Global nitrous oxide emissions from livestock manure during 1890-2020: An IPCC tier 2 inventory.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from livestock manure contribute significantly to the growth of atmospheric N2O, a powerful greenhouse gas and dominant ozone-depleting substance. Here, we estimate global N2O emissions from livestock manure during 1890-2020 using the tier 2 approach of the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. Global N2O emissions from livestock manure increased by ~350% from 451 [368-556] Gg N year-1 in 1890 to 2042 [1677-2514] Gg N year-1 in 2020. These emissions contributed ~30% to the global anthropogenic N2O emissions in the decade 2010-2019. Cattle contributed the most (60%) to the increase, followed by poultry (19%), pigs (15%), and sheep and goats (6%). Regionally, South Asia, Africa, and Latin America dominated the growth in global emissions since the 1990s. Nationally, the largest emissions were found in India (329 Gg N year-1), followed by China (267 Gg N year-1), the United States (163 Gg N year-1), Brazil (129 Gg N year-1) and Pakistan (102 Gg N year-1) in the 2010s. We found a substantial impact of livestock productivity, specifically animal body weight and milk yield, on the emission trends. Furthermore, a large spread existed among different methodologies in estimates of global N2O emission from livestock manure, with our results 20%-25% lower than those based on the 2006 IPCC Guidelines. This study highlights the need for robust time-variant model parameterization and continuous improvement of emissions factors to enhance the precision of emission inventories. Additionally, urgent mitigation is required, as all available inventories indicate a rapid increase in global N2O emissions from livestock manure in recent decades.

Three-dimensional architecture of ESCRT-III flat spirals on the membrane.

The endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRTs) are responsible for membrane remodeling in many cellular processes, such as multivesicular body biogenesis, viral budding, and cytokinetic abscission. ESCRT-III, the most abundant ESCRT subunit, assembles into flat spirals as the primed state, essential to initiate membrane invagination. However, the three-dimensional architecture of ESCRT-III flat spirals remained vague for decades due to highly curved filaments with a small diameter and a single preferred orientation on the membrane. Here, we unveiled that yeast Snf7, a component of ESCRT-III, forms flat spirals on the lipid monolayers using cryogenic electron microscopy. We developed a geometry-constrained Euler angle-assigned reconstruction strategy and obtained moderate-resolution structures of Snf7 flat spirals with varying curvatures. Our analyses showed that Snf7 subunits recline on the membrane with N-terminal motifs α0 as anchors, adopt an open state with fused α2/3 helices, and bend α2/3 gradually from the outer to inner parts of flat spirals. In all, we provide the orientation and conformations of ESCRT-III flat spirals on the membrane and unveil the underlying assembly mechanism, which will serve as the initial step in understanding how ESCRTs drive membrane abscission.

Effect of a stranded hole type on the performance of corn stover composite pipe.

To promote the comprehensive utilization of corn stover and the development of field water-saving irrigation technology, a method of returning corn stover to the field was prosed; in this method, the crop stalks were crushed, mixed with soil in different proportions of adulteration, and then extruded to form hollow round tubes. To compare the influence of the winch blade with or without a diameter change on the composite pipe molding performance, two composite pipe molding devices were theoretically designed, simulated, and analyzed using discrete element simulation software, and a composite pipe molding bench test was performed. The simulation test revealed that the composite pipe molding rate of the winch blade without the reducer molding device was 3.45 kg/s, the output power of the winch shaft was 20.7 kW, the composite pipe molding rate of the winch blade with the reducer molding device was 1.20 kg/s, and the output power of the winch shaft was 18.75 kW. By calculating the weighted average of two indices, the composite pipe forming rate and the winch shaft output power, the comprehensive performance index of the composite pipe forming device without a reducer was greater than that of the device with a reducer. The composite pipe forming bench test revealed two kinds of molding devices with an extrusion molding with an outer diameter of 100 mm and an inner diameter of 30 mm. The composite pipe density test average was greater than 1.30 g/cm3 and met the requirements of composite pipe molding; the winch blade without a reducer molding device had an average composite pipe molding rate of 3.23 kg/s, and the winch blade with an average reducer molding rate of 2.07 kg/s. The forming rate of the composite pipe without a reducer was faster. Therefore, a winch blade without a reducer composite pipe molding device is more conducive to improving the composite pipe molding performance.

