Facile in situ solution synthesis of SnSe/rGO nanocomposites with enhanced thermoelectric performance

Constructing nanostructured composite architectures has been considered as an effective strategy to reduce the lattice thermal conductivity (κL) and enhance the dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) of thermoelectric materials. Herein, a series of SnSe/reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-x (x = 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 wt%) nanocomposites are controllably synthesised in situ via a facile single-step bottom-up solution method, where rGO nanosheets are incorporated intimately into the SnSe matrix. Nanocompositing performs two key functions: (i) significantly reducing the lattice thermal conductivity of the material, which can be attributed to enhanced phonon scattering from high-density SnSe/rGO interfaces, and (ii) improving the electrical conductivity over the low temperature range, as result of an increased carrier concentration. The subsequent thermoelectric performance of SnSe/rGO sintered pellets has been optimised by tuning the rGO mass fraction, with SnSe/rGO-0.3 achieving κL = 0.36 W m−1 K−1 at 773 K (cutting the κL of SnSe by 33%) to yield a maximum ZT of 0.91 at 823 K (representing a ∼47% increase compared to SnSe). This study provides a new pathway to improve the thermoelectric performance of polycrystalline SnSe by way of engineering metal chalcogenide/rGO composite architectures at the nanoscale

Cytoplasmic DNAs: Sources, sensing, and roles in the development of lung inflammatory diseases and cancer

Cytoplasmic DNA is emerging as a pivotal contributor to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and cancer, such as COVID-19 and lung carcinoma. However, the complexity of various cytoplasmic DNA-related pathways and their crosstalk remains challenging to distinguish their specific roles in many distinct inflammatory diseases, especially for the underlying mechanisms. Here, we reviewed the latest findings on cytoplasmic DNA and its signaling pathways in inflammatory lung conditions and lung cancer progression. We found that sustained activation of cytoplasmic DNA sensing pathways contributes to the development of common lung diseases, which may result from external factors or mutations of key genes in the organism. We further discussed the interplays between cytoplasmic DNA and anti-inflammatory or anti-tumor effects for potential immunotherapy. In sum, this review aids in understanding the roles of cytoplasmic DNAs and exploring more therapeutic strategies

State and Market in Socialist Development: the case of Chinese industrial planning

SUMMARY This article examines the capacities and limits of the socialist state as an instrument of industrialisation in China. Chinese experience suggests that state involvement at all stages of socialist industrialisation should become more selective in its scope and more flexible in its managerial forms. It highlights the importance of developing a lively industrial microeconomy and striking a balance between state agencies and industrial enterprises. RESUMEN Estado y mercado en el desarrollo socialista: el caso de la planificación industrial china. Este articulo examina la capacidad y límites del estado socialista como instrumento de industrialización en China. La experiencia de este país sugiere que la participación estatal en todas las etapas de la industrialización socialista, debería ser más selectiva en su campo de acción y más flexible en sus formas administrativas. Subraya la importancia de desarrollar una microeconomía industrial dinámica y de lograr un equilibrio entre las agencias estatales y las empresas industriales. RESUMES Etat et marché dans le développement socialiste: le cas de la planification industrielle en Chine Cet article examine les capacités et les limites de l'état socialiste en tant qu'instrument d'industrialisation en Chine. L'expérience chinoise suggère que l'implication de l'état à tous les niveaux de l'industrialisation socialiste devrait devenir plus sélective dans son but et plus flexible dans ses formes directoriales. Elle souligne l'importance de développer une micróeconomie industrielle bien vivante et d'établir un équilibre entre les agences d'état et les entreprises industrielles

Comparative analysis of the intestinal microbiota of black−necked cranes (Grus nigricollis) in different wintering areas

Fecal microbiota is essential for host health because it increases digestive effectiveness. The crane species Grus nigricollis (G. nigricollis) is considered to be near threatened. The fecal microbial composition of crane is less understood, particularly in the Tibet, China. This study was performed to investigate the differences in fecal microbial composition and diversity of crane in different wintering areas using third-generation single-molecule real-time sequencing technology in the Tibet, China. According to the findings, 20 samples were used to generate 936 bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 1,800 fungal ASVs, only 4 bacterial ASVs and 20 fungal ASVs were shared in four distinct locations. Firmicutes were the dominant bacterial phylum in all samples, and Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant fungal phylum. At the genus level, Lactobacillus was the dominant genus in Linzhi City (LZ), Shannan City (SN), and Lasa City (LS), whereas Megamonas was the dominant genus in Rikaze City (RKZ). Naganishia and Mycosphaerella were the dominant fungal genera in SN and RKZ. Mycosphaerella and Tausonia were the dominant fungal genera in LZ. Naganishia and Fusarium were the dominant fungal genera in LS. And the fecal microbial composition varied between the four groups, as shown by the underweighted pair-group method with arithmetic means and principal coordinates analysis. This study offers a theoretical basis for understanding the fecal microbial composition of crane

Plio-Pleistocene establishment of Irtysh River in Junggar, Northwest China: implications for Siberian-Arctic river system evolution and resulting climate impact

The influence of Siberian freshwater input to the Arctic Ocean on Northern Hemisphere ice-sheet expansions remains poorly known due to the incomplete geologic record of Siberian-Arctic river systems during the late Pliocene. The Irtysh River is a major Siberian river, rising from the Altay Mountains, northwestern China, and flowing 4,282 km before joining the Ob River. Here, we present new field evidence and chronological data from a combination of cosmogenic 21Ne and 26Al/10Be measurements that constrain the establishment of the Irtysh River to ca. 2.77+0.39/-0.33 Ma. These first quantitative chronological results, together with previous sedimentological, geomorphological, and geochemical evidence, support a young Siberian-Arctic river system. Its coincidence with the late Pliocene ice-sheet expansions in the Northern Hemisphere implies a profound impact of Siberian freshwater input to the Arctic on the major ice advances that significantly affected global oceanographic and climatic systems

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of Hair-crested Drongo Dicrurus hottentottus (Passeriformes: Dicruridae)

In this study, we first sequenced and described the complete mitochondrial genome and phylogeny of Dicrurus hottentottus. The whole genome of D. hottentottus was 16,963 bp in length, and contained 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosome RNA genes, and 1 non-coding control regions. The overall base composition of the mitochondrial DNA was 32.56% for A, 25.56% for T, 27.72% for C, and 14.15% for G, with a GC content of 41.87%. A phylogenetic tree strongly supported that D. hottentottus (Dicruridae) is closely related to Corvidae and Laniidae with a high probability

Genetic analysis of three wild Eurasian eagle-owl subspecies, B. b. kiautschensis, B. b. ussuriensis, and B. b. tibetanus, in Chinese populations

The Eurasian eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) is distributed throughout Asia and Europe and contains approximately twelve subspecies. Three subspecies, B. b. kiautschensis, B. b. ussuriensis, and B. b. tibetanus, are separately distributed in the refugia and plateau habitats of China. However, the genetics of these subspecies and populations have not been studied. Genetic differences were investigated among 32 individuals from six populations of these three B. bubo subspecies based on the mitochondrial genome. Low genetic diversity but high haplotype diversity was observed in these subspecies. The phylogenetic relationship of three B. bubo subspecies distributed in China was proven to be coordinated with geographic and environmental gradients. This study provides the first detailed insights into the mitochondrial genetic diversity of three Eurasian eagle-owl subspecies distributed in China and demonstrates the utility of the mitochondrial genome in intraspecific genetic population analyses of these eagle-owls