High-density human activities have rapidly changed the pattern of urban land use/land cover (LULC), affecting the supply of urban ecosystem services (ESs). This poses a challenge to the balance of ...urban development and ecological protection, which may be more serious in ecologically fragile regions. This study identified key LULC change (LULCC) impacts on ESs in Ordos, an ecologically fragile region in Northwest China. The urbanization process of Ordos will continue in 2030 under the business-as-usual scenario due to its strategic positioning in the National Energy Base of China. The future LULC simulation results showed that developed land in eastern Ordos will continue to expand in 2030, and more forest and grassland will appear in western Ordos as a result of ecological restoration. The results of the InVEST model in calculating four important ESs showed that the ES supply in the densely populated areas (eastern Ordos) has declined, and more attention must be given to natural vegetation protection in the urbanization process. Although carbon storage in the western region has increased due to afforestation, this also reduces the water yield supply, which may exacerbate the water shortage in Ordos. Supported by this framework, more sustainable urban land use management can be undertaken to balance the conflict between ecological protection and urbanization. This will contribute to regional ecological health and sustainable urban development.
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•Ecosystem services (ESs) need specific attention in ecologically fragile regions.•Urbanization will continue in 2030 under the business-as-usual scenario in Ordos.•Beneficial ESs declined due to transfer from natural vegetation to developed land.•Ecological protection is particularly important in densely populated eastern counties.•Afforestation may reduce water yield which is challenging for water-scarce cities.
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•The MBCI was prepared through coupling reaction and functional modification.•The mass ratio of biochar: Fe3O4 nano-particle was well determinated.•The MBCI after adsorption ...equilibrium can be effectively separated by a magnet.•The maximum Qe calculated from the Langmuir model was 197.96 mg/g at 323 K.•The MBCI showed high removal rate, separation and reusability for Cd (II).
A novel iminodiacetic acid magnetic biochar (MBCI) was prepared, characterized and evaluated its adsorption performance for the removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution. The biochar (BC) derived from palm fiber was served as a novel matrix, first oxidized by hydrogen peroxide (BCO) and loaded of Fe3O4 nano-particles (MBCO), followed by a coupling reaction and functional modification (MBCI). The characterization results showed that the Fe3O4 nano-particles were successfully loaded on the surface of biochar and the carboxyl groups of MBCI were obviously more than that of the pristine BC. The mass ratio for magnetization was well determined to be 1.8:1–2.3:1, which could guarantee high removal and recovery efficiency. The adsorption kinetics could be well fitted by the pseudo-second-order model and adsorption isotherm was well described by the Langmuir model. The surface complexation model was established to illustrate the adsorption process and adsorption of Cd (II) on MBCI was controlled by the surface complexation mechanism between functional groups in MBCI and Cd (II). MBCI possessed high adsorption capacity (197.96 mg/g at 323 K), reusability (retained 82.18% after five successive cycles) and sharing magnetic property (16.88 emu/g), which guaranteed it readily and efficient separation from the aqueous solution.
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•A phosphorus-doped graphite felt electrode for redox flow batteries is developed.•Phosphorus-doped electrode yields an energy efficiency of 64% at 500 mA cm−2.•The electrode allows ...stabilized electrochemical interface for electrolyte reaction.•The electrode allows hierarchical pore structure for electrolyte transport.
The redox flow battery technology is of great potential for large-scale energy storage. However, its widespread application is suffering from the challenges of low energy efficiency and considerable performance degradation in the high-current cycles. Herein, we propose and develop a phosphorus-doped electrode with stabilized electrochemical interface and hierarchical pore structure for cost-effective flow batteries. Density functional theory calculation was first used to demonstrate the stability and activity of phosphorus-doped graphite surface. On basis of theoretical design, the phosphorus-doped graphite felt electrode was fabricated by a facial thermally treating method. Stabilized heteroatom-doped chemical surface with abundant phosphorus-containing functional groups (1.7%) was observed. Beyond that, the hierarchical pore structure from macro (~20 μm) to nanoscale (<200 nm) was formed synchronously, suggesting the enhanced reaction activity, stability and mass transport. In charge-discharge test, flow battery assembled with phosphorus-doped electrodes yielded a prominent energy efficiency of 81% at 200 mA cm−2, 46% higher than battery with traditional electrodes. Even current densities up to 500 mA cm−2, battery with phosphorus-doped electrodes still exhibits a workable energy efficiency of 64% while batteries with other electrodes cannot operate properly. Moreover, the superior durability of battery with phosphorus-doped electrodes was verified after 100-cycle charge-discharge test with nearly no-decay energy efficiencies. This work offers a promising way to develop stable and efficient flow batteries for the energy storage systems.
