The effect of fine grits and fine debris concentrations on the MLVSS/MLSS ratio of an activated sludge system.

This study embarks on an explorative investigation into the effects of typical concentrations and varying particle sizes of fine grits (FG, the involatile portion of suspended solids) and fine debris (FD, the volatile yet unbiodegradable fraction of suspended solids) within the influent on the mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS)/mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) ratio of an activated sludge system. Through meticulous experimentation, it was discerned that the addition of FG or FD, the particle size of FG, and the concentration of FD bore no substantial impact on the pollutant removal efficiency (denoted by the removal rate of COD and ammonia nitrogen) under constant operational conditions. However, a notable decrease in the MLVSS/MLSS ratio was observed with a typical FG concentration of 20 mg/L, with smaller FG particle sizes exacerbating this reduction. Additionally, variations in FD concentrations influenced both MLSS and MLVSS/MLSS ratios; a higher FD concentration led to an increased MLSS and a reduced MLVSS/MLSS ratio, indicating FD accumulation in the system. A predictive model for MLVSS/MLSS was constructed based on quality balance calculations, offering a tool for foreseeing the MLVSS/MLSS ratio under stable long-term influent conditions of FG and FD. This model, validated using data from the BXH wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), showcased remarkable accuracy.

Natural Pitch-Derived Carbon Networks Induced Lattice Strain Engineering in Nickel-Based Heterostructures Enables Efficient Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

The development of high-performance sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) relies on enhancing the electrochemical properties of the electrodes, particularly the transition metal compounds (TMCs) through effective carbon coatings. Herein, a straightforward approach using polymerized natural pitch-derived carbon (PNPC) via step-growth polymerization regulates the lattice strain in Ni3S2-NiO heterostructures (NSNO) on nickel foam (NF). This method replaces the complex multistep carbon coatings with a cost-effective liquid-phase application of PNPC, followed by pyrolysis to create PNPC@NSNO/NF. Comparative analysis shows that PNPC effectively modulates lattice strain, achieving 3.50% tensile strain compared to 5.60% for non-polymerized carbon. The optimized PNPC@NSNO/NF electrode exhibits exceptional high areal capacity of 2.72 mAh cm-2@1 mA cm-2, impressive rate capability, and 97.28% capacity retention after 200 cycles. The enhanced contact area and electrical conductivity provided by the PNPC improve charge transfer kinetics and overall performance. Theoretical analyses confirm that the PNPC@NSNO/NF electrode with 3.50% lattice strain lowers the Na⁺ diffusion barrier, enhances charge transfer, and improves charge distribution, boosting the electrode performance. This work establishes a straightforward method for synthesizing lattice-strained SIB anodes, highlighting its potential for advancing SIB technology.

Reversible Hydrogen Acceptor-Donor Enables Relay Mechanism for Nitrate-to-Ammonia Electrocatalysis.

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction is a crucial process for sustainable ammonia production. However, to maximize ammonia yield efficiency, this technology inevitably operates at the potentials more negative than 0 V vs. RHE, leading to high energy consumption and competitive hydrogen evolution. To eradicate this issue, hydrogen tungsten bronze (HxWO3) as reversible hydrogen donor-acceptor is partnered with copper (Cu) to enable a relay mechanism at potentials positive than 0 V vs. RHE, which involves rapid intercalation of H into HxWO3 lattice, prompt de-intercalation of the lattice H and transfer onto Cu, and spontaneous H-mediated nitrate-to-ammonia conversion on Cu. The resulting catalysts demonstrated a high ammonia yield rate of 3332.9±34.1 mmol gcat-1 h-1 and a Faraday efficiency of ~100 % at 0.10 V vs. RHE, displaying a record-low estimated energy consumption of 17.6 kWh kgammonia-1. Using these catalysts, we achieve continuous ammonia production in an enlarged flow cell at a real energy consumption of 17.0 kWh kgammonia-1.

