Pronounced Response Research Articles

Extracellular-proton-transfer driving high energy-conserving methanogenesis in anaerobic digestion

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a promising technology to realize the conversion from organic matters to methane, which is highly mediated by syntrophic microbial community via mutualistic interactions. However, small energy available in methanogenic conversion usually limits the metabolic activity. To adapt such energy-limited environment, efficient energy conservation is critical to support active physiological functions of anaerobic consortia for methanogenic metabolism. In this study, the contribution of extracellular proton transfer (EPT) enhancement to achieving energy-conserving methanogenesis in AD was explored. Proton-conductive medium (PCM) was applied to construct efficient proton transport pathway, and a large number of protons from extracellular water were found available to upregulate methanogenesis in AD, as indicated by the increase in the content of 2H (D) in methane molecules (over 40.7%), among which CO2-reduction-to-CH4 was effectively enhanced. The increases of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration (+54.1%) and gene expression activities related to ATPase (+100.0%) and proton pump (+580.1%) revealed that enhanced EPT by PCM promoted transmembrane proton motive force generation to facilitate ATP synthesis. Based on genome-centric metatranscriptomic analyses, MAG14, MAG63 and MAG61 with high energy conservation activity displayed most pronounced positive response to the EPT enhancement. In these core MAGs, the metabolic pathway reconstruction and the key genes activity identification further proved that EPT enhancement-driven efficient ATP synthesis stimulated the cross-feeding of carbon and proton/electron to facilitate microbial mutualism, thereby resulting in the high energy-conserving methanogenesis. Overall, our work provides new insights into how EPT enhancement drives high energy-conserving methanogenesis, expanding our understanding of the ecological role of EPT in AD.

Dichloro-tin (IV) hexadeca-fluoro-phthalocyanine (F16PcSnCl2) thin film on porous silicon layers by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, for possible application in optoelectronics devices

Phthalocyanines represent a significant class of organic semiconductors that have garnered attention for their potential applications in conducting polymers and organic electronics. The unique structural characteristics of phthalocyanines, coupled with the intriguing chemical behavior and variations in bandgap associated with different substitution sites, offer exciting prospects for designing novel application devices. In this study, we have successfully fabricated a heterostructure incorporating dichloro tin (IV) hexa deca fluoro phthalocyanine (F16PcSnCl2) on both porous silicon (PS) and crystalline silicon (c-Si). The PS substrate was prepared using metal-assisted chemical etching. To explore the optoelectronic applications, we thoroughly characterized the optical, electrical, and morphological properties of the heterostructure. F16PcSnCl2 exhibits the lowest reflectance within the visible light spectrum, making it highly advantageous for photosensitive applications that necessitate efficient light absorption, diffusion, or scattering. The morphological analysis of the F16PcSnCl2 film reveals the presence of nanosphere-type structures uniformly distributed on both PS and c-Si substrates. The absorbance spectrum exhibits three distinct bands, which serve as typical indicators of the F16PcSnCl2 complex. Several hybrid heterostructures were fabricated for electrical characterization, displaying rectifying ohmic behavior and demonstrating a photocurrent effect in the I-V curves. Notably, when the heterostructures were polarized at 1 V, a pronounced response to pulses of white light was observed in the current–time curves. Overall, the integration of organic and inorganic materials in heterostructures holds great promise for innovative applications in optoelectronics.

