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Doping transition metal oxide spinels with metal ions represents a significant strategy for optimizing the electronic structure of electrocatalysts. Herein, a bimetallic Fe and Ru doping strategy to fine-tune the crystal structure of CoV2O4 spinel for highly enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is presented performance. The incorporation of Fe and Ru is observed at octahedral sites within the CoV2O4 structure, effectively modulating the electronic configuration of Co. Density functional theory calculations have confirmed that Fe acts as a novel reactive site, replacing V. Additionally, the synergistic effect of Fe, Co, and Ru effectively optimizes the Gibbs free energy of the intermediate species, reduces the reaction energy barrier, and accelerates the kinetics toward OER. As expected, the best-performing CoVFe0.5Ru0.5O4 displays a low overpotential of 240 mV (@10 mA cm-2) and a remarkably low Tafel slope of 38.9 mV dec-1, surpassing that of commercial RuO2. Moreover, it demonstrates outstanding long-term durability lasting for 72 h. This study provides valuable insights for the design of highly active polymetallic spinel electrocatalysts for energy conversion applications.
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The anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) is a promising technology for not only water reclamation but also virus removal; however, the virus removal efficiency of AnMBR has not been fully investigated. Additionally, the removal efficiency estimation requires datasets of virus concentration in influent and effluent, but its monitoring is not easy to perform for practical operation because the virus quantification process is generally time-consuming and requires specialized equipment and trained personnel. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify the key, monitorable variables in AnMBR and establish the data-driven models using the selected variables to predict virus removal efficiency. We monitored operational and environmental conditions of AnMBR in Sendai, Japan and measured virus concentration once a week for six months. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed that the pH values of influent and mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS) were strongly correlated with the log reduction value of pepper mild mottle virus, indicating that electrostatic interactions played a dominant role in AnMBR virus removal. Among the candidate models, the random forest model using selected variables including influent and MLSS pH outperformed the others. This study has demonstrated the potential of AnMBR as a viable option for municipal wastewater reclamation with high microbial safety.
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Reactores Biológicos , Membranas Artificiales , Reactores Biológicos/virología , Anaerobiosis , Eliminación de Residuos Líquidos/métodos , Aguas Residuales/virología , Proyectos Piloto , Purificación del Agua/métodos , Purificación del Agua/instrumentación , Tobamovirus/aislamiento & purificación , JapónRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The older people bears a severe burden of disease due to frailty and depressive symptoms, however, the results of association between the two in the older Chinese people have been conflicting. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the developmental trajectories and interactions of frailty and depressive symptoms in the Chinese middle-aged and older adults. METHODS: The study used four waves of data from 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2018 in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database, focused on middle-aged and older people ≥ 45 years of age, and analyzed using latent growth models and cross-lagged models. RESULTS: The parallel latent growth model showed that the initial level of depressive symptoms had a significant positive predictive effect on the initial level of frailty. The rate of change in depressive symptoms significantly positively predicted the rate of change in frailty. The initial level of frailty had a significant positive predictive effect on the initial level of depressive symptoms, but a significant negative predictive effect on the rate of change in depressive symptoms. The rate of change in frailty had a significant positive predictive effect on the rate of change in depressive symptoms. The results of the cross-lagged analysis indicated a bidirectional causal association between frailty and depressive symptoms in the total sample population. Results for the total sample population grouped by age and gender were consistent with the total sample. CONCLUSIONS: This study recommends advancing the age of concern for frailty and depressive symptoms to middle-aged adults. Both men and women need early screening and intervention for frailty and depressive symptoms to promote healthy aging.
