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Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have accounted for most of the lighting market as the technology matures and costs continue to reduce. As a new type of e-waste, LED is a double-edged sword, as it contains not only precious and rare metals but also organic packaging materials. In previous studies, LED recycling focused on recovering precious and strategic metals while ignoring harmful substances such as organic packaging materials. Unlike crushing and other traditional methods, hydrothermal treatment can provide an environment-friendly process for decomposing packaging materials. This work developed a closed reaction vessel, where the degradation rate of plastic polyphthalamide (PPA) was close to 100%, with nano-TiO2 encapsulated in plastic PPA being efficiently recovered, while metals contained in LED were also recycled efficiently. Besides, the role of water in plastic PPA degradation that has been overlooked in current studies was explored and speculated in detail in this work. Environmental impact assessment revealed that the proposed recycling route for waste LED could significantly reduce the overall environmental impact compared to the currently published processes. Especially the developed method could reduce more than half the impact of global warming. Furthermore, this research provides a theoretical basis and a promising method for recycling other plastic-packaged e-waste devices, such as integrated circuits.

Abstract Of all gynecologic cancers, epithelial-ovarian cancer (OCa) stands out with the highest mortality rates. Despite all efforts, 90% of individuals who receive standard surgical and cytotoxic therapy experience disease recurrence. The precise mechanism by which leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and its receptor (LIFR) contribute to the progression of OCa remains unknown. Analysis of cancer databases revealed that elevated expression of LIF or LIFR was associated with poor progression-free survival of OCa patients and a predictor of poor response to chemotherapy. Using multiple primary and established OCa cell lines or tissues that represent five subtypes of epithelial-OCa, we demonstrated that LIF/LIFR autocrine signaling is active in OCa. Moreover, treatment with LIFR inhibitor, EC359 significantly reduced OCa cell viability and cell survival with an IC50 ranging from 5-50 nM. Furthermore, EC359 diminished the stemness of OCa cells. Mechanistic studies using RNA-seq and rescue experiments unveiled that EC359 primarily induced ferroptosis by suppressing the glutathione antioxidant defense system. Using multiple in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models including cell-based xenografts, patient-derived explants, organoids, and xenograft tumors, we demonstrated that EC359 dramatically reduced the growth and progression of OCa. Additionally, EC359 therapy considerably improved tumor immunogenicity by robust CD45+ leukocyte tumor infiltration and polarizing tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) toward M1 phenotype while showing no impact on normal T-, B-, and other immune cells. Collectively, our findings indicate that the LIF/LIFR autocrine loop plays an essential role in OCa progression and that EC359 could be a promising therapeutic agent for OCa.

Abstract Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a malignant tumor with a high probability of metastasis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in cancer metastasis. To gain insights into the TME of LSCC, we conducted single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) on samples collected from LSCC patients with or without lymphatic metastasis. The stem and immune cell signatures in LSCC suggest their roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. Infiltration of a large number of regulatory T cells, dysplastic plasma cells, and macrophages that are at the early development stage in the cancerous tissue indicates an immunosuppressive state. Abundant neutrophils detected at the cancer margins reflect the inflammatory microenvironment. In addition to dynamic ligand-receptor interactions between the stromal and myeloid cells, the enhanced autophagy in endothelial cells and fibroblasts implies a role in nutrient supply. Taken together, the comprehensive atlas of LSCC obtained allowed us to identify a complex yet unique TME of LSCC, which may help identify potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for LSCC.

Abstract The potential for recycling graphitic carbon from lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes has been overlooked due to its relatively low economic value in applications. This study proposed to use graphene nanoplates (GNPs), which were obtained from spent lithium battery anode graphite, treated with ball-milling method, for hydrothermal synthesis of MnO2-supported graphene nanoplates (MnO2/GNPs) composites materials. The composites exhibited excellent electrochemical characterization curves, indicating ideal capacitance characteristics. The analysis of MG24-20 material showed the good impact resistance and capacity retention around 100% with capacitance of 124.6F/g at 10 mV/s, surpassed similar samples using precious metals and high-end materials, enabling the reuse of spent graphite in energy conversion and storage system for effective utility. Graphical Abstract

