Transport Pathways Research Articles

A Comprehensive Study on Winter PM2.5 Variation in the Yangtze River Delta: Unveiling Causes and Pollution Transport Pathways

To thoroughly investigate the impact of meteorological conditions and emission changes on winter PM2.5 variation in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) from 2015 to 2019, we leveraged advanced modeling techniques, namely, the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model and the Nested Air Quality Prediction Model System (NAQPMS). The results revealed that a notable trend of high-PM2.5-concentration regions shifted from coastal areas towards to the inland regions. While emission reduction can effectively reduce the concentration of PM2.5, meteorological changes exert a significant impact on PM2.5 concentration. Unfavorable meteorological changes in 2018 and 2019 emerged as crucial factors driving PM2.5 pollution in the region (up 0~50 µg·m−3). Our findings also shed light on the potential sources and transport pathways of PM2.5 pollution in key cities within the YRD, indicating that the coastal channel of Hebei–Shandong–Jiangsu and the inland channel bordering Hebei, Henan, Shandong, and Anhui serve as major contributors. Light and moderate pollution was predominantly influenced by the medium-distance coastal channel (48~70%). Remarkably, short-distance inland (19~54%) and coastal transportation (33~53%) channels emerged as the primary causes of severe PM2.5 pollution in the YRD. To effectively combat this issue, it is imperative to bolster key control and prevention measures in these regions.

Ce anomaly in hemiboreal headwater streams: An indicator of dominant groundwater flow paths through the catchment

The water quality in headwater streams depends on the groundwater origin and its transport pathways before it eventually discharges as surface water. In this case study, we present the Ce anomaly of over 100 hemiboreal headwater streams in Sweden and discuss the potential of the Ce anomaly to define two stream end members as proxies for the stream origin. The data show a relation between topography and the Ce anomaly, with more negative values (−0.8 to −0.4) in hilly catchments with distinct slopes, defined as an oxidized groundwater end member. The second end member is dominated by groundwater discharge from reduced, organic-rich riparian and wetland soils (reduced groundwater) having small Ce anomalies (−0.3 to zero). Element concentrations show a wide range, depending on the end member of the stream. For example, redox elements (Fe, Mn, S and N) show concentrations up to five times in streams with small negative Ce anomalies (reduced groundwater) compared to the concentrations in streams with large negative Ce anomalies. While element concentrations (of the classic redox elements Fe, Mn, S, N) show seasonal variations due to a summer drought period and the resulting reduced conditions, the Ce anomaly is constant, offering an excellent indicator of the dominant groundwater flow paths regardless of seasonal variations.

Microbial genotoxin-elicited host DNA mutations related to mitochondrial dysfunction, a momentous contributor for colorectal carcinogenesis.

Gut microbe dysbiosis increases repetitive inflammatory responses, leading to an increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer. Recent studies have revealed that specific microbial species directly instigate mutations in the host nucleus DNA, thereby accelerating the progression of colorectal cancer. Given the well-established role of mitochondrial dysfunction in promoting colorectal cancer, it is reasonable to postulate that gut microbes may induce mitochondrial gene mutations, thereby inducing mitochondrial dysfunction. In this review, we focus on gut microbial genotoxins and their known and potential targets in mitochondrial genes. Consequently, we propose that targeted disruption of genotoxin transport pathways may effectively reduce the rate of mitochondrial gene mutations and yield substantial benefits for the prevention of colorectal carcinogenesis.

