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Abstract Single atomic catalysts have shown great potential in efficiently electro‐converting O2 to H2O2 with high selectivity. However, the impact of coordination environment and introduction of extra metallic aggregates on catalytic performance still remains unclear. Herein, first a series of carbon‐based catalysts with embedded coupling Ni single atomic sites and corresponding metallic nanoparticles at adjacent geometry is synthesized. Careful performance evaluation reveals NiSA/NiNP‐NSCNT catalyst with precisely controlled active centers of synergetic adjacent Ni‐N4S single sites and crystalline Ni nanoparticles exhibits a high H2O2 selectivity over 92.7% within a wide potential range (maximum selectivity can reach 98.4%). Theoretical studies uncover that spatially coupling single atomic NiN4S sites with metallic Ni aggregates in close proximity can optimize the adsorption behavior of key intermediates *OOH to achieve a nearly ideal binding strength, which thus affording a kinetically favorable pathway for H2O2 production. This strategy of manipulating the interaction between single atoms and metallic aggregates offers a promising direction to design new high‐performance catalysts for practical H2O2 electrosynthesis.

Abstract Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly heterogeneous and lethal hepatobiliary tumor with few therapeutic strategies. The metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells plays an essential role in the development of tumors, while the metabolic molecular classification of iCCA is largely unknown. Here, we performed an integrated multiomics analysis and metabolic classification to depict differences in metabolic characteristics of iCCA patients, hoping to provide a novel perspective to understand and treat iCCA. Methods We performed integrated multiomics analysis in 116 iCCA samples, including whole‐exome sequencing, bulk RNA‐sequencing and proteome analysis. Based on the non‐negative matrix factorization method and the protein abundance of metabolic genes in human genome‐scale metabolic models, the metabolic subtype of iCCA was determined. Survival and prognostic gene analyses were used to compare overall survival (OS) differences between metabolic subtypes. Cell proliferation analysis, 5‐ethynyl‐2'‐deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, colony formation assay, RNA‐sequencing and Western blotting were performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms of diacylglycerol kinase α (DGKA) in iCCA cells. Results Three metabolic subtypes (S1‐S3) with subtype‐specific biomarkers of iCCA were identified. These metabolic subtypes presented with distinct prognoses, metabolic features, immune microenvironments, and genetic alterations. The S2 subtype with the worst survival showed the activation of some special metabolic processes, immune‐suppressed microenvironment and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)/AT‐rich interactive domain 1A (ARID1A) mutations. Among the S2 subtype‐specific upregulated proteins, DGKA was further identified as a potential drug target for iCCA, which promoted cell proliferation by enhancing phosphatidic acid (PA) metabolism and activating mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Conclusion Via multiomics analyses, we identified three metabolic subtypes of iCCA, revealing that the S2 subtype exhibited the poorest survival outcomes. We further identified DGKA as a potential target for the S2 subtype.

In order to consider the impact of source-load uncertainty on traditional power system planning methods, a medium- and long-term optimization planning method based on source-load uncertainty modeling and time-series production simulation is proposed. First, a new energy output probability model is developed using non-parametric kernel density estimation, and the spatial correlation of the new energy output is described using pair-copula theory to model the uncertainty analysis of the new energy output. Secondly, a large number of source-load scenarios are generated using the Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation method, and the optimal selection method for discrete state numbers is provided, and then the scenario reduction is carried out using the fast forward elimination technology. Finally, the typical time-series curves of the source-load uncertainty characteristics obtained are incorporated into the optimization planning method together with various flexible resources, such as the demand-side response and energy storage, and the rationality of the planning scheme is judged and optimized based on key indicators such as the cost, wind–light abandonment rate, and loss-of-load rate. Based on the above methods, this paper offers an example of the power supply planning scheme for a certain region in the next 30 years, providing effective guidance for the development of new energy in the region.

Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) is a biomedical plastic that can be used for orthopedic implants, but it offers poor antibacterial properties and bioactivity. In this study, PEEK was sulfonated with the obtained porous structure adsorbing graphene oxide (GO). The surface microstructures and properties of the original PEEK, sulfonated PEEK (SPEEK), and GO-grafted PEEK (GO-SPEEK) were characterized. The results revealed that the GO-SPEEK surface is a 3D porous structure exhibiting superior hydrophilicity to the original PEEK. Although SPEEK was shown to possess antimicrobial properties against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, the bactericidal effect was even more significant for GO-SPEEK, at about 86% and 94%, respectively. In addition, the in vitro simulated-body-fluid immersion and cell experiments indicated that GO-SPEEK had much better hydroxyapatite (HA)-precipitation induction capacity and cell–material interactions (e.g., cell adhesion, proliferation, osteodifferentiation, and extracellular matrix mineralization. The tensile test revealed that the mechanical properties of PEEK were maintained after surface modification, as GO-SPEEK has comparable values of elastic modulus and tensile strength to PEEK. Our investigation sought a method to simultaneously endow PEEK with both good antimicrobial properties and bioactivity as well as mechanical properties, providing a theoretical basis for developing high-performance orthopedic implants in the clinic.

Abstract Primary liver cancer (PLC) poses a leading threat to human health, and its treatment options are limited. Meanwhile, the investigation of homogeneity and heterogeneity among PLCs remains challenging. Here, using single-cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomic and bulk multi-omics, we elaborated a molecular architecture of 3 PLC types, namely hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHC). Taking a high-resolution perspective, our observations revealed that CHC cells exhibit internally discordant phenotypes, whereas ICC and HCC exhibit distinct tumor-specific features. Specifically, ICC was found to be the primary source of cancer-associated fibroblasts, while HCC exhibited disrupted metabolism and greater individual heterogeneity of T cells. We further revealed a diversity of intermediate-state cells residing in the tumor-peritumor junctional zone, including a congregation of CPE+ intermediate-state endothelial cells (ECs), which harbored the molecular characteristics of tumor-associated ECs and normal ECs. This architecture offers insights into molecular characteristics of PLC microenvironment, and hints that the tumor-peritumor junctional zone could serve as a targeted region for precise therapeutical strategies.

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an immunotherapy-resistant malignancy characterized by high cellular heterogeneity. The diversity of cell types and the interplay between tumor and non-tumor cells remain to be clarified. Single cell RNA sequencing of human and mouse HCC tumors revealed heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF). Cross-species analysis determined the prominent CD36+ CAFs exhibited high-level lipid metabolism and expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). Lineage-tracing assays showed CD36+CAFs were derived from hepatic stellate cells. Furthermore, CD36 mediated oxidized LDL uptake-dependent MIF expression via lipid peroxidation/p38/CEBPs axis in CD36+ CAFs, which recruited CD33+myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in MIF- and CD74-dependent manner. Co-implantation of CD36+ CAFs with HCC cells promotes HCC progression in vivo. Finally, CD36 inhibitor synergizes with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by restoring antitumor T-cell responses in HCC. Our work underscores the importance of elucidating the function of specific CAF subset in understanding the interplay between the tumor microenvironment and immune system.

Abstract Background Sirtuins (SIRTs) have key roles in cancer progression. However, the prognostic implications of SIRTs in breast cancer (BC) remains a subject of debate and controversy. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to identify the precise prognostic value of SIRTs in BC patients. Methods Systematic literature searching was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the association of SIRTs expression and survival outcomes in BC patients. Results A total of 22 original studies with 6317 patients were eligible for this meta-analysis. The results showed that in patients with BC, elevated SIRTs levels were associated with shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) both in univariate (HR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.21–2.00; HR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.32–2.12, respectively) and multivariate analysis models (HR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.48–3.00; HR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.20–2.39, respectively). Notably, further subgroup analysis revealed that overexpression of SIRT1 and SIRT6 predicted poor OS (HR = 2.65, 95% CI 1.54–4.56; HR = 2.53, 95% CI 1.64–3.90, respectively) and DFS (HR = 1.65, 95% CI 1.07–2.56; HR = 2.74; 95% CI 1.88–4.01, respectively) in BC. Conclusions Our data has elucidated that SIRT1 and SIRT6 could serve as prognostic biomarkers for patients with BC and may contribute to refined patient management.

