Search

Objective: The current total cavopulmonary connection Fontan has competing inflows and outflows, creating hemodynamic inefficiencies that contribute to Fontan failure and complicate placement and efficiency of mechanical circulatory support. We propose a novel convergent cavopulmonary connection (CCPC) Fontan design to create a single, converged venous outflow to the pulmonary arteries, thus increasing efficiency and mechanical circulatory support access. We then evaluate the feasibility and hemodynamic performance of the CCPC in various patient sizes using computational fluid dynamic assessments of computer-aided designs. Methods: Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging data from 12 patients with single ventricle (10 total cavopulmonary connection, 2 Glenn) physiology (body surface area, 0.5-2.0 m2) were segmented to create 3-dimensional replicas of all thoracic structures. Surgically feasible CCPC shapes within constraints of anatomy were created using iterative computational fluid dynamic and clinician input. Designs varied based on superior and inferior vena cava conduit sizes, coronal attachment height, coronal entry angle, and axial entry angle of the superior vena cava to the inferior vena cava. CCPC designs were optimized based on efficiency (indexed power loss), risk of arteriovenous malformations (hepatic flow distribution), and risk of flow stasis (% nonphysiologic wall shear stress). Results: All CCPC designs met hemodynamic performance thresholds for indexed power loss and hepatic flow distribution. CCPC designs showed improvements in reducing % nonphysiologic wall shear stress and balancing HFD. Conclusions: CCPC is physiologically and surgically feasible in various patient sizes using validated computational fluid dynamic models. CCPC configuration has analogous indexed power loss, hepatic flow distribution, and % nonphysiologic wall shear stress compared with total cavopulmonary connection, and the single inflow and outflow may ease mechanical circulatory support therapies. Further studies are required for design optimization and mechanical circulatory support institution.

Meta-heuristic algorithms have emerged as a popular approach for solving engineering optimization problems. In this paper, an Improved Sand Cat Swarm Operation (ISCSO) is proposed and applied to optimize double-layer spraying path parameters. The Sand Cat Swarm Operation (SCSO) has some limitations, such as poor initial population quality, slow convergence speed, and a tendency to fall into local optima. To overcome these limitations, three improvement strategies are introduced in ISCSO. Firstly, the SPM chaotic mapping is used to enhance the initial population quality. Secondly, a nonlinear cycle adjustment strategy is introduced to balance global exploration and local exploitation, thereby accelerating the convergence speed. Finally, integrating the Immune Algorithm (IA) enables ISCSO to avoid falling into local optima, resulting in improved solution accuracy. Furthermore, we extended our experiments to include 21 low-dimensional functions and 15 test functions of LSOPs, where ISCSO was compared with seven other popular algorithms. The experimental results highlight the promising performance of ISCSO in solving different types of functions, achieving both higher solution accuracy and faster convergence speed. In particular, the effectiveness of ISCSO has been demonstrated through experiments aimed at optimizing the parameters of the double-layer spraying path. The results of these experiments further highlight the utility of ISCSO in tackling challenging optimization problems.

Inhibiting podocyte autophagy promotes the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study aims to explore the upstream regulatory mechanism of the autophagy-related gene BECN1 in high glucose (HG)-induced podocytes. C57BL/6 mice were treated with 50 mg/kg streptozotocin to construct a DN model. Biochemical indexes, pathological morphology of renal tissue, the morphology of renal podocytes, and the expressions of autophagy-related proteins in DN mice and normal mice were detected. The upstream miRNAs of BECN1 and the upstream long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) of miR-30d-5p were predicted by bioinformatics analysis and verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Mouse podocyte clone 5 (MPC5) cells were exposed to HG to construct a DN cell model. The levels of miR-30d-5p, X inactive specific transcript (XIST), and BECN1 in mouse kidney and MPC5 cells were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The regulation of XIST/miR-30d-5p on the viability, apoptosis as well as proteins related to apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and autophagy in MPC5 cells were determined by rescue experiments. The levels of glucose, urinary protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were upregulated, but the kidney tissues and podocytes were damaged in DN mice. XIST targeted miR-30d-5p to promote viability while suppressing the apoptosis of HG-induced MPC5 cells. In kidney tissues or HG-induced MPC5 cells, the expressions of Beclin-1, light chain 3 (LC3) II/I, XIST, B-celllymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and E-cadherin were downregulated, while the expressions of P62, miR-30d-5p, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cleaved-caspase-3, vimentin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were upregulated, which were reversed by XIST overexpression. The reversal effect of XIST overexpression was offset by miR-30d-5p mimic. Collectively, XIST promotes the autophagy of podocytes by regulating the miR-30d-5p/BECN1 axis to protect podocytes from HG-induced injury.

The linear two-dimensional problem of interaction between an hydroelastic wave propagating along an elastic floating ice plate with built-in vertical rigid plate is studied. The fluid under the ice is inviscid and incompressible. The fluid depth is finite. The deflection of the ice plate is described by the linear theory of thin elastic plates. The flow under the ice is potential. The total velocity potential is decomposed into the potential of the incident wave, even potential caused by the vertical motion of the rigid plate, and an odd potential caused by the rotation of the rigid plate. The vertical mode method is used. The third potential is obtained by solving a mixed boundary-value problem numerically using Chebyshev polynomials. The solution is validated by analysis of its convergence. The first and second potentials, and the corresponding deflections and strains of the ice plate, are obtained analytically. The motions of the rigid plate, as well as deflection and strains in the floating plate, are numerically analyzed. It is shown that the rotation of the rigid plate due to the incident wave is the main factor of increasing strains in the ice plate.