A novel deletion in the BLOC1S6 Gene Associated with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome type 9 (HPS-9)

BackgroundHermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS), a rare autosomal recessive disorder, is characterized by oculocutaneous albinism, bleeding diathesis, and sometimes severe lung problems and inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms include skin and hair pigmentation variations, along with visual impairments. Variants in eleven genes encoding protein complexes essential for membrane trafficking and intracellular endosomal transport pathways underlie various recognized HPS subtypes. This study focuses on HPS-9, a subtype of Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome caused by a variant in the BLOC1S6 gene, which is a subunit of the BLOC1 complex. In this study, a novel Copy Number Variation (CNV) in the aforementioned gene in an Iranian family is reported. The study aims to better understand the etiology of HPS-9 symptoms by identifying and confirming the variant and determining whether the gene is expressed despite the deletion. There have only been five reports of this syndrome in the literature thus far. Our novel CNV represents a significant contribution to understanding the genetic basis of HPS-9.ResultsThis study investigates a male patient presenting with albinism. Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) identified a homozygous deletion of approximately 350 bp using CNV analysis. The deletion affects the intronic region of the BLOC1S6 gene, causing uncertainties in defining the exact boundaries due to WES limitations. Primer walking and GAP-PCR techniques were used to define the deletion boundaries. Subsequent assessments of this variant across other family members helped identify homozygous affected members and heterozygous carriers. The absence of BLOC1S6 expression in the affected individual was confirmed through Real-time PCR experiments. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the implications for the patient’s healthcare and potential therapeutic approaches.ConclusionThis study introduces a case of Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome Type 9 (HPS-9) caused by a homozygous deletion in the BLOC1S6 gene. We identified an approximately 7-kb deletion encompassing exon 1 and the intronic region of the gene. The absence of BLOC1S6 expression, confirmed via Real-time PCR, highlights the importance of studying the pathogenicity of the deletion and its impact on the patient’s health. Our findings contribute to the sparse knowledge on HPS-9 and underscore the need for further exploration into the genetic causes of this rare disorder.

Caveolin Regulates the Transport Mechanism of the Walnut-Derived Peptide EVSGPGYSPN to Penetrate the Blood-Brain Barrier.

Bioactive peptides, derived from short protein fragments, are recognized for their neuroprotective properties and potential therapeutic applications in treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases. However, a significant challenge for these peptides is their ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). EVSGPGYSPN (EV-10) peptide, a walnut-derived peptide, has demonstrated promising neuroprotective effects in vivo. This study aimed to investigate the transportability of EV-10 across the BBB, explore its capacity to penetrate this barrier, and elucidate the regulatory mechanisms underlying peptide-induced cellular internalization and transport pathways within the BBB. The results indicated that at a concentration of 100 μM and osmotic time of 4 h, the apparent permeability coefficient of EV-10 was Papp = 8.52166 ± 0.58 × 10-6 cm/s. The penetration efficiency of EV-10 was influenced by time, concentration, and temperature. Utilizing Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry, in conjunction with the caveolin (Cav)-specific inhibitor M-β-CD, we confirmed that EV-10 undergoes transcellular transport through a Cav-dependent endocytosis pathway. Notably, the tight junction proteins ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5 were not disrupted by EV-10. Throughout its transport, EV-10 was localized within the mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, endosomes, and cell membranes. Moreover, Cav-1 overexpression facilitated the release of EV-10 from lysosomes. Evidence of EV-10 accumulation was observed in mouse brains using brain slice scans. This study is the first to demonstrate that Cav-1 can facilitate the targeted delivery of walnut-derived peptide to the brain, laying a foundation for the development of functional foods aimed at CNS disease intervention.

Enhancing Li-ion diffusivity of Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 through liquid-electrolytes-induced secondary crystallization

Solid electrolytes (SEs) offer promising avenues for improving both the energy density and safety of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the grain boundary resistance remains a significant hurdle that impact the performance of LIBs, particularly when utilizing SEs in powder form. In this study, we introduce a novel approach to reduce grain boundary resistance in Li1.3Al0.3Ti1.7(PO4)3 (LATP) via secondary crystallization induced by liquid electrolytes (LEs). By immersing nano-sized LATP powders in LiPF6/carbonates LEs, rapid aggregation and recrystallization into bulk micrometer-sized particles occur within minutes under ambient conditions. This secondary crystallization process alters the Li distribution within LATP bulk phase, substantially reducing the grain boundary resistance and enhancing Li-ion diffusivity. Consequently, the assembled LATP-modified commercial LiNi0.89Co0.07Mn0.04O2 cathode using LiPF6 electrolyte delivers a remarkable discharge capacity of 105.4 mAh g−1 at 4C, significantly superior to the bare electrode (44.7 mAh g−1). The recrystallized LATP enhances the transport properties and pathways of Li+ ions within the cathode material, especially at high current densities. Multinuclear and multi-dimensional solid-state NMR analysis reveal that active F− ions released from the hydrolysis of LiPF6 electrolytes act as mineralizing agent, facilitating rapid agglomeration and secondary growth of LATP grains. Our findings underscore the efficacy of secondary crystallization using LEs as a promising strategy for eliminating grain boundary resistance and facilitating fast Li-ion conduction of SEs, thereby advancing LIB performance.

