Differential regulation of phosphorylation, structure, and stability of circadian clock protein FRQ isoforms.

Neurospora crassa is an important model organism for circadian clock research. The Neurospora core circadian component FRQ protein has two isoforms, large FRQ (l-FRQ) and small FRQ (s-FRQ), of which l-FRQ bears an additional N-terminal 99-amino acid fragment. However, how the FRQ isoforms operate differentially in regulating the circadian clock remains elusive. Here, we show l-FRQ and s-FRQ play different roles in regulating the circadian negative feedback loop. Compared to s-FRQ, l-FRQ is less stable and undergoes hypophosphorylation and faster degradation. The phosphorylation of the C-terminal l-FRQ 794-aa fragment was markedly higher than that of s-FRQ, suggesting the l-FRQ N-terminal 99-aa region may regulate the phosphorylation of the entire FRQ protein. Quantitative label-free LC/MS analysis identified several peptides that were differentially phosphorylated between l-FRQ and s-FRQ, which were distributed in FRQ in an interlaced fashion. Furthermore, we identified two novel phosphorylation sites, S765 and T781; mutations S765A and T781A showed no significant effects on conidiation rhythmicity, although T781 conferred FRQ stability. These findings demonstrate that FRQ isoforms play differential roles in the circadian negative feedback loop and undergo different regulations of phosphorylation, structure, and stability. The l-FRQ N-terminal 99-aa region plays an important role in regulating the phosphorylation, stability, conformation, and function of the FRQ protein. As the FRQ circadian clock counterparts in other species also have isoforms or paralogues, these findings will also further our understanding of the underlying regulatory mechanisms of the circadian clock in other organisms based on the high conservation of circadian clocks in eukaryotes.

Sequential administration of delta-tocotrienol ameliorates radiation-induced myelosuppression in mice and non-human primates through inducing G-CSF production.

To date only four recombinant growth factors, including Filgrastim (rhG-CSF), have been approved by FDA as radiomitigators to ameliorate hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome (H-ARS). These approved agents are not stable under room-temperature, needing to be stored at 2-8 °C, and would not be feasible in a mass casualty scenario where rapid and cost-effective intervention is crucial. Delta-tocotrienol (δ-T3H), the most potent G-CSF-inducing agent among vitamin E isoforms, exhibited efficiency and selectivity on G-CSF production in comparison with TLR and STING agonists in mice. Five-dose δ-T3H was utilized as the optimal therapeutic regimen due to long-term G-CSF production and the best peripheral blood (PB) recovery of irradiated mice. Comparable with rhG-CSF, sequential administration of δ-T3H post-irradiation improved hematologic recovery and accelerated the regeneration of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) in the bone marrow (BM) and spleen of 6.5Gy irradiated mice; and consistently enhanced repopulation of BM-HSCs. In 4.0Gy irradiated nonhuman primates, δ-T3H exhibited comparable efficacy as rhG-CSF to promote PB recovery and colony-formation of BM-HPCs. Altogether, we demonstrated that sequential administration of delta-tocotrienol ameliorates radiation-induced myelosuppression in mice and non-human primates through inducing G-CSF production, indicated δ-T3H as a promising radiomitigator for the management of H-ARS, particularly in a mass casualty scenario.

Near thermal noise limit, 5W single frequency fiber laser base on the ring cavity configuration.

In this study, we present an ultralow noise single-frequency fiber laser operating at 1550 nm, utilizing a traveling-wave ring cavity configuration. The frequency noise of the laser approaches the thermal noise limit, achieving a white noise level of 0.025 Hz2/Hz, resulting in an instantaneous linewidth of 0.08 Hz. After amplification, the output power reaches 4.94 W while maintaining the same low white noise level as the laser oscillator. The integration linewidths of the laser oscillator and amplifier are 221 Hz and 665 Hz, respectively, with both exhibiting relative intensity noises that approach the quantum shot noise limit. To the best of our knowledge, this work shows the lowest frequency noise combined with relatively high power for this type of ring cavity fiber laser.

