Ultra-Strong Janus Covalent Organic Framework Membrane with Smart Response to Organic Vapor.

Vapor-driven smart Janus materials have made significant advancements in intelligent monitoring, control, and interaction, etc. Nevertheless, the development of ultrafast response single-layer Janus membrane, along with a deep exploration of the smart response mechanisms, remains a long-term endeavor. Here, the successful synthesis of a high-crystallinity single-layer Covalent organic framework (COF) Janus membrane is reported by morphology control. This kind of membrane displays superior mechanical properties and specific surface area, along with excellent responsiveness to CH2Cl2 vapor. The analysis of the underlying mechanisms reveals that the vapor-induced breathing effect of the COF and the stress mismatch of the Janus structure play a crucial role in its smart deformation performance. It is believed that this COF Janus membrane holds promise for complex tasks in various fields.

Dynamic Insights into the Growth Mechanisms of 2D Covalent Organic Frameworks on Graphene Surfaces.

Producing high-quality two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is crucial for industrial applications. However, this remains significantly challenging with current synthetic techniques. A deep understanding of the intermolecular interactions, reaction temperature, and oligomers is essential to facilitate the growth of highly crystalline COF films. Herein, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to explore the growth of 2D COFs from monomer assemblies on graphene. Our results showed that chain growth reactions dominated the COF surface growth and that van der Waals (vdW) interactions were important in enhancing the crystallinity through monomer preorganization. Moreover, appropriately tuning the reaction temperature improved the COF crystallinity and minimized the effects of amorphous oligomers. Additionally, the strength of the interface between the COF and the graphene substrate indicated that the adhesion force was proportional to the crystallinity of the COF. This work reveals the mechanisms for nucleation and growth of COFs on surfaces and provides theoretical guidance for fabricating high-quality 2D polymer-based crystalline nanomaterials.

High-Strength Polycrystalline Covalent Organic Framework with Abnormal Thermal Transport Insensitive to Grain Boundary.

Grain boundaries (GBs) in two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) unavoidably form during the fabrication process, playing pivotal roles in the physical characteristics of COFs. Herein, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to elucidate the fracture failure and thermal transport mechanisms of polycrystalline COFs (p-COFs). The results revealed that the tilt angle of GBs significantly influences out-of-plane wrinkles and residual stress in monolayer p-COFs. The tensile strength of p-COFs can be enhanced and weakened with the tilt angle, which exhibits an inverse relationship with the defect density. The crack always originates from weaker heptagon rings during uniaxial tension. Notably, the thermal transport in p-COFs is insensitive to the GBs due to the variation of minor polymer chain length at defects, which is abnormal for other 2D crystalline materials. This study contributes insights into the impact of GBs in p-COFs and offers theoretical guidance for structural design and practical applications of advanced COFs.

Novelty-retrieval-extinction paradigm to decrease high-intensity fear memory recurrence.

BACKGROUND: The retrieval-extinction paradigm based on memory reconsolidation can prevent fear memory recurrence more effectively than the extinction paradigm. High-intensity fear memories tend to resist reconsolidation. Novelty-retrieval-extinction can promote the reconsolidation of fear memory lacking neuroplasticity in rodents; however, whether it could effectively promote high-intensity fear memory reconsolidation in humans remains unclear. METHODS: Using 120 human participants, we implemented the use of the environment (novel vs. familiar) with the help of virtual reality technology. Novelty environment exploration was combined with retrieval-extinction in fear memory of two intensity levels (normal vs. high) to examine whether novelty facilitates the reconsolidation of high-intensity fear memory and prevents recurrence. Skin conductance responses were used to clarify novelty-retrieval-extinction effects at the behavioral level across three experiments. RESULTS: Retrieval-extinction could prevent the reinstatement of normal-intensity fear memory; however, for high-intensity fear memory, only the novelty-retrieval-extinction could prevent recurrence; we further validated that novelty-retrieval-extinction may be effective only when the environment is novel. LIMITATIONS: Although the high-intensity fear memory is higher than normal-intensity in this study, it may be insufficient relative to fear experienced in real-world contexts or by individuals with mental disorders. CONCLUSIONS: To some extent, these findings indicate that the novelty-retrieval-extinction paradigm could prevent the recurrence of high-intensity fear memory, and we infer that novelty of environment may play an important role in novelty-retrieval-extinction paradigm. The results of this study have positive implications for the existing retrieval extinction paradigm and the clinical treatment of phobia.