Electrospun carbon nanofibers loaded with sulfur vacancy CoS2 as separator coating to accelerate sulfur conversion in Lithium-Sulfur batteries

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) have been sought after by researchers owing to their high energy density; however, the inevitable capacity decay and slow reaction kinetics have hindered their advancement. Here, we prepare a Prussian blue analog, Co3[Co(CN)6]2 and synthesize carbon nanofibers/S vacancy CoS2−x (CNFs/CoS2−x) as electrocatalysts for separator coating via electrospinning, carbonization, sulfurization, and hydrogen reduction. CNFs/CoS2−x exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity, wherein S vacancies induce the partial oxidation of Co2+ to Co3+ in CoS2 and CNFs provide long-range electron transport pathways. Various electrochemical tests, such as Tafel, ion diffusion coefficient, Li2S precipitation, and Li2S6 symmetric cells, further confirm the enhanced electrocatalytic activity. The LSBs with CNFs/CoS2−x modified separator delivers an initial discharge capacity of 1056.7 mAh g−1 at 0.2C, maintaining 840.8 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2C. When S loading is increased to 4.42 mg cm−2, the battery retains a discharge capacity of 687.9 mAh g−1 (3.04 mAh cm−2) after 70 cycles at 0.1C. Our work can provide a reference for synthesizing anion-vacancy materials and designing anion-vacancy electrocatalytic composites for LSBs.

Pearl-necklace-structured hollow MOF filled in membrane for molecular separation

Membrane technology is important for saving energy in the semiconductor industry through purifying isopropanol (IPA). The strategic incorporation of efficient molecular transport pathways into mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), known for their exceptional molecular selectivity and minimal diffusion resistance, presents challenges but holds promising potential for enhancing the progress of high-performance membrane production. This study proposes a novel surface coating-assisted etching strategy to synthesize a highly continuous metal-organic framework with a hydrophilic surface and distinct hollow structure (HZIF-8@PPy). When integrated into the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix, HZIF-8@PPy demonstrates exceptional compatibility at the interface and significantly enhances the membrane's capacity for selective water molecule transport. The pervaporation dehydration efficiency from an IPA aqueous solution shows significant enhancement, with selectivity and permeability reaching 5.9 and 3.7 times higher than those of the pristine PVA membrane, respectively. The effectiveness of HZIF-8@PPy's structure and its separation mechanism was validated by resolving the five types of molecular channels in MMMs during permselective pervaporation. This research holds significant implications for the purification of organic compounds and also presents new opportunities for developing robust and high-performance MMMs with effective fillers, thereby contributing to advancements in membrane technology.

Enhanced Energy Storage Properties and DFT Investigation of a Zn-Co-Mo Heterojunction Rich in Oxygen Vacancies with Dual Electron Transport Pathways.

