Establishment of human cerebral organoid systems to model early neural development and assess the central neurotoxicity of environmental toxins

Human brain development is a complex process,and animal models often have significant limitations.To address this,researchers have developed pluripotent stem cell-derived three-dimensional structures,known as brain-like organoids,to more accurately model early human brain development and disease.To enable more consistent and intuitive reproduction of early brain development,in this study,we incorporated forebrain organoid culture technology into the traditional unguided method of brain organoid culture.This involved embedding organoids in matrigel for only 7 days during the rapid expansion phase of the neural epithelium and then removing them from the matrigel for further cultivation,resulting in a new type of human brain organoid system.This cerebral organoid system replicated the temporospatial characteristics of early human brain development,including neuroepithelium derivation,neural progenitor cell production and maintenance,neuron differentiation and migration,and cortical layer patterning and formation,providing more consistent and reproducible organoids for developmental modeling and toxicology testing.As a proof of concept,we applied the heavy metal cadmium to this newly improved organoid system to test whether it could be used to evaluate the neurotoxicity of environmental toxins.Brain organoids exposed to cadmium for 7 or 14 days manifested severe damage and abnormalities in their neurodevelopmental patterns,including bursts of cortical cell death and premature differentiation.Cadmium exposure caused progressive depletion of neural progenitor cells and loss of organoid integrity,accompanied by compensatory cell proliferation at ectopic locations.The convenience,flexibility,and controllability of this newly developed organoid platform make it a powerful and affordable alternative to animal models for use in neurodevelopmental,neurological,and neurotoxicological studies.

Research on the Construction of Intellectual Property System and Optimization of Business Environment in China

With the rapid development of globalization and information technology,intellectual property has been one of the key drivers of economic growth,and the construction of intellectual property system has become an important criterion for measuring the quality of business environment.This article is intended to explore the current status of intellectual property system construction in China,the challenges,and its relationship with the business environment,to propose the corresponding countermeasures and suggestions.The study finds that the legal system of intellectual property in China is gradually improving,and judicial and administrative protection are continuously strengthened.However,the challenges still remain such as frequent infringements,rights hard to protect and insufficient international cooperation.These issues not only affect the legitimate rights and interests of innovation entities,but also for the market fairness and the level of the business environment.Therefore,this article proposes that strengthening the perfection of the intellectual property legal system,enhancing intellectual property services and support capabilities,strengthening international cooperation and exchanges,and accelerating the cultivation of composite talents.It aims to provide theoretical references for the construction of intellectual property system and the optimization of the business environment,promote the high-quality development of economy and enhance the global competitiveness of the country.

Sedimentary environment and organic matter accumulation of Wufeng-Longmaxi shales,southwest Yangtze Plate,China:Insights from geochemical and petrological evidence

Upper Ordovician-Lower Silurian Wufeng-Longmaxi Formation is the most developed strata of shale gas in southern China.Due to the complex sedimentary environment adjacent to the Kangdian Uplift,the favorable area for organic-rich shale development is still undetermined.The authors,therefore,focus on the mechanism of accumulation of organic matter and the characterization of the sedimentary environment of the Wufeng-Longmaxi Shales to have a more complete understanding and new discovering of organic matter enrichment and favorable area in the marginal region around Sichuan Basin.Multiple methods were applied in this study,including thin section identification,scanning electron microscopy(SEM)observations and X-ray diffraction(XRD),and elemental analysis on outcrop samples.Five lithofacies have been defined according to the mineralogical and petrological analyses,including mudstone,bioclastic limestone,silty shale,dolomitic shale,and carbonaceous siliceous shale.The paleo-environments have been reconstructed and the organic enrichment mechanism has been identified as a reduced environment and high productivity.The Wufeng period is generally a suboxic environment and the early Longmaxi period is a reducing environment based on geochemical characterization.High dolomite content in the study area is accompanied by high TOC,which may potentially indicate the restricted anoxic environment formed by biological flourishing in shallower water.And for the area close to the Kangdian Uplift,the shale gas generation capability is comparatively favorable.The geochemical parameters implied that new favorable areas for shale gas exploration could be targeted,and more shale gas resources in the mountain-basin transitional zone might be identified in the future.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Onshore Wind Farms in the Region of Central Greece Using a Modified RIAM Method

