Recent Ventures in Interdisciplinary Arctic Research:The ARCPATH Project

This paper celebrates Professor Yongqi GAO's significant achievement in the field of interdisciplinary studies within the context of his final research project Arctic Climate Predictions: Pathways to Resilient Sustainable Societies-ARCPATH(https://www.svs.is/en/projects/finished-projects/arcpath). The disciplines represented in the project are related to climatology, anthropology, marine biology, economics, and the broad spectrum of social-ecological studies. Team members were drawn from the Nordic countries, Russia, China, the United States, and Canada. The project was transdisciplinary as well as interdisciplinary as it included collaboration with local knowledge holders. ARCPATH made significant contributions to Arctic research through an improved understanding of the mechanisms that drive climate variability in the Arctic. In tandem with this research, a combination of historical investigations and social, economic, and marine biological fieldwork was carried out for the project study areas of Iceland, Greenland, Norway, and the surrounding seas, with a focus on the joint use of ocean and sea-ice data as well as social-ecological drivers. ARCPATH was able to provide an improved framework for predicting the near-term variation of Arctic climate on spatial scales relevant to society, as well as evaluating possible related changes in socioeconomic realms. In summary, through the integration of information from several different disciplines and research approaches, ARCPATH served to create new and valuable knowledge on crucial issues, thus providing new pathways to action for Arctic communities.

RGS12 represses oral squamous cell carcinoma by driving M1 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages via controlling ciliary MYCBP2/KIF2A signaling

Tumor-associated macrophages(TAMs)play crucial roles in tumor progression and immune responses.However,mechanisms of driving TAMs to antitumor function remain unknown.Here,transcriptome profiling analysis of human oral cancer tissues indicated that regulator of G protein signaling 12(RGS12)regulates pathologic processes and immune-related pathways.Mice with RGS12knockout in macrophages displayed decreased M1 TAMs in oral cancer tissues,and extensive proliferation and invasion of oral cancer cells.RGS12 increased the M1 macrophages with features of increased ciliated cell number and cilia length.Mechanistically,RGS12 associates with and activates MYC binding protein 2(MYCBP2)to degrade the cilia protein kinesin family member 2A(KIF2A)in TAMs.Our results demonstrate that RGS12 is an essential oral cancer biomarker and regulator for immunosuppressive TAMs activation.

Construction of robust coupling interface between MoS2 and nitrogen doped graphene for high performance sodium ion batteries

As a layered inorganic material,MoS2 has recently attracted intensive attention as anode for sodium ion batteries(SIBs).However,this anode is plagued with low electronic conductivity,serious volume expansion and sluggish kinetics,resulting in capacity fading and poor rate performance.Herein,we develop an interface engineering strategy to substantially enhance the sodium storage performance of MoS2 by incorporating layered MoS2 into three dimensional N-doped graphene scaffold.The strong coupling-interface between MoS2 and N-doped graphene scaffold can not only stabilize the MoS2 structure during sodium insertion/extraction processes,but also provide plenty of anchor sites for additional surface sodium storage.The 3D MoS2@N-doped graphene composite as anode for SIBs performs an outstanding specific capacity of 667.3 mA h g^-1 at 0.2 A g^-1,a prolonged stability with a capacity retention of 94.4%after 140cycles and excellent rate capability of 445 mA h g^-1 even at a high rate of 10 A g^-1.We combined experiment and theoretical simulation to further disclose the interaction between MoS2 and N-doped graphene,adsorption and diffusion of sodium on the composite and the corresponding sodium storage mechanism.This study opens a new door to develop high performance SIBs by introducing the interface engineering technique.