Differential responses to thrombospondin-1 and PDGF-BB in smooth muscle cells from atherosclerotic coronary arteries and internal thoracic arteries

Atherosclerosis is rare in internal thoracic arteries (ITA) even in patients with severe atherosclerotic coronary artery (ACA) disease. To explore cellular differences, ITA SMC from 3 distinct donors and ACA SMC from 3 distinct donors were grown to sub-confluence and growth arrested for 48 h. Proliferation and thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) production were determined using standard techniques. ITA SMC were larger, grew more slowly and survived more passages than ACA SMC. ACA SMC had a more pronounced proliferative response to 10% serum than ITA SMC. Both ACA SMC and ITA SMC proliferated in response to exogenous TSP1 (12.5 µg/ml and 25 µg/ml) and platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB; 20 ng/ml) but TSP1- and PDGF-BB-induced proliferation were partially inhibited by anti-TSP1 antibody A4.1, microRNA-21(miR-21)-3p inhibitors and miR-21-5p inhibitors in each of the 3 ACA SMC lines, but not in any of the ITA SMC lines. PDGF-BB stimulated TSP1 production in ACA SMC but not in ITA SMC but there was no increase in TSP1 levels in conditioned media in either SMC type. In summary, there are significant differences in morphology, proliferative capacity and in responses to TSP1 and PDGF-BB in SMC derived from ITA compared to SMC derived from ACA.

Role of Piezo2 in Schwann Cell Volume Regulation and Its Impact on Neurotrophic Release Regulation.

Tactile perception relies on mechanoreceptors and nerve fibers, including c-fibers, Aβ-fibers and Aδ-fibers. Schwann cells (SCs) play a crucial role in supporting nerve fibers, with non-myelinating SCs enwrapping c-fibers and myelinating SCs ensheathing Aβ and Aδ fibers. Recent research has unveiled new functions for cutaneous sensory SCs, highlighting the involvement of nociceptive SCs in pain perception and Meissner corpuscle SCs in tactile sensation. Furthermore, Piezo2, previously associated with Merkel cell tactile sensitivity, has been identified in SCs. The goal of this study was to investigate the channels implicated in SC mechanosensitivity and the release process of neurotrophic factor secretion. Immortalized IFRS1 SCs and human primary SCs generated two distinct subtypes of SCs: undifferentiated and differentiated SCs. Quantitative PCR was employed to evaluate the expression of differentiation markers and mechanosensitive channels, including TRP channels (TRPV4, TRPM7 and TRPA1) and Piezo channels (Piezo1 and Piezo2). To validate the functionality of specific mechanosensitive channels, Ca2+ imaging and electronic cell sizing experiments were conducted under hypotonic conditions, and inhibitors and siRNAs were used. Protein expression was assessed by Western blotting and immunostaining. Additionally, secretome analysis was performed to evaluate the release of neurotrophic factors in response to hypotonic stimulation, with BDNF, a representative trophic factor, quantified using ELISA. Induction of differentiation increased Piezo2 mRNA expression levels both in IFRS1 and in human primary SCs. Both cell types were responsive to hypotonic solutions, with differentiated SCs displaying a more pronounced response. Gd3+ and FM1-43 effectively inhibited hypotonicity-induced Ca2+ transients in differentiated SCs, implicating Piezo2 channels. Conversely, inhibitors of Piezo1 and TRPM7 (Dooku1 and NS8593, respectively) had no discernible impact. Moreover, Piezo2 in differentiated SCs appeared to participate in regulatory volume decreases (RVD) after cell swelling induced by hypotonic stimulation. A Piezo2 deficiency correlated with reduced RVD and prolonged cell swelling, leading to heightened release of the neurotrophic factor BDNF by upregulating the function of endogenously expressed Ca2+-permeable TRPV4. Our study unveils the mechanosensitivity of SCs and implicates Piezo2 channels in the release of neurotrophic factors from SCs. These results suggest that Piezo2 may contribute to RVD, thereby maintaining cellular homeostasis, and may also serve as a negative regulator of neurotrophic factor release. These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the role of Piezo2 in SC function and neurotrophic regulation.

