Efficient photocatalytic H2O2 production and photodegradation of RhB over K-doped g-C3N4/ZnO S-scheme heterojunction.

Designing efficient dual-functional catalysts for photocatalytic oxygen reduction to produce hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and photodegradation of dye pollutants is challenging. In this work, we designed and fabricated an S-scheme heterojunction (g-C3N4/ZnO composite photocatalyst) via one-pot calcination of a mixture of ZIF-8 and melamine in the KCl/LiCl molten salt medium. The KCN/ZnO composite produced 4.72 mM of H2O2 within 90 min under illumination (with AM 1.5 filter), which is almost 1.3 and 7.8 times than that produced over KCN and ZnO, respectively. Simultaneously, the KCN/ZnO also showed excellent photodegradation performance for the dye pollutants (Rhodamine B, RhB), with a removal rate of 92 % within 2 h. The apparent degradation rate constant of RhB over KCN/ZnO was approximately 5-8 times that of KCN and ZnO. In the photocatalytic process, photo-generated holes and superoxide radicals are the main active species. Oxygen (O2) was mainly reduced to produce H2O2 via a two-electron (2e-) pathway with superoxide radicals as intermediates and the 2e- oxygen reduction reaction selectivity of KCN/ZnO was close to 69.82 %. Photo-generated holes are mainly responsible for the degradation of RhB. Compared with pure KCN and ZnO, the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the KCN/ZnO composite is mainly attributed to the following aspects: 1) larger specific surface area and pore volume is beneficial to expose more active sites; 2) stronger light harvesting ability and red-shifted absorption edge bestow the compound a stronger light utilization efficiency; 3) the construction of S-scheme heterostructure between KCN and ZnO improve the photogenerated electron-hole pairs separation ability and bestow photogenerated carriers a higher redox potential.

EFL teachers' burnout in technology enhanced instructions setting: The role of personality traits and psychological capital.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great alteration in teaching methodologies by adding technology to the syllabi. Indeed, the integration of technology has presented significant opportunities for language teachers to adjust to the current situation. However, it gives rise to challenges and stressors that cause burnout. Beyond work-associated issues, burnout is believed to be influenced by various factors, and with the advent of the Positive Psychology (PP) approach, there has been a shift in understanding that negative emotional states experienced by individuals can be redirected toward a positive trajectory. This shift has spurred an increasing interest in investigating the value of teachers' Psychological Capital (PsyCap) in dealing with burnout. Furthermore, the study recognizes the significance of other personal factors, including individual differences and the personality of teachers. Therefore, the present study makes efforts to unravel the intricate relationships among personality traits, PsyCap, and burnout experienced by Chinese EFL teachers in the context of Technology-enhanced instructions (TEIs). To achieve this, a total of 550 Chinese EFL teachers currently engaged in TEI settings were selected, and they responded to three relevant questionnaires. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the study found that teachers' burnout was negatively associated with PsyCap and certain personality traits, specifically openness, extroversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness. Conversely, an increase in neuroticism was found to be positively associated with higher levels of teachers' burnout. These results highlight the importance of enhancing PsyCap and fostering positive personality traits to mitigate burnout among EFL teachers in technology-enhanced instructional settings.

High-Gain Dual-Polarization Microstrip Antenna Based on Transmission Focusing Metasurface.

In this paper, a single-feed microstrip antenna (MA) equipped with a transmission-mode focusing metasurface (MS) is proposed to achieve dual-polarization capabilities and superior high-gain radiation performance. The original-feed MA comprises two distinct layers of coaxial-fed tangential patches, enabling it to emit a circular polarization (CP) wave with a gain of 3.5 dBic at 5.6 GHz and linear polarization (LP) radiation with a gain of 4 dBi at 13.7 GHz. To improve the performance of the single-feed MA, a dual-polarization transmission focusing MS is proposed and numerically substantiated. By positioning the originally designed MA at the focal point of the MS, we create a transmission-mode MS antenna system capable of achieving CP and LP radiations with the significantly higher gains of 12.9 dBic and 14.8 dBi at 5.6 GHz and 13.7 GHz, respectively. Measurements conducted on the fabricated dual-polarization focusing MS antenna closely align with the simulation results, validating the effectiveness of our approach. This work underscores the significant potential of dual-polarization high-speed data systems and offers a practical solution for enhancing antenna gains in contemporary wireless communication systems.

