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The current research is about the synthesis of pure nickel sulfide, a series of Te (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 wt.%)-doped NiS (Te@NiS) nanoparticles (NPs), and a series of S-g-C3N4 (10, 30, 50, 70, and 80 wt.%)/Te@NiS nanocomposites (NCs), fabricated through a hydrothermal route. XRD and FTIR spectroscopic techniques demonstrated the successful synthesis of NPs and NCs. SEM-EDX images confirmed the flakelike structure and elemental constituents of the fabricated materials. Tauc plots were drawn, to calculate the band gaps of the synthesized samples. Te doping resulted in a significant reduction in the band gap of the NiS NPs. The photocatalytic efficiency of the NPs and NCs was investigated against MB, under sunlight. The results obtained for the photocatalytic activity, showed that 1%Te@NiS nanoparticles have an excellent dye degradation capacity in sunlight. This was made even better by making a series of SGCN/1% Te@NiS nanocomposites with different amounts of S-g-C3N4. When compared to NiS, Te@NiS, SGCN, and 70%SGCN/1%Te@NiS, the 70%SGCN/1%Te@NiS NCs have excellent antifungal ability. The higher impact of SGCN/Te@NiS, may be due to its enhanced ability to disperse and interact with the membranes and intracellular proteins of fungi. The 70%SGCN/1%Te@NiS NCs showed excellent antibacterial and photocatalytic efficiency. Thus, the 70%SGCN/1%Te@NiS NCs might prove fruitful in antibacterial and photocatalytic applications.

Invasive species present significant threats to global agriculture, although how the magnitude and distribution of the threats vary between countries and regions remains unclear. Here, we present an analysis of almost 1,300 known invasive insect pests and pathogens, calculating the total potential cost of these species invading each of 124 countries of the world, as well as determining which countries present the greatest threat to the rest of the world given their trading partners and incumbent pool of invasive species. We find that countries vary in terms of potential threat from invasive species and also their role as potential sources, with apparently similar countries sometimes varying markedly depending on specifics of agricultural commodities and trade patterns. Overall, the biggest agricultural producers (China and the United States) could experience the greatest absolute cost from further species invasions. However, developing countries, in particular, Sub-Saharan African countries, appear most vulnerable in relative terms. Furthermore, China and the United States represent the greatest potential sources of invasive species for the rest of the world. The analysis reveals considerable scope for ongoing redistribution of known invasive pests and highlights the need for international cooperation to slow their spread.

Water splitting is one of the efficient ways to produce hydrogen with zero carbon dioxide emission. Thus far, Pt has been regarded as a highly reactive catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER); however, the high cost and rarity of Pt significantly hinder its commercial use. Herein, we successfully developed an HER catalyst composed of NiSx (x = 1 or 2) on stainless steel (NiSx/SUS) using electrodeposition and sulfurization techniques. Notably, the electrochemical active surface area(ECSA) of NiSx/SUS was improved more than two orders of magnitude, resulting in a considerable improvement in the electrochemical charge transfer and HER activity in comparison with stainless steel (SUS). The long-term HER examination by linear scan voltammetry (LSV) confirmed that NiSx/SUS was stable up to 2000 cycles.

Nowadays, new electrode materials for energy storage devices like mixed ligands and bi-metal MOFs have attracted a lot of attention owing to their high porosity and high capacity for charge storage. In this study, a Co-based metal-organic framework (4,4’-bpy = 4,4′-Bipyridine and H 3 BTC = 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylic acid) was successfully fabricated by a hydrothermal method. To obtain good electrochemical behavior, Co-MOFs were modified using a porous spherical scaffold of NiS/Ni 3 S 4 nanoparticles. The electrochemical efficiency was analyzed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge-discharge methods. Detailed electrochemical scrutiny performed by Co-MOF/NiS-Ni 3 S 4 in a 6 M KOH electrolyte reveals a high specific capacity of 136.67 mAh/g at 1 A/g, with a superb cycle life of 91%. Co-MOF/NiS-Ni 3 S 4 //AC asymmetric supercapacitor produces a large amount of energy density (33.32 Wh/kg) and power density (600 W/kg). The produced composite is an appropriate candidate for electrodes in both batteries and hybrid supercapacitors, owing to its favorable electrochemical characteristics.