Why does distilled liquor (Baijiu) have a yellowish color: A comprehensive analysis.

Elucidating the mechanisms underlying Baijiu production is a shared aspiration among academic groups specializing in the field of Baijiu research. This study comprehensively examined the mechanisms underlying the yellowish coloration of Baijiu through a synergistic application of chromatographic, spectroscopic, and physical methodologies. Aging of Baijiu in earthenware pots involves the infiltration of mineral ions such as iron, aluminum, and calcium; however, these ions are detected at extremely low concentrations and are therefore not linked to the development of Baijiu's yellowish color. Instead, the yellowish coloration is attributed to the diverse colorants generated during the high-temperature fermentation of small-molecule sugars derived from the saccharification of grain materials. Although these colorants exist in minimal quantities and exhibit spectral absorption peaks ranging from 300 to 450 nm, their overlapping spectra collectively contribute to the light-absorbing properties of Baijiu across a broad wavelength range, ultimately accounting for its characteristic yellowish color.

Exploring the mechanism of Cinnamomi Cortex against morphine addiction using network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses.

Cinnamomi Cortex is a commonly used herb with a variety of pharmacological effects. We investigated the molecular mechanisms by which Cinnamomi Cortex antagonises morphine addiction (MA) using network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques in a morphine-dependent rat withdrawal model. The antagonistic effect of Cinnamomi Cortex was observed by inducing withdrawal symptoms in morphine-dependent rats through a dose-escalation method. Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were further employed to analyze the substance basis and mechanism of Cinnamomi Cortex in antagonizing MA. Cinnamomi Cortex was screened to contain 10 active ingredients, 127 active targets and 1724 MA-related targets. Among them, 52 targets overlapped between Cinnamomi Cortex and MA and 13 core targets were identified by metric analysis. Cinnamomi Cortex had a significant inhibitory effect on withdrawal symptoms in MA rats, with the most pronounced effect at a moderate dose. The active ingredients of Cinnamomi Cortex (including oleic acid) can act on multiple targets related to MA and regulate multiple pathways to treat MA. The present study reveals the material basis and mechanism of cinnamon's action on MA, and provides insights and references for subsequent experiments exploring the potential therapeutic approach of Cinnamomi Cortex on MA.

Decimeter-depth and polarization addressable color 3D meta-holography.

Fueled by the rapid advancement of nanofabrication, metasurface has provided unprecedented opportunities for 3D holography. Large depth 3D meta-holography not only greatly increases information storage capacity, but also enables distinguishing of the relative spatial relationship of 3D objects, which has important applications in fields like optical information storage and medical diagnosis. Although the methods based on Fresnel diffraction theory can reconstruct the real depth information of 3D objects, the maximum depth is only 2 mm. Here, we develop a 3D meta-holography based on angular spectrum diffraction theory to break through the depth limit. By developing the angular spectrum diffraction theory into meta-holography, the metasurface structure with independent polarization control is used to create a polarization multiplexing 3D meta-hologram. The fabricated amorphous silicon metasurface increases the depth range by 47.5 times and realizes 0.95 dm depth reconstruction for polarization independent and different color 3D meta-hologram in visible. Such polarization controlled large-depth color meta-holography is expected to open avenue for data storage, display, information security and virtual reality.

Full-course NIR-II imaging-navigated fractionated photodynamic therapy of bladder tumours with X-ray-activated nanotransducers.

