Insights on advanced substrates for controllable fabrication of photoanodes toward efficient and stable photoelectrochemical water splitting

Conversion of solar energy into H2 by photoelectrochemical(PEC)water splitting is recognized as an ideal way to address the growing energy crisis and environmental issues.In a typical PEC cell,the construction of photoanodes is crucial to guarantee the high efficiency and stability of PEC reactions,which fundamentally rely on rationally designed semiconductors(as the active materials)and substrates(as the current collectors).In this review work,we start with a brief introduction of the roles of substrates in the PEC process.Then,we provide a systematic overview of representative strategies for the controlled fabrication of photoanodes on rationally designed substrates,including conductive glass,metal,sapphire,silicon,silicon carbide,and flexible substrates.Finally,some prospects concerning the challenges and research directions in this area are proposed.

Wearable sweat biosensors on textiles for health monitoring

With the rapid technological innovation in materials engineering and device integration,a wide variety of textilebased wearable biosensors have emerged as promising platforms for personalized healthcare,exercise monitoring,and pre-diagnostics.This paper reviews the recent progress in sweat biosensors and sensing systems integrated into textiles for wearable body status monitoring.The mechanisms of biosensors that are commonly adopted for biomarkers analysis are first introduced.The classification,fabrication methods,and applications of textile conductors in different configurations and dimensions are then summarized.Afterward,innovative strategies to achieve efficient sweat collection with textile-based sensing patches are presented,followed by an in-depth discussion on nanoengineering and system integration approaches for the enhancement of sensing performance.Finally,the challenges of textile-based sweat sensing devices associated with the device reusability,washability,stability,and fabrication reproducibility are discussed from the perspective of their practical applications in wearable healthcare.

The Role of Biosynthesized Metallic and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Combating Anti-Microbial Drug Resilient Pathogens

Because of their high efficiency, antibiotics have long been the primary treatment for infections, but the rise of drug-resistant pathogens has become a therapeutic concern. Nanoparticles, as novel biomaterials, are currently gaining global attention to combat them. Drug-resistant diseases may need the use of nanoparticles as a viable therapeutic option. By altering target locations and enzymes, decreasing cell permeability, inactivating enzymes, and increasing efflux by overexpressing efflux pumps, they can bypass conventional resistance mechanisms. Therefore, understanding how metal and metal oxide nanoparticles affect microorganisms that are resistant to antimicrobial drugs is the main objective of this review. Accordingly, the uses of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in the fight against drug-resistant diseases appear promising. However, their mechanism of action, dose, and possible long-term effects require special attention and future research. Furthermore, repeated use of silver nanoparticles may cause gram-negative microorganisms to acquire resistance, necessitating additional study.

Crystallization and Orientation Modulation Enable Highly Efficient Doctor-Bladed Perovskite Solar Cells

With the rapid rise in perovskite solar cells(PSCs)performance,it is imperative to develop scalable fabrication techniques to accelerate potential commercialization.However,the power conversion efficiencies(PCEs)of PSCs fabricated via scalable two-step sequential deposition lag far behind the state-of-the-art spin-coated ones.Herein,the additive methylammonium chloride(MACl)is introduced to modulate the crystallization and orientation of a two-step sequential doctorbladed perovskite film in ambient conditions.MACl can significantly improve perovskite film quality and increase grain size and crystallinity,thus decreasing trap density and suppressing nonradiative recombination.Meanwhile,MACl also promotes the preferred face-up orientation of the(100)plane of perovskite film,which is more conducive to the transport and collection of carriers,thereby significantly improving the fill factor.As a result,a champion PCE of 23.14%and excellent longterm stability are achieved for PSCs based on the structure of ITO/SnO_(2)/FA_(1-x)MA_xPb(I_(1-y)Br_y)_3/Spiro-OMeTAD/Ag.The superior PCEs of 21.20%and 17.54%are achieved for 1.03 cm~2 PSC and 10.93 cm~2 mini-module,respectively.These results represent substantial progress in large-scale two-step sequential deposition of high-performance PSCs for practical applications.