Loss of clear cell characteristics in aggressive clear cell odontogenic carcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma (CCOC) is an odontogenic carcinoma characterized by sheets and islands of vacuolated and clear cells. The diagnosis of atypical CCOC can pose a challenge when tumor cells deviate from their characteristic clear morphology, even with the aid of genetic profiling for CCOC identification. CASE PRESENTATION: In this manuscript, we detailed the inaugural instance of a recurrently recurring clear cell odontogenic carcinoma (CCOC) with pronounced squamous differentiation in a 64-year-old male. The primary tumor in this individual initially displayed a biphasic clear cell phenotype. However, subsequent to the third recurrence, the clear tumor cells were entirely supplanted by epidermoid cells characterized by eosinophilic cytoplasm, vesicular chromatin, and prominent nucleoli. Notable aggressive attributes such as necrosis, conspicuous cytological malignancy, perineural dissemination, and vascular invasion were noted. Additionally, the tumor progressed to manifest lung metastases. The tumor cells exhibited positive immunoreactivity for AE1/AE3, KRT19, Pan-CK, EMA, P40, P63, CK34ßE12, and P53, while they tested negative for CK35ßH11, KRT7, S-100, and neuroendocrine markers. The Ki-67 proliferation index was calculated at an average of 15%. Furthermore, FISH analysis unveiled the presence of the EWSR1::ATF1 gene fusion. CONCLUSIONS: This case illustrated a rare and aggressive case of CCOC characterized by significant squamous differentiation upon recurrence of the tumor.

Intersecting planetary health: Exploring the impacts of environmental stressors on wildlife and human health.

This comprehensive review articulates critical insights into the nexus of environmental stressors and their health impacts across diverse species, underscoring significant findings that reveal profound effects on both wildlife and human health systems. Central to our examination is the role of pollutants, climate variables, and pathogens in contributing to complex disease dynamics and physiological disruptions, with particular emphasis on immune and endocrine functions. This research brings to light emerging evidence on the severe implications of environmental pressures on a variety of taxa, including predatory mammals, raptorial birds, seabirds, fish, and humans, which are pivotal as indicators of broader ecosystem health and stability. We delve into the nuanced interplay between environmental degradation and zoonotic diseases, highlighting novel intersections that pose significant risks to biodiversity and human populations. The review critically evaluates current methodologies and advances in understanding the morphological, histopathological, and biochemical responses of these organisms to environmental stressors. We discuss the implications of our findings for conservation strategies, advocating for a more integrated approach that incorporates the dynamics of zoonoses and pollution control. This synthesis not only contributes to the academic discourse but also aims to influence policy by aligning with the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. It underscores the urgent need for sustainable interactions between humans and their environments, which are critical for preserving biodiversity and ensuring global health security. By presenting a detailed analysis of the interdependencies between environmental stressors and biological health, this review highlights significant gaps in current research and provides a foundation for future studies aimed at mitigating these pressing issues. Our study is significant as it proposes integrative and actionable strategies to address the challenges at the intersection of environmental change and public health, marking a crucial step forward in planetary health science.

Enhanced remediation of PFAS-metal co-contaminated soil by ceramsite supported Fe3O4-MoS2 heterojunction as a high-performance piezocatalyst.

In this study, a novel piezoremediation system was developed to remediate an actual soil co-polluted by high contents of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, 5725 µg/kg soil) and heavy metals (6455 mg/kg soil). Two piezocatalysts, MoS2/ceramsite (MC) and Fe3O4-MoS2/ceramsite (FMC), were synthesized using a facile hydrothermal-coprecipitation method. These two materials were employed to treat the co-contaminated soil in soil slurry environment under sonication. FMC exhibited significantly higher piezoremediation performance than MC, wherein 91.6% of PFAS, 97.8% of Cr6+ ions and 81% of total metals (Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni) were removed from the soil after 50 min of the FMC piezoremediation process. FMC also exhibited the advantages of easy separation from the slurry phase and excellent reusability. In comparison with MC, the Fe3O4-MoS2 heterojunction in FMC can stabilize MoS2 particles on the surface of ceramsite granules, promote the separation of electron/hole pairs, accelerate charge transfer, therefore enhancing piezocatalytic performance. The electron spin resonance analysis and free radical quenching tests show that •OH was the dominant oxidative radical responsible for PFAS degradation. The count of bacteria and the bacterial community structure in the treated soil can be basically restored to the initial states after 30 days of incubation under nutrient stimulation. Overall, this study not only provides a deep insight on soil remediation process, but also offers an efficient and reliable technique for simultaneous decontamination of organic and metal pollutants in soil.