Type Ⅱ collagen-positive progenitors are important stem cells in controlling skeletal development and vascular formation

Type II collagen-positive(Col2^(+))cells have been reported as skeletal stem cells(SSCs),but the contribution of Col2^(+)progenitors to skeletal development both prenatally and postnatally during aging remains unclear.To address this question,we generated new mouse models with ablation of Col2^(+)cells at either the embryonic or postnatal stages.The embryonic ablation of Col2^(+)progenitors resulted in the death of newborn mice due to a decrease in skeletal blood vessels,loss of all vertebral bones and absence of most other bones except part of the craniofacial bone,the clavicle bone and a small piece of the long bone and ribs,which suggested that intramembranous ossification is involved in long bone development but does not participate in spine development.The postnatal ablation of Col2^(+)cells resulted in mouse growth retardation and a collagenopathy phenotype.Lineage tracing experiments with embryonic or postnatal mice revealed that Col2^(+)progenitors occurred predominantly in the growth plate(GP)and articular cartilage,but a limited number of Col2^(+)cells were detected in the bone marrow.Moreover,the number and differentiation ability of Col2^(+)progenitors in the long bone and knee joints decreased with increasing age.The fate-mapping study further revealed Col2^(+)lineage cells contributed to,in addition to osteoblasts and chondrocytes,CD31^(+)blood vessels in both the calvarial bone and long bone.Specifically,almost all blood vessels in calvarial bone and 25.4%of blood vessels in long bone were Col2^(+)lineage cells.However,during fracture healing,95.5%of CD31^(+)blood vessels in long bone were Col2^(+)lineage cells.In vitro studies further confirmed that Col2^(+)progenitors from calvarial bone and GP could form CD31^(+)vascular lumens.Thus,this study provides the first demonstration that intramembranous ossification is involved in long bone and rib development but not spine development.Col2^(+)progenitors contribute to CD31^(+)skeletal blood vessel formation,but the percentage differs between long bone and skull bone.The number and differentiation ability of Col2^(+)progenitors decreases with increasing age.

Research on Teaching Method of Packaging Design Course Based on Chinese Style

The teaching of Packaging Design started late in China,but develops fast.After experiencing the changes of economy,politics and culture,it has entered a new era of self-publicity.The Chinese style has come out quietly with a strong momentum.The contents of packaging design in the new era pay more attention to the spiritual level,and become a bridge between the society and people,forming an aesthetics concept with the spirit of the Chinese people.Based on the application of Chinese style in the course of Packaging Design,this paper discusses the characteristics of Packaging Design with Chinese style and the problems of traditional Packaging Design,and puts forward how to better apply Chinese elements in Packaging Design.

开放教育数字化转型与融创发展:新议题、新思维、新行动

以开放大学为代表的开放教育是教育体系的重要组成部分,也是教育形态重塑的一支重要力量。在落实教育数字化转型的国家战略中,诞生并成长于技术环境的开放教育理应担当引领使命,为此,开放教育数字化转型应该遵循哪些思路、如何切实推动开放教育的数字化建设等命题亟待探讨。本研究从转型紧迫性、“开放”内涵再认识、价值取向、现实条件与历史机遇等方面阐明了开放教育数字化转型这一新议题的使命、内涵和价值,在此基础上提出了由价值成长思维、“转基因”思维、生态发展思维、开放创新思维和数字文化思维构成的转型新思维,以实现融合创新生态。对于如何开展数字化转型行动,本研究提出敏捷转型跨越的方针,并建议采取架构数字化转型战略、构建数字化转型成熟度模型、发展数字化转型能力以及研发融合创新的终身学习认证体系等行动路径。