Lithium-Ion battery silicon Anodes: Surface engineering with novel additives for enhanced ion and electron transport

Silicon (Si) stands as a promising candidate for high-capacity anode materials in the next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to extremely high specific capacity. However, silicon application is hindered by its inherently poor electron and ion conductivities, as well as structural instability during the repeated charging/discharging. To address these challenges, a novel functional surface modification agent, diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic) acid (DTPMP), was decorated on the surface of silicon particles for the first time. The experimental results demonstrate that the DTPMP effectively enhances the cohesion between nano Si particles. This study combines experimental observations with theoretical calculations to analyze the nucleophilic and electrophilic sites of DTPMP and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), elucidating the existence state of DTPMP on the nano Si surface. Furthermore, by examining the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), along with the electrostatic potential (ESP) of DTPMP and solvent molecules in conjunction with Li+, the impact of the phosphate group on the diffusion of Li+ and electrons at the nano Si surface was studied. The electron density difference (EDD) maps for DTPMP and CMC reveal that DTPMP exhibits a more pronounced response in the presence of an electric field, suggesting its enhanced role in facilitating Li+ diffusion. This research offers a novel perspective on enhancing the electrochemical performance of nano Si surfaces, paving the way for the development of advanced LIBs with improved energy storage capabilities.

Chemical Composition of PM2.5-0.3 and PM0.3 Collected in Southern Lebanon and Assessment of Their Toxicity in BEAS-2B Cells

Fine particles (PM2.5) have generally been reported as the major contributor to the adverse health effects of air pollution. Lebanon is characterized by a high density of transport, the production of electricity by generators, and a problem of uncontrolled incineration of household waste. For the purpose of this paper, the physico-chemical properties of fine (PM2.5-0.3) and quasi-ultrafine (PM0.3) particulate matter sampled in Southern Lebanon, were studied. Then, an evaluation and comparison of the toxicity of the different extracted fractions from PM (i.e., native PM2.5-0.3 vs. organic extractable matter fraction (OEM2.5-0.3), and non-extractable matter fraction (NEM2.5-0.3)) was performed. Also, an examination of the toxicity of PM0.3 was conducted indirectly through the evaluation of the OEM0.3 harmfulness. The physico-chemical analysis showed that PM0.3 was much more concentrated than PM2.5-0.3 in organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (28-fold) and their nitrated (N-PAHs, 14-fold) and oxygenated (O-PAHs, 10-fold) derivatives. Normal human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) were exposed to PM2.5-0.3, its derived fractions (i.e., OEM2.5-0.3 and NEM2.5-0.3), and OEM0.3 before evaluating the global cytotoxicity, metabolic activation of organic compounds, genotoxicity, and inflammatory response. Different responses were observed depending on the considered fraction of particles. The global cytotoxicity showed a pronounced response related to ATP and LDH activities after exposure to the quasi-ultrafine organic extractable matter fraction (OEM0.3). There was no significant induction of the AhR cell-signaling pathway by NEM2.5-0.3. Despite the apparent difference in the kinetics of induction of the toxicological endpoints under study, OEM0.3 provoked a higher overall cytotoxicity and genotoxicity than OEM2.5-0.3 and total PM2.5-0.3. Taken together, these results clearly showed that the finest particles are more damaging to BEAS-2B cells than PM2.5-0.3 because they are richer in organic compounds, thereby inducing more remarkable toxic effects.

Ultrafast charge carrier dynamics of methylammonium lead iodide from first principles

Methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) has been a major focus of photovoltaic research for the last decade. The unique interplay between the structural and electronic properties of this material contributes to its exciting optical properties especially under the action of an ultrafast laser pulse. First-principles methods like real-time time-dependent density functional theory (RT-TDDFT) enable performing corresponding simulations without the aid of empirical parameters: the gained knowledge can be applied to future studies of other complex materials. In this work, we investigate the ultrafast charge-carrier dynamics and the nonlinear optical response of MAPbI3 excited by a resonant pulse above the gap. First, we examine the electronic and optical properties in the static regime. Next, we impinge the system with a femtosecond field of varying intensity and follow the evolution of the photoexcited carrier density. A pronounced intensity-dependent response is observed, manifested by high-harmonic generation and nonlinear trends in the number of excited electrons and excitation energy. Our results provide relevant indications about the behavior of MAPbI3 under strong and coherent radiation and confirm that RT-TDDFT is a viable tool to simulate the photo-induced dynamics of complex materials from first principles.