Triglyceride-glucose index in early pregnancy predicts the risk of gestational diabetes: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in early pregnancy and the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the second trimester. The primary objectives were to evaluate the predictive potential of the TyG index for GDM, determine the optimal threshold value of the TyG index for GDM assessment, and compare the predictive performance of the TyG index alone versus its combination with maternal age and pre-pregnancy body mass index on GDM. Moreover, the study explored the association between the TyG index in early pregnancy and the risk of other pregnancy-related complications (PRCs), such as placental abruption and gestational hypertension. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective cohort study recruited 1,624 pregnant women who underwent early pregnancy antenatal counseling and comprehensive assessments with continuous monitoring until delivery. To calculate the TyG index, health indicators, including maternal triglycerides and fasting plasma glucose, were measured in early pregnancy (< 14 weeks of gestation). The predictive power of the TyG index for evaluating GDM in Chinese pregnant women was determined using multifactorial logistic regression to derive the odds ratios and 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted, and the efficacy of the TyG index in predicting PRCs was assessed via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and restricted cubic spline, with the optimal cutoff value calculated. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses revealed a 2.10-fold increase in the GDM risk for every 1-unit increase in the TyG index, after adjusting for covariates. The highest GDM risk was observed in the group with the highest TyG index compared with the lowest quintile group (odds ratios: 3.25; 95% CI: 2.23-4.75). Subgroup analyses indicated that exceeding the recommended range of gestational weight gain and an increased GDM risk were significantly associated (P = 0.001). Regarding predictive performance, the TyG index exhibited the highest area under the curve (AUC) value in the ROC curve for GDM (AUC: 0.641, 95% CI: 0.61-0.671). The optimal cutoff value was 8.890, with both sensitivity and specificity of 0.617.The combination of the TyG index, maternal age, and pre-pregnancy body mass index proved to be a superior predictor of GDM than the TyG index alone (AUC: 0.672 vs. 0.641, P < 0.01). After adjusting for multiple factors, the analyses indicated that the TyG index was associated with an increased risk of gestational hypertension. However, no significant association was noted between the TyG index and the risk of preeclampsia, placental abruption, intrauterine distress, or premature rupture of membranes. CONCLUSION: The TyG index can effectively identify the occurrence of GDM in the second trimester, aligning with previous research. Incorporating the TyG index into routine clinical assessments of maternal health holds significant practical implications. Early identification of high-risk groups enables healthcare providers to implement timely interventions, such as increased monitoring frequency for high-risk pregnant women and personalized nutritional counseling and health education. These measures can help prevent or alleviate potential maternal and infant complications, thereby enhancing the overall health outcomes for both mothers and babies.

Identification of Corn Peptides with Alcohol Dehydrogenase Activating Activity Absorbed by Caco-2 Cell Monolayers.

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) plays a pivotal role in constraining alcohol metabolism. Assessing the ADH-activating activity in vitro can provide insight into the capacity to accelerate ethanol metabolism in vivo. In this study, ADH-activating peptides were prepared from corn protein meal (CGM) using enzymatic hydrolysis, and these peptides were subsequently identified following simulated gastrointestinal digestion and their absorption through the Caco-2 cell monolayer membrane. The current investigation revealed that corn protein hydrolysate hydrolyzed using alcalase exhibited the highest ADH activation capability, maintaining an ADH activation rate of 52.93 ± 2.07% following simulated gastrointestinal digestion in vitro. After absorption through the Caco-2 cell monolayer membrane, ADH-activating peptides were identified. Among them, SSNCQPF, TGCPVLQ, and QPQQPW were validated to possess strong ADH activation activity, with EC50 values of 1.35 ± 0.22 mM, 2.26 ± 0.16 mM, and 2.73 ± 0.13 mM, respectively. Molecular Docking revealed that the activation of ADH occurred via the formation of a stable complex between the peptide and the active center of ADH by hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The results of this study also suggest that corn protein hydrolysate could be a novel functional dietary element that helps protects the liver from damage caused by alcohol and aids in alcohol metabolism.