Key geodynamic processes and driving forces of Tethyan evolution

Tethys tectonic system has experienced a long-term evolution history,including multiple Wilson cycles;thus,it is an ideal target for analyzing plate tectonics and geodynamics.Tethyan evolution is typically characterized by a series of continental blocks that separated from the Gondwana in the Southern Hemisphere,drifted northward,and collided and accreted with Laurasia in the Northern Hemisphere.During this process,the successive opening and closing of multistage Tethys oceans(e.g.,Proto-Tethys,Paleo-Tethys,and Neo-Tethys)are considered core parts of the Tethyan evolution.Herein,focusing on the life cycle of an oceanic plate,four key geodynamic processes during the Tethyan evolution,namely,continental margin breakup,subduction initiation(SI),Mid-Ocean Ridge(MOR)subduction,and continental collision,were highlighted and dynamically analyzed to gather the following insights.(1)Breakup of the narrow continental margin terranes from the northern Gondwana is probably controlled by plate subduction,particularly the subduction-induced far-field stretching.The breakup of the Indian continent and the subsequent spreading of the Indian Ocean can be attributed to the interactions between multiple mantle plumes and slab drag-induced far-field stretching.(2)Continental margin terrane collision-induced subduction transference/jump is a key factor in progressive Tethyan evolution,which is driven by the combined forces of collision-induced reverse push,far-field ridge push,and mantle flow traction.Moreover,lithospheric weakening plays an important role in the occurrence of SI.(3)MOR subduction is generally accompanied by slab break-off.In case of the considerably reduced or temporary absence of slab pull,mantle flow traction may contribute to the progression of plate subduction.MOR subduction can dynamically influence the overriding and downgoing plates by producing important and diagnostic geological records.(4)The large gravitational potential energy of the Tibetan Plateau indicates that the long-lasting India-Asia continental collision requires other driving forces beyond the far-field ridge push.Further,the mantle flow traction is a good candidate that may considerably contribute to the continuous collision.The possible future SI in the northern Indian Ocean will release the sustained convergent force and cause the collapse of the Tibetan Plateau.Based on the integration of these four geodynamic processes and their driving forces,a“multienginedriving”model is proposed for the dynamics of Tethyan evolution,indicating that the multiple stages of Tethys oceanic subduction provide the main driving force for the northward drifting of continental margin terranes.However,the subducting slab pull may be considerably reduced or even lost during tectonic transitional processes,such as terrane collision or MOR subduction.In such stages,the far-field ridge push and mantle flow traction will induce the initiation of new subduction zones,driving the continuous northward convergence of the Tethys tectonic system.

Solid State Reaction Preparation of LiFePO_4/(C+Cu) Cathode Material and Its Electrochemical Performance

Cu-C co-coated LiFePO4 （LiFePO4/（C ＋ Cu）） cathode material was successfully prepared through solid state reduction reaction. The optimized additive amount of CuO was determined by electrochemical test of series content-dependent samples. Electrochemical performances of LiFePO4/（C ＋ Cu） cathode material were investigated. Crystalline structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, energy dispersive spectroscopy （EDS）, charge-discharge tests and AC impedance techniques. Results showed that crystal structure of the bulk material was not destroyed after Cu particles distributed on the surface of LiFePO4/C. With 5 wt% CuO additive, the LiFePO4/（C ＋ Cu） cathode material showed improved electrochemical performance especially at high rates and low temperature. At 25 ℃ and 0.1 C current rate, specific capacity of the Cu-coated sample reaches 161.3 mA h/g. The result was 47 mA h/g higher than that of the un-coated one. At -20 ℃, the discharge capacity of Cu-coated materials was 113.4 mA h/g at 0.1 C rate and 83.8 mA h/g at 5 C rate, which reached about 70% of that at room temperature, respectively.

Macrophage RGS12 contributes to osteoarthritis pathogenesis through enhancing the ubiquitination

Ubiquitination has important functions in osteoarthritis(OA),yet the mechanism remains unclear.Here,we identify the regulator of G protein signaling 12(RGS12)in macrophages,which promotes the association between ubiquitin and IκB during inflammation.We also find that RGS12 promotes the degradation of IκB through enhancing the ubiquitination whereas the process can be inhibited by MG132.Moreover,the increased ubiquitination further inhibits the expression of MTAP,which can indirectly activate the phosphorylation of IκB.Finally,due to the degradation of IκB,the NF-κB translocates into the nucleus and further promotes the gene expression of cytokines such as IL1β,IL6,and TNFαduring inflammation.Importantly,RGS12 deficiency prevents ubiquitination and inflammation in surgically or chemically induced OA.We conclude that the lack of RGS12 in macrophages interferes with the ubiquitination and degradation of IκB,thereby preventing inflammation and cartilage damage.Our results provide evidence for the relevance of RGS12 in promoting inflammation and regulating immune signaling.