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Hydro-fluctuation belt (HFB) rock mass degradation poses significant risks to bank slope stability. While existing studies primarily focus on laboratory experiments and localized investigations, systematic regional-scale susceptibility mapping of HFB rock masses remains unexplored. This study focuses on the four cascade reservoirs along the Jinsha River in China. Systematically assesses 17 factors across four categories: topography, geology, environment, and reservoir operations. By combining the information value (IV) model with machine learning algorithms, an evaluation framework integrating geostatistical and machine learning methods is constructed, achieving the first regional-scale susceptibility mapping of HFB rock mass degradation. The results indicate that compared with the single IV model, the coupled models exhibit better applicability, among which the IV + RF (random forest) model performs the best (area under curve = 0.928, kappa = 0.897). The key driving factors of degradation include slope, bank slope shape, lithology, proximity to faults and rainfall intensity. Spatial analysis reveals that high-sensitivity zones within the reservoir areas predominantly occur in Triassic, Jurassic, Ordovician-Silurian, Cambrian, and Proterozoic strata, characterized by interbedded fragile-competent sequences. The findings of this study can deepen the understanding of susceptibility evaluation methods for HFB rock mass degradation and provide new insights for reservoir disaster prevention, mitigation, and long-term safety monitoring.

The pandemic influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 virus, avian influenza A (H5N1) virus, and influenza A (H7N9) virus induced severe morbidity and mortality throughout the world. Previous studies suggested a close association between the interferon-induced transmembrane protein-3 (IFITM3) genetic variant rs12252 and influenza. Here, we explored the correlation between the rs12252 and influenza susceptibility and severity using meta-analysis. Relevant studies published before May 22, 2014 were retrieved from PubMed, ISI web of knowledge, EBSCO, and Cochrane central register of controlled trials databases. Association between rs12252 and influenza susceptibility and severity were determined using statistical analysis of odds ratios (ORs). A total of four studies consisting of 445 cases and 4180 controls were included in our analysis. Generally, there is increased risk of influenza in subjects carrying rs12252 in the recessive model (CC vs. CT+TT: OR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.49-3.70, P<0.001), the dominant model (CC+CT vs. TT: OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.18-2.22, P=0.003), the homozygote comparison (CC vs. TT: OR=4.11, 95% CI: 2.15-7.84, P<0.001), and the allele contrast (C vs. T: OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.32-2.13, P<0.001). Stratification analysis of ethnicity and severity revealed a significant increase in influenza susceptibility by IFITM3-SNP rs12252 among both Asian and Caucasian population. SNP rs12252 shows significant impact on severe infections (P<0.05), but not on mild influenza. Besides, our result also associated rs12252 with influenza severity (severe vs. mild: OR=2.37, 95% CI: 1.32-4.25, P=0.004), (severe vs. control: OR=2.70, 95% CI: 1.85-3.94, P<0.001). Our meta-analysis suggests a significant association between a minor IFITM3 allele (SNP rs12252-C) with severe influenza susceptibility, but not in mild influenza subjects, in both UK Caucasians and Han Chinese population. The rs12252-C allele causes a 23.7% higher chance of infection and also constitutes a risk factor for more severe influenza.

Establishing an effective signal amplification strategy is the key to achieving sensitive detection of analytes by electrochemical immunoassay. In this work, a novel sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor with dual-signal amplification was successfully constructed using PtPd/Cu-TCPP(Fe) as the sensing platform and mesoporous silicon dioxide as the signal amplifier. Firstly, two-dimensional wrinkled Cu-TCPP(Fe) nanomaterials loaded with PtPd nanoparticles have strong affinity for the immobilization of capture antibodies and can generate excellent electrochemical signals. Meanwhile, the mesoporous silicon dioxide with large steric hindrance was used as signal label to further improve the sensitivity of the immunosensor by increasing the difference of the current response signal. Under optimal experimental conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor exhibited a wide linear detection range from 0.1 pg/mL to 1.0 μg/mL, with a detection limit as low as 0.166 fg/mL. The experimental results showed that the constructed immunosensor has a great application prospect in clinical biomarker detection. Graphical Abstract

