Catalytic pyrolysis and carbonization of walnut shells: poly-generation and enhanced electrochemical performance of carbons.

In this study, walnut shell (WS) was used as feedstock, incorporating lithium carbonate (LC), sodium carbonate (SC), potassium carbonate (PC), and potassium hydroxide (PH) as pyrolysis catalysts and carbonization activators. A one-step method that allows catalytic pyrolysis and carbonization to be carried out consecutively under their respective optimal conditions is employed, enabling the concurrent production of high-quality pyrolysis oil, pyrolysis gas, and carbon materials from biomass conversion. The effects of LC, SC, PC, and PH on the yield and properties of products derived from WS pyrolysis as well as on the properties and performance of the resulting carbon materials were examined.

Bimetal doped Cu-Fe-ZIF-8/g-CN nanocomposites for the adsorption of tetracycline hydrochloride from water.

Bimetal doped Cu-Fe-zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8)/graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) (Cu-Fe-ZIF-8/GCN) nanocomposites were prepared one-pot and ion-exchange methods. The main influencing factors, such as adsorbent concentration, TC concentration, initial pH, and coexisting ions, were evaluated in detail. Due to the suitable pore structures and the presence of multiple interactions on the surface, the nanocomposite showed a high adsorption capacity up to 932 mg g for tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), outperforming ZIF-8 by 4.

Quantifying the direct and indirect impacts of urban waterlogging using input‒output analysis.

Increasingly frequent urban waterlogging disasters are having profound social and economic consequences. An appropriate and integrated evaluation of the total economic impacts of such disasters is crucial for achieving effective urban disaster risk management and sustainable development. However, existing metrics are inadequate for measuring the economic impacts of rainfall events of different intensities and their ripple effects across regions.

Early left ventricular microvascular dysfunction in diabetic pigs: a longitudinal quantitative myocardial perfusion CMR study.

Background: Microvascular pathology is one of the main characteristics of diabetic cardiomyopathy; however, the early longitudinal course of diabetic microvascular dysfunction remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the early dynamic changes in left ventricular (LV) microvascular function in diabetic pig model using the cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-derived quantitative perfusion technique.

Methods: Twelve pigs with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) were included in this study, and longitudinal CMR scanning was performed before and 2, 6, 10, and 16 months after diabetic modeling.

Cardiovascular indicators associated with ventricular remodeling in chronic high-altitude disease: a cardiovascular MRI study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess biventricular function and mechanics in patients with the chronic high-altitude disease (CHAD) using cardiovascular MRI and explore the possible risk factors associated with ventricular remodeling.

Methods: In this prospective study, consecutive CHAD patients and healthy controls at high-altitude (HA) and at sea level (SL) underwent cardiovascular MRI. Right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) function and global strain parameters were compared.

[Application of Deep Learning Reconstruction Algorithm in Low-Dose Thin-Slice Liver CT of Healthy Volunteers].

Objective: To explore the clinical feasibility of applying deep learning (DL) reconstruction algorithm in low-dose thin-slice liver CT examination of healthy volunteers by comparing the reconstruction algorithm based on DL, filtered back projection (FBP) reconstruction algorithm and iterative reconstruction (IR) algorithm.

Methods: A standard water phantom with a diameter of 180 mm was scanned, using the 160 slice multi-detector CT scanning of United Imaging Healthcare, to compare the noise power spectrums of DL, FBP and IR algorithms. 100 healthy volunteers were prospectively enrolled, with 50 assigned to the normal dose group (ND) and 50 to the low dose group (LD).

[The Application Value of Artificial Intelligence-based Filtering and Interpolated Image Reconstruction Algorithm in Abdominal Magnetic Resonance Image Denoising].

Objective: To compare the noise reduction performance of conventional filtering and artificial intelligence-based filtering and interpolation (AIFI) and to explore for optimal parameters of applying AIFI in the noise reduction of abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: Sixty patients who underwent upper abdominal MRI examination in our hospital were retrospectively included. The raw data of T1-weighted image (T1WI), T2-weighted image (T2WI), and dualecho sequences were reconstructed with two image denoising techniques, conventional filtering and AIFI of different levels of intensity.

[Noise Reduction Effect of Deep-learning-based Image Reconstruction Algorithms in Thin-section Chest CT].

Objective: To evaluate the noise reduction effect of deep learning-based reconstruction algorithms in thin-section chest CT images by analyzing images reconstructed with filtered back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR), and deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) algorithms.

