Showing papers by "Sun Yat-sen University published in 2022"

Global Carbon Budget 2022

Abstract: Abstract. Accurate assessment of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and their redistribution among the atmosphere, ocean, and terrestrial biosphere in a changing climate is critical to better understand the global carbon cycle, support the development of climate policies, and project future climate change. Here we describe and synthesize data sets and methodologies to quantify the five major components of the global carbon budget and their uncertainties. Fossil CO2 emissions (EFOS) are based on energy statistics and cement production data, while emissions from land-use change (ELUC), mainly deforestation, are based on land use and land-use change data and bookkeeping models. Atmospheric CO2 concentration is measured directly, and its growth rate (GATM) is computed from the annual changes in concentration. The ocean CO2 sink (SOCEAN) is estimated with global ocean biogeochemistry models and observation-based data products. The terrestrial CO2 sink (SLAND) is estimated with dynamic global vegetation models. The resulting carbon budget imbalance (BIM), the difference between the estimated total emissions and the estimated changes in the atmosphere, ocean, and terrestrial biosphere, is a measure of imperfect data and understanding of the contemporary carbon cycle. All uncertainties are reported as ±1σ. For the year 2021, EFOS increased by 5.1 % relative to 2020, with fossil emissions at 10.1 ± 0.5 GtC yr−1 (9.9 ± 0.5 GtC yr−1 when the cement carbonation sink is included), and ELUC was 1.1 ± 0.7 GtC yr−1, for a total anthropogenic CO2 emission (including the cement carbonation sink) of 10.9 ± 0.8 GtC yr−1 (40.0 ± 2.9 GtCO2). Also, for 2021, GATM was 5.2 ± 0.2 GtC yr−1 (2.5 ± 0.1 ppm yr−1), SOCEAN was 2.9 ± 0.4 GtC yr−1, and SLAND was 3.5 ± 0.9 GtC yr−1, with a BIM of −0.6 GtC yr−1 (i.e. the total estimated sources were too low or sinks were too high). The global atmospheric CO2 concentration averaged over 2021 reached 414.71 ± 0.1 ppm. Preliminary data for 2022 suggest an increase in EFOS relative to 2021 of +1.0 % (0.1 % to 1.9 %) globally and atmospheric CO2 concentration reaching 417.2 ppm, more than 50 % above pre-industrial levels (around 278 ppm). Overall, the mean and trend in the components of the global carbon budget are consistently estimated over the period 1959–2021, but discrepancies of up to 1 GtC yr−1 persist for the representation of annual to semi-decadal variability in CO2 fluxes. Comparison of estimates from multiple approaches and observations shows (1) a persistent large uncertainty in the estimate of land-use change emissions, (2) a low agreement between the different methods on the magnitude of the land CO2 flux in the northern extratropics, and (3) a discrepancy between the different methods on the strength of the ocean sink over the last decade. This living data update documents changes in the methods and data sets used in this new global carbon budget and the progress in understanding of the global carbon cycle compared with previous publications of this data set. The data presented in this work are available at https://doi.org/10.18160/GCP-2022 (Friedlingstein et al., 2022b).

Global, regional and national burden of low back pain 1990–2019: A systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease study 2019

Abstract: Background To comprehensively analyze the global level and trends of prevalence, incidence and years lived with disability (YLDs) for low back pain (LBP) from 1990 to 2019 by age, sex and sociodemographic index (SDI). Methods Publicly available modelled data and methods were obtained from the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) study 2019, and used to evaluate the global burden of LBP through a systematic analysis. Results Globally, the age-standardized prevalence, incidence and YLDs rate of LBP were slightly decreased from 1990 to 2019, but the number of the prevalent cases, incident cases and YLDs had substantially increased, and LBP remains the leading cause of YLDs in 2019 worldwide. The number of prevalent cases was increased with age and peaked at the age of 45–54 years for both sexes, and the global prevalence rate was higher in females than in males and increased with age, peaking at the 80–84 age group in both sexes in 2019. Overall, a positive association between the age-standardized YLD rate and SDI was observed over the past thirty years. At the national revel, the United States, Denmark and Switzerland had the three highest levels of age-standardized prevalence, while Zambia, Zimbabwe and Canada showed the highest increase in the age-standardized prevalence during 1990–2019. Conclusions LBP is a major public health issue globally, and its burden remains high. Increasing population awareness about its risk factors and preventive measures for LBP are needed to reduce the future burden of this condition. The translational potential of this article Due to the high prevalence and heavy burden of LBP globally, it is important to update its epidemiological data. This systematic analysis provides researchers and healthcare policy makers with up-to-date, comprehensive and comparable information on global LBP burden, which is of clinical translational significance.