Meta-analysis of the accuracy for RASSF1A methylation in bronchial aspirates for the diagnosis of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic accuracy of RASSF1A (Ras association domain family 1 isoform) methylation using bronchial aspirates as an auxiliary method for diagnosing lung cancer through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Studies published prior to October 30, 2022, were retrieved from the Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Wan Fang databases using the keywords "lung cancer", "RASSF1A", "methylation", and "bronchial aspirates". A fixed or random effect model was used to calculate the combined sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios (LR), negative LR, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), along with the respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and the area under the curve (AUC) with Q index. The threshold effect was defined by using the Spearman correlation coefficient, and the Deeks funnel plot was generated to evaluate publication bias. RESULTS: Among the 12 trials that met the inclusion criteria, a total of 2388 participants were involved. The pooled results for the diagnosis of lung cancer were as follows, when compared to the pathological diagnosis: sensitivity of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.45-0.50), specificity of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.95-0.97), positive LR of 12.18 (95% CI: 8.96-16.55), negative LR of 0.56 (95% CI: 0.52-0.61), DOR of 24.05 (95% CI: 17.29-33.47), and AUC of 0.78 (Q index = 0.72), respectively. The sensitivity of the RASSF1A methylation assay was relatively low in a detailed subgroup analysis, fluctuating between 0.39 and 0.90, indicating a limitation in its diagnostic value for lung cancer. The RASSF1A methylation assay, on the other hand, demonstrated excellent specificity, suggesting a high exclusion value. Of note, the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, DOR, and AUC for small cell lung cancer were 0.90 (0.84-0.94), 0.95 (0.94-0.97), 249.5 (103.94-598.8), and 0.98, respectively, showing that RASSF1A methylation was a promising biomarker for diagnosing small cell lung cancer with both high diagnostic and exclusion value. Furthermore, RASSF1A methylation using bronchial washings and bronchial aspirates showed a high AUC of 0.998 and 0.93, respectively, indicating excellent diagnostic performance. CONCLUSIONS: The methylation of RASSF1A in bronchial aspirates demonstrated a high level of diagnostic accuracy and has the potential to be a valuable supplementary diagnostic method, especially for identifying small cell lung cancer.

Correlations of chemical weathering indicators with major chemical constituents in sediments to obtain palaeoclimate information from Chaohu Lake, China.

The main chemical compositions of 201 surface sediments and 53 deep sediment samples from Chaohu Lake, China, were analysed. Since the surface sediments (0-2 cm depth) in Chaohu Lake are modern sediments, this paper mainly focuses on the deep sediments (50-100 cm depth) in Chaohu Lake. Particle size analysis and magnetization determination of the CH3 and CH4 column sediment samples were carried out. The age determination data of the CH-1 column sediment samples are reported. A systematic study of the rocks and their chemical compositional characteristics in the Chaohu Lake Basin was also carried out. The results of this study show that four positive chemical weathering indicators and one negative chemical weathering indicator are applicable to the study of Chaohu Lake. The mean CIA of the Chaohu Lake sediments was less than 65, indicating that the Chaohu Lake Basin experienced weak chemical weathering and that the palaeoclimate was cold and dry. Vertical variations in the mean grain size and magnetization in the CH3 and CH4 columnar sediments reflect changes in the depositional environment and climate during deposition of the Chaohu Lake sediments. The age data from the CH-1 column sediment samples directly indicate deposition of the deep sediments in Chaohu Lake during the Little Ice Age in eastern China (AD 1380-1880). The Th/U, Sc/Th, Rb/Sr, Na2O/K2O, CaO/MgO and OC/N ratios of the Chaohu sediments reflect palaeoclimate characteristics and the chemical compositions of the source rocks in the Chaohu Lake basin. The correlations of the CIA, CIW, PIA, and CIX with the chemical compositional ratios provide information on the palaeoclimate and the distribution of the chemical compositions. The CIA, CIW, PIA, and CIX were not correlated with Cd, Pb, As, Hg, or P. In contrast, the CIA, CIW, PIA, and CIX were significantly positively correlated with Cr and N. The WIP was inconsistently correlated with the selected chemical components. Therefore, the study of the correlations of chemical weathering indicators with four heavy metals and two eutrophication-related elements is of little significance. The study of the chemical weathering characteristics of deep sediments of inland lakes should be combined with assessment of the geological characteristics of the lake basins, particularly the analysis of the chemical composition of the rocks in the lake basins.

