SYNTAXIN OF PLANTS81 regulates root meristem activity and stem cell niche maintenance via ROS signaling.

Root growth and development depend on continuous cell division and differentiation in root tips. In these processes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role as signaling molecules. However, few ROS signaling regulators have been identified. In this study, we found knockdown of a syntaxin gene, SYNTAXIN OF PLANTS81 in Arabidopsis thaliana (AtSYP81) resulted in a severe reduction in root meristem activity and disruption of root stem cell niche (SCN) identity. Subsequently, we found AtSYP81 was highly expressed in roots and localized on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Interestingly, the reduced expression of AtSYP81 conferred a decreased number of peroxisomes in root meristem cells, raising a possibility that AtSYP81 regulates root development through peroxisome-mediated ROS production. Further transcriptome analysis revealed that class III peroxidases, which are responsible for intracellular ROS homeostasis, showed significantly changed expression in the atsyp81 mutants and AtSYP81 overexpression lines, adding evidence of the regulatory role of AtSYP81 in ROS signaling. Accordingly, rescuing the decreased ROS level via applying ROS donors effectively restored the defects in root meristem activity and SCN identity in the atsyp81 mutants. APETALA2 (AP2) transcription factors PLETHORA1 and 2 (PLT1 and PLT2) were then established as the downstream effectors in this pathway, while potential crosstalk between ROS signaling and auxin signaling was also indicated. Taken together, our findings suggest that AtSYP81 regulates root meristem activity and maintains root SCN identity by controlling peroxisome- and peroxidase-mediated ROS homeostasis, thus both broadening and deepening our understanding of the biological roles of SNARE proteins and ROS signaling.

Historical co-enrichment, source attribution, and risk assessment of critical nutrients and heavy metal/metalloids in lake sediments: insights from Chaohu Lake, China.

In Chinese freshwater lakes, eutrophication often coincides with heavy metal/metalloids (HM/Ms) pollution, yet the coevolution of critical nutrients (P, S, Se) and HM/Ms (Cd, Hg, etc.) remains understudied. To address this gap, we conducted a sedimentary chemistry analysis on a 30 cm-deep core, dating back approximately 200 years, retrieved from Chaohu Lake, China. The age-depth model revealed a gradual increase in deposition rates over time. Notably, the concentrations and enrichment factors (EFs) of most target elements surged in the uppermost ~ 15 cm layer, covering the period from 1953 to 2013, while both the concentrations and EFs in deeper layers remained relatively stable, except for Hg. This trend indicates a significant co-enrichment and near-synchronous increase in the levels and EFs of both nutrients and HM/Ms in the upper sediment layers since the mid-twentieth century. Anthropogenic factors were identified as the primary drivers of the enrichment of P, Se, Cd, Hg, Zn, and Te in the upper core, with their contributions also showing a coupled evolutionary trend over time. Conversely, geological activities governed the enrichment of elements in the lower half of the core. The gradual accumulation of anthropogenic Hg between the - 30 to - 15 cm layers might be attributed to global Hg deposition resulting from the industrial revolution. The ecological risk index (RI) associated with HM/Ms loading has escalated rapidly over the past 50 years, with Cd and Hg posing the greatest threats. Furthermore, the PMF model was applied to specifically quantify source contributions of these elements in the core, with anthropogenic and geogenic factors accounting for ~ 60 and ~ 40%, respectively. A good correlation (r2 = 0.87, p < 0.01) between the PMF and Ti-normalized method was observed, indicating their feasibility and cross-validation in source apportionment. Finally, we highlighted environment impact and health implications of the co-enrichment of nutrients and HM/Ms. This knowledge is crucial for developing strategies to protect freshwater ecosystems from the combined impacts of eutrophication and HM/Ms pollution, thereby promoting water environment and human health.

Polyurethanes Modified by Ionic Liquids and Their Applications.

