Deterministic Evolutionary Trajectories Influence Primary Tumor Growth: TRACERx Renal.

The evolutionary features of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) have not been systematically studied to date. We analyzed 1,206 primary tumor regions from 101 patients recruited into the multi-center prospective study, TRACERx Renal. We observe up to 30 driver events per tumor and show that subclonal diversification is associated with known prognostic parameters. By resolving the patterns of driver event ordering, co-occurrence, and mutual exclusivity at clone level, we show the deterministic nature of clonal evolution. ccRCC can be grouped into seven evolutionary subtypes, ranging from tumors characterized by early fixation of multiple mutational and copy number drivers and rapid metastases to highly branched tumors with >10 subclonal drivers and extensive parallel evolution associated with attenuated progression. We identify genetic diversity and chromosomal complexity as determinants of patient outcome. Our insights reconcile the variable clinical behavior of ccRCC and suggest evolutionary potential as a biomarker for both intervention and surveillance.

The evolution of lung cancer and impact of subclonal selection in TRACERx.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide1. Here we analysed 1,644 tumour regions sampled at surgery or during follow-up from the first 421 patients with non-small cell lung cancer prospectively enrolled into the TRACERx study. This project aims to decipher lung cancer evolution and address the primary study endpoint: determining the relationship between intratumour heterogeneity and clinical outcome. In lung adenocarcinoma, mutations in 22 out of 40 common cancer genes were under significant subclonal selection, including classical tumour initiators such as TP53 and KRAS. We defined evolutionary dependencies between drivers, mutational processes and whole genome doubling (WGD) events. Despite patients having a history of smoking, 8% of lung adenocarcinomas lacked evidence of tobacco-induced mutagenesis. These tumours also had similar detection rates for EGFR mutations and for RET, ROS1, ALK and MET oncogenic isoforms compared with tumours in never-smokers, which suggests that they have a similar aetiology and pathogenesis. Large subclonal expansions were associated with positive subclonal selection. Patients with tumours harbouring recent subclonal expansions, on the terminus of a phylogenetic branch, had significantly shorter disease-free survival. Subclonal WGD was detected in 19% of tumours, and 10% of tumours harboured multiple subclonal WGDs in parallel. Subclonal, but not truncal, WGD was associated with shorter disease-free survival. Copy number heterogeneity was associated with extrathoracic relapse within 1 year after surgery. These data demonstrate the importance of clonal expansion, WGD and copy number instability in determining the timing and patterns of relapse in non-small cell lung cancer and provide a comprehensive clinical cancer evolutionary data resource.

UCHL3 induces radiation resistance and acquisition of mesenchymal phenotypes by deubiquitinating POLD4 in glioma stem cells.

BACKGROUND: The high degree of intratumoral genomic heterogeneity is a major obstacle for glioblastoma (GBM) tumors, one of the most lethal human malignancies, and is thought to influence conventional therapeutic outcomes negatively. The proneural-to-mesenchymal transition (PMT) of glioma stem cells (GSCs) confers resistance to radiation therapy in glioblastoma patients. POLD4 is associated with cancer progression, while the mechanisms underlying PMT and tumor radiation resistance have remained elusive. METHOD: Expression and prognosis of the POLD family were analyzed in TCGA, the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) and GEO datasets. Tumorsphere formation and in vitro limiting dilution assay were performed to investigate the effect of UCHL3-POLD4 on GSC self-renewal. Apoptosis, TUNEL, cell cycle phase distribution, modification of the Single Cell Gel Electrophoresis (Comet), γ-H2AX immunofluorescence, and colony formation assays were conducted to evaluate the influence of UCHL3-POLD4 on GSC in ionizing radiation. Coimmunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays were performed to identify POLD4 protein interactors. In vivo, intracranial xenograft mouse models were used to investigate the molecular effect of UCHL3, POLD4 or TCID on GCS. RESULT: We determined that POLD4 was considerably upregulated in MES-GSCs and was associated with a meagre prognosis. Ubiquitin carboxyl terminal hydrolase L3 (UCHL3), a DUB enzyme in the UCH protease family, is a bona fide deubiquitinase of POLD4 in GSCs. UCHL3 interacted with, depolyubiquitinated, and stabilized POLD4. Both in vitro and in vivo assays indicated that targeted depletion of the UCHL3-POLD4 axis reduced GSC self-renewal and tumorigenic capacity and resistance to IR treatment by impairing homologous recombination (HR) and nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ). Additionally, we proved that the UCHL3 inhibitor TCID induced POLD4 degradation and can significantly enhance the therapeutic effect of IR in a gsc-derived in situ xenograft model. CONCLUSION: These findings reveal a new signaling axis for GSC PMT regulation and highlight UCHL3-POLD4 as a potential therapeutic target in GBM. TCID, targeted for reducing the deubiquitinase activity of UCHL3, exhibited significant synergy against MES GSCs in combination with radiation.