Interactions between microbial communities and polymers in hydraulic fracturing water cycle: A review.

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) has substantially boosted global unconventional hydrocarbon production but has also introduced various environmental and operational challenges. Understanding the interactions between abundant and diverse microbial communities and chemicals, particularly polymers used for proppant delivery, thickening, and friction reduction, in HF water cycles is crucial for addressing these challenges. This review primarily examined the recent studies conducted in China, an emerging area for HF activities, and comparatively examined studies from other regions. In China, polyacrylamide (PAM) and its derivatives products became key components in hydraulic fracturing fluid (HFF) for unconventional hydrocarbon development. The microbial diversity of unconventional HF water cycles in China was higher compared to North America, with frequent detection of taxa such as Shewanella, Marinobacter, and Desulfobacter. While biodegradation, biocorrosion, and biofouling were common issues across regions, the mechanisms underlying these microbe-polymer interactions differed substantially. Notably, in HF sites in the Sichuan Basin, the use of biocides gradually decreased its efficiency to mitigate adverse microbial activities. High-throughput sequencing proved to be a robust tool that could identify key bioindicators and biodegradation pathways, and help select optimal polymers and biocides, leading to more efficient HFF systems. The primary aim of this study is to raise awareness about the interactions between microorganisms and polymers, providing fresh insights that can inform decisions related to enhanced chemical use and biological control measures at HF sites.

Development and validation of a predictive model for severe white matter hyperintensity with obesity.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to identify predictors of severe white matter hyperintensity (WMH) with obesity (SWO), and to build a prediction model for screening obese people with severe WMH without Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) examination. Patients subjects and methods: From September 2020 to October 2021, 650 patients with WMH were recruited consecutively. The subjects were divided into two groups, SWO group and non-SWO group. Univariate and Logistic regression analysis were was applied to explore the potential predictors of SWO. The Youden index method was adopted to determine the best cut-off value in the establishment of the prediction model of SWO. Each parameter had two options, low and high. The score table of the prediction model and nomogram based on the logistic regression were constructed. Of the 650 subjects, 487 subjects (75%) were randomly assigned to the training group and 163 subjects (25%) to the validation group. By resampling the area under the curve (AUC) of the subject's operating characteristics and calibration curves 1,000 times, nomogram performance was verified. A decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the nomogram's clinical usefulness. By resampling the area under the curve (AUC) of the subject's operating characteristics and calibration curves 1,000 times, nomogram performance was verified. A decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the nomogram's clinical usefulness. Results: Logistic regression demonstrated that hypertension, uric acid (UA), complement 3 (C3) and Interleukin 8 (IL-8) were independent risk factors for SWO. Hypertension, UA, C3, IL-8, folic acid (FA), fasting C-peptide (FCP) and eosinophil could be used to predict the occurrence of SWO in the prediction models, with a good diagnostic performance, Areas Under Curves (AUC) of Total score was 0.823 (95% CI: 0.760-0.885, p < 0.001), sensitivity of 60.0%, specificity of 91.4%. In the development group, the nomogram's AUC (C statistic) was 0.829 (95% CI: 0.760-0.899), while in the validation group, it was 0.835 (95% CI: 0.696, 0.975). In both the development and validation groups, the calibration curves following 1,000 bootstraps showed a satisfactory fit between the observed and predicted probabilities. DCA showed that the nomogram had great clinical utility. Conclusion: Hypertension, UA, C3, IL-8, FA, FCP and eosinophil models had the potential to predict the incidence of SWO. When the total score of the model exceeded 9 points, the risk of SWO would increase significantly, and the nomogram enabled visualization of the patient's WMH risk. The application prospect of our models mainly lied in the convenient screening of SWO without MRI examination in order to detect SWO and control the WMH hazards early.