Purification, identification and molecular docking of dual-functional peptides derived from corn protein hydrolysates with antioxidant and antiadhesive activity against Helicobacter pylori.

BACKGROUND: More than 50% of the world's population is infected with Helicobacter pylori, which is classified as a group I carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO). RESULTS: Corn protein dual-functional peptides were identified and functionally analyzed in vitro and in silico. Two novel dual-functional peptides were identified as Cys-Gln-Asp-Val-Pro-Leu-Leu (CQDVPLL, CQ7) and Thr-Ile-Phe-Pro-Gln-Cys (TIFPQC, TI6) using nanoscale liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC-MS/MS). The antiadhesive effects against H. pylori of CQ7 and TI6 were 45.17 ± 2.41% and 48.62 ± 1.84% at 4 mg mL-1 , respectively. In silico prediction showed that CQ7 and TI6 had good physicochemical properties. Molecular docking demonstrated that CQ7 and TI6 could bind to the adhesins BabA and SabA by hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds, preventing H. pylori infection. Moreover, CQ7 showed strong antioxidant activity due to its unique amino acid composition. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the identified peptides, CQ7 and TI6, possess antioxidant and antiadhesive effects, preventing H. pylori infection and alleviating oxidative injury to the gastric mucosa. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Alternative splicing of OsGS1;1 affects nitrogen-use efficiency, grain development, and amylose content in rice.

Excessive nitrogen fertilizer application is harmful to the environment and reduces the quality of cereal crops. Maintaining crop yields under low nitrogen (LN) conditions and improving quality are important goals for cereal crop breeding. Although the effects of nitrogen assimilation on crop nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) have been intensively studied, natural variations of the key assimilation genes underlying grain development and quality are largely unclear. Here, we identified an NUE-associated gene, OsGS1;1, encoding glutamine synthase, through genome-wide association analysis, followed by validation experiments and functional analysis. Fifteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the OsGS1;1 region led to alternative splicing that generated two functional transcripts: OsGS1;1a and OsGS1;1b. The elite haplotype of OsGS1;1 showed high OsGS1;1b activity, which improved NUE, affected grain development, and reduced amylose content. The results show that OsGS1;1, which is induced under LN conditions, affects grain formation by regulating sugar metabolism and may provide a new avenue for the breeding of high-yield and high-quality rice (Oryza sativa).

Analysis of the epidemiological trends of enterovirus A in Asia and Europe.

BACKGROUND: Enteroviruses have been in massive, cyclical epidemics worldwide. An in-depth understanding of the international epidemiological characteristics of Enterovirus A (EVA) is critical to determining its clinical significance and total disease burden. Although much research has been conducted on EVA epidemiology, there is still a lack of a comprehensive overview of EVA epidemiological characteristics and trends. OBJECTIVE: EVA nucleic acid sequences from the NCBI virus database were used to summarize the epidemic time (based on the time of specimen collection), spatial and serotype distribution of EVA, and to analyze EVA isolated from cerebrospinal fluid specimens. METHODS: EVA sequences were searched in NCBI Virus by keyword ("Enterovirus A″ or "EVA") to screen sequences released before December 2021 and sort them to analyze EVA by year, geographic region and serotype prevalence. RESULTS: The results found 23,041 retrieved nucleic acid sequences with precise collection dates and geographical regions as of December 2021, with Asia accounting for 87%, Europe for 11% and Africa and the Americas for only 2%. Overall, EV-A71, CVA6 and CVA16 are a few of the main prevalent serotypes; and the prevalence characteristics of the different serotypes change over time from place to place. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of different serotypes of EVA varies considerably over time and space, and we focused on analysing the epidemiological characteristics of EVAs in Asia and Europe and EVAs that invade the nervous system. This study will likely provide important clues for prevention, control and future research in virological surveillance, disease management and vaccine development.

