Constructing nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots embedded in CNT supported layered (Ni0.5Co0.5)3V2O8 self-supporting film for high-performance supercapacitor.

To improve the electrochemical performance of positive electrode materials, constructing graded nanostructures is a worthwhile approach. This study successfully synthesized nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQD) modified (Ni0.5Co0.5)3V2O8 on a carbon nanotube (CNT) substrate to construct self-supporting electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors. The (Ni0.5Co0.5)3V2O8 nanosheets were successfully wrapped onto the CNT surface through a solution impregnation process, which increased the specific surface area and interlayer spacing of the material. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of the electrode material underwent significant enhancement due to the synergistic interplay between metal ions and the numerous redox centers. The embedding of the NGQD enriched the materials with active sites and further improved its specific capacity without compromising the structure intergrity of the layer configuration. Using CNT as the substrate ensured the self-supporting nature of the electrode. Consequently, the (Ni0.5Co0.5)3V2O8/NGQD@CNT composite exhibits an ultra-high specific capacitance of 3018.2 F g-1 at 1 A g-1 and 2332 F g-1 at 10 A g-1. The asymmetric supercapacitor constructed with (Ni0.5Co0.5)3V2O8/NGQD@CNT and activated carbon (AC) presented an impressive energy density of 160.2 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 800 W kg-1. After 8000 charge-discharge cycles, the capacity retention rate was 78.5 %, with a Coulo mbic efficiency consistently above 98 %.

Multiplicative rGO/Cu-BDC MOF for 4-nitrophenol reduction and supercapacitor applications.

Two-dimensional nanosheets, with their distinct characteristics, are widely used in various applications such as water splitting, supercapacitors, catalysis etc. In this research, we produced Cu-BDC MOF nanosheets by using Cu2O nanotubes for metal ions and H2BDC as the organic linker. We combined these Cu-BDC MOF nanosheets with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to form a nanocomposite. The collaboration between Cu-BDC MOF and rGO boosts both the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol and the electrochemical capabilities. The conversion of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol is achieved using sodium borohydride as both a reducing agent and a catalyst. The study explores the impact of different concentrations of 4-nitrophenol and sodium borohydride on catalytic efficiency. The increase in sodium borohydride concentration enhances catalytic efficiency by providing more BH4- ions and electrons for the reduction process. The catalytic reduction process adheres to the Langmuir-Hinshelwood mechanism with apparent pseudo-first-order kinetics. Specifically, Cu-BDC MOF and rGO/Cu-BDC MOF exhibit specific capacities of 468.4 mA h/g and 656.4 mA h/g at a current density of 2 A/g, respectively, while also enhancing the operating voltage window. Therefore, electrodes based on rGO/Cu-BDC MOF nanosheets present a novel approach for environmental remediation and energy storage applications across various fields.

Wetting of soap bubbles on topographic surfaces.

HYPOTHESIS: There is a relationship between the static contact angle of droplets and soap bubbles on flat homogeneous surfaces, therefore, it should be possible to derive a relationship between the static contact angle of a soap bubble on a periodic topographic surface and a droplet on a flat homogeneous surface. EXPERIMENTS: A free energy model of the static contact angle of soap bubbles on a topographic surface in the Cassie-Baxter state was derived. Polydimethylsiloxane surfaces of varying area fraction (0.125, 0.250, 0.500, 0.750, and 1.00) and periodic topographies (lined and pillared) were fabricated using 3D printed moulds for pattern transfer. A bubble goniometer was developed to accommodate bubbles of 40,000 ± 5,000 mm3 and 50,000 ± 5,000 mm3 volumes. Then, the static contact angle of bubbles of both volumes were measured on the varying topographic surfaces. FINDINGS: The derived predictions imply that the relationship between the static contact angle for bubbles on a flat homogeneous surface and on a composite surface, has the same form as the Cassie-Baxter equation for a droplet. The experimental results for the measured static contact angle for both bubble volumes on the varying surfaces had good agreement with the predicted trends.

NMR-Based Analysis of Cellular Central Energy Metabolism and Exchange Rates.

