Co single-atom catalyst for efficient and long-acting activation of peroxymonosulfate: Formation of Co-N site and insight into the activation mechanism.

While single-atom catalysts (SACs) have been extensively investigated as a high-atom-efficiency heterogeneous catalyst for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) oxidation reaction, the stable constructing and activation efficacy of the reaction sites remains less clarified. Herein, we employed gelatin as a N,O-bidentate ligand for Co (II) to form for a N-doped carbon precursor, while introducing NaCl as a template agent to induce the adoption of a Co-N conformation and disorganize the Co-O moiety. This approach facilitates uniform spatial isolation and atomic-level dispersion of Co atoms within the aerogel, effectively inhibiting the aggregation of Co during synthesis and enabling precise and controllable preparation of Co single-atom catalysts (SACs).

Synergistic Gradient Anodes for Long-Term Stability in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

The stability of aqueous zinc metal anodes is still constrained by their severe dendrite growth. Optimizing electric field distribution and crystallography to modulate the diffusion and deposition behavior of zinc ions can effectively suppress dendrite growth. However, the fabrication strategy to directly endow specific textured zinc anodes with gradient electric field distribution is still lacking.

Heparin-modified polyether ether ketone hollow fiber membrane with improved hemocompatibility and air permeability used for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

To expand the selection of raw material for fabricating extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and promote its application in lung disease therapy, polyether ether ketone hollow fiber membrane (PEEK-HFM) with designable pore characteristics, desired mechanical performances, and excellent biocompatibility was selected as the potential substitute for existing poly (4-methyl-1-pentene) hollow fiber membrane (PMP-HFM). To address the platelet adhesion and plasma leakage issues with PEEK-HFM, a natural anticoagulant heparin was grafted onto the surface using ultraviolet irradiation. Additionally, to explore the substitutability of the heparin layer while considering cost and scalability, a heparin-like layer composed of copolymers of acrylic acid and sodium p-styrenesulfonate was also constructed on the surface of PEEK-HFM Even though the successful grafting of heparin and heparin-like layers on the PEEK-HFM surface reduced the pore parameters, improvements in surface hydrophilicity also prevented the platelet-adhesion phenomenon and improved the anticoagulant behaviour, making it a viable alternative for commercial PMP-HFMs in ECMO production.

An evolutionary continuum from nucleated dwarf galaxies to star clusters.

Systematic studies have revealed hundreds of ultra-compact dwarf galaxies (UCDs) in the nearby Universe. With half-light radii r of approximately 10-100 parsecs and stellar masses M≈ 10-10solar masses, UCDs are among the densest known stellar systems. Although similar in appearance to massive globular clusters, the detection of extended stellar envelopes, complex star formation histories, elevated mass-to-light ratio and supermassive black holes suggest that some UCDs are remnant nuclear star clusters of tidally stripped dwarf galaxies, or even ancient compact galaxies.

Sponge-Like Porous-Conductive Polymer Coating for Ultrastable Silicon Anodes in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Urgent calls for reversible cycling performance of silicon (Si) requires an efficient solution to maintain the silicon-electrolyte interface stable. Herein, a conductive biphenyl-polyoxadiazole (bPOD) layer is coated on Si particles to enhance the electrochemical process and prolong the cells lifespan. The conformal bPOD coatings are mixed ionicelectronic conductors, which not only inhibit the infinite growth of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) but also endow electrodes with outstanding ion/electrons transport capacity.

Dynamic changes in three biomarkers predict early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B receiving antiviral therapy.

Purpose: Patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma during antiviral therapy. We aimed to clarify the values of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), lectin-reactive fraction of AFP (AFP-L3), and des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP) for early warning of HCC.

Methods: A total of 1348 CHB patients received antiviral therapy and follow-up every 26 weeks.

A Bright and Ionizable Cytosine Mimic for -Motif Structures.

A new fluorescent cytosine analog "C" containing a -stilbene moiety was synthesized and incorporated into hemiprotonated base pairs that comprise -motif structures. Unlike previously reported fluorescent base analogs, C mimics the acid-base properties of cytosine (p ≈ 4.3) while exhibiting bright (ε × Φ ≈ 1000 cm M) and red-shifted fluorescence (λ = 440 → 490 nm) upon its protonation in the water-excluded interface of C:C base pairs.

N-Type Polyoxadiazole Conductive Polymer Binders Derived High-Performance Silicon Anodes Enabled by Crosslinking Metal Cations.

The dilemma of employing high-capacity battery materials and maintaining the electrodes' electrical and mechanical integrity requires a unique binder system design. Polyoxadiazole (POD) is an n-type conductive polymer with excellent electronic and ionic conductive properties, which has acted as a silicon binder to achieve high specific capacity and rate performance. However, due to its linear structure, it cannot effectively alleviate the enormous volume change of silicon during the process of lithiation/delithiation, resulting in poor cycle stability.