Petal-like heterojunction materials ZnCo2O4/CoMoO4 with abundant oxygen vacancies are prepared on nickel foam (NF) using modified ionic hybrid thermal calcination technology. Nanoscale ion intermixing between Zn and Mo ions induces oxygen vacancies in the annealing process, thus creating additional electrochemical active sites and enhancing the electrical conductivity. The ZnCo2O4/CoMoO4 conductive network skeleton forms the primary transport pathway for electrons, while the internal electric field of the heterojunction serves as the secondary pathway. ZnCo2O4/CoMoO4 exhibits excellent rate performance and high capacity attributable to its unique double electron transport mode and the effect of oxygen vacancies. The initial discharge capacity at a current of 0.1 A g-1 is approximately 1774 mAh g-1, and the reversible capacity remains at 1100 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles. After a high current of 1 A g-1, the reversible capacity is observed to remain at approximately 1240 mAh g-1. The electronic structure, crystal structure, and work function of the heterojunction interface model are then analyzed by density functional theory (DFT). The analysis results indicate that the charge at the ZnCo2O4/CoMoO4 interface is unevenly distributed, which leads to an enhanced degree of electrochemical reaction. The presence of an internal electric field improves the transport efficiency of the carriers. Experimental and theoretical calculations demonstrate that the ZnCo2O4/CoMoO4 anode material designed in this work provides a reference for fabricating transition metal oxide-based lithium-ion batteries.

Co-axially electrospun Li-rich layered Oxide@Spinel core-shell heterostructure nanofibers for enhanced stability and electrochemical performance

Lithium-rich layered oxides (LLO) possessing high specific capacity has the limitation of voltage fade, poor high C-rate performance and low conductivity. Spinel coating on LLO surface is known to mitigate the voltage fade, however, enabling high C-rate performance remains challenging. In this study, LLO nanofiber core with composition 0.6Li2MnO3·0.4LiMn0.25Ni0.38Co0.37O2 is prepared by electrospinning process and the same is coated with spinel LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 shell to obtain LLO/spinel (LLO/S) core-shell heterostructure. The spinel shell coating is accomplished (i) by a novel co-axial (CA) electrospinning process and (ii) by wet chemical (WC) approach. The CA electrospinning process provides a uniform core-shell structure compared to the WC process. The electron microscopy studies reveal the fibrous microstructure in LLO/S heterostructures with energy dispersive spectroscopy compositional mapping showing the spinel composition on the surface. Higher concentration (>10 wt.%) of spinel coating are shown to break the fibers into particulates. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis confirm the spinel structure formation along with layered structure. While the capacity is slightly compromised compared to the pristine LLO nanofiber, the LLO/S heterostructure with 10 wt.% spinel coating exhibits a high reversible capacity of 268 mAhg-1 with minimal capacity loss during the 1st cycle (with coulombic efficiency 83.5%) and an excellent high C-rate capability (88 mAhg-1 at 10C-rate and 55 mAhg-1 at 20C-rate). The electrochemical studies also demonstrate the importance of optimal spinel content in the coating and the method of spinel coating on the layered material surface. The encapsulation of LLO with spinel layer which has 3D-diffusion pathways for Li-ion transport facilitates high ionic and electronic conductivity and hence leads to enhanced electrochemical performance of LLO/S heterostructured cathodes.

Insights into the azo dye decolourisation and denitrogenation in micro-electrolysis enhanced counter-diffusion biofilm system

In this study, electron transport pathways were activated and diversified by coupling counter-diffusion biofilms with micro-electrolysis for Alizarin yellow R (AYR) denitrogenation. Due to the binding of AYR to two residues of EC 4.1.3.36 with higher binding energy, the expression of EC 4.1.3.36 was down-regulated, causing the EC 3.1.2.28 and EC 2.5.1.74 for menaquinone synthesis (redox mediator) undetectable in Membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABR). Spontaneous electron generation in the micro electrolysis-coupled MABR (ME-MABR) significantly activated two enzymes. Activated menaquinone up-regulated decolourisation related genes expression in ME-MABR, including azoR (2.12 log2), NQO1 (2.97 log2), wrbA (0.45 log2), and ndh (0.47 log2). The diversified electron flow pathways also promoted the nitrogen metabolism coding genes up-regulation, accelerating further inorganic nitrogen denitrogenation after AYR mineralisation. Compared to MABR, the decolourisation, mineralisation, and denitrogenation in ME-MABR increased by 25.80 %, 16.53 %, and 13.32 %, respectively. This study provides new insights into micro-electrolysis enhanced removal of AYR.