Targeting non-coding RNAs to overcome cancer therapy resistance

Abstract: It is now well known that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), rather than protein-coding transcripts, are the preponderant RNA transcripts. NcRNAs, particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), are widely appreciated as pervasive regulators of multiple cancer hallmarks such as proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, and genomic instability. Despite recent discoveries in cancer therapy, resistance to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy continue to be a major setback. Recent studies have shown that ncRNAs also play a major role in resistance to different cancer therapies by rewiring essential signaling pathways. In this review, we present the intricate mechanisms through which dysregulated ncRNAs control resistance to the four major types of cancer therapies. We will focus on the current clinical implications of ncRNAs as biomarkers to predict treatment response (intrinsic resistance) and to detect resistance to therapy after the start of treatment (acquired resistance). Furthermore, we will present the potential of targeting ncRNA to overcome cancer treatment resistance, and we will discuss the challenges of ncRNA-targeted therapy-especially the development of delivery systems.

Highly dispersed Bi clusters for efficient rechargeable Zn−CO2 batteries

Abstract: Zn−CO2 batteries hold great promise for carbon-neutral and electricity generation simultaneously, whereas the main obstacle is the development of electrocatalysts with high activity and durability towards CO2 reduction reaction (CRR). Herein, we design atomically dispersed Bi clusters supported on hollow carbon spheres (BiC/HCS) for effectively reducing CO2 to formate, which shows the highest faradaic efficiency of 97 ± 2% at − 0.6 V vs RHE, being comparable to the previously best reported values of Bi-based materials. Experimental and theoretical analyses reveal that the atomic-level Bix clusters not only enable high CO2 adsorption but also stabilize the key *HCOO intermediate with a low free energy barrier. Further, an assembled rechargeable Zn−CO2 battery with BiC/HCS as the cathode achieves a peak power density of 7.2 ± 0.5 mW cm−2 as well as an impressive rechargeability of 200 cycles. This work provides a promising alternative for CO2 utilization and energy storage by Zn−CO2 batteries. Graphical Abstract Bi clusters anchored on hollow carbon spheres have developed as an excellent cathode for Zn−CO2 battery. The catalyst presents a maximal formate faradaic efficiency of 97 ± 2% at − 0.6 V vs RHE as well as good durability. The assembled Zn−CO2 battery achieves a peak power density of 7.2 ± 0.5 mW cm−2 and energy efficiency of 68.9% (@ 3 mA cm−2), and a more than 200 cycle rechargeability.Download : Download high-res image (180KB)Download : Download full-size image

Multiple Roles of Dissolved Organic Matter in Advanced Oxidation Processes

Abstract: Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) can degrade a wide range of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) to improve the quality of potable water or discharged wastewater effluents. Their effectiveness is impacted, however, by the dissolved organic matter (DOM) that is ubiquitous in all water sources. During the application of an AOP, DOM can scavenge radicals and/or block light penetration, therefore impacting their effectiveness toward contaminant transformation. The multiple ways in which different types or sources of DOM can impact oxidative water purification processes are critically reviewed. DOM can inhibit the degradation of TrOCs, but it can also enhance the formation and reactivity of useful radicals for contaminants elimination and alter the transformation pathways of contaminants. An in-depth analysis highlights the inhibitory effect of DOM on the degradation efficiency of TrOCs based on DOM's structure and optical properties and its reactivity toward oxidants as well as the synergistic contribution of DOM to the transformation of TrOCs from the analysis of DOM's redox properties and DOM's transient intermediates. AOPs can alter DOM structure properties as well as and influence types, mechanisms, and extent of oxidation byproducts formation. Research needs are proposed to advance practical understanding of how DOM can be exploited to improve oxidative water purification.