Cognitive impairment (CI) has been reported in 29–70% of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Abnormal white matter (WM) functional networks that correlate with cognitive functions have not been studied well in patients with NMOSD. The aim of the current study was to investigate functional connectivity (FC), spontaneous activity, and functional covariance connectivity (FCC) abnormalities of WM functional networks in patients with NMOSD and their correlation with cognitive performance. Twenty-four patients with NMOSD and 24 healthy controls (HCs) were included in the study. Participants underwent brain resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Eight WM networks and nine gray matter (GM) networks were created. In patients, WM networks, including WM1–4, WM1–8, WM2–6, WM2–7, WM2–8, WM4–8, WM5–8 showed reduced FC (P < 0.05). All WM networks except WM1 showed decreased spontaneous activity (P < 0.05). The major GM networks demonstrated increased/decreased FC (P < 0.05), whereas GM7-WM7, GM8-WM4, GM8-WM6 and GM8-WM8 displayed decreased FC (P < 0.05). The MoCA results showed that two-thirds (16/24) of the patients had CI. FC and FCC in WM networks were correlated negatively with the MoCA scores (P < 0.05). WM functional networks are multi-layered. Abnormal FC of WM functional networks and GM functional networks may be responsible for CI.

Abstract Ionic and electronic transport in electrodes is crucial for electrochemical energy storage technology. To optimize the transport pathway of ions and electrons, electrode materials are minimized to nanometer-sized dimensions, leading to problems of volumetric performance, stability, cost, and pollution. Here we find that a bulk hexagonal molybdenum oxide with unconventional ion channels can store large amounts of protons at a high rate even if its particle size is tens of micrometers. The diffusion-free proton transport kinetics based on hydrogen bonding topochemistry is demonstrated in hexagonal molybdenum oxide whose proton conductivity is several orders of magnitude higher than traditional orthorhombic molybdenum oxide. In situ X-ray diffraction and theoretical calculation reveal that the structural self-optimization in the first discharge effectively promotes the reversible intercalation/de-intercalation of subsequent protons. The open crystal structure, suitable proton channels, and negligible volume strain enable rapid and stable proton transport and storage, resulting in extremely high volumetric capacitance (~1750 F cm–3), excellent rate performance, and ultralong cycle life (>10,000 cycles). The discovery of unconventional materials and mechanisms that enable proton storage of micrometer-sized particles in seconds boosts the development of fast-charging energy storage systems and high-power practical applications.

Rapid capacity decay and sluggish reaction kinetics are major barriers hindering the applications of manganese-based cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Herein, the effects of crystal plane on the in-situ transformation behavior and electrochemical performance of manganese-based cathode is discussed. A comprehensive discussion manifests that the exposed (100) crystal plane is beneficial to the phase transformation from tunnel-structured MnO2 to layer-structured ZnMn3O7·3H2O, which plays a critical role for the high reactivity, high capacity, fast diffusion kinetics and long cycling stability. Additionally, a two-stage zinc storage mechanism can be demonstrated, involving continuous activation reaction and phase transition reaction. As expected, it exhibits a high capacity of 275 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, a superior durability over 1000 cycles and good rate capability. This study may open new windows toward developing advanced cathodes for ZIBs, and facilitate the applications of ZIBs in large-scale energy storage system.

Abstract Understanding the physical picture of Li ion transport in the current ionic conductors is quite essential to further develop lithium superionic conductors for solid-state batteries. The traditional practice of directly extrapolating room temperature ion diffusion properties from the high-temperature (>600 K) ab initio molecular dynamics simulations (AIMD) simulations by the Arrhenius assumption unavoidably cause some deviations. Fortunately, the ultralong-time molecular dynamics simulation based on the machine-learning interatomic potentials (MLMD) is a more suitable tool to probe into ion diffusion events at low temperatures and simultaneously keeps the accuracy at the density functional theory level. Herein, by the low-temperature MLMD simulations, the non-linear Arrhenius behavior of Li ion was found for Li3ErCl6, which is the main reason for the traditional AIMD simulation overestimating its ionic conductivity. The 1μs MLMD simulations capture polyanion rotation events in Li7P3S11 at room temperature, in which four [PS4]3− tetrahedra belonging to a part of the longer-chain [P2S7]4− group are noticed with remarkable rotational motions, while the isolated group [PS4]3− does not rotate. However, no polyanion rotation is observed in Li10GeP2S12, β-Li3PS4, Li3ErCl6, and Li3YBr6 at 300 K during 1μs simulation time. Additionally, the ultralong-time MLMD simulations demonstrate that not only there is no paddle-wheel effect in the crystalline Li7P3S11 at room temperature, but also the rotational [PS4]3− polyanion groups have weakly negative impacts on the overall Li ion diffusion. The ultralong-time MLMD simulations deepen our understanding of the relationship between the polyanion rotation and cation diffusion in ionic conductors at room environments.

