Redistributing Cu species in Cu-SSZ-13 zeolite as NH3-SCR catalyst via a simple ion-exchange

The nature and distribution of Cu species in Cu-SSZ-13 play a vital role in selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH3(NH3-SCR),but existing methods for adjusting the Cu distribution are complex and difficult to control.Herein,we report a simple and effective ion-exchange approach to regulate the Cu distribution in the one-pot synthesized Cu-SSZ-13 that possesses sufficient initial Cu species and thus provides a“natural environment”for adjusting Cu distribution precisely.By using this proposed strategy,a series of Cu-SSZ-13x zeolites with different Cu contents and distributions were obtained.It is shown that the dealumination of the as-synthesized Cu-SSZ-13 during the ion-exchange generates abundant vacant sites in the double six-membered-rings of the SSZ-13 zeolite for relocating Cu2+species and thus allows the redistribution of the Cu species.The catalytic results showed that the ion-exchanged Cu-SSZ-13 zeolites exhibit quite different catalytic performance in NH3-SCR reaction but superior to the parent counterpart.The structure–activity relationship analysis indicates that the redistribution of Cu species rather than other factors(e.g.,crystallinity,chemical composition,and porous structure)is responsible for the improved NH3-SCR performance and SO_(2) and H_(2)O resistance.Our work offers an effective method to precisely adjust the Cu distribution in preparing the industrial SCR catalysts.

Facile synthesis of hierarchical NaX zeolite from natural kaolinite for efficient Knoevenagel condensation

Zeolite catalysts have found extensive applications in the synthesis of various fine chemicals.However,the micropores of zeolites impose diffusion limitations on bulky molecules,greatly reducing the catalytic efficiency.Herein,we explore an economic and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing hierarchical NaX zeolite that exhibits improved catalytic performance in the Knoevenagel condensation reaction for producing the useful fine chemical 2-cyano-3-phenylacrylate.The synthesis was achieved via a low-temperature activation of kaolinite and subsequent in-situ transformation strategy without any template or seed.Systematic characterizations reveal that the synthesized NaX zeolite has both intercrystalline and intra-crystalline mesopores,smaller crystal size,and larger external specific surface area compared to commercial NaX zeolite.Detailed mechanism investigations show that the inter-crystalline mesopores are generated by stacking smaller crystals formed from in-situ crystallization of the depolymerized kaolinite,and the intra-crystalline mesopores are inherited from the pores in the depolymerized kaolinite.This synthesis strategy provides an energy-saving and effective way to construct hierarchical zeolites,which may gain wide applications in fine chemical manufacturing.

Interdecadal variability of summer precipitation in the Three River Source Region: Influences of SST and zonal shifts of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet

Summer precipitation in the Three Rivers Source Region(TRSR)of China is vital for the headwaters of the Yellow,Yangtze,and Lancang rivers and exhibits significant interdecadal variability.This study investigates the influence of the East Asian westerly jet(EAWJ)on TRSR rainfall.A strong correlation is found between TRSR summer precipitation and the Jet Zonal Position Index(JZPI)of the EAWJ from 1961 to 2019(R=0.619,p<0.01).During periods when a positive JZPI indicates a westward shift in the EAWJ,enhanced water vapor anomalies,warmer air,and low-level convergence anomalies contribute to increased TRSR summer precipitation.Using empirical orthogonal function and regression analyses,this research identifies the influence of large-scale circulation anomalies associated with the Atlantic–Eurasian teleconnection(AEA)from the North Atlantic(NA).The interdecadal variability between the NA and central tropical Pacific(CTP)significantly affects TRSR precipitation.This influence is mediated through the AEA via a Rossby wave train extending eastward along the EAWJ,and another south of 45°N.Moreover,the NA–CTP Opposite Phase Index(OPI),which quantifies the difference between the summer mean sea surface temperatures of the NA and the CTP,is identified as a critical factor in modulating the strength of this teleconnection and influencing the zonal position of the EAWJ.