Novel fluorine-doped cobalt molybdate nanosheets with enriched oxygen-vacancies for improved oxygen evolution reaction activity

Abstract: Herein, we have synthesized fluorine-doped cobalt molybdate (F-CoMoO4) nanosheet arrays on graphite felt (GF) to efficiently promote the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics. Experimental results show that F-CoMoO4 has two significant effects: 1) inducing rich oxygen vacancies, and 2) optimizing the electronic configuration of CoMoO4, which is beneficial for exposure of active sites. The as-obtained F-CoMoO4-x-2@GF electrocatalyst exhibits lower OER overpotential of 256 mV at 10 mA cm−2 with a small Tafel slope of 64.4 mV dec−1 in alkaline solution, resulting in a nearly 100 mV of OER catalytic activity enhancement compared with that of pure CoMoO4. DFT results reveal that the change of Mo 4d state reduces the band-gap and increases the electrical conductivity of CoMoO4, thus optimizing its intrinsic activity. The synthesis strategy used in this work may provide some ideas for enhancing the electrical conductivity of other transition metal oxides (TMOs).

Longitudinal Undetectable Molecular Residual Disease Defines Potentially Cured Population in Localized Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract: The efficacy and potential limitations of molecular residual disease (MRD) detection urgently need to be fully elucidated in a larger population of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We enrolled 261 patients with stages I to III NSCLC who underwent definitive surgery, and 913 peripheral blood samples were successfully detected by MRD assay. Within the population, only six patients (3.2%) with longitudinal undetectable MRD recurred, resulting in a negative predictive value of 96.8%. Longitudinal undetectable MRD may define the patients who were cured. The peak risk of developing detectable MRD was approximately 18 months after landmark detection. Correspondingly, the positive predictive value of longitudinal detectable MRD was 89.1%, with a median lead time of 3.4 months. However, brain-only recurrence was less commonly detected by MRD (n = 1/5, 20%). Further subgroup analyses revealed that patients with undetectable MRD might not benefit from adjuvant therapy. Together, these results expound the value of MRD in NSCLC.This study confirms the prognostic value of MRD detection in patients with NSCLC after definitive surgery, especially in those with longitudinal undetectable MRD, which might represent the potentially cured population regardless of stage and adjuvant therapy. Moreover, the risk of developing detectable MRD decreased stepwise after 18 months since landmark detection. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1599.

Photocatalytically recovering hydrogen energy from wastewater treatment using MoS2 @TiO2 with sulfur/oxygen dual-defect

Abstract: Photocatalysis is a promising technology for energy and environment applications. Herein, a dual-defect heterojunction system of TiO2 hierarchical microspheres with oxygen vacancies modified with ultrathin MoS2−x nanosheets (MoS2−x @TiO2-OV) is designed for simultaneously degrading pollutants and evolving hydrogen. MoS2−x @TiO2-OV exhibits a dramatically enhanced photocatalytic activity with a H2 evolution rate of 2985.16 μmol g−1h−1. In treating the simulated pharmaceutical wastewater, MoS2−x @TiO2-OV is capable of purifying various refractory contaminants, with the highest H2 evolution rate of 41.59 μmol g−1h−1 during enrofloxacin degradation. While treating the simulated coking wastewater, the catalyst achieves a H2 evolution rate of 102.72 μmol g−1h−1 and a mineralization rate of 50%. Computational studies suggest that the dual-defect is superior for the adsorption of H* and producing·OH (‘dual-defect boosted dual-function’). Also, the dual-defect sites significantly boosted the charge-carrier separation and transfer efficiencies. This work highlights the crucial role of defect engineering to develop the energy-recovering wastewater treatment approaches.