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This study evaluated the responses of sweet potatoes to Cadmium (Cd) stress through pot experiments to theoretically substantiate their comprehensive applications in Cd-polluted agricultural land. The experiments included a CK treatment and three Cd stress treatments with 3, 30, and 150 mg/kg concentrations, respectively. We analyzed specified indicators of sweet potato at different growth periods, such as the individual plant growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant capacity, and carbohydrate Cd accumulation distribution. On this basis, the characteristics of the plant carbon metabolism in response to Cd stress throughout the growth cycle were explored. The results showed that T2 and T3 treatments inhibited the vine growth, leaf area expansion, stem diameter elongation, and tuberous root growth of sweet potato; notably, T3 treatment significantly increased the number of sweet potato branches. Under Cd stress, the synthesis of chlorophyll in sweet potato was significantly suppressed, and the Rubisco activity experienced significant reductions. With the increasing Cd concentration, the function of PS II was also affected. The soluble sugar content underwent no significant change in low Cd concentration treatments. In contrast, it decreased significantly under high Cd concentrations. Additionally, the tuberous root starch content decreased significantly with the increase in Cd concentration. Throughout the plant growth, the activity levels of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase increased significantly in T2 and T3 treatments. By comparison, the superoxide dismutase activity in T1 treatment was significantly lower than that of CK. With the increasing application of Cd, its accumulation accordingly increased in various sweet potato organs. The the highest bioconcentration factor was detected in absorbing roots, while the tuberous roots had a lower bioconcentration factor and Cd accumulation. Moreover, the transfer factor from stem to petiole was the highest of the potato organs. These results demonstrated that sweet potatoes had a high Cd tolerance and a restoration potential for Cd-contaminated farmland.

Litsea coreana var. lanuginose is a perennial, indeciduous, and broad-leaved tree used as an essential medicinal and edible plant. In addition, this species is well-known for its leaves are rich in aromatic oil. In this study, we firstly assembled and characterized the complete chloroplast genome of L. coreana var. lanuginose using Illumina pair-end sequencing and performed a phylogenetic analysis with other 13 species in Lauraceae. The results revealed that its chloroplast genome was 152,859 bp in total length with 39% of GC content, containing a pair of inverted repeats of 20,084 bp (IRA and IRB), separated by a large single-copy (LSC) region of 93,795 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,896 bp. The plastid genome of L. coreana var. lanuginose encoded 125 genes, including 81 protein-coding genes, 36 transfer RNA (tRNA), and eight ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The phylogenetic analysis suggested that L. coreana var. lanuginose was closely related to the clade of Litsea monopetala, Litsea garrettii, and Litsea elongate in Lauraceae family.

Interfacial dipolar molecules play a crucial role in achieving high-performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the random distribution at the interface often limits their ability to effectively regulate interfacial energy levels and carrier extraction. Here, we report a bifunctional antisymmetric molecule, N-(1-carboxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid trisodium salt (MGDA·3Na), which enables both directional alignment and stable anchoring on SnO 2 and perovskite interfaces. The methyl side chain in the MGDA - anion induces intramolecular electronic polarization and dipole reorientation, facilitating selective adsorption on the SnO 2 surface and perovskite buried interface. This significantly improves interface uniformity, enabling efficient passivation of SnO 2 surface defects and precise regulation of perovskite crystal growth. The dual anchoring effect not only aligns energy levels to minimize charge extraction barriers but also templates vertical perovskite growth, reducing buried interface defects and enhancing crystallization quality. As a result, we achieved a power conversion efficiency of 26.43% in small-area PSCs and 23.27% in a 5 × 5 cm 2 large-area module, highlighting the potential for industrial-scale application. The device maintains 96% of its initial efficiency for 2000 h under nitrogen-filled glove box, 96% after 800 h at 55 °C/55% RH, and 99% after 800 h of continuous illumination at the maximum power point. A uniform distribution of interfacial dipole molecules is essential to regulate interfacial energy levels and carrier extraction. Here, authors incorporate a bifunctional antisymmetric molecule anchoring on tin oxide and perovskite, achieving maximum efficiency of 26.43% in perovskite solar cells.

To ensure the effectiveness of the gas extraction borehole, it is necessary to investigate the stress-displacement-fracture evolution of the coal around the borehole. In this study, by constructing a numerical model of a gas extraction borehole, the burial depth and side pressure coefficient are used to characterize the overall stress level of the borehole and the difference in stress distribution caused by complex stress conditions. First, the stress time-varying pattern and force chain distribution of coal around the borehole were revealed. Then, the displacement time-varying pattern and displacement distribution of coal around the borehole were elucidated. Then, the microfracture distribution of coal around the borehole, which characterizes the microfractures, was analyzed. Finally, the validity of the numerical results was verified. The results showed that, after the stress field of the coal around the borehole was adjusted, the force chain of the borehole was unevenly distributed and the stress concentration phenomenon appeared. With the increase in burial depth, the stress around the borehole gradually increased, while the range of stress concentration zone in the borehole kept increasing, and the borehole changed from unilateral instability to bilateral instability. Moreover, the displacement field around the borehole was distributed in the shape of a ”disk leaf”. With the increase in burial depth, the deformation of coal around the borehole increased. With the increase in the side pressure coefficient, the vertical and horizontal displacement also increased gradually. Furthermore, there was a certain correspondence between the development of fracture and the deformation around the coal. With the increase in burial depth, the development of fractures was gradually obvious, and the distribution characteristics were concentrated in the middle and dispersed around. This study provides a theoretical reference for the stability of gas extraction boreholes, aiming to improve the gas extraction effect.

