Invasive alien plant biomass-derived hard carbon anode for sodium-ion batteries.

In the context of rampant growth of invasive plants, finding suitable ways for resource utilization has become the optimal choice for invasive plant management. In the field of energy storage, sodium-ion batteries have been limited by the lack of appropriate anode materials, and hard carbon stands out as the most promising candidate. Therefore, this study focuses on the preparation of biomass-derived carbons from three invasive plant species, namely Spartina alterniflora Loisel.

Endoscopic magnetic compression stricturoplasty for congenital esophageal stenosis: A case report.

Background: Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is a rare malformation of the digestive tract. Endoscopic dilation and thoracotomy have been the main treatments for CES. However, there is no well-defined management protocol.

Magnetic compression stricturoplasty in patients with severe stricture after simultaneous esophageal atresia and duodenal obstruction repair: A case report.

Combined esophageal atresia (EA), tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) and duodenal obstruction result in various challenges in management, and a well-defined management protocol is still lacking. Esophageal stricture is the most common complication after EA repair. The use of magnetic compression alimentary tract anastomosis has been reported in children.

[Characteristics of Ozone and Source Apportionment of the Precursor VOCs in Tianjin Suburbs in Summer].

From June to August 2018, a 1-hr resolution concentration dataset of ozone and its gaseous precursors (volatile organic compounds(VOCs) and NO), and meteorological parameters were synchronously monitored by online instruments of the Nankai University Air Quality Research Supersite. The relationships and variation characteristics between ozone and its precursors were analyzed. According to the photochemical age, the initial concentrations of VOCs were calculated, and the photochemical loss of the concentration of VOCs during the daytime (06:00-24:00) was corrected.

Magnetic compression anastomosis for rectal atresia following necrotizing enterocolitis: A case report.

Rationale: Rectal atresia caused by necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious and rare complication in children. Magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) has been effectively applied in children with congenital oesophageal atresia and biliary atresia. Herein, we reported a case of successfully application of MCA in an infant with rectal atresia following NEC.

Magnetic compression for anastomosis in treating an infant born with long-gap oesophageal atresia: A case report.

Rationale: Neonatal long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an uncommon but serious congenital malformation of the esophagus in newborns, and it remains challenging for pediatric surgeons. Magnetic compress has been shown to be effective for the treatment of LGEA in children and adults. However, the implementation of this unique technique for neonatal LGEA has not been evaluated.

Fast and Effective Nonsuture Anastomosis of Magnetic Artificial Blood Vessel Transplantation for Caval Reconstruction in Canines.

Background: The resection and reconstruction of the vena cava is frequently needed in tumor resection. The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance of the magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) device for fast nonsuture anastomosis of caval reconstruction with artificial blood vessel transplantation after resection in canines.

Methods: The MCA device consisted of paired neodymium-ferrum-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnetic rings that were coated with titanium nitride and embedded in a polypropylene shell.

The role of oxytocin on self-serving lying.

Introduction: The effects of intranasal administration of the neuropeptide oxytocin on social cognition and behavior are highly specific. Potentially situational and personal variables influence these effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of oxytocin administration on self-serving lying, including situational effects.

Oxytocin amplifies sex differences in human mate choice.

Infidelity is the major cause of breakups and individuals with a history of infidelity are more likely to repeat it, but may also present a greater opportunity for short-term sexual relationships. Here in a pre-registered, double-blind study involving 160 subjects we report that while both sexes valued faithful individuals most for short-term and long-term relationships, both single men and those in a relationship were more interested in having short-term relationships with previously unfaithful individuals than women. Oxytocin administration resulted in men rating the faces of unfaithful women as more attractive and likeable but in women rating those of unfaithful men as less attractive and also finding them less memorable.

Oxytocin modulation of self-referential processing is partly replicable and sensitive to oxytocin receptor genotype.

Intranasal oxytocin (OXT) has been associated with effects on diverse social-emotional domains in humans, however progress towards a therapeutic application of OXT in disorders with social-emotion impairments is currently hampered by poor replicability. Limited statistical power and individual differences in biological factors, such as oxytocin receptor (OXTR) genetics, may have contributed to these variable findings. To this end, employing a validated oxytocin-sensitive trait judgment paradigm, we present a pharmaco-genetic study aiming at (1) replicating previous findings suggesting that intranasal oxytocin (24 IU) reduces the self-referential bias in a large sample of n = 170 male subjects, (2) determining whether variations in common receptor polymorphisms (rs237887, rs2268491, rs2254298, rs53576, rs2268498) influence sensitivity to oxytocin's behavioral effects.