Mild Hyperthermia-Induced Thermogenesis in the Endoplasmic Reticulum Defines Stress Response Mechanisms.

Previous studies reported that a mild, non-protein-denaturing, fever-like temperature increase induced the unfolded protein response (UPR) in mammalian cells. Our dSTORM super-resolution microscopy experiments revealed that the master regulator of the UPR, the IRE1 (inositol-requiring enzyme 1) protein, is clustered as a result of UPR activation in a human osteosarcoma cell line (U2OS) upon mild heat stress. Using ER thermo yellow, a temperature-sensitive fluorescent probe targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), we detected significant intracellular thermogenesis in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells. Temperatures reached at least 8 °C higher than the external environment (40 °C), resulting in exceptionally high ER temperatures similar to those previously described for mitochondria. Mild heat-induced thermogenesis in the ER of MEF cells was likely due to the uncoupling of the Ca2+/ATPase (SERCA) pump. The high ER temperatures initiated a pronounced cytosolic heat-shock response in MEF cells, which was significantly lower in U2OS cells in which both the ER thermogenesis and SERCA pump uncoupling were absent. Our results suggest that depending on intrinsic cellular properties, mild hyperthermia-induced intracellular thermogenesis defines the cellular response mechanism and determines the outcome of hyperthermic stress.

Poster 141: In Vitro Inflammatory Response to Surgical Scaffolds for Rotator Cuff Repair

Objectives: Surgical scaffolds are used to augment rotator cuff tendon repairs. Interactions between recruited immune cells and tendon-resident stromal cells influence whether the scaffold is integrated or rejected by the body. The primary aim of this in vitro study was to compare the inflammatory response of human monocytes to different surgical scaffolds. The secondary aim was to determine how this monocyte response affects the behavior of human rotator cuff tendon-derived stromal cells in vitro. Methods: Primary human monocytes were cultured on four commercially available scaffolds: LARS ligament (synthetic); GraftJacket (allograft), Permacol (xenograft, cross-linked), and Conexa (xenograft, noncross-linked). Secreted inflammatory proteins were measured after 1 and 10 days. Foreign body giant cell formation was assessed after 10 days. Proliferation and gene expression of tendon stromal cells were assessed after being grown in a conditioned medium from monocyte-scaffold cultures. Results: After 10 days, monocytes cultured on the Conexa scaffold secreted the highest levels of the pro-inflammatory markers GM-CSF, IL-8, and IL-10 (fig. 1). After 1 day, tendon stromal cells incubated in conditioned media from Conexa-monocyte cultures expressed lower Collagen Type VI and increased MMP3 and MMP6 mRNA (fig. 2). Foreign Body Giant Cell formation was most prominent in monocytes cultured on the Permacol scaffold (Figure 3). Conclusions: In vitro experiments demonstrated that xenograft scaffolds elicited a more pronounced pro-inflammatory response in human monocytes compared to synthetic and allograft scaffolds. Inflammatory cytokines secreted by monocytes in response to xenografts may modulate scaffold integration through paracrine signaling to tendon stromal cells. These findings may help explain the clinical performance of xenograft scaffolds for tendon repair and inform future scaffold design.