The soybean lecithin-cyclodextrin-vitamin E complex nanoparticles stabilized Pickering emulsions for the delivery of ß-carotene: Physicochemical properties and in vitro digestion.

In this work, soybean lecithin (LC) was used to modify ß-cyclodextrin (ß-CD) with hydrophobic fat chains to become amphiphilic (LC-CD), and vitamin E (VE) was encapsulated in former modified ß-CD complexes (LC-CD-VE), the new Pickering emulsions stabilized by LC-CD-VE and LC-CD complexes for the delivery of ß-carotene (BC) were created. The surface tension, contact angle, zeta potential, and particle size were used to assess the changes in complexes nanoparticles at various pH values. Furthermore, LC-CD-VE has more promise as Pickering emulsion stabilizer than LC-CD because of the smaller particle size (271.11 nm), proper contact angle (58.02°), and lower surface tension (42.49 mN/m). The interactions between ß-cyclodextrin, soybean lecithin, and vitamin E were confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The durability of Pickering emulsions was examined at various volume fractions of the oil phase and concentrations of nanoparticles. Compared to the emulsion stabilized by LC-CD, the one stabilized by LC-CD-VE showed superior storage stability. Moreover, for the delivery of BC, Pickering emulsions stabilized by LC-CD and LC-CD-VE can outperform bulk oil and Tween 80 stabilized emulsions in terms of UV light stability, storage stability, and bioaccessibility. This work could offer fresh perspectives on stabilizer alternatives for Pickering emulsion delivery systems.

The effects of ambient temperature and feeding regimens on cecum bacteria composition and circadian rhythm in growing rabbits.

Seasonal environmental shifts and improper eating habits are the important causes of diarrhea in children and growing animals. Whether adjusting feeding time at varying temperatures can modify cecal bacterial structure and improve diarrhea remains unknown. Three batches growing rabbits with two groups per batch were raised under different feeding regimens (fed at daytime vs. nighttime) in spring, summer and winter separately, and contents were collected at six time points in 1 day and used 16S rRNA sequencing to investigate the effects of feeding regimens and season on the composition and circadian rhythms of cecum bacteria. Randomized forest regression screened 12 genera that were significantly associated with seasonal ambient temperature changes. Nighttime feeding reduced the abundance of the conditionally pathogenic bacteria Desulfovibrio and Alistipes in summer and Campylobacter in winter. And also increases the circadian rhythmic Amplicon Sequence Variants in the cecum, enhancing the rhythm of bacterial metabolic activity. This rhythmic metabolic profile of cecum bacteria may be conducive to the digestion and absorption of nutrients in the host cecum. In addition, this study has identified 9 genera that were affected by the combination of seasons and feeding time. In general, we found that seasons and feeding time and their combinations affect cecum composition and circadian rhythms, and that daytime feeding during summer and winter disrupts the balance of cecum bacteria of growing rabbits, which may adversely affect cecum health and induce diarrhea risk.

Ultrastretchable Helical Carbon Nanotube-Woven Film.

Helical carbon nanotube (HCNT) is regarded as one of the most promising nanomaterials due to its excellent tensile strength and superhigh stretchability. Here, a novel HCNT-woven film (HWF) is proposed, and its in-plane and out-of-plane mechanical properties are systematically investigated via molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The MD results show that HWF possesses highly stretchable capability resulting from sliding and straightening of CNT segments, and the maximum tensile strain can reach 2113%. Furthermore, the HWF presents an obvious tensile mechanical anisotropy. The torsion failure is the main fracture mode when the HWF is stretched along the longitudinal direction. However, when the HWF is stretched along the transverse direction, the fracture is mainly caused by intertube compression. On the other hand, the HWF can dissipate large amount of kinetic energy of projectile via sliding and fracture of HCNTs, leading to high specific penetration energy. This work provides a theoretical guidance for designing and fabricating next-generation superstrong two-dimensional CNT-based nanomaterials.

High Impact Resistance of 2D MXene with Multiple Fracture Modes.

Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) are promising nanomaterials due to their remarkable mechanical and electrical properties. However, the out-of-plane mechanical properties of MXene under impact loading remain unclear. Here, particular impact-resistant fracture behaviors and energy dissipation mechanisms of MXene were systemically investigated via molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Specifically, it was found that the specific penetration energy of MXene exceeds most conventional impact-resistant materials, such as aluminum and polycarbonate. Two kinds of novel energy dissipation mechanisms, including radial fracture and crushed fracture under different impact velocities, are revealed. In addition, the sandwiched atomic-layer structure of MXene can deflect cracks and restrain their propagation to some extent, enabling the cracked MXene to retain remarkable resistance. This work provides in-depth insights into the impact-resistance of MXene, laying a foundation for its future applications.

High-performing and stable semiconductor yttrium-doped gadolinium electrolyte for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

High-performing electrolytes at low operating temperatures have become an inevitable trend in the development of low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (LT-SOFCs). Such electrolytes have drawn significant attention due to their appeal for high performance. Herein, we propose a new material by doping Y3+ into Gd2O3 for LT-SOFC electrolyte use. The prepared material was characterized in terms of crystal structure, surface, and interface properties, followed by its application in LT-SOFCs. YDG delivered promising SOFC performance with a power density of 1046 mW cm-2 at 550 °C along with high ionic conductivity of 0.19 S cm-1. Moreover, impedance spectra revealed that YDG exhibited the least ohmic resistance of 0.06-0.09 Ω cm2 at 550-460 °C. Furthermore, stable operation for 60 h demonstrated the chemical stability of the material in reduced temperature environments. Density function theory was also applied to analyze the electronic band structure and density of states of the synthesized sample. Our findings thus certify that YDG as a high-performing electrolyte at low operating temperatures.

Thioredoxin VdTrx1, an unconventional secreted protein, is a virulence factor in Verticillium dahliae.

Understanding how plant pathogenic fungi adapt to their hosts is of critical importance to securing optimal crop productivity. In response to pathogenic attack, plants produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as part of a multipronged defense response. Pathogens, in turn, have evolved ROS scavenging mechanisms to undermine host defense. Thioredoxins (Trx) are highly conserved oxidoreductase enzymes with a dithiol-disulfide active site, and function as antioxidants to protect cells against free radicals, such as ROS. However, the roles of thioredoxins in Verticillium dahliae, an important vascular pathogen, are not clear. Through proteomics analyses, we identified a putative thioredoxin (VdTrx1) lacking a signal peptide. VdTrx1 was present in the exoproteome of V. dahliae cultured in the presence of host tissues, a finding that suggested that it plays a role in host-pathogen interactions. We constructed a VdTrx1 deletion mutant ΔVdTrx1 that exhibited significantly higher sensitivity to ROS stress, H2O2, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH). In vivo assays by live-cell imaging and in vitro assays by western blotting revealed that while VdTrx1 lacking the signal peptide can be localized within V. dahliae cells, VdTrx1 can also be secreted unconventionally depending on VdVps36, a member of the ESCRT-II protein complex. The ΔVdTrx1 strain was unable to scavenge host-generated extracellular ROS fully during host invasion. Deletion of VdTrx1 resulted in higher intracellular ROS levels of V. dahliae mycelium, displayed impaired conidial production, and showed significantly reduced virulence on Gossypium hirsutum, and model plants, Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana. Thus, we conclude that VdTrx1 acts as a virulence factor in V. dahliae.

Multiple Impact-Resistant 2D Covalent Organic Framework.

Exploring and designing two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials for armor-piercing protection has become a research focus. Here, by molecular dynamics simulation, we revealed that the ultralight monolayer covalent organic framework (COF), one kind of novel 2D crystalline polymer, possesses superior impact-resistant capability under high-velocity impact. The calculated specific penetration energy is much higher than that of other traditional impact-resistant materials, such as steel, poly(methyl methacrylate), Kevlar, etc. It was found that the hexagonal nanopores integrated by polymer chains have large deformation compatibility resulting from flexible torsion and stretching, which can remarkably contribute to the energy dissipation. In addition, the deformable nanopores can effectively restrain the crack propagation, enable COF to resist multiple impacts. This work uncovers the extreme dynamic responses of COF under high-velocity impact and provides theoretical guidance for designing superstrong 2D polymer-based crystalline nanomaterials.

Effects of the retrieval-extinction paradigm with abstract reminders on fear memory extinction.