IntroductionReceptor-like cytoplastic kinases (RLCKs) are known in many plants to be involved in various processes of plant growth and development and regulate plant immunity to pathogen infection. Environmental stimuli such as pathogen infection and drought restrict the crop yield and interfere with plant growth. However, the function of RLCKs in sugarcane remains unclear.Methods and resultsIn this study, a member of the RLCK VII subfamily, ScRIPK, was identified in sugarcane based on sequence similarity to the rice and Arabidopsis RLCKs. ScRIPK was localized to the plasma membrane, as predicted, and the expression of ScRIPK was responsive to polyethylene glycol treatment and Fusarium sacchari infection. Overexpression of ScRIPK in Arabidopsis enhanced drought tolerance and disease susceptibility of seedlings. Moreover, the crystal structure of the ScRIPK kinase domain (ScRIPK KD) and the mutant proteins (ScRIPK-KD K124R and ScRIPK-KD S253A|T254A) were characterized in order to determine the activation mechanism. We also identified ScRIN4 as the interacting protein of ScRIPK.DiscussionOur work identified a RLCK in sugarcane, providing a potential target for sugarcane responses to disease infection and drought, and a structural basis for kinase activation mechanisms.

Abstract Background The Debriefing Experience Scale (DES) is a tool that is used to explore nursing students’ subjective experiences during a debriefing and to help determine best debriefing practices. A Chinese version of the scale has not been found; its development can enhance learning in simulation activites in Chinese healthcare education programs. Methods A simplified Chinese version of the DES was developed and tested using 34 Chinese undergraduate (second year) nursing students. They participated in six simulation scenarios and debriefings. Eight experts were consulted to determine the content validity of the scale. Critical ratio method, Cronbach’s alpha, intraclass correlation coefficient, correlation coefficient and factor analysis were used in testing the psychometric properties of the scale. Results Analysis of 200 scales showed that the simplified Chinese version of the DES had good potential in discriminatiing Chinese nursing students’ experiences of debriefing. Conclusions The simplified Chinese DES was effective in evaluating the experience of debriefing. A larger sample size and multicenter research is needed to confirm these findings.

We studied the value of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in predicting early postoperative tumor recurrence and monitoring tumor burden in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Plasma‐free DNA, germline DNA, and tissue DNA were isolated from 41 patients with HCC. Serial ctDNAs were analyzed by next‐generation sequencing before and after operation. Whole‐exome sequencing was used to detect the DNA of HCC and adjacent tissues. In total, 47 gene mutations were identified in the ctDNA of the 41 patients analyzed before surgery. ctDNA was detected in 63.4% and 46% of the patient plasma pre‐ and postoperation, respectively. The preoperative ctDNA positivity rate was significantly lower in the nonrecurrence group than in the recurrence group. With a median follow‐up of 17.7 months, nine patients (22%) experienced tumor recurrence. ctDNA positivity at two time‐points was associated with significantly shorter recurrence‐free survival (RFS). Tumors with NRAS, NEF2L2, and MET mutations had significantly shorter times to recurrence than those without mutations and showed high recurrence prediction performance by machine learning. Multivariate analyses showed that the median variant allele frequency (VAF) of mutations in preoperative ctDNA was a strong independent predictor of RFS. ctDNA is a real‐time monitoring indicator that can accurately reflect tumor burden. The median VAF of baseline ctDNA is a strong independent predictor of RFS in individuals with HCC.

