Fabrication and characterization of oxidized starch-xanthan gum composite nanoparticles with efficient emulsifying properties.

This study involved the preparation of nanoparticles by combining oxidized starch (OS) with xanthan gum (XG), and emulsions were prepared from this nanoparticle. The physical and chemical characteristics, as well as the emulsification properties of oxidized starch-xanthan gum composite nanoparticles (OGNP), were analyzed. The findings revealed that the OGNP retained spherical shape after the addition of XG, although their diameter increased from approximately 50-150 to 200-400 nm. Zeta potential decreased with XG content. Moreover, emulsions prepared from OGNP exhibited outstanding thermal stability, also showing enhanced storage stability. In addition, emulsions had different rheological properties at different pH values. The apparent viscosity and shear stress of emulsions under alkaline conditions were lower than that of neutral conditions. NaCl increased the apparent viscosity of OGNP-stabilized emulsions while reducing their thermal stability. The nanoparticles prepared in this study have efficient emulsification properties and can extend the application of OS.

Alternative muscle synergy patterns of upper limb amputees.

Myoelectric hand prostheses are effective tools for upper limb amputees to regain hand functions. Much progress has been made with pattern recognition algorithms to recognize surface electromyography (sEMG) patterns, but few attentions was placed on the amputees' motor learning process. Many potential myoelectric prostheses users could not fully master the control or had declined performance over time. It is possible that learning to produce distinct and consistent muscle activation patterns with the residual limb could help amputees better control the myoelectric prosthesis. In this study, we observed longitudinal effect of motor skill learning with 2 amputees who have developed alternative muscle activation patterns in response to the same set of target prosthetic actions. During a 10-week program, amputee participants were trained to produce distinct and constant muscle activations with visual feedback of live sEMG and without interaction with prosthesis. At the end, their sEMG patterns were different from each other and from non-amputee control groups. For certain intended hand motion, gradually reducing root mean square (RMS) variance was observed. The learning effect was also assessed with a CNN-LSTM mixture classifier designed for mobile sEMG pattern recognition. The classification accuracy had a rising trend over time, implicating potential performance improvement of myoelectric prosthesis control. A follow-up session took place 6 months after the program and showed lasting effect of the motor skill learning in terms of sEMG pattern classification accuracy. The results indicated that with proper feedback training, amputees could learn unique muscle activation patterns that allow them to trigger intended prosthesis functions, and the original motor control scheme is updated. The effect of such motor skill learning could help to improve myoelectric prosthetic control performance.

Radiotherapy enhances efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: A propensity-matched real-world study.

BACKGROUND: To address the need for immunotherapy in patients with advanced primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), combination with radiotherapy (RT) has emerged as a promising strategy. In preclinical studies, irradiated tumors released tumor antigens to synergistically increase the antitumor effect of immunotherapy. Hence, we investigated whether RT enhances the efficacy of anti-programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors in advanced HCC in real-world practice. METHODS: Between August 2018 and June 2021, 172 patients with advanced primary HCC were enrolled in the tertiary center (Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University); 95 were treated with a combination of RT and the inhibitor of PD-1 (RT-PD1 cohort), and 77 were administered anti-PD-1 therapy (PD1 cohort). The first cycle of PD-1 inhibitors was administered within 60 days or concurrently with RT. Propensity score matching for bias reduction was used to evaluate the clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Among 71 propensity-matched pairs, median progression-free survival was 5.7 months in the RT-PD1 cohort vs. 2.9 months in the PD1 cohort (P <0.001). Median overall survival was 20.9 months in the RT-PD1 cohort vs. 11.2 months in the PD1 cohort (P = 0.018). Compared with patients in the PD1 cohort, patients in the RT-PD1 cohort had significantly higher objective response rates (29/71, 40.8% vs. 14/71, 19.7%, P = 0.006) and disease control rates (44/71, 62.0% vs. 22/71, 31.0%, P <0.001). The incidences of toxic effects were not significantly different between the two cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: RT plus anti-PD-1 therapy is well tolerated. RT enhances the efficacy of anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with advanced primary HCC by improving survival outcomes without increased toxic effects.