Magmatic-tectonic response of the South China Craton to the Paleo-Pacific subduction during the Triassic:a new viewpoint based on Well NK-1

The Nansha Block(NB)is one of the blocks separated from the southern margin of the South China Craton(SCC)by the western Pacific subduction,which contains rich information of geodynamic and tectonic transformation.To reveal the essence of western Paleo-Pacific subduction during the Triassic period,Well NK-1 in this block was selected for petrographic study,and published research data from other cooperative teams were compared.A double-cycle pattern of basic to neutral magmatic volcanism was established,and 36 lithological rhythmic layers and representative cryptoexplosive breccia facies and welded tuff bands were identified.Combined with a reanalysis of published geochronological data,geochemical elements,and isotope geochemistry,we found that the rock assemblages could be divided into an intermediate-acid dacite(DA)series(SiO_(2)>65%)and basaltic(BA)series(Co<40μg/g),which was formed during the early Late Triassic((218.6±3.2)–(217.9±3.5)Ma).BA exhibits obvious calc-alkaline island-arc magmatic properties:(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)_i ratio ranging 0.70377–0.71118(average:0.70645),^(147)Sm/^(144)Nd ratio ranging 0.119–0.193(average:0.168),and chondrite-normalized rare earth element(REE)curves being flat,while DA exhibits remarkable characteristics of subducted island-arc andesitic magma:(^(87)Sr/^(86)Sr)_i ratio(0.70939–0.71129;average:0.71035),εNd(t)value(-6.2–-4.8;average:-5.6)andε_(Hf)(t)value(-2.9–-1.7,average:-2.2)show obvious crust-mantle mixing characteristics.BA and DA reveal typical characteristics of island-arc magma systems and typeⅡenriched mantle(EM-Ⅱ)magma.BA magma was likely resulted from the process whereby the continental crust frontal accretionary wedge was driven by the Paleo-Pacific slab subduction into the deep and began to melt,resulting in a large amount of melt(fluid)joined the asthenosphere on the side of the continental margin.In contrast,DA magma was likely resulted from the process whereby the plate front was forced to bend with increasing subduction distance,which triggered the upwelling of the asthenosphere near the continent and subsequently led to the partial melting of the lithospheric mantle and lower crust due to continuous underplating.The lithospheric thinning environment in the study area at the end of Triassic created suitable conditions for the separation between the NB and SCC,which provided an opportunity for the formation of the early intracontinental rift during the later expansion of the South China Sea(SCS).

OSDA-free synthesis of FeZSM-22 zeolite from natural minerals for n-octane hydroisomerization

A seed-directed approach to synthesizing Fe ZSM-22 zeolite without organic structure directing agent(OSDA)was developed by using Fe-rich diatomite as all aluminum and iron sources.The Fe ZSM-22zeolite with optimal crystallinity and purity can be obtained by systematically adjusting feed composition and synthesis conditions.Characterizations show that Fe ZSM-22 zeolite synthesized with OSDA-free owns high crystallinity,obvious thin needle-shaped morphology and high Bronsted/Lewis acid ratio.Significantly,when used for n-octane hydroisomerization reaction,its derived catalyst exhibits the best catalytic performance reflected by the highest selectivity to C_(8)isomers compared to the two reference catalysts prepared based on a Fe-containing and a Fe-free ZSM-22 synthesized through an OSDA-directed route from natural diatomite and conventional chemicals,respectively.This work provides an alternative route to sustainably synthesizing heteroatomic zeolites with high performance.

整合式理论下化工虚拟教研室建设的挑战及实现路径

虚拟教研室是在教育数字化背景下高校基层教学组织建设的创新性探索,在推动专业建设、课程建设、教学改革研究中有重要作用。本文在介绍整合式理论的基础上,阐释了现有化工教研室存在的创新模式、师资匹配、智能资源整合不足的问题。将整合式理论同教研室特征进行结合,分析了虚拟教研室在整合式理论下的应然状态,探索了创建跨界模式、构建进阶指导、共享线上资源的三种虚拟教研实现途径。虚拟教研室运行三年来,提高了教师教学能力和化工类应用型才培养质量。