Cell cultures are widely used in studies to gain mechanistic insights of metabolic processes. The foundation of these studies lies on the quantification of intracellular and extracellular metabolites, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is one of the key analytical platforms used to this aim. Among the factors influencing the quality of the produced data are the sampling procedures as well as the acquisition and processing of spectroscopic data. Here we provide our workflow for obtaining quantitative metabolic data from adherent mammalian cells using NMR spectroscopy. The described protocol is compatible with other analytical methods like LC- or GC-MS-based lipidomics and untargeted metabolomics from the same sample. We also show how the collected extracellular data can be used to extract exchange flux rates, particularly useful for flux analysis studies and metabolic engineering of human-induced pluripotent stem cells.

Interfacial study and modulation of high-voltage layered cathode based all-solid-state batteries.

Employing layered materials as the cathodes for solid-state batteries (SSBs) is vital in enhancing the batteries' energy density, whereas numerous issues are present regarding the compatibilities between cathode electrode and modified solid electrolyte (ME) in this battery configuration. By investigating the electrochemical performance and interfacial properties of SSBs using various cathodes, the fundamental reason for the poor compatibility between layered cathodes, especially LiCoO2 with ME is revealed. Because of the Li(solvent)+ intercalation environments formed in the ME, the resultant weak-interacted TFSI- could be adsorbed and destabilized by Co ions on the surface. Besides, the high energy level offsets between LiCoO2 and ME lead to Li-ion transferring from the bulk electrode to the electrolyte, resulting in a pre-formed interface on the cathode particles before the electric current is applied, affects the formation of effective cathode-electrolyte interface (CEI) film during electrochemical process and deteriorated overall battery performance. From this view, an interlayer is pre-added on the LiCoO2 surface through an electrostatic adsorption method, to adjust the energy level offsets between the cathode and ME, as well as isolate the direct contact of surface Co ions to TFSI-. The cycling properties of the SSB using modified LiCoO2 are greatly enhanced, and a capacity retention of 68.72 % after 100 cycles could be achieved, against 8.28 % previously, certifying the rationality of the understanding and the effectiveness of the proposed modification method. We believe this research could provide basic knowledge of the compatibility between layered cathodes and MEs, shedding light on designing more effective strategies for achieving SSBs with high energy density.

Reinforcing Cd-S bonds through morphology engineering for enhanced intrinsic photocatalytic stability of CdS.

Effectively mitigating photocorrosion is paramount for achieving high-efficiency and sustainable hydrogen production through photocatalytic water splitting over CdS. In this work, we develop a morphology engineering strategy with adjustable Cd-S bond energy through a simple chemical bath deposition method to synthesize novel hollow hemispherical CdS (H-CdS). The morphologic structure CdS can be precisely controlled by adjusting the reaction temperature, time and pH. Compared with common morphologies of CdS, H-CdS, with its reinforced Cd-S bonding, exhibits not only improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity (20.04 mmol/g/h) but also exceptional resistance to photocorrosion, resulting in outstanding cyclic stability even without the aid of cocatalysts or the introduction of other semiconductors. Comprehensive characterizations reveal that the photocorrosion resistance of H-CdS stems from the high Cd-S bond strength. Moreover, in-situ infrared spectroscopy confirms alterations in the properties and activities of the various CdS morphologies after photocatalytic reaction due to photocorrosion. We thoroughly describe the relationship among morphology, surface energy, bond energy and photocorrosion resistance. Our findings present a novel strategy for mitigating the photocorrosion of CdS and offer valuable insights for future research on CdS photocatalysts aimed at stable water splitting.

Boosting supercapacitive performance of pristine covalent organic frameworks via phenolic hydroxyl groups: A two-in-one strategy.

Two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are ideal electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage devices due to their unique structures and properties, and the accessibility and utilization efficiency of the redox-active sites within COFs are critical determinants of their pseudocapacitive performance. Via introducing meticulously designed phenolic hydroxyl (Ar-OH) groups with hydrogen-bond forming ability onto the imine COF skeletons, DHBD-Sb-COF exhibited improved hydrophilicity and crystallinity than the parent BD-Sb-COF, the redox-active sites (SbPh3 moieties) in COF electrodes could thus be highly accessed by aqueous electrolyte with a high active-site utilization of 93%. DHBD-Sb-COF//AC provided an excellent supercapacitive performance with an energy density of 78 Wh Kg-1 at the power density of 2553 W Kg-1 and super cycling stability, exceeding most of the previously reported pristine COF electrode-based supercapacitors. The "two-in-one" strategy of introducing hydroxyl groups onto imine COF skeletons to enhance both hydrophilicity and crystallinity provides a new avenue to improve the electrochemical performance of COF-based electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors.

