Selective Extraction of Critical Metals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Selective and highly efficient extraction technologies for the recovery of critical metals including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese from spent lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathode materials are essential in driving circularity. The tailored deep eutectic solvent (DES) choline chloride-formic acid (ChCl-FA) demonstrated a high selectivity and efficiency in extracting critical metals from mixed cathode materials (LiFePO:Li(NiCoMn)O mass ratio of 1:1) under mild conditions (80 °C, 120 min) with a solid-liquid mass ratio of 1:200. The leaching performance of critical metals could be further enhanced by mechanochemical processing because of particle size reduction, grain refinement, and internal energy storage.

Prior knowledge auxiliary for few-shot pest detection in the wild.

One of the main techniques in smart plant protection is pest detection using deep learning technology, which is convenient, cost-effective, and responsive. However, existing deep-learning-based methods can detect only over a dozen common types of bulk agricultural pests in structured environments. Also, such methods generally require large-scale well-labeled pest data sets for their base-class training and novel-class fine-tuning, and these significantly hinder the further promotion of deep convolutional neural network approaches in pest detection for economic crops, forestry, and emergent invasive pests.

Role of molecular symmetry in the magnetic relaxation dynamics of five-coordinate Dy(III) complexes.

A new family of low-coordinate mononuclear Dy single-molecule magnets [(Trapen)Dy(L)] (Trapen = tris(2-aminobenzyl)amine; TMS = SiMe; L = THF 1, pyridine 2, ONMe3) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The five-coordinate Dy ions exhibit distorted triangular bipyramidal geometries, among the different neutral ligands L on the apex and the same Trapen ligand, making the pyramid base of the trigonal bipyramid. Magnetic data analysis reveals that 1-3 are characteristic of SMM behaviors without a dc field, accompanying an unambiguous quantum tunneling of magnetization.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation induced sedative effects in healthy volunteers: A resting-state fMRI study.

Background: Previous studies indicated the sedative effect of acupoint stimulation. However, its mechanism remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the sedative effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and to explore the brain regions involved in this effect in healthy volunteers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) techniques.

Poly(-acryloyl glycinamide---acryloxysuccinimide) Nanoparticles: Tunable Thermo-Responsiveness and Improved Bio-Interfacial Adhesion for Cell Function Regulation.

Poly(-acryloyl glycinamide) (PNAGA) can form high-strength hydrogen bonds (H-bonds) through the dual amide motifs in the side chain, allowing the polymer to exhibit gelation behavior and an upper critical solution temperature (UCST) property. These features make PNAGA a candidate platform for biomedical devices. However, most applications focused on PNAGA hydrogels, while few focused on PNAGA nanoparticles.

Genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening in nasopharyngeal carcinoma for radiosensitive and radioresistant genes.

Background: Genome-scale CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screening may provide new insights into the mechanism underlying clinical radioresistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which is remain largely unknown. Our objective was to screen the functional genes associated with radiosensitivity and radioresistance in NPC, laying a foundation for further research on its functional mechanismand.

Methods: CRISPR-Cas9 library lentivirus screening in radiation-treated NPC cells was combined with second-generation sequence technology to identify functional genes, which were further validated in radioresistant NPC cells and patient tissues.

Metformin use and hospital attendance-related resources utilization among diabetic patients with prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy: A population-based cohort study.

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), used increasingly in the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa), negatively influences glycemic control in diabetes and is associated with an increased risk of diabetes complications where hospitalization commonly ensues. Metformin could decrease the metabolic consequences of ADT and enhance its effect. This study examined the association of metformin use with healthcare resources utilization among diabetic, PCa patients receiving ADT.

Prognostic nomogram for cancer-specific survival in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma after hepatectomy: A population study of 919 patients.

Background And Aims: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma has an increasing global incidence and mortality rate. Hepatectomy is still the most effective curative treatment for patients with ICC, but the prognosis of patients with ICC is still poor even after curative resection. This study aimed to incorporate important factors obtained from SEER database to construct and validate a nomogram for predicting the cancer-specific survival of patients with ICC after hepatectomy.

Engineered Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Overexpressing RXFP1 via CRISPR Activation Ameliorate Erectile Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats.

Due to the high incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and poor response to the first-line treatment of DM-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED), new therapeutic strategies for DMED are needed. Adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) transplantation is considered a promising treatment modality for DMED but is limited by poor survival and efficacy after transplantation. In this study, we aimed to increase the therapeutic effect of DMED by overexpressing the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) using a clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats activation (CRISPRa) system in ADSCs.

Application of intelligent X-ray image analysis in risk assessment of osteoporotic fracture of femoral neck in the elderly.

The paper focuses on establishing a risk assessment model of femoral neck osteoporotic fracture (FNOF) in the elderly population and improving the screening efficiency and accuracy of such diseases in specific populations. In literature research, the main risk factors of femoral neck osteoporosis (FNOP) in the elderly were studied and analyzed; the femur region of interest (ROI) and the hard bone edge segmentation model were selected from the X-ray digital image by using the image depth learning method. On this basis, the femoral trabecular score and femoral neck strength (FNS) in the set region were selected as the main evaluation elements, and the quantitative analysis method was established; an X-ray image processing method was applied to the feasibility study of FNOP and compared with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements of bone mineral density; Finally, the main risk factors of FNOP were selected and the prediction model of FNOP in the elderly population was established based on medical image processing, machine learning model construction and other methods.

Two birds with one stone: An enzyme-regulated ratiometric fluorescent and photothermal dual-mode probe for organophosphorus pesticide detection.