Phytoplankton-derived polysaccharides and microbial peptidoglycans are key nutrients for deep-sea microbes in the Mariana Trench.

BACKGROUND: The deep sea represents the largest marine ecosystem, driving global-scale biogeochemical cycles. Microorganisms are the most abundant biological entities and play a vital role in the cycling of organic matter in such ecosystems. The primary food source for abyssal biota is the sedimentation of particulate organic polymers. However, our knowledge of the specific biopolymers available to deep-sea microbes remains largely incomplete. One crucial rate-limiting step in organic matter cycling is the depolymerization of particulate organic polymers facilitated by extracellular enzymes (EEs). Therefore, the investigation of active EEs and the microbes responsible for their production is a top priority to better understand the key nutrient sources for deep-sea microbes. RESULTS: In this study, we conducted analyses of extracellular enzymatic activities (EEAs), metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics from seawater samples of 50-9305 m from the Mariana Trench. While a diverse array of microbial groups was identified throughout the water column, only a few exhibited high levels of transcriptional activities. Notably, microbial populations actively transcribing EE genes involved in biopolymer processing in the abyssopelagic (4700 m) and hadopelagic zones (9305 m) were primarily associated with the class Actinobacteria. These microbes actively transcribed genes coding for enzymes such as cutinase, laccase, and xyloglucanase which are capable of degrading phytoplankton polysaccharides as well as GH23 peptidoglycan lyases and M23 peptidases which have the capacity to break down peptidoglycan. Consequently, corresponding enzyme activities including glycosidases, esterase, and peptidases can be detected in the deep ocean. Furthermore, cell-specific EEAs increased at 9305 m compared to 4700 m, indicating extracellular enzymes play a more significant role in nutrient cycling in the deeper regions of the Mariana Trench. CONCLUSIONS: Transcriptomic analyses have shed light on the predominant microbial population actively participating in organic matter cycling in the deep-sea environment of the Mariana Trench. The categories of active EEs suggest that the complex phytoplankton polysaccharides (e.g., cutin, lignin, and hemicellulose) and microbial peptidoglycans serve as the primary nutrient sources available to deep-sea microbes. The high cell-specific EEA observed in the hadal zone underscores the robust polymer-degrading capacities of hadal microbes even in the face of the challenging conditions they encounter in this extreme environment. These findings provide valuable new insights into the sources of nutrition, the key microbes, and the EEs crucial for biopolymer degradation in the deep seawater of the Mariana Trench. Video Abstract.

Coherent potential approximation study of impurity effect on monolayer hexagonal boron phosphide.

Impurity doping is a necessary technology for the application of semiconductor materials in microelectronic devices. The quantification of doping effects is crucial for controlling the transport properties of semiconductors. Here, taking two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal boron phosphide semiconductor as an example, we employ coherent potential approximation method to investigate the electronic properties of 2D semiconductor materials at low doping concentrations, which cannot be exploited with conventional density function theory. The results demonstrate that the positive or negative impurity potential in 2D semiconductors determines whether it is p-type or n-type doping, while the impurity potential strength decides whether it is shallow-level or deep-level doping. Impurity concentration has important impacts on not only the intensity but also the broadening of impurity peak in band gap. Importantly, we provide the operating temperature range of hexagonal boron phosphide as a semiconductor device under different impurity concentrations and impurity potentials. The methodology of this study can be applied to other 2D semiconductors, which is of great significance for quantitative research on the application of 2D semiconductors for electronic devices.

Architecture of symbiotic dinoflagellate photosystem I-light-harvesting supercomplex in Symbiodinium.