Persistent toxicity and dissipation dynamics of afidopyropen against the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sulzer) in cabbage and chili.

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is a significant global pest in horticultural and field crops. Afidopyropen is a novel systemic insecticide with high efficacy against sucking pests, and it is suitable for the management of M. persicae. However, the persistent toxicity and dissipation dynamics of afidopyropen in vegetables remain unknown. In this study, we determined the residual activity and dissipation dynamics of afidopyropen against M. persicae on cabbage and chili. The data showed that the toxicity of afidopyropen against M. persicae lasted more than 30 days; the corrected mortality was greater than 80% 10 days after application and was 50-60% 30 days post-application. The afidopyropen residues on cabbage and chili plants were quantified using ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The dissipation half-lives of afidopyropen on cabbage and chili plants ranged from 1.45 to 2.34 days and 3.98-5.98 days at different recommended dosages, respectively. Our findings provide valuable data for the maximum residue limits of afidopyropen on vegetables and will help growers determine the frequency and timing of its application on cabbage and chili.

Purification, Identification and Evaluation of Antioxidant Peptides from Pea Protein Hydrolysates.

Food-derived antioxidant peptides can be explored as natural antioxidants due to their potential health benefits. In this study, antioxidant peptides were isolated and purified from pea protein hydrolysates (PPH). The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were used as indexes to purify the antioxidant peptides by a series of purification steps including ultrafiltration, ion exchange chromatography, G25 gel filtration chromatography, and reversed-phase chromatography. Three novel antioxidant peptides YLVN, EEHLCFR and TFY were identified, which all exhibited strong antioxidant activity in vitro. EEHLCFR showed stronger DPPH scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 0.027 mg/mL. YLVN showed stronger ABTS scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 0.002 mg/mL and higher ORAC values of 1.120 ± 0.231 µmol TE/µmol, which is even better than that of GSH. Three novel antioxidant peptides significantly elevated LO2 cells viability even at the concentration of 0.025 mg/mL, and cell viability enhanced to 53.42 ± 1.19%, 55.78 ± 1.03%, and 51.09 ± 1.06% respectively, compared to that of H2O2 injury group (48.35 ± 0.96%), and prevented the accumulation of ROS by enhancing the activities of antioxidant enzymes in H2O2-induced oxidative stress LO2 cells. The molecular docking results showed that the potential molecular mechanism of the three novel antioxidant peptides may be in high correlation with the activation of the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway by occupying the Keap1-Nrf2 binding site. These results demonstrate that the three novel antioxidant peptides are potential natural antioxidants that can be devoted to medicine or functional food ingredients.

Prediction of the n-Octanol/Water Partition Coefficients of Basic Compounds Using Multi-Parameter QSRR Models Based on IS-RPLC Retention Behavior in a Wide pH Range.

The n-octanol-water partition coefficient (logP) is an important physicochemical parameter which describes the behavior of organic compounds. In this work, the apparent n-octanol/water partition coefficients (logD) of basic compounds were determined using ion-suppression reversed-phase liquid chromatography (IS-RPLC) on a silica-based C18 column. The quantitative structure-retention relationship (QSRR) models between logD and logkw (logarithm of retention factor corresponding to 100% aqueous fraction of mobile phase) were established at pH 7.0-10.0. It was found that logD had a poor linear correlation with logkw at pH 7.0 and pH 8.0 when strongly ionized compounds were included in the model compounds. However, the linearity of the QSRR model was significantly improved, especially at pH 7.0, when molecular structure parameters such as electrostatic charge ne and hydrogen bonding parameters A and B were introduced. External validation experiments further confirmed that the multi-parameter models could accurately predict the logD value of basic compounds not only under strong alkaline conditions, but also under weak alkaline and even neutral conditions. The logD values of basic sample compounds were predicted based on the multi-parameter QSRR models. Compared with previous work, the findings of this study extended the pH range for the determination of the logD values of basic compounds, providing an optional mild pH for IS-RPLC experiments.

