missing associations between known piRNAs and diseases, but also detects diseases associated with newly detected piRNAs. Experimental results demonstrate that iPiDA-LTR effectively predicts piRNA-disease associations outperforming the other related methods. Author summary: Accumulating evidences have indicated that dysfunction and abnormal expression of piRNAs are closely associated with the emergence and development of diseases. Currently, identifying piRNA-disease associations mainly focuses on biological experimental methods and computational methods. However, biological experimental methods take substantial time and resources. Computational methods mainly focused on identifying diseases associated known piRNAs. With the development of biological technology, more and more newly detected piRNAs were detected. Therefore, identifying diseases associated with newly detected piRNAs is more important compared with identifying diseases associated with known piRNAs. Information retrieval (IR)'s goal is to rank documents based on the relevance to certain topics. This task is particularly similar with identification of piRNA-disease associations. Specifically, ranking documents related to previous topics corresponds to identify diseases associated with known piRNAs, and ranking documents related to novel topics is similar to identify diseases associated with newly detected piRNAs. Therefore, we propose a new predictor called iPiDA-LTR to predict associations between piRNAs and diseases based on information retrieval technology. Experimental results indicated that iPiDA-LTR is promising in identifying diseases associated with known piRNAs and newly detected piRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fates of nanomaterials (NMs) in vivo are greatly dependent on their interactions with human serum proteins. However, the interfacial molecular details of NMs-serum proteins are still difficult to be probed. Herein, the molecular interaction details of human serum albumin (HSA) with Au and SiO2 nanoparticles have been systematically interrogated and compared by using lysine reactivity profiling mass spectrometry (LRP-MS). We demonstrated the biocompatibility of Au is better than SiO2 nanoparticles and the NMs surface charge state played a more important role than particle size in the combination of NMs-HSA at least in the range of 15–40 nm. Our results will contribute to the fundamental mechanism understanding of NMs-serum protein interactions as well as the NMs rational design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying miRNA-disease associations is an important task for revealing pathogenic mechanism of complicated diseases. Different computational methods have been proposed. Although these methods obtained encouraging performance for detecting missing associations between known miRNAs and diseases, how to accurately predict associated diseases for new miRNAs is still a difficult task. In this regard, a ranking framework named idenMD-NRF is proposed for miRNA-disease association identification. idenMD-NRF treats the miRNA-disease association identification as an information retrieval task. Given a novel query miRNA, idenMD-NRF employs Learning to Rank algorithm to rank associated diseases based on high-level association features and various predictors. The experimental results on two independent test datasets indicate that idenMD-NRF is superior to other compared predictors. A user-friendly web server of idenMD-NRF predictor is freely available at http://bliulab.net/idenMD-NRF/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality (VR) has widely been implemented in a variety of industries, with immersive storytelling now gaining popularity in the field of journalism. In this regard, there are many important questions about which direction modern journalism should take as a whole. To test the feasibility of immersive storytelling, this study developed a cognitive experience model containing paths for presence, flow, credibility, empathy, understanding, and enjoyment. A total of 131 participants were divided into three groups and exposed to either VR, 360-degree videos, or two-dimensional (2D) videos, then asked to rate their experiences. With the exception of understanding, results showed that the VR and 360-degree videos were more highly evaluated in each path when compared with 2D videos. In this case, technical attributes did not greatly affect the study variables. However, presence played a vital role in news promotion, while flow was positively affected by presence; flow also affected other variables when combined with presence. Finally, a structural equation model was tested and the weights of the different influences on the enjoyment impact were presented. In sum, this study found that immersive storytelling improved both presence, flow, and credibility, which jointly and positively affected enjoyment. Understanding negatively affected enjoyment. Empathy had little effect on enjoyment in the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the retraction of a study examining the factors influencing the subjective well-being and mental health of Chinese women under the context of sustainable green earth resources, involving self, family, and media. Concerns about compromised editorial handling and inappropriate references led to the loss of confidence in the study's results and conclusions, leading to its retraction.

[Display omitted] • A novel magnetic porous organic cage Fe 3 O 4 -COOH@CC3R-OH was facilely synthesized. • Fe 3 O 4 -COOH@CC3R-OH demonstrated high adsorption efficiency for EDCs. • The interaction mechanism of EDCs adsorption was revealed by molecular docking. • Fe 3 O 4 -COOH@CC3R-OH-based SPE HPLC-MS/MS can detect trace EDCs in environmental water. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are pervasive emerging pollutants found in environmental water, stemming from their widespread use in personal consumer products. This study presents a novel magnetic Porous organic cage (POC) material, Fe 3 O 4 -COOH@CC3R-OH, which has been proven to be highly effective in eco-friendly eliminating EDCs. Featuring a tetrahedral morphology with core–shell structure, the new magnetic adsorbent boasts a substantial Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of 94.02 m2/g and a particle pore size of 1.14 nm. Rigorous optimization of adsorption conditions for eight specific EDCs was conducted, complemented by insightful molecular docking simulations shedding light on the adsorption mechanisms. Furthermore, the developed Fe 3 O 4 -COOH@CC3R-OH magnetic solid phase extraction-assisted high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MSPE-HPLC-MS/MS) method exhibits good sensitivity and precision in the quantitative detection of EDCs in environmental water samples. This integrated approach provides a robust platform for both efficient removal and accurate detection of EDCs, advancing water quality control and safeguarding human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human serum albumin (HSA) is one of the most important serum carrier proteins that deliver small-molecule drugs to their specific targets. Clarifying the molecular mechanism of the interaction between natural HSA and drugs in an aqueous solution has been a hot topic in pharmaceutical chemistry, clinical medicine, and biochemistry in recent years, but it is still challenging. In this paper, the details of molecular interactions of HSA with a variety of therapeutic drugs including ibuprofen, indomethacin, phenylbutazone, and warfarin are systematically investigated using a mass spectrometry (MS)-based lysine reactivity profiling (LRP) strategy. The results reaffirm that the major ligand binding sites (including Sites I and II) of HSA are located in subdomains IIA and IIIA, while several potential drug-binding areas at subdomain IIIB and α helix IIB-IIIA are newly characterized. The MS-LRP strategy may have important application prospects in pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and safety evaluation of small-molecule drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lacustrine deposits can provide insight into