Deep Learning Aided SCL Decoding of Polar Codes with Shifted-Pruning

Recently,a generalized successive cancellation list(SCL)decoder implemented with shiftedpruning(SP)scheme,namely the SCL-SP-ωdecoder,is presented for polar codes,which is able to shift the pruning window at mostωtimes during each SCL re-decoding attempt to prevent the correct path from being eliminated.The candidate positions for applying the SP scheme are selected by a shifting metric based on the probability that the elimination occurs.However,the number of exponential/logarithm operations involved in the SCL-SP-ωdecoder grows linearly with the number of information bits and list size,which leads to high computational complexity.In this paper,we present a detailed analysis of the SCL-SP-ωdecoder in terms of the decoding performance and complexity,which unveils that the choice of the shifting metric is essential for improving the decoding performance and reducing the re-decoding attempts simultaneously.Then,we introduce a simplified metric derived from the path metric(PM)domain,and a custom-tailored deep learning(DL)network is further designed to enhance the efficiency of the proposed simplified metric.The proposed metrics are both free of transcendental functions and hence,are more hardware-friendly than the existing metrics.Simulation results show that the proposed DL-aided metric provides the best error correction performance as comparison with the state of the art.

Catalytic conversion of glucose to small polyols over a binary catalyst of vanadium modified beta zeolite and Ru/C

Catalytic conversion of glucose, the most abundant carbohydrate, to chemicals of petroleum origin has great desirability in terms of sustainability and industrial implementation. In this work, we attempted to exploit the vanadium-based catalysts with high retro-aldol condensation(RAC) activity for the synthesis of small polyols from glucose. Vanadium species incorporated or anchored beta zeolites were found to work effectively in synergy with 1 Ru/AC to produce hydroxyacetone(HA) as the major product(34%)in a semi-continuously stirred tank reactor under 5% glucose concentration. Catalyst characterization by UV-vis and Raman spectral analysis revealed vanadium species mainly stayed in the incorporated form(tetrahedral) at 0.5% of loading and in the supported form(octahedral) at higher loadings up to 8%. Pyridine infrared spectra and temperature programmed desorption of NH3 revealed weak Lewis acid sites in dominance. Vanadium species in the catalysts displayed multiple catalytic roles(isomerization and RAC reaction, and synergism with the hydrogenation catalyst) in the synthesis of HA from glucose. Structureactivity correlation pointed out that the catalytic activity of vanadium species is not dependent on it coordination status, nevertheless, the adjacent vanadium atoms could possibly improve the isomerization rate over the RAC rate in favor of high yield of HA. The catalyst system is recyclable to at least five times without any considerable loss in its activity and structural integrity. The results presented here provide a promising route for the sustainable production of HA and polyols from carbohydrates by using a highly selective vanadium catalyst.

Characterization of three-dimensional multipotent adipose-derived stem cell spheroids

Human adipose stem cells(hADSCs)are reliable sources for cell therapy.However,the clinical applications are limited by the decrease in activity during in vitro culture.We used a knockout serum replacement(KSR)medium,Eppendorf(EP)tube culture,and a simulated microgravity(SMG)culture system to establish hADSC spheroids.We found that hADSCs aggregated and formed spheroids in the KSR culture medium.The EP tube culture method revealed many biological cell characteristics,such as good cell viabilities,rough surfaces,polar growth,fusion phenomenon,and injectability.The findings show its advantages for hADSCs spherical cultures.When cultured in SMG,hADSC spheroids produced large-scale spheroids.Additionally,confocal examination and viability assays revealed that SMG-cultured hADSC spheroids had higher cell viabilities and looser spherical structures,relative to those cultured in EP tubes.hADSC spheroids in static EP tube culture had tighter structures and more dead cells with rough and irregular surfaces,while hADSC spheroids in dynamic SMG condition exhibited looser structures and better cell viabilities with flat and regular surfaces.Therefore,the KSR media promotes spherical formation by hADSCs,which showed polar growth,fusion,and injectability in vitro.The dynamic SMG culture enhances the formation of a looser structure and better cell viabilities for hADSC spheroids.

Establishment of Specific Chromatogram of Spica Prunellae Formula Granules Based on Standard Decoction

[Objectives]This study aimed to establish HPLC chromatograms of decoction pieces,standard decoction and formula granules of Spica Prunellae.[Methods]The chromatographic conditions were as follows:column,SHISEIDO CAPCELL PAK C18 MGII column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5μm);mobile phase,acetonitrile-0.1%phosphoric acid;gradient elution;detection wavelength,280 nm;flow rate,1.0 mL/min;and column temperature,30℃.The correlation between the decoction pieces,standard decoction and formula granules of Spica Prunellae was analyzed by specific chromatograms.[Results]The fingerprint chromatograms of decoction pieces,standard decoction and formula granules of Spica Prunellae showed five common peaks,with good correlation.Among the five common peaks,four of them were tanshinol,protocatechuic acid,caffeic acid and rosmarinic acid.[Conclusions]The main chemical constituents of decoction pieces,standard decoction and formula granules of Spica Prunellae are basically the same.The HPLC specific chromatogram established can be used for the quality control of Spica Prunellae formula granules.