A proteolytic pathway coordinates cell division and heterocyst differentiation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120.

The filamentous, multicellular cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 (Anabaena) is a prokaryotic model for the study of cell differentiation and cell-cell interactions. Upon combined-nitrogen deprivation, Anabaena forms a particular cell type, heterocyst, for aerobic nitrogen fixation. Heterocysts are semiregularly spaced among vegetative cells. Heterocyst differentiation is coupled to cell division, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This mechanism could be mediated by the putative protease HetF, which is a divisome component and is necessary for heterocyst differentiation. In this study, by suppressor screening, we identified PatU3, as a negative regulator acting downstream of HetF for cell division and heterocyst development. The inactivation of patU3 restored the capacity of cell division and heterocyst differentiation in the ΔhetF mutant, and overexpression of patU3 inhibited both processes in the wild-type background. We demonstrated that PatU3 was a specific substrate of the protease activity of HetF. Consequently, PatU3 accumulated in the hetF-deficient mutant, which was responsible for the resultant mutant phenotype. The cleavage site of PatU3 by HetF was mapped after the Arg117 residue, whose mutation made PatU3 resistant to HetF processing, and mimicked the effect of hetF deletion. Our results provided evidence that HetF regulated cell division and heterocyst differentiation by controlling the inhibitory effects of PatU3. This proteolytic pathway constituted a mechanism for the coordination between cell division and differentiation in a prokaryotic model used for studies on developmental biology and multicellularity.

HetF defines a transition point from commitment to morphogenesis during heterocyst differentiation in the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120.

The filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 is able to form heterocysts for nitrogen fixation. Heterocyst differentiation is initiated by combined-nitrogen deprivation, followed by the commitment step during which the developmental process becomes irreversible. Mature heterocysts are terminally differentiated cells unable to divide, and cell division is required for heterocyst differentiation. Previously, we have shown that the HetF protease regulates cell division and heterocyst differentiation by cleaving PatU3, which is an inhibitor for both events. When hetF is required during the developmental program remains unknown. Here, by controlling the timing of hetF expression during heterocyst differentiation, we provide evidence that hetF is required just before the beginning of heterocyst morphogenesis. Consistent with this finding, transcriptome data show that most of the genes known to be involved in the early step (such as hetR and ntcA) or the commitment step (such as hetP and hetZ) of heterocyst development could be expressed in the ΔhetF mutant. In contrast, most of the genes involved in heterocyst morphogenesis and nitrogen fixation remain repressed in the mutant. These results indicated that in the absence of hetF, heterocyst differentiation is able to be initiated and proceeds to the stage just before heterocyst envelope formation.