The poor 5-year survival rate for bladder cancers is associated with the lack of efficient diagnostic and treatment techniques. Despite cystoscopy-assisted photomedicine and external radiation being promising modalities to supplement or replace surgery, they remain invasive or fail to provide real-time navigation. Here, we report non-invasive fractionated photodynamic therapy of bladder cancer with full-course real-time near-infrared-II imaging based on engineered X-ray-activated nanotransducers that contain lanthanide-doped nanoscintillators with concurrent emissions in visible and the second near-infrared regions and conjugated photosensitizers. Following intravesical instillation in mice with carcinogen-induced autochthonous bladder tumours, tumour-homing peptide-labelled nanotransducers realize enhanced tumour regression, robust recurrence inhibition, improved survival rates, and restored immune homeostasis under X-ray irradiation with accompanied near-infrared-II imaging. On-demand fractionated photodynamic therapy with customized doses is further achieved based on quantifiable near-infrared-II imaging signal-to-background ratios. Our study presents a promising non-invasive strategy to confront the current bladder cancer dilemma from diagnosis to treatment and prognosis.

Distance-Independent Efficiency of Triplet Energy Transfer from π-Conjugated Organic Ligands to Lanthanide-Doped Nanoparticles.

Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles (LnNPs) possess unique optical properties and are employed in various optoelectronic and bioimaging applications. One fundamental limitation of LnNPs is their low absorption cross-section. This hurdle can be overcome through surface modification with organic chromophores with large absorption cross-sections. Controlling energy transfer from organic molecules to LnNPs is crucial for creating optically bright systems, yet the mechanisms are not well understood. Using pump-probe spectroscopy, we follow singlet energy transfer (SET) and triplet energy transfer (TET) in systems comprising different length 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene (BPEA) derivatives coordinated onto ytterbium and neodymium-doped nanoparticles. Photoexcitation of the ligands forms singlet excitons, some of which convert to triplet excitons via intersystem crossing when coordinated to the LnNPs. The triplet generation rate and yield are strongly distance-dependent. Following their generation, TET occurs from the ligands to the LnNPs, exhibiting an exponential distance dependence, independent of solvent polarity, suggesting a concerted Dexter-type process with a damping coefficient of 0.60 Å-1. Nevertheless, TET occurs with near-unity efficiency for all BPEA derivatives due to the lack of other triplet deactivation pathways and long intrinsic triplet lifetimes. Thus, we find that close coupling is primarily important to ensure efficient triplet generation rather than efficient TET. Although SET is faster, we find its efficiency to be lower and more strongly distance-dependent than the TET efficiency. Our results present the first direct distance-dependent energy transfer measurements in LnNP@organic nanohybrids and establish the advantage of using the triplet manifold to achieve the most efficient energy transfer and best sensitization of LnNPs with π-conjugated ligands.

Hydrogen Spillover Mechanism at the Metal-Metal Interface in Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation.

Hydrogen spillover in metal-supported catalysts can largely enhance electrocatalytic hydrogenation performance and reduce energy consumption. However, its fundamental mechanism, especially at the metal-metal interface, remains further explored, impeding relevant catalyst design. Here, we theoretically profile that a large free energy difference in hydrogen adsorption on two different metals (|ΔGH-metal(i)-ΔGH-metal(ii)|) induces a high kinetic barrier to hydrogen spillover between the metals. Minimizing the difference in their d-band centers (Δϵd) should reduce |ΔGH-metal(i)-ΔGH-metal(ii)|, lowering the kinetic barrier to hydrogen spillover for improved electrocatalytic hydrogenation. We demonstrated this concept using copper-supported ruthenium-platinum alloys with the smallest Δϵd, which delivered record high electrocatalytic nitrate hydrogenation performance, with ammonia production rate of 3.45±0.12 mmol h-1 cm-2 and Faraday efficiency of 99.8±0.2 %, at low energy consumption of 21.4 kWh kgamm -1. Using these catalysts, we further achieve continuous ammonia and formic acid production with a record high-profit space.

Improved MRI methods to quantify retinal and choroidal blood flow applied to a model of glaucoma.

