G protein-coupled receptors mediate neural regulation of innate immune responses in caenorhabditis elegans

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a large family of transmembrane proteins that perceive many extracellular signals and transduce them into cellular physiological responses. GPCRs regulate immunity in both vertebrates and invertebrates. However, the mechanisms responsible for such regulation are not fully understood. Recent research using the genetically tractable model organism Caenorhabditis elegans has led to the identification of specific GPCRs, neurotransmitters, neurons and non-neural cells in the regulation of innate immunity. Several neural circuits have been demonstrated to function in GPCR-dependent immuno-regulatory pathways. Besides being essential in neural-immune interactions, GPCRs also regulate innate immune response in non-neural tissues cell-autonomously through mechanisms independent of neural circuits. Here we review GPCR-mediated neural control of innate immunity in C. elegans and briefly discuss GPCR-dependent immune regulation via non-neural mechanisms

Commercial Credit and Corporate Productivity

As an important form of informal finance, commercial credit is widely used among enterprises. Does commercial credit promote the total factor productivity of enterprises? According to the theoretical literature and the reality, using the large sample data of Chinese industrial enterprises, the paper empirically tests the impact of commercial credit on the productivity of enterprises from three aspects: the provision and acquisition of commercial credit and the net commercial credit. The study finds that the provision of commercial credit reduces the productivity level of enterprises; the acquisition of commercial credit fails to promote productivity; while the net commercial credit as a short-term financial buffer for enterprises can alleviate the financing constraints, faced by enterprises, especially private enterprises, which help to increase their productivity levels . In addition, the study found that the higher the marketization process in the region, the more favorable the commercial credit is to the improvement of the production efficiency of private enterprises

Cities: the core of climate change mitigation

Cities, the core of the global climate change mitigation and strategic low-carbon development, are shelters to more than half of the world population and responsible for three quarters of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG). This special volume (SV) provides a platform that promotes multi- and inter- disciplinary analyses and discussions on the climate change mitigation for cities. All papers are divided into four themes, including GHG emission inventory and accounting, climate change and urban sectors, climate change and sustainable development, and strategies and mitigation action plans. First, this SV provides methods for constructing emission inventory from both production and consumption perspectives. These methods are useful to improve the comprehensiveness and accuracy of carbon accounting for international cities. Second, the climate change affects urban sectors from various aspects; simultaneously, GHG emissions caused by activities in urban sectors affect the climate system. This SV focuses on mitigation policies and assessment of energy, transport, construction, and service sectors. Third, climate change mitigation of cities is closely connected to urban sustainable development. This SV explores the relationships between climate change mitigation with urbanization, ecosystems, air pollution, and extreme events. Fourth, climate change mitigation policies can be divided into two categories: quantity-based mechanism (e.g., carbon emission trading) and price-based mechanism (e.g., carbon tax). This SV provides experiences of local climate change mitigation all over the world and proposes the city-to-city cooperation on climate change mitigation

Comparison of σ-Hole and π-Hole Tetrel Bonds in Complexes of Borazine with TH3F and F2TO/H2TO (T=C,Si,Ge)

The complexes between borazine and TH3F/F2TO/H2TO (T=C, Si, Ge) are investigated with high-level quantum chemical calculations. Borazine has three sites of negative electrostatic potential: the N atom, the ring center, and the H atom of the B-H bond, while TH3F and F2TO/H2TO provide the σ-hole and π-hole, respectively, for the tetrel bond. The N atom of borazine is the favored site for both the σ and π-hole tetrel bonds. Less stable dimers include a σ-tetrel bond to the borazine ring center and to the BH proton. The π-hole tetrel-bonded complexes are more strongly bound than aretheirσ-hole counterparts. Due to the coexistence of both T···N tetrel and B···O triel bonding, the complexes of borazine with F2TO/H2TO (T= Si and Ge) are very stable, with interaction energies up to -108 kcal/mol. The strongly bonded complexes are accompanied by substantial net charge transfer from F2TO/H2TO to borazine. Polarization energy makes a contribution comparable with electrostatic for the moderately or strongly bonded complexes but is small in their weaker analogues

Differential molecular programs of cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma and CD30-positive transformed mycosis fungoides