Alcohol regulated phase change absorbent for efficient carbon dioxide capture: Mechanism and energy consumption.

Phase change absorbents based on amine chemical absorption for CO2 capture exhibit energy-saving potential, but generally suffer from difficulties in CO2 regeneration. Alcohol, characterized as a protic reagent with a low dielectric constant, can provide free protons to the rich phase of the absorbent, thereby facilitating CO2 regeneration. In this investigation, N-aminoethylpiperazine (AEP)/sulfolane/H2O was employed as the liquid-liquid phase change absorbent, with alcohol serving as the regulator. First, appropriate ion pair models were constructed to simulate the solvent effect of the CO2 products in different alcohol solutions. The results demonstrated that these ion pair products reached the maximum solvation-free energy (ΔEsolvation) in the rich phase containing ethanol (EtOH). Desorption experiment results validated that the inclusion of EtOH led to a maximum regeneration rate of 0.00763 mol/min, thus confirming EtOH's suitability as the preferred regulator. Quantum chemical calculations and 13C NMR characterization were performed, revealing that the addition of EtOH resulted in the partial conversion of AEP-carbamate (AEPCOO-) into a new product known as ethyl carbonate (C2H5OCOO-), which enhanced the regeneration reactivity. In addition, the decomposition paths of different CO2 products were simulated visually, and every reaction's activation energy (ΔEact) was calculated. Remarkably, the ΔEact for the decomposition of C2H5OCOO- (9.465 kJ/mol) was lower than that of the AEPCOO- (26.163 kJ/mol), implying that CO2 was more likely to be released. Finally, the regeneration energy consumption of the alcohol-regulated absorbent was estimated to be only 1.92 GJ/ton CO2, which had excellent energy-saving potential.

Riboswitch Design Using MODENA.

In silico design of artificial riboswitches is a challenging and intriguing task. Since experimental approaches such as in vitro selection are time-consuming processes, computational tools that guide riboswitch design are desirable to accelerate the design process. In this chapter, we describe the usage of the MODENA web server to design ON riboswitches on the basis of a multi-objective genetic algorithm and RNA secondary structure prediction.

Optimizing sustainable development in arid river basins: A multi-objective approach to balancing water, energy, economy, carbon and ecology nexus.

The ongoing water crisis poses significant threats to the socioeconomic sustainability and ecological security of arid and semi-arid river basins. Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within a complex socio-ecological nexus requires effective and balanced resource management. However, due to the intricate interactions between human societies and environmental systems, the tradeoffs and synergies of different SDGs remain unclear, posing a substantial challenge for collaborative management of natural resources. Here we introduce a gray fractional multi-objective optimization (GFMOP) model to balance multi-dimensional SDGs through a novel water-energy-economy-carbon-ecology nexus perspective. The model was applied to a typical arid river basin in Northwest China, where thirty-two scenarios were explored, considering factors such as shared socioeconomic pathways, carbon removal rates, water conveyance efficiencies, and ecological requirements. The results reveal a strong tradeoff between marginal benefit and carbon emission intensity, indicating that improving the economic efficiency of water use can simultaneously reduce emissions and protect the environment. Given the immense power generation potential, wind power development should be prioritized in the future, with its share in the energy structure projected to increase to 23.3% by 2060. Furthermore, promoting carbon capture technologies and expanding grassland coverage are recommended to achieve regional carbon neutrality, contributing 39.5% and 49.1% to carbon absorption during 2021-2060, respectively. Compared with traditional single-objective models, GFMOP demonstrates a superiority in uncovering interrelationships among multiple SDGs and identifying compromised alternatives within the compound socio-ecological nexus. The model also provides detailed strategies for resource allocation and pollutant control, offering valuable guidance to policymakers and stakeholders in pursuing sustainable and harmonious watershed management.

Spatial differentiation of carbon emissions from energy consumption based on machine learning algorithm: A case study during 2015-2020 in Shaanxi, China.