Establishing an effective signal amplification strategy is the key to achieving sensitive detection of analytes by electrochemical immunoassay. In this work, a novel sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor with dual-signal amplification was successfully constructed using PtPd/Cu-TCPP(Fe) as the sensing platform and mesoporous silicon dioxide as the signal amplifier. Firstly, two-dimensional wrinkled Cu-TCPP(Fe) nanomaterials loaded with PtPd nanoparticles have strong affinity for the immobilization of capture antibodies and can generate excellent electrochemical signals. Meanwhile, the mesoporous silicon dioxide with large steric hindrance was used as signal label to further improve the sensitivity of the immunosensor by increasing the difference of the current response signal. Under optimal experimental conditions, the electrochemical immunosensor exhibited a wide linear detection range from 0.1 pg/mL to 1.0 [mu]g/mL, with a detection limit as low as 0.166 fg/mL. The experimental results showed that the constructed immunosensor has a great application prospect in clinical biomarker detection.

Our previous studies have established that Ganoderma lucidum (GL) can biotransform inorganic selenium into organic selenium, which was stored preferentially in its water-soluble protein component. In the present study, a novel water-soluble fungi Se-containing protein, named as Se-GL-P, has been purified for the first time from the Se-enriched GL to establish the relationship between the antioxidant activity of protein and its Se content. This protein was isolated and purified to homogeneity using ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by two consecutive anion exchange chromatography and size exclusion chromatography. This protein in its native state was identified as a monomer of 36,600 Da estimated by 19.8% weight carbohydrate. The protein is acidic (pI=4.0) and rich in Asp, Glu, Gly, and Ala. The N-terminal shows a sequence of DINGGGATLPQKLYLTPDVL, suggesting that this protein belongs to a family of D I N G protein. The Se-content of this protein (4.87 mg Se/g protein) is ~3-fold larger than that of the water-soluble protein extract (1.91 mg Se per protein). Perfectly consistent with its higher Se-content, the protein exhibits approximately three times stronger activity of scavenging superoxide and hydroxyl radicals as compared to the water-soluble protein extract, a finding demonstrating that the increasing antioxidant property of this protein depends quantitatively on its Se content.

In terms of medicine, the prevention, diagnosis, and assessment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as well as the effectiveness of therapy all depend on the sensitive and early detection of human heart-type fatty acid–binding protein (H-HABP). The synthetic material used in this study, Ni-TCPP(Fe), has a unique structure that resembles a rifter with many thorns. When exposed to PSS-Gr, Ni-TCPP(Fe) would unfold into a sheet structure, exposing a lot of active sites and improving the catalytic active surface area, making it easier to detect H-FABP. We have successfully synthesized an electrochemical immunosensor based on Ni-TCPP(Fe)@PSS-Gr and Ag@Au/Pt as a signal label which demonstrated excellent sensor performance. A broad linear range of 10 fg/mL to 100 ng/mL with a low detection limit of 5.75 fg/mL (S/N = 5) for detecting H-FABP was obtained under ideal conditions. Furthermore, the detection results from the human serum samples were positive, suggesting that the made-up immunosensor could be useful for early clinical analysis.

The authors describe an electrochemical immunoassay for ultrasensitive detection of the mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEA). A nanocomposite was prepared from carboxy-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes and chitosan (cMWCNTs/Chit). The morphology and electrochemical performance of the materials was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, differential pulse voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In this assay, ZEA–BSA conjugated covalently to activated cMWCNTs/Chit film, then the indirect competition between ZEA–BSA and free ZEA when immobilization of excess anti-ZEA. The secondary antibody is labeled with the enzyme alkaline phosphatase which can hydrolyze the substrate 1-naphthylphosphate to produce 1-naphthol which gives a stable and strong anodic electrochemical signal at a low working voltage of 0.3 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The use of the modified GCE results in a strongly enhanced electrochemical current response. Compared with conventional methods, the established immunosensor exhibited a high level of sensitivity. Under optimal conditions, this immunoassay can quantify ZEA in the 10 pg·mL−1 to 1000 ng·mL−1 concentration range with a detection limit of 4.7 pg·mL−1 and the sensitivity is 0.51 μA·μM−1·cm−2. The method was applied to the determination of ZEA in cereal and feedstuff samples. Results showed satisfactory recovery and good consistency with high-performance liquid chromatography. Therefore, the indirect competitive electrochemical immunosensor provide a viable tool based on bioanalysis. Graphical abstract A carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotube and chitosan (cMWCNTs/Chit)-based immunosensor was designed for indirect competitive detection of zearalenone (ZEA). Competition between ZEA–BSA and ZEA occurs during immobilization of anti-ZEA. After incubation with AP-anti-antibody, DPV was conducted during addition of α-naphthyl phosphate (α-NP) to the DEA buffer.