Wind energy is one of the most basic forms of renewable energy,which shows an increasing rate of development worldwide and also at the European level.However,this rapid deployment of wind farms makes the need for an impact assessment of this type of projects on the natural and man-made environment imperative.The present paper aims to identify and assess the environmental impacts of wind farm projects in the Region of Central Greece.A modified Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix(RIAM)method is used for this purpose.The methodology includes the identification of the existing onshore wind farm projects in the study area,the appropriate modifications of the RIAM method to respond to the characteristics of the projects and the study area,the qualitative assessment of their potential impacts during construction and operational phases and the computation of the Environmental Performance Grade(EPG)of projects based on the pro-posed modified RIAM method.The results reveal that although there are some slight negative impacts on the natural environment of the study area,the examined wind farms contribute positively both to the atmosphere and to the socio-economic environment of the study.This study extends the potential for using RIAM as a tool in environmental impact assessment studies of renewable energy projects.

Effects of virtual agents on interaction efficiency and environmental immersion in MR environments

Background Physical entity interactions in mixed reality(MR)environments aim to harness human capabilities in manipulating physical objects,thereby enhancing virtual environment(VEs)functionality.In MR,a common strategy is to use virtual agents as substitutes for physical entities,balancing interaction efficiency with environmental immersion.However,the impact of virtual agent size and form on interaction performance remains unclear.Methods Two experiments were conducted to explore how virtual agent size and form affect interaction performance,immersion,and preference in MR environments.The first experiment assessed five virtual agent sizes(25%,50%,75%,100%,and 125%of physical size).The second experiment tested four types of frames(no frame,consistent frame,half frame,and surrounding frame)across all agent sizes.Participants,utilizing a head mounted display,performed tasks involving moving cups,typing words,and using a mouse.They completed questionnaires assessing aspects such as the virtual environment effects,interaction effects,collision concerns,and preferences.Results Results from the first experiment revealed that agents matching physical object size produced the best overall performance.The second experiment demonstrated that consistent framing notably enhances interaction accuracy and speed but reduces immersion.To balance efficiency and immersion,frameless agents matching physical object sizes were deemed optimal.Conclusions Virtual agents matching physical entity sizes enhance user experience and interaction performance.Conversely,familiar frames from 2D interfaces detrimentally affect interaction and immersion in virtual spaces.This study provides valuable insights for the future development of MR systems.

Current status and prospects of research on safety situation awareness of high speed railway operation environment

Purpose–The safety of high-speed rail operation environments is an important guarantee for the safe operation of high-speed rail.The operating environment of the high-speed rail is complex,and the main factors affecting the safety of high-speed rail operating environment include meteorological disasters,perimeter intrusion and external environmental hazards.The purpose of the paper is to elaborate on the current research status and team research progress on the perception of safety situation in high-speed rail operation environment and to propose directions for further research in the future.Design/methodology/approach–In terms of the mechanism and spatio-temporal evolution law of the main influencing factors on the safety of high-speed rail operation environments,the research status is elaborated,and the latest research progress and achievements of the team are introduced.This paper elaborates on the research status and introduces the latest research progress and achievements of the team in terms of meteorological,perimeter and external environmental situation perception methods for high-speed rail operation.Findings–Based on the technical route of“situational awareness evaluation warning active control,”a technical system for monitoring the safety of high-speed train operation environments has been formed.Relevant theoretical and technical research and application have been carried out around the impact of meteorological disasters,perimeter intrusion and the external environment on high-speed rail safety.These works strongly support the improvement of China’s railway environmental safety guarantee technology.Originality/value–With the operation of CR450 high-speed trains with a speed of 400 kmper hour and the application of high-speed train autonomous driving technology in the future,new and higher requirements have been put forward for the safety of high-speed rail operation environments.The following five aspects of work are urgently needed:(1)Research the single factor disaster mechanism of wind,rain,snow,lightning,etc.for high-speed railways with a speed of 400 kms per hour,and based on this,study the evolution characteristics of multiple safety factors and the correlation between the high-speed driving safety environment,revealing the coupling disastermechanism ofmultiple influencing factors;(2)Research covers multi-source data fusion methods and associated features such as disaster monitoring data,meteorological information,route characteristics and terrain and landforms,studying the spatio-temporal evolution laws of meteorological disasters,perimeter intrusions and external environmental hazards;(3)In terms of meteorological disaster situation awareness,research high-precision prediction methods for meteorological information time series along high-speed rail lines and study the realization of small-scale real-time dynamic and accurate prediction of meteorological disasters along high-speed rail lines;(4)In terms of perimeter intrusion,research amulti-modal fusion perception method for typical scenarios of high-speed rail operation in all time,all weather and all coverage and combine artificial intelligence technology to achieve comprehensive and accurate perception of perimeter security risks along the high-speed rail line and(5)In terms of external environment,based on the existing general network framework for change detection,we will carry out research on change detection and algorithms in the surrounding environment of highspeed rail.