chemical weathering and climate change. Based on the analysis of the element concentrations and parameters of the acid-leaching residual fractions (AR) in the lacustrine deposits of the Qaidam Basin (QB), chemical weathering and paleoclimate changes in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau (NETP) have been studied. The results show that the characteristics of trace element concentrations exhibit two kinds of patterns by normalized element arbitrary units (a.u.). The rare earth element (REE) distribution patterns are moderately rich in light rare earth elements (LREEs) with slightly right-tilting and negative Eu anomalies. Triangular plots of the REEs and (La/Yb)n-ΣREE suggest that the sediments have a similar source. The geochemical records of climate proxies indicated warm-wet climate stages during 45.1–31.6 cal. ka BP., further proving that a megalake stage existed in the semi-arid area in marine isotope stage (MIS) 3. Strong evaporation resulted in a high paleolake level history in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau after the late period of MIS 3. Meanwhile, the geochemical records of the Qaidam Basin are synchronous with the global records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipolysis in white adipose tissue (WAT) occurs in response to nutritional signals and helps to regulate lipid turnover/adiposity in animals. However, the causal relationships and the mechanisms controlling WAT morphology are not clear. In this report, Vanin‐1, a pantetheinase, is shown to be a novel determinant for lipolysis and adiposity. The expression of Vanin‐1 in the abdominal WAT is positively correlated with lipolysis both in mice and in humans. Mice with global Vanin‐1 deficiency exhibit adipocyte hypertrophy and impaired lipolysis. Use of a nanosystem comprising P3‐peptide, chitosan oligosaccharide lactate, and polyethylene glycol that controls Vanin‐1 expression in the abdominal WAT shows that WAT‐specific Vanin‐1 knockdown blocks fasting‐induced lipolysis and prevents WAT loss. However, WAT‐specific Vanin‐1 mRNA restoration rescues impaired lipolysis and improves glucose/insulin intolerance in diabetic db/db mice. Mechanistically, Vanin‐1 induces PPARγ activity and subsequently facilitates its activation on the proximal promoters of lipolytic genes. Thus, an essential role of Vanin‐1 in the regulation of lipolysis and adiposity is revealed, and a functional RNA delivering strategy for specific intervention of Vanin‐1 expression in WAT is shown. These findings provide a promising approach to treat metabolic diseases caused by dysregulation of Vanin‐1 and lipolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Reports on the association of the CGG repeat length in the FMR1 gene with the severity of idiopathic POI are inconclusive. Therefore, a meta analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the expansion of repeat CGG and idiopathic POI risk. Methods: Up to January 2019, 18 case-control or cohort studies involving 3022 idiopathic POI patients and 8461 controls were included for meta analysis. Results: Thirteen studies, including 2047 cases and 6912 controls, met our criteria for the assessment of the premutation and intermediate repeat length in patients patients with POI. Compared with controls, FMR1 gene premutation is significantly associated with POI (OR = 8.13; 95% CI: 4.35–15.19; p <.00001), whereas there was no significant correlation between intermediate repeat length and POI (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.62–1.18; p =.34). Six studies, representing 975 patients and 1749 controls, were eligible for evaluation of the premutation and intermediate repeat length in diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). The association between premutation and DOR was significant (OR=14.87; 95% CI:5.20-42.52; p < 0.00001), while no significant correlation of intermediate size to DOR was found in the case-control comparison (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.65–1.47; p = 0.93). Conclusion: There is a close association between premutation of the FMR1 gene and increased susceptibility to idiopathic POI of each stage and no correlation between intermediate repeat length of the FMR1 gene and the severity of idiopathic POI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major risk factors for the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. The most common drugs used to treat hypercholesterolemia are 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, known as statins. Statins induce a beneficial increase in the levels of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and additionally upregulate proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which leads to LDLR degradation. This process causes a negative feedback response that attenuates the lipid lowering effects of statins. Therefore, the development of PCSK9 inhibitors may increase the lipid-lowering functions of statins. In the present study, a drug-screening assay was developed using the human PCSK9 promoter, based on data from a dual-luciferase reporter assay, and the efficacies of various compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine were examined. Among the compounds examined, SIL was demonstrated to function by targeting PCSK9. It was identified that SIL treatment decreased the expression levels of PCSK9 in HepG2 cells by decreasing the activity of the PCSK9 promoter in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Notably, SIL antagonized the statin-induced phosphorylation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. The present study suggested that SIL may be developed as a novel PCSK9 inhibitor that may increase the efficiency of statin treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main goal of the current study was to investigate the membrane fouling mechanism of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) with various AGS sizes. In this regard, AGSs were sieved into 6 levels: 0∼0.5, 0.5∼0.7, 0.7∼1, 1∼1.2, 1.2∼1.7 mm and larger than 1.7 mm, then filtrated by a small dead-end filtration cell. Interestingly, there appeared a critical AGS size (1∼1.2 mm) for membrane fouling. Above 1.2 mm, flux increased and fouling reduced with size, due to the loose cake layer and high permeability caused by larger AGS. Below 1 mm, for smaller AGS, higher flux and lower fouling appeared, because less extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) formed and adhered onto AGS foulants. In the critical size, membrane fouling was serious to the most extent, on account of the dual role of the compact structure of cake fouling layer and the adhesion of EPS. Moreover, this critical AGS size also possessed the highest cake layer, pore blocking and irreversible fouling, which generally existed in various operational conditions. Besides, the results of SEM, AFM, hydrophilicity and ATR-FTIR also proved that the existence of the maximum membrane fouling at the critical AGS size. This study provides a deep understanding of the membrane fouling mechanisms of AGS in membrane filtration and is beneficial for developing a new membrane fouling mitigation strategy by terms of regulating AGS size. Image • Membrane fouling mechanisms of AGS with various AGS sizes were studied. • Interestingly, there appeared a critical AGS size (1–1.2 mm) for membrane fouling. • Above or below critical AGS size, fouling reduced as the size increase or decrease. • For the fouling resistance, pore blocking was higher than cake layer. • The micromorphology of fouled membrane was used to analyze critical AGS size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B Front Cover b : Two kinds of 2D ionic covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with different charge properties are integrated into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to form COF mixed matrix membrane, as reported in article 2200718 by Heping Ma and co-workers. The PAN@iCOFs membrane can efficiently and selectively separate perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from water with high solvent permeability and good mechanical strength, showing great practical potential for selective separation and recycling of PFASs in wastewater. [Extracted from the article]