ABO and Rhesus blood groups and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between ABO and Rhesus (Rh) blood groups and various health outcomes. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the robustness of these associations is still lacking. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and several regional databases from their inception until Feb 16, 2024, with the aim of identifying systematic reviews with meta-analyses of observational studies exploring associations between ABO and Rh blood groups and diverse health outcomes. For each association, we calculated the summary effect sizes, corresponding 95% confidence intervals, 95% prediction interval, heterogeneity, small-study effect, and evaluation of excess significance bias. The evidence was evaluated on a grading scale that ranged from convincing (Class I) to weak (Class IV). We assessed the certainty of evidence according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria (GRADE). We also evaluated the methodological quality of included studies using the A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR). AMSTAR contains 11 items, which were scored as high (8-11), moderate (4-7), and low (0-3) quality. We have gotten the registration for protocol on the PROSPERO database (CRD42023409547). RESULTS: The current umbrella review included 51 systematic reviews with meta-analysis articles with 270 associations. We re-calculated each association and found only one convincing evidence (Class I) for an association between blood group B and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk compared with the non-B blood group. It had a summary odds ratio of 1.28 (95% confidence interval: 1.17, 1.40), was supported by 6870 cases with small heterogeneity (I2 = 13%) and 95% prediction intervals excluding the null value, and without hints of small-study effects (P for Egger's test > 0.10, but the largest study effect was not more conservative than the summary effect size) or excess of significance (P < 0.10, but the value of observed less than expected). And the article was demonstrated with high methodological quality using AMSTAR (score = 9). According to AMSTAR, 18, 32, and 11 studies were categorized as high, moderate, and low quality, respectively. Nine statistically significant associations reached moderate quality based on GRADE. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a potential relationship between ABO and Rh blood groups and adverse health outcomes. Particularly the association between blood group B and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk.

F Doping-Induced Multicomponent Synergistic Active Site Construction toward High-Efficiency Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysis for Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries.

The commercialization of rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs) relies on the material innovation to accelerate the sluggish oxygen electrocatalysis kinetics. Due to the differentiated mechanisms of reverse processes, i.e., oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), rationally integrating dual sites for bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis is prerequisite yet remains challenging. Herein, multicomponent synergistic active sites within highly graphitic carbon substrate are exquisitely constructed, which is accomplished by fluorine (F) modulation strategy. The incorporation of F dopants facilitates pyridinic N formation for anchoring single metal sites, thus guaranteeing the coexistence of sufficient M-Nx sites and metal nanoparticles toward bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysis. As a result, the optimal catalyst, denoted as F NH2-FeNi-800, outperforms commercial Pt/C+RuO2 with smaller gap between Ej = 10 and E1/2 (ΔE) of 0.63 V (vs 0.7 V for Pt/C+RuO2), demonstrating its superior bifunctionality. Beyond that, its superiority is validated in homemade rechargeable ZABs. ZABs assembled using F NH2-FeNi-800 as the air cathode delivers higher peak power density (123.8 mW cm-2) and long-cycle lifetime (over 660 cycles) in comparison with Pt/C@RuO2 (68.8 mW cm-2; 300 cycles). The finding not only affords a highly promising oxygen electrocatalyst, but also opens an avenue to constructing multifunctional active sites for heterogeneous catalysts.

Can neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy before lateral pelvic lymph node dissection improve local control and prognosis in rectal cancer patients with clinically suspected lateral lymph node metastasis? A multicenter lateral node study in China.

AIMS: Selective lateral pelvic lymph node (LPN) dissection (LPND) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for rectal cancer is widely recognized. This study aimed to determine the effects of nCRT before LPND on local control and prognosis of rectal cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were retrieved from a prospective database for rectal cancer patients with clinical LPN metastasis receiving total mesorectal excision and LPND at three institutions between January 2012 and December 2019. Selection bias was minimized using propensity score matching (PSM) and short-term and clinical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Patients (n = 213) were enrolled and grouped as either nCRT (n = 97) or non-nCRT (n = 116). PSM was used to identify 83 matched pairs. In the matched cohort, nCRT patients had a longer operation duration (310.6 vs. 265.0 min, P = 0.001), lower pathological LPN metastasis rate (32.5% vs. 48.2%, P = 0.040), and fewer harvested lymph nodes (22 vs. 25, P = 0.018) compared to the non-nCRT group. However, after PSM, the two groups had similar estimated overall 3-year survival (79.5% vs. 80.7%, P = 0.922), 3-year disease-free survival (66.1% vs. 65.5, P = 0.820), and 3-year local recurrence-free survival (88.6% vs. 89.7%, P = 0.927). Distant metastasis was the predominant recurrence pattern in the overall (45/58, 77.6%) and matched (33/44, 75.0%) cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: LPND without nCRT is effective and sufficient in preventing local recurrence in patients with LPN metastases. Future prospective randomized controlled studies are warranted to confirm these findings. Since systemic metastasis is the predominant recurrence pattern in patients with LPN metastasis post-LPND, improved perioperative systemic chemotherapy is needed to prevent micrometastasis.