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Pueblos del Este de Asia , Fragilidad , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Humanos , Femenino , Anciano , Estudios de Cohortes , Fragilidad/epidemiología , Estudios Longitudinales , Depresión/epidemiología , Depresión/diagnóstico , China/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Studies have shown an association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index and carotid artery plaque (CAP). However, the relationship between the TyG index and plaque burden in individuals with primary hypertension remains uncertain. Our study specifically aimed to explore this relationship among primary hypertension patients. METHODS: This study involved 5,153 hospitalized patients diagnosed with primary hypertension who were undergoing treatment at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine. We utilized multivariate logistic regression, penalized spline regression, and generalized additive models to assess the association between the TyG index and CAP burden. RESULTS: There were 2,400 patients with primary hypertension in all. The multivariate study, which took into account all covariables, showed a positive correlation between the TyG index and CAP (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.04-1.5). When the TyG index was evaluated as quartiles, the risk of CAP in the Q3 and Q4 levels of the TyG index were 1.4 (95% CI: 1.03-1.91) and 1.54 (95% CI: 1.11-2.14) times greater than in the Q1 level after adjusting for all covariables (P for trend < .05). Regardless of whether the TyG index was used as a continuous variable or a categorical variable, it has no significant association with the risk of single plaque after adjusting for all confounders (p ≥ .05). The TyG index was found to be substantially correlated with the presence of multiple plaques when analyzed as a continuous variable (OR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.09-1.59, p = .004). When the TyG index was evaluated as quartiles, the adjusted OR in Q3 and Q4 were 1.49 (95% CI: 1.06-2.1) and 1.67 (95% CI: 1.16-2.41), respectively, with Q1 as reference (P for trend = .005). The relationship between the TyG index and the presence of multiple plaques is also consistent in all subgroups. CONCLUSION: The TyG index is positively associated with the presence of multiple plaques in patients with primary hypertension, whereas no association is found between the TyG index and the presence of a single carotid plaque.
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Glucemia , Hipertensión , Placa Aterosclerótica , Triglicéridos , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Transversales , Triglicéridos/sangre , Placa Aterosclerótica/sangre , Hipertensión/sangre , Glucemia/metabolismo , Glucemia/análisis , Anciano , Factores de Riesgo , Enfermedades de las Arterias Carótidas/sangre , China/epidemiología , AdultoRESUMEN
Many G protein-coupled receptors and other signaling proteins localize to the ciliary membrane for regulating diverse cellular processes. The BBSome composed of multiple Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) proteins is an intraflagellar transport (IFT) cargo adaptor essential for sorting signaling proteins in and/or out of cilia via IFT. Leucine zipper transcription factor-like 1 (LZTFL1) protein mediates ciliary signaling by controlling BBSome ciliary content, reflecting how LZTFL1 mutations could cause BBS. However, the mechanistic mechanism underlying this process remains elusive thus far. Here, we show that LZTFL1 maintains BBSome ciliary dynamics by finely controlling BBSome recruitment to the basal body and its reassembly at the ciliary tip simultaneously in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii LZTFL1 directs BBSome recruitment to the basal body via promoting basal body targeting of Arf-like 6 GTPase BBS3, thus deciding the BBSome amount available for loading onto anterograde IFT trains for entering cilia. Meanwhile, LZTFL1 stabilizes the IFT25/27 component of the IFT-B1 subcomplex in the cell body so as to control its presence and amount at the basal body for entering cilia. Since IFT25/27 promotes BBSome reassembly at the ciliary tip for loading onto retrograde IFT trains, LZTFL1 thus also directs BBSome removal out of cilia. Therefore, LZTFL1 dysfunction deprives the BBSome of ciliary presence and generates Chlamydomonas cells defective in phototaxis. In summary, our data propose that LZTFL1 maintains BBSome dynamics in cilia by such a dual-mode system, providing insights into how LZTFL1 mediates ciliary signaling through maintaining BBSome ciliary dynamics and the pathogenetic mechanism of the BBS disorder as well.