In 2018, Zhang et al. introduced the Persistent Fault Analysis (PFA) for the first time, which uses statistical features of ciphertexts caused by faulty Sbox to recover the key of block ciphers. However, for most of the variants of PFA, the prior knowledge of the fault (location and value) is required, where the corresponding analysis will get more difficult under the scenario of multiple faults. To bypass such perquisite and improve the analysis efficiency for multiple faults, we propose Chosen-Plaintext based Persistent Fault Analysis (CPPFA). CPPFA introduces chosen-plaintext to facilitate PFA and can reduce the key search space of AES-128 to extremely small. Our proposal requires 256 ciphertexts, while previous state-of-the-art work still requires 1509 and 1448 ciphertexts under 8 and 16 faults, respectively, at the only cost of requiring 256 chosen plaintexts. In particular, CPPFA can be applied to the multiple faults scenarios where all fault locations, values and quantity are unknown, and the worst time complexity of CPPFA is O(28+nf ) for AES-128, where nf represents the number of faults. The experimental results show that when nf > 4, 256 pairs of plaintext-ciphertext can recover the master key of AES-128. As for LED-64, only 16 pairs of plaintext-ciphertext reduce the remaining key search space to 210.

Chemoselective sulfonylation and isonitrilation reactions for the divergent synthesis of valuable diarylmethyl sulfones and isonitrile diarylmethanes starting from easy-to-synthesize para-quinone methides (p-QMs) and commercially abundant p-toluenesulfonylmethyl isocyanide (TosMIC) by using respectively zinc iodide and 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) as catalysts were developed. The distinguishing feature of this method is that TosMIC plays a dual role from the same substrates in the reaction: as a sulfonyl source or as an isonitrile source. The synthetic utility of this protocol was also demonstrated in the synthesis of difluoroalkylated diarylmethane 5 and diarylmethane ketone derivatives 6 and 7, which are important core structures in natural products and medicines.

Abstract Chemotherapy-induced ovarian dysfunction is a serious adverse effect in premenopausal patients with cancer. Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHa) protect ovarian function, but its molecular mechanisms have not yet been determined. In this study, we attempted to determine the previously unknown molecular mechanism by which such protection occurs. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels were tested in tumor-bearing nude mice, a series of exploratory experiments were conducted. We discovered that GnRHa protects granulosa cells from chemotherapeutic toxicity in vivo and in vitro. We also showed that CTX-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibits the secretion of AMH, and treatment with GnRHa relieves ER stress and the subsequent unfolded-protein response by modulating mTOR signaling to induce autophagy. The results of mechanistic studies indicated that GnRHa-modulated mTOR signaling to induce autophagy, which alleviated CTX-induced ER stress and promoted the secretion of AMH.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a malignant tumor of the respiratory system with poor prognosis. Recent studies have revealed that N7-methylguanosine (m7G) methylation is a widespread modification occurring in RNA. But the expression of m7G methylation–related genes in LUAD and their correlations with prognosis are still unclear. In this study, we found 12 m7G methylation–related regulators with differential expression between LUAD and normal lung tissues. According to differentially expressed genes (DEGs), all LUAD cases were separated into two subtypes. The prognostic value of each m7G methylation–related gene for survival was evaluated to construct a multigene signature using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Finally, an m7G methylation–related prognostic signature based on three genes was built to classify LUAD patients into two risk groups. Patients in the high-risk group showed significantly reduced overall survival (OS) when compared with patients in the low-risk group (p < 0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed the predictive capacity of the signature. The Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotation analysis disclosed that chromosome homeostasis plays an important role in this process. The gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) implied that the immune status was decreased in the high-risk group. To sum up, m7G methylation–related genes play a vital role in tumor immunity and the related signature is a reliable predictor for LUAD prognosis.

Abstract In this study, neodymium and arsenic were sealed into industrial pure iron cylinders at a temperature of 1223 K for 50 h. The interaction mechanism of the Nd–Fe–As system at various atomic ratios was investigated by optical microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy. Binary compounds Fe12As5, NdAs, Fe2As, and Fe17Nd2 were the main products formed, with traces of NdFeAs compounds. In addition, at high temperatures, As content affected the diffusion of Fe atoms; the diffusion of Fe increased with an increase in the atomic ratio. Furthermore, the diffusion ability of Nd was weaker than that of As. The major diffusion mechanism of Nd was through the Fe atomic vacancy mechanism. As mainly bind to Fe to form Fe and As compounds. The formation of ternary compounds was confirmed by laboratory experiments and mismatch calculations.