Polyurethane (PU) refers to the polymer containing carbamate groups in its molecular structure, generally obtained by the reaction of isocyanate and alcohol. Because of its flexible formulation, diverse product forms, and excellent performance, it has been widely used in mechanical engineering, electronic equipment, biomedical applications, etc. Through physical or chemical methods, ionic groups are introduced into PU, which gives PU electrical conductivity, flame-retardant, and antistatic properties, thus expanding the application fields of PU, especially in flexible devices such as sensors, actuators, and functional membranes for batteries and gas absorption. In this review, we firstly introduced the characteristics of PU in chemical and microphase structures and their related physical and chemical performance. To improve the performance of PU, ionic liquids (ILs) were applied in the processing or synthesis of PU, resulting in a new type of PU called ionic PU. In the following part of this review, we mainly summarized the fabrication methods of IL-modified PUs via physical blending and the chemical copolymerization method. Then, we summarized the research progress of the applications for IL-modified PUs in different fields, including sensors, actuators, transistors, antistatic films, etc. Finally, we discussed the future development trends and challenges faced by IL-modified PUs.

Establishment and characterization of a new intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line derived from a Chinese patient.

Patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) require chemotherapy due to late detection, rapid disease progression, and low surgical resection rate. Tumor cell lines are extremely important in cancer research for drug discovery and development. Here, we established and characterized a new intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line, ICC-X1. STR testing confirmed the absence of cross-contamination and high similarity to the original tissue. ICC-X1 exhibited typical epithelial morphology and formed tumor spheres in the suspension culture. The population doubling time was approximately 48 h. The cell line had a complex hypotriploid karyotype. The cell line exhibited a strong migration ability in vitro and cell inoculation into BALB/c nude mice led to the formation of xenografts. Additionally, ICC-X1 cells were sensitive to gemcitabine and paclitaxel but resistant to 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. RNA sequencing revealed that the upregulated cancer-related genes were mainly enriched in several signaling pathways, including the TNF signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and NF-κB signaling pathway. The downregulated cancer-related genes were mainly enriched in the Rap1 signaling pathway and Hippo signaling pathway among other pathways. In conclusion, we have created a new ICC cell line derived from Chinese patients. This cell line can be used as a preclinical model to study ICC, specifically tumor metastasis and drug resistance mechanisms.

Preparation of Cellulose/Laponite Composite Particles and Their Enhanced Electrorheological Responses.

Cellulose, as a natural polymer with an abundant source, has been widely used in many fields including the electric field responsive medium that we are interested in. In this work, cellulose micron particles were applied as an electrorheological (ER) material. Because of the low ER effect of the raw cellulose, a composite particle of cellulose and Laponite was prepared via a dissolution-regeneration process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to observe the morphologies and structures of the composite particles, which were different from pristine cellulose and Laponite, respectively. The ER performances of raw cellulose and the prepared composite were measured by an Anton Paar rotational rheometer. It was found that the ER properties of the composite were more superior to those of raw cellulose due to the flake-like shapes of the composite particles with rough surface. Moreover, the sedimentation stability of composite improves drastically, which means better suspension stability.

Abundance and mobility of metal(loid)s in reservoir sediments of Singe Tsangpo and Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet, China: Implications for ecological risk.

Geogenic arsenic enrichment in soil and river sediments of Tibet compared to its upper crustal abundance has been observed, raising the question whether other trace elements are also enriched and thus may pose ecological risks. Because human activities are limited, the reservoir sediments after the recent construction of the Shiquan dam on the Singe Tsangpo (ST) and the Zam dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo (YT) collect and thus represent material sourced from 14,870 km2 and 157,668 km2 of drainage areas, respectively. Bulk concentrations of the metalloid (As) and 13 metals (Li, Be, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Cs, and Pb) are analyzed for 123 samples from 9 mostly silty sediment cores (depth: 11-20 cm) from the Shiquan Reservoir and for 250 samples from 13 mostly sandy sediment cores (depth: 9-28 cm) from the Zam Reservoir. These elemental concentrations are normalized to the upper crustal Fe abundance of 3.9% to arrive at a regional sediment geochemical background value for each element. The regional background values of most elements in the ST drainage and the YT drainage are comparable with the upper crustal abundance. However, three elements (Li, As, and Cs) in both drainage basins display significant enrichment compared to their respective upper crustal abundance. Sequential leaching of a subset of sediment samples from the ST (n = 18) and YT (n = 29) drainages reveals that chemical fractions of metals and metalloids in these two reservoirs are similar, with most of the elements dominated by the residual fraction with low mobility. Taken together, the ecological risks of the most studied elements in the reservoir sediments are likely low pending further aquatic bioavailability investigations, except that As, Cu, Pb, and Be deserve more attention due to their elevated levels in mobile fractions.