Purpose: Blood flow (BF) of the retinal and choroidal vasculatures can be quantitatively imaged using MRI. This study sought to improve methods of data acquisition and analysis for MRI of layer-specific retinal and choroidal BF and then applied this approach to detect reduced ocular BF in a well-established mouse model of glaucoma from both eyes. Methods: Quantitative BF magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed on glaucomatous DBA/2J and normal C57BL/6J mice. Arterial spin labeling MRI was applied to image retinal and choroidal BF using custom-made dual eye coils that could image both eyes during the same scan. Statistics using data from a single eye or two eyes were compared. BF values were calculated using two approaches. The BF rate per quantity of tissue was calculated as commonly done, and the peak BF values of the retinal and choroidal vasculatures were taken. Additionally, the BF rate per retinal surface area was calculated using a new analysis approach to attempt to reduce partial volume and variability by integrating BF over the retinal and choroidal depths. Results: Ocular BF of both eyes could be imaged using the dual coil setup without effecting scan time. Intraocular pressure was significantly elevated in DBA/2J mice compared to C57BL/6J mice (P<0.01). Both retinal and choroidal BF were significantly decreased in DBA/2J mice in comparison to the age-matched normal C57BL/6J mice across all measurements (P < 0.01). From simulations, the values from the integrated BF analysis method had less partial volume effect, and from in vivo scans, this analysis approach also improved power. Conclusion: The dual eye coil setup allows bilateral eye data acquisition, increasing the amount of data acquired without increasing acquisition times in vivo. The reduced ocular BF found using the improved acquisition and analysis approaches replicated the results of previous studies on DBA/2J mice. The ocular hypertensive stress-induced BF reduction found within these mice may represent changes associated with glaucomatous progression.

Safety of embryo cryopreservation: insights from mid-term placental transcriptional changes.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, with benefits from the continuous improvement of clinical technology and the advantage of fertility preservation, the application of embryo cryopreservation has been growing rapidly worldwide. However, amidst this growth, concerns about its safety persist. Numerous studies have highlighted the elevated risk of perinatal complications linked to frozen embryo transfer (FET), such as large for gestational age (LGA) and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Thus, it is imperative to explore the potential risk of embryo cryopreservation and its related mechanisms. METHODS: Given the strict ethical constraints on clinical samples, we employed mouse models in this study. Three experimental groups were established: the naturally conceived (NC) group, the fresh embryo transfer (Fresh-ET) group, and the FET group. Blastocyst formation rates and implantation rates were calculated post-embryo cryopreservation. The impact of FET on fetal growth was evaluated upon fetal and placental weight. Placental RNA-seq was conducted, encompassing comprehensive analyses of various comparisons (Fresh-ET vs. NC, FET vs. NC, and FET vs. Fresh-ET). RESULTS: Reduced rates of blastocyst formation and implantation were observed post-embryo cryopreservation. Fresh-ET resulted in a significant decrease in fetal weight compared to NC group, whereas FET reversed this decline. RNA-seq analysis indicated that the majority of the expression changes in FET were inherited from Fresh-ET, and alterations solely attributed to embryo cryopreservation were moderate. Unexpectedly, certain genes that showed alterations in Fresh-ET tended to be restored in FET. Further analysis suggested that this regression may underlie the improvement of fetal growth restriction in FET. The expression of imprinted genes was disrupted in both FET and Fresh-ET groups. CONCLUSION: Based on our experimental data on mouse models, the impact of embryo cryopreservation is less pronounced than other in vitro manipulations in Fresh-ET. However, the impairment of the embryonic developmental potential and the gene alterations in placenta still suggested it to be a risky operation.