Bi1−xNdxFe0.99Mn0.01O3 (BNFMO, x = 0.00~0.20) films were epitaxially grown on Nb:SrTiO3 (001) substrates using pulsed laser deposition. It was found that the Nd-doping concentration has a great impact on the surface morphology, crystal structure, and electrical properties. BNFMO thin film with low Nd-doping concentration (≤16%) crystallizes into a rhombohedral structure, while the high Nd-doping (>16%) will lead to the formation of an orthogonal structure. Furthermore, to eliminate the resistive switching (RS) effect, a positive-up–negative-down (PUND) measurement was applied on two devices in series. The remnant polarization experiences an increase with the Nd-doping concentration increasing to 16%, then drops down with the further increased concentration of Nd. Finally, the ferroelectric photovoltaic effect is also regulated by the ferroelectric polarization, and the maximum photocurrent of 1758 μA/cm2 was obtained in Bi0.84Nd0.16Fe0.99Mn0.01O3 thin film. BNFMO films show great potential for ferroelectric and photovoltaic applications.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising technology for solar hydrogen production to build a sustainable, renewable and clean energy economy. Given the complexity of the PEC water splitting processes, it is important to note that developing in-situ techniques for studying PEC water splitting presents a formidable challenge. This review is aimed at highlighting advantages and disadvantages of each technique, while offering a pathway of potentially combining several techniques to address different aspects of interfacial processes in PEC water splitting. We reviewed recent progress in various techniques and approaches utilized to study PEC water splitting, focusing on spectroscopic and scanning-probe methods. Keywords: In-situ, Water splitting, IMPS, TAS, SPM

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as segmental dilatation with a diameter of 1.5-fold greater than that of an adjacent normal segment. Whether CAE is a unique clinical finding or results from other clinical entities remains to be determined. The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence, and clinical and angiographic characteristics of CAE in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Among the 8,845 coronary angiograms reviewed between the years 2014 and 2022, 142 patients had CAE yielding a detection rate of 4.9% among 2,870 CAD angiograms, and 28 patients had isolated CAE showing a detection rate of 0.32% (28/8,845) among total coronary angiography procedures. Overall, the incidence of CAE was 1.92% (170/8,845). The most commonly affected coronary artery by ectasia was the right coronary artery (RCA) (46.28%) among CAE coexisting with CAD cohort. The proportion of obesity, family history of CAD, and the proportion of hyperlipidemia in CAD patients who had ectasia were significantly higher than that in CAD patients who did not have ectasia (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CAE is an uncommon finding in coronary angiography, most commonly affecting the RCA. The obesity, family history of CAD, and the coexistence of hyperlipidemia were independent variables associated with CAE in CAD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, amorphous MoSx electrodes were fabricated by a facile one step electrodeposition method as sulfur equivalent cathode structures for lithium based batteries. By modifying the deposition conditions, the physical, chemical, and resulting electrochemical properties of MoSx were manipulated to achieve either higher energy delivery or higher power delivery. MoSx deposited at anodic potential (MoSx-AD) showed a higher initial capacity of 900 mAh g-1 attributed to its higher sulfur content. In contrast, MoSx deposited at cathodic potential (MoSx-CD) exhibited a lower initial capacity of 500 mAh g-1 with improved cycling stability up to 100 cycles and significantly improved rate capability attributed to its higher conductivity and improved Li+ transport properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction and subsequent oxidation of silver hollandite nanorods, Ag1.5Mn8O16, were explored in aqueous ZnSO4 electrolyte for the first time. The impact of reduction on the electrodes was probed where images of recovered cathodes were collected to evaluate the changes in morphology, structural, and electrochemical properties as a function of varying potential. Ag metal particle formation upon reduction was observed on reduction through a reduction-displacement reaction as confirmed by SEM/EDS, XRD, and XAS results accompanied by a decrease in charge transfer impedance, as determined by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. On charge, in contrast to the reduction/oxidation electrochemistry in non-aqueous media where irreversible formation of silver metal was observed, disappearance of the silver metal is observed indicating oxidation of the silver centers is facilitated in aqueous electrolyte. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethylene (C2H4) is one of the most important raw materials for chemical industry. The tandem reactions of CO2-assisted dehydrogenation of ethane (C2H6) to ethylene creates an opportunity to effectively use the underutilized ethane from shale gas while mitigating anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Here we identify the most likely active sites over CeO2-supported NiFe catalysts by using combined in situ characterization with density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. The experimental and theoretical results reveal that the Ni-FeOx interfacial sites can selectively break the C-H bonds and preserve the C-C bond of C2H6 to produce ethylene, while the Ni-CeOx interfacial sites efficiently cleave all of the C-H and C-C bonds to produce synthesis gas. Controlled synthesis of the two distinct active sites enables rational enhancement of the ethylene selectivity for the CO2-assisted dehydrogenation of ethane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The size and morphology of metal nanoparticles (NPs) often play a critical role in defining the catalytic performance of supported metal nanocatalysts. However, common synthetic methods struggle to produce metal NPs of appropriate size and morphological control. Thus, facile synthetic methods that offer controlled catalytic functions are highly desired. Here we have identified a new pathway to synthesize supported Rh nanocatalysts with finely tuned spatial dimensions and controlled morphology using a doping-segregation method. We have analyzed their structure evolutions during both the segregation process and catalytic reaction using a variety of in situ spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. A correlation between the catalytic functional sites and activity in CO2 hydrogenation over supported Rh nanocatalysts is then established. This study demonstrates a facile strategy to design and synthesize nanocatalysts with desired catalytic functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]