Reactivated fear memories may enter an unstable state that could be interrupted by behavioral interventions such as the retrieval-extinction procedure. Studies of pharmacological interventions have shown that retrieval cues are not necessarily an exact reduplication of initial conditioned stimuli (CSs); they can instead be abstract word cues. However, the effectiveness of using abstract reminder cues in behavioral intervention procedures remains unknown, as do the conditions under which they are effective. The typicality of CS and the abstraction level of reminders are also likely to be important in the paradigm but have not been investigated to date. Here, in three experiments (n = 107), we manipulate the fear conditioning process, including single CS-unconditioned stimulus (US) and multiple CS-US connections, as well as the CS typicality and abstraction level of reminder cues, to explore the conditions for adopting retrieval-extinction with abstract reminders. The results of Experiments 1 and 2 show that the abstract cue is ineffective for use as a reminder in the procedure; this is the case for single exemplar category learning and perceptual discriminative learning, independent of the typicality of CS+ or the abstraction level of reminder cues. Only the outcome of Experiment 3, which contains multiple CS-US connections, shows no indication of fear return. The limitations of the study and possible interpretations of the results are discussed.

A polyketide synthase from Verticillium dahliae modulates melanin biosynthesis and hyphal growth to promote virulence.

BACKGROUND: During the disease cycle, plant pathogenic fungi exhibit a morphological transition between hyphal growth (the phase of active infection) and the production of long-term survival structures that remain dormant during "overwintering." Verticillium dahliae is a major plant pathogen that produces heavily melanized microsclerotia (MS) that survive in the soil for 14 or more years. These MS are multicellular structures produced during the necrotrophic phase of the disease cycle. Polyketide synthases (PKSs) are responsible for catalyzing production of many secondary metabolites including melanin. While MS contribute to long-term survival, hyphal growth is key for infection and virulence, but the signaling mechanisms by which the pathogen maintains hyphal growth are unclear. RESULTS: We analyzed the VdPKSs that contain at least one conserved domain potentially involved in secondary metabolism (SM), and screened the effect of VdPKS deletions in the virulent strain AT13. Among the five VdPKSs whose deletion affected virulence on cotton, we found that VdPKS9 acted epistatically to the VdPKS1-associated melanin pathway to promote hyphal growth. The decreased hyphal growth in VdPKS9 mutants was accompanied by the up-regulation of melanin biosynthesis and MS formation. Overexpression of VdPKS9 transformed melanized hyphal-type (MH-type) into the albinistic hyaline hyphal-type (AH-type), and VdPKS9 was upregulated in the AH-type population, which also exhibited higher virulence than the MH-type. CONCLUSIONS: We show that VdPKS9 is a powerful negative regulator of both melanin biosynthesis and MS formation in V. dahliae. These findings provide insight into the mechanism of how plant pathogens promote their virulence by the maintenance of vegetative hyphal growth during infection and colonization of plant hosts, and may provide novel targets for the control of melanin-producing filamentous fungi.

A secreted ribonuclease effector from Verticillium dahliae localizes in the plant nucleus to modulate host immunity.

The arms race between fungal pathogens and plant hosts involves recognition of fungal effectors to induce host immunity. Although various fungal effectors have been identified, the effector functions of ribonucleases are largely unknown. Herein, we identified a ribonuclease secreted by Verticillium dahliae (VdRTX1) that translocates into the plant nucleus to modulate immunity. The activity of VdRTX1 causes hypersensitive response (HR)-related cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana and cotton. VdRTX1 possesses a signal peptide but is unlikely to be an apoplastic effector because its nuclear localization in the plant is necessary for cell death induction. Knockout of VdRTX1 significantly enhanced V. dahliae virulence on tobacco while V. dahliae employs the known suppressor VdCBM1 to escape the immunity induced by VdRTX1. VdRTX1 homologs are widely distributed in fungi but transient expression of 24 homologs from other fungi did not yield cell death induction, suggesting that this function is specific to the VdRTX1 in V. dahliae. Expression of site-directed mutants of VdRTX1 in N. benthamiana leaves revealed conserved ligand-binding sites that are important for VdRTX1 function in inducing cell death. Thus, VdRTX1 functions as a unique HR-inducing effector in V. dahliae that contributes to the activation of plant immunity.

Verticillium dahliae CFEM proteins manipulate host immunity and differentially contribute to virulence.