Front Cover: Two kinds of 2D ionic covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with different charge properties are integrated into polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to form COF mixed matrix membrane, as reported in article 2200718 by Heping Ma and co‐workers. The PAN@iCOFs membrane can efficiently and selectively separate perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from water with high solvent permeability and good mechanical strength, showing great practical potential for selective separation and recycling of PFASs in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A practical prediction method for the Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content evaluation of beef covered by the packaging films was proposed by using visible-near infrared hyperspectral imaging (HSI). Hyperspectral image under three conditions: beef without films, beef covered by appressed films, and beef covered by non-touch films was obtained. The results indicated that the influence on prediction accuracy of TVB-N content with the presence of films could be properly eliminated by spectral preprocessing methods and modeling methods. Moreover, the successive projections algorithm (SPA) combined with least squares support vector machines (SPA-LSSVM) was the best predictive model for beef without film, beef covered by non-touch polypropylene and polyethylene, and determination coefficient in prediction (R P 2) were 0.9167, 0.9157, and 0.9423 respectively, and root mean square errors in prediction (RMSEP) was 1.7808, 1.8758, and 1.4304 respectively. The competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS) combined with LSSVM (CARS-LSSVM) was more effective for beef covered by appressed films of polypropylene and polyethylene, and R P 2 were 0.9046 and 0.9533 respectively, and RMSEP was 2.0444 and 1.2858 respectively. This study demonstrated that it is feasible to predict the TVB-N content of packaged beef using visible-near infrared hyperspectral technology. • Hyperspectral technology was used to predict the TVB-N content of packaged beef. • Three conditions were designed to investigate the influence of packaging films on the predicted results. • The reflectance spectrum of beef with film was affected by the dual effects of films scattering and transmission. • CARS-LSSVM was suitable for the condition of beef covered by appressed films, while SPA-LSSVM was better for non-touch films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic changes in the Asian southwest monsoon (ASWM) during the Holocene have become a topic of recent studies. It is important to understand the patterns and causes of Holocene climatic changes and their relationship with global changes. Based on the climate proxies and wavelet analysis of Lugu Lake in the ASWM region, the climatic fluctuations and periodic changes in the ASWM region during the Holocene have been reconstructed with a high-precision chronology. The results indicate the intensification of ASWM began to increase with Northern Hemisphere low-latitude solar insolation (LSI) and solar activity during the early Holocene, and gradually decreased during the late Holocene, exhibiting an apparent synchrony with numerous records of ASWM region. Meanwhile, an apparent 1000-a quasi-periodic signal is present in the environment proxies, and it demonstrates that the environmental change in the ASWM region has been driven mainly by LSI and solar activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilm membrane bioreactor (BF-MBR) is considered as an important wastewater treatment technology that incorporates advantages of both biofilm and MBR process, as well as can alleviate membrane fouling, with respect to the conventional activated sludge MBR. But, to be efficient, it necessitates the establishment of proper methods for the assessment of membrane fouling. Four Hermia membrane blocking models were adopted to quantify and evaluate the membrane fouling of BF-MBR. The experiments were conducted with various operational conditions, including membrane types, agitation speeds and transmembrane pressure (TMP). Good agreement between cake formation model and experimental data was found, confirming the validity of the Hermia models for assessing the membrane fouling of BF-MBR and that cake layer deposits on membrane. Moreover, the influences of membrane types, agitation speeds and transmembrane pressure on the Hermia pore blocking coefficient of cake layer were investigated. In addition, the permeability recovery after membrane cleaning at various operational conditions was studied. This work confirms that, unlike conventional activated sludge MBR, BF-MBR possesses a low degree of membrane fouling and a higher membrane permeability recovery after cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotating Disk Membrane (RDM) module with ultrafiltration (UF) was an effective alternative method to treat alfalfa wastewater and realize protein recovery and agricultural irrigation water production. The effects of membrane and operational conditions (rotating speed, temperature and transmembrane pressure (TMP)) on filtration behavior were investigated using full recycling tests. High molecular weight cut off (MWCO) membrane, rotating speed, temperature and TMP improved flux behavior and productivity, but reduced separation performance. Moreover, the increases of membrane MWCO, temperature and TMP also led to elevation of irreversible fouling. Then series of concentration tests were conducted at various operational conditions and the filtration behavior was studied. High temperature could improve flux behavior and productivity significantly. Hermia’s blocking model was used to study fouling process, and identify the main fouling mechanism. These results from laboratory-scale tests provide a useful guide for protein recovery and agricultural irrigation water production in alfalfa wastewater treatment and provide a useful guide for UF process operation in industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High shear stress is a promising new approach with high potential to assist membrane cleaning. In this study, the effect of shear stress on the permeability recovery of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes fouled by dairy wastewater was investigated. Water rinsing and chemical cleaning are two main cleaning methods. With respect to water rinsing, the effect of shear stress, temperature and cleaning time on cleaning efficiency were studied. Results revealed that shear stress could effectively remove casein micelles and whey protein layer on membrane surface. As for chemical cleaning, the effect of shear stress, temperature, the type of cleaning agent, concentration and cleaning time on cleaning efficiency were studied. Due to the effect of shear stress, the convection diffusivity was enhanced and foam cleaning agent was produced, thus can remove foulants on membrane surface or ones in internal greatly. Response surface methodology was utilized to explain the significance of various operation conditions and optimize the water rinsing and chemical cleaning process. After that, with the optimum results, two long time industrial cleaning processes were conducted and compared. In general, the high shear stress shows high potential for improving membrane cleaning operation and exerting a relevant influence on the overall process efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel refrigeration system called hydrate-based refrigeration system was proposed, and its performance was analyzed by using Aspen Plus. The system consisted of five parts, compressor/pump, hydrate formation tank, hydrate dissociation tank, expander and gas/liquid separator. Compared with conventional compression refrigeration cycle, hydrate-based refrigeration system uses hydrate formation tank to replace condenser to achieve heat release; hydrate dissociation tank for evaporator of achieve refrigeration. There were three types of the hydrate-based refrigeration system, which refrigeration cycles were analyzed