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Chlamydomonas reinhardtii/fisiología , Cilios/fisiología , Fototaxis , Factores de Transcripción/fisiología , Síndrome de Bardet-Biedl , Péptidos y Proteínas de Señalización Intracelular/metabolismo , Unión Proteica , Transducción de SeñalRESUMEN
The number of parents in China who have lost their only child, referred to as shidu parents, currently exceeds one million and is increasing by approximately 76,000 annually. Shidu parents face a unique challenge in long-term care, primarily stemming from the sudden and tragic loss of their only child, which leads to a substantial decrease in their social support network. A multi-stage, stratified, and cluster sampling method was employed across various economic belts. Linear regression analysis was utilized to examine factors associated with the social support status of shidu and non-shidu parents. The level of social support decreases as the severity of depression increases. Shidu parents with grandchildren tend to have good social support. The city of Hangzhou exhibits relatively high levels of social support. Married individuals typically report higher levels of social support. It is recommended to prioritize shidu parents without grandchildren as a primary focus for government and societal support. Key recommendations include strengthening social skills training and developing social support networks. Drive economic development, particularly in relatively underdeveloped regions. Strengthen social organizations and community development. Enhancing access to support services, leveraging technology, and encouraging volunteerism for non-married parents.
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BACKGROUND: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients frequently develop treatment resistance to cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody against EGFR, as well as radiotherapy. Here we addressed extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) regulation by cetuximab or fractionated irradiation (IR) and conducted in silico prognostic evaluation of the EGFR-MAPK axis in HNSCC. METHODS: Expression of ERK1/2 phosphorylation (pERK1/2) was determined in HNSCC cell lines, which were treated with cetuximab or fractionated-IR. Furthermore, the effect of fractionated IR on pERK1/2 was confirmed in an ex vivo HNSCC tissue culture model. Expression and prognostic significance of EGFR-ERK axis was evaluated in a cohort of radiotherapy plus cetuximab-treated HNSCC. Correlations among EGFR-MAPK signalling components and association between transcript and protein expression profiles and patient survival in HNSCC were analysed using publicly available databases. RESULTS: ERK1/2 phosphorylation was rebounded by prolonged cetuximab administration and was induced by fractionated IR, which could be suppressed by a MEK inhibitor as a radiosensitiser. In silico assessments suggested that EGFR-MAPK cascade genes and proteins could predict HNSCC patients' survival as a prognostic signature. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of ERK1/2 signalling contributes to the cellular defence of HNSCC against cetuximab and fractionated IR treatment. EGFR-MAPK axis has a prognostic significance in HNSCC.
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Anticuerpos Monoclonales Humanizados/farmacología , Proteína Quinasa 1 Activada por Mitógenos/genética , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/genética , Animales , Línea Celular Tumoral , Cetuximab/farmacología , Resistencia a Antineoplásicos/efectos de los fármacos , Receptores ErbB/genética , Humanos , Proteínas de Insectos , Sistema de Señalización de MAP Quinasas/efectos de los fármacos , Ratones , Quinasas de Proteína Quinasa Activadas por Mitógenos/genética , Pronóstico , Inhibidores de Proteínas Quinasas/farmacología , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas de Cabeza y Cuello/patología , Ensayos Antitumor por Modelo de XenoinjertoRESUMEN
The cultivation of the N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF)-degrading methanogenic consortium is considered difficult. In this study, an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) was inoculated with activated sludge in order to culture the DMF-degrading anaerobic sludge under a constant DMF concentration of approximately 2000 mg L-1. While the UASB realized a nearly 100% degradation of DMF and a high methane production of 1.03 L d-1 for the first two months, both the removal efficiency and methane production continued to decrease until the end. The characterization of the prokaryotic community reveals that those DMF-hydrolyzing bacteria (DHB) originating from the activated sludge were responsible for the effective degradation of DMF. However, even when fed with a constant concentration of DMF, the DHB kept decreasing all the time while methane-producing archaea were rapidly cultivated. The variation of prokaryotic community suggests that the DHB could not proliferate anaerobically without utilizing the intermediate products from the hydrolysis of DMF, resulting in an unstable DMF-degrading consortium. The cultivation of DHB under the anaerobic condition of the UASB was therefore difficult. The reason it was not possible to culture a DMF-degrading methanogenic consortium in this study is that the DHB are denitrifying bacteria which require nitrate for their cell growth under the anaerobic condition. The solution to maintain the abundance of these DHB is to add doses of nitrate into the system. Nitrate is likely to help these DHB recapture intermediates from methanogens, enabling them to perform a heterotrophic denitrification by using a small proportion of DMF as the carbon source while simultaneously maintaining the cell growth of DHB.