Preparation of multicolor carbon dots with thermally turn-on fluorescence for multidimensional information encryption

Carbon dots(CDs)with superior fluorescence properties have attracted a growing number of research interests in anti-counterfeiting.However,the preparation of CDs with thermally turn-on fluorescence and full-color-emitting in visible spectrum is still a big challenge due to the complicated reaction mechanism in the formation of CDs.Here,a simple precursor-oriented strategy for the preparation of multicolor CDs with heat-stimuli turn-on fluorescence is reported.Comprehensive experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations revealed that the emission wavelength of CDs can be readily tuned from 460 nm to 654 nm with selected precursors,which was ascribed to the extent of conjugated sp2-domains(core states)and the amount of oxygen-and nitrogen-containing groups bound to sp2-domains(surface states).After simply mixing two or three kinds of CDs,a full-color range of fluorescence emission was realized,and the CDs-based fluorescence inks were successfully fabricated.Particularly,all the printed patterns from the inkjet exhibited a thermal-induced enhancement in fluorescence.On this basis,combining CDs with heating-induced“turn-off”fluorescence materials can lead to multidimensional and multistage encryption.These results demonstrate that the thermochromic and photochromic CDs with much more enhanced security exhibit promising application in data storage and encryption.

Surface-state controlled synthesis of hydrophobic and hydrophilic carbon dots

It is of great significance to synthesize carbon dots(CDs)with desirable hydrophilicity for the ever-growing application of CDs in different fields.In this study,the hydrophilic and hydrophobic CDs were facilely prepared by solvothermal treatment of o-dihydroxybenzene and urea in N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF).Optimization experiments revealed that the solvothermal temperature has a great impact on the surface states of the CDs.The hydrophobic CDs with a contact angle of 110.7°was obtained at 200℃.The structural and optical characterizations,along with theoretical calculations elucidated that the lipophilic nature of the CDs was resulting from the formation of polymer chains.The presence of extended conjugated sp^(2)-domains and amino groups contributed to the red emission of the CDs synthesized at low reaction temperatures(160-200℃).With the further increase of solvothermal temperature,the hydrophobic CDs were gradually transformed to the hydrophilic state accompanying the blue shift of the fluorescence of the CDs.The highly hydrophilic CDs with a contact angle of 25.9°were obtained at 240℃ due to the increased formation of hydrophilic functional groups on the surface of CDs.The red emissive CDs exhibited a sensitive color and fluorescence response to ethanol content while the fluorescence of the blue emissive CDs remained constant.By combining the two kinds of CDs,a dual-emission sensor was constructed,which was successfully applied for the evaluation of the alcoholic strength in commercial Baijiu commodities in both fluorometric and colorimetric modes.

Characterization of the pheromone receptors in Mythimna loreyi reveals the differentiation of sex pheromone recognition in Mythimna species

Pheromone receptors(PRs)are key proteins in the molecular mechanism of pheromone recognition,and exploring the functional differentiation of PRs between closely related species helps to understand the evolution of moth mating systems.Pheromone components of the agricultural pest Mythimna loreyi have turned into(Z)-9-tetradecen-1-yl acetate(Z9-14:OAc),(Z)-7-dodecen-1-yl acetate(Z7-12:OAc),and(Z)-11-hexadecen-1-yl acetate,while the composition differs from that of M.separata in the genus Mythimna.To understand the molecular mechanism of pheromone recognition,we sequenced and analyzed antennal transcriptomes to identify 62 odorant receptor(OR)genes.The expression levels of all putative ORs were analyzed using differentially expressed gene analysis.Six candidate PRs were quantified and functionally characterized in the Xenopus oocytes system.MlorPR6 and MlorPR3 were determined to be the receptors of major and minor components Z9-14:OAc and Z7-12:OAc.MlorPR1 and female antennae(FA)-biased MlorPR5 both possessed the ability to detect pheromones of sympatric species,including(Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol,(Z)-9-tetradecen-1-ol,and(Z)-9-tetradecenal.Based on the comparison of PR functions between M.loreyi and M.separata,we analyzed the differentiation of pheromone recognition mechanisms during the evolution of the mating systems of 2 Mythimna species.

