Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 22 in total

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  1. Peng L, Peng Y, Luo H, Deng Y
    PLoS One, 2023;18(5):e0285853.
    PMID: 37235592 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285853
    OBJECTIVE: Everyone in life will experience resource scarcity, which causes self-discrepancy. It is widely known that individuals participate in reactive consumption to solve the problems of self-discrepancy and resources scarcity. This kind of consumption may be symbolically related to the essence of the resource scarcity or may occur in an unrelated domain. This study proposes a theory for "filling up" one's resource scarcity through high-intensity sensory consumption (HISC).

    METHODS: We used different methods, including one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), linear regression, mediating effect, and moderating effect, to test the four hypotheses. Four experiments in the study were conducted from May 2022 and August 2022 and involved undergraduates from a university and volunteers recruited online. All participants are adults and verbally agree to participate voluntarily. Study 1a (N = 96 (male 47, female 49), participants from a business school in China) measured resource scarcity in the laboratory experiments and verified the effect of resource scarcity on consumer HISC preference by using linear regression (H1). Study 1b (N = 191 (male 98, female 93), students and teachers from a university in China) measured resource scarcity in the laboratory experiments and manipulated positively and negatively valenced experiences. Using the PROCESS SPSS Mode l, we verified that negatively valenced stimuli also lead to higher levels of arousal, which in turn restores the self-discrepancy caused by resource scarcity (H2). Study 2 (an online experiment, N = 182 (male 91, female 91), participants from China) manipulated the resource scarcity in a color sensory stimulant context, replicating the preliminary effect and examined the mediating effect of the self-worth by using the PROCESS SPSS Mode 4 (H3). Study 3 (an online experiment, N = 251 (male 125, female 126), participants from China) manipulated resource scarcity and self-acceptance in the tactile sensory experience, and tested the moderating effect of self-acceptance by using the PROCESS SPSS Mode 8 (H4).

    RESULTS: Four studies suggest that not only do individuals facing resources scarcity prefer HISC but also that this consumption is mediated and moderated by self-worth and self-acceptance, respectively. This preference for HISC is negated when individuals have high self-acceptance traits. The findings are tested in the auditory domain (as evidenced by a propensity for louder volume), the visual domain (as evidenced by a propensity for more intense colors), and the tactile domain (as evidenced by a propensity for more intense need for touch). The findings also demonstrate that individual preferences for HISC is shown to operate regardless of the valence (positive valence vs. negative valence) of the sensory consumption.

    CONCLUSIONS: Across four experiments, we find that individuals who are subjected to resource scarcity show a preference for high-intensity sensory consumption in the auditory, visual, and tactile domains. We also find that both negatively and positively valenced sensory stimuli have the same impact on resource-scarce individuals' preference for HISC. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the sense of self-worth significantly mediates the effect of resource scarcity on HISC. Finally, we reveal that self-acceptance moderates the effect of resource scarcity on HISC preference.

  2. Liu N, Chen T, Peng Y, Xie Y
    Front Psychol, 2023;14:1217340.
    PMID: 37691799 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1217340
    INTRODUCTION: Language media from one's hometown is an important means of maintaining cultural identification, especially for minorities. Cantonese media plays an active role in shaping the Chinese cultural identification of ethnic Chinese all over the world. To date, few researchers have undertaken quantitative empirical analyses of the mechanism through which Cantonese media influences cultural identification.

    METHODS: Using data from 642 Malaysian Chinese, this study established a structural equation model with the partial least squares method.

    RESULTS: We found that the emotional affinity of ethnic Chinese to Cantonese media can influence identification with Chinese culture through the perceived value of Cantonese media and cognition of Chinese culture. The perceived value of Cantonese media (IE = 0.208) and cognition of Chinese culture (IE = 0.068) play partial mediation roles. Meanwhile, emotional affinity to Cantonese media influences cognition of Chinese culture (IE = 0.069) through the chain mediation of perceived value of Cantonese media and cognition of Chinese culture. Age has a partial moderating effect in the structural equation model. Compared with minors, adults' emotional affinity to Cantonese media can eventually influence identification with Chinese culture (TEdiff = 0.126) more strongly through several mediation paths.