Sodium-Coordinated Polymeric Phthalocyanines as Stable High-Capacity Organic Anodes for Sodium-Ion Batteries

Sodium-ion batteries(SIBs)have attracted considerable interest as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries owing to their similar electrochemical performance and superior long-term cycle stability.Organic materials are regarded as promising anode materials for constructing SIBs with high capacity and good retention.However,utilization of organic materials is rather limited by their low energy density and poor stability at high current densities.To overcome these limitations,we utilized a novel polymeric disodium phthalocyanines(pNaPc)as SIB anodes to provide stable coordination sites for Na ions as well as to enhance the stability at high current density.By varying the linker type during a one-pot cyclization and polymerization process,two pNaPc anodes with O-(O-pNaPc)and S-linkers(S-pNaPc)were prepared,and their structural and electrochemical properties were investigated.The O-pNaPc binds Na ions with a lower binding energy compared with S-pNaPc,which leads to more facile Na-ion coordination/dissociation when engaged as SIB anode.The use of O-pNaPc significantly improves the redox kinetics and cycle stability and allows the fabrication of a full cell against Na_(3)V_(2)(PO_(4))_(2)F_(3)/C cathode,which demonstrates its practical application with high energy density(288 Wh kg^(-1))and high power density(149 W kg^(-1)).

Toxicity and Molecular Mechanisms of Actions of Silver Nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have gained popularity due to their antibacterial properties, and are therefore widely used in several applications such as wound dressings, food packaging, and water purification. However, the toxicity of AgNPs to humans and the environment is a growing concern. This review aims to summarize the current knowledge on the toxicity and molecular mechanisms of action of AgNPs. The toxicity of AgNPs can be attributed to their small size, which allows them to enter cells and interact with cellular components. Reports suggest that AgNPs can induce cell death, DNA damage, and oxidative stress in various cell types. The toxic effects of AgNPs differ based on their size, shape, surface charge, and coating. The molecular mechanisms behind the toxicity of AgNPs involve the production of reactive oxygen species, disruption of cellular membranes, and activation of proinflammatory cytokines. Overall, the toxicity of AgNPs is dependent on various factors, and more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind their toxicity. This review highlights the need for proper risk assessments and regulations to minimize the adverse effects of AgNPs on human health and the environment.

Relationship between Respiratory Muscle Strength and Static Balance in Older People Requiring Support and Care

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the relationship between respiratory muscle strength and balance in older people requiring support or nursing care. Methods: Thirty-seven older subjects aged 65 years or older who were certified as requiring nursing care or support were included in the study. Maximal inspiratory pressure (PIMAX), maximal expiratory pressure (PEMAX), and one-leg standing time were measured. Additionally, the Functional Reach Test (FRT) was performed. Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analyses were performed. Results: One-leg standing time was positively correlated with PEMAX, and was particularly correlated with PIMAX, while FRT score was not correlated with respiratory muscle strength. Multiple regression analysis with one-leg standing time as the dependent variable and PIMAX and PEMAX as independent variables showed that only PIMAX was significantly correlated with one-leg standing time. Conclusion: Focusing on expiratory and inspiratory muscle strength is important for improving one-leg standing ability and thus preventing falls in older people.

Possibilities of Assessing Respiratory Muscle Strength and Trunk Muscle Mass in the Prevention of Sarcopenia in Older People Living in the Community

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between respiratory muscle strength and skeletal muscle mass (trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs) in older people who were certified as requiring nursing or supportive care. Methods: Thirty-five older people (65 years or older) who were certified as requiring nursing care or support were included in the study. The subjects were divided into a non-sarcopenic group (n = 12) and a sarcopenic group (n = 23) according to the sarcopenia diagnostic criteria proposed by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. Maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure, skeletal muscle mass (trunk, upper and lower limbs), and hand grip strength were measured. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical processing. Results: In the non-sarcopenic group, both expiratory muscle strength and hand grip strength were correlated with skeletal muscle mass. In the sarcopenia group, expiratory muscle strength was not correlated with skeletal muscle mass, and only hand grip strength was correlated with upper limb muscle mass. Multiple regression analysis revealed that, in the non-sarcopenic group, trunk muscle mass was the primary factor in expiratory muscle strength and upper limb muscle mass was the primary factor in hand grip strength. In the sarcopenia group, upper limb muscle mass was found to be the main factor in hand grip strength. Conclusion: Our results highlight the importance of assessing expiratory muscle strength and trunk muscle mass before sarcopenia develops in older people who require support and nursing care.