From the perspective of complex vector, this paper derives the mathematical model of the three-phase three-wire shunt active power filter (SAPF) current control object, and based on it, derives the corresponding vector resonance control expression form coordinate transformation, and the steady-state accuracy, anti-interference ability, and stability of the system are analyzed. The deduction demonstrates the equivalence of the traditional detection load harmonic current control and the direct grid current control in this paper, and the consistency of the current regulator. Then, a direct vector resonance control structure of grid current based on the dq coordinate without detecting harmonic currents is designed, and the digital realization of the vector resonance controller, the adaptive ability to frequency, and the phase lag at the high-order control frequency are designed. And finally experimental verification under different working conditions is presented, the experimental results prove the practicability and effectiveness of the direct current control strategy based on the vector resonance controller proposed in this paper.

With the vigorous development of the electronics industry today, study on the recycling of electronic waste has become an important and urgent subject nowadays. However, more work should be done on purification of recycled metal, especially metallurgical approaches which are more environmentally friendly. This study proposed a continuous metallurgic purification method to remove impurities from recycled aluminum. Numerical study via multiphase modelling was conducted to evaluate and optimize the purification efficiency of this metallurgic method. Parametric study was carried to analyze the influence of mold temperature and casting speed on purification efficiency. The simulation results showed that the method has great potential for purification of recovered metals, refining the aluminum from 2 N to 3 N within three cycles. The formation mechanism of Si macrosegregation region in the outer region of the rod has been discussed in detail, which indicates the key factor of the melt flow at the solidification front. The problem of purification process purely via thermal-solutal flow was stated and traveling magnetic field was introduced to further increase the purification efficiency. In general, this work provides a verified promising continuous metallurgical purification method for impurities removal from recycled aluminum.

Abstract The zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) is known to restrict viral replication by binding to the CpG rich regions of viral RNA, and subsequently inducing viral RNA degradation. This enzyme has recently been shown to be capable of restricting SARS-CoV-2. These data have led to the hypothesis that the low abundance of CpG in the SARS-CoV-2 genome is due to an evolutionary pressure exerted by the host ZAP. To investigate this hypothesis, we performed a detailed analysis of many coronavirus sequences and ZAP RNA binding preference data. Our analyses showed neither evidence for an evolutionary pressure acting specifically on CpG dinucleotides, nor a link between the activity of ZAP and the low CpG abundance of the SARS-CoV-2 genome.

Most of the existing engineering structures were built in the last century and have been in service for decades. However, environmental degradation may lead to a reduction in structural performance and service life. The mechanical property data of full-scale structures, such as bridges, are essential for structural health monitoring. For this purpose, five (half) reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams were removed from a retired 31-year-old bridge and subjected to destructive testing. Two loading points were employed, and the flexural and shear capacities of the retired T-beams were studied. The results showed that all the retired beams held high load capacities (exceeding 1400 kN). The two flexural test beams exhibited a high ductility, and the three shear test beams all failed. In addition, the existing cracks in the flexural test beams reopened when the load exceeded 200 kN, while it was 300 kN for the shear test beams. The load-carrying capacity experimental values of the test beams were compared with the ones calculated according to Chinese code JTG-3362-2018; it was shown that the retired T-beams still maintained a high degree of safety margins despite initial defects. The experimental results are expected to provide a reference for the assessment of in-service RC bridges.

