This study, based on Bem's (1974) gender schema theory, investigates gender differences in and the relationship between gender role characteristics and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) of 261 ...female and 265 male entrepreneurs in China. The results show that male and female entrepreneurs did not differ significantly in ESE or in masculine gender role characteristics, but differed significantly in feminine gender role characteristics. Examining four different stages in the entrepreneurial life cycle, we find that for female entrepreneurs, feminine characteristics had a positive influence on ESE in the searching and planning stages of entrepreneurship, and masculine characteristics had a positive influence on ESE in the searching stage. For male entrepreneurs, feminine characteristics had a positive influence on ESE in the searching and planning stages, and masculine characteristics had a positive influence on ESE in the marshaling and implementing stages. In addition, one feminine characteristic, "Friendly," showed a positive association with male entrepreneurs' ESE in the marshaling stage. Overall, the feminine gender role factor of "Friendly" and the masculine gender role factor of "Compete" played a greater role on ESE than other characteristics. Implications of the findings are discussed. This study contributes a new perspective to extant research on entrepreneurial self-efficacy and female entrepreneurship.
The heterogeneity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is poorly understood, thus limiting clinical application and basic research reproducibility. Advanced single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a ...robust tool used to analyse for dissecting cellular heterogeneity. However, the comprehensive single-cell atlas for human MSCs has not been achieved.
This study used massive parallel multiplexing scRNA-seq to construct an atlas of > 130 000 single-MSC transcriptomes across multiple tissues and donors to assess their heterogeneity. The most widely clinically utilised tissue resources for MSCs were collected, including normal bone marrow (n = 3), adipose (n = 3), umbilical cord (n = 2), and dermis (n = 3).
Seven tissue-specific and five conserved MSC subpopulations with distinct gene-expression signatures were identified from multiple tissue origins based on the high-quality data, which has not been achieved previously. This study showed that extracellular matrix (ECM) highly contributes to MSC heterogeneity. Notably, tissue-specific MSC subpopulations were substantially heterogeneous on ECM-associated immune regulation, antigen processing/presentation, and senescence, thus promoting inter-donor and intra-tissue heterogeneity. The variable dynamics of ECM-associated genes had discrete trajectory patterns across multiple tissues. Additionally, the conserved and tissue-specific transcriptomic-regulons and protein-protein interactions were identified, potentially representing common or tissue-specific MSC functional roles. Furthermore, the umbilical-cord-specific subpopulation possessed advantages in immunosuppressive properties.
In summary, this work provides timely and great insights into MSC heterogeneity at multiple levels. This MSC atlas taxonomy also provides a comprehensive understanding of cellular heterogeneity, thus revealing the potential improvements in MSC-based therapeutic efficacy.
BACKGROUNDRecently, headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME) has attracted some attention for developing sensitive and selective colorimetric assays due to its excellent capability to reduce ...matrix interference and enrich analytes. However, the single droplet limits direct visual observation of color change and its quantitative measurement suffers from reduced optical path length. Therefore, amplifying the detection signals in both volume and intensity is an important and challenging task for improving the sensitivity, stability, and accuracy of such colorimetric analysis.RESULTSIn this study, a "headspace-nanoenzyme" (HS-NE) strategy was proposed that successfully addressed these challenges and enabled the colorimetric and fluorescent dual-mode detection of trace Hg2+. Atomic Hg0, generated via chemical vapor generation (CVG), underwent headspace reaction with AuNPs droplet to form Au@HgNPs, thus catalyzing the oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) in the presence of H2O2. The absorbance and fluorescence intensity of oxidized OPD were proportion to the concentration of Hg2+ in the sample solution. Due to the greatly enhanced peroxidase-like activity by Au@HgNPs, the limit of detection was as low as 0.98 nM and 0.21 nM for the colorimetric and fluorescent modes, respectively. The applicability of this assay was further demonstrated with determination of Hg2+ in real environmental and biological samples. Moreover, a convenient and cost-effective paper-based sensing platform was fabricated for rapid on-site detection of Hg2+.SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTYThis novel HS-NE strategy combines HS-SDME and nanoenzyme-based sensing to achieve dual effects of eliminating matrix interference and amplifying the measurement signal, resulting in improved accuracy, enhanced stability, high sensitivity, and exceptional selectivity, with great potential for on-site determination of trace Hg2+.