Role of the receptor for activated C kinase 1 during viral infection.

Viruses can survive only in living cells, where they depend on the host's enzymatic system for survival and reproduction. Virus-host interactions are complex. On the one hand, hosts express host-restricted factors to protect the host cells from viral infections. On the other hand, viruses recruit certain host factors to facilitate their survival and transmission. The identification of host factors critical to viral infection is essential for comprehending the pathogenesis of contagion and developing novel antiviral therapies that specifically target the host. Receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1), an evolutionarily conserved host factor that exists in various eukaryotic organisms, is a promising target for antiviral therapy. This review primarily summarizes the roles of RACK1 in regulating different viral life stages, particularly entry, replication, translation, and release.

Acute kidney injury in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome: influencing factors and coping strategies.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and serious complication in patients with primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS). We aimed to evaluate the influencing factors of AKI in patients with PNS, to provide implications for the clinical management and nursing care of patients with PNS. METHODS: PNS patients who were treated in the Department of Nephrology in our hospital from January 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021 were included. The clinical characteristics and pathological type of PNS patients were evaluated. Pearson correlation and Logistic regression analysis were performed to analyze the related risk factors of AKI in patients with PNS. RESULTS: A total of 328 patients with PNS were included, the incidence of AKI in PNS patients was 28.05%. Pearson correlation analysis showed that diabetes(r = 0.688), pulmonary infection (r = 0.614), albumin (r = 0.779), serum creatinine (r = 0.617), uric acid (r = 0.522), blood urea nitrogen (r = 0.616), renal tubular casts (r = 0.707) were correlated with AKI in PNS patients (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that diabetes (OR2.908, 95%CI1.844 ~ 4.231), pulmonary infection(OR3.755, 95%CI2.831 ~ 4.987), albumin ≤ 24 g/L (OR1.923, 95%CI1.214 ~ 2.355), serum creatinine ≥ 90 µmol/L (OR2.517, 95%CI2.074 ~ 3.182), blood urea nitrogen ≥ 6.5 mmol/L (OR1.686, 95%CI1.208 ~ 2.123), uric acid ≥ 390 µmol/L (OR2.755, 95%CI2.131 ~ 3.371), renal tubular casts(OR1.796, 95%CI1.216 ~ 2.208) were the independently influencing factors of AKI in PNS patients (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: AKI is common in PNS patients. Actively controlling diabetes and pulmonary infection, strengthening nutrition support and renal function monitoring are essential to reduce the occurrence of AKI in PNS patients.

Sublethal and transgenerational effects of afidopyropen on biological traits of the green peach aphid Myzus persicae (Sluzer).

The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), is a cosmopolitan agricultural pest and causes great damages each year. Afidopyropen is a novel insecticide with high efficacy against even the insecticides resistant M. persicae. However, the sublethal and transgenerational effects of afidopyropen on M. persicae is not clear. In the present paper, sublethal and transgenerational effects of afidopyropen on biological traits of M. persicae were determined based on the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The afidopyropen was more toxic against M. persicae than other widely used insecticides, with LC50 of 0.086 mg/L. The treatment with LC5, LC15 and LC25 concentrations of afidopyropen remarkably reduced the longevity and fecundity of F0M. persicae by 15.9-64.4% and 24.3-76.7%, respectively, compared with those of the control. The life history traits of F1 generation including the pre-adult development time, mean total longevity, pre-adult survival rate, total pre-oviposition period and fecundity were significantly affected after treatment of the F0 with afidopyropen, and the population parameters, including the net reproductive rate (R0), intrinsic rate of increase (r) and finite rate of increase (λ) were also remarkably decreased, while the mean generation time (T) was extended by 6.94%. Among four development and reproduction related genes investigated, JHEH was downregulated by 31.8-38.0% in the afidopyropen treated F0 generation, while the EcR and JHAMT were overexpressed and the Vg was significantly downregulated in F1 generation compared to the control group. All these data indicated that the afidopyropen had significant sublethal and transgenerational effects on M. persicae. These results provide insights into comprehensively understanding of the insecticidal effects of afidopyropen on M. persicae as well as the management of resistant M. persicae.