Connexin 50 Influences the Physiological Optics of the In Vivo Mouse Lens.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to utilize multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate in vivo age-related changes in the physiology and optics of mouse lenses where Connexin 50 has been deleted (Cx50KO) or replaced by Connexin 46 (Cx50KI46). Methods: The lenses of transgenic Cx50KO and Cx50KI46 mice were imaged between 3 weeks and 6 months of age using a 7T MRI. Measurements of lens geometry, the T2 (water-bound protein ratios), the refractive index (n), and T1 (free water content) values were calculated by processing the acquired images. The lens power was calculated from an optical model that combined the geometry and the n. All transgenic mice were compared with control mice at the same age. Results: Cx50KO and Cx50KI46 mice developed smaller lenses compared with control mice. The lens thickness, volume, and surface radii of curvatures all increased with age but were limited to the size of the lenses. Cx50KO lenses exhibited higher lens power than Cx50KI46 lenses at all ages, and this was correlated with significantly lower water content in these lenses, which was probably modulated by the gap junction coupling. The refractive power tended to a steady state with age, similar to the control mice. Conclusions: The modification of Cx50 gap junctions significantly impacted lens growth and physiological optics as the mouse aged. The lenses showed delayed development growth, and altered optics governed by different lens physiology. This research provides new insights into how gap junctions regulate the development of the lens's physiological optics.

Effectiveness of cloth media filters on mitigating membrane fouling in anaerobic filter membrane bioreactors.

Membrane fouling is a persistent challenge that has impeded the broader application of anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs). To mitigate membrane fouling, between the outlet of the UASB anaerobic bioreactor and the PVDF membrane to form the anaerobic filter membrane bioreactor (AnFMBR) system. Through comprehensive experiments, the optimal pore size for cloth filters was determined to be 50 µm. A comprehensive assessment over 140 days of operation shows that the novel AnFMBR had significantly greater resistance to membrane pollution than the traditional AnMBR. The AnFMBR system membrane tank exhibited lower mixed liquor suspended solid and mixed liquor volatile suspended solid concentrations, smaller sludge particle sizes, increased hydrophilicity of sludge flocs, and optimized microbial community distribution compared to those of conventional AnMBRs. The total solids foulant accumulation rate in the AnMBR was 5.1 g/m2/day, while in the AnFMBR, the rate was 2.4 g/m2/day, marking a 53.7 % decrease in fouling rate for the AnFMBR compared with the AnMBR. This decrease indicates that integrating the filtration assembly significantly lowered the rate of solid foulant accumulation on the membrane surface, primarily by controlling the buildup of solid foulants in the cake layer, thereby alleviating membrane fouling. AnFMBR compared to AnMBR, the membrane fouling rate halved, effectively doubled the interval between membrane cleaning from seven days, as observed in the AnMBR system, to fourteen days. These findings underscore the potential of integrating cloth media filters into AnMBRs to improve operational efficiency, economic viability, and sustainability.

Enhanced wastewater treatment with an AnF-AAO system for improved internal carbon source utilization.

The main challenge in removing nutrients from municipal wastewater in China is the lack of available carbon sources. While hydrolysis acidification tanks can improve wastewater biodegradability by effectively utilizing internal carbon sources, high sludge concentrations are difficult to control in traditional tank variants. In this study, an innovative anaerobic filter (AnF) hydrolysis acidification reactor composed of a continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and cloth media filter was designed to regulate and maintain high sludge concentrations in the hydrolysis acidifier. The reactor was used as a pretreatment unit for the anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (AAO) units and combined into an AnF-AAO system to explore the effectiveness of internal carbon source utilization in wastewater. The results indicate that as the sludge concentration in the hydrolysis acidifier increased, the hydrolysis and acidification processes became more efficient. The optimal sludge concentration was 40 g/L, which significantly increased the production of soluble chemical oxygen demand and volatile fatty acids. Above this concentration, the efficiency decreased. Compared to traditional AAO processes, the AnF-AAO system achieved superior total nitrogen and phosphorus removal with shorter hydraulic retention times and reduced sludge production by a significant amount of 35%. Due to its capacity for enhancing internal carbon source utilization, the AnF-AAO system constitutes a promising approach for sustainable urban wastewater treatment.

Continuous optical zoom telescopic system based on liquid lenses.