The mechanical influences involved in the interaction between the Antarctic sea ice and ocean surface current (OSC) on the subpolar Southern Ocean have been systematically investigated for the first ...time by conducting two simulations that include and exclude the OSC in the calculation of the ice-ocean stress (IOS), using an eddy-permitting coupled ocean-sea ice global model. By comparing the results of these two experiments, significant increases of 5%, 27%, and 24%, were found in the subpolar Southern Ocean when excluding the OSC in the IOS calculation for the ocean surface stress, upwelling, and downwelling, respectively. Excluding the OSC in the IOS calculation also visibly strengthens the total mechanical energy input to the OSC by about 16%, and increases the eddy kinetic energy and mean kinetic energy by about 38% and 12%, respectively. Moreover, the response of the meridional overturning circulation in the Southern Ocean yields respective increases of about 16% and 15% for the upper and lower branches; and the subpolar gyres are also found to considerably intensify, by about 12%, 11%, and 11% in the Weddell Gyre, the Ross Gyre, and the Australian-Antarctic Gyre, respectively. The strengthened ocean circulations and Ekman pumping result in a warmer sea surface temperature (SST), and hence an incremental surface heat loss. The increased sea ice drift and warm SST lead to an expansion of the sea ice area and a reduction of sea ice volume. These results emphasize the importance of OSCs in the air-sea-ice interactions on the global ocean circulations and the mass balance of Antarctic ice shelves, and this component may become more significant as the rapid change of Antarctic sea ice.
To ensure sustainable hydrogen production by water electrolysis, robust, earth‐abundant, and high‐efficient electrocatalysts are required. Constructing a hybrid system could lead to further ...improvement in electrocatalytic activity. Interface engineering in composite catalysts is thus critical to determine the performance, and the phase‐junction interface should improve the catalytic activity. Here, we show that nickel diphosphide phase junction (c‐NiP2/m‐NiP2) is an effective electrocatalyst for hydrogen production in alkaline media. The overpotential (at 10 mA cm−2) for NiP2‐650 (c/m) in alkaline media could be significantly reduced by 26 % and 96 % compared with c‐NiP2 and m‐NiP2, respectively. The enhancement of catalytic activity should be attributed to the strong water dissociation ability and the rearrangement of electrons around the phase junction, which markedly improved the Volmer step and benefited the reduction process of adsorbed protons.
Constructing phase‐junction electrocatalysts could effectively accelerate the Volmer step and modulate the electronic structure at the interface. NiP2‐650(c/m) shows an overpotential η10 of 134 mV vs. RHE at 10 mA cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 67 mV dec−1, which is significantly reduced by 26 % and 96 % compared with c‐NiP2 and m‐NiP2, respectively.
The simulated Arctic sea ice drift and its relationship with the near-surface wind and surface ocean current during 1979–2014 in nine models from China that participated in the sixth phase of the ...Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) are examined by comparison with observational and reanalysis datasets. Most of the models reasonably represent the Beaufort Gyre (BG) and Transpolar Drift Stream (TDS) in the spatial patterns of their long-term mean sea ice drift, while the detailed location, extent, and strength of the BG and TDS vary among the models. About two-thirds of the models agree with the observation/reanalysis in the sense that the sea ice drift pattern is consistent with the near-surface wind pattern. About the same proportion of models shows that the sea ice drift pattern is consistent with the surface ocean current pattern. In the observation/reanalysis, however, the sea ice drift pattern does not match well with the surface ocean current pattern. All nine models missed the observational widespread sea ice drift speed acceleration across the Arctic. For the Arctic basin-wide spatial average, five of the nine models overestimate the Arctic long-term (1979–2014) mean sea ice drift speed in all months. Only FGOALS-g3 captures a significant sea ice drift speed increase from 1979 to 2014 both in spring and autumn. The increases are weaker than those in the observation. This evaluation helps assess the performance of the Arctic sea ice drift simulations in these CMIP6 models from China.