Dielectric relaxation spectroscopy of hybrid insulating nanofluids in time, distribution, and frequency domain

Improving the dielectric properties of insulating liquids belongs to the modern motivation to optimize the operation of high-voltage devices. Hybrid nanofluids can provide the mentioned improvement, and thus, it is necessary to reveal their hidden potential. This study investigates hybrid nanofluids with different concentrations of magnetite and fullerene nanoparticles, a separate fullerene and magnetic nanofluid, and a base carrier fluid based on gas-to-liquid technology. The investigated samples are subjected to dielectric relaxation spectroscopy analysis at three applied electric field intensities in the time, distribution, and frequency domain. The lack of information about the studied parameters of the mentioned nanofluids is another reason for our experimental measurements. A significant dispersion of the charging current characteristics of nanofluids with magnetic nanoparticles is observed. At lower electric field intensities, the increasing fullerene concentration of the hybrid nanofluids reduces the charging currents up to a charging time of 200 s. Magnetic nanofluid shows the highest values of conductivity currents. Experiments show that the suspension of fullerene in the base oil causes a higher charging current and a more pronounced relaxation response than pure base oil. Significant relaxation information in the low-frequency band is detected from the distribution spectra. At higher electric field intensities in the low-frequency spectrum, the relaxation peaks decrease when the concentration of fullerene in hybrid nanofluids increases. The distribution area shows the effect of higher polarizability of magnetite nanoparticles. Compared to lower electric field intensities, at the value of 333.3 kV/m, several polarization processes are captured in the entire frequency spectrum. The frequency-dependent complex permittivity confirms the findings from the time and distribution domains. Comparing the distribution domain with the frequency domain shows higher sensitivity and accuracy in capturing relaxation processes in the distribution domain.

Вплив перкутанної тактики повної і неповної реваскуляризації міокарда при гострому коронарному синдромі з елевацією сегмента ST на динаміку лабораторних та інструментальних показників протягом госпітального періоду лікування

The aim – to identify and study the effect of percutaneous tactics of complete and incomplete myocardial revascularization on the dynamics of laboratory and instrumental indicators in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with ST-segment elevation at the hospital stage of treatment.Materials and methods. 120 patients with ACS with ST segment elevation were examined. The criteria for inclusion in the study were the presence of acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation and the presence of at least one lesion of the non infarct-related (non-IRA) coronary artery with stenosis of 70 % or more according to coronary angiography. Exclusion criteria were severe clinical condition of the patient (ischemic time of more than 24 hours, cardiogenic shock, clinical death at the pre-hospital stage, presence of mechanical complications of myocardial infarction), coronary artery bypass grafting, unsuitable for PCI coronary anatomy, etc. All patients were divided into a group of complete (n=60) and a group of incomplete (n=60) revascularization. The complete revascularization group included patients who received stenting of all hemodynamically significant stenoses of the coronary arteries either during primary PCI (subgroup of immediate non-IRA stenting, n=7) or during a separate planned PCI procedure (subgroup of staged stenting non-IRA, n=53).Results and discussion. According to the echocardiography before discharge from the hospital, patients who underwent a complete procedure (both one-time and staged) had a significantly higher left ventricular ejection fraction compared to patients in the incomplete revascularization group (46.3±6.41 % vs. 43.2±8.32 %, p=0.03). The anatomical complexity of the infarct-related lesion according to the SYNTAX score had a positive correlation with the duration of the primary PCI (correlation coefficient r=0.2; p<0.05) and a decrease in the left ventricular ejection fraction before discharge from the hospital (r=–0.26, p<0.05). An increase in the duration of PCI was associated with an increase in leukocyte count and creatinine levels in the first 48-72 hours after the intervention. However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy. A positive correlation was found between the level of LDL and the deterioration of kidney function after pPCI (r=0.27, p<0.05), as well as the degree of non-IRA stenosis (3.39±0.99 mmol/l in patients with with non-IRA stenoses > 90 % versus 2.77±0.68 mmol/l in patients with non-IRA stenoses 70-89 %, p<0.05). While the complexity of non-IRA lesions according to the SYNTAX score had a negative correlation with the level of LDL (r=–0.26, p<0.05).Conclusions. Complete revascularization in ACS with ST-elevation patients was associated with higher LVEF before hospital discharge. Immediate stenting of all non-IRA during pPCI is associated with increased procedure time but has a lower total radiation burden compared with a staged PCI strategy. The complexity of the infarct-related lesion according to the SYNTAX score is an unmodified predictor of the duration of the pPCI and the reduction of LVEF in the short observation period. Increasing the duration of pPCI leads to a more pronounced inflammatory response with an increase in the level of leukocyte count and an increase of creatinine in the first 48-72 hours after pPCI. LDL is a risk factor for the deterioration of renal function after PCI and the presence of > 90 % non-IRA lesions. However, these lesions have less anatomical complexity.