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Reactores Biológicos , Dimetilformamida , Aguas del Alcantarillado , Anaerobiosis , Metano , Eliminación de Residuos Líquidos , Aguas ResidualesRESUMEN
Numerous studies have established a proof of concept that abnormal expression and function of estrogen receptors (ER) are crucial processes in initiation and development of hormone-related cancers and also affect the efficacy of anti-cancer therapy. Radiotherapy has been applied as one of the most common and potent therapeutic strategies, which is synergistic with surgical excision, chemotherapy and targeted therapy for treating malignant tumors. However, the impact of ionizing radiation on ER expression and ER-related signaling in cancer tissue, as well as the interaction between endocrine and irradiation therapy remains largely elusive. This review will discuss recent findings on ER and ER-related signaling, which are relevant for cancer radiotherapy. In addition, we will summarize pre-clinical and clinical studies that evaluate the consequences of anti-estrogen and irradiation therapy in cancer, including emerging studies on head and neck cancer, which might improve the understanding and development of novel therapeutic strategies for estrogen-related cancers.
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Neoplasias de la Mama/metabolismo , Receptores de Estrógenos/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Animales , Antineoplásicos/farmacología , Antineoplásicos/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias de la Mama/etiología , Neoplasias de la Mama/radioterapia , Terapia Combinada , Estrógenos/metabolismo , Regulación Neoplásica de la Expresión Génica/efectos de la radiación , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/etiología , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/metabolismo , Neoplasias de Cabeza y Cuello/terapia , Humanos , Unión Proteica , Radiación Ionizante , Radioterapia , Receptores de Estrógenos/antagonistas & inhibidores , Receptores de Estrógenos/química , Receptores de Estrógenos/genética , Transducción de Señal/efectos de la radiaciónRESUMEN
An efficient one-pot synthesis of optically active hydroquinoline-2-carboxylates from 1,3-cyclohexanediones, ß,γ-unsaturated α-keto ester, and benzylamine in the presence of a chiral base catalyst and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) with good diastereoselectivity and high enantioselectivity is described. The reaction proceeds by a sequential asymmetric Michael/transamination/cyclization process.
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Cardiovascular disease, like hypertension, is one of the top killers of human life and early detection of cardiovascular disease is of great importance. However, traditional medical devices are often bulky and expensive, and unsuitable for home healthcare. In this paper, we proposed an easy and inexpensive technique to estimate continuous blood pressure from the heart sound signals acquired by the microphone of a smartphone. A cold-pressor experiment was performed in 32 healthy subjects, with a smartphone to acquire heart sound signals and with a commercial device to measure continuous blood pressure. The Fourier spectrum of the second heart sound and the blood pressure were regressed using a support vector machine, and the accuracy of the regression was evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation. Statistical analysis showed that the mean correlation coefficients between the predicted values from the regression model and the measured values from the commercial device were 0.707, 0.712, and 0.748 for systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure, respectively, and that the mean errors were less than 5 mmHg, with standard deviations less than 8 mmHg. These results suggest that this technique is of potential use for cuffless and continuous blood pressure monitoring and it has promising application in home healthcare services.