HOXB5 promotes the progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway.

Objective: To investigate the involvement of the homeobox gene B5 (HOXB5) in the progression and metastasis of osteosarcoma. Methods: The expression of HOXB5 in human osteosarcoma tissues and its correlation with clinical indicators were investigated using bioinformatics analysis and immunohistochemical labelling. Human osteosarcoma cells (HOS, MG63, U2OS, and Saos-2) and normal human osteoblasts (hFOB1.19) were cultivated. The expression of HOXB5 in these cells was detected using western blotting (WB) and RT‒PCR. Two cell lines exhibiting elevated HOXB5 expression were chosen and divided into three groups: the blank group (mock), control group (control) and transfection group (shHOXB5). The transfection group was infected with lentivirus expressing shRNAs targeting HOXB5. The transfection efficiency was detected by WB. Cell proliferation suppression was measured by CCK-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays; the percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by flow cytometry; and cell migration and invasion were detected via the Transwell chamber test. WB was utilized to determine the protein expression of genes linked to metastasis (MMP2, MMP9), apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2), and the JAK2/STAT3 pathway (JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3, p-STAT3). Results: In osteosarcoma tissues, HOXB5 expression was elevated and strongly correlated with distant metastasis. Silencing HOXB5 reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells; prevented the progression and metastasis of tumours in tumour-bearing nude mice; and reduced the activation of key proteins in the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway. Conclusion: Through the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway, HOXB5 plays a crucial role in the malignant progression of osteosarcoma and is a promising target for osteosarcoma treatment.

Biomechanical Properties of Novel Porous Scaffold Core and Hollow Lateral Hole Pedicle Screws: A Comparative Study in Bama Pigs.

OBJECTIVE: Screw loosening is a common complication of internal fixation of pedicle screw. Therefore, the development of a pedicle screw with low loosening rate and high biosafety is of great clinical significance. This study aimed to investigate whether the application of a porous scaffold structure can improve the stability of pedicle screws by comparing the biomechanical properties of novel porous scaffold core pedicle screws (PSCPSs) with those of hollow lateral hole pedicle screws (HLHPSs) in a porcine lumbar spine. METHODS: Thirty-two pedicle screws of both types were implanted bilaterally into the L1-4 vertebrae of four Bama pigs, with our newly designed PSCPSs on the right and HLHPSs on the left. All the Bama pigs were sacrificed 16 weeks postoperatively, and the lumbar spine was freed into individual vertebrae. Biomechanical properties of both the pedicle screws were evaluated using pull-out tests, as well as cyclic bending and pull-out tests, while the mechanical properties were assessed using three-point bending tests. The data generated were statistically analyzed using paired-sample t-tests and two independent sample t-tests. RESULTS: We found that the maximal pull-out forces before and after cyclic bending of the PSCPSs (1161.50 ± 337.98 N and 1075.25 ± 223.33 N) were significantly higher than those of the HLHPSs (948.38 ± 194.32 N and 807.13 ± 242.75 N) (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). In 800 cycles of the bending tests, neither PSCPS nor HLHPS showed loosening or visible detachment, but their maximal pull-out forces after cyclic bending tests decreased compared to those in cycles without cyclic bending tests (7.43% and 14.89%, respectively), with no statistical significance (p > 0.05 and p > 0.05, respectively). Additionally, both screws buckled rather than broke in the three-point bending tests, with no statistically significant differences between the maximal bending load and modulus of elasticity of the two screws (p > 0.05 and p > 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the HLHPSs, the PSCPSs have greater pull-out resistance and better fatigue tolerance with appropriate mechanical properties. Therefore, PSCPSs theoretically have significant potential for clinical applications in reducing the incidence of loosening after pedicle screw implantation.

Analysis of functional connectivity changes in attention networks and default mode networks in patients with depression and insomnia.