    DISCUSSION: The study suggests a need to cultivate the emotional affinity of ethnic Chinese to Cantonese media, improve the multidimensional values of Cantonese media, and endow Cantonese media with functions of cultural dialog and knowledge transmission. The international transmission of Cantonese media could play a vital role in building a cultural community for ethnic Chinese globally.

  3. Cui J, Zhou J, Peng Y, Chan A, Mao J
    Environ Sci Process Impacts, 2015 Dec;17(12):2082-91.
    PMID: 26515781 DOI: 10.1039/c5em00383k
    A detailed study on the solution chemistry of red soil in South China is presented. Data are collected from two simulated column-leaching experiments with an improved setup to evaluate the effects of atmospheric N deposition (ADN) composition and ADN flux on agricultural soil acidification using a (15)N tracer technique and an in situ soil solution sampler. The results show that solution pH values decline regardless of the increase of the NH4(+)/NO3(-) ratio in the ADN composition or ADN flux, while exchangeable Al(3+), Ca(2+), Mg(2+), and K(+) concentrations increase at different soil depths (20, 40, and 60 cm). Compared with the control, ADN (60 kg per ha per year N, NH4(+)/NO3(-) ratio of 2 : 1) decreases solution pH values, increases solution concentrations of NO3(-)-N, Al(3+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) at the middle and lower soil depths, and promotes their removal. NH4(+)-N was not detected in red soil solutions of all the three soil layers, which might be attributed to effects of nitrification, absorption and fixation in farmland red soil. Some of the NO3(-)-N concentrations at 40-60 cm soil depth exceed the safe drinking level of 10 mg L(-1), especially when the ADN flux is beyond 60 kg ha(-1) N. These features are critical for understanding the ADN agro-ecological effects, and for future assessment of ecological critical loads of ADN in red soil farmlands.
  4. Tan K, Huang L, Tan K, Lim L, Peng Y, Cheong KL
    Food Chem X, 2023 Oct 30;19:100856.
    PMID: 37780264 DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2023.100856
    Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Seafood, especially fish and shellfish, is a healthy food that reduces the risk of CHD. In many regions, seafood is consumed cooked to eliminate potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Although there have been many reports of culinary preparations causing changes in the fatty acid profile of fish and shellfish, this information has not been well organized, and most of it is not associated to CHD. Therefore, this study was conducted to study the effect of culinary treatments of seafood on lipid nutritional quality in relation to promotion/prevention of CHD. In this study, fatty acid profiles of fish and shellfish prepared with different culinary preparations were obtained from published literature. Lipid nutritional quality indices related to promoting/preventing CHD were calculated and analyzed to reveal the effects of culinary treatment on the lipid nutritional quality of fish and shellfish in promoting/preventing of CHD. The information in this article is very useful and can fill the knowledge gap of the effects of culinary preparation on the lipid nutritional quality of fish and shellfish. Such information is very useful for guiding consumers to choose better ways to cook fish and shellfish to reduce the risk of CHD.
  5. Peng Y, Lv SB, Low SR, Bono SA
    Curr Psychol, 2023 May 30.
    PMID: 37359658 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04785-w