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Determinación de la Presión Sanguínea/instrumentación , Presión Sanguínea/fisiología , Ruidos Cardíacos/fisiología , Procesamiento de Señales Asistido por Computador , Adulto , Diástole/fisiología , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Máquina de Vectores de Soporte , Sístole/fisiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), a group of Na(+)-selective and Ca(2+)-permeant ligand-gated cation channels, can be transiently activated by extracellular acid. Among seven subunits of ASICs, acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a), which is responsible for Ca(2+) transportation, is elevated in response to inflammation, tumor, and ischemic injury in central nervous system and non-neuronal tissues. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time the presence of ASIC1a in rat liver and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Furthermore, the expression of ASIC1a was increased in primary HSCs and liver tissues of CCl4-treated rats, suggesting that ASIC1a may play certain role in liver fibrosis. Interestingly, we identified that the level of ASIC1a was significantly elevated in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induction in a time- and dose-dependent manner. It was also established that Ca(2+)-transporting ASIC1a was involved in acid-induced injury of different cell types. Moreover, inhibition or silencing of ASIC1a was able to inhibit PDGF-induced pro-fibrogenic effects of activated rat HSCs, including cell activation, de novo synthesis of extracellular matrix components through mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Collectively, our studies identified that ASIC1a was expressed in rat liver and HSCs and provided a strong evidence for the involvement of the ASIC1a in the progression of hepatic fibrosis.
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Canales Iónicos Sensibles al Ácido/metabolismo , Intoxicación por Tetracloruro de Carbono/patología , Células Estrelladas Hepáticas/citología , Cirrosis Hepática/inducido químicamente , Hígado/patología , Sistema de Señalización de MAP Quinasas , Canales Iónicos Sensibles al Ácido/genética , Animales , Calcio/metabolismo , Intoxicación por Tetracloruro de Carbono/genética , Intoxicación por Tetracloruro de Carbono/metabolismo , Células Cultivadas , Regulación de la Expresión Génica , Células Estrelladas Hepáticas/patología , Hígado/metabolismo , Cirrosis Hepática/genética , Cirrosis Hepática/metabolismo , Cirrosis Hepática/patología , Masculino , Factor de Crecimiento Derivado de Plaquetas , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-DawleyRESUMEN
Although previous studies have found that melatonin can promote seed germination, the mechanisms involved in perceiving and signaling melatonin remain poorly understood. In this study, it was found that melatonin was synthesized during cucumber seed germination with a peak in melatonin levels occurring 14 hr into germination. This is indicative of a correlation between melatonin synthesis and seed germination. Meanwhile, seeds pretreated with exogenous melatonin (1 µM) showed enhanced germination rates under 150 mM NaCl stress compared to water-pretreated seeds under salinity stress. There are two apparent mechanisms by which melatonin alleviated salinity-induced inhibition of seed germination. Exogenous melatonin decreased oxidative damage induced by NaCl stress by enhancing gene expression of antioxidants. Under NaCl stress, compared to untreated control, the activities of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) were significantly increased by approximately 1.3-5.0-fold, with a concomitant 1.4-2.0-fold increase of CsCu-ZnSOD, CsFe-ZnSOD, CsCAT, and CsPOD in melatonin-pretreated seeds. Melatonin also alleviated salinity stress by affecting abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellin acid (GA) biosynthesis and catabolism during seed germination. Compared to NaCl treatment, melatonin significantly up-regulated ABA catabolism genes (e.g., CsCYP707A1 and CsCYP707A2, 3.5 and 105-fold higher than NaCl treatment at 16 hr, respectively) and down-regulated ABA biosynthesis genes (e.g., CsNECD2, 0.29-fold of CK2 at 16 hr), resulting in a rapid decrease of ABA content during the early stage of germination. At the same time, melatonin positively up-regulated GA biosynthesis genes (e.g., GA20ox and GA3ox, 2.3 and 3.9-fold higher than NaCl treatment at 0 and 12 hr, respectively), contributing to a significant increase of GA (especially GA4) content. In this study, we provide new evidence suggesting that melatonin alleviates the inhibitory effects of NaCl stress on germination mainly by regulating the biosynthesis and catabolism of ABA and GA4.