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by inflammation and immunopathogenesis. Accumulating evidence has shown that the cystathionine β-synthase/hydrogen sulfide (CBS/H2S) axis is involved in the regulation of inflammation. However, roles of CBS in HCC development and immune evasion have not been systematically investigated, and their underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we investigated the roles of CBS in tumor cells and tumor microenvironment of HCC.Methods 236 HCC samples were collected to detect the expression of CBS, cleaved Caspase-3 and paired related homeobox 2 (PRRX2) and the number of immune cells. HCC cell lines were employed to examine the effects of CBS on cellular viability, apoptosis and signaling in vitro. Cbs heterozygous knockout mice, C57BL/6 mice, nude mice and non-obese diabetic severe combined immunodeficiency mice were used to investigate the in vivo functions of CBS.Results Downregulation of CBS was observed in HCC, and low expression of CBS predicted poor prognosis in HCC patients. CBS overexpression dramatically promoted cellular apoptosis in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Activation of the Cbs/H2S axis also reduced the abundance of tumor-infiltrating Tregs, while Cbs deficiency promoted Tregs-mediated immune evasion and boosted tumor growth in Cbs heterozygous knockout mice. Mechanistically, CBS facilitated the expression cleaved Caspase-3 in tumor cells, and on the other hand, suppressed Foxp3 expression in Tregs via inactivating IL-6/STAT3 pathway. As a transcription factor of IL-6, PRRX2 was reduced by CBS. Additionally, miR-24-3p was proven to be an upstream suppressor of CBS in HCC.Conclusions Our results indicate the antitumor function of CBS in HCC by inactivation of the PRRX2/IL-6/STAT3 pathway, which may serve as a potential target for HCC clinical immunotherapy.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is a common condition that affects a significant patient population. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) has a role in developing bladder overactivity, pharmacological inhibition of which inhibits bladder overactivity. The common pathogenesis of OAB involves bladder smooth muscle (BSM) overactivity. In this study, a smooth muscle–specific NMDAR knockout (SMNRKO) mouse model was generated. The bladders from SMNRKO mice displayed normal size and weight with an intact bladder wall and well-arranged BSM bundles. Besides, SMNRKO mice had normal voiding patterns and urodynamics and BSM contractility, indicating that NMDAR in BSM was not essential for normal physiological bladder morphology and function. Unexpectedly, cyclophosphamide (CYP)-treated SMNRKO and wild-type (WT) mice had similar pathological changes in the bladder. Furthermore, SMNRKO mice displayed similar altered voiding patterns and urodynamic abnormalities and impaired BSM contractility compared with WT mice after CYP treatment. MK801 partially reversed the pathological bladder morphology and improved bladder dysfunction induced by CYP, but did not cause apparent differences between WT mice and SMNRKO mice, suggesting that NMDAR in BSM was not involved in pathological bladder morphology and function. Moreover, the direct instillation of NMDAR agonists or antagonists into the CYP-induced OAB did not affect bladder urodynamic function, indicating that NMDAR in BSM was not the pharmacotherapy target of MK801 for CYP-induced cystitis. The findings indicated that NMDAR in BSM was not essential for normal physiological or pathological bladder morphology and function, and MK801 improving pathological bladder function was not mediated by an action on NMDAR in BSM.

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 occurred in 2020 which resulted in high levels of psychological stress in both the general public and healthcare providers.Purpose: The study aimed to address the mental health status of people in China in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak, and to identify differences among the general public, frontline, and non-frontline healthcare providers.Method: A cross-sectional study was used to identify the mental health status of the general public and healthcare providers between Jan 29 and Feb 11, 2020. Data were collected using an online survey from a convenience sample. The instruments used included: Patient Health Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data. Kruskal-Wallis H tests were performed to assess differences in measurements among the three groups; P < 0.05 (two-sided) was considered to be statistically significant.Results: Results showed that a majority of participants experienced post-traumatic stress (68.8%), depression (46.1%), anxiety (39.8%), and insomnia (31.4%). Significant changes in the mental health status of frontline providers was found as compared to those of the other groups (P < 0.001). Interestingly, the scores of the general public were significantly higher than those of the non-frontline healthcare providers (P < 0.001).Conclusion: These findings provide information to evaluate outbreak associated psychological stress for the general public and healthcare providers, and assist in providing professional support and actionable guidance to ease psychological stress and improve mental health.