Groundwater and environmental challenges in Asia

Asia stands out as the most populous and geographically diverse region globally.The pressing issues of water resource development and the resulting ecological impacts are exacerbated by the region's rapid population growth and economic expansion.Groundwater,a vital source of water in Asia,faces significant disparities in distribution and suffers from unsustainable exploitation practices.This study applies groundwater system theory and categorizes Asia into 11 primary groundwater systems and 36 secondary ones,based on intercontinental geological structures,climate,terrain,and hydrogeological characteristics.As of the end of 2010,Asia's assessed groundwater resources totalled 4.677×10^(9) m^(3)/a,with exploitable resources amounting to 3.274×10^(9) m^(3)/a.By considering the geological environmental impacts of groundwater development and the distinctive characteristics of terrain and landforms,six categories of effect zones with varying distribution patterns are identified.The current research on Asia's groundwater resources,environmental dynamics,and human impacts aims to provide a theoretical foundation for sustainable groundwater management and environmental conservation in the region.

From livelihood strategies to green actions:A study on the relationship between farmers'environmental awareness and pro-environmental sustainable behaviors in the Huaibei Plain

In order to explore the impact of changes in rural livelihoods in China on the environmental awareness and behavior of farmers,with the Huaibei Plain as an example,309 farmer households in Lingbi County in Huaibei Plain were surveyed.The variance analysis was used to determine the differences in environmental perceptions and pro-environmental behavior of farmers with different livelihoods.Structural equation models were used to analyze the relationships between livelihood type and environmental perception and behavior.The results show:(1)As the level of non-agricultural activities engaged in by farmers increases,their environmental perceptions shift,evidenced by a rise in both the Environmental Concern Index(ECI)and the Awareness of Pollution Hazards Index(APHI).However,there is a corresponding decrease in their Perception of Changes within the Agroecosystem(PCAE).(2)APHI caused by automobiles,pesticides,and fertilizers varies significantly among groups with different livelihood strategies(p<0.05).(3)Pro-environmental behavior(PEB),particularly in the realms of green consumption and waste management,correlates with the level of non-agriculturalization.Significant variations in these behaviors are observed among farmers with different livelihood strategies(p<0.05).(4)The livelihood strategies have significant direct impact on farmers’environmental perceptions(path coefficient 0.923 p<0.001)and a significant indirect impact on farmers’PEB(path coefficient 0.913 p<0.001).Thus,as farmers shift away from agriculture,their environmental perceptions and behaviors are changing.Diversifying livelihoods reduces dependence on natural resources and increases access to environmental knowledge.This diversification fosters greater awareness of environmental issues and a willingness of farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices,positively impacting rural environment.Thus,by promoting diversified livelihoods,it is possible to create a powerful strategy for rural environmental governance.