Implantable photonic neural probes with out-of-plane focusing grating emitters.

We have designed, fabricated, and characterized implantable silicon neural probes with nanophotonic grating emitters that focus the emitted light at a specified distance above the surface of the probe for spatially precise optogenetic targeting of neurons. Using the holographic principle, we designed gratings for wavelengths of 488 and 594 nm, targeting the excitation spectra of the optogenetic actuators Channelrhodopsin-2 and Chrimson, respectively. The measured optical emission pattern of these emitters in non-scattering medium and tissue matched well with simulations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of focused spots with the size scale of a neuron soma in brain tissue formed from implantable neural probes.

Immune escape of avian oncogenic Marek's disease herpesvirus and antagonistic host immune responses.

Marek's disease virus (MDV) is a highly pathogenic and oncogenic alpha herpesvirus that causes Marek's disease (MD), which is one of the most important immunosuppressive and rapid-onset neoplastic diseases in poultry. The onset of MD lymphomas and other clinical diseases can be efficiently prevented by vaccination; these vaccines are heralded as the first demonstration of a successful vaccination strategy against a cancer. However, the persistent evolution of epidemic MDV strains towards greater virulence has recently resulted in frequent outbreaks of MD in vaccinated chicken flocks worldwide. Herein, we provide an overall review focusing on the discovery and identification of the strategies by which MDV evades host immunity and attacks the immune system. We have also highlighted the decrease in the immune efficacy of current MD vaccines. The prospects, strategies and new techniques for the development of efficient MD vaccines, together with the possibilities of antiviral therapy in MD, are also discussed.

Incidence and prognosis of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain infection in China: A national multicenter survey of 35,566 individuals.

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the epidemiology of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to COVID-19 in China. Methods: This study was conducted by 45 tertiary Grade-A hospitals in China. Online and offline questionnaire data were obtained from patients infected with COVID-19 between December 28, 2022, and February 21, 2023. The collected information included basic demographics, medical history, smoking and drinking history, vaccination history, changes in olfactory and gustatory functions before and after infection, and other postinfection symptoms, as well as the duration and improvement status of olfactory and gustatory disorders. Results: Complete questionnaires were obtained from 35,566 subjects. The overall incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunction was 67.75%. Being female or being a cigarette smoker increased the likelihood of developing olfactory and taste dysfunction. Having received four doses of the vaccine or having good oral health or being a alcohol drinker decreased the risk of such dysfunction. Before infection, the average olfactory and taste VAS scores were 8.41 and 8.51, respectively; after infection, they decreased to 3.69 and 4.29 and recovered to 5.83 and 6.55 by the time of the survey. The median duration of dysosmia and dysgeusia was 15 and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% of patients having symptoms lasting for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate was 59.16%. Recovery was higher in males, never smokers, those who received two or three vaccine doses, and those that had never experienced dental health issues, or chronic accompanying symptoms. Conclusions: The incidence of dysosmia and dysgeusia following infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus is high in China. Incidence and prognosis are influenced by several factors, including sex, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, history of head-facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking and drinking history, and the persistence of accompanying symptoms.

Influences of crop diversification on yield, resource use efficiency, and environmental footprint in farmland landscapes in intensive farming.

Enhancing crop diversification in intensive fields has the potential to increase crop yield and reduce environmental footprint. However, these relationships at the landscape scale remained unclear in intensive farming. Addressing this gap, this paper aims to elucidate how crop yield, resources use efficiency (RUE), and environmental footprint (EF) vary with crop diversification levels in the North China Plain. Management practices, including crop pattern, field size, and agronomic inputs, were collected for 421 landscapes of 1 × 1 km subplots using Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 images and survey. The results showed that, at the landscape scale, energy and fertilizer contributed over 53 %, and 37 % of the carbon footprint, respectively. N fertilizer constituted >98 % of the nitrogen footprint. P fertilizer accounted for over 80 %, while electricity comprised >13 % of the phosphorus footprint. Compared with simplified landscapes, diversified landscapes exhibited several significant features: 1) 56 % reduction of the area ratio of winter wheat-summer maize double crop pattern (WM), 2) a significant decrease in field size, 3) the decreased use of total NPK fertilizers at 32 %, 30 %, and 30 %, respectively, 4) the increased inputs of irrigation water, diesel, electricity, pesticide and labour at 21 %, 19 %, 21 %, 77 %, and 92 %, respectively. Although yield could be reduced at 33 % when transforming simplified landscapes into moderately diversified ones, they increased with the further promotion of crop diversification. Thus, the diversified landscapes could achieve a balance in yield, RUE, and EF to enhance sustainability, whereas simplified landscapes can similarly achieve a balance to benefit productivity. We emphasize the viable potential of diversified landscapes to enhance sustainable agricultural development by optimizing crop composition. This analysis offers pioneering evidence of landscape-scale agronomic and environmental performances of crop diversification.