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Ácido Abscísico/metabolismo , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Cucumis sativus/crecimiento & desarrollo , Germinación/fisiología , Giberelinas/metabolismo , Melatonina/fisiología , Salinidad , Semillas/crecimiento & desarrolloRESUMEN
This study used the three-level EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L) to assess the quality of life (QOL) of Chinese Shidu parents (who have lost their only child) and conducted an in-depth investigation into the factors affecting their QOL using non-parametric tests and the Tobit regression model. A total of 651 Shidu parents were enrolled in this study. The questionnaire included a general information survey, the Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and the three-level EuroQol five-dimensional questionnaire (EQ-5D-3L). The results revealed that approximately 60% of Shidu parents reported no problems in all five dimensions. Pain and discomfort were the most frequently reported problems among Shidu parents, affecting 23.35% of participants. The Tobit regression model revealed that GDS-15 scores, marital status, education, and self-reported health status were significantly associated with EQ-5D scores. Additionally, SSRS scores, GDS-15 scores, and self-reported health status were significantly associated with EQ-VAS scores. Based on the study's findings, relevant recommendations were proposed.
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Padres , Calidad de Vida , Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Padres/psicología , Adulto , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Persona de Mediana Edad , China , Hijo Único/psicología , Estado de Salud , Apoyo Social , Pueblo Asiatico/psicología , Pueblos del Este de AsiaRESUMEN
The study aimed to understand the main skills of older adult caregivers and find ways to improve these skills. We selected participants using a method called random cluster sampling, where caregivers from 17 different medical and nursing care facilities across seven districts in Hangzhou were chosen. We collected 492 valid questionnaires and conducted interviews with 150 people. To analyze the data, we used T-tests and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to identify what factors affect caregivers' skills. We also performed multiple regression analysis to explore these factors in more depth. The analysis showed that age (p = 0.041), annual income (p < 0.001), and having a training certificate (p < 0.001) significantly influence the skills of older adult caregivers. Specifically, caregivers' age and whether they had a training certificate were linked to how competent they were, with income being a very strong factor. The study highlighted a gap between the caregivers' current skills and the skills needed for high-quality care. This gap shows the need for training programs that are specifically tailored to the caregivers' diverse needs and cultural backgrounds. Medical and eldercare facilities should adjust their work and educational programs accordingly. It's also important to look at how caregivers are paid to make sure their salary reflects their skills and the quality of care they provide. Finally, it's crucial to integrate a comprehensive training program that leads to certification within eldercare organizations.
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Cuidadores , Humanos , Cuidadores/educación , Masculino , Femenino , Anciano , Persona de Mediana Edad , China , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Adulto , Anciano de 80 o más AñosRESUMEN
Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal nitrides and carbides (MXenes), represented by Ti3C2Tx, have broad applications in flexible electronics, electromechanical devices, and structural membranes due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Despite the Young's modulus of 2D Ti3C2Tx has been theoretically predicted to be 0.502 TPa, which has not been experimentally confirmed so far due to the measurement is extremely restricted. Here, by optimizing the sample preparation, cutting, and transfer protocols, we perform the direct in-situ tensile tests on monolayer Ti3C2Tx nanosheets using nanomechanical push-to-pull equipment under a scanning electron microscope. The effective Young's modulus is 0.484 ± 0.013 TPa, which is much closer to the theoretical value of 0.502 TPa than the previously reported 0.33 TPa by the disputed nanoindentation method, and the measured elastic stiffness is ~948 N/m. Moreover, during the process of tensile loading, the monolayer Ti3C2Tx shows an average elastic strain of ~3.2% and a tensile strength as large as ~15.4 GPa. This work corrects the previous reports by nanoindentation method and demonstrates that the Ti3C2Tx indeed keeps immense potential for broad range of applications.
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The studies of number sense in different species are severely hampered by the inevitable entanglement of non-numerical attributes inherent in nonsymbolic stimuli representing numerosity, resulting in contrasting theories of numerosity processing. Here, we developed an algorithm and associated analytical methods to generate stimuli that not only minimized the impact of non-numerical magnitudes in numerosity perception but also allowed their quantification. We trained number-naïve rats with these stimuli as sound pulses representing two or three numbers and demonstrated that their numerical discrimination ability mainly relied on numerosity. Also, studying the learning process revealed that rats used numerosity before using magnitudes for choices. This numerical processing could be impaired specifically by silencing the posterior parietal cortex. Furthermore, modeling this capacity by neural networks shed light on the separation of numerosity and magnitudes extraction. Our study helps dissect the relationship between magnitude and numerosity processing, and the above different findings together affirm the independent existence of innate number and magnitudes sense in rats.
