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This study investigates the novel approach of synergizing desert vegetation with shelter forests to enhance windbreak efficiency in a transitional zone between the Korla oasis and the Taklimakan Desert, northwest China. Through an extensive field survey and experimental setup, we evaluated the impact of different shelterbelt configurations on wind speed reduction. Three types of shelter forests were examined: multi-row Poplar ( Populus alba ), single-row Jujube (Ziziphus jujube) , and a mixed-species layout combining one row of Jujube and two rows of Poplar trees. Wind speed measurements were recorded at multiple heights across three zones—open field, between desert vegetation and shelterbelt, and leeward of the shelterbelt—over a three-month period (April to June, 2023). The findings reveal a significant reduction in wind speed, particularly on the leeward side, with multi-row and mixed-species configurations proving the most effective. The highest synergistic efficiency, observed in the mixed-species shelter forest, showed a windbreak efficiency improvement of over 20% compared to desert vegetation alone. This study provides new insights into the combined effectiveness of desert vegetation and shelter forests, offering a strategic framework for designing shelterbelts in arid environments. These results underscore the critical role of diverse, structured vegetation arrangements in combating wind erosion and contribute to the development of sustainable ecological management practices for desert regions worldwide.

This study investigates how Generative Artificial Intelligence Supported Entrepreneurship Education (GAISEE) influences university students’ entrepreneurial intentions through a quantitative analysis of Chinese higher education institutions. Using structural equation modeling with data from 346 university students, we demonstrate that GAISEE significantly enhances both entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β = 0.523, p  < 0.001) and entrepreneurial intention (β = 0.244, p  < 0.001). The research reveals that entrepreneurial self-efficacy mediates the relationship between GAISEE and entrepreneurial intention, while the university entrepreneurial environment moderates these relationships. Notably, an optimized university environment strengthens the positive effects of GAISEE on both entrepreneurial self-efficacy (β = 0.333, p  < 0.001) and entrepreneurial intention (β = 0.207, p  < 0.001). These findings provide empirical evidence for the effectiveness of integrating generative AI technology in entrepreneurship education and highlight the importance of supportive university ecosystems in fostering student entrepreneurship.

Sufficient epidemiological investigations demonstrate that there is a close correlation between obesity and vascular dysfunction. Nevertheless, specific mechanisms underlying this link remain currently unclear. Given the crucial and decisive role of vascular dysfunction in multitudinous diseases, various hypotheses had been proposed and numerous experiments were being carried out. One recognized view is that increased adipokine secretion following the expanded mass of white adipose tissue due to obesity contributes to the regulation of vascular function. Chemerin, as a neo-adipokine, whose systemic level is elevated in obesity, is believed as a regulator of adipogenesis, inflammation, and vascular dysfunction via binding its cell surface receptor, chemR23. Hence, this review aims to focus on the up-to-date proof on chemerin/chemR23 axis-relevant signaling pathways, emphasize the multifarious impacts of chemerin/chemR23 axis on vascular function regulation, raise certain unsettled questions to inspire further investigations, and explore the therapeutic possibilities targeting chemerin/chemR23.

The complete discrimination system was proposed to search traveling wave solutions for a (1 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation with parabolic law nonlinearity. As a consequence, we obtained a series of solutions which contain dark soliton, bright soliton, triangular solitary wave solution, kink soliton, periodic solutions and implicit analytical solutions. At the same time, numerical simulations were demonstrated to visualize the mechanics of these solutions. Lastly, linear stability of dark soliton u 25 in Lyapunov’s sense was discussed.