UFMylation of HRD1 regulates endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis.

Ubiquitin fold modifier 1 is a small ubiquitin-like protein modifier that is essential for embryonic development of metazoans. Although UFMylation has been connected to endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, the underlying mechanisms and the relevant cellular targets are largely unknown. Here, we show that HRD1, a ubiquitin ligase of ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD), is a novel substrate of UFM1 conjugation. HRD1 interacts with UFMylation components UFL1 and DDRGK1 and is UFMylated at Lys610 residue. In UFL1-depleted cells, the stability of HRD1 is increased and its ubiquitination modification is reduced. In the event of ER stress, the UFMylation and ubiquitination modification of HRD1 is gradually inhibited over time. Alteration of HRD1 Lys610 residue to arginine impairs its ability to degrade unfolded or misfolded proteins to disturb protein processing in ER. These results suggest that UFMylation of HRD1 facilitates ERAD function to maintain ER homeostasis.

Uranium Biogeochemistry in the Rhizosphere of a Contaminated Wetland.

The objective of this study was to determine if U sediment concentrations in a U-contaminated wetland located within the Savannah River Site, South Carolina, were greater in the rhizosphere than in the nonrhizosphere. U concentrations were as much as 1100% greater in the rhizosphere than in the nonrhizosphere fractions; however and importantly, not all paired samples followed this trend. Iron (but not C, N, or S) concentrations were significantly enriched in the rhizosphere. XAS analyses showed that in both sediment fractions, U existed as UO22+ coordinated with iron(III)-oxides and organic matter. A key difference between the two sediment fractions was that a larger proportion of U was adsorbed to Fe(III)-oxides, not organic matter, in the rhizosphere, where significantly greater total Fe concentrations and greater proportions of ferrihydrite and goethite existed. Based on 16S rRNA analyses, most bacterial sequences in both paired samples were heterotrophs, and population differences were consistent with the generally more oxidizing conditions in the rhizosphere. Finally, U was very strongly bound to the whole (unfractionated) sediments, with an average desorption Kd value (Usediment/Uaqueous) of 3972 ± 1370 (mg-U/kg)/(mg-U/L). Together, these results indicate that the rhizosphere can greatly enrich U especially in wetland areas, where roots promote the formation of reactive Fe(III)-oxides.

4.4 kW Nd:YAG slab amplifier with a high repetition frequency and high beam quality.

Using the self-developed fused indium wetting technology and planar waveguide, the uniform heat dissipation of the slab crystal and uniform pumping of the pump light were achieved, respectively. Based on the master oscillator power amplification (MOPA) scheme, the power was then amplified when the seed light source passed through the Nd:YAG slab crystal three times. Additionally, the image transfer system that we added to the amplified optical path achieved high beam quality. Finally, we obtained a rectangular pulsed laser with an output average power of 4461 W, a repetition frequency of 20 kHz, a pulse width of 62 ns, an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 26.8%, and a beam quality of ß x=7.0 and ß y=7.7.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells powered with both CO and H2.

The CO electrooxidation is long considered invincible in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), where even a trace level of CO in H2 seriously poisons the anode catalysts and leads to huge performance decay. Here, we describe a class of atomically dispersed IrRu-N-C anode catalysts capable of oxidizing CO, H2, or a combination of the two. With a small amount of metal (24 µgmetal⋅cm-2) used in the anode, the H2 fuel cell performs its peak power density at 1.43 W⋅cm-2 When operating with pure CO, this catalyst exhibits its maximum current density at 800 mA⋅cm-2, while the Pt/C-based cell ceases to work. We attribute this exceptional catalytic behavior to the interplay between Ir and Ru single-atom centers, where the two sites act in synergy to favorably decompose H2O and to further facilitate CO activation. These findings open up an avenue to conquer the formidable poisoning issue of PEMFCs.

Security Control of Cyber-Physical Systems under Cyber Attacks: A Survey.