等级孔FAU型分子筛的制备及应用的研究进展

FAU型分子筛因其独特的孔道结构已成为化学工业中应用最广泛、用量最大的催化剂、催化剂载体及吸附剂之一.然而,FAU型分子筛单一的微孔孔道限制了客体分子的扩散,导致其性能严重下降.相比之下,等级孔FAU型分子筛具有微-介/大孔复合的多级孔道结构,能够促进大分子的扩散、提高活性位点的可接近性,进而改善其吸附和催化性能.目前,等级孔分子筛的制备方法主要包括“自下而上”的直接合成法和“自上而下”的后处理法.本文主要介绍了近年来等级孔X型和Y型分子筛制备方法的研究现状,重点总结了等级孔X型和Y型分子筛在吸附、催化等过程中的应用性能,并对等级孔FAU型分子筛的绿色化制备进行展望.

Eco-friendly synthesis and environmental impact assessment of hierarchical Beta zeolite from kaolinite and recycled mother liquor

The development of sustainable techniques to produce high-performance zeolite is essential to achieve green production in industry.Herein,we report an eco-friendly route to synthesizing hierarchical Beta zeolite from kaolinite and recycled mother liquor.The results reveal that the unutilized species(such as silicon species and Na+)in mother liquor stayed in a stable concentration during eleven recycled experiments.Moreover,the synthesized Beta zeolites still have comparable physicochemical properties and catalytic performance in the esterification of levulinic acid with ethanol over the initial zeolite although eleven recycled experiments.Life cycle assessment exhibits that the synthesis of Beta zeolite with recycled mother liquor can reduce global warming potential by 23%and resource depletion-water use by 36%compared to that without recycled mother liquor.This quantitatively demonstrates that the approach proposed in this work is really a sustainable one,extremely increasing the utilization efficiency of raw materials and decreasing the environmental burden.

One-step synthesis of fluorescent smart thermo- responsive copper clusters： A potential nanothermometer in living cells

Temperature measurement in biology and medical diagnostics, along with sensitive temperature probing in living cells, is of great importance; however, it still faces significant challenges. Metal nanoclusters （NCs） with attractive luminescent properties may be promising candidates to overcome such challenges. Here, a novel one-step synthetic method is presented to prepare highly fluorescent copper NCs （CuNCs） in ambient conditions by using glutathione （GSH） as both the reducing agent and the protective layer preventing the aggregation of the as-formed NCs. The resultant CuNCs, with an average diameter of 2.3 nm, contain 1-3 atoms and exhibit red fluorescence （A^m = 610 nm） with high quantum yields （QYs, up to 5.0%）. Interestingly, the fluorescence signal of the CuNCs is reversibly responsive to the environmental temperature in the range of 15-80 ℃. Furthermore, as the CuNCs exhibit good biocompatibility, they can pervade the MC3T3-E1 cells and enable measurements over the physiological temperature range of 15-45 ℃ with the use of the confocal fluorescence imaging method. In view of the facile synthesis method and attractive fluorescence properties, the as-prepared CuNCs may be used as photoluminescence thermometers and biosensors.

Engineering FeS_(2) nanoparticles on tubular g-C_(3)N_(4) for photo-Fenton treatment of paint wastewater

An efficient photo-Fenton catalyst(Fe S_(2)@HTCN)was designed by maximizing the synergistic effect of Fe S_(2)nanoparticles and hollow tubular g-C_(3)N_(4)(HTCN).Molecule self-assembly and molten salts-assisted calcination were used to engineering the hollow structured g-C_(3)N_(4)before anchoring Fe S_(2)nanoparticles on the walls of HTCN via reflux method.Compared to bulk g-C_(3)N_(4),the unique structure of HTCN and heterojunction in the composite endowed FeS_(2)@HTCN with more active sites and abundant channels for electron transfer and charge separation.The enriched electrons can improve the Fe^(3+) recycling and boost Fe^(2+) catalyzed ^(·)OH production via H_(2)O_(2).As-prepared photo-Fenton catalyst was successfully applied to the treatment of industrial paint wastewater.The paint wastewater with its COD as high as 8200 mg/L can be effectively degraded with 0.2 mol/L H_(2)O_(2)in 90 min under visible light irradiation.The photoFenton system was further evaluated according to the process stability and economic benefit,proving that the strategy presented in this work would be applicable to the treatment of real wastewater.

