Persistent alterations in gray matter in COVID-19 patients experiencing sleep disturbances:a 3-month longitudinal study

Sleep disturbances are among the most prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals who have recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections.Previous studies have demonstrated abnormal brain structures in patients with sleep disturbances who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).However,neuroimaging studies on sleep disturbances caused by COVID-19 are scarce,and existing studies have primarily focused on the long-term effects of the virus,with minimal acute phase data.As a result,little is known about the pathophysiology of sleep disturbances in the acute phase of COVID-19.To address this issue,we designed a longitudinal study to investigate whether alterations in brain structure occur during the acute phase of infection,and verified the results using 3-month follow-up data.A total of 26 COVID-19 patients with sleep disturbances(aged 51.5±13.57 years,8 women and 18 men),27 COVID-19 patients without sleep disturbances(aged 47.33±15.98 years,9 women and 18 men),and 31 age-and gender-matched healthy controls(aged 49.19±17.51 years,9 women and 22 men)were included in this study.Eleven COVID-19 patients with sleep disturbances were included in a longitudinal analysis.We found that COVID-19 patients with sleep disturbances exhibited brain structural changes in almost all brain lobes.The cortical thicknesses of the left pars opercularis and left precuneus were significantly negatively correlated with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores.Additionally,we observed changes in the volume of the hippocampus and its subfield regions in COVID-19 patients compared with the healthy controls.The 3-month follow-up data revealed indices of altered cerebral structure(cortical thickness,cortical grey matter volume,and cortical surface area)in the frontal-parietal cortex compared with the baseline in COVID-19 patients with sleep disturbances.Our findings indicate that the sleep disturbances patients had altered morphology in the cortical and hippocampal structures during the acute phase of infection and persistent changes in cortical regions at 3 months post-infection.These data improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of sleep disturbances caused by COVID-19.

鄱阳湖碟形湖和通江水域有色可溶性有机物(CDOM)的吸收与荧光特性对比研究

有色可溶性有机物(CDOM)在水生态系统的生物地球化学循环中起着重要的作用.近年来,在全球气候变暖和人类活动的双重影响下,全球大部分湖泊出现了水文隔离现象.然而,水文隔离如何影响大型湖泊CDOM组成变化仍然知之甚少.本研究于2021年在鄱阳湖碟形湖和通江水域采集水样,运用紫外-可见吸收光谱与三维荧光光谱,结合平行因子分析法(PARAFAC)研究CDOM光学特性,揭示鄱阳湖碟形湖和通江水域CDOM组成和来源的差异.结果表明:①碟形湖溶解性有机碳(DOC)浓度以及CDOM在355 nm处的吸收系数〔a(355)〕的平均值均显著高于通江水域(p<0.001),表明受水文隔离影响的碟形湖水体中存在更丰富的有机物.②基于PARAFAC分析得出的类腐殖质荧光组分(C1、C2)和蛋白质荧光组分(C3)最大荧光强度值(Fmax)的平均值均表现为碟形湖高于通江水域;碟形湖和通江水域的类腐殖质组分(C1+C2)占总荧光强度的比例分别为71.96%和59.93%,且通江水域CDOM中蛋白质荧光组分C3的贡献率高于碟形湖.③通过碟形湖和通江水域CDOM特征参数的对比分析,得出碟形湖CDOM相对分子量和腐殖化程度均高于通江水域.研究显示,水文隔离对鄱阳湖CDOM空间分布及组成变化有显著的影响.

Optical Characteristics of Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter(CDOM)in Upstream and Downstream Lakes of Taihu Lake Basin:New Insights for Water Environmental Management

Chromophoric dissolved organic matter(CDOM)is a key component of organic matter that contributes to the ecological functioning of lakes.The lakes in Taihu Lake Basin play an important role in maintaining regional ecological stabilities;however,the optical characteristics of the CDOM in the upstream and downstream lakes in this basin have not yet been systematically studied.Here,the optical characteristics of CDOM in ten lakes of upstream and downstream of the Taihu Lake Basin were studied using UV-Visible and excitation-emission matrix spectroscopies.Three different fluorophores consisting of two humic-like components(C1,C2)and one protein-like component(C3)were identified by parallel factor analysis.Soil or surface erosion was responsible for the higher abund-ance of C1 in the upstream lakes,and increased biological activities accounted for the higher abundance of C3 in the downstream lakes.Rainfall erosion in the wet season led to an increase in CDOM.We also found that the photodegradation and flocculation degree,which played a significant role in reducing CDOM,were higher in downstream lakes than in upstream lakes.Optical analysis of CDOM provides a promising method for monitoring water qualities(e.g.,total phosphorus and potassium permanganate index)in each lake.Re-ductions in soil or surface erosion in the upstream are needed to improve water quality.