BACKGROUND: Verticillium dahliae is a fungal pathogen that causes a vascular wilt on many economically important crops. Common fungal extracellular membrane (CFEM) domain proteins including secreted types have been implicated in virulence, but their roles in this pathogen are still unknown. RESULTS: Nine secreted small cysteine-rich proteins (VdSCPs) with CFEM domains were identified by bioinformatic analyses and their differential suppression of host immune responses were evaluated. Two of these proteins, VdSCP76 and VdSCP77, localized to the plant plasma membrane owing to their signal peptides and mediated broad-spectrum suppression of all immune responses induced by typical effectors. Deletion of either VdSCP76 or VdSCP77 significantly reduced the virulence of V. dahliae on cotton. Furthermore, VdSCP76 and VdSCP77 suppressed host immunity through the potential iron binding site conserved in CFEM family members, characterized by an aspartic acid residue in seven VdSCPs (Asp-type) in contrast with an asparagine residue (Asn-type) in VdSCP76 and VdSCP77. V. dahliae isolates carrying the Asn-type CFEM members were more virulent on cotton than those carrying the Asp-type. CONCLUSIONS: In the iron-insufficient xylem, V. dahliae is likely to employ the Asp-type CFEM members to chelate iron, and Asn-type CFEM members to suppress immunity, for successful colonization and propagation in host plants.

Functional Genomics and Comparative Lineage-Specific Region Analyses Reveal Novel Insights into Race Divergence in Verticillium dahliae.

Verticillium dahliae is a widespread soilborne fungus that causes Verticillium wilt on numerous economically important plant species. In tomato, until now, three races have been characterized based on the response of differential cultivars to V. dahliae, but the genetic basis of race divergence in V. dahliae remains undetermined. To investigate the genetic basis of race divergence, we sequenced the genomes of two race 2 strains and four race 3 strains for comparative analyses with two known race 1 genomes. The genetic basis of race divergence was described by the pathogenicity-related genes among the three races, orthologue analyses, and genomic structural variations. Global comparative genomics showed that chromosomal rearrangements are not the only source of race divergence and that race 3 should be split into two genotypes based on orthologue clustering. Lineage-specific regions (LSRs), frequently observed between genomes of the three races, encode several predicted secreted proteins that potentially function as suppressors of immunity triggered by known effectors. These likely contribute to the virulence of the three races. Two genes in particular that can act as markers for race 2 and race 3 (VdR2e and VdR3e, respectively) contribute to virulence on tomato, and the latter acts as an avirulence factor of race 3. We elucidated the genetic basis of race divergence through global comparative genomics and identified secreted proteins in LSRs that could potentially play critical roles in the differential virulence among the races in V. dahliae. IMPORTANCE Deciphering the gene-for-gene relationships during host-pathogen interactions is the basis of modern plant resistance breeding. In the Verticillium dahliae-tomato pathosystem, two races (races 1 and 2) and their corresponding avirulence (Avr) genes have been identified, but strains that lack these two Avr genes exist in nature. In this system, race 3 has been described, but the corresponding Avr gene has not been identified. We de novo-sequenced genomes of six strains and identified secreted proteins within the lineage-specific regions (LSRs) distributed among the genomes of the three races that could potentially function as manipulators of host immunity. One of the LSR genes, VdR3e, was confirmed as the Avr gene for race 3. The results indicate that differences in transcriptional regulation may contribute to race differentiation. This is the first study to describe these differences and elucidate roles of secreted proteins in LSRs that play roles in race differentiation.

Cytotoxic function of xylanase VdXyn4 in the plant vascular wilt pathogen Verticillium dahliae.