Symbiodinium are the photosynthetic endosymbionts for corals and play a vital role in supplying their coral hosts with photosynthetic products, forming the nutritional foundation for high-yield coral reef ecosystems. Here, we determine the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Symbiodinium photosystem I (PSI) supercomplex with a PSI core composed of 13 subunits including 2 previously unidentified subunits, PsaT and PsaU, as well as 13 peridinin-Chl a/c-binding light-harvesting antenna proteins (AcpPCIs). The PSI-AcpPCI supercomplex exhibits distinctive structural features compared to their red lineage counterparts, including extended termini of PsaD/E/I/J/L/M/R and AcpPCI-1/3/5/7/8/11 subunits, conformational changes in the surface loops of PsaA and PsaB subunits, facilitating the association between the PSI core and peripheral antennae. Structural analysis and computational calculation of excitation energy transfer rates unravel specific pigment networks in Symbiodinium PSI-AcpPCI for efficient excitation energy transfer. Overall, this study provides a structural basis for deciphering the mechanisms governing light harvesting and energy transfer in Symbiodinium PSI-AcpPCI supercomplexes adapted to their symbiotic ecosystem, as well as insights into the evolutionary diversity of PSI-LHCI among various photosynthetic organisms.

Analysis of the Spatial-Temporal Distribution Characteristics of Climate and Its Impact on Winter Wheat Production in Shanxi Province, China, 1964-2018.

The possible influence of global climate changes on agricultural production is becoming increasingly significant, necessitating greater attention to improving agricultural production in response to temperature rises and precipitation variability. As one of the main winter wheat-producing areas in China, the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of precipitation, accumulated temperature, and actual yield and climatic yield of winter wheat during the growing period in Shanxi Province were analysed in detail. With the utilisation of daily meteorological data collected from 12 meteorological stations in Shanxi Province in 1964-2018, our study analysed the change in winter wheat yield with climate change using GIS combined with wavelet analysis. The results show the following: (1) Accumulated temperature and precipitation are the two most important limiting factors among the main physical factors that impact yield. Based on the analysis of the ArcGIS geographical detector, the correlation between the actual yield of winter wheat and the precipitation during the growth period was the highest, reaching 0.469, and the meteorological yield and accumulated temperature during this period also reached its peak value of 0.376. (2) The regions with more suitable precipitation and accumulated temperature during the growth period of winter wheat in the study area had relatively high actual winter wheat yields. Overall, the average actual yield of the entire region showed a significant increasing trend over time, with an upward trend of 47.827 kg ha-1 yr-1. (3) The variation coefficient of winter wheat climatic yield was relatively stable in 2008-2018. In particular, there were many years of continuous reduction in winter wheat yields prior to 2006. Thereafter, the impact of climate change on winter wheat yields became smaller. This study expands our understanding of the complex interactions between climate variables and crop yield but also provides practical recommendations for enhancing agricultural practices in this region.

Exploring the ecological meanings of temperature sensitivity of ecosystem respiration from different methods.

Temperature sensitivity (Q10) of ecosystem respiration (Re) is a critical parameter for predicting global terrestrial carbon dynamics and its response to climate warming. However, the determination of Q10 has been controversial. In this study, we scrutinized the underpinnings of three mainstream methods to reveal their relationships in estimating Q10 for Re in the Heihe River Basin, northwest China. Specifically, these methods are Q10 estimated from the long-term method (Q10_long), short-term method (Q10_short), and the low-frequency (Q10_lf) and high-frequency (Q10_hf) signals decomposed by the singular spectrum analysis (SSA) method. We found that: 1) Q10_lf and Q10_long are affected by the confounding effects caused by non-temperature factors, and are 1.8 ± 0.3 and 1.7 ± 0.3, respectively. 2) The high-frequency signals of the SSA method and short-term method have consistent roles in removing the confounding effects. Both Q10_short and Q10_hf reflect the actual response of respiration to temperature. 3) Overall, Q10_long has a larger variability (1.7 ± 0.3) across different biomes, whereas Q10_short and Q10_hf show convergence (1.4 ± 0.2 and 1.3 ± 0.1, respectively). These results highlight the fact that Q10 can be overestimated by the long-term method, whereas the short-term method and high-frequency signals decomposed by the SSA method can obtain closer and convergent values after removing the confounding effects driven by non-temperature factors. Therefore, it is recommended to use the Q10 value estimated by the short-term method or high-frequency signals decomposed by the SSA method to predict carbon dynamics and its response to global warming in Earth system models.

A correction method for radial distortion and nonlinear response of infrared cameras.