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Cognición , Conceptos Matemáticos , Animales , Ratas , Redes Neurales de la Computación , Aprendizaje , AlgoritmosRESUMEN
Developing in situ/operando spectroscopic techniques with high sensitivity and reproducibility is of great importance for mechanistic investigations of surface-mediated electrochemical reactions. Herein, we report the fabrication of highly ordered rhombic gold nanocube superlattices (GNSs) as substrates for surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) with significantly enhanced SEIRA effect, which can be controlled by manipulating the randomness of GNSs. Finite difference time domain simulations reveal that the electromagnetic effect accounts for the significantly improved spectroscopic vibrations on the GNSs. In situ SEIRAS results show that the vibrations of CO on the Cu2O surfaces have been enhanced by 2.4 ± 0.5 and 18.0 ± 1.3 times using GNSs as substrates compared to those on traditional chemically deposited gold films in acidic and neutral electrolytes, respectively. Combined with isotopic labeling experiments, the reaction mechanisms for C-C coupling of CO electroreduction on Cu-based catalysts are revealed using the GNSs substrates.
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The wastewater surveillance network successfully established for COVID-19 showed great potential to monitor other infectious viruses, such as norovirus, rotavirus and mpox virus. In this study, we established and validated detection methods for these viruses in wastewater. We developed a supernatant-based method to detect RNA viruses from wastewater samples and applied it to the monthly diarrhea viruses (norovirus genogroup I & II, and rotavirus) surveillance in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) at a city-wide level for 16 months. Significant correlations were observed between the diarrhea viruses concentrations in wastewater and detection rates in faecal specimens by clinical surveillance. The highest norovirus concentration in wastewater was obtained in winter, consistent with the seasonal pattern of norovirus outbreak in Hong Kong. Additionally, we established a pellet-based method to monitor DNA viruses in wastewater and detected weak signals for mpox virus in wastewater from a WWTP serving approximately 16,700 people, when the first mpox patient in Hong Kong was admitted to the hospital within the catchment area. Genomic sequencing provided confirmatory evidence for the validity of the results. Our findings emphasized the efficacy of the wastewater surveillance network in WWTPs as a cost-effective tool to track the transmission trend of diarrhea viruses and to provide sensitive detection of novel emerging viruses such as mpox virus in low-prevalence areas. The developed methods and surveillance results provide confidence for establishing robust wastewater surveillance programs to control infectious diseases in the post-pandemic era.
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Developing highly active and durable non-precious metal-based electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is crucial in achieving efficient energy conversion. Herein, we reported a CoNiAl0.5O/NF nanofilament that exhibits higher OER activity than previously reported IrO2-based catalysts in alkaline solution. The as-synthesized CoNiAl0.5O/NF catalyst demonstrates a low overpotential of 230 mV at a current density of 100 mA cm-2, indicating its high catalytic efficiency. Furthermore, the catalyst exhibits a Tafel slope of 26 mV dec-1, suggesting favorable reaction kinetics. The CoNiAl0.5O/NF catalyst exhibits impressive stability, ensuring its potential for practical applications. Detailed characterizations reveal that the enhanced activity of CoNiAl0.5O/NF can be attributed to the electronic modulation achieved through Al3+ incorporation, which promotes the emergence of higher-valence Ni metal, facilitating nanofilament formation and improving mass transport and charge transfer processes. The synergistic effect between nanofilaments and porous nickel foam (NF) substrate significantly enhances the electrical conductivity of this catalyst material. This study highlights the significance of electronic structures for improving the activity of cost-effective and non-precious metal-based electrocatalysts for the OER.