PURPOSE: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Insomnia Disorder (ID) are prevalent psychiatric conditions often occurring concurrently, leading to substantial impairment in daily functioning. Understanding the neurobiological underpinnings of these disorders and their comorbidity is crucial for developing effective interventions. This study aims to analyze changes in functional connectivity within attention networks and default mode networks in patients with depression and insomnia. METHODS: The functional connectivity alterations in individuals with MDD, ID, comorbid MDD and insomnia (iMDD), and healthy controls (HC) were assessed from a cohort of 174 participants. They underwent rs-fMRI scans, demographic assessments, and scale evaluations for depression and sleep quality. Functional connectivity analysis was conducted using region-of-interest (ROI) and whole-brain methods. RESULTS: The MDD and iMDD groups exhibited higher Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) scores compared to HC and ID groups (P < 0.001). Both ID and MDD groups displayed enhanced connectivity between the left and right orbital frontal cortex compared to HC (P < 0.05), while the iMDD group showed reduced connectivity compared to HC and ID groups (P < 0.05). In the left insula, reduced connectivity with the right medial superior frontal gyrus was observed across patient groups compared to HC (P < 0.05), with the iMDD group showing increased connectivity compared to MDD (P < 0.05). Moreover, alterations in functional connectivity between the left thalamus and left temporal pole were found in iMDD compared to HC and MDD (P < 0.05). Correlation analyses revealed associations between abnormal connectivity and symptom severity in MDD and ID groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate distinct patterns of altered functional connectivity in individuals with MDD, ID, and iMDD compared to healthy controls. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of depression and insomnia, which could be used as a reference for the diagnosis and treatments of these patients.

Associations between sociodemographic characteristics and neonatal length of the stay.

BACKGROUND: Infants with past NICU admission have a significantly higher risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders. Studies have demonstrated an iatrogenic effect of the NICU environment on neurodevelopmental outcomes, even while accounting for physical factors. It is, therefore, critical that an infant's LOS is driven by physical needs versus sociodemographic barriers. METHODS: We leveraged electronic health records and a backward selection regression model to explore physical and sociodemographic predictors of infant LOS. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that physical predictors (birthweight and ventilator use) accounted for the majority of variance in our model but that a sociodemographic predictor, mean visits per day, was also significant. CONCLUSIONS: Infants who were visited more frequently experienced a shorter LOS, possibly due to increased parental involvement resulting in more individualized care and directly impacting infant stability and morbidity. By supporting visitation, we can reduce the costs of lengthy NICU hospitalizations while improving infant and parent health and well-being.

Biomechanical evaluation of reinsertion and revision screws in the subaxial cervical vertebrae.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical effects of reinserted or revised subaxial cervical vertebral screws. METHODS: The first part aimed to gauge the maximum insertional torque (MIT) of 30 subaxial cervical vertebrae outfitted with 4.0-mm titanium screws. A reinsertion group was created wherein a screw was wholly removed and replaced along the same trajectory to test its maximum pullout strength (MPOS). A control group was also implemented. The second part involved implanting 4.0-mm titanium screws into 20 subaxial cervical vertebrae, testing them to failure, and then reinserting 4.5-mm revision screws along the same path to determine and compare the MIT and MPOS between the test and revision groups. RESULTS: Part I findings: No significant difference was observed in the initial insertion's maximum insertion torque (MIT) and maximum pull-out strength (MPOS) between the control and reinsertion groups. However, the MIT of the reinsertion group was substantially decreased compared to the first insertion. Moderate to high correlations were observed between the MIT and MPOS in both groups, as well as between the MIT of the first and second screw in the reinsertion group. Part II, the MIT and MPOS of the screw in the test group showed a strong correlation, while a modest correlation was observed for the revision screw used in failed cervical vertebrae screw. Additionally, the MPOS of the screw in the test group was significantly higher than that of the revision screw group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that reinsertion of subaxial cervical vertebrae screws along the same trajectory is a viable option that does not significantly affect fixation stability. However, the use of 4.5-mm revision screws is inadequate for failed fixation cases with 4.0-mm cervical vertebral screws.