Li, Viswanadhapalli et al utilized multiple in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of TNBC to investigate LIFR inhibition. The authors reported that HDAC inhibition in TNBC cells led to an increase of LIFR expression and over activation of the downstream signaling elements (e.g., STAT3, mTOR, AKT), enhancing the aggressive potential of TNBC cells, and an LIFR inhibitor, EC359, synergistically enhanced the efficacy of HADC inhibitors in suppressing TNBC in vitro and in vivo.

Plastics used in electric and electronic products cover a wide range, and contain many additives, such as brominated flame retardant and so on. These compounds and microplastics may be released into environment when the electric and electronic products are obsoleted and recycled. This study explores the characteristics of microplastics and the complex pollutions in a formal e-waste recycling base in Shanghai, China. The maximum abundance of microplastics is observed in dust samples of the recycling base and the average abundance is 44277 ± 69032p/50 g. 103 kinds of polymers are identified, including 4 kinds of packaging plastics, 32 kinds of engineering plastics, 18 kinds of rubber, and 49 kinds of other polymers. It is found that microplastics show weak adsorption effect for heavy metals. However, microplastics are important carrier of ∑8PBDEs released during the whole recycling processes, and BDE-209 account for more than 50 % of PBDEs in microplastics. It is estimated that the microplastics load inside the e-waste recycling base was 4.01 tons based on the measured statistics. This study will provide theoretical basis for further understanding the potential pollution of microplastics and upgrading the corresponding control measures.

In order to improve the reliability of the shunt active power filter(SAPF) system, the fault-tolerant control strategy of the system is studied in this paper. A fault-tolerant control strategy based on improved switch redundancy is designed inside SAPF system, and fault-tolerant is achieved through circuit reconstruction. Then the operating mode and voltage vector characteristics of the fault-tolerant topology are analyzed, and the corresponding SVPWM control algorithm is derived. Finally, experiments verify the practicability and effectiveness of the SAPF fault-tolerant control method proposed in this paper.

Harmonic detection plays an important role in power quality for grid-tied inverters. Among the various methods, sliding discrete Fourier transform (SDFT) based algorithms have found wide and popular applications due to advantages like simplicity and excellent selectively filtering properties. However, SDFT suffers from disadvantages like slow dynamics and large memory occupation. In this paper, the discrete transfer function of SDFT harmonic extraction method is analyzed, and the SDFT transfer function is divided into three parts: comb filter, resonance controller, and adjustment factor. It is found that the comb filter determines the harmonic component that SDFT needs to detect and the dynamic performance of SDFT. Thus, the comb filter can be improved according to the characteristics of the load current, thereby achieving faster dynamic performance while reducing the digital storage space required for the implementation of the SDFT algorithm. Therefore, a general harmonics detection is proposed, which could detect harmonics by adjusting the comb filter of SDFT according to the characteristics of the load current. Finally, the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed general harmonics detection method are verified by relevant experiments.

Abstract Potassium-ion batteries (KIBs) have great potential for applications in large-scale energy storage devices. However, the larger radius of K+ leads to sluggish kinetics and inferior cycling performance, severely restricting its practical applicability. Herein, we propose a rational strategy involving a Prussian blue analogue-derived graphitized carbon anode with fast and durable potassium storage capability, which is constructed by encapsulating cobalt nanoparticles in nitrogen-doped graphitized carbon (Co-NC). Both experimental and theoretical results show that N-doping effectively promotes the uniform dispersion of cobalt nanoparticles in the carbon matrix through Co–N bonds. Moreover, the cobalt nanoparticles and strong Co–N bonds synergistically form a three-dimensional conductive network, increase the number of adsorption sites, and reduce the diffusion energy barrier, thereby facilitating the adsorption and the diffusion kinetics. These multiple effects lead to enhanced reversible capacities of 305 and 208.6 mAh g−1 after 100 and 300 cycles at 0.05 and 0.1 A g−1, respectively, demonstrating the applicability of the Co-NC anode for KIBs.