基于CDOM光谱特征的泥页岩产气特征评价

泥页岩中可溶有机质(DOM)组成和可降解性是影响生物气形成的重要因素,开发简便有效的方法来评估可溶有机质的组成、官能团特征和微生物活性等,可为泥页岩生物气田产气机制分析提供关键的基础信息。采集了柴达木盆地涩探1井1219~1309 m泥质岩心,基于有色可溶有机质(CDOM)的三维荧光(EEM)和紫外可见吸收光谱特征,分析了可溶有机质的组分、官能团特征和易降解程度,了解了产甲烷菌可利用底物的分布情况。结果表明:涩探1井岩心有机质以易降解的类色氨酸荧光组分C1和C3为主,占比70.54%;荧光组分、荧光参数HIX、BIX和吸光系数E_(253)/E_(203)、SUVA_(254)共同指示1219~1222 m和1285~1301 m2个层位有机质腐殖化程度较低,芳香性较弱,为潜在的产气活跃层位。研究表明CDOM光谱可以作为分析泥页岩可溶有机质特征的有效方法,其结果反映了产甲烷菌可利用底物和微生物活性等特征,为烃源层系内生物产气预测提供有效的重要信息。

Impacts of Water-Sediment Regulation Scheme on Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter in the Lower Yellow River

As a river with more than 3000 reservoirs in its watershed,the Yellow River has been affected by dams not only on the sediment load,but also on the water quality.Water-sediment regulation scheme(WSRS),which has been carried out annually in the Yellow River since 2002,is a typical human activity affecting river water quality.Chromophoric dissolved organic matter(CDOM)in river is susceptible to changes in ecological and environmental conditions as well as human activities.Here,we report variations in dissolved organic carbon concentrations,compositions and sources of CDOM in time series samples in the lower Yellow River during WSRS.In addition,a parallel factor fluorescence analysis(PARAFAC)method is applied to identify different fluorescent components in water samples during WRSR,showing four major components including tryptophan-like component(C1),microbial humic-like component(C2),terrestrial humic-like component(C3)and tyrosine-like component(C4).In general,C1 increased after water regulation,while C2 and C3 increased after sediment regulation,indicating that the water and sediment released by the dam have different effects on CDOM compositions.Under the impacts of the dam,source of CDOM in the lower Yellow River is mainly autochthonous related to microbial activities,and is regulated by the terrestrial input during WSRS period.Sediment resuspension inhibits microbial activities and reduces the production of autochthonous CDOM.Overall,human activities especially WSRS,as exemplified here,significantly alter the quality and quantity of CDOM in the lower Yellow River,affecting CDOM dynamics and biogeochemical processes in the estuarine environment.

In vivo 3-photon fluorescence microscopy of white matter in mouse brain excited at the 1700 nm window

White matter,a densely packed collection of myelinated axons,plays an essential part in neural networks.With high spatial resolution and deep penetration,multi-photon microscopy(MPM)is promising for white matter imaging in animal models in vivo.The third harmonic generation(THG)signal can be generated from white matter,but the bottom part of the white matter layer generates weak THG due to its high scattering.Here,we demonstrate an in vivo labeling and imaging technology,capable of visualizing the white matter layer in the mouse brain,combining°uorescence labeling with MitoTracker Red and three-photon°uorescence(3PF)microscopy excited at the 1700 nm window.3PF signals are several times higher than THG signals,resulting in deeper imaging of the white matter layer with the former.Our results indicate that 3PF microscopy is a promising technology for white matter imaging in the deep brain in vivo.

Ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract attenuates particulate matter-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in keratinocytes and zebrafish

Objective:To evaluate the effect of the ethyl acetate fraction derived from Sargassum pallidum extract against particulate matter(PM)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in HaCaT cells and zebrafish.Methods:HaCaT cells and zebrafish were used to evaluate the protective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract against PM-induced oxidative stress and inflammation.The production of nitric oxide(NO),intracellular ROS,prostaglandin E_(2)(PGE_(2)),and pro-inflammatory cytokines,and the expression levels of COX-2,iNOS,and NF-κB were evaluated in PM-induced HaCaT cells.Furthermore,the levels of ROS,NO,and lipid peroxidation were assessed in the PM-exposed zebrafish model.Results:The ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract significantly decreased the production of NO,intracellular ROS,and PGE_(2) in PM-induced HaCaT cells.In addition,the fraction markedly suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibited the expression levels of COX-2,iNOS,and NF-κB.Furthermore,it displayed remarkable protective effects against PM-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress,represented by the reduction of NO,ROS,and lipid peroxidation in zebrafish.Conclusions:The ethyl acetate fraction of Sargassum pallidum extract exhibits a protective effect against PM-induced oxidative stress and inflammation both in vitro and in vivo and has the potential as a candidate for the development of pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical products.

Multiple enrichment mechanisms of organic matter in the Fengcheng Formation of Mahu Sag,Junggar Basin,NW China

Based on core and thin section data,the source rock samples from the Fengcheng Formation in the Mahu Sag of the Junggar Basin were analyzed in terms of zircon SIMS U-Pb geochronology,organic carbon isotopic composition,major and trace element contents,as well as petrology.Two zircon U-Pb ages of(306.0±5.2)Ma and(303.5±3.7)Ma were obtained from the first member of the Fengcheng Formation.Combined with carbon isotopic stratigraphy,it is inferred that the depositional age of the Fengcheng Formation is about 297-306 Ma,spanning the Carboniferous-Permian boundary and corresponding to the interglacial period between C4 and P1 glacial events.Multiple increases in Hg/TOC ratios and altered volcanic ash were found in the shale rocks of the Fengcheng Formation,indicating that multiple phases of volcanic activity occurred during its deposition.An interval with a high B/Ga ratio was found in the middle of the second member of the Fengcheng Formation,associated with the occurrence of evaporite minerals and reedmergnerite,indicating that the high salinity of the water mass was related to hydrothermal activity.Comprehensive analysis suggests that the warm and humid climate during the deposition of Fengcheng Formation is conducive to the growth of organic matter such as algae and bacteria in the lake,and accelerates the continental weathering,driving the input of nutrients.Volcanic activities supply a large amount of nutrients and stimulate primary productivity.The warm climate and high salinity are conducive to water stratification,leading to water anoxia that benefits organic matter preservation.The above factors interact and jointly control the enrichment of organic matter in the Fengcheng Formation of Mahu Sag.

Seasonal Distribution of Observed Colored Dissolved Organic Matter(CDOM)in the Eastern Indian Ocean

Colored dissolved organic matter(CDOM)is a crucial constituent that affects the optical absorption properties of seawater.Owing to the relatively limited measured data on the spatial distribution characteristics of CDOM in the tropical eastern Indian Ocean,this study analyzes the optical absorption characteristics of CDOM in the southeast Indian Ocean using the data collected during four seasons from 2013 to 2017.This work also systematically describes the seasonal horizontal and vertical distribution characteristics of CDOM in this area and conducts a preliminary analysis of the relevant factors affecting CDOM absorption characteristics in this region.Results indicate that the CDOM ag(440)during summer was remarkably lower than that in the coastal waters of Europe and coastal waters of China but slightly higher than that in the western and southeast Pacific.The spatial distribution of surface CDOM shows remarkable seasonal differences,and the spatial distribution characteristics of CDOM in the 5°S,92°E region differ between spring/summer and autumn/winter.The values of ag(400)and ag(440)are weak/strong at a surface/subsurface level of 100 m,with differences found between summer and winter.The correlation of CDOM with temperature,salinity,and chlorophyll-a concentration is relatively low,indicating that CDOM is an independent driving mechanism influenced by phytoplankton degradation,photobleaching,and water mixing.