The COMT Val158Met Polymorphism and Reaction to a Transgression: Findings of Genetic Associations in Both Chinese and German Samples.

After a transgression, people often either tend to avoid the transgressor or seek revenge. These tendencies can be investigated via a trait approach and surprisingly little is known about their biological underpinnings. One promising candidate gene polymorphism, which may influence individual differences in avoidance of a transgressor and vengefulness, is the COMT Val158Met (rs4680) polymorphism known to affect dopaminergic signaling and among others brain activity in situations in which people punish others for their behavior.

Sex- and context-dependent effects of oxytocin on social sharing.

We interact socially and form bonds with others because such experiences are rewarding. However, an insecure attachment style or social anxiety can reduce these rewarding effects. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) may facilitate social interactions either by increasing their rewarding experience or by attenuating anxiety, although effects can be sex- and attachment-style dependent.

The Role of Empathy and Life Satisfaction in Internet and Smartphone Use Disorder.

Recent studies have yielded initial evidence for an association between Internet Use Disorder (IUD), empathy, and life satisfaction. In the present study we sought to replicate these previous findings, and then to extend this research by also examining the relationship between empathy, life satisfaction, and the related phenomenon of Smartphone Use Disorder (SUD). The present study included independent samples from China ( = 612, 162 females) and Germany ( = 304, 207 females), with the same set of questionnaires administered to both samples.

Oxytocin biases men to be more or less tolerant of others' dislike dependent upon their relationship status.

Unlabelled: The experience of being liked or disliked by others strongly influences our liking for and willingness to socialize with them. The neuropeptide oxytocin is involved in social bonding and can modify social preferences for others dependent upon their characteristics. However, it is unclear whether oxytocin affects individuals' reactions to social evaluations made by others (i.

A functional polymorphism of the OXTR gene is associated with autistic traits in Caucasian and Asian populations.

There is increasing evidence for associations between polymorphisms of the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene and autism spectrum disorder, but to date no study has established links with autistic traits in healthy subjects and potential cultural differences. The present research firstly investigated associations between three widely studied OXTR SNPs and autistic and empathic traits (rs53576 (G/A); rs2254298 (G/A); rs2268498 (T/C)) in two independent studies on male and female Caucasian (n = 537) and Chinese students (n = 280). Autistic and empathic traits were measured in all subjects in the two independent groups using the Autism -Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) respectively, together with their sub-scales.

Oxytocin facilitation of acceptance of social advice is dependent upon the perceived trustworthiness of individual advisors.

The neuropeptide oxytocin may increase social cohesion by making us more willing to trust others and/or to conform to their opinions. Here we investigated whether intranasal oxytocin can influence acceptance of advice given on solving everyday social problems by either individual expert (psychologist) or non-expert advisors with or without influencing their perceived likeability or trustworthiness. In a double-blind, between-subject, placebo-control design study in 160 male and female subjects, intranasal oxytocin (24IU) only significantly enhanced acceptance of advice given by female psychologists who were rated as the most trustworthy advisors.

Oxytocin biases men but not women to restore social connections with individuals who socially exclude them.

We normally react to individuals who exclude us socially by either avoiding them or increasing our attempts to interact with them. The neuropeptide oxytocin can promote social bonds and reduce social conflict and we therefore investigated whether it facilitates more positive social responses towards individuals who exclude or include us. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-subject design 77 healthy Chinese male and female participants received intranasal oxytocin (40 IU) or placebo before playing a modified virtual ball-tossing game with three fictitious partners who either showed exclusion, inclusion or neutral behavioral interactions with them.

Gait Influence Diagrams in Parkinson's Disease.

Previous studies have shown that gait patterns differ between Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and controls. However, almost all these studies focused only on univariate time series of a single variable. This approach cannot reveal detailed information of foot loading dynamics and the cooperative relationships of different anatomical plantar foot areas when the subjects walk.

RETRACTED: A new technique for extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy).

An application research on a novel internal grasper platform and magnetic anchoring guide system (MAGS) in laparoscopic surgery.

Background: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery attempt to reduce transabdominal port sites. These require all instruments to pass through a single access point, leading to instruments collide or work at unfamiliar angles. Thus, we designed an internal grasper under magnetic anchoring guide system (MAGS) platform and investigated its utility and operability.

[The development of the system of blood flow block by using magnetic compression abdominal large vascular].

A new system of blood flow block for control of bleeding in abdominal operation is composed of an abdominal magnetic blocking unit, an abdominal external electromagnet unit and other non-magnetic operation instrument. The abdominal external electromagnetic unit is placed in advance in the operation bed. The abdominal magnetic blocking unit can be placed directly on the ventral of the large vessels when need to blocking the abdominal large vessels during the operation.