Data_Sheet_1_Soil texture and microorganisms dominantly determine the subsoil carbonate content in the permafrost-affected area of the Tibetan Plateau.PDF

Under climate warming conditions, storage and conversion of soil inorganic carbon (SIC) play an important role in regulating soil carbon (C) dynamics and atmospheric CO2 content in arid and semi-arid areas. Carbonate formation in alkaline soil can fix a large amount of C in the form of inorganic C, resulting in soil C sink and potentially slowing global warming trends. Therefore, understanding the driving factors affecting carbonate mineral formation can help better predict future climate change. Till date, most studies have focused on abiotic drivers (climate and soil), whereas a few examined the effects of biotic drivers on carbonate formation and SIC stock. In this study, SIC, calcite content, and soil microbial communities were analyzed in three soil layers (0–5 cm, 20–30 cm, and 50–60 cm) on the Beiluhe Basin of Tibetan Plateau. Results revealed that in arid and semi-arid areas, SIC and soil calcite content did not exhibit significant differences among the three soil layers; however, the main factors affecting the calcite content in different soil layers are different. In the topsoil (0–5 cm), the most important predictor of calcite content was soil water content. In the subsoil layers 20–30 cm and 50–60 cm, the ratio of bacterial biomass to fungal biomass (B/F) and soil silt content, respectively, had larger contributions to the variation of calcite content than the other factors. Plagioclase provided a site for microbial colonization, whereas Ca2+ contributed in bacteria-mediated calcite formation. This study aims to highlight the importance of soil microorganisms in managing soil calcite content and reveals preliminary results on bacteria-mediated conversion of organic to inorganic C.</p

Aged-Related Changes in Body Composition and Association between Body Composition with Bone Mass Density by Body Mass Index in Chinese Han Men over 50-year-old

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>Aging, body composition, and body mass index (BMI) are important factors in bone mineral density (BMD). Although several studies have investigated the various parameters and factors that differentially influence BMD, the results have been inconsistent. Thus, the primary goal of the present study was to further characterize the relationships of aging, body composition parameters, and BMI with BMD in Chinese Han males older than 50 years.</p><p>Methods</p><p>The present study was a retrospective analysis of the body composition, BMI, and BMD of 358 Chinese male outpatients between 50 and 89 years of age that were recruited from our hospital between 2009 and 2011. Qualified subjects were stratified according to age and BMI as follows: 50–59 (n = 35), 60–69 (n = 123), 70–79 (n = 93), and 80–89 (n = 107) years of age and low weight (BMI: < 20 kg/m²; n = 21), medium weight (20 ≤ BMI < 24 kg/m²; n = 118), overweight (24 ≤ BMI < 28 kg/m²; n = 178), and obese (BMI ≥ 28 kg/m²; n = 41). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was used to assess bone mineral content (BMC), lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), lumbar spine (L1-L4) BMD, femoral neck BMD, and total hip BMD. Additionally, the FM index (FMI; FM/height²), LM index (LMI; LM/height²), FFM index (FFMI; [BMC+LM]/height²), percentage of BMC (%BMC; BMC/[BMC+FM+LM] × 100%), percentage of FM (%FM; FM/[BMC+FM+LM] × 100%), and percentage of LM (%LM; LM/(BMC+FM+LM) × 100%) were calculated. Osteopenia or osteoporosis was identified using the criteria and T-score of the World Health Organization.</p><p>Results</p><p>Although there were no significant differences in BMI among the age groups, there was a significant decline in height and weight according to age (<i>p</i> < 0.0001 and <i>p</i> = 0.0002, respectively). The LMI and FFMI also declined with age (both <i>p</i> < 0.0001) whereas the FMI exhibited a significant increase that peaked in the 80-89-years group (<i>p</i> = 0.0145). Although the absolute values of BMC and LM declined with age (<i>p</i> = 0.0031 and <i>p</i> < 0.0001, respectively), there was no significant difference in FM. In terms of body composition, there were no significant differences in %BMC but there was an increase in %FM (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) and a decrease in %LM (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) with age. The femoral neck and total hip BMD significantly declined with age (<i>p</i> < 0.0001 and <i>p</i> = 0.0027, respectively) but there were no differences in L1-L4. BMD increased at all sites (all <i>p</i> < 0.01) as BMI increased but there were declines in the detection rates of osteoporosis and osteopenia (both <i>p</i> < 0.001). A logistic regression revealed that when the medium weight group was given a BMI value of 1, a decline in BMI was an independent risk factor of osteoporosis or osteopenia, while an increase in BMI was a protective factor for BMD. At the same time, BMD in L1-L4 exhibited a significant positive association with FMI (<i>p</i> = 0.0003) and the femoral neck and total hip BMDs had significant positive associations with FFMI and LMI, respectively (both <i>p</i> < 0.0001).</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>These data indicate that LMI and FFMI exhibited significant negative associations with aging in Chinese Han males older than 50 years, whereas FMI had a positive association. BMD in the femoral neck and total hip declined with age but an increased BMI was protective for BMD. LMI and FFMI were protective for BMD in the femoral neck and total hip.</p></div

Comparison of the detection rate of osteopenia or osteoporosis in different BMI group.

<p>Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index, OR = odd ratio, Adj.OR = adjusted odd ratio, CI = confidence interval, Adjusted-OR</p><p>*: adjusted for age.</p><p>Comparison of the detection rate of osteopenia or osteoporosis in different BMI group.</p

The proportion of body composition change in different age group.