Carbon emissions resulting from energy consumption have become a pressing issue for governments worldwide. Accurate estimation of carbon emissions using satellite remote sensing data has become a crucial research problem. Previous studies relied on statistical regression models that failed to capture the complex nonlinear relationships between carbon emissions and characteristic variables. In this study, we propose a machine learning algorithm for carbon emissions, a Bayesian optimized XGboost regression model, using multi-year energy carbon emission data and nighttime lights (NTL) remote sensing data from Shaanxi Province, China. Our results demonstrate that the XGboost algorithm outperforms linear regression and four other machine learning models, with an R2 of 0.906 and RMSE of 5.687. We observe an annual increase in carbon emissions, with high-emission counties primarily concentrated in northern and central Shaanxi Province, displaying a shift from discrete, sporadic points to contiguous, extended spatial distribution. Spatial autocorrelation clustering reveals predominantly high-high and low-low clustering patterns, with economically developed counties showing high-emission clustering and economically relatively backward counties displaying low-emission clustering. Our findings show that the use of NTL data and the XGboost algorithm can estimate and predict carbon emissions more accurately and provide a complementary reference for satellite remote sensing image data to serve carbon emission monitoring and assessment. This research provides an important theoretical basis for formulating practical carbon emission reduction policies and contributes to the development of techniques for accurate carbon emission estimation using remote sensing data.

Intramolecular energy transfer and its influence on the overall quantum yields of Eu3+ and Tb3+ chelates with dimethyl(phenylsulfonyl)amidophosphate ligands.

Lanthanide chelates with dimethyl(phenylsulfonyl)amidophosphate (labeled as HSP) and Lewis base ligands (bpy = 2,2;-bipyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) of formula Na[Ln(SP)4] (1Ln), [Ln(SP)3bpy] (2Ln); [Ln(SP)3phen] (3Ln) (Ln = Eu3+, Gd3+, Tb3+ and Lu3+) were obtained and characterized by the X-ray, photoluminescence spectroscopy at 293 and 77 K as well as by intrinsic (QLnLn) and overall (QLnL) luminescence quantum yields. These phosphors manifest a very strong emission after excitation in the UV range of the molecular singlet states (S1) and two of them have very high QLnL values (Eu3+ and Tb3+ chelates of the type 2Ln and 3Ln). The dynamics of the excited states are discussed based on the intramolecular energy transfer theory, considering the dipole-dipole, the dipole-multipole and the exchange mechanisms. From the calculated energy transfer rates, a rate equation model was constructed and, thus, the theoretical QLnL can be obtained. A good correlation between the experimentally determined and theoretically calculated QLnL values was achieved, with the triplet state (T1) playing a predominant role in the energy transfer process for Eu3+ compounds, while the sensitization for Tb3+ compounds is dominated by the energy transfer rates from the singlet state (S1).

Unveiling the photocatalytic marvels: Recent advances in solar heterojunctions for environmental remediation and energy harvesting.

In the quest for effective solutions to address Environ. Pollut. and meet the escalating energy demands, heterojunction photocatalysts have emerged as a captivating and versatile technology. These photocatalysts have garnered significant interest due to their wide-ranging applications, including wastewater treatment, air purification, CO2 capture, and hydrogen generation via water splitting. This technique harnesses the power of semiconductors, which are activated under light illumination, providing the necessary energy for catalytic reactions. With visible light constituting a substantial portion (46%) of the solar spectrum, the development of visible-light-driven semiconductors has become imperative. Heterojunction photocatalysts offer a promising strategy to overcome the limitations associated with activating semiconductors under visible light. In this comprehensive review, we present the recent advancements in the field of photocatalytic degradation of contaminants across diverse media, as well as the remarkable progress made in renewable energy production. Moreover, we delve into the crucial role played by various operating parameters in influencing the photocatalytic performance of heterojunction systems. Finally, we address emerging challenges and propose novel perspectives to provide valuable insights for future advancements in this dynamic research domain. By unraveling the potential of heterojunction photocatalysts, this review contributes to the broader understanding of their applications and paves the way for exciting avenues of exploration and innovation.