In this study, based on the oxidase activity and photothermal effect of manganese dioxide nanosheets (MnO NSs), with thiamine (TH) as the fluorescence response signal and tris (2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium (II) hexahydrate as the reference signal, an enzyme-regulated ratiometric fluorescence and photothermal dual-mode probe was constructed for the quantitative detection of organophosphorus pesticide (OPs) residues. OPs reduced the production of the reductive product thiocholine by inhibiting the activity of acetylcholinesterase, thereby regulating the residual amount of MnO NSs. With the increase of OPs concentration, the color of the probe solution gradually transitioned from red to blue, and the temperature gradually increased.

Broadband light management in hydrogel glass for energy efficient windows.

Windows are critically important components in building envelopes that have a significant effect on the integral energy budget. For energy saving, here we propose a novel design of hydrogel-glass which consists of a layer of hydrogel and a layer of normal glass. Compared with traditional glass, the hydrogel-glass possesses a higher level of visible light transmission, stronger near-infrared light blocking, and higher mid-infrared thermal emittance.

Non-contact optical characterization of negative pressure in hydrogel voids and microchannels.

Negative pressure in water under tension, as a thermodynamic non-equilibrium state, has facilitated the emergence of innovative technologies on microfluidics, desalination, and thermal management. However, the lack of a simple and accurate method to measure negative pressure hinders further in-depth understanding of the properties of water in such a state. In this work, we propose a non-contact optical method to quantify the negative pressure in micron-sized water voids of a hydrogel film based on the microscale mechanical deformation of the hydrogel itself.

Highly Selective Monomethylation of Amines with CO /H via Ag/Al O as a Catalyst.

The selective synthesis of monomethylated amines with CO is particularly challenging because the formation of tertiary amines is thermodynamically more favorable. Herein, a new strategy for the controllable synthesis of N-monomethylated amines from primary amines and CO /H is explored. First-principle calculations reveal that the dissociation of H via an heterolytic route reduces the reactivity of methylated amines and thus inhibit successive methylation.

Capturing the impact of oral processing behavior and bolus formation on the dynamic sensory perception and composition of steamed sturgeon meat.

The effect of oral processing on flavor release and change in composition of steamed sturgeon meat was investigated. Oral processing caused changes in the concentrations of taste compounds including amino acids, 5'-nucleotides, organic acids, and Na. Sensory omics demonstrated that the concentrations of 12 volatile compounds increased significantly ( < 0.

HbA1c Variability and Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Prostate Cancer Receiving Androgen Deprivation Therapy.

Background: Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) worsens glycaemic control and cardiovascular outcomes. The prognostic value of visit-to-visit HbA1c variability (VVHV) has been unexplored in prostate cancer (PCa) patients receiving ADT.

Objective: To explore the effect of ADT on VVHV and the cardiovascular prognostic value of VVHV.

5-Methoxyflavone ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease through targeting the cytochrome P450 1A1.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent liver disease that is closely related to obesity and metabolic disorders. 5-methoxyflavone (5-MF) is a flavonoid with DNA polymerase-β inhibitory properties. In this study, we explored the effects of 5-MF on NAFLD and its potential mechanisms using oleic acid/palmitic acid-treated HepG2 cells and high-fat diet-fed C57BL/6J mice.

Subsurface Engineering Induced Fermi Level De-pinning in Metal Oxide Semiconductors for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising approach for renewable solar light conversion. However, surface Fermi level pinning (FLP), caused by surface trap states, severely restricts the PEC activities. Theoretical calculations indicate subsurface oxygen vacancy (sub-O ) could release the FLP and retain the active structure.

Concomitant Bladder Tumor Is a Risk Factor for Bladder Recurrence but Not Upper Tract.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of UTUC patients with or without concurrent bladder tumor.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The Clinical Research Office of the Endourology Society-Urothelial Carcinomas of the Upper Tract (CROES-UTUC) Registry included 1134 UTUC patients with or without concurrent bladder tumor treated between 2014 and 2019.

Results: In 218 (19.

Novel Peptide from the Hydrolysate of Hybrid Sturgeon () Spinal Cord: Isolation, Identification, and Anti-proliferative Effects in Human Cervix Cancer Cells.

Anti-proliferative peptides have recently attracted attention for their excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility. In this paper, five novel anti-proliferative peptides were identified from the hydrolysate of hybrid sturgeon spinal cord (HSSC). In addition, the structure-activity relationship of the novel anti-proliferative peptides was explored.

Flavor formation analysis based on sensory profiles and lipidomics of unrinsed mixed sturgeon surimi gels.

New insights revealing the flavor formation of unrinsed mixed sturgeon surimi with chicken breast were evaluated. Seventy-two volatile compounds were identified by gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry among the 11 surimi sample groups. The addition of 40% chicken breast caused changes in the concentrations of amino acids, 5'-nucleotides, and organic acids.

Boosting Nitrogen Activation Ag Nanoneedle Arrays for Efficient Ammonia Synthesis.

Electrocatalytic N reduction reaction (eNRR) provides a promising carbon-neutral and sustainable ammonia-synthesizing alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. However, the nonpolar N has significant thermodynamic stability and requires ultrahigh energy to break down the N≡N bond. Here, we report the construction of local enhanced electric fields (LEEFs) by Ag nanoneedle arrays to promote N≡N fracture thus assisting the eNRR.

SCARA5 induced ferroptosis to effect ESCC proliferation and metastasis by combining with Ferritin light chain.

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains one of the most lethal cancers worldwide accompany with an extremely poor prognosis. Therefore, this study aims to screen for new molecules affecting ESCC and explore their mechanisms of action to provide ideas for targeted therapies for ESCC.

Methods: Firstly, we screened out the membrane protein SCARA5 by high-throughput sequencing of the ESCC patient tissues, and RT-qPCR and WB were used to verify the differential expression of SCARA5 in esophageal cell lines, and IHC analyzed the expression localization of SCARA5 in ESCC tissue.