Cyber-physical systems (CPSs), which combine computer science, control systems, and physical elements, have become essential in modern industrial and societal contexts. However, their extensive integration presents increasing security challenges, particularly due to recurring cyber attacks. Therefore, it is crucial to explore CPS security control. In this review, we systematically examine the prevalent cyber attacks affecting CPSs, such as denial of service, false data injection, and replay attacks, explaining their impacts on CPSs' operation and integrity, as well as summarizing classic attack detection methods. Regarding CPSs' security control approaches, we comprehensively outline protective strategies and technologies, including event-triggered control, switching control, predictive control, and optimal control. These approaches aim to effectively counter various cyber threats and strengthen CPSs' security and resilience. Lastly, we anticipate future advancements in CPS security control, envisioning strategies to address emerging cyber risks and innovations in intelligent security control techniques.

Rare Earth Evoked Subsurface Oxygen Species in Platinum Alloy Catalysts Enable Durable Fuel Cells.

Alleviating the degradation issue of Pt based alloy catalysts, thereby simultaneously achieving high mass activity and high durability in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), is highly challenging. Herein, we provide a new paradigm to address this issue via delaying the place exchange between adsorbed oxygen species and surface Pt atoms, thereby inhibiting Pt dissolution, through introducing rare earth bonded subsurface oxygen atoms. We have succeeded in introducing Gd-O dipoles into Pt3 Ni via a high temperature entropy-driven process, with direct spectral evidence attained from both soft and hard X-ray absorption spectroscopies. The higher rated power of 0.93 W cm-2 and superior current density of 562.2 mA cm-2 at 0.8 V than DOE target for heavy-duty vehicles in H2 -air mode suggest the great potential of Gd-O-Pt3 Ni towards practical application in heavy-duty transportation. Moreover, the mass activity retention (1.04 A mgPt -1 ) after 40 k cycles accelerated durability tests is even 2.4 times of the initial mass activity goal for DOE 2025 (0.44 A mgPt -1 ), due to the weakened Pt-Oads bond interaction and the delayed place exchange process, via repulsive forces between surface O atoms and those in the sublayer. This work addresses the critical roadblocks to the widespread adoption of PEMFCs.

Structural Modulation of Covalent Organic Frameworks for Efficient Hydrogen Peroxide Electrocatalysis.

The electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) using metal-free catalysts has emerged as a viable and sustainable alternative to the conventional anthraquinone process. However, the precise architectural design of these electrocatalysts poses a significant challenge, requiring intricate structural engineering to optimize electron transfer during the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we introduce a novel design of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) that effectively shift the ORR from a four-electron to a more advantageous two-electron pathway. Notably, the JUC-660 COF, with strategically charge-modified benzyl moieties, achieved a continuous high H2O2 yield of over 1200 mmol g-1 h-1 for an impressive duration of over 85 hours in a flow cell setting, marking it as one of the most efficient metal-free and non-pyrolyzed H2O2 electrocatalysts reported to date. Theoretical computations alongside in-situ infrared spectroscopy indicate that JUC-660 markedly diminishes the adsorption of the OOH* intermediate, thereby steering the ORR towards the desired pathway. Furthermore, the versatility of JUC-660 was demonstrated through its application in the electro-Fenton reaction, where it efficiently and rapidly removed aqueous contaminants. This work delineates a pioneering approach to altering the ORR pathway, ultimately paving the way for the development of highly effective metal-free H2O2 electrocatalysts.

A long-acting recombinant FSH supports high-quality mouse follicle development and oocyte maturation in vitro by coordinating somatic and germ cell transcriptomes.

Strategies to maximize individual fertility chances are constant requirements of ART. In vitro folliculogenesis may represent a valid option to create a large source of immature ovarian follicles in ART. Efforts are being made to set up mammalian follicle culture protocols with suitable FSH stimuli. In this study, a new type of recombinant FSH (KN015) with a prolonged half-life is proposed as an alternative to canonical FSH. KN015 supports the in vitro development of mouse follicles from primary to preovulatory stage with higher efficiency than canonical FSH and enhanced post-fertilization development rates of the ovulated oocytes. The use of KN015 also allows us to compare the dynamic transcriptome changes in oocytes and granulosa cells at different stages, in vivo and in vitro. In particular, KN015 facilitates mRNA accumulation in growing mouse oocytes and prevents spontaneous luteinization of granulosa cells in vitro. Novel analyses of transcriptome changes in this study reveal that the in vivo oocytes were more efficient than in vitro oocytes in terms of maternal mRNA clearing during meiotic maturation. KN015 promotes the degradation of maternal mRNA during in vitro oocyte maturation, improves cytoplasmic maturation and, therefore, enhances embryonic developmental potential. These findings establish new transcriptome data for oocyte and granulosa cells at the key stages of follicle development, and should help to widen the use of KN015 as a valid and commercially available hormonal support enabling optimized in vitro development of follicles and oocytes.