Environmental and Climate Justice in Palestine

To have a clean, safe, and functional environment is not only essential for the purpose of preservation, but also imperative for safeguarding the most fundamental of human rights. Resolution 45/94 of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly also stresses and acknowledges that: “all individuals are entitled to live in an environment adequate for their health and wellbeing” (United Nations Digital Library System, 1991). Environmental and climate justice, which: “emerged in the context of the local environmental struggles of directly oppressed groups”, is a global movement dedicated to ensuring equal protection of people’s human rights (i.e., water, health, life, etc.) in the face of the climate crisis. Moreover, health, environment and human rights are part of the 2030 agenda (in particular, SDG 1, SDG 5, SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 13, SDG 16, SDG 17). Individually, both environmental and climate justice are rooted in an intersectional outlook, by which they highlight the common threads between communities and the people’s inclusion, irrespective of race, class, or gender, in the pursuit of justice. On the other hand, they recognise and acknowledge the role and consequences of climate change in economic, social, and political dimensions;thus, drawing emphasis on the rights of people under the emerging inequities. In the case of Palestine, the Palestinian community is increasingly becoming vulnerable to these effects and the resulting inequalities of climate change. This vulnerability stems from: 1) The right to life;clean WASH;equitable work opportunities;access to resources;and free movement;are all examples of human rights that the Israeli colonial regime infringes upon;2) Infrastructure is essential for climate adaptation: 61% of the West Bank is ultimately barred from building infrastructure (B’Tselem, 2019) and Gaza Strip has major gaps in infrastructure due to intentional destruction by Israel;3) Palestinian deprivation of the sovereign right to natural resources by Israel;4) Apartheid system in water accessibility: Israeli water usage per person is over three times higher than that of Palestinians (their usage is under the WHO recommended minimum per day) (B’Tselem, 2023);and 5) Violent settler attacks. In 2022 alone, the Applied Research Institute-Jerusalem (ARIJ) recorded 1527 settler attacks that targeted land, properties, livestock, agriculture and even Palestinian civilians. The ongoing neglect of these concerns and the persistent colonization of Palestine by Israel unequivocally and unwaveringly affect the human rights of Palestinians. The power dynamics at play especially hamper the Palestinian ability to exercise and fulfill their inalienable human rights and to tackle the obstacles to justice in their environment.

Suggested Work Modifications for Patients with Environmental and Occupational Risk Factors in Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful nodules, abscesses, and scarring, primarily affecting areas rich in apocrine glands. Environmental and occupational risk factors, including prolonged exposure to heat, friction, and certain chemicals, have been identified as exacerbating conditions for HS. Yet, there remains a lack of tailored recommendations for modifying work environments to alleviate these triggers. This review presents novel suggestions for work modifications to reduce HS flare-ups, such as implementing breathable, friction-reducing workwear, ergonomic adjustments to minimize pressure on affected areas, and introducing low-irritant hygiene protocols in workplaces with chemical exposure. These recommendations are grounded in emerging evidence linking specific occupational exposures to the exacerbation of HS symptoms. The novelty of this approach lies in its proactive stance, shifting from reactive management of HS symptoms to preventative environmental modifications. Future studies should explore the long-term efficacy of these modifications and investigate the potential for personalized work environment adjustments based on individual patient profiles. Targeted workplace interventions may significantly improve the quality of life for HS patients, highlighting the need for multidisciplinary collaboration between dermatologists, occupational health specialists, and employers.

Optimizing Sustainability:Exergoenvironmental Analysis of a Multi-Effect Distillation with Thermal Vapor Compression System for Seawater Desalination