A pressure-sensitive rheological origin of high friction angles of granular matter observed in NASA–MGM project

An abnormally high peak friction angle of Ottawa sand was observed in(National Aeronautics and Space Administration) NASA–(Mechanics of Granular Materials) MGM tests in microgravity conditions on the space shuttle. Previous investigations have been unsuccessful in providing a constitutive insight into this behavior of granular materials under extremely low effective stress conditions. Here, a recently proposed unified constitutive model for transient rheological behavior of sand and other granular materials is adopted for the analytical assessment of high peak friction angles. For the first time, this long-eluded behavior of sand is attributed to a hidden rheological transition mechanism, that is not only rate-sensitive, but also pressure-sensitive. The NASA–MGM microgravity conditions show that shear-tests of sand can be performed under abnormally low confining stress conditions. The pressure-sensitive behavior of granular shearing that is previously ignored is studied based on the μ(I) rheology and its variations. Comparisons between the model and the NASA microgravity tests demonstrate a high degree of agreement. The research is highly valid for pressure-sensitive and rate-dependent problems that occur during earthquakes, landslides, and space exploration.

The Structure of Gravity Funnels and Stability Considerations of Matter in SI Units

This article describes an extension of the theory of vortices to electromagnetic types with a start point from known fluid systems. From this, properties of gravity-generating objects (particles and black holes) can be derived, which can also describe their possible interior. This also leads to questions about stability, which are then addressed and ultimately lead to considerations of black holes and their possible internal structure. The results fit into the observable areas and can also be directly verified because they were analytically calculated in SI units.

Disorder-to-order transition induced by spontaneous cooling regulation in robotic active matter

In classical matter systems, typical phase-transition phenomena usually stem from changes in state variables, such as temperature and pressure, induced by external regulations such as heat transfer and volume adjustment. However, in active matter systems, the self-propulsion nature of active particles endows the systems with the ability to induce unique collectivestate transitions by spontaneously regulating individual properties to alter the overall states. Based on an innovative robot-swarm experimental system, we demonstrate a field-driven active matter model capable of modulating individual motion behaviors through interaction with a recoverable environmental resource field by the resource perception and consumption.In the simulated model, by gradually reducing the individual resource-conversion coefficient over time, this robotic active matter can spontaneously decrease the overall level of motion, thereby actively achieving a regulation behavior like the cooling-down control. Through simulation calculations, we discover that the spatial structures of this robotic active matter convert from disorder to order during this process, with the resulting ordered structures exhibiting a high self-adaptability on the geometry of the environmental boundaries.

Application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in metabolic alterations of prefrontal white and gray matter in depression adolescents

BACKGROUND Cases of depression among adolescents are gradually increasing.The study of the physiological basis of cognitive function from a biochemical perspective has therefore been garnering increasing attention.Depression has been hypothesized to be associated with the brain biochemical metabolism of the anterior cingulate gyrus,frontal lobe white matter,and the thalamus.AIM To explore the application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-MRS)in the metabolic alterations in the prefrontal white matter(PWM)and gray matter(GM)in adolescents with depression.METHODS 1H-MRS was performed for semi-quantitative analysis of the biochemical metabolites N-acetylaspartate(NAA),choline(Cho)complexes,creatine(Cr),and myoinositol(mI)in bilateral PWM,anterior cingulate GM,and thalami of 31 adolescent patients with depression(research group)and 35 healthy adolescents(control group),and the NAA/Cr,Cho/Cr,and mI/Cr ratios were calculated.Meanwhile,Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)and Wechsler Memory Scale were used to assess the degree of depression and memory function in all adolescents.The correlation of brain metabolite levels with scale scores was also analyzed.RESULTS The research group had markedly higher HAMD-24 scores and lower memory quotient(MQ)compared with the control group(P<0.05).Adolescents with depression were found to have lower bilateral PWM NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr ratios compared with healthy adolescents(P<0.05).The mI/Cr ratios were found to be similar in both groups(P>0.05).The bilateral anterior cingulate GM NAA/Cr,Cho/Cr,and mI/Cr also did not demonstrate marked differences(P>0.05).No statistical inter-group difference was determined in NAA/Cr of the bilateral thalami(P>0.05),while bilateral thalamic Cho/Cr and mI/Cr were reduced in teenagers with depression compared with healthy adolescents(P<0.05).A significant negative correlation was observed between the HAMD-24 scores in adolescents with depression with bilateral PWM NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr and were inversely linked to bilateral thalamic Cho/Cr and mI/Cr(P<0.05).In adolescents with depressions,MQ positively correlated with right PWH NAA/Cr,left PWH Cho/Cr,and bilateral thalamic Cho/Cr and mI/Cr.CONCLUSION PWM and thalamic metabolic abnormalities might influence teen depression,and the reduction in bilateral PWM NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr could be related to the neuropathology of adolescents with depression suffering from memory impairment.There exists a possibility of dysfunction of nerve cell membrane phospholipids in the thalami of adolescent patients with depression.