The key feature of non-contact temperature measurement provided by infrared (IR) cameras underpins their versatility. However, the accuracy of temperature measurements with IR cameras depends on imaging quality due to their non-contact nature, such as the lens, body temperature, and measurement environment. This paper addresses the correction of radial distortion and nonlinear response issues in IR cameras. To address radial distortion, we have designed a passive checkerboard calibration board specifically for infrared cameras. This board is used to calibrate the IR camera and derive the necessary camera parameters. Subsequently, these parameters are applied during the actual measurement process to rectify radial distortion effectively. Building on the radial distortion correction method mentioned above, we propose a multi-point segmented calibration approach that considers different temperature ranges and imaging regions. This method alleviates the issue of reduced temperature measurement accuracy due to variations in camera responses by computing gain and offset coefficient matrices for each temperature range. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the calibration board in correcting radial distortion in IR cameras, with a mean reprojection error of less than 0.16 pixels. Regarding the nonlinear response problem, the introduced method significantly reduces the relative error in temperature measurement. In the verification phase, spanning from 100 to 500 °C, the average relative error in temperature measurement decreases by 0.49% from 1.61% before and after correction, which highlights a substantial improvement in temperature measurement accuracy. This work gives a useful reference to improve the imaging quality and temperature measurement accuracy using infrared cameras.

CTAB-Co-MOFs@AuPt NPs as signal probes for the electrochemical detection of carcinoembryonic antigen 15-3.

A sensitive electrochemical strategy for carcinoembryonic antigen 15-3 (CA15-3) detection is reported using CTAB-Co-MOFs@AuPt NPs as signal probes. The electrochemical strategy was designed as follows: First, the graphene aerogel@gold nanoparticles (GA@Au NPs) nanocomposites were employed to modify the sensing surface for promoting electron transfer rate and primary antibody (Ab1) immobilization due to GA possesses a large specific surface area, eminent conductivity, and a 3D network structure. Cobalt metal-organic frameworks (CTAB-Co-MOFs) synthesized were then used as a carrier for AuPt NPs and secondary antibody (Ab2) immobilization (notes: labelled-Ab2). With sandwich immunoreaction, the labelled-Ab2 was captured on the surface of the GA@Au NPs nanocomposites. Finally, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) was employed to register the electrochemical signal of the immunosensor at the potential of - 0.85 V (vs SCE) in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) containing 2.5 mM H2O2. It was verified that the electrochemical reduction signal from Co3+ to Co2+ was recorded. The AuPt NPs could catalyze the reaction of H2O2 oxidizing Co2+ to Co3+, resulting in the amplification of the electrochemical signal. Under the selected conditions, the immunosensor can detect CA15-3 in the range 10 µU/mL to 250 U/mL with a low detection limit of 1.1 µU/mL. In the designed strategy, the CTAB-Co-MOFs were not only employed as carriers for AuPt NPs, but also acted as signal probes. The CTAB-Co-MOFs were investigated including SEM, TEM, XPS, and XRD. The application ability of the immunosensor was evaluated using serum sample, demonstrating the immunosensor can be applied to clinic serum analysis.

Quantification and Characterization of Fine Plastic Particles as Considerable Components in Atmospheric Fine Particles.

The negative effects of air pollution, especially fine particulate matter (PM2.5, particles with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 µm), on human health, climate, and ecosystems are causing significant concern. Nevertheless, little is known about the contributions of emerging pollutants such as plastic particles to PM2.5 due to the lack of continuous measurements and characterization methods for atmospheric plastic particles. Here, we investigated the levels of fine plastic particles (FPPs) in PM2.5 collected in urban Shanghai at a 2 h resolution by using a novel versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system that concentrates ambient aerosols up to 10-fold. The FPPs were analyzed offline using the combination of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques that distinguished FPPs from other carbon-containing particles. The average FPP concentrations of 5.6 µg/m3 were observed, and the ratio of FPPs to PM2.5 was 13.2% in this study. The FPP sources were closely related to anthropogenic activities, which pose a potential threat to ecosystems and human health. Given the dramatic increase in plastic production over the past 70 years, this study calls for better quantification and control of FPP pollution in the atmosphere.

Implementation of Underwater Electric Field Communication Based on Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) Modulation.