Aim Cryptic invasions are an understudied phenomenon among species invasions, especially in freshwater invertebrates. We study the gastropod family Physidae, including the global invaders Physella acuta and several enigmatic Stenophysa species, their phylogenetic relationships and the presence of native species among African Physidae. We infer distribution pattern, colonisation history and invasion ecology across Africa. Finally, we reconstruct the colonisation pathways and their timing into, across (and out of) Africa and model future dispersal. Location Global, with a focus on Africa and Indian Ocean islands. Methods Based on extensive sampling, multi‐gene phylogenetic, phylogeographic and ecological analyses, including species distribution modelling, we here examine Physidae globally. Results The Physidae probably originated in the Lower Cretaceous. A robust phylogeny showed four strongly supported genus‐level clades corresponding to Physella, Physa, Stenophysa and Aplexa. Physella acuta thrives in continental African countries and Indian Ocean islands. The African continent was colonised at least six times independently. For Stenophysa, the phylogeny suggests two independent transoceanic dispersal events into Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. Physella acuta occurs not only in artificial or highly disturbed habitats but also in large natural lakes. Stenophysa marmorata is ecologically flexible. The SDM for S. marmorata based on the selected climate variables predicted high probabilities of future occurrence in equatorial Africa and regions in the Indo‐Malayan Archipelago, New Guinea and eastern Australia. Main Conclusions Physidae contains examples of both intraspecific cryptic and interspecific cryptic invasions, with an intraspecific invasion of Physella acuta and a prime example of an interspecific cryptic invasion of Stenophysa spp. This study highlights the importance of cryptic invasions in freshwaters and also calls for their management. Stenophysa is likely to become pan‐tropical in the future. Physidae are an excellent model to study differential patterns and processes of intra‐ versus interspecific invasions at global and regional scales.

The functional expression of the sodium–iodide symporter (NIS) at the membrane of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) cells is the cornerstone for the use of radioiodine (RAI) therapy in these malignancies. However, NIS gene expression is frequently downregulated in malignant thyroid tissue, and 30% to 50% of metastatic DTCs become refractory to RAI treatment, which dramatically decreases patient survival. Several strategies have been attempted to increase the NIS mRNA levels in refractory DTC cells, so as to re-sensitize refractory tumors to RAI. However, there are many RAI-refractory DTCs in which the NIS mRNA and protein levels are relatively abundant but only reduced levels of iodide uptake are detected, suggesting a posttranslational failure in the delivery of NIS to the plasma membrane (PM), or an impaired residency at the PM. Because little is known about the molecules and pathways regulating NIS delivery to, and residency at, the PM of thyroid cells, we here employed an intact-cell labeling/immunoprecipitation methodology to selectively purify NIS-containing macromolecular complexes from the PM. Using mass spectrometry, we characterized and compared the composition of NIS PM complexes to that of NIS complexes isolated from whole cell (WC) lysates. Applying gene ontology analysis to the obtained MS data, we found that while both the PM-NIS and WC-NIS datasets had in common a considerable number of proteins involved in vesicle transport and protein trafficking, the NIS PM complexes were particularly enriched in proteins associated with the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Through a systematic validation of the detected interactions by co-immunoprecipitation and Western blot, followed by the biochemical and functional characterization of the contribution of each interactor to NIS PM residency and iodide uptake, we were able to identify a pathway by which the PM localization and function of NIS depends on its binding to SRC kinase, which leads to the recruitment and activation of the small GTPase RAC1. RAC1 signals through PAK1 and PIP5K to promote ARP2/3-mediated actin polymerization, and the recruitment and binding of the actin anchoring protein EZRIN to NIS, promoting its residency and function at the PM of normal and TC cells. Besides providing novel insights into the regulation of NIS localization and function at the PM of TC cells, our results open new venues for therapeutic intervention in TC, namely the possibility of modulating abnormal SRC signaling in refractory TC from a proliferative/invasive effect to the re-sensitization of these tumors to RAI therapy by inducing NIS retention at the PM.

Selective growth of cocatalyst on the surface of photocatalyst has been attracted considerable attention due to their efficient charges transfer property. In this study, the robust NiS modified graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) hybrids were successfully synthesized by a facile surface photochemical deposition process. The structure and composition characterization results revealed that the NiS is highly dispersed loading on the surface of g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets, and the NiS/g-C 3 N 4 hybrids possess large surface areas and excellent optical properties. Under the visible light illumination, the NiS/g-C 3 N 4 hybrids with 1.0% weight content of NiS cocatalyst exhibits the highest hydrogen evolution rate of 1346.1 μmol h −1  g −1 with an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 7.67%. On the basis of photoluminescence (PL) spectra and photoelectrochemical methodology, the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution mechanism was proposed. The results demonstrated that the excellent activity arises from the strong electronic coupling, highly efficient charges separation and migration. This work demonstrates a facile photochemical deposition method to consciously construct the robust two-dimensional (2D) hybrids, so as to realize accurate deposition of cocatalyst and efficient migration of photo-generated carriers. Graphic Abstract