A Comprehensive Identification and Expression Analysis of VQ Motif-Containing Proteins in Sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum L.) under Phytohormone Treatment and Cold Stress.

The VQ motif-containing proteins play a vital role in various processes such as growth, resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and development. However, there is currently no report on the VQ genes in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). Herein, 78 VQ genes in Saccharum spontaneum were identified and classified into nine subgroups (I-IX) by comparative genomic analyses. Each subgroup had a similar structural and conservative motif. These VQ genes expanded mainly through whole-genome segmental duplication. The cis-regulatory elements (CREs) of the VQ genes were widely involved in stress responses, phytohormone responses and physiological regulation. The RNA-seq data showed that SsVQ gene expression patterns in 10 different samples, including different developmental stages, revealed distinct temporal and spatial patterns. A total of 23 SsVQ genes were expressed in all tissues, whereas 13 SsVQ genes were not expressed in any tissues. Sequence Read Archive (SRA) data showed that the majority of SsVQs responded to cold and drought stress. In addition, quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed that the SsVQs were variously expressed under salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), abscisic acid (ABA) and cold treatment. This study conducted a full-scale analysis of the VQ gene family in sugarcane, which could be beneficial for the functional characterization of sugarcane VQ genes and provide candidate genes for molecular resistance breeding in cultivated sugarcane in the future.

Efficacy of intermittent iron supplementation in children with mild iron-deficiency anemia. / å„¿ç«¥è½»åº¦ç¼ºé“æ€§è´«è¡€é—´æ­‡è¡¥é“ç–—æ³•çš„æœ‰æ•ˆæ€§ç ”ç©¶.

OBJECTIVES: To study the efficacy of intermittent iron supplementation in children with mild iron-deficiency anemia. METHODS: A total of 147 children with mild iron-deficiency anemia were enrolled in this prospective study. They were divided into an intermittent iron supplementation group (n=83) and a conventional iron supplementation group (n=64). The levels of hemoglobin were measured before treatment and after 1 and 3 months of treatment. The treat response rate and the incidence rate of adverse drug reactions were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Both groups had a significant increase in the level of hemoglobin after iron supplementation (P<0.05). After 1 month of treatment, the conventional iron supplementation group had a significantly higher treatment response rate than the intermittent iron supplementation group (61% vs 42%, P<0.05). After 3 months of treatment, there was no significant difference in the treatment response between the two groups (86% vs 78%, P>0.05). The incidence rate of adverse drug reactions in the conventional iron supplementation group was significantly higher than that in the intermittent iron supplementation group (25% vs 8%, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For children with mild iron-deficiency anemia, although intermittent iron supplementation is inferior to conventional iron supplementation in the short-term efficacy, there is no significant difference in the long-term efficacy between the two methods, and compared with conventional iron supplementation, intermittent iron supplementation can reduce the incidence of adverse drug reactions, alleviate family financial burdens, and improve treatment compliance of children, thus holding promise for clinical application.

Enhanced OsNLP4-OsNiR cascade confers nitrogen use efficiency by promoting tiller number in rice.