Lightweight Electrolyte Design for Li/Sulfurized Polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) Batteries.

Sulfurized polyacrylonitrile (SPAN) recently emerges as a promising cathode for high-energy lithium (Li) metal batteries owing to its high capacity, extended cycle life, and liberty from costly transition metals. As the high capacities of both Li metal and SPAN lead to relatively small electrode weights, the weight and specific energy density of Li/SPAN batteries are particularly sensitive to electrolyte weight, highlighting the importance of minimizing electrolyte density. Besides, the large volume changes of Li metal anode and SPAN cathode require inorganic-rich interphases that can guarantee intactness and protectivity throughout long cycles. This work addresses these crucial aspects with an electrolyte design where lightweight dibutyl ether (DBE) is used as a diluent for concentrated lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI)-triethyl phosphate (TEP) solution. The designed electrolyte (d = 1.04 g mL-1) is 40%-50% lighter than conventional localized high-concentration electrolytes (LHCEs), leading to 12%-20% extra energy density at the cell level. Besides, the use of DBE introduces substantial solvent-diluent affinity, resulting in a unique solvation structure with strengthened capability to form favorable anion-derived inorganic-rich interphases, minimize electrolyte consumption, and improve cell cyclability. The electrolyte also exhibits low volatility and offers good protection to both Li metal anode and SPAN cathode under thermal abuse.

Breathing in danger: Understanding the multifaceted impact of air pollution on health impacts.

Air pollution, a pervasive environmental threat that spans urban and rural landscapes alike, poses significant risks to human health, exacerbating respiratory conditions, triggering cardiovascular problems, and contributing to a myriad of other health complications across diverse populations worldwide. This article delves into the multifarious impacts of air pollution, utilizing cutting-edge research methodologies and big data analytics to offer a comprehensive overview. It highlights the emergence of new pollutants, their sources, and characteristics, thereby broadening our understanding of contemporary air quality challenges. The detrimental health effects of air pollution are examined thoroughly, emphasizing both short-term and long-term impacts. Particularly vulnerable populations are identified, underscoring the need for targeted health risk assessments and interventions. The article presents an in-depth analysis of the global disease burden attributable to air pollution, offering a comparative perspective that illuminates the varying impacts across different regions. Furthermore, it addresses the economic ramifications of air pollution, quantifying health and economic losses, and discusses the implications for public policy and health care systems. Innovative air pollution intervention measures are explored, including case studies demonstrating their effectiveness. The paper also brings to light recent discoveries and insights in the field, setting the stage for future research directions. It calls for international cooperation in tackling air pollution and underscores the crucial role of public awareness and education in mitigating its impacts. This comprehensive exploration serves not only as a scientific discourse but also as a clarion call for action against the invisible but insidious threat of air pollution, making it a vital read for researchers, policymakers, and the general public.

Construction and Modification of Nitrogen-Rich Polycyclic Frameworks: A Promising Fused Tricyclic Host-Guest Energetic Material with Heat Resistance, High Energy, and Low Sensitivity.