Interlayer spacing is expected to influence the properties of multilayer two-dimensional (2D) materials. However, the ability to non-destructively regulate the interlayer spacing bidirectionally and reversibly is challenging. Here we report the preparation of 2D materials with tunable interlayer spacing by introducing active sites (Ce ions) in 2D materials to capture and immobilize Pt single atoms. The strong chemical interaction between active sites and Pt atoms contributes to the intercalation behavior of Pt atoms in the interlayer of 2D materials and further promotes the formation of chemical bonding between Pt atom and host materials. Taking cerium-embedded molybdenum disulfide (MoS 2 ) as an example, intercalation of Pt atoms enables interlayer distance tuning via an electrochemical protocol, leading to interlayer spacing reversible and linear compression and expansion from 6.546 ± 0.039 Å to 5.792 ± 0.038 Å (~11 %). The electronic property evolution with the interlayer spacing variation is demonstrated by the photoluminescence (PL) spectra, delivering that the well-defined barrier between the multilayer and monolayer layered materials can be artificially designed. Modifying the interlayer spacing in two-dimensional materials is an effective approach to tune their chemical and physical properties. Here the authors report that intercalation of Pt atoms into cerium-doped MoS 2 enables adjusting the interlayer spacing bidirectionally and reversibly.

Changes in spring and autumn phenology of temperate plants in recent decades have become iconic bio-indicators of rapid climate change. These changes have substantial ecological and economic impacts. However, autumn phenology remains surprisingly little studied. Although the effects of unfavorable environmental conditions (e.g., frost, heat, wetness, and drought) on autumn phenology have been observed for over 60 y, how these factors interact to influence autumn phenological events remain poorly understood. Using remotely sensed phenology data from 2001 to 2012, this study identified and quantified significant effects of a suite of environmental factors on the timing of fall dormancy of deciduous forest communities in New England, United States. Cold, frost, and wet conditions, and high heat-stress tended to induce earlier dormancy of deciduous forests, whereas moderate heat- and drought-stress delayed dormancy. Deciduous forests in two eco-regions showed contrasting, nonlinear responses to variation in these explanatory factors. Based on future climate projection over two periods (2041–2050 and 2090–2099), later dormancy dates were predicted in northern areas. However, in coastal areas earlier dormancy dates were predicted. Our models suggest that besides warming in climate change, changes in frost and moisture conditions as well as extreme weather events (e.g., drought- and heat-stress, and flooding), should also be considered in future predictions of autumn phenology in temperate deciduous forests. This study improves our understanding of how multiple environmental variables interact to affect autumn phenology in temperate deciduous forest ecosystems, and points the way to building more mechanistic and predictive models.

Background To provide details of the burden and the trend of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors in adolescent and young adults. Methods Age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incidence, mortality and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) were used to describe the burden of CVD in adolescents and young adults. Estimated Annual Percentage Changes (EAPCs) of ASRs were used to describe the trend from 1990 to 2019. Risk factors were calculated by Population Attributable Fractions (PAFs). Results In 2019, the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) of CVD were 129.85 per 100 000 (95% Confidence interval (CI): 102.60, 160.31), 15.12 per 100 000 (95% CI: 13.89, 16.48) and 990.64 per 100 000 (95% CI: 911.06, 1076.46). The highest ASRs were seen in low sociodemographic index (SDI) and low-middle SDI regions. The burden was heavier in male and individuals aged 35–39. From 1990 to 2019, 72 (35.29%) countries showed an increasing trend of ASIR and more than 80% countries showed a downward trend in ASMR and ASDR. Rheumatic heart disease had the highest ASIR and Ischemic Heart Disease was the highest in both ASMR and ASDR. The main attributable risk factor for death and DALYs were high systolic blood pressure, high body-mass index and high LDL cholesterol. Conclusions The burden of CVD in adolescent and young adults is a significant global health challenge. It is crucial to take into account the disparities in SDI levels among countries, gender and age characteristics of the population, primary types of CVD, and the attributable risk factors when formulating and implementing prevention strategies.