The function-oriented precursor selection for the preparation of carbon dots

As a new type of fluorescent nanomaterials,carbon dots(CDs)have exhibited excellent photoluminescence properties with tunable emission and high quantum yields,hence they have attracted an increasing interest in diverse research areas.The photoluminescence performance of CDs is primarily influenced by their precursors,which directly or indirectly determine the structures and specific functions of the resultant CDs.In this review,we aim to summarize the recent progress on synthesis of CDs using small aliphatic molecules,anilines,polyphenol,polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,organic dyes,or biomass as precursors.The associations of the physical and chemical properties of the CDs with their respective precursors are comprehensively investigated,and the potential applications and future development of CDs are discussed in detail.It is hoped that this review will open new horizons for CDs preparation by rational selection of the precursors from the vastly available carbon sources and the critical comments presented,here could inspire and guide future research in the design of multifunctional CDs.

Antifertility effects of levonorgestrel,quinestrol,and their mixture(EP-1)on plateau zokor in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

The plateau zokor(Eospalax baileyi)is a key species in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau ecosystem,and fertility control could be an ideal approach to manage populations of this subterranean species.In this laboratory study,we explored the effects of the mixture of levonorgestrel and quinestrol(EP-1,1:2),quinestrol(E),and levonorgestrel(P)on the reproductive status of plateau zokors.Groups of 5 animals of each sex were treated with different concentrations of EP-1(1,5,and 10 mg/kg),E(0.33,3.3,and 6.6 mg/kg),and P(0.67,3.35,and 6.7 mg/kg)by oral gavage over 7 successive days and killed on day 15.Body mass reduction was observed in the EP-1 and E groups.EP-1 and E significantly reduced the weight of testis and epididymis at 10 and 3.3 mg/kg,respectively.Sperm count and motility were significantly reduced by 5 mg/kg EP-1 and 0.33 mg/kg E.The levels of serum testosterone,estradiol,luteinizing hormone,and follicle stimulating hormone were significantly reduced by 5 mg/kg EP-1 and 3.3 mg/kg E.EP-1 and E significantly increased the uterine and ovarian weights at 10 and 3.3 mg/kg,respectively.In the plateau zokors,treatment with P had no influence on the reproductive status.These data demonstrate that EP-1 and E have an inhibitory effect on a range of reproductive parameters in the plateau zokors.Further assessment is required to determine the effects on breeding and recruitment in enclosure orfield experiments.

Mapping of de novo mutations in primary biliary cholangitis to a disease-specific co-expression network underlying homeostasis and metabolism

Primary biliary cholangitis(PBC) is an autoimmune disease involving dysregulation of a broad array of homeostatic and metabolic processes. Although considerable single-nucleotide polymorphisms have been unveiled, a large fraction of risk factors remains enigmatic. Candidate genes with rare mutations that tend to confer more deleterious effects need to be identified. To help pinpoint cellular and developmental mechanisms beyond common noncoding variants, we integrate whole exome sequencing with integrative network analysis to investigate genes harboring de novo mutations. Prominent convergence has been revealed on a network of disease-specific co-expression comprised of 55 genes associated with homeostasis and metabolism. The transcription factor gene MEF2 D and the DNA repair gene PARP2 are highlighted as hub genes and identified to be up-and down-regulated, respectively, in peripheral blood data set. Enrichment analysis demonstrates that altered expression of MEF2 D and PARP2 may trigger a series of molecular and cellular processes with pivotal roles in PBC pathophysiology. Our study identifies genes with de novo mutations in PBC and suggests that a subset of genes in homeostasis and metabolism tend to act in synergy through converging on co-expression network, providing novel insights into the etiology of PBC and expanding the pool of molecular candidates for discovering clinically actionable biomarkers.