Piezoelectrically-enhanced composite membranes mimicking the tendinous electrical microenvironment for advanced tendon repair

Tendon injuries, prevalent in clinical settings, predominantly arise from the disruption of the collagen matrix and are typically accompanied by pronounced inflammatory responses and perturbations in the tendon's intrinsic electrical microenvironment. Despite advancements in bridging tendon injuries, few strategies currently target the restoration of the tendon's native electrical microenvironment to facilitate repair. Herein, we fabricated electrospun fibers composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) loaded with dopamine (PDA) modified piezoelectric tetragonal-SrTiO3 (T-SrTiO3) (T-SrTiO3@PCL) for overcoming this problem. The application of PCL based electrospun fibers favours the bridging of tendon injuries by reconstructing the collagen matrix, while the incorporation of piezoelectric T-SrTiO3 simulates the endogenous electrical microenvironment of tendon tissue, with the PDA enhancing the combination between T-SrTiO3 and PCL and thereby further increase piezoelectricity. The therapeutic potential of T-SrTiO3@PCL fibers in tendon repair was evidenced by their ability to modulate the inflammatory response, reduce angiogenesis, and upregulate tendon-specific gene expression, as demonstrated in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. These findings underscore the multifunctional electrospun fibers as a novel strategy for tendon repair, emphasizing the critical structure-function relationship in tendon tissue and recreating a conducive electrical microenvironment for regeneration.

Heterogeneous regional effects of monetary policy: Evidence from Korea

Using regional panel data from Korea, this paper investigates the differential impact of monetary policy on output, consumption, and employment by region. Depending upon distinctive regional characteristics, the effects of monetary policy are heterogeneous across regions. Specifically, regions with a lower share of manufacturing, a lower income level, a higher proportion of the elderly population, and a higher household debt ratio exhibit more pronounced responses in output, consumption, and employment to monetary policy shocks. Further, we show that the share of net exports, the share of small businesses, and the share of non-wage workers are pivotal factors that drive the primary results. These findings imply that vulnerable regions may experience a stronger impact from recent rapid interest rate hikes, underscoring the importance of supplementary fiscal support for the regions.

Sweet Cherry Plants Prioritize Their Response to Cope with Summer Drought, Overshadowing the Defense Response to Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae.

Disease severity and drought due to climate change present significant challenges to orchard productivity. This study examines the effects of spring inoculation with Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss) on sweet cherry plants, cvs. Bing and Santina with varying defense responses, assessing plant growth, physiological variables (water potential, gas exchange, and plant hydraulic conductance), and the levels of abscisic acid (ABA) and salicylic acid (SA) under two summer irrigation levels. Pss inoculation elicited a more pronounced response in 'Santina' compared to 'Bing' at 14 days post-inoculation (dpi), and those plants inoculated with Pss exhibited a slower leaf growth and reduced transpiration compared to control plants during 60 dpi. During differential irrigations, leaf area was reduced 14% and 44% in Pss inoculated plants of 'Bing' and 'Santina' respectively, under well-watered (WW) conditions, without changes in plant water status or gas exchange. Conversely, water-deficit (WD) conditions led to gas exchange limitations and a 43% decrease in plant biomass compared to that under WW conditions, with no differences between inoculation treatments. ABA levels were lower under WW than under WD at 90 dpi, while SA levels were significantly higher in Pss-inoculated plants under WW conditions. These findings underscore the influence on plant growth during summer in sweet cherry cultivars that showed a differential response to Pss inoculations and how the relationship between ABA and SA changes in plant drought level responses.