Cyberbullying is a focal issue of public concern. This study focuses on cyberbullying and innovatively introduces text sentiment analysis techniques into the research of specific social behaviors. ...Through this technique, a research framework for a cyberbullying scale in social media will be designed to explore the dissemination mechanisms and characteristics of cyberbullying in Chinese social media, and to develop a cyberbullying scale that is in line with the cultural background and characteristics of Chinesespeaking countries.
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as a new class of important regulators of signal transduction in tissue homeostasis and cancer development. Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) occurs in ...a wide range of biological processes, while its role in signal transduction remains largely undeciphered. In this study, we uncovered a lipid-associated lncRNA, small nucleolar RNA host gene 9 (SNHG9) as a tumor-promoting lncRNA driving liquid droplet formation of Large Tumor Suppressor Kinase 1 (LATS1) and inhibiting the Hippo pathway. Mechanistically, SNHG9 and its associated phosphatidic acids (PA) interact with the C-terminal domain of LATS1, promoting LATS1 phase separation and inhibiting LATS1-mediated YAP phosphorylation. Loss of SNHG9 suppresses xenograft breast tumor growth. Clinically, expression of SNHG9 positively correlates with YAP activity and breast cancer progression. Taken together, our results uncover a novel regulatory role of a tumor-promoting lncRNA (i.e., SNHG9) in signal transduction and cancer development by facilitating the LLPS of a signaling kinase (i.e., LATS1).
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a lethal malignancy of the bone, jeopardizing the life of an enormous population worldwide. There are grand ongoing challenges to improve overall patient survival. Herein, a ...synergetic chemo‐piezodynamic therapy by defect‐engineered lead‐free piezoelectric (K,Na)NbO3 (KNN) is reported, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) to effectively circumvent OS. Significant anti‐tumor effects in human OS cells, and xenograft OS models are observed that almost stop the growth of the tumors after treatment with KNN because of oxygen vacancies‐driven free radical catalysis (namely, the chemodynamic therapy), and those effects are enhanced after introducing ultrasonic vibration enabled by the ultrasound‐triggered piezocatalysis (piezodynamic therapy). Moreover, it is found that KNN induces apoptosis and autophagy of OS cells and shows good histocompatibility on evaluation in mouse models, which has no killing effect on normal cells and no toxic effects on organs in vivo. Both in vitro cellular level evaluation and in vivo OS xenograft assessment have demonstrated that injectable KNN nanocrystals induce cytotoxicity and tumor eradication by the synergy of chemo‐piezocatalytic effects. This study opens an avenue for customized design of high‐tech nanocatalysts by integrating synergetic catalytic effects for therapeutic applications in tumor healthcare.
Defect‐engineered piezoelectric nanocrystals integrated with ultrasonic therapy modality are demonstrated as a low poison effect and highly efficient antitumor reagent for osteosarcoma treatment. This new strategy combines chemocatalytic and piezocatalytic effects to yield massive reactive oxygen species in treating tumors both in primary tumor and lung metastases to address the main issue of toxicity and side effects of conventional antitumor drug therapy.
Inhibitory control has been linked to beta oscillations in the fronto-basal ganglia network. Here we aim to investigate the functional role of the phase of this oscillatory beta rhythm for successful ...motor inhibition. We applied 20 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to the pre-supplementary motor area (pre-SMA) while presenting stop signals at 4 (Experiment 1) and 8 (Experiment 2) equidistant phases of the tACS entrained beta oscillations. Participants showed better inhibitory performance when stop signals were presented at the trough of the beta oscillation whereas their inhibitory control performance decreased with stop signals being presented at the oscillatory beta peak. These results are consistent with the communication through coherence theory, in which postsynaptic effects are thought to be greater when an input arrives at an optimal phase within the oscillatory cycle of the target neuronal population. The current study provides mechanistic insights into the neural communication principles underlying successful motor inhibition and may have implications for phase-specific interventions aimed at treating inhibitory control disorders such as PD or OCD.
•Motor inhibition performance cycles with beta oscillatory phase.•Trough of the beta cycle provides an optimal window for exerting inhibitory control.•Phase-locked stimulation could potentially enhance inhibitory control treatments.
Neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) is a slowly progressing neurodegenerative disease characterized by eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions in the nervous system and multiple visceral ...organs. The clinical manifestation of NIID varies widely, and both familial and sporadic cases have been reported. Here we have performed genetic linkage analysis and mapped the disease locus to 1p13.3-q23.1; however, whole-exome sequencing revealed no potential disease-causing mutations. We then performed long-read genome sequencing and identified a large GGC repeat expansion within human-specific NOTCH2NLC. Expanded GGC repeats as the cause of NIID was further confirmed in an additional three NIID-affected families as well as five sporadic NIID-affected case subjects. Moreover, given the clinical heterogeneity of NIID, we examined the size of the GGC repeat among 456 families with a variety of neurological conditions with the known pathogenic genes excluded. Surprisingly, GGC repeat expansion was observed in two Alzheimer disease (AD)-affected families and three parkinsonism-affected families, implicating that the GGC repeat expansions in NOTCH2NLC could also contribute to the pathogenesis of both AD and PD. Therefore, we suggest defining a term NIID-related disorders (NIIDRD), which will include NIID and other related neurodegenerative diseases caused by the expanded GGC repeat within human-specific NOTCH2NLC.
Industry insiders and researchers have widely recognized refurbishment as an environmentally friendly activity that reduces raw material waste and energy consumption. Simultaneously, blockchain is ...increasingly used in the supply chain with its information transparency and traceability. The refurbished product market possesses substantial potential. Nevertheless, refurbished products carry an inherent risk of brand spillover. Within this framework, manufacturers must weigh broader considerations in selecting product distribution channels. In this study, we discuss three sales models for new and refurbished products in the secondary market, namely, Scenarios M (where the manufacturer sells new products to consumers through the retailer and sells refurbished products to consumers directly), R (where the manufacturer sells new products to consumers through the retailer, and the retailer produces and sells refurbished products alongside new products), and C (where the manufacturer sells new products to consumers, and the remanufacturer sells refurbished products to consumers through a retailer). Upon examining the equilibrium outcomes of each model, it is evident that a manufacturer's decision to produce refurbished products hinges on market demand. High demand for refurbished goods inclines manufacturers towards the M scenario, whereas insufficient demand leads to cessation of refurbishment activities. Conversely, retailers navigate between R and C scenarios based on market demand. The advent of blockchain technology shifts the strategic focus: the extent of brand spillover supersedes market demand as the pivotal factor influencing retailers' production strategies. Blockchain technology can increase manufacturers' profits. Interestingly, in Scenario C, blockchain does not always improve retailer profits.
The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy (CT) as a monotherapy in patients with recurrent intermediate/high-risk factors following radical hysterectomy for stage ...IB-IIA cervical cancer.
A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of patients diagnosed with stage IB-IIA cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy at the People's Hospital of Suzhou High-tech District between 2010 and 2020. A total of 66 patients with intermediate or high-risk factors for recurrence were treated exclusively with CT. This cohort included 42 patients in the intermediate-risk group and 24 in the high-risk group. Treatment protocols consisted of 4-6 cycles of paclitaxel and cisplatin drugs for the intermediate-risk group, and 6 cycles for the high-risk group. The relapse-free survival (RFS), recurrence rates, and common CT-related adverse reactions, including bone marrow suppression, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea, were assessed for both groups.
(1) The cumulative 3-year RFS rates for the intermediate-risk and high-risk groups were 97.3% (36/37) and 82.4% (14/17), respectively, with cumulative 5-year RFS rates of 97.1% (34/35) and 82.4% (14/17), respectively. The Log rank test revealed no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05), (χ² = 2.718, P = 0.099). The 5-year recurrence rates in the intermediate-risk and high-risk groups were 2.38% (1/42) and 12.50% (3/24), respectively. (2) The incidence of grade III bone marrow suppression in the intermediate-risk and high-risk groups was 21.19% (11/42) and 25.00% (6/24), respectively, while the incidence of grade IV bone marrow suppression was 11.90% (5/42) and 8.33% (2/24), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in bone marrow suppression grades between the two groups (P > 0.05).
CT with paclitaxel and cisplatin, administered as monotherapy post-radical hysterectomy for stage IB-IIA cervical cancer, demonstrates satisfactory survival benefits with an acceptable safety profile. Moreover, no significant differences were observed in prognosis or adverse reactions between the different risk groups treated solely with CT.
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