Telescopes play an essential important role in the fields of astronomical observation, emergency rescue, etc. The traditional telescopes achieve zoom function through the mechanical movement of the solid lenses, usually requiring refocusing after magnification adjustment. Therefore, the traditional telescopes lack adaptability, port-ability and real-time capability. In this paper, a continuous optical zoom telescopic system based on liquid lenses is proposed. The main components of the system consist of an objective lens, an eyepiece, and a zoom group composed of six pieces of liquid lenses. By adjusting the external voltages on the liquid lenses, the zoom telescopic system can achieve continuous optical zoom from ∼1.0× to ∼4.0× operating with an angular resolution from 28.648" to 19.098", and the magnification switching time is ∼50ms. The optical structure of the zoom telescopic system with excellent performance is given, and its feasibility is demonstrated by simulations and experiments. The proposed system with fast response, portability and high adaptability is expected to be applied to astronomical observation, emergency rescue and so on.

Advances in understanding and mitigating Atrazine's environmental and health impact: A comprehensive review.

Atrazine is a widely used herbicide in agriculture, and it has garnered significant attention because of its potential risks to the environment and human health. The extensive utilization of atrazine, alongside its persistence in water and soil, underscores the critical need to develop safe and efficient removal strategies. This comprehensive review aims to spotlight atrazine's potential impact on ecosystems and public health, particularly its enduring presence in soil, water, and plants. As a known toxic endocrine disruptor, atrazine poses environmental and health risks. The review navigates through innovative removal techniques across soil and water environments, elucidating microbial degradation, phytoremediation, and advanced methodologies such as electrokinetic-assisted phytoremediation (EKPR) and photocatalysis. The review notably emphasizes the complex process of atrazine degradation and ongoing scientific efforts to address this, recognizing its potential risks to both the environment and human health.

Foliar application of selenium and gibberellins reduce cadmium accumulation in soybean by regulating interplay among rhizosphere soil metabolites, bacteria community and cadmium speciation.

Both selenium (Se) and gibberellins (GA3) can alleviate cadmium (Cd) toxicity in plants. However, the application of Se and GA3 as foliar spray to against Cd stress on soybean and its related mechanisms have been poorly explored. Herein, this experiment evaluated the effects of Se and GA3 alone and combined application on soybean rhizosphere microenvironment, Cd accumulation and growth of soybean seedlings. The results revealed that both Se and GA3 can effectively decrease the accumulation of Cd in soybean seedlings. Foliar application of Se, GA3 and their combination reduced Cd contents in soybean seedlings respectively by 21.70 %, 27.53 % and 45.07 % when compared with the control treatment, suggest a synergistic effect of Se and GA3 in decreasing Cd accumulation. Se and GA3 also significantly increased diversity and abundance of the metabolites in rhizosphere, which consequently played an important role in shaping rhizosphere bacteria community and improve rhizosphere soil physicochemical properties of Cd contaminated soil, as well as decreased the Cd available forms contents but enhance the immobilized form levels. Overall, this study affords a novel approach on mitigating Cd accumulation in soybean seedlings which is attributed to Se and GA3 regulated interplay among rhizosphere soil metabolites, bacteria community and cadmium speciation.

C-phycocyanin improves the developmental potential of cryopreserved human oocytes by minimizing ROS production and cell apoptosis.

PURPOSE: The cryopreservation process damages oocytes and impairs development potential. As a potent antioxidant, C-phycocyanin (PC) regulates reproductive performance. However, its beneficial effects on vitrified human oocytes remain unknown. METHODS: In this study, human GV-stage oocytes obtained from controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycles were randomly allocated to three groups: fresh oocyte without freezing (F group), vitrification in medium supplemented with PC (P group), and vitrification in medium without PC as control group (C group). After warming, viable oocytes underwent in vitro maturation. RESULTS: Our results showed that 3 µg/mL PC treatment increased the oocyte maturation rate after cryopreservation. We also found that PC treatment maintains the regular morphological features of oocytes. After PC treatment, confocal fluorescence staining showed a significant increase in the mitochondrial membrane potential of the vitrified oocytes, along with a notable decrease in intracellular reactive oxygen species and the early apoptosis rate. Finally, after in vitro maturation and parthenogenetic activation, vitrified oocytes had a higher potential for cleavage and blastocyst formation after PC treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PC improves the developmental potential of cryopreserved human GV-stage oocytes by attenuating oxidative stress and early apoptosis and increasing the mitochondrial membrane potential.

