Biodiversity of network modules drives ecosystem functioning in biochar-amended paddy soil

IntroductionSoil microbes are central in governing soil multifunctionality and driving ecological processes. Despite biochar application has been reported to enhance soil biodiversity, its impacts on soil multifunctionality and the relationships between soil taxonomic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning remain controversial in paddy soil.MethodsHerein, we characterized the biodiversity information on soil communities, including bacteria, fungi, protists, and nematodes, and tested their effects on twelve ecosystem metrics (including functions related to enzyme activities, nutrient provisioning, and element cycling) in biochar-amended paddy soil.ResultsThe biochar amendment augmented soil multifunctionality by 20.1 and 35.7% in the early stage, while the effects were diminished in the late stage. Moreover, the soil microbial diversity and core modules were significantly correlated with soil multifunctionality.DiscussionOur analysis revealed that not just soil microbial diversity, but specifically the biodiversity within the identified microbial modules, had a more pronounced impact on ecosystem functions. These modules, comprising diverse microbial taxa, especially protists, played key roles in driving ecosystem functioning in biochar-amended paddy soils. This highlights the importance of understanding the structure and interactions within microbial communities to fully comprehend the impact of biochar on soil ecosystem functioning in the agricultural ecosystem

Experimental investigation of low-temperature fluidised bed thermochemical energy storage with salt-mesoporous silica composite materials

Low-temperature thermochemical energy storage (TCES) with composites ‘salt in porous matrix’ (CSPMs) is widely recognized as a sustainable and efficient solution for harnessing low-grade heat and off-peak electricity. However, many high-performance CSPMs described in the literature have been produced in powder form with particle sizes below 50 μm, which makes them unsuitable for direct use in conventional fixed-bed or fluidised-bed systems. Fluidised-bed systems, highly regarded for their rapid heat and mass transfer advantages, have been extensively used in high-temperature TCES. However, their potential for low-temperature TCES applications remains unexplored due to the lack of suitable thermochemical sorption materials. In this work, we aim to investigate the feasibility of fluidised-bed TCES systems for low-temperature TCES applications using the self-developed fluidisable and high-performance CSPMs. A series of CSPMs were prepared using a commercial mesoporous silica (CMS) as the host matrix and CaCl2, MgSO4 and MgBr2 as the salts, with the same salt loading level of 50 wt% and particle size range of 150–300 μm. A lab-scale fluidised-bed TCES system was constructed for a comprehensive assessment of the material properties, including minimum fluidisation velocity (umf), water adsorption capacity, temperature lift, and energy storage density (ESD). The results show that the salt/CMS composite powders can be easily fluidised with a umf of approximately 0.01 m/s and provide efficient solid mixing during bubbling fluidisation. Among the tested CSPMs, the CaCl2/CMS composite shows the best heat-discharging performance. Specifically, the CaCl2/CMS composite, when hydrated at 30 °C and 60% relative humidity, has a ESD of 1508 kJ/kg (equivalent to 264 kWh/m3) and provides a maximum bed temperature of 58 °C. In addition, it exhibits excellent stability for use in the fluidised-bed system, with similar fluidisation characteristics and ESDs after multiple cycles of heat charging and discharging processes. This work is believed to inspire future research on the development of CSPM powders

Programmed cell death and lipid metabolism of macrophages in NAFLD

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has now become the leading chronic liver disease worldwide with lifestyle changes. This may lead to NAFLD becoming the leading cause of end-stage liver disease in the future. To date, there are still no effective therapeutic drugs for NAFLD. An in-depth exploration of the pathogenesis of NAFLD can help to provide a basis for new therapeutic agents or strategies. As the most important immune cells of the liver, macrophages play an important role in the occurrence and development of liver inflammation and are expected to become effective targets for NAFLD treatment. Programmed cell death (PCD) of macrophages plays a regulatory role in phenotypic transformation, and there is also a certain connection between different types of PCD. However, how PCD regulates macrophage polarization has still not been systematically elucidated. Based on the role of lipid metabolic reprogramming in macrophage polarization, PCD may alter the phenotype by regulating lipid metabolism. We reviewed the effects of macrophages on inflammation in NAFLD and changes in their lipid metabolism, as well as the relationship between different types of PCD and lipid metabolism in macrophages. Furthermore, interactions between different types of PCD and potential therapeutic agents targeting of macrophages PCD are also explored

Plantar Pressure Detection System Based on Flexible Hydrogel Sensor Array and WT-RF

This paper presents a hydrogel-based flexible sensor array to detect plantar pressure distribution and recognize the gait patterns to assist those who suffer from gait disorders to rehabilitate better. The traditional pressure detection array is composed of rigid metal sensors, which have poor biocompatibility and expensive manufacturing costs. To solve the above problems, we have designed and fabricated a novel flexible sensor array based on AAM/NaCl (Acrylamide/Sodium chloride) hydrogel and PI (Polyimide) membrane. The proposed array exhibits excellent structural flexibility (209 KPa) and high sensitivity (12.3 mV·N−1), which allows it to be in full contact with the sole of the foot to collect pressure signals accurately. The Wavelet Transform-Random Forest (WT-RF) algorithm is introduced to recognize the gaits based on the plantar pressure signals. Wavelet transform realizes the signal filtering and normalization, and random forest is responsible for the classification of the processed signals. The classification accuracy of the WT-RF algorithm reaches 91.9%, which ensures the precise recognition of gaits

Review of novel functions and implications of circular RNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent malignancies, with high incidence and mortality. As the majority of HCC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage and die of recurrence and metastasis, its pathology and new biomarkers are needed. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large subclass of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with covalently closed loop structures and abundant, conserved, stable, tissue-specific expression in mammalian cells. CircRNAs exert multiple functions in HCC initiation, growth and progression, serving as promising biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic targets for this disease. This review briefly describes the biogenesis and biological functions of circRNAs and elucidates the roles of circRNAs in the development and progression of HCC, especially regarding epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), drug resistance and interactions with epigenetic modifications. In addition, this review highlights the implications of circRNAs as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC. We hope to provide novel insight into the roles of circRNAs in HCC