Rough-surfaced polybenzimidazole membranes incorporating sulfonated porous aromatic frameworks for simultaneous enhancement of proton conduction and membrane electrode assembly optimization

The interface between the proton exchange membrane (PEM) and the catalyst layer (CL) has a substantial impact on the performance of high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs). However, studies on the interface in HT-PEMFCs have been rarely reported. In this work, an effective strategy to mitigate interface problems was designed. A rough-surfaced membrane was successfully constructed by depositing high-surface-area sulfonated porous aromatic frameworks (SPAFs) in poly[2,2′ −(p-oxydiphenylene)-5,5′ −benzimidazole (OPBI) to achieve a dual goal. The catalyst was sprayed on the rough-surfaced side of the composite membranes, and the surface area was significantly increased. Meanwhile, an efficient proton transport pathway within the rough-surfaced membrane was constructed based on hydrophilic nanochannels in SPAFs. As a result, a substantial increase of 1.7 times in the electrochemical surface area (ECSA) of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) was achieved relative to that of a flat membrane. Compared to a pristine OPBI membrane, the membrane with a high content of 20 wt% SPAFs exhibits a 236% increase in proton conductivity at 170 °C and a considerable 1.82-fold enhancement in fuel cell performance under analogous circumstances. This strategy, which simultaneously enhances the proton conductivity of the membrane and strengthens the interface between the membrane and the catalyst layer, provides a new approach to improving the performance of HT-PEMFC.

Nacre-like Anisotropic Multifunctional Aramid Nanofiber Composites for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding, Thermal Management, and Strain Sensing.

Developing multifunctional flexible composites with high-performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, thermal management, and sensing capacity is urgently required but challenging for next-generation smart electronic devices. Herein, novel nacre-like aramid nanofibers (ANFs)-based composite films with an anisotropic layered microstructure were prepared via vacuum-assisted filtration and hot-pressing. The formed 3D conductive skeleton enabled fast electron and phonon transport pathways in the composite films. As a result, the composite films showed a high electrical conductivity of 71.53 S/cm and an outstanding thermal conductivity of 6.4 W/m·K when the mass ratio of ANFs to MXene/AgNWs was 10:8. The excellent electrical properties and multi-layered structure endowed the composite films with superior EMI shielding performance and remarkable Joule heating performance, with a surface temperature of 78.3 °C at a voltage of 2.5 V. Additionally, it was found that the composite films also exhibited excellent mechanical properties and outstanding flame resistance. Moreover, the composite films could be further designed as strain sensors, which show great promise in monitoring real-time signals for human motion. These satisfactory results may open up a new opportunity for EMI shielding, thermal management, and sensing applications in wearable electronic devices.

Intestinal Lymphatic Biology, Drug Delivery and Therapeutics: Current status and Future directions.

Historically, the intestinal lymphatics were considered passive conduits for fluids, immune cells, dietary lipids, lipid soluble vitamins and lipophilic drugs. Studies of intestinal lymphatic drug delivery in the late 20th century focussed primarily on the drug physicochemical properties, especially high lipophilicity, that resulted in intestinal lymphatic transport. More recent discoveries have changed our traditional view by demonstrating that the lymphatics are active, plastic and tissue-specific players in a range of biological and pathological processes, including within the intestine. These findings have, in turn, inspired exploration of lymph-specific therapies for a range of diseases, as well as the development of more sophisticated strategies to actively deliver drugs or vaccines to the intestinal lymph, including a range of nanotechnologies, lipid prodrugs and lipid-conjugated materials that 'hitchhike' on lymphatic transport pathways. With the increasing development of novel biological therapeutics there has been interest in whether these novel therapeutics are absorbed and transported through intestinal lymph after oral administration. Here we review the current state of understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal lymphatic system in health and disease, with a focus on aspects relevant to drug delivery. We summarise the current state-of-the-art approaches to deliver drugs and quantify their uptake into the intestinal lymphatic system. Finally, and excitingly, we discuss recent examples of significant pharmacokinetic and therapeutic benefits achieved via intestinal lymphatic drug delivery. We also propose approaches to advance the development and clinical application of intestinal lymphatic delivery strategies into the future. Significance Statement This comprehensive review details understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the intestinal lymphatic system in health and disease, with a focus on aspects relevant to drug delivery. It highlights current state-of-the-art approaches to deliver drugs to the intestinal lymphatics and the shift toward the use of these strategies to achieve pharmacokinetic and therapeutic benefits for patients.