    Employment among final year college students in China has encountered unprecedented difficulties during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the high unemployment rate had led college graduates faced inadvertently mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This study aims to investigate the impact of employment stress on college students' psychological well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. An online survey consisting of demographic items (i.e., age, gender, subject major, type of university, and perceived severity of the current employment situation), Employment Stress scale, Employment Anxiety Scale, and Patient Health Questionnaire was employed for data collection. A total of 2,627 final year college students were recruited, with participants displayed below moderate levels of employment stress and anxiety. Approximately 13.2% of participants were depressed and 53.3% considered the current employment situation as severe. Female students were stressed by individual factors and anxious, whilst male students were more depressed. Arts students were less depressed and students from comprehensive universities were more depressed and anxious compared to other types of universities. Students who perceived the employment situation as very severe displayed the lowest level of employment stress and anxiety. Gender, university type, family stress, college stress, and individual stress are predictors of psychological well-being among college students. The family environment, female identity, and stress from university play a crucial role in college students' psychological well-being. The government should pay more attention to the psychological well-being of graduate students and develop feasible measures to help them secure a job during this unprecedented time.
  6. Tan K, Lim L, Peng Y, Cheong KL
    Food Chem X, 2023 Dec 30;20:101034.
    PMID: 38144794 DOI: 10.1016/j.fochx.2023.101034
    Fish and shellfish are important sources of high quality lipids, especially omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In most countries, seafood is eaten cooked to eliminate any potential parasites and pathogens. In addition, cold storage plays an important role in extending the shelf life of seafood. However, both cooking and storage processes can cause alterations in the lipid content and fatty acid profile of fish and shellfish. Although the lipid nutritional quality of fish and shellfish have recently been reviewed, these reviews mainly focus on raw seafood, and information on the impact of food processing on the lipid nutritional quality of fish and shellfish still lacks coherence. Therefore, this study was carried out to provides a critical reviews on the effects of food processing, especially cooking and cold storge, on the lipid nutritional quality of fish and shellfish. Overall, from the perspective of lipid nutritional quality, baking and steaming are the most recommended cooking methods for fish and shellfish, respectively, while it is strongly not recommended to fry seafood with margarine. For cold storage, 3 days and 2 weeks are the most recommended storage periods for refrigeration and frozen storage, respectively. This article can provides consumers with useful information to choose food preparation and storage methods based on their personal interest in specific lipid nutritional quality indicators.
  7. Cao M, Liu Y, Yuan H, Qiu Y, Xie Q, Yi P, et al.
    J AOAC Int, 2020 Sep 01;103(5):1400-1405.
    PMID: 33241395 DOI: 10.1093/jaoacint/qsaa048
    BACKGROUND: Chewable areca products are popular in Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and China. The major alkaloids present in areca products are guvacine, arecaidine, guvacoline, and arecoline which cause carcinogenicity and addiction.

    OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was the quantitative analysis of the alkaloid content of areca chewable products from different countries and regions using HPLC-UV, as well as the benefit of their safety evaluation products.

    METHOD: An HPLC-UV method was established for qualitative and quantitative analyses of 65 batches of areca chewable products from different countries and regions. Additionally, similarity evaluation of chromatographic fingerprints was applied for data analysis.

    RESULTS: These results reveal a significant variation in the levels of areca alkaloids among tested products, specifically guvacoline (0.060-1.216 mg/g), arecoline (0.376-3.592 mg/g), guvacine (0.028-1.184 mg/g), and arecaidine (0.184-1.291 mg/g). There were significant differences in the alkaloid content of areca chewable products from different producing areas.

    CONCLUSIONS: The method will be useful in the safety evaluation of different areca chewable products.

    HIGHLIGHTS: The established HPLC-UV method can be adopted for safety evaluation of areca chewable products from different countries and regions due to its general applicability.

  8. Cui J, Cui J, Peng Y, Yao D, Chan A, Chen Z, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2020 Jun 27;744:140558.
    PMID: 32711301 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140558
    Fluxes and composition dynamics of atmospheric nitrogen deposition play key roles in better balancing economic development and ecological environment. However, there are some knowledge gaps and difficulties in urban ecosystems, especially for small and medium-sized cities. In this study, both flux and composition (ratio of NH4+-N to NO3--N, RN) of wet-deposited dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN, sum of NO3--N and NH4+-N) were estimated and sources were identified at a long-term urban observation station in Tongling, a typical medium-sized city in eastern China during 2010-2016, respectively. Results showed that wet-deposited DIN fluxes were 33.20 and 28.15 kgN ha-1 yr-1 in Tongling city during 2010-2011 and 2015-2016, respectively. Compared to these two periods, both DIN and NO3--N fluxes decreased by 15.2% and 31.8% for a series of NOx abatement measures applied effectively, respectively. At the same time, the NH4+-N flux remained stable and ranged from 19.53 to 20.62 kgN ha-1 yr-1, and the RN increased from 1.7 to 2.2. Seasonally, winds from the southwest and west-southwest with higher frequencies and speeds in spring and summer brought more NH4+-N and DIN wet deposition from an ammonia plant, which could threaten the safety of regional hydrosphere ecosystems. On the whole, the wet-deposited NH4+-N was threatening regional ecosystems of both the hydrosphere and forest. The wet-deposited DIN including NH4+-N in Tongling city stemmed mainly from a combined source of coal combustion and dust from Cu extraction and smelting, ammonia production, and roads. Therefore, production lines should be updated for Cu extraction and smelting industries, thermal power generations and the ammonia plant, old vehicles should be eliminated, and the use of new energy vehicles should be promoted for regional sustainable development and human health in the medium-sized city.
  9. Peng Y, Fornara DA, Wu Q, Heděnec P, Yuan J, Yuan C, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2023 Jan 20;857(Pt 3):159686.
    PMID: 36302428 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159686
    Plant litter decomposition is not only the major source of soil carbon and macronutrients, but also an important process for the biogeochemical cycling of trace elements such as iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu). The concentrations of plant litter trace elements can influence litter decomposition and element cycling across the plant and soil systems. Yet, a global perspective of the patterns and driving factors of trace elements in plant litter is missing. To bridge this knowledge gap, we quantitatively assessed the concentrations of four common trace elements, namely Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu, of freshly fallen plant litter with 1411 observations extracted from 175 publications across the globe. Results showed that (1) the median of the average concentrations of litter Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu were 0.200, 0.555, 0.032, and 0.006 g/kg, respectively, across litter types; (2) litter concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Cu were generally stable regardless of variations in multiple biotic and abiotic factors (e.g., plant taxonomy, climate, and soil properties); and (3) litter Mn concentration was more sensitive to environmental conditions and influenced by multiple factors, but mycorrhizal association and soil pH and nitrogen concentration were the most important ones. Overall, our study provides a clear global picture of plant litter Fe, Mn, Zn, and Cu concentrations and their driving factors, which is important for improving our understanding on their biogeochemical cycling along with litter decomposition processes.
  10. Jin X, Wu F, Wu Q, Heděnec P, Peng Y, Wang Z, et al.
    Heliyon, 2023 Jan;9(1):e12984.
    PMID: 36704269 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e12984