Trace-element concentrations in acid mine drainage (AMD) are primarily controlled by the mineralogy at the sediment-water interface. Results are presented for a combined geochemical and mineralogical survey of Dabaoshan Mine, South China. Developed sequential extraction experiments with the analysis of the main mineralogical phases by semi-quantitative XRD, differential X-ray diffraction (DXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were conducted to identify the quantitative relationship between iron minerals and heavy metals. Results showed that schwertmannite, jarosite, goethite and ferrihydrite were the dominant Fe-oxyhydroxide minerals which were detected alternately in the surface sediment with the increasing pH from 2.50 to 6.93 along the Hengshi River. Decreasing contents of schwertmannite ranging from 35 wt % to 6.5 wt % were detected along the Hengshi River, which was corresponding to the decreasing metal contents. The easily reducible fractions exert higher affinity of metals while compared with reducible and relatively stable minerals. A qualitative analysis of heavy metals extracted from the sediments indicated that the retention ability varied: Pb > Mn > Zn > As ≈ Cu > Cr > Cd ≈ Ni. Results in this study are avail for understanding the fate and transport of heavy metals associated with iron minerals and establishing the remediation strategies of AMD systems.

Background Nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 1 (NAP1L1) is highly expressed in various types of cancer and plays an important role in carcinogenesis, but its specific role in tumor development and progression remains largely unknown. In this study, we suggest the potential of NAP1L1 as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC). Methods In our study, a tissue microarray (TMA) slide containing specimens from 149 patients with OC and 11 normal ovarian tissues underwent immunohistochemistry (IHC) to analyze the correlation between NAP1L1 expression and clinicopathological features. Loss-of- function experiments were performed by transfecting siRNA and following lentiviral gene transduction into SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. Cell proliferation and the cell cycle were assessed by the Cell Counting Kit-8, EDU assay, flow cytometry, colony formation assay, and Western blot analysis. In addition, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and immunofluorescence assays were performed to confirm the relationship between NAP1L1 and its potential targets in SKOV3/OVCAR3 cells. Results High expression of NAP1L1 was closely related to poor clinical outcomes in OC patients. After knocking down NAP1L1 by siRNA or shRNA, both SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells showed inhibition of cell proliferation, blocking of the G1/S phase, and increased apoptosis in vitro. Mechanism analysis indicated that NAP1L1 interacted with hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) and they were co-localized in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, HDGF can interact with jun proto-oncogene (C-JUN), an oncogenic transformation factor that induces the expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1). Overexpressed HDGF in NAP1L1 knockdown OC cells not only increased the expression of C-JUN and CCND1, but it also reversed the suppressive effects of si-NAP1L1 on cell proliferation. Conclusions Our data demonstrated that NAP1L1 could act as a prognostic biomarker in OC and can interact with HDGF to mediate the proliferation of OC, and this process of triggered proliferation may contribute to the activation of HDGF/C-JUN signaling in OC cells.

Background/Aims: Increased production of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, plays an essential pathogenic role in the progression of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Recent studies have characterized itaconate as a novel and potent nuclear-factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activator that activates Nrf2 signaling by alkylating cysteine residues on Keap1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1). Methods: THP-1 human macrophages and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of SLE patients were treated with 4-octyl itaconate (OI). Nrf2 signaling activation was tested by qPCR assay and western blotting. mRNA expression and the production of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines were tested by qPCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation was tested by the p65 DNA-binding assay. Results: We demonstrated that OI, the cell-permeable derivative of itaconate, induced Keap1-Nrf2 dissociation, Nrf2 protein accumulation, and nuclear translocation, which enabled the transcription and expression of multiple Nrf2-dependentantioxidant enzymes (heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, and glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit) in THP-1 human macrophages. OI also induced significant Nrf2 activation in SLE patient-derived PBMCs. OI pretreatment inhibited mRNA expression and the production of multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in SLE patient-derived PBMCs and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated THP-1 cells. OI potently inhibited NF-κB activation in SLE patient-derived PBMCs and LPS-activated THP-1 cells. Importantly, Nrf2 silencing (by targeted short hairpin RNA) or knockout (by CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing method) almost abolished OI-induced anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions in SLE patient-derived PBMCs and LPS-activated THP-1 cells. Conclusion: OI activates Nrf2 signaling to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in human macrophages and SLE patient-derived PBMCs. OI and itaconate could have important therapeutic value for the treatment of SLE.