Metallic materials have been widely used as orthopedic implants in clinics for their good mechanical, physical, and chemical properties, but their slow osseointegration rate is still one of the main issues causing implantation failure. Grain refinement has recently attracted wide attention for its effective improvement of cell–material interaction for biometals. In this review, the surface and bulk grain refinement mode and the influence of grain size reduction of various metallic materials including titanium, stainless steel, magnesium, zirconium, tantalum, and their alloys as well as NiTi shape memory alloys on the cell responses is summarized in detail. It is hoped that this review could help biomaterials-related researchers to understand the grain refinement of metallic materials in a timely manner, thus boosting the development of biomedical metals for clinical use.

Naproxen (NPX) is a common PPCPs in wastewater treatment plants which is influenced by the coexistence on its photodegradation. Most research on reasons for NPX photodegradation has focused on the soluble substances in water mainly, and the adsorption effect of solid particles is less. The effects of initial concentration, temperature, and pH on the adsorption of NPX on γ-FeOOH were studied. It was found that the equilibrium time of γ-FeOOH adsorbed NPX was 240 min. The increase of initial concentration and temperature were favorable for the adsorption. The optimal adsorption pH was 7.0, and the adsorption capacity attained 28.05 mg·g−1. It was learned, through model fitting, that the adsorption reaction was in accordance with the Laggenren quasi-second-order kinetic model; the internal diffusion process was the control step, where the adsorption was close to the Langmuir isothermal adsorption model. The thermodynamic calculation showed that ΔG

Oolitic hematite abounds in the Guizhou Province of China but is hard to use with the traditional process. The reduction of Guizhou oolitic hematite by H2 was studied. Ore microscopy, phase change, and the metallization rate of oolitic hematite under different reduction conditions were characterized by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and chemical analysis, respectively. The metallization ratio of the reduced sample increased with the increase of reduction time. The metallization ratio reached 80.75% when the temperature was 1000°C and the reduction time was 120 min. The new phases of FeAl2O4 and Fe2SiO4 can be generated during the reduction process, which hindered the reduction of the oolitic hematite.

This study represents a self-consistent three-dimensional (3D) fluid plasma model coupled with Maxwell equations at an intermediate pressure between 1000 and 5000 Pa. The model was established using the finite element method to analyze the effects of time–space characteristics, which is the variation of plasma parameters with time and the 3D spatial distribution of plasma parameters in the plasma torch at various times. The numerical modeling was demonstrated in three different stages, where the growth of electron density is associated with time. From the distribution characteristics of molecular ions, it can be concluded that they are distributed mainly at the port of the quartz tube of the torch, which is larger than the center of the tube. The density ratio of molecular ion to electron is decreased because of the reduction of pressure and distance, which has been calculated from the port to the center of the quartz tube. The analysis of microwave plasma parameters indicated that intermediate pressure is useful for modeling and plasma source designing, especially for carbon dioxide conversion.

The influence of different heat preservation temperatures on the interaction in the Pr–Fe–As ternary system and the principle for generating the interaction products of the Pr–Fe–As ternary system were studied by metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. Results showed that the α -Fe with As (i.e., the compound formed when the solubility of As in Fe exceeds the maximum solubility), Fe _2 As, PrAs, and a small amount of Fe _17 Pr _2 were the main products when the atomic ratio of Pr: As is 1:3 and heat preservation for 20 h at 1173 K, 1223 K and 1273 K. PrAs decreased as the temperature increased, while the α -Fe with As decreased as the temperature decreased, and Fe _2 As increased gradually as α -Fe with As decreased. In the Pr–Fe–As ternary system, the diffusion of Pr is mainly short-range diffusion and double vacancies, and the PrAs develops in the margin of the penetration region, preventing the diffusion of As in Fe.