through using Aspen Plus. Methyl fluoride, cyclopentane/monofluoro cyclopentane and water were used to form hydrate as the working fluids. For the system of methyl fluoride, cyclopentane and water, the highest coefficient of performance was 8.01–8.97, For the system of methyl fluoride, monofluoro cyclopentane and water, the best coefficient of performance was 7.58–8.49. Based on it, the relation of temperature and entropy during refrigeration process for hydrate-based refrigeration system was analyzed. It’s coefficient of performance was 2–4 times of the conventional compression refrigeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Compressive strength is more sensitive to solid mass fraction. • The number of fractures decreases with increasing dip angle. • Higher particle forces at the delamination interface. • The change of angle has a great influence on the bond strain energy. The volume of the goaf in the hard rock mine vacancy method is much larger than the filling capacity. The existence of layered interface and stacking angle during the filling in large-size goaf complicates the stress of layered structure surface, and the influence mechanism of filling physical properties is unknown. Therefore, the mechanical properties of backfill samples with slurry concentrations of 68%, 70%, 72%, and 74% and stratification angles of 2°, 4°, 6°, and 8° were tested using solid waste of metal ore. The reduction law of compressive strength of backfill under the influence of interlayer inclination was analyzed. The development law of micro-cracks was further studied with particle flow code. The study shows that the uniaxial compressive strength decreases with the polynomial function, and the uniaxial compressive strength rises with the solid mass fraction. The internal crack of the layered cemented tailing backfill begins to sprout when the stress reaches 60% of the peak strength. The crack evolution curve reaches the inflection point when the stress reaches the peak strength. The distribution of fine packing cracks becomes more concentrated and decreases with the increase in the interlayer inclination. The influence of the energy evolution is mainly reflected in the decrease in the bonding energy conversion ratio and the increase in the dissipation energy conversion ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming may be slowed down by carbon capture and storage systems that allow to sequester carbon dioxide from large fixed point sources such as power plants or industrial facilities that use fossil fuels or biomass as fuel. Nonetheless, these processes often consume a lot of energy and materials, and they emit pollutants. In particular, monoethanolamine regeneration after carbon dioxide absorption is energy-intensive. Alternatively, membrane separation presumably consumes less energy than absorption, yet there is no reported quantitative comparison. Here we compared monoethanolamine absorption and two-stage membrane separation for carbon dioxide separation in a supercritical pulverized coal power plant, using life cycle assessment. We considered 13 midpoint impact categories including global warming, ozone depletion, freshwater eutrophication, marine eutrophication, terrestrial acidification, fossil resource depletion, water resource depletion, metal depletion, terrestrial ecotoxicity, freshwater ecotoxicity, marine ecotoxicity, human toxicity and particulate matter formation. Results show that membrane separation is 5% more efficient and requires 11.6% less energy than monoethanolamine absorption. Membrane separation has also lower environmental impact scores versus monoethanolamine absorption, such as 0.495 versus 0.546 for global warming, 0.219 versus 0.243 for human toxicity and 0.284 versus 0.318 for fossil depletion. Overall, the two-stage membrane separation should induce less damage to ecosystems, human health and resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrafiltration Dynamic Rotating Module (UF-DRDM) was an effective alternative method to concentrate leaf protein from alfalfa juice. The effects of operation parameters (membrane, rotating speed, temperature and TMP) on filtration behavior were investigated using full recycling tests and concentration tests. Large membrane molecular weight cut off (MWCO), rotating speed, temperature and TMP improved filtration behavior and productivity. Furthermore, high rotating speed produced high shear rate on membrane surface, enhancing separation performance and membrane cleaning efficiency. But, large MWCO, high temperature and high TMP caused terrible separation performance and high irreversible fouling. Then, series of concentration tests were studied. Large MWCO, high rotating speed, high temperature and great TMP could improve filtration behavior of concentration tests. Finally, concentration tests repeated five times were conducted at optimized operation conditions (2000 rpm, 6 bar, 55 °C and US100P) for checking efficiency, stability and sustainability as well its potential application value. These results from laboratory-scale tests show favorable prospects in the alfalfa juice concentration by UF-DRDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lacustrine deposits at the margin of the southeastern Tibetan Plateau (SETP) are sensitive indicators for the evolution of the southwest Asian monsoon (SWAM) during the Quaternary. Thus, they can provide insight into the Quaternary climatic history and their relationship with global climatic changes. The results of the geochemical analysis of the Xiaozhongdian Basin section at the SETP suggest that SiO2 had the highest content of the major elements followed by Al2O3. The order of the abundance of the major elements was generally as follows: SiO2>Al2O3>Fe2O3>CaO>MgO>K2O>TiO2>Na2O>MnO2. The geochemical proxies, such as chemical index of alteration (CIA), the index of compositional variability (ICV) and (CaO+K2O+Na2O)/Al2O3, indicate the weak chemical weathering and the aridification of the margin of the SETP during the Heinrich events. In addition, the aridification of the SETP during the Heinrich events may be closely related to the cold signals transmitted from the high latitudes of the North Atlantic to the TP, and the effect caused the cooling effect to be very strong on the TP as a result of the upper-level westerly jet stream and then reduced the suction action associated with the SWAM, thus accelerating the drying rate of Xiaozhongdian Basin, which was amplifying the degree of drought in Heinrich events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs), as an efficient, low cost and environmentally friendly treatment technology, have shown a great potential to become a “zero” waste process in water/wastewater industry. At present, the main technical barrier to its commercialization is membrane fouling, which usually increases operating costs and decreases treatment efficiency. This paper reviews R&D progresses in membrane fouling mechanisms of PMRs, relationship between photocatalytic process and membrane fouling, and different fouling control strategies. Fouling evolution, fouling types and fouling consequences in PMRs for different kinds of water/wastewater treatments are summarized. The effects of key operating parameters on fouling behavior, in particular photocatalytic reaction conditions, are discussed, while the role of photocatalysis in membrane fouling mechanism, including pore blocking and cake layer, are critically examined. Furthermore, fouling control strategies in PMRs are reviewed by category. Finally, on the basis of reported results, future research perspectives regarding the development of PMRs and fouling control strategies are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Semi-clathrate hydrate has good cycle performance. • Hydrate formation conditions are more controllable than ice. • The adjustable range of phase change temperature is 0.61∼27.9 °C. • DCS method is proposed to estimate the hydrate numbers of semi-clathrate hydrate crystals. • The hydrate number of TBAHSO 4 hydrate crystals were estimated to be the range of 35∼38.7, 32∼35, and 24∼28.3. Hydrate has attracted extensive attention