The Electric Field Responses of Inorganic Ionogels and Poly(ionic liquid)s.

Ionic liquids (ILs) are a class of pure ions with melting points lower than 100 °C. They are getting more and more attention because of their high thermal stability, high ionic conductivity and dielectric properties. The unique dielectric properties aroused by the ion motion of ILs makes ILs-contained inorganics or organics responsive to electric field and have great application potential in smart electrorheological (ER) fluids which can be used as the electro-mechanical interface in engineering devices. In this review, we summarized the recent work of various kinds of ILs-contained inorganic ionogels and poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) as ER materials including their synthesis methods, ER responses and dielectric analysis. The aim of this work is to highlight the advantage of ILs in the synthesis of dielectric materials and their effects in improving ER responses of the materials in a wide temperature range. It is expected to provide valuable suggestions for the development of ILs-contained inorganics and PILs as electric field responsive materials.

Controlling factors and sources-specific ecological risks associated with toxic metals in core sediments from cascade reservoirs in Southwest China.

Toxic metals (TMs) in reservoir sediments pose significant risks to ecosystem security and human safety, yet their presence in the cascade reservoirs of the Lancang River remains understudied. This research examined TMs in core sediments from the Manwan (MW) and Dachaoshan (DCS) cascade reservoirs, aiming to elucidate contamination characteristics, controlling factors, and source-specific ecological risks. The study revealed that the concentrations of As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, and Zn in the MW Reservoir (37.3, 0.54, 95.1, 44.0, 0.09, 44.8, and 135.7 mg/kg) were notably higher compared to the DCS Reservoir (14.6, 0.30, 82.6, 31.0, 0.08, 36.6, and 108.7 mg/kg). While both reservoirs demonstrated elevated contamination levels of Cd and Hg, the MW Reservoir also exhibited high levels of As, whereas the DCS Reservoir showed relatively high levels of Pb. Mining activities in upstream metal deposits significantly correlated Cd, Hg, and Zn in the MW Reservoir with sulfur. In both reservoir sediments, Cr and Ni displayed a greater affinity for iron oxides, while As, Cd, Cu, Hg, and Zn showed more affinity with manganese oxides. Ecological risk index (RI) values in half of the sediments from the MW Reservoir ranged from 300 to 600, denoting a significant ecological risk. Conversely, in the DCS Reservoir, 93.3 % of the sediments exhibited RI values between 150 and 300, signifying a moderate ecological risk. Source-oriented ecological risks highlighted the need for particular attention to Cd from anthropogenic sources in the MW Reservoir. These findings underscore the importance of implementing measures for TM contamination prevention and control, contributing to strategic planning for sustainable water resource management in the Lancang-Mekong River.

Bio-inspired affordance learning for 6-DoF robotic grasping: A transformer-based global feature encoding approach.