Tumor microenvironment-modulated nanoparticles with cascade energy transfer as internal light sources for photodynamic therapy of deep-seated tumors.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an appealing modality for cancer treatments. However, the limited tissue penetration depth of external-excitation light makes PDT impossible in treating deep-seated tumors. Meanwhile, tumor hypoxia and intracellular reductive microenvironment restrain the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). To overcome these limitations, a tumor-targeted self-illuminating supramolecular nanoparticle T-NPCe6-L-N is proposed by integrating photosensitizer Ce6 with luminol and nitric oxide (NO) for chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer (CRET)-activated PDT. The high H2O2 level in tumor can trigger chemiluminescence of luminol to realize CRET-activated PDT without exposure of external light. Meanwhile, the released NO significantly relieves tumor hypoxia via vascular normalization and reduces intracellular reductive GSH level, further enhancing ROS abundance. Importantly, due to the different ROS levels between cancer cells and normal cells, T-NPCe6-L-N can selectively trigger PDT in cancer cells while sparing normal cells, which ensured low side effect. The combination of CRET-based photosensitizer-activation and tumor microenvironment modulation overcomes the innate challenges of conventional PDT, demonstrating efficient inhibition of orthotopic and metastatic tumors on mice. It also provoked potent immunogenic cell death to ensure long-term suppression effects. The proof-of-concept research proved as a new strategy to solve the dilemma of PDT in treatment of deep-seated tumors.

Carbonyl stretching band in amides as Lorentz oscillator. Insights into anharmonicity and local environment in the liquid phase from NIR and MIR spectra of N-methylformamide and di-N,N-methylformamide.

We investigated the anharmonicity and intermolecular interactions of N-methylformamide (NMF) and di-N,N-methylformamide (DMF) in the neat liquid phase with particular interest in the amide bands. The vibrational spectra, complex refractive index, and complex electric permittivity were determined in in the mid- (MIR) and near-infrared (NIR) regions (11,500-560 cm-1; 870-17857 nm). Dispersion analysis was based on the Classical Damped Harmonic Oscillator (CDHO) and simultaneous modelling of the real and imaginary components of the spectra. This data delivered insights into the vibrational energy dissipation and self-association in liquid amides. Identification of the MIR and NIR bands was based on anharmonic GVPT2//B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations. DMF and NMF follow distinct self-association, evidenced in the MIR fingerprint by the two components of the νCO, the analog of the Amide I band. These conclusions are supported by the structural information derived from the NIR spectra. Furthermore, the contribution of overtones and combination bands in the MIR spectra of amides was examined. The conclusions on molecular interactions and structural dynamics of NMF and DMF contribute to a deeper understanding of the effects of changes in the local environment of the amide group.

Mecánica y energética durante la marcha en cinta caminadora en adultos uruguayos saludables: efecto del IMC y la edad / Mechanics and energy during treadmill walking in healthy uruguayan adults: effect of BMI and age / Mecânica e energia durante a caminhada em esteira em adultos uruguaios saudáveis: efeito do IMC e Idade

La evaluación de la marcha en cinta caminadora puede resultar relevante para la toma de decisiones clínicas. No obstante, factores demográficos como la edad y el IMC pueden alterar la interpretación de los resultados. Nuestro objetivo fue obtener variables espacio- temporales, energéticas y costo de transporte durante la velocidad autoseleccionada en cinta caminadora para una muestra representativa de adultos uruguayos (n=28) y evaluar si diferentes rangos de edades e IMC pueden ser factores a tener en cuenta en pruebas clínicas donde se consideren dichas variables. Participaron 17 hombres y 11 mujeres (39,3 ± 14,8 años, 75,9 ± 12,5 kg, 1,74 ± 0,09 m, IMC 25,2 ± 4,06). Se realizó una reconstrucción 3D del movimiento en forma sincronizada con el consumo energético. Se obtuvieron valores de referencia y luego de agrupar los participantes según su IMC y rango de edad se compararon los datos mediante test de t (p≤0.05). Los resultados revelaron discrepancias significativas en las medidas espacio-temporales y energéticas de los adultos uruguayos al caminar en cinta con respecto a la literatura. La marcha difiere entre adultos jóvenes y de mediana edad en su velocidad autoseleccionada (p=0,03), longitud de zancada (p=0,01), trabajo mecánico externo (<0,001) y recuperación de energía mecánica (0,009), destacando la importancia de considerar la edad en evaluaciones clínicas. El IMC no influyó significativamente en estas variables. Estos hallazgos subrayan la necesidad de ajustar las interpretaciones de las pruebas clínicas de la marcha sobre cinta caminadora en adultos uruguayos de mediana edad (45 a 65 años).