The NIS Directive and sector-specific cybersecurity regulations require the reporting of (security) incidents to supervisory authorities. Following the risk-based approach adopted in the NIS Directive, the NIS 2 Directive enlists as a basic security element the reporting of significant incidents that (i) have caused or (ii) are capable to cause harm, as well as (iii) notifying the service recipients of cyber threats. Although during the interinstitutional negotiations between the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European there was consensus that the NIS Directive’s reporting framework needs to be reformed, views on the determination of what needs to be reported varied. This paper outlines and analyses the different concepts of a report-worthy significant incident that have been proposed during the legislative procedure for the NIS 2 Directive from a legal and policy perspective. Irrespective of further motives that may inhibit reporting, legal compliance is difficult to achieve where legal requirements are vague. In that regard, the difficulties to determine the reporting thresholds in the past and in the future are addressed. In consideration of the increased attack surface and threat scenario, it is argued that incidents where no harm has materialized should not be treated any different than incidents that have actually resulted in harm in order to acquire the envisaged full picture of the threat landscape and create value for business and society.

Purpose This study aimed to explore the differences in iodine metabolism and expression of NIS and Pendrin in pregnant rats under different iodine nutritional status. Methods Female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: low iodine (LI), normal iodine (NI), ten fold high iodine (10HI), and fifty fold high iodine (50HI). The intervention began after one week of adaptive feeding. Iodine metabolism experiments were performed beginning on the 15th day of pregnancy. 24-h iodine intake and excretion were calculated. The concentrations of iodine in urine, fecal, thyroid, and placenta were measured by ICP-MS. PCR and Western Blot were used to detect the mRNA levels and cell membrane protein of sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) and Pendrin in the small intestine, thyroid, kidney, and placenta. Results Fecal iodine excretion (FIE) and urinary iodine excretion (UIE) in the 50HI group were significantly higher than those in the NI group ( P  < 0.05). The NIS protein and mRNA in the kidney and small intestine have an upward trend in iodine deficiency and a downward trend in iodine excess. Thyroid and placental iodine storage in the 50HI group were significantly higher than those in the NI group ( P  < 0.05). NIS, Pendrin protein, and mRNA in the thyroid and placenta tend to increase when iodine is deficient and decrease when there is excess. Conclusion Iodine excretion and iodine stores in the placenta and thyroid gland are positively correlated with iodine intake. NIS and Pendrin are also regulated by iodine intake.

Purpose To estimate the annual volume and cost of ventral hernia repair (VHR) performed in the United States. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and the Nationwide Ambulatory Surgery Sample (NASS) for 2016–2019. Patients over the age of 18 who underwent open (OVHR) or minimally invasive ventral hernia repair (MISVHR) were identified. NIS procedural costs were estimated using cost-to-charge ratios; NASS costs were estimated using the NIS cost-to-charge ratios stratified by payer status. Costs were adjusted for inflation to 2021 dollars using US Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index. Results On average 610,998 VHRs were performed per year. Most were outpatient (67.3% per year), and open (70.7%). MIS procedures increased from 25.8% to 32.8% of all VHRs. Inpatient OVHR had significantly higher associated cost than MISVHR [$35,511 (34,100–36,921) vs. $21,165 (19,664–22,665 in 2019]. Outpatient MISVHR was more expensive than OVHR [$11,558 (11,174–11,942 MIS vs. $6807 (6620–6994) OVHR in 2019]. The estimated cost of an inpatient MISVHR remained similar between 2016 and 2019, from $20,076 (13,374–20,777) to $21,165 (19,664–22,665) and increased slightly from $9975 (9639–10,312) to $11,558 (11,174–11,942) in the outpatient setting. The estimated cost of an inpatient OVHR increased from $31,383 (30,338–32,428) to $35,511 (34,100–36,921), while outpatient costs increased from $6018 (5860–6175) to $6807 (6620–6994). VHR costs decreased slightly over the study period to a mean cost of $9.7 billion dollars in 2019. Conclusion Compared to 2006 national data, VHRs in the United States have almost doubled to 611,000 per year with an estimated annual cost of $9.7 billion. A 1% decrease in VHR achieved through recurrence reduction or hernia prophylaxis could save the US healthcare system at least $139.9 million annually.