Effect of Specific Verbal Instructions on the Identification of Pain Location during a Passive Straight Leg Raise Test

Musculoskeletal pain is common. Because pain is subjective, objectively describing it is crucial. However, pain assessment may cause distress in patients;therefore, physical therapists (PTs) should conduct these tests quickly and accurately. Simple and clear instructions are recommended for pain assessment. However, few studies have provided evidence to support this hypothesis. Correspondingly, this study aimed to confirm the effectiveness of specific verbal instructions for pain location during five consecutive Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR) tests. The 28 asymptomatic participants (age 27.4 ± 9.6 years) who provided informed consent received five consecutive PSLR tests: three without and two with specific verbal instructions to ascertain pain intensity, quality, and location. The participants drew pain locations on a body chart and described the pain intensity and quality after each test. All participants were interviewed regarding the differences they noted in the presence and absence of specific verbal instructions. Each pain location was classified into one of ten areas for statistical analysis. The proportion of participants who changed the pain location was compared between the tests using McNemar’s test, and the kappa coefficient was confirmed for consistency of pain location. There was a significant difference in the proportion of participants who changed their pain location between the second and third tests and from the third to the fourth test (McNemar’s test: p = 0.003). Kappa coefficients had low consistency (κ = 0.28) just after receiving the specific verbal instructions in the fourth test compared to the third test. Consistency improved in the fifth test (κ = 0.57);93% of the participants answered that the pain location had become clearer. This study revealed the effects of specific verbal instructions in identifying pain locations. This detailed information may help PTs provide appropriate treatment and contribute to reducing pain in clinical settings.

State-of-the-art and future directions of machine learning for biomass characterization and for sustainable biorefinery

Machine learning(ML)has emerged as a significant tool in the field of biorefinery,offering the capability to analyze and predict complex processes with efficiency.This article reviews the current state of biorefinery and its classification,highlighting various commercially successful biorefineries.Further,we delve into different categories of ML models,including their algorithms and applications in various stages of biorefinery lifecycle,such as biomass characterization,pretreatment,lignin valorization,chemical,thermochemical and biochemical conversion processes,supply chain analysis,and life cycle assessment.The benefits and limitations of each of these algorithms are discussed in detail.Finally,the article concludes with a discussion of the limitations and future prospects of ML in the field of biorefineries.

不同配置模式林分中光肩星天牛空间格局的地统计研究

运用地统计学方法对光肩星天牛在新疆杨和复叶槭混交林(新复混交林)、合作杨纯林以及新疆杨与合作杨混交林(新合混交林)3种林分中的空间格局进行了研究。结果表明:刻槽、排粪孔和羽化孔在新复混交林和合作杨纯林中呈现较明显的空间聚集状态,而在新合混交林中则呈现完全的随机分布。新复混交林中,刻槽和排粪孔在林内的扩散趋势完全相反,即刻槽由林地周围向中心扩散,而排粪孔则由林地中心向四周扩散,这在一定程度上反映了光肩星天牛喜好产卵于刻槽较少,危害较轻的树上,而羽化孔在新复混交林中的分布数量较少,仅有几处聚集分布,由这些零星分布的聚集斑块向周围扩散;合作杨纯林中,由于林缘通风透光,合作杨生长状况较好,受害严重,从而导致枯死,最终失去对光肩星天牛的诱集作用,光肩星天牛刻槽、排粪孔和羽化孔由林地周围向中心扩散;而新合混交林中,刻槽、排粪孔和羽化孔在林内有多个聚集区域,并以此为中心向四周扩散,保持聚集和扩散平衡状态,从而表现为随机分布,这主要是由林内树种的配置情况所决定的。就不同配置树种的空间依赖性范围而言,刻槽和羽化孔在新复混交林内的空间依赖性范围要远远大于合作杨纯林,而排粪孔则远小于合作杨;就样方内的空间连续性强度而言,新复混交林中刻槽大于合作杨纯林,而排粪孔和羽化孔均小于合作杨纯林,这些均说明光肩星天牛危害在新复混交林内较集中,而在合作杨纯林内较分散。