Treadmill gait assessment can be relevant for clinical decision-making. However, demographic factors such as age and BMI may alter result interpretation. Our aim was to obtain spatiotemporal, energetic, and cost of transport variables during self-selected treadmill walking speed for a representative sample of Uruguayan adults (n=28) and to assess if different age ranges and BMI could be factors to consider in clinical tests involving these variables. Seventeen men and eleven women participated (39.3 ± 14.8 years, 75.9 ± 12.5 kg, 1.74 ± 0.09 m, BMI 25.2 ± 4.06). A synchronized 3D motion reconstruction was performed with energy consumption. Reference values were obtained and data were compared using t-tests (p≤0.05), after grouping participants by BMI and age range. Results revealed significant discrepancies in spatiotemporal and energetic measures of Uruguayan adults walking on the treadmill, compared to the literature. Gait differed between young and middle-aged adults in their self-selected speed (p=0.03), stride length (p=0.01), external mechanical work (p<0.001), and mechanical energy recovery (0.009), emphasizing the importance of considering age in clinical evaluations. BMI did not significantly influence these variables. These findings underscore the need to adjust interpretations of treadmill gait clinical tests in middle-aged Uruguayan adults (45 to 65 years).

A avaliação da marcha na esteira pode ser relevante para a tomada de decisões clínicas. No entanto, fatores demográficos como idade e IMC podem alterar a interpretação dos resultados. Nosso objetivo foi obter variáveis espaço-temporais, energéticas e custo de transporte durante a velocidade de caminhada autoselecionada na esteira para uma amostra representativa de adultos uruguaios (n = 28) e avaliar se diferentes faixas etárias e IMC podem ser fatores a serem considerados em testes clínicos que envolvam essas variáveis. Dezessete homens e onze mulheres participaram (39,3 ± 14,8 anos, 75,9 ± 12,5 kg, 1,74 ± 0,09 m, IMC 25,2 ± 4,06). Foi realizada uma reconstrução tridimensional do movimento sincronizada com o consumo de energia. Foram obtidos valores de referência e os dados foram comparados usando testes t (p≤0,05), após agrupar os participantes por IMC e faixa etária. Os resultados revelaram discrepâncias significativas nas medidas espaço-temporais e energéticas dos adultos uruguaios ao caminhar na esteira, em comparação com a literatura. A marcha diferiu entre adultos jovens e de meia-idade em sua velocidade autoselecionada (p=0,03), comprimento da passada (p=0,01), trabalho mecânico externo (<0,001) e recuperação de energia mecânica (0,009), destacando a importância de considerar a idade em avaliações clínicas. O IMC não influenciou significativamente essas variáveis. Esses achados destacam a necessidade de ajustar as interpretações dos testes clínicos de marcha na esteira em adultos uruguaios de meia- idade (45 a 65 anos).

Sex-dependent effects of short-term ethanol, energy drinks and acute noise exposure on hippocampal oxidative balance and glutamate transporter EAAT-1 during rat adolescence.

It is known that human adolescents often consume ethanol (EtOH) alone or mixed with energy drinks (ED), especially in noisy environments. Although these agents impact the developing brain, their effects after brief exposure or when presented together remain unclear. Given that few animal studies in this subject are available, this research aimed to study the effects of a brief exposure to these stimuli on the oxidative state and EAAT-1 glutamate transporter levels in the developing rat hippocampus (HC). Adolescent Wistar rats were subjected to a two-bottle choice, limited access to drinking in the dark paradigm, for EtOH and EtOH+ED intake, for 4 days, and subsequent acute noise exposure. Next, hippocampal catalase activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutaredoxin-1 (Grx-1) and glutamate transporter EAAT-1 levels were assessed. Results showed sex-dependent alterations after exposure to these stimuli: Females consuming EtOH had higher hippocampal ROS levels, which decreased when combined with noise; males showed reduced ROS levels only after noise exposure. No significant changes occurred in catalase activity, Grx-1, or EAAT-1 levels with EtOH and noise exposure in neither sex. Additionally, ED raised EtOH consumption in both sexes, normalizing ROS levels only in females when combined with EtOH. Finally, ED consumption altered Grx-1 and EAAT-1 levels in both sexes. In summary, brief exposure to these stimuli induced sex-dependent alterations, suggesting differentiated coping strategies between sexes. Whereas ED consumption may have antioxidant effects in some cases, it could also increase excitotoxicity risk. These novel findings raise questions for future research on the underlying corresponding mechanisms.

"There's just a lot of numbers and I just want to have a drink": The challenge of communicating the energy content of alcohol products.