Distribution and sources of sedimentary organic matter in different aquaculture areas of northeastern Zhanjiang Bay using stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes

Zhanjiang Bay is a major aquaculture area in China with many types of mariculture products(such as oysters,fish,and shrimp).The culture area and shrimp output in Zhanjiang Bay are ranked first in China.We investigated the total organic carbon(TOC),total nitrogen(TN),TOC/TN ratio,and stable isotopes(δ^(13)C and δ^(15)N) of the fish and shrimp feed,fish and shrimp feces,and sedimentary organic matter(SOM) in and around different aquaculture areas of northeastern Zhanjiang B ay to study the impact of aquaculture activities on SOM.The average TOC contents of fish and shrimp feed were 39.20%±0.91% and 39.29%±0.21%,respectively.The average TOC content in the surface sediments of the oyster culture area,the mixed(fish and shrimp) culture area,and the cage fish farm area were 0.66%,0.88%±0.10%,and 0.58%±0.19%,respectively,which may indicate that mixed culture had a greater impact on SOM.The relatively high TOC and TN contents and relatively low TOC/TN ratios,and δ^(15)N values in the upper layer of the core sediment in the mixed culture area could also support the significant influence of mixed culture.The average δ^(13)C and δ^(15)N values of fish and shrimp feed were -20.6‰±2.2‰ and 1.8‰±1.2‰,respectively,which were different from the isotopic values of SOM in the study area.δ^(13)C and δ^(15)N values for SOM in different aquaculture areas were different from those of nearby reference stations,probably reflecting the influence of aquaculture.The δ^(13)C and δ^(15)N values in the oyster culture area(-25.9‰ and6.0‰,respectively) seemed to have reduced δ^(13)C and enriched δ^(15)N relative to those of the reference station(-24.6‰ and 5.8‰,respectively).This may reflect the influence of organic matter on oyster culture.The δ^(15)N value of the station in the mixed culture area(7.1‰±0.4‰) seemed to be relatively enriched in δ^(15)N relative to that of the reference station(6.6‰).Sedimentation and the subsequent degradation of organic matter from mixed cultures may have contributed to this phenomenon.The surface sediment at the cage fish farm area seemed to be affected by fish feces and primary production based on the indication of δ^(13)C and δ^(15)N values.The sediment core at the mixed culture region(NS6) had lower TOC/TN ratios and more positive δ^(13)C and δ^(15)N values than the sediment core at the oyster culture area,suggesting a higher proportionate contribution of marine organic matter in the mixed culture area.In summary,oyster culture,mixed culture,and cage fish culture in northeastern Zhanjiang Bay had a certain degree of impact on SOM,and mixed culture had more significant influences on SOM based on the high TOC contents and the significant vertical variations of TOC/TN ratio and δ^(15)N value in the sediment of this area.This study provides new insights into the impact of aquaculture activities on SOM content.

Straw mulching alters the composition and loss of dissolved organic matter in farmland surface runoff by inhibiting the fragmentation of soil small macroaggregates

Straw mulching is a widespread practice for reducing the soil carbon loss caused by erosion.However,the effects of straw mulching on dissolved organic matter(DOM)runoff loss from black soil are not well studied.How straw mulching affects the composition and loss of runoff DOM by changing soil aggregates remains largely unclear.Here,a straw mulching treatment was compared to a no mulching treatment(as a control)on sloping farmland with black soil erosion in Northeast China.We divided the soil into large macroaggregates(>2 mm),small macroaggregates(0.25-2 mm),and microaggregates(<0.25 mm).After five rain events,the effects of straw mulching on the concentration(characterized by dissolved organic carbon(DoC)and composition(analyzed by fluorescence spectroscopy)of runoff and soil aggregate DOM were studied.The results showed that straw mulching reduced the runoff amount by 54.7%.Therefore,although straw mulching increased the average DOc concentration in runoff,it reduced the total runoff DOM loss by 48.3%.The composition of runoff DOM is similar to that of soil,as both contain humic-like acid and protein-like components.With straw mulching treatment,the protein-like components in small macroaggregates accumulated and the protein-like components in runoff declined with rain events.Fluorescence spectroscopy technology may help in understanding the hydrological paths of rain events by capturing the dynamic changes of runoff and soil DOM characteristics.A variation partitioning analysis(VPA)indicated that the DOM concentration and composition of microaggregates explained 68.2%of the change in runoff DOM from no mulching plots,while the change in runoff DOM from straw mulching plots was dominated by small macroaggregates at a rate of 55.1%.Taken together,our results demonstrated that straw mulching reduces the fragmentation of small macroaggregates and the loss of microaggregates,thus effecting DOM compositions in soil and reducing the DOM loss in runoff.These results provide a theoretical basis for reducing carbon loss in sloping farmland.