The construction and modification of novel energetic frameworks to achieve an ideal balance between high energy density and good stability are a continuous pursuit for researchers. In this work, a fused [5,6,5]-tricyclic framework was utilized as the energetic host to encapsulate the oxidant molecules for the first time. A series of new pyridazine-based [5,6] and [5,6,5] fused polycyclic nitrogen-rich skeletons and their derivatives were designed and synthesized. Two strategies, amino oxidation and host-guest inclusion, were used to modify the skeleton in only one step. All compounds exhibit good comprehensive properties (Td (onset) > 200 °C, ρ > 1.85 g cm-3, Dv > 8400 m s-1, IS > 20 J, FS > 360 N). Benefiting from the pyridazine-based fused tricyclic structure with more hydrogen bonding units and larger conjugated systems, the first example of [5,6,5]-tricyclic host-guest energetic material triamino-9H-pyrazolo[3,4-d][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazine-diperchloric acid (10), shows high decomposition temperature (Td (onset) = 336 °C), high density and heats of formation (ρ = 1.94 g cm-3, ΔHf = 733.4 kJ mol-1), high detonation performance (Dv = 8820 m s-1, P = 36.2 GPa), high specific impulse (Isp = 269 s), and low sensitivity (IS = 30 J, FS > 360 N). The comprehensive performance of 10 is superior to that of high-energy explosive RDX and heat-resistant explosives such as HNS and LLM-105. 10 has the potential to become a comprehensive advanced energetic material that simultaneously satisfies the requirements of high-energy and low-sensitivity explosives, heat-resistant explosives, and solid propellants. This work may give new insights into the construction and modification of a nitrogen-rich polycyclic framework and broaden the applications of fused polycyclic framework for the development of host-guest energetic materials.

An overview of Melanommataceae (Pleosporales, Dothideomycetes): Current insight into the host associations and geographical distribution with some interesting novel additions from plant litter.

Melanommataceous species exhibit high diversity with a cosmopolitan distribution worldwide and show a prominent saprobic lifestyle. In this study, we explored five saprobic species collected from plant litter substrates from terrestrial habitats in China and Thailand. A combination of morphological characteristics and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses was used to determine their taxonomic classifications. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses of combined LSU, SSU, ITS and tef1-α sequence data were used to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the species. Byssosphaeriapoaceicola and Herpotrichiazingiberacearum are introduced as new species, while three new host records, Bertiellafici, By.siamensis and Melanommapopulicola are also reported from litter of Cinnamomumverum, Citrustrifoliata and Fagussylvatica, respectively. Yet, despite the rising interest in the melanommataceous species, there is a considerable gap in knowledge on their host associations and geographical distributions. Consequently, we compiled the host-species associations and geographical distributions of all the so far known melanommataceous species.

Challenges for sustainable development goal of land degradation neutrality in drylands: Evidence from the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains, China.

The SDG 15.3.1 target of Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) only has 15 years from conception (in 2015) to realization (in 2030). Therefore, investigating the effectiveness and challenges of LDN has become a priority, especially in drylands, where fragile ecosystems intersect with multiple disturbances. In this study, solutions are proposed and validated based on the challenges of LDN. We chose the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains as a case study and set baselines in 2005 and 2010. The region and degree of land change (including degraded, stable, and improved) were depicted at the pixel scale (100 × 100 m), and LDN realization was assessed at the regional scale (including administrative districts and 5000 × 5000 m grids). The results showed a significant disparity between the two baselines. The number of areas that realized the LDN target was rare, regardless of the scale of the administrative districts or grids. Chord plots, Spearman's correlation, and curve estimation were employed to reveal the relationship between LDN and seven natural or socioeconomic factors. We found that substantial degradation was closely related to the expansion of unused, urban, and mining land and reduction in water, glaciers, and forests. Further evidence suggests that agricultural development both positively and negatively affects LDN, whereas urbanization and mining activities are undesirable for LDN. Notably, the adverse effects of glacier melting require additional attention. Therefore, we consider the easy-to-achieve and hard-to-achieve baselines as the mandatory and desirable targets of LDN, respectively, and focus further efforts in three aspects: preventing agricultural exploitation from occupying ecological resources, defining reasonable zones for urbanization and mining, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate warming. Overall, this study is expected to be a beneficial addition to existing LDN theoretical systems and serve as a case validation of the challenges of LDN in drylands.

Me3SiBr-promoted cascade electrophilic thiocyanation/cyclization of ortho-alkynylanilines to synthesize indole derivatives.

A Lewis acid-promoted electrophilic thiocyanation/cyclization of ortho-alkynylanilines for the synthesis of indole derivatives has been developed. The reaction utilizes Me3SiBr as the Lewis acid and N-thiocyanatosuccinimide as the thiocyanation reagent. A series of 2-aryl-3-thiocyanato indoles were prepared in moderate to high yields under mild conditions without metals and oxidants. It provides an efficient protocol for the construction of the indole skeleton and C-SCN and C-N bonds in one step as well.