<p>The proportion of body composition change in different age group.</p

Trend of BMI, LMI, FMI, FFMI with aging.

<p>Trend of BMI, LMI, FMI, FFMI with aging.</p

Dual-Functional Starfish-like P‑Doped Co–Ni–S Nanosheets Supported on Nickel Foams with Enhanced Electrochemical Performance and Excellent Stability for Overall Water Splitting

Dual-functional electrocatalysts have recently been reported to improve the conversion and storage of energy generated from overall water splitting in alkaline electrolytes. Herein, for the first time, a shape-controlled synthesis of starfish-like Co–Ni–S nanosheets on three-dimensional (3D) hierarchically porous nickel foams (Co–Ni–S/NF) via a one-step hydrothermal method was developed. The influence of reaction time on the nanosheet structure and properties was intensively studied. After 11 h reaction, the Co–Ni–S/NF-11 sample displays the most regular structure of nanosheets and the most outstanding electrochemical properties. As to water splitting, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) required overpotentials of 284.3 and 296 mV, respectively, to provide a current density of 100 mA cm^–2. The marvelous electrochemical performance can be attributed to the conductive networks of 3D layered porous nickel skeletons that are highly interconnected, which provided a large specific area and highly active sites. To further enhance the electrochemical performances of the electrocatalyst, the influence of the doping of the P element was also studied. The results proved that the P-doped Co–Ni–S/NF maintains the starfish structure and demonstrates outstanding properties, providing a current density of 100 mA cm^–2 with only 187.4 and 292.2 mV overpotentials for HER and OER, respectively. It exhibited far more excellent properties than reported dual-functional electrocatalysts. Additionally, when used as an overall water-splitting catalyst, P–Co–Ni–S/NF can provide a 10 mA cm^–2 current density at a given cell voltage of 1.60 V in 1 M KOH, which is competitive to the best-known electrocatalysts, with high long-term stability

Controlled Electrodeposition Synthesis of Co–Ni–P Film as a Flexible and Inexpensive Electrode for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

Synthesis of highly efficient and robust catalysts with earth-abundant resources for overall water splitting is essential for large-scale energy conversion processes. Herein, a series of highly active and inexpensive Co–Ni–P films were fabricated by a one-step constant current density electrodeposition method. These films were demonstrated to be efficient bifunctional catalysts for both H₂ and O₂ evolution reactions (HER and OER), while deposition time was deemed to be the crucial factor governing electrochemical performance. At the optimal deposition time, the obtained Co–Ni–P-2 catalyst performed remarkably for both HER and OER in alkaline media. In particular, it requires −103 mV overpotential for HER and 340 mV for OER to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm^–2, with corresponding Tafel slopes of 33 and 67 mV dec^–1. Moreover, it outperforms the Pt/C//RuO₂ catalyst and only needs −160 mV (430 mV) overpotential for HER (OER) to achieve 200 mA cm^–2 current density. Co–Ni–P electrodes were also conducted for the proof-of-concept exercise, which were proved to be flexible, stable, and efficient, further opening a new avenue for rapid synthesis of efficient, flexible catalysts for renewable energy resources

Controlled Electrodeposition Synthesis of Co–Ni–P Film as a Flexible and Inexpensive Electrode for Efficient Overall Water Splitting

Synthesis of highly efficient and robust catalysts with earth-abundant resources for overall water splitting is essential for large-scale energy conversion processes. Herein, a series of highly active and inexpensive Co–Ni–P films were fabricated by a one-step constant current density electrodeposition method. These films were demonstrated to be efficient bifunctional catalysts for both H₂ and O₂ evolution reactions (HER and OER), while deposition time was deemed to be the crucial factor governing electrochemical performance. At the optimal deposition time, the obtained Co–Ni–P-2 catalyst performed remarkably for both HER and OER in alkaline media. In particular, it requires −103 mV overpotential for HER and 340 mV for OER to achieve the current density of 10 mA cm^–2, with corresponding Tafel slopes of 33 and 67 mV dec^–1. Moreover, it outperforms the Pt/C//RuO₂ catalyst and only needs −160 mV (430 mV) overpotential for HER (OER) to achieve 200 mA cm^–2 current density. Co–Ni–P electrodes were also conducted for the proof-of-concept exercise, which were proved to be flexible, stable, and efficient, further opening a new avenue for rapid synthesis of efficient, flexible catalysts for renewable energy resources

Results of the light maze experiment.

A. Latency of each trial. Data are the average±SEM of worm’s latency for worms moved for more than 20 mins in 40 mins. From trial 1 to 6, n = 34, 24, 24, 24, 23, 22. B. Worm speed in each trial. C. Worms successfully escaped in each trial. C-G. Representative routes of learned worms. C, E show routes of trial 1. D, F show routes of trial 4. C and D are routes of 1 worm and E, F are routes of 1 worm. The green spots show the start point and the red spots show the end point.</p

Experimental setup and training procedure.

A. The conceptual drawing of the light maze. B. The experimental setup of the light maze paradigm. C. The blueprint of the light maze. The upper right shows the lateral view of section A. Length unit: mm. D. Light intensity distribution of the maze. The light intensity distribution is measured according to vertical distance from Wall a. Light intensity variance along Wall a is less than 5 Lux, which can be neglected. E. Diagram of the training procedure.</p