Direct detection of the chloride release and uptake reactions of Natronomonas pharaonis halorhodopsin

Membrane transport proteins undergo multistep conformational changes to fulfill the transport of substrates across biological membranes. Substrate release and uptake are the most important events of these multistep reactions that accompany significant conformational changes. Thus, their relevant structural intermediates should be identified to better understand the molecular mechanism. However, their identifications have not been achieved for most transporters due to the difficulty of detecting the intermediates. Herein, we report the success of these identifications for a light-driven chloride transporter halorhodopsin (HR). We compared the time course of two flash-induced signals during a single transport cycle. One is a potential change of Cl--selective membrane, which enabled us to detect tiny Cl--concentration changes due to the Cl- release and the subsequent Cl--uptake reactions by HR. The other is the absorbance change of HR reflecting the sequential formations and decays of structural intermediates. Their comparison revealed not only the intermediates associated with the key reactions but also the presence of two additional Cl--binding sites on the Cl--transport pathways. The subsequent mutation studies identified one of the sites locating the protein surface on the releasing side. Thus, this determination also clarified the Cl--transport pathway from the initial binding site until the release to the medium.

Nanofluidic ion-exchange membranes: Can their conductance compete with polymeric ion-exchange membranes?

Nanofluidic membranes (NFMs) are gaining prominence as alternative ion-exchange membranes, because of their distinct selectivity mechanism, which does not rely on functional groups on a polymeric backbone but rather on charged nanopores that allow straight ion-conductive pathways for efficient ion transport. We measured the conductivity of commercial anodized aluminum oxide membranes with different pore sizes under different current densities and electrolyte concentrations. We also simulated a nanopore channel with charged walls between two electrolyte reservoirs. Our findings indicate that electrolyte concentration is the main parameter that determines NFM conductivity, with a linear dependence at least up to 1 M. Our study shows that the optimal pore length is between 0.5 and 5 μm considering the trade-off between selectivity and conductance. On the other hand, the conductance is not sensitive to the pore diameter. Conical nanopores are a way to increase conductance, but according to our results, this increase comes at the expense of selectivity. Our findings suggest that NFMs can outperform polymeric ion-exchange membranes in certain electrochemical applications, such as reverse electrodialysis, but not in applications that use low electrolyte concentrations on both sides of the membrane.

LW-213, a derivative of wogonin, triggers reticulophagy-mediated cell death in NSCLC via lysosomal damage combined with NPC1 inhibition

BackgroundMaintaining intracellular equilibrium is essential for the viability of tumor cells, which tend to be particularly vulnerable to environmental stressors. Consequently, targeting the disruption of this homeostasis offers a promising approach for oncological treatments. LW-213, a novel derivative of wogonin, effectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells by initiating endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, although the precise molecular pathways involved remain intricate and multifaceted. PurposeThis research aimed to explore how LW-213 prompts apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and to clarify the detailed mechanisms that govern this process. MethodsVarious NSCLC cell lines were utilized to delineate the apoptotic effects induced by LW-213. Advanced methodologies, including RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), Western blotting (WB), immunofluorescence (IF), immunoprecipitation (IP), flow cytometry (Fc), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and electron microscopy, were employed to investigate the underlying molecular interactions. The efficacy and mechanistic action of LW-213 were also assessed in a xenograft model using nude mice. ResultsWe demonstrated that LW-213, a small molecule cationic amphiphilic drug (CAD), inhibited Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) function and induced lysosomal membrane damage, thereby activating the phosphoinositide-initiated membrane tethering and lipid transport (PITT) pathway. This activation promoted cholesterol transport from the ER to the lysosome, perpetuating a cholesterol-deficient state in the ER, including massive exocytosis of Ca2+ and activation of FAM134B-mediated reticulophagy. Ultimately, excessive reticulophagy induced lethal ER stress. ConclusionsIn summary, our study elucidates an organelle domino reaction initiated by lysosome damage and a series of self-rescue mechanisms that eventually lead to irreversible lethal effects, revealing a potential drug intervention strategy.