because of its adjustable phase change temperature and high cold storage density. In this paper, the thermophysical properties of semi-clathrate hydrates as the phase change materials (PCMs) formed by aqueous solutions of tetrabutyl-(ammonium/phosphonium) salts (TBAF, TBAC, TBAHSO 4 , and TBPB) with different concentrations (0.05∼0.44, mass fraction) were systematically studied, including formation/dissociation temperature, phase change enthalpy, cycle performance and hydrate number. The results showed that semi-clathrate hydrate had good cycle performance during cold storage and release. The randomness of hydrate formation temperature was much less than that of ice, which suggested the hydrate formation conditions were more controllable. With the increase of solution concentration, the apparent driving force for hydrate formation decreased, and the proportion of hydrate in total enthalpy increased from 5% to 100%. In addition, the adjustable range of phase change temperature of semi-clathrate hydrate formed by the solution above is 0.61∼27.9 °C, where ranged from high to low is TBAF, TBAC, TBPB, and TBAHSO 4. The total phase change enthalpy was about 122∼302.6 kJ/kg. The range of the maximum, intermediate and minimum hydrate number of TBAHSO 4 hydrate crystal were estimated to be 35∼38.7, 32∼35, and 24∼28.3, respectively, by dissociation temperature and enthalpy analysis using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). This study could form the basis for energy saving in water-based cold storage process. According to the needs of different cold storage temperatures, different salt solutions can be selected as cold storage media, so as to achieve the purpose of energy saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The granular material (GM) is able to effectively improve the membrane fouling control in membrane bioreactor (MBR) by dynamic scouring, adsorption behavior and enzymatic degradation. However, their roles and effects on the filtration performance of MBR remain unclear. The present work investigated the GM dynamic scouring mechanism, revealed the multifunctional quantitative evaluation, and clarified the filtration performance at various GM operating conditions in MBR. First, the aerobic granular sludge (AGS)-filtration process was still limited by the presence of irreversible membrane fouling, which decreased the filtration performance in MBR (threshold flux [169.5 L m−2 h−1] and (turning point of membrane fouling resistance [1.1 × 1012 m−1]). To solve this problem, the GMs (activated carbon [AC] and laccase immobilized activated carbon [LAC]) was added into the AGS-filtration process to enhance the filtration performance. Above all, based on momentum conservation, the dynamic scouring mathematical model was put forward to elucidate the dynamic scouring mechanism of GM towards the membrane surface. The scouring stress on the membrane surface was proportional to the total mass of GM and offered an additional shear effect for clearly promoting the collision between GM and foulant, and decreasing their deposition on the membrane surface via friction with the membrane. Then, both AC and LAC exhibited a highly desirable adsorption efficiency for foulant removal, whereas the enzymatic degradation of LAC also furtherly straightened this effect. Furthermore, a new contribution quantification model was proposed for evaluating the contribution rates of dynamic scouring (59.1%), adsorption behavior (36.4%) and enzymatic degradation (4.6%) to boost the filtration performance, implying that the dynamic scouring and adsorption behavior brought about the dominated promotion. At the GM of 8 g/L and size of 300–600 μm, AGS-filtration exhibited an optimized performance in term of threshold flux, turning point of membrane fouling resistance and membrane cleaning. The present study offers insights into the mechanism that GM multifunctional scouring enhanced filtration performance in MBR. [Display omitted] • Granular material enhances the filtration sustainability of AGS-filtration process. • Scouring model was proposed to explain the scouring mechanism of granular material. • Scouring stress on membrane was proportional to the total mass of granular material. • The adsorption and enzymatic degradation could reduce the membrane foulant. • GM scouring had a contribution rate of 59.1% to improve filtration sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Humidity sensor based on sulfonate-based COF is fabricated. • 2D sulfonate-based COF possesses superior water adsorption capacity (∼396 mg/g). • COF's 1D pore can provide continuous proton/ions conducting channel. Sensing material is crucial to the performance of humidity sensors. Porous material is widely used for humidity sensing but suffers from the narrow detecting range and slow response speed. Herein, the porous TpBDSA-Na COF with a large pore size (∼1.7 nm) and high density of hydrophilic active sites is used as sensing material for humidity detector. The superior adsorption capacity of water molecules (∼396 mg/g) in TpBDSA-Na COF makes the humidity detector exhibit fast response speed (18/9 s), small hysteresis (∼3% RH) and long-term stability (∼20 days) in 11%–95% RH range. Moreover, the sensing mechanism of TpBDSA-Na sensor is also discussed in detail. This research indicates the 2D COF with a hydrophilic channel can be used as a promising material for humidity sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FoxP3 is an essential transcription factor (TF) for immunologic homeostasis, but how it utilizes the common forkhead DNA-binding domain (DBD) to perform its unique function remains poorly understood. We here demonstrated that unlike other known forkhead TFs, FoxP3 formed a head-to-head dimer using a unique linker (Runx1-binding region [RBR]) preceding the forkhead domain. Head-to-head dimerization conferred distinct DNA-binding specificity and created a docking site for the cofactor Runx1. RBR was also important for proper folding of the forkhead domain, as truncation of RBR induced domain-swap dimerization of forkhead, which was previously considered the physiological form of FoxP3. Rather, swap-dimerization impaired FoxP3 function, as demonstrated with the disease-causing mutation R337Q, whereas a swap-suppressive mutation largely rescued R337Q-mediated functional impairment. Altogether, our findings suggest that FoxP3 can fold into two distinct dimerization states: head-to-head dimerization representing functional specialization of an ancient DBD and swap dimerization associated with impaired functions. [Display omitted] • FoxP3 forms a head-to-head (H-H) dimer, instead of a domain-swap dimer • H-H dimerization confers distinct DNA specificity and promotes Runx1 binding • H-H dimerization is unique to Foxp3, providing functional specialization • Disease mutation R337Q causes swap dimerization of FoxP3 and impairs its function FoxP3 is an essential transcription factor for regulatory T cells and overall immunologic homeostasis. We show that the forkhead DNA-binding domains of FoxP3 form a unique head-to-head dimer. This is important for DNA and cofactor binding and provides functional specificity. Furthermore, a disease mutation inducing alternative dimerization impairs Foxp3 function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Laccase immobilization introduced enzymatic degradation for micropollutant removal. • Adsorption and enzymatic degradation had synergy effect for micropollutant removal. • Enzyme-enhanced adsorption improved the adsorption capacity and adsorption rate. • Laccase immobilization promoted the diffusion rate and reduced diffusion resistance. Laccase immobilization has been proven to improve the adsorption efficiency for promoting the micro-pollutant removal performance. However, the enzyme-enhanced adsorption mechanism remains poorly investigated. The main objective of this work is to examine the water purification performance of laccase immobilized graphene oxide (Lac-GO), to reveal the enzyme-enhanced adsorption mechanism and to explain the synergy of adsorption and enzymatic degradation, from the views of theory and experiment. Above all, by