Seawater desalination stands as an increasingly indispensable solution to address global water scarcity issues.This study conducts a thorough exergoenvironmental analysis of a multi-effect distillation with thermal vapor compression(MED-TVC)system,a highly promising desalination technology.The MED-TVC system presents an energy-efficient approach to desalination by harnessing waste heat sources and incorporating thermal vapor compression.The primary objective of this research is to assess the system’s thermodynamic efficiency and environmental impact,considering both energy and exergy aspects.The investigation delves into the intricacies of energy and exergy losses within the MED-TVC process,providing a holistic understanding of its performance.By scrutinizing the distribution and sources of exergy destruction,the study identifies specific areas for enhancement in the system’s design and operation,thereby elevating its overall sustainability.Moreover,the exergoenvironmental analysis quantifies the environmental impact,offering vital insights into the sustainability of seawater desalination technologies.The results underscore the significance of every component in the MED-TVC system for its exergoenvironmental performance.Notably,the thermal vapor compressor emerges as pivotal due to its direct impact on energy efficiency,exergy losses,and the environmental footprint of the process.Consequently,optimizing this particular component becomes imperative for achieving a more sustainable and efficient desalination system.

Ecological Environment Monitoring Station of Yanshan Branch,Wenshan Prefecture Ecological Environment Bureau,Yunnan Province,Yanshan 663100,China

How ecological environmental monitoring provides scientific and technological strength for ecological environmental management was studied.In recent years,the Ecological Environment Monitoring Station of Yanshan Branch,Wenshan Prefecture Ecological Environment Bureau,Yunnan Province has developed into a provincial environmental education base,a provincial science education base,and a national environmental protection facility open to the public by relying on monitoring equipment and facilities,personnel training,monitoring and law enforcement interaction,analysis of abnormal data,and countermeasures and suggestions were put forward for the problems in the development.

Implications of Dynamic Interactions between Meteorological Patterns and Surface Water Quality on Environmental Health—A Case Study of the Nairobi River

Urban areas face significant challenges in maintaining water quality amidst increasing urbanization and changing climatic patterns. This study investigates the complex interplay between meteorological variables and water quality parameters in Nairobi City, focusing on the impacts of rainfall and temperature on surface water quality. Data from multiple sources, including the Water Resources Authority, Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, and the World Bank’s Climate Change Knowledge Portal, were analyzed to assess the relationships between meteorological variables (rainfall and temperature) and water quality parameters (such as electroconductivity, biochemical oxygen demand, chloride, and pH). The analysis reveals varying impacts of rainfall and temperature on different water quality parameters. While parameters like iron and pH show strong relationships with both rainfall and temperature, others such as ammonia and nitrate exhibit moderate relationships. Additionally, the study highlights the influence of runoff, urbanization, and industrial activities on water quality, emphasizing the need for holistic management approaches. Recommendations encompass the establishment of annual publications on Nairobi River water quality, online accessibility of water quality data, development of hydrological models, spatial analysis, and fostering cross-disciplinary research collaborations. Implementing these recommendations can enhance water quality management practices, mitigate risks, and safeguard environmental integrity in Nairobi City.

Management of Significant Environmental Aspects and Impacts in Accordance with the ISO 14001:2015 Standard during the Operation and Maintenance Phase of Senegal River Basin Development Authority Hydroelectric Works and Facilities: The Case of Manantali Dam

This study aims to determine the environmental aspects and impacts of the phase relating to the operation of Manantali’s hydroelectric structures and facilities according to the requirements of the ISO 14001 version 2015 standard. To do this, the mapping of the different work areas made it possible to identify all the activities within the framework of the farm. Based on the mapping, environmental measurements made including noise level, brightness, electric and magnetic fields, total particles, PM10, PM2.5, PM1 showed the work areas with the exposure limit values exceeded. The inventories of the waste produced show eighteen (18) types of waste, 67% of which are special industrial waste (SIW), 28% are ordinary industrial waste (OIW) and 5% are inert industrial waste (IIW). The identification and assessment of environmental aspects and impacts made it possible to determine sixteen (16) positive and negative significant environmental aspects (ESAs). The positive AES must be maintained, and for the negative ones, mitigation and mitigation measures must be put in place in order to manage them effectively. This will ultimately improve environmental management in the operation of hydroelectric structures and facilities.