Background: The global rise in ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and the persistent burden of mental disorders have raised growing public health concerns. Emerging evidence suggests that unfavorable dietary patterns, particularly with high UPF intake, contribute to the development of mental disorders. Objective: To assess the associations of UPF-related metabolic signatures and mental disorders. Methods: In this population-based cohort study of 30,059 participants from the UK Biobank, we first identified a plasma metabolic signature associated with UPF intake leveraging nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics. We then applied Cox and logistic regression models to investigate the associations of both UPF consumption and its metabolic signature with incident mental disorders and specific psychological symptoms, respectively. Results: Higher UPF intake was significantly associated with increased risks of overall mental disorder (hazard ratio per 10% increment [95% confidence interval]: 1.04 [1.02, 1.06]), depressive disorder (1.14 [1.08, 1.20]), anxiety disorder (1.12 [1.06, 1.18]), and substance use disorder (1.06 [1.01, 1.11]), as well as several psychological symptoms including suicidal ideation (odds ratios [95% confidence interval]: 1.12 [1.03, 1.16]) and anxiety feeling (1.05 [1.01, 1.09]). Similarly, the UPF-related metabolic signature was independently associated with elevated risks of these mental health outcomes and partially mediated the associations between UPF intake and mental disorders. Conclusions: These findings highlighted the potential metabolic pathways underlying the neuropsychiatric risks of UPF consumption and underscored the importance of dietary quality in mental health.

In underground engineering fields, such as mining engineering, rocks are often subjected to cyclic loading, resulting in the deterioration of their mechanical properties, which poses a serious threat to engineering construction. Thus, investigating the mechanical response of rocks under cyclic loading is meaningful. Cyclic loading experiments were conducted on sandstone samples with different cyclic stress amplitudes (CSAs). First, the deformation characteristics and strain energy evolution were analyzed. The internal fracture extension and fragmentation characteristics of sandstone after failure were subsequently analyzed. Finally, the failure mechanism of sandstone was investigated. The results revealed that deformation, failure mode, and particle fragmentation characteristics were affected by the CSA, with the peak strain being greatest in sandstone samples subjected to the greatest CSA. With increasing CSA, the load‒unload response ratio of sandstone under the last cyclic stage generally tends to increase. Furthermore, there was an increasing trend in the dissipated energy percentage of sandstone as the CSA increased, which was a result of the increased energy used to drive fracture extension. Moreover, the sandstone exhibited a tensile‒shear composite failure mode dominated by shear failure. Nevertheless, with increasing CSA, the shear failure surface became more obvious. In addition, the proportion of small blocks and the fragmentation fractal dimension increased as the CSA increased, which indicated a high degree of fragmentation. Additionally, a sandstone damage constitutive model was developed to describe the results. Eventually, the macro–meso failure mechanism of sandstone considering CSA effects was revealed. Under high CSA, the internal fracture extension and particle friction of sandstone increased, which is the internal cause. The mechanical parameters indicated strong deformation and high dissipated energy characteristics, which is the external manifestation. This investigation is important for preventing the occurrence of disasters in underground engineering, such as coal mining.

The accurate identification of gas migration channels and enrichment regions is essential for the utilization of gas resources and safe coal mine production, which are closely related to the evolution of mining-induced fractures. Therefore, we conducted a similarity simulation study of inclined coal seam group multiple mining, adopting the 1930 Coal Mine in Xinjiang, China, as the subject. First, the evolution of mining-induced fracture parameters was elucidated. Then, the gas migration and enrichment characteristics under inclined coal seam group multiple mining were investigated. Finally, a surface well gas extraction test was performed in the mining area to verify the experimental results. The results showed that under inclined coal seam group multiple mining, the frequency, angle and width of mining-induced fractures exhibited significant asymmetric characteristics. Additionally, the surface area percentage and fractal dimension of mining-induced fractures indicated a trend of an initial large increase followed by a small increase. Moreover, under inclined coal seam group multiple mining, mining-induced fractures were more developed in the right fracture area, and gas was smoothly transported, resulting in a more likely gas enrichment region. Based on the characteristics of mining-induced fracture parameters, a step-by-step method for determining gas migration channels and enrichment regions was proposed. Moreover, the surface well gas extraction test in the mining area revealed satisfactory extraction effects. This research aimed to increase the amount of gas extraction and to achieve safe mining of inclined coal seam groups.