Recovery valuable metals such as lithium and cobalt from spent lithium ion batteries presents great economic significance as well as environmental benefits. The present work explores a mechanochemical reaction of the most widely used cathode materials, LiCoO2, into easily separable lithium and nano-sized cobalt species by grinding LiCoO2 with NaBH4. The optimum lithium leaching rate of nearly 100% can be achieved from the sample milled at NaBH4 to LiCoO2 mass ratio at 2.5:10 (g/g), milling time for 90 min when Ball-to-powder mass ratio is fixed at 65:1 (g/g), and rotary speed of the planetary ball mill fixed at 400 rpm. The crystal information suggests the grain refinement and chemical transformation of LiCoO2. CoO or metallic Co is produced when different NaBH4 dosage is applied. Whereas lithium is released as soluble LiOH. The results also prove the role of NaBH4 dosage in determine the reaction path. Microscopic observation confirms the grain refinement during the milling process. Nano-sized cobalt species are also observed. This solid phase mechanochemical reaction provides an effective and short route from waste to potentially high-value added material.

Tribo-Electrostatic Separation (TES) is suitable for recycling plastic from waste to avoid losing its virgin value. The separation model, which comprised of computing the electric field and the analysis of forces on the particles, was utilized to write a program by MATLAB language. The particle trajectory model based on TES is established. The model includes electric field computation and part of an analysis of forces on the particles. The electrode parameters and material parameters can be changed in the model. A photographic system including a high-speed camera (1000fps) was used to capture the plastic particle trajectories and to verify the model. Both waste PVC and waste PP particles were captured. The results computed by the model have a good agreement with the experimental results. The model can find suitable parameters for separating different waste plastics and help explore TES applications.

Summary: The relationship between B cells and CD4 T cells has been carefully studied, revealing a collaborative effort in which B cells promote the activation, differentiation, and expansion of CD4 T cells while the so-called “helper” cells provide signals to B cells, influencing their class switching and fate. Interactions between B cells and CD8 T cells are not as well studied, although CD8 T cells exhibit an accelerated contraction after certain infections in B-cell-deficient mice. Here, we find that B cells significantly enhance primary CD8 T cell responses after vaccination. Moreover, memory CD8 numbers and function are impaired in B-cell-deficient animals, leading to increased susceptibility to bacterial challenge. We also show that interleukin-27 production by B cells contributes to their impact on primary, but not memory, CD8 responses. Better understanding of the interactions between CD8 T cells and B cells may aid in the design of more effective future vaccine strategies.

In this paper, 3D finite element simulations were conducted for lap-spliced ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) beams using ABAQUS software. Based on the concrete damaged plasticity (CDP) model, the plastic damage factor was introduced to simulate the material properties of UHPC. The nonlinear characteristics of the steel bar and UHPC were considered, and the bond–slip constitutive relationship was selected to evaluate the bond–slip between the lap-spliced steel bar and UHPC. The simulated load–deflection curve, peak load, bond strength, and failure mode were in good agreement with the experimental results. The verified finite element model was used to analyze the parameters of the lap-spliced UHPC beam. The effects of lap-spliced steel bar diameter, stirrup spacing of non-lap segment, and shear span ratio on the mechanical properties and bond properties of the lap-spliced UHPC beam were studied. This study can provide a reference for the future simulation and design of lap-spliced UHPC beams.

B cell activation by Tfh cells, i.e., through CD154 engagement of CD40 and IL-21, and survival within GCs are crucial for the T-dependent Ab response. LUBAC, composed of HOIP, SHARPIN, and HOIL-1, catalyzes linear ubiquitination (Linear M1-Ub) to mediate NF-κB activation and cell survival induced by TNF receptor superfamily members, which include CD40. As shown in this study, B cells expressing the Sharpin null mutation cpdm (Sharpincpdm) could undergo proliferation, CSR, and SHM in response to immunization by a T-dependent Ag, but were defective in survival within GCs, enrichment of a mutation enhancing the BCR affinity, and production of specific Abs. Sharpincpdm B cells stimulated in vitro with CD154 displayed normal proliferation and differentiation, marginally impaired NF-κB activation and survival, but markedly exacerbated death triggered by IL-21. While activating the mitochondria-dependent apoptosis pathway in both Sharpin+/+ and Sharpincpdm B cells, IL-21 induced Sharpincpdm B cells to undergo sustained activation of caspase 9 and caspase 8 of the mitochondria-dependent and independent pathway, respectively, and ultimately caspase 3 in effecting apoptosis. These were associated with loss of the caspase 8 inhibitor cFLIP and reduction in cFLIP Linear M1-Ub, which interferes with cFLIP poly-ubiquitination at Lys48 and degradation. Finally, the viability of Sharpincpdm B cells was rescued by caspase inhibitors but virtually abrogated – together with Linear M1-Ub and cFLIP levels – by a small molecule HOIP inhibitor. Thus, LUBAC controls the cFLIP expression and inhibits the effects of caspase 8 and IL-21-activated caspase 9, thereby suppressing apoptosis of CD40 and IL-21-activated B cells and promoting GC B cell survival.

Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) has been demonstrated to be a realistic alternative to less maintenance and significantly longer service life due to its better mechanical properties and low permeability. The bond performance of the deformed steel bar embedded in UHPC is critically important for the safety of the UHPC structures. This paper conducted an experimental investigation on the bond behavior of deformed steel bars and UHPC. The impacts of loading method, UHPC strength, steel fiber type and content, rebar diameter, and cover thickness were studied. The testing results revealed that the specimens failed in three modes: pull-out, splitting + pull-out, and cone failure. The main factors affecting the bond strength are UHPC compressive strength, cover thickness, and fiber characteristics. The peak slip of rebar-UHPC increases with cover thickness and rebar diameter. Finally, an analytical model of the bond stress-slip relationship between the UHPC and deformed steel bar is obtained, which is in suitable agreement with the test results.

Precast high-strength concrete segmental beams with external tendons and dry joints (ED-PHCSBs) have become a potential alternative for achieving accelerated bridge construction due to their lighter self-weight and easier installation. In order to investigate the shear behavior of ED-PHCSBs, eight precast concrete segmental specimens were fabricated and tested to failure. For comparison purposes, one externally prestressed high-strength concrete monolithic beam was also investigated. The primary parameters, including concrete strength, shear span-depth ratio, stirrup ratio, joint number, and joint location, were adopted. Test results indicated that increasing the concrete strength or stirrup ratio can effectively improve the shear capacity of the ED-PHCSBs. The shear span-depth ratio was inversely proportional to shear strength for all specimens. The results also revealed that the joint number had a marginal effect on the defections and stresses of the external tendons of ED-PHCSBs. AASHTO 2017 and Chinese code 2018 can conservatively estimate the shear strength of ED-PHCSBs. Considering the actual failure modes of the precast beams, a calculation method based on a modified strut-and-tie model was proposed. The average and standard deviation of the ratios of the test results to the predicted value of the proposed method were 0.98 and 0.08, respectively. It indicated that the proposed formula was more accurate.

Estrogen contributes to females' strong antibody response to microbial vaccines and proneness to autoimmunity, particularly antibody-mediated systemic autoimmunity, in females. We have hypothesized that this is due to estrogen-mediated potentiation of class switch DNA recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM). As we have shown, estrogen boosts AID expression, which is critical for both CSR and SHM, through upregulation of HoxC4, which together with NF-κB critically mediates Aicda (AID gene) promoter activation. We contend here that additional regulation of Aicda expression by estrogen occurs through epigenetic mechanisms. As we have shown, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDIs) short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) butyrate and propionate as well as the pharmacologic HDI valproic acid upregulate miRNAs that silence AID expression, thereby modulating specific antibody responses in C57BL/6 mice and autoantibody responses in lupus-prone MRL/Faslpr/lpr mice. Here, using constitutive knockout Esr1−/− mice and B cells as well as conditional knockout Aicdacre/creEsr1flox/flox mice and B cells, we showed that the HDI-mediated downregulation of Aicda expression as well as the maturation of antibody and autoantibody responses is reversed by estrogen and enhanced by deletion of ERα or E2 inhibition. Estrogen's reversion of HDI-mediated inhibition of Aicda and CSR in antibody and autoantibody responses occurred through downregulation of B cell miR-26a, which, as we showed, targets Aicda mRNA 3′UTR. miR-26a was significantly upregulated by HDIs. Accordingly, enforced expression of miR-26a reduced Aicda expression and CSR, while miR-26a-sponges (competitive inhibitors of miR-26a) increased Aicda expression and CSR. Thus, our findings show that estrogen reverses the HDI-mediated downregulation of AID expression and CSR through selective modulation of miR-26a. They also provide mechanistic insights into the immunomodulatory activity of this hormone and a proof-of-principle for using combined ER inhibitor-HDI as a potential therapeutic approach.

