Flatband λ-Ti3O5 towards extraordinary solar steam generation.

Solar steam interfacial evaporation represents a promising strategy for seawater desalination and wastewater purification owing to its environmentally friendly character1-3. To improve the solar-to-steam generation, most previous efforts have focused on effectively harvesting solar energy over the full solar spectrum4-7. However, the importance of tuning joint densities of states in enhancing solar absorption of photothermal materials is less emphasized. Here we propose a route to greatly elevate joint densities of states by introducing a flat-band electronic structure. Our study reveals that metallic λ-Ti3O5 powders show a high solar absorptivity of 96.4% due to Ti-Ti dimer-induced flat bands around the Fermi level. By incorporating them into three-dimensional porous hydrogel-based evaporators with a conical cavity, an unprecedentedly high evaporation rate of roughly 6.09 kilograms per square metre per hour is achieved for 3.5 weight percent saline water under 1 sun of irradiation without salt precipitation. Fundamentally, the Ti-Ti dimers and U-shaped groove structure exposed on the λ-Ti3O5 surface facilitate the dissociation of adsorbed water molecules and benefit the interfacial water evaporation in the form of small clusters. The present work highlights the crucial roles of Ti-Ti dimer-induced flat bands in enchaining solar absorption and peculiar U-shaped grooves in promoting water dissociation, offering insights into access to cost-effective solar-to-steam generation.

Effect of moisture content, aeration rate, and C/N on maturity and gaseous emissions during kitchen waste rapid composting.

To determine factors affecting compost maturity and gaseous emissions during the rapid composting of kitchen waste, an orthogonal test was conducted with three factors: moisture content (MC) (55%, 60%, 65%), aeration rate (AR) (0.3,0.6 and 0.9 L·kg-1DM·min-1) and C/N ratio (21, 24, 27). The results showed that the importance of factors affecting compost maturity was: C/N > AR > MC, optimal conditions were: C/N of 24, AR of 0.3 L·kg-1DM·min-1and MC of 65%. For gaseous emissions, the sequence of essential factors affecting NH3 emissions was: C/N > MC > AR, and the optimal parameters for NH3 reduction were: C/N of 27, MC of 65%, and AR of L·kg-1DM·min-1. The important factors affecting N2O and H2S emissions are both: MC > C/N > AR, while their best parameters were different. The optimal parameters for N2O emission reduction were MC of 60%, AR of 0.3 L·kg-1DM·min-1 and C/N of 24, while these for H2S were MC of 55%, AR of 0.3 L·kg-1DM·min-1 and C/N of 21. The C/N mainly affected the compost maturity and AR further affected the maturity and pollutant gas emissions by influencing the temperature and O2 content. Considering comprehensively the maturity and gaseous reduction, the optimal control parameters were: MC of 60%-65%, AR of L·kg-1DM·min-1, and C/N of 24-27.

Progressive senescence programs induce intrinsic vulnerability to aging-related female breast cancer.

Cancer incidence escalates exponentially with advancing age; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we build a chronological molecular clock at single-cell transcription level with a mammary stem cell-enriched population to depict physiological aging dynamics in female mice. We find that the mammary aging process is asynchronous and progressive, initiated by an early senescence program, succeeded by an entropic late senescence program with elevated cancer associated pathways, vulnerable to cancer predisposition. The transition towards senescence program is governed by a stem cell factor Bcl11b, loss of which accelerates mammary ageing with enhanced DMBA-induced tumor formation. We have identified a drug TPCA-1 that can rejuvenate mammary cells and significantly reduce aging-related cancer incidence. Our findings establish a molecular portrait of progressive mammary cell aging and elucidate the transcriptional regulatory network bridging mammary aging and cancer predisposition, which has potential implications for the management of cancer prevalence in the aged.

A global meta-analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon and nitrogen losses during livestock manure composting: Influencing factors and mitigation strategies.

The management of manure composting contributes to alleviate the global greenhouse effect. To improve our understanding of this process, we conducted a meta-analysis of 371 observations from 87 published studies in 11 countries. The results showed that the difference in nitrogen content in feces significantly affected the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nutrient losses of subsequent composting, with NH3-N, CO2-C, and CH4-C losses all increasing with its rise. Windrow pile composting (especially compared to trough composting) had lower GHG emissions and nutrient loss. C/N ratio, aeration rate, and pH value significantly affected NH3 emission, and a decrease in the latter two can reduce it by 31.8 % and 42.5 %, respectively. Decreasing the moisture content or increasing the turning frequency could decrease CH4 by 31.8 % and 62.6 %, respectively. The addition of biochar or superphosphate had a synergistic emission reduction. The emission reduction of N2O and CH4 by biochar was more prominent (44 % and 43.6 %), while superphosphate on NH3 (38.0 %) was better. And the latter was more suitable if added in 10-20 % of dry weight. Dicyandiamide was the only chemical additive (59.4 %) with better N2O emission reduction performance. Microbial agents with different functions had certain effects on NH3-N emission reduction, while the mature compost had a certain effect on N2O-N emissions (67.0 %). In general, N2O had the highest contribution to the greenhouse effect during composting (74.22 %).

Effects of phosphate-containing additives and zeolite on maturity and heavy metal passivation during pig manure composting.

This study investigated the effects of the combination of phosphogypsum with calcium oxide (PPG + CaO), superphosphate with calcium oxide (SSP + CaO) and zeolite (Zeolite) on composting maturity and heavy metal passivation in pig manure composting. The results showed that all treatments reached the maturity requirements and the phosphorus-containing additive treatments had higher final germination indices (GIs). Compared with CK, additive treatments enhanced the compost maturity by promoting volatile fatty acids (VFAs) decomposition (26.4%-30.5%) and formation of stable humus substances. All additive amendment treatments increased humic acid-like substances by over 20%, and the PPG + CaO treatment had the highest level of humus. Composting process reduced the bioavailability of Cu (49.2%), Cd (5.0%), Cr (54.3%), and Pb (26.6%). Correlation analysis found that the heavy mental passivation rate was significantly negatively correlated with the contents of VFAs and nitrogenous substances, and positively correlated with the pH, GI, humic acid content and the ratio of humic acid to fulvic acid (HA/FA). Therefore, the PPG + CaO treatment further increased the passivation rates of Cu (65.6%), Cd (21.7%), and Pb (48.7%) and decreased the mobilization of Zn by promoting maturity and humification during composting.