The 6-Degree-of-Freedom (6-DoF) robotic grasping is a fundamental task in robot manipulation, aimed at detecting graspable points and corresponding parameters in a 3D space, i.e affordance learning, and then a robot executes grasp actions with the detected affordances. Existing research works on affordance learning predominantly focus on learning local features directly for each grid in a voxel scene or each point in a point cloud scene, subsequently filtering the most promising candidate for execution. Contrarily, cognitive models of grasping highlight the significance of global descriptors, such as size, shape, and orientation, in grasping. These global descriptors indicate a grasp path closely tied to actions. Inspired by this, we propose a novel bio-inspired neural network that explicitly incorporates global feature encoding. In particular, our method utilizes a Truncated Signed Distance Function (TSDF) as input, and employs the recently proposed Transformer model to encode the global features of a scene directly. With the effective global representation, we then use deconvolution modules to decode multiple local features to generate graspable candidates. In addition, to integrate global and local features, we propose using a skip-connection module to merge lower-layer global features with higher-layer local features. Our approach, when tested on a recently proposed pile and packed grasping dataset for a decluttering task, surpassed state-of-the-art local feature learning methods by approximately 5% in terms of success and declutter rates. We also evaluated its running time and generalization ability, further demonstrating its superiority. We deployed our model on a Franka Panda robot arm, with real-world results aligning well with simulation data. This underscores our approach's effectiveness for generalization and real-world applications.

Droplet-Based Preparation of ZnO-nanostructure Array for Microfluidic Fluorescence Biodetection.

Nanostructure-enhanced biodetection is widely used for early diagnosis and treatment, which plays an essential role in improving the cure rates of cancer patients. ZnO nanostructure-based fluorescence immunoassay has been demonstrated to enable effective and sensitive detection of cancer biomarkers for their excellent biocompatibility, high electrical point, and unique fluorescence enhancement properties. Further optimization of such fluorescence detection technology is still in demand to meet the requirements of highly sensitive, multiplex detection, and user-friendly devices. Droplet microfluidics is a promising platform for high-throughput analysis of biological assays, and they have been intensively used in analytical chemistry and synthesis of nanoparticles. Here, we propose a simple droplet chip, where a static droplet array was successfully obtained for in situ growth of ZnO nanostructures with varied diameters by changing the entire growth time and replenishment interval. This device provides a novel and alternative approach for patterned growth of ZnO nanostructures and understanding the growth condition of ZnO nanostructures in static droplet, which offers some guidance toward the design of multiple fluorescence amplification platforms potentially for biosensing. As a demonstration, we used the patterned grown ZnO nanostructures for multiple detection of cancer biomarkers, achieving a low limit of detection as low as 138 fg/mL in the human α-fetoprotein assay and 218 fg/mL in the carcinoembryonic antigen assay with a large dynamic range of 8 orders. These results suggest that such multifunctional microfluidic devices may be useful tools for efficient fluorescence diagnostic assays.

Flow-induced fabrication of ZnO nanostructures in pillar-arrayed microchannels.

The emergence of microfluidic devices integrated with nanostructures enables highly efficient, flexible and controllable biosensing, among which zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructure-based fluorescence detection has been demonstrated to be a promising methodology due to its high electrical point and unique fluorescence enhancement properties. The optimization of microfluidic synthesis of ZnO nanostructures for biosensing on chip has been in demand due to its low cost and high efficiency, but still the flow-induced growth of ZnO nanostructures is not extensively studied. Here, we report a simple and versatile strategy that could manipulate the local flow field by creating periodically arranged micropillars within a straight microchannel. We have explored the effects of perfusion speed and flow direction of seed solution, localized flow variation of growth solution and growth time on the morphology of nanostructures. This provided a comprehensive understanding which governs nanostructure fabrication controlled by flow. The results demonstrated that localized flow in microfluidic devices was essential for the initiation and growth of zinc oxide crystals, enabling precise control over their properties and morphology. Furthermore, a model protein was used to demonstrate the intrinsic fluorescence enhancement of ZnO nanostructures as an example to reveal the morphology-related enhancement properties.

A Novel and Versatile Microfluidic Device for Cell Assays under Radio Frequency Exposure.