BackgroundDiscriminating between cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (cALCL) and CD30-positive transformed mycosis fungoides (CD30+ TMF) is challenging, particularly when they arise in the context of pre-existing mycosis fungoides. The development of molecular diagnostic tools was hampered by the rarity of both diseases and the limited understanding of their pathogenesis.MethodsIn this study, we established a cohort comprising 25 cALCL cases and 25 CD30+ TMF cases, with transcriptomic data obtained from 31 samples. We compared the clinicopathological information and investigated the gene expression profiling between these two entities. Furthermore, we developed an immunohistochemistry (IHC) algorithm to differentiate these two entities clinically.ResultsOur investigation revealed distinct clinicopathological features and unique gene expression programs associated with cALCL and CD30+ TMF. cALCL and CD30+ TMF displayed marked differences in gene expression patterns. Notably, CD30+ TMF demonstrated enrichment of T cell receptor signaling pathways and an exhausted T cell phenotype, accompanied by infiltration of B cells, dendritic cells, and neurons. In contrast, cALCL cells expressed high levels of HLA class II genes, polarized towards a Th17 phenotype, and exhibited neutrophil infiltration. An IHC algorithm with BATF3 and TCF7 staining emerged as potential diagnostic markers for identifying these two entities.ConclusionsOur findings provide valuable insights into the differential molecular signatures associated with cALCL and CD30+ TMF, which contribute to their distinct clinicopathological behaviors. An appropriate IHC algorithm could be used as a potential diagnostic tool

Peak cement-related CO2 emissions and the changes in drivers in China

In order to fight against the climate change, China has set a series of emission reduction policies for super‐emitting sectors. The cement industry is the major source of process‐related emissions, and more attention should be paid to this industry. This study calculates the process‐related, direct fossil fuel–related, and indirect electricity‐related emissions from China's cement industry. The study finds that China's cement‐related emissions peaked in 2014. The emissions are, for the first time, divided into seven parts based on the cement used in different new building types. The provincial emission analysis finds that developed provinces outsourced their cement capacities to less developed regions. This study then employs index decomposition analysis to explore the drivers of changes in China's cement‐related emissions. The results show that economic growth was the primary driver of emission growth, while emission intensity and efficiency were two offsetting factors. The changes in the construction industry's structure and improvement in efficiency were the two major drivers that contributed to the decreased emissions since 2014

Reusability based on Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment: Case Study on WEEE

AbstractReuse is one of the key strategies of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling system in China. Reuse can help realize eco-efficient and sustainable WEEE management, with environmentally friendly materials recovery. At present, reusability of products and components is determined only by the products functional situation or the economic cost benefit analysis. It does not cover all the three pillars of sustainability, including environment, economy and society. In this study, the emerging integrated method, Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA), is employed to measure reusability of typical electrical and electronic products and components. The results of case studies show that, LCSA based reusability of typical electrical and electronic products and components will help improve WEEE management policy

Improved reliability of planar power interconnect with ceramic-based structure

This paper proposes an advanced Si3N4 ceramic-based structure with through vias designed and filled with brazing alloy as a reliable interconnect solution in planar power modules. Finite element (FE) modeling and simulation were first used to predict the potential of using the proposed Si3N4 ceramic-based structure to improve the heat dissipation and reliability of planar interconnects. Power cycling tests and non-destructive microstructural characterization were then performed on Si3N4 ceramic-based structures, flexible printed circuit boards (PCB) and conventional Al wire interconnect samples to evaluate the FE predictions. Both the FE simulations and experimental tests were carried out on single Si diode samples where both the ceramic-based structures and flexible PCBs were bonded on the top sides of Si diodes with eutectic Sn-3.5Ag solder joints. The results obtained demonstrate that Si3N4 ceramic-based structures can significantly improve the reliability of planar interconnects. The experimental average lifetimes and FE simulated maximum creep strain accumulations for the ceramic-based structure and flexible PCB interconnect samples can reasonably be fitted to existing lifetime models for Sn-3.5Ag solder joints. Discrepancies between the models and experimental results can be attributed to defects and poor filling of the brazing alloy in the vias through the Si3N4 ceramic

Socioeconomic impact assessment of China's CO2 emissions peak prior to 2030

China is the largest emitter of carbon emissions in the world. In this paper, we present an Integrated Model of Economy and Climate (IMEC), an optimization model based on the input-output model. The model is designed to assess the tradeoff between emission deceleration and economic growth. Given that China's projected average growth rate will exceed 5% over the next two decades, we find that China may reach its peak CO2 emissions levels by 2026. According to this scenario, China's carbon emissions will peak at 11.20 Gt in 2026 and will then decline to 10.84 Gt in 2030. Accordingly, approximately 22 Gt of CO2 will be removed from 2015 to 2035 relative to the scenario wherein China's CO2 emissions peak in 2030. While this earlier peaking of carbon emissions will result in a decline in China's GDP, several sectors, such as Machinery and Education, will benefit. In order to reach peak CO2 emissions by 2026, China needs to reduce its annual GDP growth rate to less than 4.5% by 2030 and decrease energy and carbon intensity levels by 43% and 45%, respectively, from 2015 to 2030