the appropriate laccase immobilization, the enzyme-enhanced adsorption process formed, and enzymatic degradation was introduced by the change of micromorphology. Then, the laccase immobilization did not affect the GO adsorption behavior, which was dominated by monolayer and homogeneous adsorption, based on the analysis of adsorption thermodynamics and adsorption kinetics theories. Nevertheless, the enzyme-enhanced adsorption showed higher adsorption capacity and greater adsorption rate, because the enzyme is able to degrade the micro-pollutant adsorbed on GO surface, releasing the occupied active sites and delaying the adsorption saturation. Moreover, the calculation of particle diffusion dynamic model clarified that the micro-pollutant diffusion process accelerated after laccase immobilization, since the enzymatic degradation eliminated the diffusion resistance. Afterwards, the GO adsorption and enzymatic degradation exhibited the clear synergy mechanism for micro-pollutant removal, because of the enzymatic degradation enhancement, diffusion resistance elimination and adsorption saturation reduction. In addition, at the optimal operating conditions (laccase concentration of 333.3 mg L−1, Malachite Green concentration of 100 mg L−1, adsorbent concentration of 200 mg L−1, rotation rate of 150 rpm, and temperature of 40 °C), the enzyme-enhanced adsorption process displayed a significant equilibrium adsorption capacity and high micro-pollutant diffusion rate. In final, this study provides an in-depth understanding to improve the adsorption processes for water purification by the unique advantages of enzyme-enhanced adsorption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale γ-Aminobutyric acid-B (GABAB) receptors are widely expressed in the nervous system and have been implicated as targets for various neurological and psychiatric disorders. CGP7930 is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAB receptors. It has been demonstrated to reduce drug self-administration and has gained increased research as a potential psychotropic treatment. Methods An in vitro metabolic system with liver microsomes of SD rats has been conducted and evaluated by probe drugs. The predominant in vitro metabolite of CGP7930 was identified and elucidated using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-QTOF-MS/MS). Its structure was determined by comparing the characteristic ions of CGP7930 and those of the metabolite , based on the accurate mass measurement by MS and the fragmentation pattern obtained by MS/MS. Results We found that the main metabolic pathway of CGP7930 was via a monohydroxylation reaction and the hydroxylation site located at the terminal butyl-carbon. The collision-induced dissociation (CID) fragmentation of the hydroxylated metabolite underwent McLafferty rearrangement and α-cleavage. Conclusions This work provides an understanding of the in vitro metabolism of CGP7930, which is helpful for the further study of the development of potential drug candidates targeting GABAB receptors, for the treatment of depression. The work also demonstrates that the LC/ESI-QTOF-MS/MS method has the advantage of possibly determining the structures of drug metabolites without the use of standards. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micellar enhanced ultrafiltration is a promising technology for removing trace amounts of organic pollutants in wastewater, but membrane fouling caused by Gemini micelles is a significant problem restricting its industrial application. In this study, a flat sheet ultrafiltration membrane with four types of Gemini surfactant systems and various feed concentrations was used to treat phenol wastewater, while the flux behavior and fouling mechanism were investigated. The optimal permeate flux of phenol decreased in the sequence as follows: CG 12 > CG 16 > CG 12 − Brij35 > CG 16 − Brij35. In order to study the rate of membrane fouling, a developed liner regression method was utilized to help determine the threshold flux, as well the degree of concentration polarization and membrane fouling. Furthermore, limiting flux was investigated to avoid extensive cake layer formation. Threshold flux and limiting flux strongly depended on the feed concentration and the type of micelles. The threshold flux reduced gradually with feed concentration, due to the increased fouling rate and presence of irreversible fouling. Owing to the effect of charge density and hydrophobicity of micelles, CG 12 exhibited the highest threshold flux and limiting flux. Flux-TMP relation was divided into three regions for analyzing the corresponding changes of permeate flux, filtration resistance and conceptual particle deposition model. Besides, fouling mechanism of MEUF was discussed. This study provides a guideline for analyzing membrane fouling and seeking an optimum operation strategy for controlling fouling in membrane water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane technology (microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF)) of alfalfa juice was studied as an alternative method to conventional leaf protein concentration. Three types of filtration modules (dead end filtration using laboratory Amicon cell (DA), dynamic cross filtration using rotating disk module (CRDM) and dead end filtration using rotating disk module (DRDM)) were used to investigate concentration efficiency of MF and UF with full recycling tests and concentration tests. Rotating speed and transmembrane pressure (TMP) improved flux behavior, but higher permeate flux caused by higher rotating speed reduced leaf protein rejection of MF. The strong rotating shear effect and open flow channel structure of CRDM could control concentration polarization and membrane fouling, therefore, it gave the best flux behavior, least flux decline, best clarification effect, smallest irreversible fouling and highest permeability recovery in membrane cleaning. However, the best leaf protein rejection was obtained by DRDM, because of high shear rate and “secondary filtration” of fouling layer created by closed flow channel structure. Besides, CRDM showed the highest productivity and best potential for industrial application. These results from laboratory-scale tests can be very useful for concentrating leaf protein from alfalfa juice and serve as a valuable guide for process design in industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facial expression recognition (FER) has attracted much more attention due to its broad range of applications. Occlusions and head-pose variations are two major obstacles for automatic FER. In this paper, we propose a convolution-transformer dual branch network (CT-DBN) that takes advantage of local and global facial information to tackle the real-word occlusions and head-pose variant robust FER. The CT-DBN contains two branches. Taking into account local modeling ability of CNN, the first branch utilizes CNN to capture local edge information. Inspired by transformers' successful application in natural language processing, we employ transformer to the second branch to be responsible for obtaining better global representation. Then, a local–global feature fusion module is proposed to adaptively integrate both features to hybrid features and model the relationship between them. With the help of feature fusion module, our network not only integrates local and global features in an adaptive weighting manner but can also learn the corresponding distinguishable features autonomously. Experimental results under inner-database and cross-database evaluation on four leading facial expression databases illustrate that our proposed CT-DBN outperforms other state-of-the-art methods and achieves robust performance under in-the-wild condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear-enhanced ultrafiltration is considered as an important membrane technology that can contribute to pre-treat dairy wastewater and recycle valuable components such as milk proteins. However, to be efficient, it necessitates the establishment of proper methods for the assessment of membrane fouling. Four membrane blocking models proposed by Hermia were used to