Increased use of nitrogen fertilizers has deleterious impact on the environment. Increase in yield potential at low nitrogen supply is regarded as a cereal breeding goal for future agricultural sustainability. Although natural variations of nitrogen transporters have been investigated, key genes associated with assimilation remain largely unexplored for nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) enhancement. Here, we identified a NIN-like protein NLP4 associated with NUE through a GWAS in rice. We found that OsNLP4 transactivated OsNiR encoding nitrite reductase that was critical in nitrogen assimilation in rice. We further constructed quadrupling NREs (Nitrate-responsive cis-elements) in the promoter of OsNiR (p4xNRE:OsNiR) and enhanced nitrogen assimilation significantly. We demonstrated that OsNLP4-OsNiR increased tiller number and yield through enhancing nitrogen assimilation and NUE. Our discovery highlights the genetic modulation of OsNLP4-OsNiR signalling cascade as a strategy for high NUE and yield breeding in rice.

A robust all-inorganic hybrid energy harvester for synergistic energy collection from sunlight and raindrops.

As a new concept of the device, a hybrid energy harvester integrated with a water droplet triboelectric nanogenerator (WD-TENG) and a solar cell has been reported to convert raindrop energy and solar energy into electricity. However, organic triboelectric layers are usually utilized in previous studies that might be decomposed under long-term UV irradiation, resulting in degradation of the hybrid energy harvester. In this work, a fully inorganic hybrid energy harvester is demonstrated. Superhydrophobic SiO2 film is introduced to the system as both the triboelectric layer of the WD-TENG and the anti-reflective layer of the solar cell, which could increase the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the solar cell from 15.17% to 15.71%. Meanwhile, WD-TENG with the SiO2 triboelectric layer could collect energies from rain droplets. This superhydrophobic SiO2 film could effectively reduce the dependence of the tilt angle for the WD-TENG and bring up self-cleaning performance for the hybrid energy harvester. Moreover, this fully inorganic architecture could enhance the stability of the hybrid energy harvester, making it a promising strategy in practical applications.

Moisture-sensitive metal-organic framework constructed from cobalt and 4-(4-pyridyl) benzoic acid for dispersive solid-phase extraction of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in apple.

A moisture-sensitive metal-organic framework CoII (pybz)2 ·2DMF was synthesized and applied as the adsorbent of dispersive solid-phase extraction. The structure changed after water treatment due to the fact that two chelate carboxylate groups on the skeleton were transformed to monodentate because of the coordination of water molecules. The material showed good adsorption for fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene in water because of the π-π conjugation and π-complexation effects. Coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography, a dispersive solid-phase extraction method of determining the content of fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, and pyrene in apple samples was established after optimizing the extraction conditions. Methanol containing 4% acetic acid was used as the effective eluent. The linearities were 0.5-1000 µg/kg for fluorene, phenanthrene and 5-1000 µg/kg for fluoranthene, pyrene. The limits of detection were 0.06-0.6 µg/kg, and the recoveries were 94.4-116.4%. The method has a high sensitivity for the determination of four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in apple samples.

Bidirectional relationship between parental psychological control and adolescent maladjustment.

INTRODUCTION: This study explores the longitudinal and bidirectional relations between paternal/maternal psychological control and adolescent maladjustment (i.e., internalizing symptoms, aggression, and association with deviant peers). METHODS: This longitudinal investigation was conducted at two time points over a one-year interval with participants comprising 543 Chinese adolescents aged 10 to 13 (mean age at Time 1 = 11.29; 51.93% girls). The performed measurements encompassed paternal/maternal psychological control, adolescent internalizing symptoms, aggression, association with deviant peers, and demographic information. RESULTS: The findings of a cross-lagged model analysis revealed that paternal psychological control was longitudinally and positively related to adolescent internalizing symptoms and aggression. Maternal psychological control was not significantly related to any domain of adolescent maladjustment. In turn, adolescent association with deviant peers was longitudinally and positively associated with both parents' psychological control. CONCLUSIONS: Parental psychological control was bidirectionally associated with adolescent maladjustment in general, and paternal psychological control played a crucial role on adolescent maladjustment in the Chinese cultural context. The study's findings supported the reciprocal model of parent-child interaction, and extended it by highlighting the apprehension of the characteristics of parental impact from a cultural perspective. The study results add to the current scholarly understanding of parental psychological control in the non-western cultural context.