Wound healing is a complex process composed of different stages, which involves extensive communication between the different cellular factors of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The radio frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) has been used to accelerate the wound-healing process and it has been found to enhance cell alignment and mobility. The conventional methods for cell mobility analysis in an electromagnetic field generated by a radiation source are not advisable due to the low-precision, nonuniform distribution of the field, low efficiency of the analysis in batch and the lack of system integration for autonomous on-body operation. Here, a novel and versatile electromagnetic exposure system integrated with a microfluidic chip was fabricated to explore the EMF-induced response. A gradient electromagnetic field in a two-dimensional plane has been successfully established in the microchambers placed along the field line. In this work, by deploying our radiation experiments in vitro, we validated the on-chip monitoring of cell response to exposure. This electromagnetic field was simulated and human amniotic epithelial cells (HAECs) were cultured in different microchambers for continuous exposure to the electromagnetic field excited by a monopole RF antenna (1.8 GHz). New protrusions were generated and an obvious increase in filopodia with the increased field intensity was investigated. Meanwhile, the variation in intracellular Ca2+ concentration under the electromagnetic field was examined. The inhibitory effect of the Ca2+ circulation was further inspected to reveal the potential downstream signaling pathway in the RF-EMF-related bioassay, suggesting that cytoskeletal dynamics of cells under exposure are highly associated with the EGF receptor (EGFR)-cytoskeleton downstream signaling pathway. Finally, the field-induced cell elongation and alignment parallel to the field direction were observed. Additionally, the subsequent recovery (field withdrawal) and re-establishment (field re-exposure) were explored. These results indicated that this reliable and versatile exposure system for bioassay could achieve precise and high-throughput detection of the RF-EMF-induced cytoskeletal reorganization in vitro and evaluate the possible health risk from RF-EMF exposure.

Dynamic Crosslinked Injectable Mussel-Inspired Hydrogels with Adhesive, Self-Healing, and Biodegradation Properties.

The non-invasive tissue adhesives with strong tissue adhesion and good biocompatibility are ideal for replacing traditional wound treatment methods such as sutures and needles. The self-healing hydrogels based on dynamic reversible crosslinking can recover their structure and function after damage, which is suitable for the application scenario of tissue adhesives. Herein, inspired by mussel adhesive proteins, we propose a facile strategy to achieve an injectable hydrogel (DACS hydrogel) by grafting dopamine (DOPA) onto hyaluronic acid (HA) and mixing it with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) solution. The gelation time and rheological and swelling properties of the hydrogel can be controlled conveniently by adjusting the substitution degree of the catechol group and the concentration of raw materials. More importantly, the hydrogel exhibited rapid and highly efficient self-healing ability and excellent biodegradation and biocompatibility in vitro. Meanwhile, the hydrogel exhibited ~4-fold enhanced wet tissue adhesion strength (21.41 kPa) over the commercial fibrin glue. This kind of HA-based mussel biomimetic self-healing hydrogel is expected to be used as a multifunctional tissue adhesive material.

Establishment and characterization of a new intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line, ICC-X3.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is an aggressive cancer of the biliary tract that is prone to recurrence and metastasis and is characterized by poor sensitivity to chemotherapy and overall prognosis. To address this challenge, the establishment of suitable preclinical models is critical. In this study, we successfully established a new ICC cell line, named ICC-X3, from the satellite lesions of one ICC patient. The cell line was characterized with respect to phenotypic, molecular, biomarker, functional and histological properties. STR confirmed that ICC-X3 was highly consistent with primary tumor tissue. ICC-X3 cells positively expressed CK7, CK19, E-cadherin, vimentin, and Ki67. ICC-X3 was all resistant to gemcitabine, paclitaxel, 5-FU, and oxaliplatin. The cell line was able to rapidly form xenograft tumors which were highly similar to the primary tumor. The missense mutation of TP53 exon was detected in ICC-X3 cells. ICC-X3 can be used as a good experimental model to study the progression, metastasis, and drug resistance of ICC.