Reviews on Soil Environmental Capacity and Carrying Capacity

The research introduced the current development of carrying capacity of environment and population size. Based on analysis of atmosphere environment bearing capacity and water environment carrying capacity, it further studied and summarized the soil environmental capacity on pollutants and social activities. The soil environmental capacity on pollutants is the maximum pollutants contained in a unit of soil within a limited time. Current research mainly focuses on background values, limit and migration coefficient of soil and the relevant modeling. The soil environmental capacity on social activities refers to the limit values of soil on the size,density and pace of development of social activities, while maintaining the normal structure and function of the bio-and eco-system of the soil. In other words, it not only refers to the capacity on pollutants, but also refers to the capacity on social and economic activities. Based on the research ＂Criteria on the standards of soil system＂, this report is mainly focused on the capacity of soil system on heavy metals. Further studies are still needed to come up with a universal definition of the soil environmental capacity and its theory system, as well as the standard and complete evaluating system.

Effects of thinning on the understory light environment of different stands and the photosynthetic performance and growth of the reforestation species Phoebe bournei

Light levels determine regeneration in stands and a key concern is how to regulate the light environment of different stand types to the requirements of the understory.In this study,we selected three stands typical in south China(a Cryptomeria japonica plantation,a Quercus acutissima plantation,and a mixed stand of both)and three thinning intensities to determine the best understory light environ-ment for 3-year-old Phoebe bournei seedlings.The canopy structure,understory light environment,and photosynthe-sis and growth indicators were assessed following thin-ning.Thinning improved canopy structure and understory light availability of each stand;species composition was the reason for differences in the understory light environ-ment.Under the same thinning intensity,the mixed stand had the greatest light radiation and most balanced spectral composition.P.bournei photosynthesis and growth were closely related to the light environment;all three stands required heavy thinning to create an effective and sustained understory light environment.In a suitable understory light environment,the efficiency of light interception,absorption,and use by seedlings was enhanced,resulting in a higher carbon assimilation the main limiting factor was stomatal conductance.As a shade-avoidance signal,red/far-red radia-tion is a critical factor driving changes in photosynthesis and growth of P.bournei seedlings,and a reduction increased light absorption and use capacity and height:diameter ratios.The growth advantage transformed from diameter to height,enabling seedlings to access more light.Our findings suggest that the regeneration of shade-tolerant species such as P.bournei could be enhanced if a targeted approach to thinning based on stand type was adopted.

Interplay between microglia and environmental risk factors in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer s disease,among the most common neurodegenerative disorders,is chara cterized by progressive cognitive impairment.At present,the Alzheimer’s disease main risk remains genetic ris ks,but major environmental fa ctors are increasingly shown to impact Alzheimer’s disease development and progression.Microglia,the most important brain immune cells,play a central role in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis and are considered environmental and lifestyle"sensors."Factors like environmental pollution and modern lifestyles(e.g.,chronic stress,poor dietary habits,sleep,and circadian rhythm disorde rs)can cause neuroinflammato ry responses that lead to cognitive impairment via microglial functioning and phenotypic regulation.However,the specific mechanisms underlying interactions among these facto rs and microglia in Alzheimer’s disease are unclear.Herein,we:discuss the biological effects of air pollution,chronic stress,gut micro biota,sleep patterns,physical exercise,cigarette smoking,and caffeine consumption on microglia;consider how unhealthy lifestyle factors influence individual susceptibility to Alzheimer’s disease;and present the neuroprotective effects of a healthy lifestyle.Toward intervening and controlling these environmental risk fa ctors at an early Alzheimer’s disease stage,understanding the role of microglia in Alzheimer’s disease development,and to rgeting strategies to to rget microglia,co uld be essential to future Alzheimer’s disease treatments.