Shear wave propagation in a liquid crystal: An inelastic X-ray scattering study.

We investigated the spectrum of density fluctuations of a liquid crystal, CB7CB, in two different orientations by using high-resolution inelastic x-ray scattering. Our analysis, based on Bayesian principles, revealed that high-frequency collective excitations propagate through this mesoscale-ordered sample in a peculiar manner that lies somewhere between those observed in liquids and crystalline systems. Interestingly, when we probed longer length scales, a more pronounced solid-like response emerged. This was mainly characterized by anomalously sharp inelastic excitations and the onset of shear mode propagation. Comparison with previous x-ray diffraction results suggests a correlation between the observed behavior and the mesogen arrangement.

Response of hyporheic biofilms to temperature changes and dissolved organic carbon enrichment: a mesocosm study

PurposeHyporheic biofilms are the central site for biogeochemical cycling in streams and rivers. In view of global warming and increasing human pressures, this study aimed to compare the response of hyporheic biofilm biomass and activities from an unpolluted reference stream reach surrounded by forest with those from a stream reach exposed to agricultural and urban land use using a mesocosm experiment in which the water temperature and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contents were manipulated.MethodsHyporheic sediments collected in the field from the two study reaches (i.e. reference and impacted) were incubated in the laboratory at two different temperatures (10 °C, 14 °C) and wetted with three types of synthetic water (control [C] – 0 mg L−1; low DOC – 5 mg L−1; high DOC – 30 mg L−1) for four weeks. The responses of the hyporheic biofilms were measured weekly using structural (total protein content [TPC] as a proxy for biofilm biomass) and functional measures (electron transport system activity [ETSA] and community-level physiological profiling [CLPP]).ResultsThe response of hyporheic biofilms to temperature changes and DOC enrichment was site-specific for all studied measures (TPC, ETSA and CLPP, including measured average well colour development [AWCD]). The addition of DOC to biofilms from the pristine stream reach significantly heightened the responses at 10 °C, a temperature within the normal environmental temperature ranges of the reference location, but not at 14 °C, which was here, a temperature outside normal environmental range. On the other hand, biofilms from the impacted stream reach exhibited increased responses following DOC enrichment under both temperature regimes, with a particularly pronounced response at 14 ºC, in this case, both experimental temperatures were within the normal environmental temperature ranges of the study locations.ConclusionHyporheic biofilms were shown to be, like benthic biofilms, sensitive to temperature changes and organic enrichment, but their response to temperature changes and enrichment caused by climate change and/or other anthropogenic pressures (i.e. point and non-point pollution, removal of the riparian zone, hydromorphological modifications, etc.) was not simply linear but site-specific. The intensity of the response, characterized by increased activity and biomass production, appears to be constrained within the temperature ranges prevalent in the environment from which the biofilms originate. These findings emphasize the importance of site-specific considerations in predicting the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic pressures on these critical components of river and stream ecosystems.

Numerical investigation of artificial ground freezing–thawing processes in tunnel construction