Uncertainty reduction for precipitation prediction in North America.

Large differences in projected future annual precipitation increases in North America exists across 27 CMIP6 models under four emission scenarios. These differences partly arise from weak representations of land-atmosphere interactions. Here we demonstrate an emergent constraint relationship between annual growth rates of future precipitation and growth rates of historical temperature. The original CMIP6 projections show 0.49% (SSP126), 0.98% (SSP245), 1.45% (SSP370) and 1.92% (SSP585) increases in precipitation per decade. Combining observed warming trends, the constrained results show that the best estimates of future precipitation increases are more likely to reach 0.40-0.48%, 0.83-0.93%, 1.29-1.45% and 1.70-1.87% respectively, implying an overestimated future precipitation increases across North America. The constrained results also are narrow the corresponding uncertainties (standard deviations) by 13.8-31.1%. The overestimated precipitation growth rates also reveal an overvalued annual growth rates in temperature (6.0-13.2% or 0.12-0.37°C) and in total evaporation (4.8-14.5%) by the original models' predictions. These findings highlight the important role of temperature for accurate climate predictions, which is important as temperature from current climate models' simulations often still have systematic errors.

The W-Plasty Serial Excision Method for Treating Medium Congenital Melanocytic Nevi: A Retrospective Analytical Study.

BACKGROUND: Serial excision remains the most commonly used surgical procedure for treating congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN). It is critical to remove as much of the lesion as possible with each procedure to reduce the number of procedures and to shorten the treatment duration. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of W-plasty serial excision for the repair of postoperative CMN defects. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with medium CMN was conducted from April 2018 to March 2022. Treatment options were divided into elliptical serial excision (10 cases) and W-plasty serial excision (10 cases). RESULTS: Follow-up occurred over 6 months. The number of elliptical excision procedures was 2 to 4 (mean 2.9). The scar-to-lesion length ratio was 1.5 to 2.0 (mean 1.7). The mean Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) score was 5.40 ± 0.42. The number of W-plasty excision procedures was 2 to 3 (mean 2.2). The scar-to-lesion length ratio was 1.2 to 1.5 (mean 1.4). The mean VSS score was 2.70 ± 0.26. W-plasty excision was superior to elliptical excision regarding the number of procedures and the effect on postoperative scars. CONCLUSION: W-plasty serial excision can be considered a suitable option for the excision of medium CMN, leading to excellent results.

Rim 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake of hepatic cavernous hemangioma on positron emission tomography/computed tomography: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral FDG accumulation in a hepatic hemangioma presenting in a patient with prolonged fever is rare. Therefore, clinicians should pay close attention to patients with hepatic mass. CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old woman with a 4-wk history of daily fevers was admitted to our hospital. A whole body 18F-Fluordesoxyglucose (PET-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed to elucidate the source of the fever. However, whole body 18F-FDG PET/CT raised the suspicion of a malignant lesion because of peripheral FDG accumulation (SUVmax 3.5 g/mL) higher than that of the normal liver parenchyma (SUVmax 1.6 g/mL) surrounding a hypoactive area, and no other abnormalities were showed. Subsequently, the patient underwent liver mass resection. Histopathology showed a hepatic cavernous hemangioma with fatty infiltration around the lesion. The fever disappeared four days after surgery and the patient did not present any complications during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Fatty infiltration in the peripheral parts of hepatic cavernous hemangioma may lead to subacute inflammation which further activate the Kupffer cells. This may cause prolonged fever and peripheral rim FDG accumulation on PET/CT.

A New Species of the Genus Takydromus (Squamata: Lacertidae) from Northeastern Guangxi, China.