    Irregular precipitation caused by climate changes has resulted in frequent events of soil drying-rewetting cycles (DWC), which can strongly affect soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling, including the fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The response of soil carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes to DWC events may differ among different ecosystem types and vary with experimental settings and soil properties, but these processes were not quantitatively assessed. Here, we evaluated the responses of soil GHG fluxes to DWC, compared with consistent moisture, as well as the associated driving factors with 424 paired observations collected from 47 publications of lab incubation experiments. Results showed that: (1) DWC significantly decreased soil CO2 emissions by an average of 9.7%, but did not affect the emissions and uptakes of soil CH4 and N2O; (2) DWC effects on soil GHG emissions varied significantly among different ecosystem types, with CO2 emissions significantly decreased by 6.8 and 16.3% in croplands and grasslands soils, respectively, and CH4 and N2O emissions significantly decreased and increased in wetlands and forests soils, respectively; (3) the effects of DWC on CO2 emissions were also positively regulated by organic C and N concentrations, pH, clay concentration, and soil depth, but negatively by C:N ratio and silt concentration, while DWC effects on N2O emissions were negatively controlled by C:N ratio, silt concentration, and soil depth. Overall, our results showed that CO2 emissions were significantly decreased by DWC, while the fluxes of CH4 and N2O were not affected, indicating an overall decrease of GHGs in response to DWC. Our results will be useful for a better understanding of global GHG emissions under future climate change scenario.
  11. Peng Y, Zhou F, Cui J, Du K, Leng Q, Yang F, et al.
    Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2017 Jul;24(19):16206-16219.
    PMID: 28540543 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-9221-0
    The Three Gorges Dam's construction and industrial transfer have resulted in a new air pollution pattern with the potential to threaten the reservoir eco-environment. To assess the impact of socioeconomic factors on the pattern of air quality vairation and economical risks, concentrations of SO2, NO2, and PM10, industry genres, and meteorological conditions were selected in the Three Gorges Reservoir of Chongqing (TGRC) during 2006-2015. Results showed that air quality had improved to some extent, but atmospheric NO2 showed an increased trend during 2011-2015. Spatially, higher atmospheric NO2 extended to the surrounding area. The primary industry, especially for agriculture, had shown to be responsible for the remarkable increase of atmospheric NO2 (p 
  12. Yuan C, Wu F, Wu Q, Fornara DA, Heděnec P, Peng Y, et al.
    Sci Total Environ, 2023 Jun 25;879:163059.
    PMID: 36963687 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163059
    Vegetation restoration is a widely used, effective, and sustainable method to improve soil quality in post-mining lands. Here we aimed to assess global patterns and driving factors of potential vegetation restoration effects on soil carbon, nutrients, and enzymatic activities. We synthesized 4838 paired observations extracted from 175 publications to evaluate the effects that vegetation restoration might have on the concentrations of soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as enzymatic activities. We found that (1) vegetation restoration had consistent positive effects on the concentrations of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, available nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate, total phosphorus, and available phosphorus on average by 85.4, 70.3, 75.7, 54.6, 58.6, 34.7, and 60.4 %, respectively. Restoration also increased the activities of catalase, alkaline phosphatase, sucrase, and urease by 63.3, 104.8, 125.5, and 124.6 %, respectively; (2) restoration effects did not vary among different vegetation types (i.e., grass, tree, shrub and their combinations) or leaf type (broadleaved, coniferous, and mixed), but were affected by mine type; and (3) latitude, climate, vegetation species richness, restoration year, and initial soil properties are important moderator variables, but their effects varied among different soil variables. Our global scale study shows how vegetation restoration can improve soil quality in post-mining lands by increasing soil carbon, nutrients, and enzymatic activities. This information is crucial to better understand the role of vegetation cover in promoting the ecological restoration of degraded mining lands.
  13. Wu X, Zhang W, Li Y, Zheng L, Liu J, Jiang Y, et al.
    PLoS One, 2024;19(1):e0295118.
    PMID: 38166098 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295118
    BACKGROUND: As an important factor affecting personal health, anxiety has always been valued by people. Prior research has consistently shown that personality traits is associated with anxiety level,but little is known about the inner mechanism of this relationship. To fill the gap, the present research aims to explore the chain mediating role of general self-efficacy and academic burnout in the relationship between big five personality and anxiety.

    METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed from September to November 2022. Self-reported questionnaires including the Big Five Personality Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, College Student's academic burnout Scale, Generalized Anxiety Scale and demographic characteristics were distributed to 2505 college students in a university in Hebei Province, of which 2,471 were valid. Statistical analysis was carried out through SPSS26.0 and SPSS PROCESS macro.

    RESULTS: Results showed four of the big five personality characters (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and openness) were negatively correlated with anxiety. Neuroticism was positively correlated with anxiety. Moreover, general self-efficacy was found to be negatively correlated with academic burnout and anxiety; academic burnout was positively correlated with anxiety. Finally, general self-efficacy and academic burnout mediated the relationship between personality traits (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness) and anxiety.

    CONCLUSIONS: Personality traits (i.e., extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, and openness) could influence anxiety through the chain mediating effects of general self-efficacy and academic burnout. Interventions focusing on anxiety reduction may be successful in increasing general self-efficacy and decreasing students' academic burnout.

  14. Wu Y, Liang Y, Mei C, Cai L, Nadda A, Le QV, et al.
    Chemosphere, 2022 Jan;286(Pt 3):131891.
    PMID: 34416587 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131891
    Nanocellulose based gas barrier materials have become an increasingly important subject, since it is a widespread environmentally friendly natural polymer. Previous studies have shown that super-high gas barrier can be achieved with pure and hierarchical nanocellulose films fabricated through simple suspension or layer-by-layer technique either by itself or incorporating with other polymers or nanoparticles. Improved gas barrier properties were observed for nanocellulose-reinforced composites, where nanocellulose partially impermeable nanoparticles decreased gas permeability effectively. However, for nanocellulose-based materials, the higher gas barrier performance is jeopardized by water absorption and shape deformation under high humidity conditions which is a challenge for maintaining properties in material applications. Thus, numerous investigations have been done to solve the problem of water absorption in nanocellulose-based materials. In this literature review, gas barrier properties of pure, layer-by-layer and composite nanocellulose films are investigated. The possible theoretical gas barrier mechanisms are described, and the prospects for nanocellulose-based materials are discussed.
  15. Tan K, Waiho K, Tan K, Qiao Y, Lim LS, Yang X, et al.
    Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2023 Oct 30;679:66-74.
    PMID: 37673004 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.08.066
    Vitellogenin (Vtg) serves as the precursor of yolk protein and exhibits widespread distribution in tissues, including in the ovary of both vertebrates and invertebrates. Vtg plays a critical role in facilitating oocyte maturation and embryonic development following oviposition. In this study, we have successfully elucidated the complete transcript sequence of TtVtg6-like from an ancient chelicerate Tachypleus tridentatus. The TtVtg6-like transcript encompassed a length of 4887 bp and encoded 1629 amino acids residues. Notably, TtVtg6-like was found to contain 25 exons. Furthermore, the molecular weight and isoelectric point of TtVtg6-like were determined to be 191.6 KDa and 6.73, respectively. Subsequent mRNA expression analysis demonstrated the specific expression of TtVtg6-like in ovary and yellow connective tissue. In addition, TtVtg6-like was located and distributed in both ovary and yellow connective tissue. Intriguingly, employing an siRNA approach to silence TtVtg6-like resulted in a decrease in TtVtg6-like transcription levels. Concomitantly, TtVtg6-like silencing led to increase production of ROS, ultimately resulting in DNA damage and cell apoptosis within the ovarian primary cell. The induction of apoptosis ovarian primary cells due to TtVtg6-like silencing was further corroborated through TUNEL assay and flow cytometry analysis. Overall, our findings underscore the significance of TtVtg6-like in ovarian cell development, revealing its potential association with ovarian cell apoptosis. Consequently, the insights gained from this study contribute to the future exploration of vitellogenesis and ovarian development in T. tridentatus.
  16. Yue K, De Frenne P, Van Meerbeek K, Ferreira V, Fornara DA, Wu Q, et al.
    Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc, 2022 Dec;97(6):2023-2038.
    PMID: 35811333 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12880
    Plant litter is the major source of energy and nutrients in stream ecosystems and its decomposition is vital for ecosystem nutrient cycling and functioning. Invertebrates are key contributors to instream litter decomposition, yet quantification of their effects and drivers at the global scale remains lacking. Here, we systematically synthesized data comprising 2707 observations from 141 studies of stream litter decomposition to assess the contribution and drivers of invertebrates to the decomposition process across the globe. We found that (1) the presence of invertebrates enhanced instream litter decomposition globally by an average of 74%; (2) initial litter quality and stream water physicochemical properties were equal drivers of invertebrate effects on litter decomposition, while invertebrate effects on litter decomposition were not affected by climatic region, mesh size of coarse-mesh bags or mycorrhizal association of plants providing leaf litter; and (3) the contribution of invertebrates to litter decomposition was greatest during the early stages of litter mass loss (0-20%). Our results, besides quantitatively synthesizing the global pattern of invertebrate contribution to instream litter decomposition, highlight the most significant effects of invertebrates on litter decomposition at early rather than middle or late decomposition stages, providing support for the inclusion of invertebrates in global dynamic models of litter decomposition in streams to explore mechanisms and impacts of terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric carbon fluxes.