Various governments are considering the implementation of energy labelling on alcohol products as one element of obesity prevention policies. However, little is known about the most effective ways to communicate energy information to consumers. The aim of the present study was to explore consumers' reactions to different energy information provision formats to assist the development of effective energy labels. Nine focus groups (n=83 participants) were conducted with Australian adults who reported drinking alcohol at least twice per month. Participants were exposed to an energy-only information label and labels displaying full nutrition information panels. A thematic analysis approach was used to identify key issues. While few participants were overtly enthusiastic about the mandatory display of energy values on alcohol products, there was general support for the provision of this information to assist those drinkers who could benefit from it. Substantial confusion was apparent as participants attempted to distil meaning from the provided information, particularly where it was expressed in terms of serving sizes and standard drinks. Full nutrition panels were especially problematic in terms of creating a health halo due to the nil or low values for multiple nutrients listed. This was especially notable for information relating to sugar content. Overall, there appears to be inadequate public understanding of the concept of dietary energy in alcoholic beverages and the various terms used to quantify its presence, which is likely to limit the utility of mandatory energy information provision requirements unless they are accompanied by effective community education.

Investigation of the interactions and influencing factors of the Water-Land-Energy-Carbon system in the Yellow River Basin.

The survival and advancement of human society are fundamentally dependent on the availability and sustainable management of water, land, and energy resources. The development and utilisation of various energy sources and a considerable number of natural resources lead to carbon emissions. A complex interplay exists between water, land, energy, and carbon, and their correlation lies at the core of the regional "natural-social-economic" system, which is crucial for human existence and advancement. Despite its importance, research on the water-land-energy­carbon (WLEC) nexus is limited. In this study, we employed an innovative combination of the comprehensive assessment index, coupled coordination degree, panel vector autoregressive, and random forest models to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution, internal dynamic interactions, and external influencing factors of the WLEC system in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) from 2007 to 2021. The findings revealed that the degree of coupled coordination in the WLEC system of the YRB exhibited an overall steady upward trend. The spatial agglomeration effect was continuously enhanced, and regional disparities increased. Complex interaction mechanisms exist within the water, land, energy, and carbon subsystems in the YRB. Population size, land relief, and sunshine are the prevailing factors influencing the degree of coupling coordination in the WLEC. Addressing the trade-off relationship among the subsystems of the WLEC system is a key aspect of optimising its correlation relationship. This study provides a scientific basis and relevant suggestions for achieving the Double-Carbon Goal, promoting ecological protection and high-quality development in the YRB.

Systemic messenger RNA replacement therapy is effective in a novel clinically relevant model of acute intermittent porphyria developed in non-human primates.

OBJECTIVE: Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare metabolic disorder caused by haploinsufficiency of hepatic porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD), the third enzyme of the heme biosynthesis. Individuals with AIP experience neurovisceral attacks closely associated with hepatic overproduction of potentially neurotoxic heme precursors. DESIGN: We replicated AIP in non-human primates (NHPs) through selective knockdown of the hepatic PBGD gene and evaluated the safety and therapeutic efficacy of human PBGD (hPBGD) mRNA rescue. RESULTS: Intrahepatic administration of a recombinant adeno-associated viral vector containing short hairpin RNA against endogenous PBGD mRNA resulted in sustained PBGD activity inhibition in liver tissue for up to 7 months postinjection. The administration of porphyrinogenic drugs to NHPs induced hepatic heme synthesis, elevated urinary porphyrin precursors and reproduced acute attack symptoms in patients with AIP, including pain, motor disturbances and increased brain GABAergic activity. The model also recapitulated functional anomalies associated with AIP, such as reduced brain perfusion and cerebral glucose uptake, disturbances in hepatic TCA cycle, one-carbon metabolism, drug biotransformation, lipidomic profile and abnormal mitochondrial respiratory chain activity. Additionally, repeated systemic administrations of hPBGD mRNA in this AIP NHP model restored hepatic PBGD levels and activity, providing successful protection against acute attacks, metabolic changes in the liver and CNS disturbances. This approach demonstrated better efficacy than the current standards of care for AIP. CONCLUSION: This novel model significantly expands our understanding of AIP at the molecular, biochemical and clinical levels and confirms the safety and translatability of multiple systemic administration of hPBGD mRNA as a potential aetiological AIP treatment.