quantify and assess the membrane fouling of shear-enhanced filtration observed in dairy wastewater treatment. The experiments were performed with various shear rates, mean transmembrane pressure (TMP), temperature and membrane types. Good agreement between complete pore blocking model and experimental data was found, confirming the validity of the Hermia models for assessing the membrane fouling of shear-enhanced filtration system and that only some “sealing” of membrane pores occurs which is due to the high speed shearing effect. Furthermore, the increments of shear rate, TMP, and temperature can decrease the degree of “sealing” of membrane pores and improve filtration performance. In addition, a three-step membrane cleaning mode has achieved very satisfying results in subsequent membrane cleaning. This work confirms that, unlike traditional filtration mode (dead-end and cross flow filtration), high shear dynamic filtration possesses a low degree of membrane fouling and a higher membrane permeability recovery after cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Fluorine-functionalized porous organic polymers (POPs) for gas separation. • Enhancing the selectivity of POPs toward perfluorinated gases (F-gases) • Effectively capture and recover F-gases in the plasma etching exhaust gas. • Fluorine-substituted POPs exhibit excellent stability and recyclability. Recovering of high value-added perfluorinated electronic specialty gases (F-gases) in plasma etching waste gas is a challenging task in the silicon-based semiconductor industry. In recent years, the adsorptive separation technology based on porous materials has been regarded as a effective strategy to capture and recover F-gases due to its energy-saving and high operational feasibility. Herein, two porous organic polymers (POPs) with fluorinated skeleton structure (termed POPTrA-4F and POPTrA-8F) were developed to selective capture and recycle of F-gases in plasma etching exhaust gas. Single-component gas adsorption and IAST calculation show that two fluorinated porous polymers can selectively capture F-gases from mixed gas. Theoretical simulations based on DFT reveal the selective adsorption mechanism of fluorinated polymers to F-gases at molecular level, and give the binding energy between polymers and gas molecules. Furthermore, time-dependent adsorption rate tests and dynamic breakthrough experiments confirm that two fluorinated polymers could preferentially adsorb F-gases and exhibit excellent cycling durability. These results demonstrate that fluorine-functionalized POPs have great potential to effectively capture and recover F-gases in plasma etching exhaust gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent environmental pollutant and will continually accumulate in blood due to its chemical inertness and strong interaction with serum proteins, especially serum albumin (SA), inducing highly adverse health risks. However, the molecular mechanisms of dynamic interactions between PFOA with serum proteins remain unclear, limiting the development of potential therapeutic strategies. Herein, we developed an integrated structural strategy to systematically profile the molecular details of dynamic interactions among PFOA, SA, and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) by combing native mass spectrometry (nMS), lysine reactivity profiling (LRP), and molecular docking (MD) simulation. The SA site 1, site 2 pockets, and cleft nearby are observed as the primary interaction regions of PFOA. Further, β-CD can disrupt the PFOA combinations with bovine SA regions around sites Lys20, Lys280, Lys350, and Lys431–Lys439, with an overall reversing efficiency of about 26% at an identical concentration to PFOA. The interactome of PFOA with complex human serum proteins is globally profiled with molecular interaction details, including human serum albumin, apolipoprotein A-I, alpha-2-macroglobulin, and complement C3. Our results reveal molecular insights into the detail of the interaction between PFOA and serum proteins, beneficial to understanding PFOA toxicology. [Display omitted] • The SA site 1, 2 pockets and cleft nearby were the main interaction regions of PFOA. • PFOA binding preference followed IIA, IIIA > IIIB > I > IIB subdomain of BSA. • β-CD can reverse the PFOA-BSA combination with 26% reserving efficiency. • SA, apoAI and C3 are the main interacted proteins by 0.6 μM PFOA in human serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a persistent environmental pollutant and will continually accumulate in blood due to its chemical inertness and strong interaction with serum proteins, especially serum albumin (SA), inducing highly adverse health risks. However, the molecular mechanisms of dynamic interactions between PFOA with serum proteins remain unclear, limiting the development of potential therapeutic strategies. Herein, we developed an integrated structural strategy to systematically profile the molecular details of dynamic interactions among PFOA, SA, and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) by combing native mass spectrometry (nMS), lysine reactivity profiling (LRP), and molecular docking (MD) simulation. The SA site 1, site 2 pockets, and cleft nearby are observed as the primary interaction regions of PFOA. Further, β-CD can disrupt the PFOA combinations with bovine SA regions around sites Lys20, Lys280, Lys350, and Lys431–Lys439, with an overall reversing efficiency of about 26% at an identical concentration to PFOA. The interactome of PFOA with complex human serum proteins is globally profiled with molecular interaction details, including human serum albumin, apolipoprotein A-I, alpha-2-macroglobulin, and complement C3. Our results reveal molecular insights into the detail of the interaction between PFOA and serum proteins, beneficial to understanding PFOA toxicology. [Display omitted] • The SA site 1, 2 pockets and cleft nearby were the main interaction regions of PFOA. • PFOA binding preference followed IIA, IIIA > IIIB > I > IIB subdomain of BSA. • β-CD can reverse the PFOA-BSA combination with 26% reserving efficiency. • SA, apoAI and C3 are the main interacted proteins by 0.6 μM PFOA in human serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tailing paste thickening technology was investigated to achieve goaf reduction treatment and tailing resource utilization of metal mines and reach the effect of controlling two hazards with one waste. However, superfine tailing particles could easily form suspended water-locking flocs in the thickening process, which seriously affected the increase in the underflow concentration in the thickener. Undisturbed compression-stage bed samples were extracted using an in situ sampling method through a continuous dynamic thickening experiment. Then, the morphologies and geometrical structures of micropores were analyzed through high-precision computed tomography scanning. Subsequently, the influences of the shear evolution of pore structure and seepage channel on the dewaterability of underflow slurry were explored by combining Avizo software and 3D reconstruction technology. The thickening and dewatering mechanism of underflow slurry was also revealed. Results showed that under the shear action, the flocs were deformed and compacted, forming a high-concentration underflow. On this basis, the original micropores were extruded, deformed and segmented. Moreover, many loose micropores were formed, the connectivity became poor and the total porosity declined. The diameter of the water-conducting channel in the sample was enlarged because of the shear force and the seepage effect improved. The maximum flow velocity inside the pores was 1.537 μm/s, which was 5.49% higher than that under the non-shear state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediments from Xinyun Lake in central Yunnan, southwest China, provide a record of environmental history since the Holocene. With the application of multi-proxy indicators (total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), δ13C and δ15N isotopes, C/N ratio, grain size, magnetic susceptibility (MS) and CaCO3 content), as well as accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C datings, four major climatic stages during the Holocene have been identified in Xingyun′s catchment. A marked increase in lacustrine palaeoproductivity occurred from 11.06 to 9.98 cal. ka BP, which likely resulted from an enhanced Asian southwest monsoon and warm-humid climate. Between 9.98 and 5.93 cal. ka BP, a gradually increased lake level might have reached the optimum water depth, causing a marked decline in coverage by aquatic plants and lake productivity of the lake. This was caused by strong Asian southwest monsoon, and coincided with the global Holocene Optimum. During the period of 5.60–1.35 cal. ka BP, it resulted in a warm and dry climate at this stage, which is comparable to the aridification of India during the mid- and late Holocene. The intensifying human activity and land-use in the lake catchment since the early Tang Dynasty (∼1.35 cal. ka BP) were associated with the ancient Dian culture within Xingyun’s catchment. The extensive deforestation and development of agriculture in the lake catchment caused heavy soil loss. Our study clearly shows that long-term human activities and land-use change have strongly impacted the evolution of the lake environment and therefore modulated the sediment records of the regional climate in central Yunnan for more than one thousand years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic study has been carriedout to get insight into theeffect of hydraulic conditions (feed flow rate (Q), transmembrane pressure (TMP), and rotating speed (N)) on the treatment of dairy wastewater with shear-enhanced membraneflirtation using Box-Behnken response surface methodology (BBRSM).Performances of three types of ultrafiltration (UF) membrane (UH005P,UH030P, and PES050) were compared to choose the optimal membrane.A 1.5 h test was conducted on the analysis of kinetics of permeateflux decline under various hydraulic conditions. With the help ofthe BBRSM method, the influence and interactions of three hydraulicfactors were investigated and regression models were built, whiledata on effluent quality, flux behavior, and energy consumption asthe response values were collected. The results showed that TMP, rotatingspeed, and their interaction effects could improve significantly effluentquality and flux behavior, reduce several irreversible and total filtrationresistancess and greatly decrease energy consumption. The optimalhydraulic conditions obtained by BBRSM were as follows: Q= 75.81 L/h, TMP = 7 bar, and N= 2250 rpm. Underthese conditions, the best effluent quality, optimal flux behavior,and minimal energy consumption have been observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducing metal ion on porous polymers' pore surface can enhance Xe/Kr separation, due to the optimized inductive energy and the small-pore confinement effect. [Display omitted] • Hyper-crosslinked polymer decorated with metal ions (HCP-M) were fabricated. • Metal ions enhanced Xe adsorptive selectivity via charge transfer effect and inductive energy. • Difference of instant adsorption rate between Xe and Kr were obtained in HCP-M. • HCP-M is among the well performing porous polymers reported for Xe/Kr selectivity. Understanding how the local polar sites in porous adsorbent surface affect their adsorption performance remains a challenge in molecular related separation process. We present an in-depth study of silver (Ag), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) ions on hyper cross-linked microporous organic polymer (HCP) in which all metal ions act as polar sites for xenon (Xe) and krypton (Kr) adsorption. Surface electrostatic potential analysis revealed that Xe adsorption strength at metal sites differs from that of Kr. Charge density difference analysis proved that the precise charge transfer between metal ions and Xe. These effects could strengthen the inductive energy caused by surface electric field for Xe adsorption in metal ions decorated HCP (HCP-M). Adsorption kinetics experiments showed that the adsorption rates of Xe on HCP-M (20.45–47.19 cm3/(cm3·s)) are much higher than that of Kr (9.45–17.38 cm3/(cm3·s)). The HCP-Ni can adsorb 90 ml Xe per volume with 16.20 Xe/Kr selectivity in Xe, Kr and N 2 ternary gas mixture, which was among the well performing porous organic polymers reported. The Xe/Kr adsorptive separation performance of HCP-M stemmed mainly from the optimized inductive energy and the small-pore confinement effect of HCP-M, which could significantly facilitate preferential selective adsorption of Xe over Kr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A deep lacustrine archive of the Indian summer monsoon using wavelet transform. • Carbon burial was dominated by climate change during the early-middle Holocene. • Anthropogenic influence on OCAR in the lake catchment after 2200 cal. yr BP. • Climate change at the millennium scale was mainly controlled by LSI and ISM. • 100-a periodic signals recorded the impact of increasing human activities. Organic carbon (OC) burial in lacustrine sediments represents an important sink in the global carbon cycle. However, limited knowledge is available on the spatial-temporal variation and driving factors in OC burial of lake sediment during the Holocene. Based on the environmental proxies, grain-size end-member modelling analysis (EMMA) and wavelet transform of the Fuxian Lake sediments, the key factors of the organic carbon accumulation rate (OCAR) and the driving mechanism of climate in the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) region have been discussed during the Holocene. The results show that there was significant correlation between the environmental proxies and the OCAR, and 1000-a, 500-a and 100-a quasi-periodic signals were present in the environment proxies. The ISM intensified with an increase in low-latitude solar insolation (LSI) during the early- to mid-Holocene. It brought the warm-humid climate, the increased biological productivity and the OC input of the lake catchment. Therefore, climate change was the primary influencing factor on OCAR at this stage. In the late-Holocene, the weakening LSI and frequent human activities of the Fuxian Lake catchment caused a decrease in vegetation coverage and an increase in soil erosion, and it indicated that the intense human activities and climate change had to work together to affect the OCAR of the lake catchment. The results would provide some references for predicting the carbon sequestration potential of a lake under the influence of climate change and human activities, and it can also provide theory guidance for controlling carbon storage of lake ecosystem under global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MADS-box genes encode a large family of transcription factors having diverse roles in plant development. The SQUAMOSA (SQUA)/APETALA1 (AP1)/FRUITFULL (FUL) subfamily genes are essential regulators of floral transition and floral organ identity. Here we cloned two MADS-box genes, GhMADS22 and GhMADS23, belonging to the SQUA/AP1/FUL subgroup from Gossypium hirsutum L. Phylogenetic analysis and sequence alignment showed that GhMADS22 and GhMADS23 belonged to the euFUL and euAP1 subclades, respectively. The two genes both had eight exons and seven introns from the start codon to the stop codon according to the alignment between the obtained cDNA sequence and the Gossypium raimondii L. genome sequence. Expression profile analysis showed that GhMADS22 and GhMADS23 were highly expressed in developing shoot apices, bracts, and sepals. Gibberellic acid promoted GhMADS22 and GhMADS23 expression in the shoot apex. Transgenic Arabidopsis lines overexpressing 35S:: GhMADS22 had abnormal flowers and bolted earlier than wild type under long-day conditions (16 h light/8 h dark). Moreover, GhMADS22 overexpression delayed floral organ senescence and abscission and it could also respond to abscisic acid. In summary, GhMADS22 may have functions in promoting flowering, improving resistance and delaying senescence for cotton and thus it may be a candidate target for promoting early-maturation in cotton breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]