Aiming at the problems of excessive dependence on manual operations, unquantifiable parameters, low hoisting efficiency, and low level of automation and informatization in the lifting process of spacecraft, a novel cable-driven parallel automatic leveling robot with a two-stage adjustment function is proposed. It contains a cable-driven parallel mechanism and a counterweight compensation mechanism and has the advantages of high load-bearing capacity and better posture adjustment. Its kinematics and leveling performance are studied systematically. First, a geometric model of the robot is established, and the inverse position is derived. Second, the system’s eccentric coordinates are solved based on the inclination angles of the moving platform. A theoretical model of the cable adjustment length is established according to the eccentric coordinates, and the cable adjustment scheme is analyzed and optimized. Third, according to the optimal cable adjustment scheme, the relationship between the inclination angles and the counterweight’s adjustment displacement is established to better improve the leveling accuracy based on the force and torque balance principle. Finally, the kinematics and leveling performance are verified through MATLAB numerical calculations, ADAMS simulation, and experimental study, proving that the robot could realize the hoisting and leveling task.

Background It is not fully established whether plasma β-amyloid(Aβ) 42 /Aβ 40 and phosphorylated Tau 181 (p-Tau 181 ) can effectively detect Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology in older Chinese adults and how these biomarkers correlate with astrocyte reactivity, Aβ plaque deposition, tau tangle aggregation, and neurodegeneration. Methods We recruited 470 older adults and analyzed plasma Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 , p-Tau 181 , glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light (NfL) using the Simoa platform. Among them, 301, 195, and 70 underwent magnetic resonance imaging, Aβ and tau positron emission tomography imaging. The plasma Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 and p-Tau 181 thresholds were defined as ≤0.0609 and ≥2.418 based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis using the Youden index by comparing Aβ-PET negative cognitively unimpaired individuals and Aβ-PET positive cognitively impaired patients. To evaluate the feasibility of using plasma Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 (A) and p-Tau 181 (T) to detect AD and understand how astrocyte reactivity affects this process, we compared plasma GFAP, Aβ plaque, tau tangle, plasma NfL, hippocampal volume, and temporal-metaROI cortical thickness between different plasma A/T profiles and explored their relations with each other using general linear models, including age, sex, APOE-ε4 , and diagnosis as covariates. Results Plasma A+/T + individuals showed the highest levels of astrocyte reactivity, Aβ plaque, tau tangle, and axonal degeneration, and the lowest hippocampal volume and temporal-metaROI cortical thickness. Lower plasma Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 and higher plasma p-Tau 181 were independently and synergistically correlated with higher plasma GFAP and Aβ plaque. Elevated plasma p-Tau 181 and GFAP concentrations were directly and interactively associated with more tau tangle formation. Regarding neurodegeneration, higher plasma p-Tau 181 and GFAP concentrations strongly correlated with more axonal degeneration, as measured by plasma NfL, and lower plasma Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 and higher plasma p-Tau 181 were related to greater hippocampal atrophy. Higher plasma GFAP levels were associated with thinner cortical thickness and significantly interacted with lower plasma Aβ 42 /Aβ 40 and higher plasma p-Tau 181 in predicting more temporal-metaROI cortical thinning. Voxel-wise imaging analysis confirmed these findings. Discussion This study provides a valuable reference for using plasma biomarkers to detect AD in the Chinese community population and offers novel insights into how astrocyte reactivity contributes to AD progression, highlighting the importance of targeting reactive astrogliosis to prevent AD.

Background Cultivating intercultural sensitivity is essential for achieving cultural competence. To provide quality nursing care, nurses must be aware of cultural factors, understand cultural differences, and demonstrate intercultural sensitivity. The status and influencing factors of intercultural sensitivity among nursing students are equally important and should not be overlooked. Previous studies on nursing students’ intercultural sensitivity have primarily focused on the overall level and its influencing factors, while neglecting heterogeneity in intercultural sensitivity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the potential types of intercultural sensitivity and related variables among nursing students. Methods A total of 599 nursing students (mean age:20.24, 439 female) from Anhui Province, China, were recruited. Demographic information and intercultural sensitivity of nursing students were collected through an online survey using the \" Questionnaire Star \" website. The Intercultural Sensitivity Scale was employed to assess intercultural sensitivity. Latent profile analysis was performed to classify nursing students’ levels of intercultural sensitivity, and logistic regression was used to explore factors influencing different latent classes of intercultural sensitivity. Results Nursing students’ intercultural sensitivity was divided into three latent profiles: the “high intercultural sensitivity-moderate interaction enjoyment group” ( N  = 164), the “moderate intercultural sensitivity-low interaction enjoyment group” ( N  = 262), and the “low intercultural sensitivity-high interaction enjoyment group” ( N  = 173). Gender, grade, experience of international exchange, and English level were identified as influencing factors for the nursing students’ latent classes of intercultural sensitivity. Conclusions Nursing students demonstrated significant heterogeneity in intercultural sensitivity. Educators can identify the characteristics and influencing factors of each profile early on to provide tailored support strategies, thereby helping to improve students’ intercultural sensitivity. Clinical trial number Not applicable.