Exploring the mechanism of Cd uptake and translocation in rice: Future perspectives of rice safety.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in rice fields has been recognized as a severe global agro-environmental issue. To reach the goal of controlling Cd risk, we must pay more attention and obtain an in-depth understanding of the environmental behavior, uptake and translocation of Cd in soil-rice systems. However, to date, these aspects still lack sufficient exploration and summary. Here, we critically reviewed (i) the processes and transfer proteins of Cd uptake/transport in the soil-rice system, (ii) a series of soil and other environmental factors affecting the bioavailability of Cd in paddies, and (iii) the latest advances in regard to remediation strategies while producing rice. We propose that the correlation between the bioavailability of Cd and environmental factors must be further explored to develop low Cd accumulation and efficient remediation strategies in the future. Second, the mechanism of Cd uptake in rice mediated by elevated CO2 also needs to be given more attention. Meanwhile, more scientific planting methods (direct seeding and intercropping) and suitable rice with low Cd accumulation are important measures to ensure the safety of rice consumption. In addition, the relevant Cd efflux transporters in rice have yet to be revealed, which will promote molecular breeding techniques to address the current Cd-contaminated soil-rice system. The potential for efficient, durable, and low-cost soil remediation technologies and foliar amendments to limit Cd uptake by rice needs to be examined in the future. Conventional breeding procedures combined with molecular marker techniques for screening rice varieties with low Cd accumulation could be a more practical approach to select for desirable agronomic traits with low risk.

Establishment and characterization of a new Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep-X1.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive and heterogeneous disease. Cell lines are commonly employed as in vitro models for cell type studies. However, the success rate of HCC primary culture establishment is low. In this study, we successfully established a liver cancer cell line, Hep-X1. Primary culture and passage of surgically removed tissues were used to establish hepatoma cell lines. Morphological examination, short tandem repeat (STR) analysis, immunohistochemical staining, doubling time, karyotype analysis, plate tumor formation experiments, organoid culture, and in vivo tumor formation investigations in animals were used to identify the cell lines. A novel liver cancer cell line, Hep-X1, was established based on morphology, immunophenotype, cytogenetics, and STR analysis. The novel cell line can be a valuable model for studying primary liver cancer.

Syntaxin of plants71 plays essential roles in plant development and stress response via regulating pH homeostasis.

SYP71, a plant-specific Qc-SNARE with multiple subcellular localization, is essential for symbiotic nitrogen fixation in nodules in Lotus, and is implicated in plant resistance to pathogenesis in rice, wheat and soybean. Arabidopsis SYP71 is proposed to participate in multiple membrane fusion steps during secretion. To date, the molecular mechanism underlying SYP71 regulation on plant development remains elusive. In this study, we clarified that AtSYP71 is essential for plant development and stress response, using techniques of cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and transcriptomics. AtSYP71-knockout mutant atsyp71-1 was lethal at early development stage due to the failure of root elongation and albinism of the leaves. AtSYP71-knockdown mutants, atsyp71-2 and atsyp71-3, had short roots, delayed early development, and altered stress response. The cell wall structure and components changed significantly in atsyp71-2 due to disrupted cell wall biosynthesis and dynamics. Reactive oxygen species homeostasis and pH homeostasis were also collapsed in atsyp71-2. All these defects were likely resulted from blocked secretion pathway in the mutants. Strikingly, change of pH value significantly affected ROS homeostasis in atsyp71-2, suggesting interconnection between ROS and pH homeostasis. Furthermore, we identified AtSYP71 partners and propose that AtSYP71 forms distinct SNARE complexes to mediate multiple membrane fusion steps in secretory pathway. Our findings suggest that AtSYP71 plays an essential role in plant development and stress response via regulating pH homeostasis through secretory pathway.

Contamination, sources and health risks of toxic elements in soils of karstic urban parks based on Monte Carlo simulation combined with a receptor model.