During our collecting trip to Guangxi in 2016, we collected ten specimens of the genus Takydromus from the suburb of Guilin, northeastern Guangxi, South China, and found that they did not belong to any currently known species. Here, we described this new species, Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov., based on morphological and mitochondrial DNA (CO1 and cyt b) data. This new species is a sister taxon to T. intermedius with a p-distance of 0.070 in CO1 and 0.080 in cyt b. These two p-distances exceed not only the minimum value (0.067) between T. septentrionalis and T. stejnegeri but also the minimum value (0.079) between T. intermedius and T. yunkaiensis. Morphologically, this new species differs from other currently recognized Takydromus species from the same clade, more evidently in the longitudinal rows of dorsal scales, transverse rows of scales at the mid-body and mensural variables. The description of Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. increases the total number of Takydromus species to 25, of which 16 can be found in China. Takydromus guilinensis sp. nov. is currently known only from Guilin, Guangxi, South China, where it is sympatric with the other four Takydromus species (T. septentrionalis, T. kuehnei, T. sexlineatus and T. intermedius).

Resistance to pyrethroids and the relationship between adult resistance and knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations in Aedes albopictus in dengue surveillance areas of Guizhou Province, China.

The Ae. albopictus mosquito has gained global attention due to its ability to transmit viruses, including the dengue and zika. Mosquito control is the only effective way to manage dengue fever, as no effective treatments or vaccines are available. Insecticides are highly effective in controlling mosquito densities, which reduces the chances of virus transmission. However, Ae. albopictus has developed resistance to pyrethroids in several provinces in China. Pyrethroids target the voltage-gated sodium channel gene (VGSC), and mutations in this gene may result in knockdown resistance (kdr). Correlation studies between resistance and mutations can assist viruses in managing Ae. albopictus, which has not been studied in Guizhou province. Nine field populations of Ae. albopictus at the larval stage were collected from Guizhou Province in 2022 and reared to F1 to F2 generations. Resistance bioassays were conducted against permethrin, beta-cypermethrin, and deltamethrin for both larvae and adults of Ae. albopictus. Kdr mutations were characterized by PCR and sequencing. Additionally, the correlation between the kdr allele and pyrethroid resistance was analyzed. All nine populations of Ae. albopictus larvae and adults were found to be resistant to three pyrethroid insecticides. One kdr mutant allele at codon 1016, one at 1532 and three at 1534 were identified with frequencies of 13.86% (V1016G), 0.53% (I1532T), 58.02% (F1534S), 11.69% (F1534C), 0.06% (F1534L) and 0.99% (F1534P), respectively. Both V1016G and F1534S mutation mosquitoes were found in all populations. The kdr mutation F1534S was positively correlated with three pyrethroid resistance phenotypes (OR > 1, P < 0.05), V1016G with deltamethrin and beta-cypermethrin resistance (OR > 1, P < 0.05) and F1534C only with beta-cypermethrin resistance (OR > 1, P < 0.05). Current susceptibility status of wild populations of Ae. albopictus to insecticides and a higher frequency of kdr mutations from dengue-monitored areas in Guizhou Province are reported in this paper. Outcomes of this study can serve as data support for further research and development of effective insecticidal interventions against Ae. albopictus populations in Guizhou Province.

Human regulatory memory B cells defined by expression of TIM-1 and TIGIT are dysfunctional in multiple sclerosis.