Through direct shear tests, this paper aimed to research the effect of fine marble aggregate on the shear strength and fractal dimension of the interface between soil and concrete corroded by sulfuric acid. More realistic concrete rough surfaces than the artificially roughened surfaces were formed by immersing four concrete plates in plastic buckets filled with sulfuric acid for different periods of time. The sand was adopted to imitate the soil. 3D laser scanner was employed to obtain the digital shapes of concrete plates subjected to sulfuric acid, and the rough surfaces were evaluated by fractal dimension. Large direct shear experiments were performed to obtain the curves of the interface shear stress and shear displacement between sand and corroded concrete plate. The method of data fitting was adopted to calculate the parameters of shear strength (i.e., friction angle and the cohesive) and the parameters of the Clough–Duncan hyperbolic model. The results indicated that as the corrosion days increased, the surface of the concrete plate became rougher, the surface fractal dimensions of the concrete corroded by sulfuric acid became bigger, and the interface friction angle became greater. The friction angle of the interface and the fractal dimensions of the surface of the concrete plate containing crushed gravel and marble sand were smaller than that of the concrete plate containing crushed gravel and river sand.

Abstract Ge-monopnictides (GeAs) plays critical role in high-tech industry, especially in the field of advanced optical devices and infrared. As a secondary material, coal fly ash could be further recycled to retrieve germanium and prepare GeAs material with high added values. Hence, the aim of this paper is to propose a one-pot synthesis that uses vacuum flash reduction and inert-gas consolidation method to prepare GeAs ultrafine particles. Germanium in coal fly ash can be successfully recycled; simultaneously, GeAs ultrafine particles were prepared. Separation principle and feasibility of this process was discussed. Temperature, carrier gas flow rate and system pressure were the major factors on formation, morphology and distribution of particle size of GeAs ultrafine particles. A three steps synthetic mechanism was clarified, namely, thermal rupture of coal fly ash and release of GeO2 and As2O3, the gas-solid phase reaction of GeO2, As2O3 and coke to generate metallic Ge and As in vacuum flash reduction. Meantime, GeAs were produced in the gas phase reaction. Finally, GeAs ultrafine particles were obtained by carrier gas condensation. In short, this research developed a practical and environment-friendly one-pot synthesis to recycle germanium in coal fly ash and prepare GeAs ultrafine particles with high added values.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080414.].

Class-switch DNA recombination (CSR) is central to the antibody response, in that it changes the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) constant region, thereby diversifying biological effector functions of antibodies. The activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)-centered CSR machinery excises and rejoins DNA between an upstream (donor) and a downstream (acceptor) S region, which precede the respective constant region DNA. AID is stabilized on S regions by 14-3-3 adaptors. These adaptors display a high affinity for 5′-AGCT-3′ repeats, which recur in all S regions. However, how 14-3-3, AID, and the CSR machinery target exclusively the donor and acceptor S regions is poorly understood. Here, we show that histone methyltransferases and acetyltransferases are induced by CD40 or Toll-like receptor signaling and catalyze H3K4me3 and H3K9ac/K14ac histone modifications, which are enriched in S regions but do not specify the S region targets of CSR. By contrast, the combinatorial H3K9acS10ph modification specifically marks the S regions set to recombine and directly recruits 14-3-3 adaptors for AID stabilization there. Inhibition of the enzymatic activity of GCN5 and PCAF histone acetyltransferases reduces H3K9acS10ph in S regions, 14-3-3 and AID stabilization, and CSR. Thus, H3K9acS10ph is a histone code that is “written” specifically in S regions and is “read” by 14-3-3 adaptors to target AID for CSR as an important biological outcome.