沙棘木蠹蛾蛹的空间分布

沙棘木蠹蛾（Holcocerus hippophaecolus Hua, Chou , Fang et Chen）是近几年在内蒙古、辽宁、山西、宁夏和陕西等地大面积爆发的一种钻蛀性害虫,该虫约4a完成1代,主要以幼虫危害沙棘（Hippophae rhamnoidea）的根部和干部,老熟幼虫在土壤中化蛹.为了解种群的空间结构,从而有效控制其危害,应用生物学统计方法和地质统计学（Geostatistics）方法对沙棘木蠹蛾蛹的空间分布特性进行了分析研究.结果表明：约90%的蛹在6月初到7月末之间羽化,而7月份羽化的数量占总数的一半之多.在调查样地中,雌雄蛹的比例基本为1：1.每株沙棘树周围,蛹的数量为0～4个,有蛹株率仅为24.3%.蛹在距离根基部周围1.3m的范围内均有分布,不同分布区间内蛹的数量变化没有一定的规律性,但90%的蛹分布在距根基部1m的范围内.沙棘木蠹蛾蛹的种群呈现较明显的空间聚集状态,空间依赖范围大小为11.1m,局部空间连续性强度为90.7%,呈现较明显的斑块状分布,在整个区域内有很多聚集点.对不同样方大小的变异曲线图进行比较得知：样方边长分别为5、6、7m时,变程、空间局部连续性强度和基台值的变化幅度均很小,几乎相等,而样方边长为5m时的决定系数较大,此样方为最适样方大小.

气相色谱法测定九个产地椒目中的五种脂肪酸

用气相色谱法测定9个不同产地椒目中5脂肪酸成分和含量。实验采用闪式提取法得到总脂肪酸后,经2 mol/L KOH皂化,PEG柱分析后,用氢火焰检测器检测。结果表明,9个不同产地的椒目中5种脂肪酸含量和分布存在显著性差异。其中5种脂肪酸总含量最高为四川产椒目96.25%,α-亚麻酸含量最高为重庆产椒目40.19%,油酸含量最高为四川产椒目36.41%,亚油酸含量最高为河北产椒目32.72%。

Production and characterization of exopolysaccharides in mycelial culture of Cordyceps sinensis fungus Cs-HK1 with different carbon sources

The effects of different carbon sources(sugars) on the production and molecular properties of exopolysaccharides(EPS) were evaluated in the mycelial liquid culture of a medicinal fungus Cordyceps sinensis Cs-HK1. Galactose or mannose was used(at 5 g·L^(-1)) as a secondary carbon source with glucose(35 g·L^(-1)) at the mass ratio of 1:7. Mannose was consumed notably since the first day of culture, but galactose was not even after glucose was exhausted.The volumetric yield of EPS in culture was increased slightly with the addition of galactose and decreased with mannose. The monosaccharide composition of EPS was also different, e.g., on day 8, the glucose contents of EPS were 76%with the addition of mannose, 59% with galactose, compared with 62% with glucose only. The molecular weight distribution of EPS was also affected by the secondary carbon source, being generally lower compared with that with glucose only. The results suggested that the addition of galactose improved the total yield of EPS in culture while mannose can improve the yield of glucan constituent of EPS.

Rapid testing methods for food contaminants and toxicants

Food safety is one of the major concerns in every country regardless of the economic and social development. The frequent occurrence of food scandals in the world has led the Chinese government to implement several strategies to fortify the food supply system to a high food safety standard. This relies heavily on laboratory testing services but conventional methods for detection of food contaminants and toxicants are limited by sophisticated sample preparation procedures, long analysis time, large instruments and professional personnel to meet the increasing demands. In this review, we have incorporated most of the current and potential rapid detection methods for many notorious food contaminants and toxicants including microbial agents, toxic ions, pesticides, veterinary drugs and preservatives, as well as detection of genetically modified food genes and adulterated edible oil. Development of rapid, accurate, easy-to-use and affordable testing methods could urge food handlers and the public to actively screen for food contaminants and toxicants instead of passively relying on monitoring by the government examination facility. This review also provides several recommendations including how to encourage the public to engage in the food safety management system and provide optimal education and financial assistance that may improve the current Chinese food safety control system.

Comprehensive characterization of indoor airborne bacterial profile

This is the first detailed characterization of the airborne bacterial profiles in indoor environments. Two restaurants were selected for this study. Fifteen genera of bacteria were isolated from each restaurant and identified by three different bacterial identification systems including MIDI, Biolog and Riboprinter. The dominant bacteria of both restaurants were Gram-positive bacteria in which Micrococcus and Bacillus species were the most abundant. Most bacteria identified were representative species of skin and respiratory tract of human, and soil. Although the bacterial levels in these two restaurants were below the limit of the Hong Kong Indoor Air Quality Objective （HKIAQO） Level 1 standard （i.e., 〈 500 cfu/m^3）, the majority of these bacteria were opportunistic pathogens. These results suggested that the identity of airborne bacteria should also be included in the IAQ to ensure there is a safety guideline for the public.