Stable communication technologies in complex waters are a prerequisite for underwater operations. Underwater acoustic communication is susceptible to multipath interference, while underwater optical communication is susceptible to environmental impact. The underwater electric field communication established based on the weak electric fish perception mechanism is not susceptible to environmental interference, and the communication is stable. It is a new type of underwater communication technology. To address issues like short communication distances and high bit error rates in existing underwater electric field communication systems, this study focuses on underwater electric field communication systems based on direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) and binary phase shift keying (BPSK) modulation techniques. To verify the feasibility of the established spread spectrum electric field communication system, static communication experiments were carried out in a swimming pool using the DSSS-based system. The experimental results show that in fresh water with a conductivity of 739 µS/cm, the system can achieve underwater current electric field communication within a 11.2 m range with 10-6 bit errors. This paper validates the feasibility of DSSS BPSK in short-range underwater communication, and compact communication devices are expected to be deployed on underwater robots for underwater operations.

The catabolic specialization of the marine bacterium Polaribacter sp. Q13 to red algal ß1,3/1,4-mixed-linkage xylan.

Catabolism of algal polysaccharides by marine bacteria is a significant process of marine carbon cycling. ß1,3/1,4-Mixed-linkage xylan (MLX) is a class of xylan in the ocean, widely present in the cell walls of red algae. However, the catabolic mechanism of MLX by marine bacteria remains elusive. Recently, we found that a marine Bacteroidetes strain, Polaribacter sp. Q13, is a specialist in degrading MLX, which secretes a novel MLX-specific xylanase. Here, the catabolic specialization of strain Q13 to MLX was studied by multiomics and biochemical analyses. Strain Q13 catabolizes MLX with a canonical starch utilization system (Sus), which is encoded by a single xylan utilization locus, XUL-Q13. In this system, the cell surface glycan-binding protein SGBP-B captures MLX specifically, contributing to the catabolic specificity. The xylanolytic enzyme system of strain Q13 is unique, and the enzymatic cascade dedicates the stepwise hydrolysis of the ß1,3- and ß1,4-linkages in MLX in the extracellular, periplasmic, and cytoplasmic spaces. Bioinformatics analysis and growth observation suggest that other marine Bacteroidetes strains harboring homologous MLX utilization loci also preferentially utilize MLX. These results reveal the catabolic specialization of MLX degradation by marine Bacteroidetes, leading to a better understanding of the degradation and recycling of MLX driven by marine bacteria.IMPORTANCERed algae contribute substantially to the primary production in marine ecosystems. The catabolism of red algal polysaccharides by marine bacteria is important for marine carbon cycling. Mixed-linkage ß1,3/1,4-xylan (MLX, distinct from hetero-ß1,4-xylans from terrestrial plants) is an abundant red algal polysaccharide, whose mechanism of catabolism by marine bacteria, however, remains largely unknown. This study reveals the catabolism of MLX by marine Bacteroidetes, promoting our understanding of the degradation and utilization of algal polysaccharides by marine bacteria. This study also sets a foundation for the biomass conversion of MLX.

Metagenomic insights into the dynamic degradation of brown algal polysaccharides by kelp-associated microbiota.