By diversifying the biological effector functions of antibodies, class switch DNA recombination (CSR) plays a critical role in the maturation of the immune response. It is initiated by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID)-mediated deoxycytosine deamination, yielding deoxyuridine (dU), and dU glycosylation by uracil DNA glycosylase (Ung) in antibody switch (S) region DNA. Here we showed that the translesion DNA synthesis polymerase Rev1 directly interacted with Ung and targeted in an AID-dependent and Ung-independent fashion the S regions undergoing CSR. Rev1−/− Ung+/+ B cells reduced Ung recruitment to S regions, DNA-dU glycosylation, and CSR. Together with an S region spectrum of mutations similar to that of Rev1+/+ Ung−/− B cells, this suggests that Rev1 operates in the same pathway as Ung, as emphasized by further decreased CSR in Rev1−/− Msh2−/− B cells. Rescue of CSR in Rev1−/− B cells by a catalytically inactive Rev1 mutant shows that the important role of Rev1 in CSR is mediated by Rev1’s scaffolding function, not its enzymatic function.

Class switch DNA recombination (CSR) of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) locus crucially diversifies antibody biological effector functions. CSR involves the induction of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) expression and AID targeting to switch (S) regions by 14-3-3 adaptors. 14-3-3 adaptors specifically bind to 5'-AGCT-3' repeats, which make up for the core of all IgH locus S regions. They selectively target the upstream and downstream S regions that are set to undergo S-S DNA recombination. We hypothesized that 14-3-3 adaptors function as scaffolds to stabilize CSR enzymatic elements on S regions. Here we demonstrate that all seven 14-3-3β, 14-3-3ε, 14-3-3γ, 14-3-3η, 14-3-3σ, 14-3-3τ and 14-3-3ζ adaptors directly interacted with AID, PKA-Cα (catalytic subunit) and PKA-RIα (regulatory inhibitory subunit) and uracil DNA glycosylase (Ung). 14-3-3 adaptors, however, did not interact with AID C-terminal truncation mutant AIDΔ(180-198) or AIDF193A and AIDL196A point-mutants (which have been shown not to bind to S region DNA and fail to mediate CSR). 14-3-3 adaptors colocalized with AID and replication protein A (RPA) in B cells undergoing CSR. 14-3-3 and AID binding to S region DNA was disrupted by viral protein R (Vpr), an accessory protein of human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1), which inhibited CSR without altering AID expression or germline IH-CH transcription. Accordingly, we demonstrated that 14-3-3 directly interact with Vpr, which in turn, also interact with AID, PKA-Cα and Ung. Altogether, our findings suggest that 14-3-3 adaptors play important scaffold functions and nucleate the assembly of multiple CSR factors on S regions. They also show that such assembly can be disrupted by a viral protein, thereby allowing us to hypothesize that small molecule compounds that specifically block 14-3-3 interactions with AID, PKA and/or Ung can be used to inhibit unwanted CSR.

Rare earth elements (REEs), one of the global key strategic resources, are widely applied in electronic information and national defense, etc. The sharply increasing demand for REEs leads to their overexploitation and environmental pollution. Recycling REEs from their second resources such as waste fluorescent lamps (WFLs) is a win-win strategy for REEs resource utilization and environmental production. Pyrometallurgy pretreatment combined with acid leaching is proven as an efficient approach to recycling REEs from WFLs. Unfortunately, due to the uncontrollable components of wastes, many trials were required to obtain the optimal parameters, leading to a high cost of recovery and new environmental risks. This study applied machine learning (ML) to build models for assisting the leaching of six REEs (Tb, Y, Eu, La, and Gd) from WFLs, only needing the measurement of particle size and composition of the waste feed. The feature importance analysis of 40 input features demonstrated that the particle size, Mg, Al, Fe, Sr, Ca, Ba, and Sb content in the waste feed, the pyrometallurgical and leaching parameters have important effects on REEs leaching. Furthermore, their influence rules on different REEs leaching were revealed. Finally, some verification experiments were also conducted to demonstrate the reliability and practicality of the model. This study can quickly get the optimal parameters and leaching efficiency for REEs without extensive optimization experiments, which significantly reduces the recovery cost and environmental risks. Our work carves a path for the intelligent recycling of strategic REEs from waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]