Artificial ground freezing is a frequently used method for temporary support of the soil in geotechnical interventions, such as tunneling. Besides the time required to form a supporting frozen soil structure during freezing, the prediction of temperature evolution during the thawing process and the final thawing time are also relevant, since settlements induced by thawing of the frozen soil can pose a risk to sensitive structures in urban tunneling. The freezing and thawing process of soils depends strongly on the unfrozen liquid content. The unfrozen liquid content during the freezing and thawing cycles is known to have a pronounced hysteresis response, whose effect on the temperature distribution and groundwater flow, especially at the structural level has not been extensively studied. In this work, we present a thermo-hydraulic finite element model for freezing soils and incorporate the hysteresis behavior of soil. We aim to investigate the suitability of the presented numerical model for tunnel construction on the one hand, and quantify the extent of the influence of the hysteresis response of the unfrozen liquid content at the structural level on the other. To this end, the model is first validated with the help of experimental data from a soil test subjected to a freezing–thawing cycle and subsequently used to analyze three problems of artificial ground freezing in tunnel construction during the freezing phase or freezing–thawing phases. The results show a good agreement with the experimental measurements. We show that the computational model is capable of providing accurate prognosis of the temperature profile as well as broader metrics such as the thickness and shape of the frozen body for tunneling applications under hydrostatic and seepage flow conditions. The hysteresis response is shown to have a significant influence on the coupled thermo-hydraulic process, with thawing times differing depending on whether hysteresis is considered. It is concluded, that the inclusion of the hysteresis response is crucial for obtaining an accurate representation of the freezing process.

Coupling regulation of boron doping and morphology in nano-floral CuO using one pot method for electrocatalytic CO2 reduction

The two crucial methods for regulating Cu-based electrocatalysts to achieve high C2+ selectivity during CO2 reduction are doping with heteroatoms and controlling morphology. However, it is challenging to achieve both through the facial preparation approach. Herein, we prepared a series of nano-floral boron-doped CuO catalysts by a simple one-pot template-free approach to attain the coupling regulation of boron doping and morphology by the amount of H3BO3 added. As indicated by the SEM and TEM results, these petals of B3-CuO are the sharpest and the overall size is the smallest among all the nano-floral catalysts, enabling them to demonstrate a tip effect. B3-CuO exhibits enhanced electron transport capacity and a more pronounced response to CO2, aligning with its electrochemical characteristics. Meanwhile, B3-CuO possesses higher Vo compared to other catalysts. These factors lead to B3-CuO having the greatest FEC2H4 at −1.2 V vs. RHE, reaching 51.2 %, and excellent stability. The possible reaction pathway of Bx-CuO has been elucidated through in-situ ATR-SEIRAS, which indicates that the mechanism involves CO2→*COOH→*CO→*OCCOH → C2H4. Therefore, the coupled use of B-doped and morphology regulation offers a notable improvement in C2H4 selectivity while unlocking asymmetric C–C coupled pathways towards higher FEC2H4.

The Caspase-Activated DNase drives inflammation and contributes to defense against viral infection

Mitochondria react to infection with sub-lethal signals in the apoptosis pathway. Mitochondrial signals can be inflammatory but mechanisms are only partially understood. We show that activation of the caspase-activated DNase (CAD) mediates mitochondrial pro-inflammatory functions and substantially contributes to host defense against viral infection. In cells lacking CAD, the pro-inflammatory activity of sub-lethal signals was reduced. Experimental activation of CAD caused transient DNA-damage and a pronounced DNA damage response, involving major kinase signaling pathways, NF-κB and cGAS/STING, driving the production of interferon, cytokines/chemokines and attracting neutrophils. The transcriptional response to CAD-activation was reminiscent of the reaction to microbial infection. CAD-deficient cells had a diminished response to viral infection. Influenza virus infected CAD-deficient mice displayed reduced inflammation in lung tissue, higher viral titers and increased weight loss. Thus, CAD links the mitochondrial apoptosis system and cell death caspases to host defense. CAD-driven DNA damage is a physiological element of the inflammatory response to infection.

Financial development and the impact of FDI on firm innovation: Evidence from bank deregulation in China

This study investigates the role of financial development in shaping the relationship between FDI and firm innovation, based on Chinese firm-level dataset during 2008–2014. Our findings reveal that bank deregulation significantly enhances the positive effect of FDI on firm innovation. We also find that firms with greater absorptive capacity exhibit a more pronounced response to FDI while the absorptive capacity is enhanced by bank deregulation. These results underscore the importance of considering financial market conditions and highlight the role of absorptive capacity as a crucial channel through which bank deregulation influences the effect of FDI on firm innovation.