As rural areas in developing countries are generally more vulnerable to disasters triggered by natural hazards than urban areas, it has become critical to strengthen rural community disaster ...resilience (CDR) to reduce the risks. Using follow-up interviews, surveys, and secondary data, this study reviewed the Safe Rural Community (SRC) programme implemented by the One Foundation, a Chinese civilian non-governmental organisation (NGO), after the 2013 Lushan earthquake in China. The study focused on five key resilience aspects: networks; infrastructure; institutions; capacity; and culture. It found that the SRC programme successfully developed five standardised, systematic, interrelated, and practical elements: localised volunteer rescue teams; adequate emergency supplies; practical disaster reduction training; community emergency plans; and regular emergency rescue drills. Third-party evaluations and a 2022 Lushan earthquake test revealed that this NGO-led, community-based, and team-oriented initiative had been effective. Consequently, the study provides some guidance for the development of effective CDR programmes in rural communities in developing countries.
In this paper, a CdTe photovoltaic double-skin ventilated window integrated with vacuum glazing (VPV-DSV) is proposed. The mathematical model of VPV-DSV was developed and validated through tests in ...Hefei, China. Annual energy performance and the economic analysis of the VPV-DSV was evaluated and compared with the other two PV-DSVs and an insulating glazed window (IG) under climate conditions of five selected cities, including Changchun, Hefei, Kunming, Shenzhen, and Shijiazhuang. Moreover, effects of window design factors, including the window-to-wall ratio, PV coverage, and pillar spacing of the VG, were explored. Results indicated that: (1) the VPV-DSV produced the best energy saving results and the least energy consumption. (2) NECs of the VPV-DSV in the five cities above was 955.05 kW•h, 464.31 kW•h, 110.66 kW•h, 53.71 kW•h, and 443.14 kW•h, respectively. (3) Due to high cost of the VG, the VPV-DSV only had the best economic performance in Shenzhen and the NPV was 3931.47 CNY. (4) The WWR and PV coverage had obvious impacts on the overall performance of the VPV-DSV, while the pillar spacing only had a more significant impact on the air conditioning energy consumption.
In the present study, a novel composite nanogel based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and its application for photodynamic therapy is reported. First of all, nanoparticles of silica ...doped with Nile Red (NR) were prepared by Stöber method, then they were decorated by γ-methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS) to prepare MPS decorated NR@SiO
2
nanoparticles, and finally they were copolymerized with N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and Pyropheophorbide-a (Ppa) by free radical copolymerization, and composite nanogel of NR@SiO
2
/PNIPAm-
co
-Ppa was fabricated. The microstructure of the as-prepared nanogel was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), photoluminescence (PL), UV–Visible spectrophotometer (UV–Vis), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). PL spectrum indicated that, under irradiation of visible light source, energy can be transferred from NR to Ppa. UV–Vis spectrum demonstrated that aggregation of Ppa is prevented efficiently and Ppa exists as “monomer” state in the composite nanogel. Under irradiation of laser, singlet oxygen (
1
O
2
) can be produced efficiently by excited nanogel. The in vitro cytotoxicity test showed that HeLa cells can be killed by the composite nanogel.
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•Co-doping facilitates the deprotonation of Ni2+–OH to form the active species Ni3+-O.•β-Co0.1Ni0.9(OH)2 with optimal bimetal ratio shows excellent HMFOR performance.•Co doping effect ...promotes the adsorption and activation of OH and HMF species.
Electrooxidation of the biorefinery product 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is a viable green strategy for acquiring vital industrial feedstock. However, a thorough examination of the electrocatalytic character of HMF has not been conducted because of the intricacy of the HMF electrooxidation reaction (HMFOR), which relates to the adsorption and coupling of substrates and OHad−. Herein, we propose a Co modification strategy to elucidate the electrocatalytic mechanism in the HMFOR. Experimental and theoretical calculations demonstrate that 10% Co doping effectively contributes to forming the active species Ni3+–O and increases the adsorption energy for HMF and OHad−. HMF performs spontaneous proton-coupled electron transfer on the electrogenerated Ni3+-O. In addition, the oxidation of–CHO is a priority to the –OH, and β-Co0.1Ni0.9(OH)2 facilitates the rate-determining step in the HMFOR process. This work reveals the doping effects of the transition metal on the electrocatalytic performance of HMFOR over Ni-based catalysts.
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