The impact of demographic dynamics on food consumption and its environmental outcomes:Evidence from China

With increasing population and changing demographics,food consumption has experienced a significant transition in quantity and quality.However,a dearth of knowledge remains regarding its environmental impacts and how it responds to demographic dynamics,particularly in emerging economies like China.Using the two-stage Quadratic Almost Demand System(QUAIDS)model,this study empirically examines the impact of demographic dynamics on food consumption and its environmental outcomes based on the provincial data from 2000 to 2020 in China.Under various scenarios,according to changes in demographics,we extend our analysis to project the long-term trend of food consumption and its environmental impacts,including greenhouse gas(GHG)emissions,water footprint(WF),and land appropriation(LA).The results reveal that an increase in the proportion of senior people significantly decreases the consumption of grain and livestock meat and increases the consumption of poultry,egg,and aquatic products,particularly for urban residents.Moreover,an increase in the proportion of males in the population leads to higher consumption of poultry and aquatic products.Correspondingly,in the current scenario of an increased aging population and sex ratio,it is anticipated that GHG emissions,WF,and LA are likely to decrease by 1.37,2.52,and 3.56%,respectively.More importantly,in the scenario adhering to the standards of nutritional intake according to the Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents in 2022,GHG emissions,WF,and LA in urban areas would increase by 12.78,20.94,and 18.32%,respectively.Our findings suggest that changing demographics should be considered when designing policies to mitigate the diet-environment-health trilemma and achieve sustainable food consumption.

Compositional and Hollow Engineering of Silicon Carbide/Carbon Microspheres as High-Performance Microwave Absorbing Materials with Good Environmental Tolerance

Microwave absorbing materials(MAMs)characterized by high absorption efficiency and good environmental tolerance are highly desirable in practical applications.Both silicon carbide and carbon are considered as stable MAMs under some rigorous conditions,while their composites still fail to produce satisfactory microwave absorption performance regardless of the improvements as compared with the individuals.Herein,we have successfully implemented compositional and structural engineering to fabricate hollow Si C/C microspheres with controllable composition.The simultaneous modulation on dielectric properties and impedance matching can be easily achieved as the change in the composition of these composites.The formation of hollow structure not only favors lightweight feature,but also generates considerable contribution to microwave attenuation capacity.With the synergistic effect of composition and structure,the optimized SiC/C composite exhibits excellent performance,whose the strongest reflection loss intensity and broadest effective absorption reach-60.8 dB and 5.1 GHz,respectively,and its microwave absorption properties are actually superior to those of most SiC/C composites in previous studies.In addition,the stability tests of microwave absorption capacity after exposure to harsh conditions and Radar Cross Section simulation data demonstrate that hollow SiC/C microspheres from compositional and structural optimization have a bright prospect in practical applications.

Dry environment on the expression of lacrimal gland S100A9,Anxa1,and Clu in rats via proteomics

●AIM:To investigate the underlying mechanism of dry environment(autumn dryness)affecting the lacrimal glands in rats.●METHODS:Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups.The rats were fed in specific pathogen free environment as the control group(n=10),and the rats fed in dry environment as the dryness group(n=10).After 24d,lacrimal glands were collected from the rats.The tissues morphology was observed by hematoxylineosin(HE)staining.Tandem mass tags(TMT)quantitative proteomics analysis technology was used to screen the differential expressed proteins of lacrimal glands between the two groups,then bioinformatics analysis was performed.Further,the immunohistochemical(IHC)method was used to verify the target proteins.●RESULTS:In dryness group,the lacrimal glands lobule atrophied,the glandular cavities enlarged,the sparse nuclear distribution and scattered inflammatory infiltration between the acinus were observed.The proteomics exhibited that a total of 195 up-regulated and 236 downregulated differential expressed proteins screened from the lacrimal glands of rats.It was indicated that the biological processes(BP)of differential expressed proteins mainly included cell processes and single BP.The cellular compositions of differential expressed proteins mainly located in cells,organelles.The molecular functions of differential expressed proteins mainly included binding,catalytic activity.Moreover,the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway analysis showed that the differential expressed proteins mainly involved lysosome,complement and coagulation cascade,and ribosome pathway.The IHC result verified that the up-regulated expression proteins of Protein S100A9(S100A9),Annexin A1(Anxa1),and Clusterin(Clu)in lacrimal glands of rats in dryness group were higher than control group.●CONCLUSION:The up-regulated expression proteins of S100A9,Anxa1,and Clu may be the potential mechanisms of dry eye symptoms caused by dry environment.This study provides clues of dry environments causing eye-related diseases for further studies.