Marine bacteria play important roles in the degradation and cycling of algal polysaccharides. However, the dynamics of epiphytic bacterial communities and their roles in algal polysaccharide degradation during kelp decay are still unclear. Here, we performed metagenomic analyses to investigate the identities and predicted metabolic abilities of epiphytic bacterial communities during the early and late decay stages of the kelp Saccharina japonica. During kelp decay, the dominant epiphytic bacterial communities shifted from Gammaproteobacteria to Verrucomicrobia and Bacteroidetes. In the early decay stage of S. japonica, epiphytic bacteria primarily targeted kelp-derived labile alginate for degradation, among which the gammaproteobacterial Vibrionaceae (particularly Vibrio) and Psychromonadaceae (particularly Psychromonas), abundant in alginate lyases belonging to the polysaccharide lyase (PL) families PL6, PL7, and PL17, were key alginate degraders. More complex fucoidan was preferred to be degraded in the late decay stage of S. japonica by epiphytic bacteria, predominantly from Verrucomicrobia (particularly Lentimonas), Pirellulaceae of Planctomycetes (particularly Rhodopirellula), Pontiellaceae of Kiritimatiellota, and Flavobacteriaceae of Bacteroidetes, which depended on using glycoside hydrolases (GHs) from the GH29, GH95, and GH141 families and sulfatases from the S1_15, S1_16, S1_17, and S1_25 families to depolymerize fucoidan. The pathways for algal polysaccharide degradation in dominant epiphytic bacterial groups were reconstructed based on analyses of metagenome-assembled genomes. This study sheds light on the roles of different epiphytic bacteria in the degradation of brown algal polysaccharides.IMPORTANCEKelps are important primary producers in coastal marine ecosystems. Polysaccharides, as major components of brown algal biomass, constitute a large fraction of organic carbon in the ocean. However, knowledge of the identities and pathways of epiphytic bacteria involved in the degradation process of brown algal polysaccharides during kelp decay is still elusive. Here, based on metagenomic analyses, the succession of epiphytic bacterial communities and their metabolic potential were investigated during the early and late decay stages of Saccharina japonica. Our study revealed a transition in algal polysaccharide-degrading bacteria during kelp decay, shifting from alginate-degrading Gammaproteobacteria to fucoidan-degrading Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, Kiritimatiellota, and Bacteroidetes. A model for the dynamic degradation of algal cell wall polysaccharides, a complex organic carbon, by epiphytic microbiota during kelp decay was proposed. This study deepens our understanding of the role of epiphytic bacteria in marine algal carbon cycling as well as pathogen control in algal culture.

Mesonia profundi sp. nov., isolated from deep-sea sediment of the Mariana Trench.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-flagellated, non-gliding bacterial strain, designated MT50T, was isolated from a deep-sea sediment sample collected from the Mariana Trench. Optimal growth of strain MT50T was observed at 25 °C, pH 7.0-7.5 and in the presence of 3-5 % (w/v) NaCl. The strain was positive for oxidase and catalase. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain MT50T is affiliated with the genus Mesonia, showing the highest sequence similarity (98.5 %) to the type strain of Mesonia ostreae. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain MT50T and four closely related type strains of known Mesonia species (14.1-54.8 % and 72.7-86.8 %, respectively) were all below the threshold values to discriminate bacterial species, indicating that strain MT50T is affiliated with a novel species within the genus. The genomic G+C content deduced from the genome of strain MT50T was 36.2 mol%. The major fatty acids of strain MT50T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and anteiso-C15 : 0. The predominant respiratory quinone of the strain was MK-6. The polar lipids of strain MT50T included phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified lipids. Based on the polyphasic data presented in this study, strain MT50T represents a novel species of the genus Mesonia, for which the name Mesonia profundi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MT50T (=MCCC 1K07833T=KCTC 92380T).

Effect of transarterial chemoembolization as postoperative adjuvant therapy for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma with microvascular invasion: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with microvascular invasion (MVI) is associated with high recurrence rates and poor survival outcomes after surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) on prognosis of intermediate-stage HCC patients with MVI after curative liver resection (LR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had intermediate-stage HCC with MVI and underwent curative LR between January 2013 and December 2019 at three institutions in China were identified for further analysis. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared between patients treated with and without postoperative TACE by propensity score-matching. RESULTS: A total of 246 intermediate-stage HCC patients with MVI were enrolled, 137 entered into the LR group and 109 entered into the LR+TACE group. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year RFS rates were 42.0, 27.2, and 17.8% in LR+TACE group, and 31.8, 18.2, and 8.7% in LR group. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS rates were 81.7, 47.2, and 26.1% in the LR+TACE group, and 67.3, 35.6, and 18.5% in the LR group. Compared with LR alone, LR+TACE was associated with significantly better RFS [hazard ratio (HR), 1.443; 95% CI: 1.089-1.914; P =0.009] and OS (HR, 1.438; 95% CI: 1.049-1.972; P =0.023). No difference was observed with RFS and OS in single TACE and multiple TACE in the matched cohort. CONCLUSION: Postoperative adjuvant TACE could be beneficial for intermediate-stage HCC patients with MVI.

Robust fabrication of sulfonated graphene oxide/poly (ether sulfone) catalytic membrane reactor for efficient cellulose hydrolysis and product separation.