  17. Ge L, Li B, Li G, Wang X, Cheong KY, Peng Y, et al.
    J Phys Chem Lett, 2023 Jan 19;14(2):592-597.
    PMID: 36633457 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c03637
    This paper presents a fabricated solar-blind phototransistor based on hydrogen-terminated diamond. The phototransistor shows a large photocurrent and enhancement of responsivity over conventional two-terminal diamond-based photodetector. These enhancement effects are owing to the internal gain of the phototransistor. The fabricated phototransistor exhibits a high photoresponsivity (R) of 2.16 × 104 A/W and a detectivity (D*) of 9.63 × 1011 jones, with gate voltage (VG) and drain voltage of approximately -1.5 V and -5 V, respectively, under 213 nm light illumination. Even at ultralow operating voltage of -0.01 V, the device records satisfactory performance with R and D* of 146.7 A/W and 6.19 × 1010 jones, respectively. By adjusting the VG, photocurrent generation in the device can be continuously tuned from the fast photoconductive effect to the optical gating effect with high optical gain. When VG increases from 1.4 to 2.4 V, the decay time decreases from 1512.0 to 25.5 ms. Therefore, responsivity, dark current, Iphoto/Idark, and decay time of the device can be well tuned by VG.
  18. Peng W, Ma NL, Zhang D, Zhou Q, Yue X, Khoo SC, et al.
    Environ Res, 2020 12;191:110046.
    PMID: 32841638 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110046
    Locusts differ from ordinary grasshoppers in their ability to swarm over long distances and are among the oldest migratory pests. The ecology and biology of locusts make them among the most devastating pests worldwide and hence the calls for actions to prevent the next outbreaks. The most destructive of all locust species is the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria). Here, we review the current locust epidemic 2020 outbreak and its causes and prevention including the green technologies that may provide a reference for future directions of locust control and food security. Massive locust outbreaks threaten the terrestrial environments and crop production in around 100 countries of which Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya are the most affected. Six large locust outbreaks are reported for the period from 1912 to 1989 all being closely related to long-term droughts and warm winters coupled with occurrence of high precipitation in spring and summer. The outbreaks in East Africa, India and Pakistan are the most pronounced with locusts migrating more than 150 km/day during which the locusts consume food equivalent to their own body weight on a daily basis. The plague heavily affects the agricultural sectors, which is the foundation of national economies and social stability. Global warming is likely the main cause of locust plague outbreak in recent decades driving egg spawning of up to 2-400,000 eggs per square meter. Biological control techniques such as microorganisms, insects and birds help to reduce the outbreaks while reducing ecosystem and agricultural impacts. In addition, green technologies such as light and sound stimulation seem to work, however, these are challenging and need further technological development incorporating remote sensing and modelling before they are applicable on large-scales. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, the 2020 locust outbreak is the worst in 70 years probably triggered by climate change, hurricanes and heavy rain and has affected a total of 70,000 ha in Somalia and Ethiopia. There is a need for shifting towards soybean, rape, and watermelon which seems to help to prevent locust outbreaks and obtain food security. Furthermore, locusts have a very high protein content and is an excellent protein source for meat production and as an alternative human protein source, which should be used to mitigate food security. In addition, forestation of arable land improves local climate conditions towards less precipitation and lower temperatures while simultaneously attracting a larger number of birds thereby increasing the locust predation rates.
  19. Lu M, Yao Y, Liu H, Zhang X, Li X, Liu Y, et al.
    JCI Insight, 2023 Dec 08;8(23).
    PMID: 37917215 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.175461
    Nipah virus (NiV), a bat-borne paramyxovirus, results in neurological and respiratory diseases with high mortality in humans and animals. Developing vaccines is crucial for fighting these diseases. Previously, only a few studies focused on the fusion (F) protein alone as the immunogen. Numerous NiV strains have been identified, including 2 representative strains from Malaysia (NiV-M) and Bangladesh (NiV-B), which differ significantly from each other. In this study, an F protein sequence with the potential to prevent different NiV strain infections was designed by bioinformatics analysis after an in-depth study of NiV sequences in GenBank. Then, a chimpanzee adenoviral vector vaccine and a DNA vaccine were developed. High levels of immune responses were detected after AdC68-F, pVAX1-F, and a prime-boost strategy (pVAX1-F/AdC68-F) in mice. After high titers of humoral responses were induced, the hamsters were challenged by the lethal NiV-M and NiV-B strains separately. The vaccinated hamsters did not show any clinical signs and survived 21 days after infection with either strain of NiV, and no virus was detected in different tissues. These results indicate that the vaccines provided complete protection against representative strains of NiV infection and have the potential to be developed as a broad-spectrum vaccine for human use.
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