C-Phycocyanin improves the quality of goat oocytes after in vitro maturation and vitrification.

In vitro maturation (IVM) and cryopreservation of goat oocytes are important for establishing a valuable genetic bank for domesticated female animals and improving livestock reproductive efficiency. C-Phycocyanin (PC) is a Spirulina extract with antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and radical scavenging properties. However, whether PC has positive effect on goat oocytes IVM or developmental competence after vitrification is still unknown. In this study, we found that first polar body extrusion (n = 293), cumulus expansion index (n = 269), and parthenogenetic blastocyst formation (n = 281) were facilitated by adding 30 µg/mL PC to the oocyte maturation medium when compared with the control groups and that supplemented with 3, 10, 100 or 300 µg/mL PC (P < 0.05). Although PC supplementation did not affect spindle formation or chromosome alignment (n = 115), it facilitated or improved cortical granules migration (n = 46, P < 0.05), mitochondria distribution (n = 39, P < 0.05), and mitochondrial membrane potential (n = 46, P < 10-4). Meanwhile, supplementation with 30 µg/mL PC in the maturation medium could significantly inhibit the reactive oxygen species accumulation (n = 65, P < 10-4), and cell apoptosis (n = 42, P < 0.05). In addition, PC increased the oocyte mRNA levels of GPX4 (P < 0.01), and decreased the mRNA and protein levels of BAX (P < 0.01). Next, we investigated the effect of PC supplementation in the vitrification solution on oocyte cryopreservation. When compared with the those equilibrate in the vitrification solution without PC, recovered oocytes in the 30 µg/mL PC group showed higher ratios of normal morphology (n = 85, P < 0.05), survival (n = 85, P < 0.05), first polar body extrusion (n = 62, P < 0.05), and parthenogenetic blastocyst formation (n = 107, P < 0.05). Meanwhile, PC supplementation of the vitrification solution increased oocyte mitochondrial membrane potential (n = 53, P < 0.05), decreased the reactive oxygen species accumulation (n = 73, P < 0.05), promoted mitochondria distribution (n = 58, P < 0.05), and inhibited apoptosis (n = 46, P < 10-3). Collectively, our findings suggest that PC improves goat oocyte IVM and vitrification by reducing oxidative stress and early apoptosis, which providing a novel strategy for livestock gamete preservation and utilization.

Tandem Electrocatalytic Alkyne Semihydrogenation over Bicomponent Catalysts through Hydrogen Spillover.

Electrocatalytic alkyne semihydrogenation under mild conditions is a more attractive approach for alkene production than industrial routes but suffers from either low production efficiency or high energy consumption. Here, we describe a tandem catalytic concept that overcomes these challenges. Component (i), which can trap hydrogen effectively, is partnered with component (ii), which can readily release hydrogen for hydrogenation, to enable efficient generation of active hydrogen on component (i) at low overpotentials and timely (i)-to-(ii) hydrogen spillover and facile desorptive hydrogenation on component (ii). We examine this concept over bicomponent palladium-copper catalysts for the production of representative 2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol (MBE) from 2-methyl-3-butyne-2-ol (MBY) and achieve a record high MBE production rate of 1.44 mmol h-1 cm-2 and a Faraday efficiency of ~88.8 % at a low energy consumption of 1.26 kWh kgMBE -1. With these catalysts, we further achieve 60 h continuous production of MBE with record high profit space.