Methods: The chest CT scan raw data of 47 patients were included in this study. Images of 0.

[Application of 3.0T Time-of-flight Magnetic Resonance Angiography with Sparse Undersampling and Iterative Reconstruction in the Diagnosis of Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of 3.0T time-of-flight MR angiography with sparse undersampling and iterative reconstruction (TOFu-MRA) for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) on the basis of using digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the reference standard.

Methods: A total of 65 patients with suspected UIAs were prospectively enrolled and all patients underwent TOFu-MRA and DSA.

Deep learning trained algorithm maintains the quality of half-dose contrast-enhanced liver computed tomography images: Comparison with hybrid iterative reconstruction: Study for the application of deep learning noise reduction technology in low dose.

Purpose: This study compares the image and diagnostic qualities of a DEep Learning Trained Algorithm (DELTA) for half-dose contrast-enhanced liver computed tomography (CT) with those of a commercial hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) method used for standard-dose CT (SDCT).

Methods: This study enrolled 207 adults, and they were divided into two groups: SDCT and low-dose CT (LDCT). SDCT was reconstructed using the HIR method (SDCT), and LDCT was reconstructed using both the HIR method (LDCT) and DELTA (LDCT).

Myocardial perfusion assessment in the infarct core and penumbra zones in an in-vivo porcine model of the acute, sub-acute, and chronic infarction.

Objectives: To assess the longitudinal changes of microvascular function in different myocardial regions after myocardial infarction (MI) using myocardial blood flow derived by dynamic CT perfusion (CTP-MBF), and compare CTP-MBF with the results of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and histopathology.

Methods: The CTP scanning was performed in a MI porcine model 1 day (n = 15), 7 days (n = 10), and 3 months (n = 5) following induction surgery. CTP-MBF was measured in the infarcted myocardium, penumbra, and remote myocardium, respectively.

Radiation doses in CT examinations from the West China Hospital, Sichuan University and setting local diagnostic references levels.

Background: Our study aims to summarize the data of radiation doses collected from consecutive CT examinations by using the Radiometrics software and contributing to the establishment of the region's diagnostic reference levels (DRLs).

Methods: The radiation doses in 158,463 CT examinations performed on 106,275 adults between April 2017 and April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The median value and interquartile range (IQR) of volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol), dose-length product (DLP), effective dose (ED), and size-specific dose estimate (SSDE) were calculated according to the scanning region.

[The Application Value of One-stop CT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging in the Evaluation of Patients with Severe Coronary Artery Stenosis].

Purpose "One-stop" CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CT-MPI) was compared with cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR) to investigate its application value in evaluating patients with severe coronary artery stenosis.Fifty patients with coronary artery stenosis≥90% of at least one major coronary arteries comfirmed by coronary angiography (CAG) in the department of cardiology in our hospital, who referred for coronary artery stent implantation were prospectively enrolled. All the patients underwent "One-stop" CT-MPI within a week before surgery, among which 22 patients underwent CMR examination simultaneously.

Achieving Low Radiation Dose in "One-Stop" Myocardial Computed Tomography Perfusion Imaging in Coronary Artery Disease Using 16-cm Wide Detector CT.

Rationale And Objectives: To investigate the feasibility of "one-stop" myocardial computed tomography perfusion (CTP) imaging (combined anatomy, perfusion, and function) in coronary artery disease using 16-cm wide detector CT, compared to conventional coronary CT angiography (CCTA).

Materials And Methods: 442 patients with suspected coronary artery disease were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in group A underwent "one-stop" CTP, whereas group B underwent conventional CCTA.

[Automated Estimation of Stenosis Severity in Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography].

Objective: To determine the value of automated detection in computed tomography angiography (CTA) for cases with greater than 70% coronary stenosis.

Methods: Fifty-seven patients who had both coronary CTA and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were retrospectively recruited in this study. The patients were categorized into two groups using a cutoff value of 70% stenosis in DSA.

An integrative bioinformatics analysis of microarray data for identifying hub genes as diagnostic biomarkers of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a disorder of pregnancy that is characterised by hypertension and a significant amount of proteinuria beginning after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It is closely associated with high maternal morbidity, mortality, maternal organ dysfunction or foetal growth restriction. Therefore, it is necessary to identify early and novel diagnostic biomarkers of PE.