Understanding the health risks of toxic elements (TEs) in urban park soils and determining their priority control factors are crucial for public health and pollution management. Soil samples were collected from 33 urban parks in Guiyang, a typical karstic city. For each park, 15-45 topsoil samples were collected according to the area and then thoroughly mixed to obtain a representative sample. The results showed that the mean concentrations of TEs in park soils (22.5, 0.37, 88.6, 43.7, 0.26, 39.9, 44.7, and 101.0 mg/kg for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn, respectively) were higher than their background values. Approximately 54.5% and 33.3% of enrichment factor (EF) values reached moderately enriched to significantly enriched levels for Cd and Hg, respectively. Moreover, 54.5% and 42.4% of monomial potential ecological index (EI) values were at considerable to high risk levels for Cd and Hg, respectively. These results illustrate that Cd and Hg pose high ecological risks. According to the potential ecological risk index (RI) values, 21.2% of the parks were exposed to considerable ecological risk and 48.5% were at moderate risk. Based on the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, four sources governing TE contamination (including coal combustion, natural sources, traffic emissions, and industrial activities) were identified, with contribution rates of 32.3%, 31.0%, 19.6%, and 17.1%, respectively. A probabilistic health risk assessment showed acceptable non-carcinogenic risks and high levels of carcinogenic risk in all populations. Based on the source-specific health risk assessment, arsenic from coal combustion was determined to be a major contributor to human health risks. Although several efforts have been made by the local government to eliminate coal-borne arsenicosis, our results revealed that the accumulation of arsenic in the soil due to coal combustion poses a potential threat to human health.

Heavy metal characteristics in porewater profiles, their benthic fluxes, and toxicity in cascade reservoirs of the Lancang River, China.

The construction of cascade reservoirs on the Lancang River (the upper Mekong) has an important influence on the distribution and accumulation of heavy metals. Heavy metal contents in porewater provide vital information about their bioavailability, studies on this aspect are rare until now. In this study, sediment cores were collected from four adjacent cascade reservoirs in the upper Mekong River to study the distribution, potential sources, diffusive fluxes and toxicity of heavy metals in porewater. The findings indicated that the average contents of Mn, Fe, As, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in the sediment porewater were 6442, 644, 11.50, 2.62, 1.23, 3.95, 0.031, and 0.24 µg/L, respectively; these contents varied as the sediment depth increased. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis showed that Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb were mainly associated with anthropogenic sources, As, Mn and Fe were primarily affected by natural inputs, and Ni was affected by a combination of natural and anthropogenic effects. The diffusive fluxes of Mn, Fe, As, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in the cascade reservoirs of the Lancang River were 919 - 35,022, 2.12 - 2881, 0.17 - 750, 0.71 - 7.70, 2.30 - 31.18, (-3.35) - 6.40, 0.06 - 0.54, and (-0.52) - 4.08 µg/(m2 day), respectively. The results of toxic units suggested that the contamination and toxicity of heavy metals in porewater were not serious. Overall, in the cascade reservoirs, the content and toxicity of heavy metals in porewater of the upstream reservoirs were higher than that of the downstream reservoirs. The operation of the cascade reservoirs enabled greater accumulation of contaminants in sediments of the upstream reservoirs. This research gives strong support for the prevention of heavy metal contamination and the sustainability of water resources under the running condition of cascade reservoirs on such a large international river (the Lancang-Mekong River).

Highly Stretchable, Transparent and Adhesive Ionogel Based on Chitosan-Poly(acrylic acid) Double Networks for Flexible Strain Sensors.

A stretchable double-network (DN) ionogel composed of a physically crosslinked network of chitosan (CS) and a chemically crosslinked network of polyacrylic acid (PAA) was prepared in an ionic liquid ([EMIM][OAc]) using a one-step polymerization method. In this ionogel (CS/PAA), the CS and the PAA polymer chains served as backbones, which constructed an interpenetrating DN structure via numerous hydrogen bonds formed through the hydroxyl, amino and carboxyl groups on the polymer chains. The DN structure improves the mechanical properties of the ionogel. Therefore, the CS/PAA DN ionogel exhibited outstanding mechanical performance in many ways: tensile strength up to 2.04 MPa, strain range up to 1046% and the value of toughness up to 8.52 MJ/m3. The ionogel also showed good self-recovery performance, fatigue resistance, ability to work in a broad temperature range (-20~80 °C) and adhesion properties. As a flexible sensor, the CS/PAA DN ionogel showed high strain sensitivity (gauge factor = 6.235). It can sensitively detect human motion (such as joint-bending, vocal fold vibration, walking gait and other human body motions), revealing the practical application potential of flexible electronic devices.