The twisted path to sacredness: a grounded theory study of irrational religious orientation and its psycho-sociological implications.

This research delves into the nuances, origins, and societal effects of irrational religious orientations within China's Generation Z, employing grounded theory methodology for a comprehensive analysis. The focus is on those born between 1995 and 2010, a demographic raised amidst rapid information technology growth and significantly influenced by digitalization and globalization. The study identifies three primary dimensions of irrational religious orientations in Generation Z: religious spiritual dependence, religious instrumental tendency, and religious uniqueness identity. These are shaped by factors such as the overwhelming influx of information via digital media, societal pressures and psychological dilemmas, conflicts in values and identity crises, as well as feelings of social isolation and the need for group belonging. To address these trends, the study suggests several interventions: enhancing multicultural and values education, implementing stricter online information regulation and literacy programs, boosting mental health awareness and support, and fostering engagement in social and cultural activities. These recommendations are essential for comprehensively understanding and effectively responding to the irrational religious orientations of Generation Z, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and healthy development.

NiH-Catalyzed Proximal-Selective Hydroamination of Unactivated Alkenes with Anthranils.

The regioselective hydroamination of unactivated alkenes is a long-standing challenge in organic synthesis. Herein, we report a NiH-catalyzed proximal-selective hydroamination of unactivated alkenes with 8-aminoquinoline (AQ) as a bidentate auxiliary and anthranils as aminating reagents. A wide range of primary aryl amines bearing an ortho-carbonyl group were installed in both terminal and internal unactivated alkenes, delivering a variety of valuable ß- and γ-amino acid building blocks, respectively, with excellent regiocontrol. The utility of this transformation was further demonstrated by the conversion of the multifunctionalized aryl amines into useful N-heterocycles.

Facile synthesis of nanocellulose-based Cu2O/Ag heterostructure as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate for trace dye detection.

Semiconductor metal-oxide/metal heterostructures with synergetic properties have potential applications in photocatalysis and optical sensors. Here, Cu2O sub-micro cubes were synthesized under environmentally benign conditions using 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethylpyperdine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Then the surface of the Cu2O cubes was decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by a substitution reaction. The Cu2O/Ag heterostructures within the cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) network were employed as a promising surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) assay for efficient sensing of methylene blue (MB), reaching a maximum enhancement factor (EF) of 4.0 × 104. Their SERS intensities depended on the coverage density of AgNPs and the wavelength of the excitation laser. The excellent SERS performance may result from the charge transfer between Ag and Cu2O molecules and the strong electromagnetic field at the interface. The CNF-Cu2O/Ag substrates were capable of detecting MB dye down to 10-8 M level with a relative standard deviation of 10-15%, demonstrating great sensitivity and reproducibility.

Nitrogen aspects of hydrological processes: a case study in Likeng landfill, Guangzhou, China.

The nitrogen aspects of hydrological processes must be determined to identify nitrogen sources and relevant mechanisms. Landfills are the dominant disposal approach to deal with solid waste in urban areas in China. Landfills require adequate land and pose a potential threat to aquifer contamination, particularly in the humid zone, such as Guangzhou. The unlined Likeng landfill in Guangzhou was investigated in three campaigns during the period 2001-2007: water was sampled and analyzed for major ions, heavy metals, and stable isotopes of (18)O and (2)H in water, and (18)O and (15)N in nitrate. Contamination sources, water components, and groundwater flow were examined, revealing a mixture of various sources from landfill effluent, septic tank leakage, fertilizer, and manure following complex processes of recharge, mixing, and denitrification. The effluent from the landfill was rich in Na(+), Ca(2+), K(+), HCO3(-), and Cl(-) ions. A similar process of high NH4(+) in effluent resulting in episodic increases in NO3(-) because of NH4(+) oxidation was found in Likeng landfill when compared with landfills in Denmark and the USA. Twenty-five percent of the precipitation was lost to evaporation before recharging the aquifer, indicating a possible maximum recharge rate of 75% and the potential for a large amount of water penetration to the landfill if not well constructed. Apparent groundwater flow velocity of 3.7 × 10(-7) m s(-1) (11.67 m/a) was found for the front of the effluent under the landfill by considering the vertical and horizontal flow. These findings provide background to delineate the plume from Likeng landfill and to conceptualize the natural attenuation processes of other toxic compounds, which are imperative for any remediation strategy.