Background: Regulatory B cells (Bregs) play a pivotal role in suppressing immune responses, yet there is still a lack of cell surface markers that can rigorously identify them. In mouse models for multiple sclerosis (MS), TIM-1 or TIGIT expression on B cells is required for maintaining self-tolerance and regulating autoimmunity to the central nervous system. Here we investigated the activities of human memory B cells that differentially express TIM-1 and TIGIT to determine their potential regulatory function in healthy donors and patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. Methods: FACS-sorted TIM-1+/-TIGIT+/- memory B (memB) cells co-cultured with allogenic CD4+ T cells were analyzed for proliferation and induction of inflammatory markers using flow cytometry and cytokine quantification, to determine Th1/Th17 cell differentiation. Transcriptional differences were assessed by SMARTSeq2 RNA sequencing analysis. Results: TIM-1-TIGIT- double negative (DN) memB cells strongly induce T cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. The TIM-1+ memB cells enabled low levels of CD4+ T cell activation and gave rise to T cells that co-express IL-10 with IFNγ and IL-17A or FoxP3. T cells cultured with the TIM-1+TIGIT+ double positive (DP) memB cells exhibited reduced proliferation and IFNγ, IL-17A, TNFα, and GM-CSF expression, and exhibited strong regulation in Breg suppression assays. The functional activity suggests the DP memB cells are a bonafide Breg population. However, MS DP memB cells were less inhibitory than HC DP memB cells. A retrospective longitudinal study of anti-CD20 treated patients found that post-treatment DP memB cell frequency and absolute number were associated with response to therapy. Transcriptomic analyses indicated that the dysfunctional MS-derived DP memB/Breg population exhibited increased expression of genes associated with T cell activation and survival (CD80, ZNF10, PIK3CA), and had distinct gene expression compared to the TIGIT+ or TIM-1+ memB cells. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that TIM-1/TIGIT expressing memory B cell subsets have distinct functionalities. Co-expression of TIM-1 and TIGIT defines a regulatory memory B cell subset that is functionally impaired in MS.

Effects of physical exercise on neuromuscular junction degeneration during ageing: A systematic review.

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a specialized chemical synapse that converts neural impulses into muscle action. Age-associated NMJ degeneration, which involves nerve terminal and postsynaptic decline, denervation, and loss of motor units, significantly contributes to muscle weakness and dysfunction. Although physical training has been shown to make substantial modifications in NMJ of both young and aged animals, the results are often influenced by methodological variables in existing studies. Moreover, there is still lack of strong consensus on the specific effects of exercise on improving the morphology and function of the ageing NMJ. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review to elucidate the effects of exercise training on NMJ compartments in the elderly. We conducted a systematic review using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, employing relevant keywords. Two independent reviewers selected studies that detailed NMJ changes during exercise in ageing, written in English, and available in full text. In total, 20 papers were included. We examined the altered adaptation of the NMJ to exercise, focusing on presynaptic and postsynaptic structures and myofibers in older animals or humans. Our findings indicated that aged NMJs exhibited different adaptive responses to physical exercise compared to younger counterparts. Endurance training, compared with resistance and voluntary exercise regimens, was found to have a more pronounced effect on NMJ structural remodeling, particularly in fast twitch muscle fibers. Physical exercise was observed to promote the formation and maintenance of acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clusters by increasing the recombinant docking protein 7 (Dok7) expression and stabilizing Agrin and lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4). These insights suggest that research on exercise-related therapies could potentially attenuate the progression of neuromuscular degeneration. Translational potential of this article: This systematic review provides a detailed overview of the effects of different types of physical exercise on improving NMJ in the elderly, providing scientific support for the timely intervention of muscle degeneration in the elderly by physical exercise, and providing help for the development of new therapeutic interventions in the future.

Preparation and characterization of ternary polysaccharide hydrogels based on carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl chitosan, and carboxymethyl ß-cyclodextrin.

A series of ternary polysaccharide hydrogels were facile prepared by incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) into the carboxymethyl chitosan/carboxymethyl ß-cyclodextrin (CMCS/CMCD) complex solution based on multiple physical interactions. Structure properties of the CMC/CMCS/CMCD hydrogels were revealed by FTIR, XRD, SEM, and TG. The rheological and texture properties, temperature/pH-response behaviors, biocompatablity, and antimicrobial activity of the hydrogels were determined in detail. These results showed that the existence of electron force and hydrogen bond among three components leading to formation of the hydrogels, displaying good mechanical characteristic, stable solid-like rheological properties, controllable swelling and degradation behaviors, and excellent biocompatibility. Additionally, the swelling kinetics can be well described by the Schott's pseudo second order model. Moreover, the hydrogels loaded with cinnamic acid (CA) exhibited good antimicrobial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, and the antimicrobial activity was related to the composition of the prepared hydrogels. The novel ternary polysaccharide hydrogels may have good application prospects in food and bio-medicine.