Expression of Sex-Related Genes in Chicken Embryos During Male-to-Female Sex Reversal Exposure to Diethylstilbestrol

Sex emerges out of a delicate dance between a variety of promale, anti-male, and possibly profemale genes. To investigate the role that sex-related genes play in sex determination and gonadal differentiation of fowl, we constructed a male-to- female sex-reversal model of chick induced by diethylstilbestrol （DES） at onset of incubation （E0）. The results of semi- quantitative PCR showed that the expression of Sf1, the orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor-1 gene, was put forward from E7d to E5d and up-regulated during E5-7d; the Dmrt1, the double sex and the Mab-3 related to transcription factor 1 gene, was down-regulated during E3-7d. Meanwhile, anti-Müllerian hormone gene （Amh） expressed at a similar level in the genetic females and sex-reversal females before E7d, while no expression products of the three female-specific genes Wpkci, Fet1 and Foxl2 were detected in male-to-female embryos. These findings suggest that the expression of some certain sex-related genes, induced by the exogenous estrogen during period of sex determination and gonadal differentiation, results in the male-to-female sex reversal. Moreover, high activity of Sf1 gene during E5-7d might be related to the profemale process, while low activity of Dmrt1 gene during E3-5d might be anti-male. The expression activity of Amh gene might only contribute to the promale process after E7d, however, it is possibly not an anti-female gene in chick embryos.

Insect community structures along elevation gradients on Mt.Seongak-san, South Korea

Insect communities along three elevation gra- dients on Mt. Seongak-san, South Korea, were investigated from May to September 2013 using traps in order to collect basic data for distributional monitoring of species in a forest ecosystem. A total of 2698 individuals of 309 moth species of 18 families were collected in bucket-light traps, along with 196 individuals of 26 ground-beetle species and 11,276 individuals of 14 ant species in pit-fall traps. The insect community at each site was analyzed using analysisof variance and non-metric multidimensional scaling （NMS）. The ground-beetle and ant abundances varied with elevation. The NMS showed distinct clusters of moths between the ground-beetle and ant distributions with ele- vation and month. The community-level responses of these insect groups to those gradients were analyzed.

Synthesis and Structure of anti-Configuration Complex [Cu(tssb)_2]·2[(H_3O)Cl]·4H_2O

The title complex [Cu(tssb)2]2[(H3O)Cl]4H2O (C18H34Cl2CuN2O14S2) (tssb = tau- rine salicylaldehyde Schiff base) has been synthesized by the reaction of taurine salicylaldehyde Schiff base (tssb) and copper acetate in water-ethanol. Its single-crystal structure was determined by X-ray diffraction method. The crystal structure belongs to triclinic, space group P1 with a = 0.7407(1), b = 1.3329(3), c = 1.5736(3) nm, ?= 103.800(4), ?= 95.030(4), ?= 104.416(4)? Mr = 701.06, V = 1.4433(5) nm3, Z = 2, Dc = 1.613 g/cm3, = 1.153 mm-1 and F(000) = 726. The compound is an infinitely expanding three-dimensional network connected with hydrogen bonds. The Cu(Ⅱ) atom is coordinated by two nitrogen and two oxygen atoms to form a distorted planar coordination compound which adopts anti-configuration because two sulfonic acid groups are posi- tioned diagonally on a plane.

Pre-ischemia electro-acupuncture potentiates the expression of Bcl-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in rat brains

The expression of the anti-apoptotic molecules Bcl-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 is known to confer protective effects on the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.The current study investigated the expression levels of Bcl-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in response to multiple pre-ischemia electro-acupuncture at acupoints Zusanli（ST36）and Fengchi（GB20） stimulation.Rats were divided into five groups：uninjured,control,non-acupoint,GB20 and ST36. Rats in the non-acupoint,GB20 and ST36 groups received 30 minutes（3 times or 18 times）of electro-acupuncture stimulation before experimental cerebral ischemia was induced.Bcl-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 were found to be significantly increased in the ST36 groups with either 3 or 18 electro-acupuncture treatments（P〈0.05）.The production was higher with 18 electro-acupuncture treatments in the ST36 groups（P〈0.05）.In the GB20 groups,significant increase was only observed in transforming growth factor-beta 1 with 18 electro-acupuncture treatments（P〈0.05）.No significant elevation of the level of transforming growth factor-beta 1 was observed in the non-acupoint groups.However,the production of Bcl-2 increased with 18 treatments in the non-acupoint groups（P〈0.05）.The data suggest that multiple pre-ischemia electro-acupuncture at ST36 was effective in conferring neuroprotective effect on the brain by means of upregulation of Bcl-2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 and the effect was increase with the number of treatment.