Solving the Conundrum of Dark Matter and Dark Energy in Galaxy Clusters

This paper develops the Dark Matter by Quantum Gravitation theory, DMbQG theory hereafter, in clusters of galaxies in the cosmologic model ΛCDM of the Universe. Originally this theory was developed by the author for galaxies, especially using MW and M31 rotation curves. An important result got by the DMbQG theory is that the total mass associated to a galactic halo depend on the square root of radius, being its dominion unbounded. Apparently, this result would be absurd because of divergence of the total mass. As the DE is negligible at galactic scale, it is needed to extend the theory to clusters in order to study the capacity of DE to counterbalance to DM. Thanks this property, the DMbQG theory finds unexpected theoretical results. In this work, it is defined, the total mass as baryonic matter plus DM and the gravitating mass as the addition of the total mass plus the negative mass associated to dark energy. In clusters it is defined the zero gravity radius (RZG hereafter) as the radius needed by the dark energy to counterbalance the total mass. It has been found that the ratio RZG/RVIRIAL ≈ 7.3 and its Total mass associated at RZG is ≈2.7 MVIRIAL. In addition, it has been calculated that the sphere with the extended halo radius RE = 1.85 RZG has a ratio DM density versus DE density equal to 3/7 and its total mass associated at RE is ≈3.6 MVIRIAL. This works postulates that the factor 3.6 may equilibrate perfectly the strong imbalance between the Local mater density parameter (0.08) versus the current Global matter density one (0.3). Currently, this fact is a big conundrum in cosmology, see chapter 7. Also it has been found that the zero velocity radius, RZV hereafter, i.e. the cluster border because of the Hubble flow, is ≈0.6 RZG and its gravitating mass is ≈ 1.5 MVIR. By derivation of gravitating mass function, it is calculated that at 0.49 RZG, this function reaches its maximum whose value is ≈1.57 MVIR. Throughout the paper, some of these results have been validated with recent data published for the Virgo cluster. As Virgo is the nearest big cluster, it is the perfect benchmark to validate any new theory about DM and DE. These new theoretical findings offer to scientific community a wide number of tests to validate or reject the theory. The validation of DMbQG theory would mean to know the nature of DM that at the present, it is an important challenge for the astrophysics science.

Comprehensive constraints on fermionic dark matter-quark tensor interactions in direct detection experiments

Effective field theory(EFT)provides a model-independent framework for interpreting the results of dark matter(DM)direct detection experiments.In this study,we demonstrate that the two fermionic DM-quark tensor operators(χiσ^(μν)γ^(5)χ)(qσ_(μν)q)and(χσ_(μν)χ)(qσ_(μν)q)can contribute to the DM electric and magnetic dipole moments via nonperturbative QCD effects,in addition to the well-studied contact DM-nucleon operators.We then investigate the constraints on these two operators by considering both the contact and dipole contributions using the XENON1T nuclear recoil and Migdal effect data.We also recast other existing bounds on the DM dipole operators,derived from electron and nuclear recoil measurements in various direct detection experiments,as constraints on the two tensor operators.For m_(χ)■1GeV,our results significantly extend the reach of constraints on the DM-quark tensor operators to masses as low as 5MeV,with the bound exceeding that obtained by the Migdal effect with only contact interactions by approximately an order of magnitude.In particular,for the operator(χσ^(μν)iγ5χ)(qσ_(μν)q)with DM mass m_(χ)■10GeV,the latest PandaX constraint on the DM electric dipole moment puts more stringent bounds than the previous direct detection limit.We also briefly discuss the constraints obtained from experiments other than direct detection.