Phytopathogen xylanases play critical roles in pathogenesis, likely due to their ability to degrade plant structural barriers and manipulate host immunity. As an invader of plant xylem vessels, the fungus Verticillium dahliae is thought to deploy complex cell wall degrading enzymes. Comparative genomics analyses revealed that the V. dahliae genome encodes a family of six xylanases, each possessing a glycosyl hydrolase 11 domain, but the functions of these enzymes are undetermined. Characterizing gene deletion mutants revealed that only V. dahliae xylanase 4 (VdXyn4) degraded the plant cell wall and contributed to the virulence of V. dahliae. VdXyn4 displayed cytotoxic activity and induced a necrosis phenotype during the late stages of infection, leading to vein and petiole collapse that depended on the enzyme simultaneously localizing to nuclei and chloroplasts. The internalization of VdXyn4 was in conjunction with that of the plasma membrane complexLeucine-rich repeat (LRR)-receptor-like kinase suppressor of BIR1-1 (SOBIR1)/LRR-RLK BRI1-associated kinase-1 (BAK1), but we could not rule out the possibility that VdXyn4 may also act as an apoplastic effector. Immune signaling (in the SA-JA pathways) induced by VdXyn4 relative to that induced by known immunity effectors was substantially delayed. While cytotoxic activity could be partially suppressed by known effectors, they failed to impede necrosis in Nicotiana benthamiana. Thus, unlike typical effectors, cytotoxicity of VdXyn4 plays a crucial intracellular role at the late stages of V. dahliae infection and colonization, especially following pathogen entry into the xylem; this cytotoxic activity is likely conserved in the corresponding enzyme families in plant vascular pathogens.

Recent Progress in Semiconductor-Ionic Conductor Nanomaterial as a Membrane for Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

Reducing the operating temperature of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) to 300-600 °C is a great challenge for the development of SOFC. Among the extensive research and development (R&D) efforts that have been done on lowering the operating temperature of SOFCs, nanomaterials have played a critical role in improving ion transportation in electrolytes and facilitating electrochemical catalyzation of the electrodes. This work reviews recent progress in lowering the temperature of SOFCs by using semiconductor-ionic conductor nanomaterial, which is typically a composition of semiconductor and ionic conductor, as a membrane. The historical development, as well as the working mechanism of semiconductor-ionic membrane fuel cell (SIMFC), is discussed. Besides, the development in the application of nanostructured pure ionic conductors, semiconductors, and nanocomposites of semiconductors and ionic conductors as the membrane is highlighted. The method of using nano-structured semiconductor-ionic conductors as a membrane has been proved to successfully exhibit a significant enhancement in the ionic conductivity and power density of SOFCs at low temperatures and provides a new way to develop low-temperature SOFCs.

An Interface Heterostructure of NiO and CeO2 for Using Electrolytes of Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

Interface engineering can be used to tune the properties of heterostructure materials at an atomic level, yielding exceptional final physical properties. In this work, we synthesized a heterostructure of a p-type semiconductor (NiO) and an n-type semiconductor (CeO2) for solid oxide fuel cell electrolytes. The CeO2-NiO heterostructure exhibited high ionic conductivity of 0.2 S cm-1 at 530 °C, which was further improved to 0.29 S cm-1 by the introduction of Na+ ions. When it was applied in the fuel cell, an excellent power density of 571 mW cm-1 was obtained, indicating that the CeO2-NiO heterostructure can provide favorable electrolyte functionality. The prepared CeO2-NiO heterostructures possessed both proton and oxygen ionic conductivities, with oxygen ionic conductivity dominating the fuel cell reaction. Further investigations in terms of electrical conductivity and electrode polarization, a proton and oxygen ionic co-conducting mechanism, and a mechanism for blocking electron transport showed that the reconstruction of the energy band at the interfaces was responsible for the enhanced ionic conductivity and cell power output. This work presents a new methodology and scientific understanding of semiconductor-based heterostructures for advanced ceramic fuel cells.

Establishing a Counter-Empathy Processing Model: Evidence from Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Counter-empathy significantly affects people's social lives. Previous evidence indicates that the degree of counter-empathy can be either strong or weak. Strong counter-empathy easily occurs when empathizers are prejudiced against the targets of empathy (e.g., prejudice against outgroup members) and activates brain regions that are opposite to those activated by empathy. Weak counter-empathy may have different neural processing paths from strong one, but its underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. In this work, we used an unfair distribution paradigm, which can reduce participants' prejudice against persons empathized with, and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to explore the neural mechanisms underlying counter-empathy. Here, empathy and counter-empathy shared a common neural mechanism, induced by unfair distribution, in the right middle temporal gyrus. Counter-empathy activated distinct brain regions that differed from those of empathic responses in different situations. The functions of these brain regions, which included the middle frontal, middle temporal and left medial superior gyri, were similar and mostly related to emotional regulation and cognitive processing. Here, we propose a process model of counter-empathy, involving two processing paths according to whether or not prejudice exists. This study has theoretical significance and broadens our understanding of the cognitive neural mechanisms underlying empathy and counter-empathy.