Nanofiltration Membranes for Efficient Lithium Extraction from Salt-Lake Brine: A Critical Review.

The global transition to clean energy technologies has escalated the demand for lithium (Li), a critical component in rechargeable Li-ion batteries, highlighting the urgent need for efficient and sustainable Li extraction methods. Nanofiltration (NF)-based separations have emerged as a promising solution, offering selective separation capabilities that could advance resource extraction and recovery. However, an NF-based lithium extraction process differs significantly from conventional water treatment, necessitating a paradigm shift in membrane materials design, performance evaluation metrics, and process optimization.

Exploring artificial intelligence for differentiating early syphilis from other skin lesions: a pilot study.

Background: Early diagnosis of syphilis is vital for its effective control. This study aimed to develop an Artificial Intelligence (AI) diagnostic model based on radiomics technology to distinguish early syphilis from other clinical skin lesions.

Methods: The study collected 260 images of skin lesions caused by various skin infections, including 115 syphilis and 145 other infection types.

Identification of bacterial communities associated with needle mushroom () and its production environment.

is an important edible and medicinal mushroom widely cultivated in East Asia, with its quality and health strongly influenced by associated microbial communities. However, limited data exist on the bacterial communities associated with cultivation in Chinese farms. This study investigated bacterial communities associated with and its production environment using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and culture-dependent methods.

Laser Synthesis and Photocatalytic Properties of Bismuth Oxyhalides Nanoparticles.

Photocatalysis offers a powerful approach for water purification from toxic organics, hydrogen production, biosolids processing, and the conversion of CO into useful products. Further advancements in photocatalytic technologies depend on the development of novel, highly efficient catalysts and optimized synthesis methods. This study aimed to develop a laser synthesis technique for bismuth oxyhalide nanoparticles (NPs) as efficient and multifunctional photocatalysts.

Comparing the impact of sexualised drug use with and without chemsex on sexual behaviours among men who have sex with men in China: a national multi-site cross-sectional study.

Background Sexualised drug use (SDU) is common in men who have sex with men (MSM). Chemsex, a form of psychoactive SDU, is a strong risk factor for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We investigated the associations of SDU and chemsex with the sexual behaviours in Chinese MSM.

Association between triglyceride-glucose index and risk of kidney stone: a Chinese population-based case-control study.

Objective: To investigate the association between the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, a surrogate marker of insulin resistance and the risk of kidney stones (KSs) in a Chinese population.

Design: Case-control study.

Setting: Three Physical Examination Centers in Shanghai, China, between January 2020 and December 2022.

Predictors of early neurological deterioration in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Background: The present study aimed to develop a reliable and straightforward Nomogram by integrating various parameters to accurately predict the likelihood of early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: Acute ischemic stroke patients from Shaoxing People's Hospital, Shanghai Yangpu District Shidong Hospital, and Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital were recruited based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. The primary outcome was END.

Relationship between the atherogenic index of plasma and the prevalence of kidney stones: insights from a population-based cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate the association between atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and kidney stones (KS) occurrence and recurrence.

Methods: Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2014. Non-pregnant adults who provided complete information on AIP and KS were included in the analyses.

Framework Development for Reducing Attrition in Digital Dietary Interventions: Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis.

Background: Dietary behaviors significantly influence health outcomes across populations. Unhealthy diets are linked to serious diseases and substantial economic burdens, contributing to approximately 11 million deaths and significant disability-adjusted life years annually. Digital dietary interventions offer accessible solutions to improve dietary behaviors.

Relationship between changes in the triglyceride glucose-body mass index and frail development trajectory and incidence in middle-aged and elderly individuals: a national cohort study.

Background: Insulin resistance is linked to an increased risk of frailty, yet the comprehensive relationship between the triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI), which reflects weight, and frailty, remains unclear. This relationship is investigated in this study.

Methods: Data from 9135 participants in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011-2020) were analysed.

Predictive value of D-dimer to albumin ratio for severe illness and mortality in patients with COVID-19.

Objective: Although the impact of the variants of COVID-19 on the general population is diminishing, there is still a certain mortality rate for severe and critically ill patients, especially for the elderly with comorbidities. The present study investigated whether the D-dimer to albumin ratio (DAR) can predict the severity of illness and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: A total of 1,993 patients with COVID-19 were retrospectively reviewed and the association of DAR with severe or critical illness or death during hospitalization was analyzed.

Preparation and Performance Evaluation of a New Type of Polyethylene-vinyl Acetate/Polystyrene Microsphere Composite Pour Point Depressant for Waxy Crude Oil.

Polymer/inorganic nanocomposite pour point depressant (PPD) is a research hotspot in the field of waxy crude oil pipelining. However, the inorganic nanoparticles need to be organically modified to improve their organic compatibility, and the inorganic nanoparticles are harmful to crude oil refining. In this work, organic PSMS with an average size of 1.

Enhancing Photocathodic Performances of Particulate-CuGaS-Based Photoelectrodes via Conjugation with Conductive Organic Polymers for Efficient Solar-Driven Hydrogen Production and CO Reduction.

Modification with conductive organic polymers consisting of a thiophane- or pyrrole-based backbone improved the cathodic photocurrent of a particulate-CuGaS-based photoelectrode under simulated solar light. Among these polymers, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) was the most effective in the improvements, providing a photocurrent 670 times as high as that of the bare photocathode. An incident-photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) for water reduction to form H under monochromatic light irradiation (450 nm at 0 V vs RHE) was ca.

Incidence distributions, risk factors and trends of vaginal cancer: A global population-based study.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the incidence, risk factors and trends for vaginal cancer.

Design: Retrospective observational design.

Setting: Data were collected from multiple sources, including the Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus, Global Burden of Disease, World Bank and the United Nations.

Global burden, risk factors, and temporal trends of ureteral cancer: a comprehensive analysis of cancer registries.

Background: Ureteral cancer is a rare cancer. This study aimed to provide an up-to-date and comprehensive analysis on the global trends of ureteral cancer incidence and its association with lifestyle and metabolic risk factors.

Methods: The incidence of ureteral cancer was estimated from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus and Global Cancer Observatory databases.

RNA-seq-based transcriptome profiling of early fruit development in Chieh-qua and analysis of related transcription factors.

Chieh-qua (Benincasa hispida Cogn. var. Chieh-qua How.

Coal-based carbon nanosheets contained carbon microfibers modified with grown carbon nanotubes as efficient air electrode material for rechargeable zinc-air batteries.

Coal-based oxygen electrocatalysts hold immense promise for cost-effective applications in rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs) and the value-added, clean utilization of traditional coal resources. Herein, an electrospun membrane electrode comprising coal-derived carbon nanosheets and directly grown carbon nanotubes (CNS/CMF@CNT) was successfully synthesized. The hierarchical porous structure of the electrode, composed of multiple components, significantly facilitates mass and ion transportation, resulting in exceptional electrochemical performance.

Diamond with Sp-Sp composite phase for thermometry at Millikelvin temperatures.

Temperature is one of the seven fundamental physical quantities. The ability to measure temperatures approaching absolute zero has driven numerous advances in low-temperature physics and quantum physics. Currently, millikelvin temperatures and below are measured through the characterization of a certain thermal state of the system as there is no traditional thermometer capable of measuring temperatures at such low levels.