The efficient conversion of cellulose to high value-added products is important for the utilization of cellulose biomass. Achieving efficient cellulose hydrolysis and timely products separation is the essential target. Herein, a modified sulfonated graphene oxide/polydopamine deposited polyethersulfone (mGO(SO3H)-PDA/PES) membrane reactor, combining in the same unit a conversion effect and a separation effect, was prepared by suction filtration and subsequent polymerization and adhesion. The structure of PES membrane and deposition of PDA was regulated to sure that small molecules can pass through the membrane, while cellulose could not. As a result, the mGO(SO3H)-PDA/PES membrane realized the efficient cellulose hydrolysis and timely products separation under cross-flow circulation mode at 0.1 MPa, avoiding the further degradation of reducing sugar products. The yields of total reducing sugar (TRS) and glucose in separated hydrolysate reached 93.2 % and 85.5 %, respectively. This strategy provides potential guidance for efficient conversion of cellulose.

The greenhouse gas budget for China's terrestrial ecosystems.

The first greenhouse gas (GHG) budget accounting over China shows that China's land ecosystems is close to GHG neutral, in contrast to the net GHG source of global land ecosystems.

Photothermal vortex interferometer with azimuthal complex spectra analysis for the measurement of laser-induced nanoscale thermal lens dynamics.

A photothermal vortex interferometer (PTVI) is proposed to fill the gap of full-field measurement of the laser-induced nanoscale thermal lens dynamics of optical elements. The PTVI produces a multi-ring petal-like interferogram by the coaxial coherent superposition of the high-order conjugated Laguerre-Gaussian beams. The non-uniform optical path change (OPC) profile resulting from the thermal lens causes the petals of the interferogram at the different radii to shift by the different azimuths. To demodulate such an interferogram, an azimuthal complex spectra analysis is presented by using a camera with a pixelated multi-ring pattern written on its sensor to extract multiple azimuthal intensity profiles synchronously from the interferogram. Therefore, the OPC profile can be determined dynamically from the complex spectra of the azimuthal intensity profiles at the main frequency components. An analytical thermophysical model of the thermal lens is given, and the basic principle of the azimuthal complex spectra analysis is revealed. A proof-of-concept experiment is demonstrated using a N-BK7 glass sample heated by a pump laser. The results verified that the PTVI achieves the measurement accuracy of 47 pm with a standard deviation of 358 pm (3σ) and can be used for full-field measurement of the nanoscale OPC profile caused by the thermal lens dynamics. Due to the picometer-scale accuracy of the PTVI, the absorption coefficient and thermal diffusivity of the glass sample were determined to be A0 = 0.126 m-1 and D = 5.63 × 10-7 m2 s-1, respectively, which agree with the nominal ones of A0 = 0.129 m-1 and D = 5.17 × 10-7 m2 s-1. Although the PTVI is only suitable for measuring the rotationally symmetric OPC, it shows less computation burden and hardware complexity, and it is proved to be a highly sensitive and effective tool in studying optical, thermo-physical, and mechanical properties of optical elements.

Ecological function and interaction of different bacterial groups during alginate processing in coastal seawater community.

The degradation of high molecular weight organic matter (HMWOM) is a core process of oceanic carbon cycle, which is determined by the activity of microbial communities harboring hundreds of different species. Illustrating the active microbes and their interactions during HMWOM processing can provide key information for revealing the relationship between community composition and its ecological functions. In this study, the genomic and transcriptional responses of microbial communities to the availability of alginate, an abundant HMWOM in coastal ecosystem, were elucidated. The main degraders transcribing alginate lyase (Aly) genes came from genera Alteromonas, Psychrosphaera and Colwellia. Meanwhile, some strains, mainly from the Rhodobacteraceae family, did not transcribe Aly gene but could utilize monosaccharides to grow. The co-culture experiment showed that the activity of Aly-producing strain could promote the growth of Aly-non-producing strain when alginate was the sole carbon source. Interestingly, this interaction did not reduce the alginate degradation rate, possibly due to the easily degradable nature of alginate. This study can improve our understanding of the relationship between microbial community activity and alginate metabolism function as well as further manipulation of microbial community structure for alginate processing.