A Dark Matter Theory by Quantum Gravitation for Galaxies and Clusters

This paper develops an original theory of dark matter in the current ΛCDM framework, whose main hypothesis is that DM is generated by the own gravitational field, according to an unknown quantum gravitational phenomenon. This work is the best version of the theory, which I have been developing and publishing since 2014. The hypothesis of DM by quantum gravitation, DMbQG hereafter, has two main consequences: the first one is that the law of DM generation has to be the same, in the halo region, for all the galaxies and the second one is that the haloes are unbounded, so the total DM goes up without limit as the gravitational field is unbounded as well. The first one consequence is backed by the fact that M31 and MW has a fitted function with the same power exponent for the rotation curve at the halo region and both giant galaxies are the only ones whose rotation curves at the halo region may be studied with accuracy. This paper is firstly developed all the theory with M31 rotation curve data up to Chapter 9. The most important formula of the theory is the called Direct mass, which calculates the total mass at a specific radius into the halo region. Chapter 10 is dedicated to apply the theory to Milky Way, it is calculated its total mass at different radius into the halo and such results have been validated successfully using the data of masses at different radius published by two researcher teams. In Chapter 11, it is calculated the direct mass for the Local Group, and it is shown how the DMbQG theory is able to calculate the total mass at 770 kpc, that the dynamical methods estimate to be 5×1012MΘ. In Chapter 12, it is shown a method to estimate the Direct mass formula for a cluster of galaxies, using only its virial mass and virial radius. By this method, it is estimated the parameter a2 of the Local Group, which match with the one calculated in previous chapter by a different method. Also are calculated the parameters a2 associated to Virgo and Coma clusters. In Chapter 13, it is demonstrated how the DE is able to counterbalance the DM at cluster scale, as the Direct mass grows up with the square root of radius whereas the DE grows up with the cubic power. The chapter is an introduction to the DMbQG theory for cluster of galaxies, which has been developed fully by the author in other works. This theory aims to be a powerful method to study DM in the halo region of galaxies and cluster of galaxies and conversely the measures in galaxies and clusters offer the possibility to validate the theory.

Bio-soft matter derived from traditional Chinese medicine:Characterizations of hierarchical structure,assembly mechanism,and beyond

Structural and functional explorations on bio-soft matter such as micelles,vesicles,nanoparticles,aggregates or polymers derived from traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has emerged as a new topic in the field of TCM.The discovery of such cross-scaled bio-soft matter may provide a unique perspective for unraveling the new effective material basis of TCM as well as developing innovative medicine and biomaterials.Despite the rapid rise of TCM-derived bio-soft matter,their hierarchical structure and assembly mechanism must be unambiguously probed for a further in-depth understanding of their pharmacological activity.In this review,the current emerged TCM-derived bio-soft matter assembled from either small molecules or macromolecules is introduced,and particularly the unambiguous elucidation of their hierarchical structure and assembly mechanism with combined electron microscopic and spectroscopic techniques is depicted.The pros and cons of each technique are also discussed.The future challenges and perspective of TCM-derived bio-soft matter are outlined,particularly the requirement for their precise in situ structural determination is highlighted.

Effect of thermal maturation and organic matter content on oil shale fracturing

The Pabdeh Formation represents organic matter enrichment in some oil fields,which can be considered a source rock.This study is based on the Rock–Eval,Iatroscan,and electron microscopy imaging results before and after heating the samples.We discovered this immature shale that undergoes burial and diagenesis,in which organic matter is converted into hydro-carbons.Primary migration is the process that transports hydrocarbons in the source rock.We investigated this phenomenon by developing a model that simulates hydrocarbon generation and fluid pressure during kerogen-to-hydrocarbon conversion.Microfractures initially formed at the tip/edge of kerogen and were filled with hydrocarbons,but as catagenesis progressed,the pressure caused by the volume increase of kerogen decreased due to hydrocarbon release.The transformation of solid kerogen into low-density bitumen/oil increased the pressure,leading to the development of damage zones in the source rock.The Pabdeh Formation’s small porethroats hindered effective expulsion,causing an increase in pore fluid pressure inside the initial microfractures.The stress accumulated due to hydrocarbon production,reaching the rock’s fracture strength,further contributed to damage zone development.During the expansion process,microfractures preferentially grew in low-strength pathways such as lithology changes,laminae boundaries,and pre-existing microfractures.When the porous pressure created by each kerogen overlapped,individual microfractures interconnected,forming a network of microfractures within the source rock.This research sheds light on the complex interplay between temperature,hydrocarbon generation,and the development of expulsion fractures in the Pabdeh Formation,providing valuable insights for understanding and optimizing hydrocarbon extraction in similar geological settings.