[Comparison of MR Perfusion Weighted Imaging and CT Perfusion Imaging in Assessing Hemodynamics of Patients with Moyamoya Disease].

Objective: To determine consistencies between MR perfusion weighted imaging (PW-MRI) and CT perfusion imaging (CTP) in assessing hemodynamics of patients with moyamoya disease (MMD).

Methods: Images of PWI and CTP scan [including the map of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), time to peak (TTP), and mean transmit time (MTT)] of 24 MMD patients diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography(DSA) or time of flight-MR angiography (TOF-MRA) were obtained in the week before vascular reconstruction operations. Relative perfusion parameters (rCBF, rCBV, rMTT, rTTP) at the operative side within the middle cerebral artery territory and cerebellar hemisphere were compared with those of 17 patients without hypoperfusion and cerebrovascular disease using independent sample test.

Comparative study of MR mTI-ASL and DSC-PWI in evaluating cerebral hemodynamics of patients with Moyamoya disease.

The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between multi-inversion time arterial spin labeling (mTI-ASL) and dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging (DSC-PWI) in assessment of hemodynamics of patients with Moyamoya disease (MMD).In this study, 24 MMD patients and 21 healthy subjects were enrolled between June 2017 and December 2017. The images of mTI-ASL and DSC-PWI in the week before revascularization surgery were retrospectively analyzed.

Readout-segmented echo-planar diffusion-weighted MR for the evaluation of aggressive characteristics of rectal cancer.

To evaluate whether aggressive characteristics of rectal cancer can be predicted by the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) obtained using readout-segmented echo-planar imaging (rs-EPI) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance. We enrolled one hundred and fifteen patients. The image quality of ADC maps by rs-EPI was compared with that by traditional single-shot echo-planar imaging (ss-EPI), and ADC measurement was performed on the rs-EPI based ADC maps.

Assessment of right ventricular dysfunction in end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance haemodialysis by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: To assess right ventricular (RV) dysfunction in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance haemodialysis (HD) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and determined the risk factors associated with RV dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: Fifty ESRD patients on maintenance HD and 16 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals were prospectively enrolled and underwent CMR imaging. Left ventricular (LV) and RV function parameters, including end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV) and ejection fraction (EF), were measured and compared.

A new strategy for identification of highly conserved microRNAs in non-model insect, Spodoptera litura.

The indigenous small non-coding RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), are important regulators of gene expression and many of them are evolutionarily conserved. Whether stem-loop RT-PCR, as a sensitive method, could be utilized to clone conserved miRNAs from non-model insects lacks information. Here, three miRNAs, sli-miR-14, sli-miR-2a and sli-bantam, were cloned from Spodoptera litura by stem-loop RT-PCR.

Humidity-induced spectral shift in a cross-dispersion echelle spectrometer and its theoretical investigation.

The relationship between ambient relative humidity H and the position shift of a spectral line was investigated both experimentally and theoretically. An echelle-based ICP emission spectrometer equipped with a CID detector was used for experimental verification of the derived model. The shift of a spectral line is quantitatively described by two defined spectral shift functions: delta lambda x(x, lamda, H) (in the x direction of the CID detector) and delta lambda y(y, lambda, H) (in the y direction of the CID detector).

[Progress in atomic spectrochemical analysis and its application].

The present review covers the latest progress in instruments and methodology of analytical atomic spectrometry in the areas, such as atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), atomic emission spectrometry (AES), atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), laser induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) and atomic mass spectrometry (AMS). The emphasis has focused in the fields of food, medicine and their relevant. The Lab-on-chips and microplasmas are emerged in recent years, which have facilitated the development of miniaturization of analytical atomic instruments.

[Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography for screening antithrombin III gene mutation and polymorphisms in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis].

Objective: To identify antithrombin III (AT-III) gene mutation and polymorphisms in pregnant women and parturients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) using denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC).

Methods: The genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of 50 pregnant women and parturients with CVT and 52 matched healthy women for molecular analysis using a PCR/DHPLC assay followed by DNA sequence analysis. Ten primer pairs were designed for amplifying the AT- III promoter region and exons 1-6 including the exon/intron boundaries.

[Review of atomic spectroscopy].

The content of this review covers atomic absorption spectroscopy, atomic fluorescence spectroscopy, atomic emission spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, sampling systems and preconcentration systems of spectrochemical analysis, speciation of inorganic elements, process analytical chemistry, and sensors of inorganic elements.