Assessment of Early Response to Lung Cancer Chemotherapy by Semiquantitative Analysis of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MRI.

Objective: To evaluate the early chemotherapy response in patients with lung cancer using semiquantitative analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Twenty-two patients with lung cancer treated with chemotherapy were subjected to DCE-MRI at two time points: before starting treatment and after one week of therapy. The image data were collected by DCE-MRI, and the semiquantitative parameters including positive enhancement integral (PEI), signal enhancement ratio (SER), maximum slope of increase (MSI), and time to peak (TTP) were calculated.

Improved Fuzzy C-Means Clustering Algorithm-Based Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features in the Diagnosis of Invasive Breast Carcinoma before and after Menopause.

The application effect of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) based on the improved fuzzy C-mean clustering (GA-PFCM) algorithm in analyzing premenopausal and postmenopausal invasive breast carcinoma was discussed. 159 patients with breast carcinoma were selected and divided into the postmenopausal group (71 patients) and the premenopausal group (88 patients) according to their menstrual status. The magnetic resonance images of the two groups were processed and analyzed using GA-PFCM algorithm, and the imaging characteristics and relevant parameters of DCE-MRI examination of the two groups were analyzed.

Association of renal surface nodularity with arterial hypertension compared to normotensive patients.

Background: Renal surface nodularity (RSN) is a subclinical biomarker of renal injury and may be associated with arterial hypertension.

Purpose: To explore the association of RSN with arterial hypertension compared to normotensive patients.

Material And Methods: A total of 205 inpatients with or without high blood pressure (HBP vs.

Regeneration and reuse of salt-tolerant zwitterionic polymer fluids by simple salt/water system.

Highly-efficient separation of adsorbent and pollutant from chemical sludge is urgent for the recycled materials and chemical resources and minimization of sludge production in industry. Herein, an effortless and cost-efficient salt/water system is developed for efficient zwitterionic polymer/dye separation from chemical sludge. To achieve this aim, a novel salt-tolerant zwitterionic polymer (STZP) is synthesized through etherifying 2-chloro-4,6-bis(4-carboxyphenyl amino)-1,3,5-triazine onto corn starch.

Evaluation of renewable pH-responsive starch-based flocculant on treating and recycling of highly saline textile effluents.

Herein, we report a novel renewable pH-responsive starch-based flocculant (CIAT-ST) via etherifying 2-chloro-4,6-isopropylamino-[1,3,5]-triazine (CIAT) onto the starch backbones for decontamination and reuse of highly saline effluents. The obtained CIAT-ST shows a unique pH-sensibility and reversibility in response to a subtle pH change due to a pH-controllable surface charge density of polymer chains. The level of residual CIAT-ST in the solution can be facilely monitored by using UV-vis detection.

Sucrose fed-batch strategy enhanced biomass, polysaccharide, and ganoderic acids production in fermentation of Ganoderma lucidum 5.26.

Ganoderma, as a Chinese traditional medicine, has multiple bioactivities. However, industrial production was limited due to low yield during Ganoderma fermentation. In this work, sucrose was found to greatly enhance intracellular polysaccharide (IPS) content and specific extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) production rate.

Destruction of DDT wastes in two preheater/precalciner cement kilns in China.

The destruction of DDT formulations and DDT contaminated soil was conducted by feeding wastes into the flue gas chamber at the kiln inlet of two different preheater/precalciner cement kilns in China. The concentration of DDT, PCDD/PCDFs and HCB were measured in the flue gas of the main stack, in the solid material under baseline conditions and when feeding DDT-wastes. The destruction efficiency and the destruction and removal efficiency for DDT were in the range of 99.

[Study on dioxin emission for typical non-wood pulp making in China].

Based on the requirement of National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (NIP), six industries including pulp and paper industry have been set as the priority key sectors to implement the best available technology and best environmental practice (BAT/BEP) within a specific time for UPOPs reduction. Non-wood pulping has always played important role in virgin pulp production in China, its elemental chlorinated bleaching process has been confirmed as main source of Dioxin emission for the sector. As the signature party of Stockholm Convention and long time existing country of non-wood pulping, identification of Dioxin emission situation is significant importance to China to committee the obligation of Stockholm Convention.

Application of Best Available Technologies on Medical Wastes Disposal/Treatment in China (with case study).

Medical waste is one special kind of hazardous wastes. If mishandled, it could cause disease spread and secondary pollution of dioxin. China produced huge amount medical wastes due to large population.

Application of two-phase helical CT in liver neoplasms.

Objective: To assess the value of helical CT in the diagnosis of liver diseases.

Methods: 59 patients with different liver diseases were examined by two-phase or multi-phase dynamic helical CT.

Results: Small hepatocellular carcinoma showed a higher density in the arterial phase, and a lower density in the portal vein phase.