We reported a two dimensional self-powered proximity sensor based on nanoparticles polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) electrostatic induction electret using separation electrode. The structural pattern was carefully designed for identifying the specific position on the horizontal plane. When the separation electrode is motioned above the sensor, the induced charges on electrodes will change based on the coupling effect of the electret film. Experiment results showed that the proximity sensor works well with the velocity 0.05 m/s. We also found that the prototype have a good stability even with a huge uncontrolled perturbation on the Y direction. Our work could be a significant step forward in self-powered proximity sensing technology, with a wide range of potential applications in touchpad, robotics, and safety-monitoring device.

Background and purpose: Gadolinium enhancement on high-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) is an imaging marker of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) plaque instability. This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between hematological inflammatory indicators and the enhancement of ICAS plaques and to search for hematological indicators that can predict ICAS plaque instability. Methods: Consecutive adult patients diagnosed with ICAS from April 2018 to December 2021 were recruited retrospectively, and every patient underwent HR-VWI. Plaque enhancement was measured qualitatively and quantitatively. The plaque-to-pituitary stalk contrast ratio (CR) indicated the degree of plaque enhancement. Clinical and laboratory data, including the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII), were recorded. The hematological inflammatory indicators were compared between ICAS patients with and without plaque enhancement and between patients with and without symptomatic plaque. The hematological inflammatory indicators and the CR were compared using linear regression. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess the discriminative abilities of the inflammatory indicators to predict plaque instability. Results: Fifty-nine patients were included. The NLR, SII and LMR were significantly correlated with plaque enhancement. The LMR was independently associated with plaque enhancement, and a linear negative correlation was observed between the LMR and CR (R = 0.716, P < 0.001). The NLR, LMR, plaque enhancement and CR were significantly associated with symptomatic ICAS, and the LMR and plaque enhancement were independent risk factors for symptomatic ICAS. The optimal cutoff value of the admission LMR to distinguish symptomatic plaque from asymptomatic plaque was 4.0 (80.0% sensitivity and 70.6% specificity). Conclusion: The LMR was independently associated with ICAS plaque enhancement and showed a linear negative correlation with CR. The LMR and plaque enhancement were independent risk factors for symptomatic ICAS. An LMR = 4.0 may predict ICAS plaque instability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional direct reduction-separation approach used to economically and effectively treat copper slag (CS) or phosphate rock (PR) encounters challenges, such as low metal recovery, high cost, and high additive requirements. In this paper, an ecofriendly process for synchronously utilizing CS and PR by compound modification and coreduction, accompanied by magnetic separation, is proposed to resolve these limitations. In this approach, use graphite as a reductant toreduce Fe and the CaO in the PR catalyzed the reduction of fayalite in the CS, thereby enhancing Fe formation. Owing to its low melting point, CS generated a liquid phase and improved the growth of particles, which was beneficial for producing ferrophosporus (Fe-P) alloys. The Fe-P and slag were separated and recovered, owing to their melting point and density differences, thereby highlighting the efficiency of the proposed method. After comprehensive consideration, a crude Fe-P alloy containing 82.31% Fe and 13.65% P was prepared under optimal conditions and suitable for the production of battery grade iron phosphate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric arc furnace is mainly used in the production of high titania slag; however, since impurities cannot be eliminated, this causes difficulty in the production of titania pigment with chlorination process. Consequently, removing impurities is the crucial way to deal with low-grade ilmenite, especially for the Panzhihua ilmenite concentrate in China. This article studied the theoretical calculation of vacuum carbothermic reduction of Panzhihua ilmenite concentrate. Thus, when the temperature was higher than 1600°C and the carbon amount was greater than 12%, all of the Fe almost entered into the gas phase. When the temperature was higher than 1300°C and the carbon amount was greater than 14%, magnesium also entered the gas phase. When the temperature was higher than 1100°C, most of the element manganese was volatilized in the gas phase. The TiO2grade increased with the increase in carbon amount (14%). When the temperature was higher than 1600°C and the carbon amount was less than 14%, the TiO2grade in the slag phase could reach the maximum value, which can be used for the chlorination process to prepare titanium dioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]