Characteristics and drivers of vegetation productivity sensitivity to increasing CO2 at Northern Middle and High Latitudes.

Understanding and accurately predicting how the sensitivity of terrestrial vegetation productivity to rising atmospheric CO2 concentration (ß) is crucial for assessing carbon sink dynamics. However, the temporal characteristics and driving mechanisms of ß remain uncertain. Here, observational and CMIP6 modeling evidence suggest a decreasing trend in ß at the Northern Middle and High Latitudes during the historical period of 1982-2015 (-0.082 ± 0.005% 100 ppm-1 year-1). This decreasing trend is projected to persist until the end of the 21st century (-0.082 ± 0.005% 100 ppm-1 year-1 under SSP370 and -0.166 ± 0.006% 100 ppm-1 year-1 under SSP585). The declining ß indicates a weakening capacity of vegetation to mitigate warming climates, posing challenges for achieving the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement. The rise in vapor pressure deficit (VPD), that triggers stomata closure and weakens photosynthesis, is considered as the dominated factor contributing to the historical and future decline in ß, accounting for 62.3%-75.2% of the effect. Nutrient availability and water availability contribute 15.7%-21.4% and 8.5%-16.3%, respectively. These findings underscore the significant role of VPD in shaping terrestrial carbon sink dynamics, an aspect that is currently insufficiently considered in many climate and ecological models.

Heterogeneous integration of spin-photon interfaces with a CMOS platform.

Colour centres in diamond have emerged as a leading solid-state platform for advancing quantum technologies, satisfying the DiVincenzo criteria1 and recently achieving quantum advantage in secret key distribution2. Blueprint studies3-5 indicate that general-purpose quantum computing using local quantum communication networks will require millions of physical qubits to encode thousands of logical qubits, presenting an open scalability challenge. Here we introduce a modular quantum system-on-chip (QSoC) architecture that integrates thousands of individually addressable tin-vacancy spin qubits in two-dimensional arrays of quantum microchiplets into an application-specific integrated circuit designed for cryogenic control. We demonstrate crucial fabrication steps and architectural subcomponents, including QSoC transfer by means of a 'lock-and-release' method for large-scale heterogeneous integration, high-throughput spin-qubit calibration and spectral tuning, and efficient spin state preparation and measurement. This QSoC architecture supports full connectivity for quantum memory arrays by spectral tuning across spin-photon frequency channels. Design studies building on these measurements indicate further scaling potential by means of increased qubit density, larger QSoC active regions and optical networking across QSoC modules.

Carbon flow, energy metabolic intensity and metagenomic characteristics of a Fe (III)-enhanced anerobic digestion system during treating swine wastewater.

Deep treatment and bioenergy recovery of swine wastewater (SW) are beneficial for constructing a low-carbon footprint and resource-recycling society. In this study, Fe (III) addition from 0 to 600 mg/L significantly increased the methane (CH4) content of the recovered biogas from 61.4 ± 2.0 to 89.3 ± 2.0 % during SW treatment in an anaerobic membrane digestion system. The specific methane yields (SMY) also increased significantly from 0.20 ± 0.05 to 0.29 ± 0.02 L/g COD. Fe (III) and its bio-transformed products which participated in establishing direct interspecific electron transfer (DIET), upregulated the abundance of e-pili and Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), enriched electroactive bacteria. The increase in cellular adenosine triphosphate (cATP) from 6583 to 14,518 ng/gVSS and electron transport system (ETS) from 1468 to 1968 mg/(g·h) promoted the intensity of energy flow and electron flow during anaerobic digestion of SW. Moreover, Fe (III) promoted the hydrolysis and acidification of organic matters, and strengthened the acetoacetic methanogenesis pathway. This study established an approach for harvesting high quality bioenergy from SW and revealed the effects and mechanisms from the view of carbon flow, energy metabolic intensity and metagenomics.