Metagenomic analysis reveals taxonomic and functional diversity of microbial communities on the deteriorated wall paintings of Qinling Tomb in the Southern Tang Dynasty, China.

The microbial colonization on ancient murals attracts more and more attention since the threaten by microorganisms was first reported in Lascaux, Spain. However, the biodeterioration or biodegradation of mural paintings resulted by microorganisms is not clear yet. Especially the biological function of microbial communities in different conditions remained largely unaddressed. The two mausoleums of the Southern Tang Dynasty are the largest group of emperor mausoleums during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period in China, which are of great significance to the study of the architecture, imperial mausoleum systems and art in the Tang and Song Dynasties. To make clear the species composition and metabolic functions of different microbial communities (MID and BK), we analyzed the samples from the wall paintings in one of the two mausoleums of the Southern Tang Dynasty with metagenomics method. The result showed totally 55 phyla and 1729 genera were detected in the mural paintings. The two microbial community structure were similar with the dominance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Cyanobacteria. However, the species abundance presented a significant difference between two communities at genus level --- MID is Lysobacter, Luteimonas are predominant in MID while Sphingomonas and Streptomyces are popular in BK, which is partially attributed to the different substrate materials of murals. As a result, the two communities presented the different metabolic patterns that MID community was mainly participated in the formation of biofilm as well as the degradation of exogenous pollutants while the BK was predominantly related to the photosynthesis process and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Taken together, these findings indicated the effect of environmental factor on the taxonomic composition and functional diversity of the microbial populations. The installation of artificial lighting needs to be considered carefully in the future protection of cultural relics.

Challenges and Strategies of Anion Exchange Membranes in Hydrogen-electricity Energy Conversion Devices.

Alkaline hydrogen-electricity energy conversion technologies, involving anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) and anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) are more appealing than the acidic counterparts due to the elimination of precious metal catalysts. However, the physicochemical properties of anion exchange membrane (AEMs), i.e., ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, stability, etc., are inferior to that of proton exchange membranes (PEMs), thus hindering these alkaline technologies from practical employment. To promote their development, we summarize the main challenges and the corresponding strategies of AEMs for the application of AEMFCs and AEMWEs in this review. The hydroxide transportation mechanism, ion exchange capacity, hydration and microscopic morphology that are relevant to the ionic conductivity are discussed firstly. Following the ionic conductivity, another obstacle, stability of AEMs is comprehensively described in terms of alkaline stability, mechanical stability and electrochemical stability. Upon integrating into the devices, water management, carbonation effect and membrane-electrode interface that are critical to the cell performance are highlighted as well. This review is anticipated to provide insights into the AEM design for hydrogen-electric energy conversion devices, thus accelerating the widespread commercialization of these promising technologies.

Co-based Catalysts for Selective H2 O2 Electroproduction via 2-electron Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

Electrochemical production of hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) via two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) process is emerging as a promising alternative method to the conventional anthraquinone process. To realize high-efficiency H2 O2 electrosynthesis, robust and low cost electrocatalysts have been intensively pursued, among which Co-based catalysts attract particular research interests due to the earth-abundance and high selectivity. Here, we provide a comprehensive review on the advancement of Co-based electrocatalyst for H2 O2 electroproduction. The fundamental chemistry of 2-electron ORR is discussed firstly for guiding the rational design of electrocatalysts. Subsequently, the development of Co-based electrocatalysts involving nanoparticles, compounds and single atom catalysts is summarized with the focus on active site identification, structure regulation and mechanism understanding. Moreover, the current challenges and future directions of the Co-based electrocatalysts are briefly summarized in this review.