To detect the dengue virus NS1 protein with high sensitivity, this research suggests an electrochemical immunosensor based on the Al-TCPP adsorption aggregation signal amplification approach. We created a type of metal-organic framework (MOF) material called astrophytum myriostigma, which resembles a cactus plant and has a large specific surface area. In addition, it can produce electrostatic attraction with the amino groups on methylene blue (MB), firmly fix MB on the MOF material, and manage MB reunion after adsorption, which is helpful for electron transmission and amplifies the electrical signal. The cationic dye methylene blue has redox characteristics. It possesses a high electron transfer rate, electrochemical reversibility, and strong biocompatibility. The generated electrochemical immunosensor has good reproducibility and stability, and the relationship between the analyte concentration and electrical signal strength is linear. The suggested immunosensor has a broad detection range from 10 fg/mL to 100 ng/mL with a low detection limit of 9.12 fg/mL under ideal conditions. Graphical Abstract

IntroductionRaising tobacco prices via increased taxation may be undermined by tobacco industry tactics to keep budget cigarettes on the market. Price differentials between budget and premium cigarettes allow smokers to trade down in the face of average price rises thus attenuating health benefits. This study examines global trends of price differentials and associations with taxation.MethodsEcological analysis of country-level panel data of 195 countries’ price differentials was performed and compared against total, specific excise, ad valorem and other taxation. Price differentials were expressed as the difference between budget cigarette and premium pack prices (as % of premium pack prices). Two-level linear regression models with repeated measurements (2014, 2016 and 2018) nested within each country assessed the association between country-level taxation structures and price differentials, adjusted for year, geographical region and income group.ResultsWorldwide, median price differential between budget and premium 20-cigarette packs was 49.4% (IQR 25.9%–70.0%) in 2014 and 44.4% (IQR 22.5%–69.4%) in 2018 with significant regional variation. The largest price differentials in 2018 were in Africa, with the lowest in Europe. Total taxation was negatively associated with price differentials (−1.5%, 95% CI −2.5% to −0.4% per +10% total taxation) as was specific excise taxation (−2.5%, 95% CI −3.7% to −1.2% per +10% specific excise tax). We found no statistically significant association between ad valorem taxation and price differentials.ConclusionTotal levels of taxation and specific excise taxes were associated with smaller price differentials. Implementing high specific excise taxes may reduce price differentials and improve health outcomes.

Multimodal imaging has attracted tremendous attention in biotechnology and nanomedicine applications. Monoclinic Gd 2 O 3 :Dy 3+ nanoparticles (NPs) with dual-color fluorescence imaging (FI) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been successfully synthesized by employing laser ablation in liquid (LAL) technique. The synthesized nanoparticles can be used as yellow fluorescence nanoprobe as well as blue ones due to their sharp and strong yellow and blue emissions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurement shows that the longitudinal relaxivity (r 1 ) of the Gd 2 O 3 :1%Dy 3+ NPs is 4.5 times higher than that of the commercial Gd-DTPA. The experiment of in vitro cell fluorescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging of female Balb/c mouse indicates that the Gd 2 O 3 :Dy 3+ NPs synthesized by LAL technique are promising candidates of dual-color FI nanoprobe and MRI contrast agent in further clinical applications.