Synergistic effect of in-situ carbon-coated mixed phase iron oxides and 3d electrode architectures as anodes for high-performance sodium-ion batteries

Due to the high theoretical capacity, iron-oxide-based Fe2O3 (1007 mAh g−1) and Fe3O4 (926 mAh g−1) materials can be a promising conversion-type anode material for Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, the low electronic conductivity (10−14 S cm−1) and 200% volume expansion of iron oxide lead to poor cycle life and capacity retention, limiting its commercial application. In this work, carbon-coated mixed-phase iron oxide C-Fe2O3-Fe3O4 (C-IO) was synthesized by pyrolysis using ferrocene precursor. Subsequently, a 3D carbon fiber (CF) network was introduced to improve the electrochemical performance of the material by resolving the volume expansion and pulverization issues. Both the CF network and Fe3O4 provide an electron transport pathway. The conventional Cu-C-IO electrodes deliver a 2nd cycle capacity of 335 mAh g−1 at 250 mA g−1 and exhibit 61.5% capacity retention after 500 cycles. In contrast, the 3D-CF-based IO electrodes show 2nd cycle capacity of 607 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1 with 96.4% capacity retention after 35 cycles and 420 mAh g−1 with ∼85.4% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 250 mA g−1 (w.r.t. CF and C-IO active mass, CF contribute ∼ 27% and C-IO ∼ 73% capacity), making it a potential anode for SIBs.

Representative residual transport pathways in a mixed-energy open tidal system

The North Frisian Wadden Sea (NFWS), an open tidal basin within the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea, is characterized by its barrier systems, tidal inlets, intertidal flats, and estuaries. Unlike its East Frisian and Dutch counterparts, the NFWS is underexplored in terms of residual sediment and flow transport pathways—knowledge crucial for coastal conservation and nature-based protection. These pathways are a product of complex interplay between tides, winds and waves that together shape the morphology of the NFWS. This study investigates these interactions using a high-resolution process-based model to perform a representative period simulation derived through a novel unfiltered-reduction technique. Our results reveal an anticlockwise residual flow circulation in the back-barrier region, which was not discernible in the residual sediment pathways. Waves primarily dictated sediment transport over intertidal flats, showing high variability in transport direction under energetic conditions. The coastline orientation and fetch size favored southward wavedriven sediment transport, opposing the northward residual flow transport driven by tidal propagation. A dynamic residual divergence pattern in the nearshore region of the barrier islands is also revealed for both sediment and flow, which moves alongshore during energetic events. The discussion compares these patterns and their implications with earlier local measurements, conceptual pathways, and different systems globally to provide a comprehensive overview of the transport dynamics in the NFWS.

Landscape-Scale Modeling to Forecast Fluvial-Aeolian Sediment Connectivity in River Valleys.

Sedimentary landforms on Earth and other planetary bodies are built through scour, transport, and deposition of sediment. Sediment connectivity refers to the hypothesis that pathways of sediment transport do not occur in isolation, but rather are mechanistically linked. In dryland river systems, one such example of sediment connectivity is the transport of fluvially deposited sediment by wind. However, predictive tools that can forecast fluvial-aeolian sediment connectivity at meaningful scales are rare. Here we develop a suite of models for quantifying the availability of river-sourced sediment for aeolian transport as a function of river flow, wind regime, and land cover across 168 km of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, USA. We compare and validate these models using topographic changes observed over 10 years in a coupled river sandbar-aeolian dunefield setting. The models provide a path forward for directly linking fluvial hydrology with the management and understanding of aeolian landscapes.