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Screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) were fabricated and compared with the commercial DS 110 (DropSens). In addition to the classic cyclic voltammetry (CV) of K3[Fe(CN)6], a method using widely available Bausch + Lomb and Tylenol was developed for comprehensive evaluation of the electrochemical performance of SPCEs. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that the graphite surface of the in-house SPCEs, which acted as reaction surface, was covered by grainy binders thus less reactive than DS 110. X-ray photoelectron (XPS) spectra indicated that both were composed primarily of graphite (> 85%), but the concentrations of S (detected in DS110 only), N and Cl in the less-electroactive binders differed. The CV using K3[Fe(CN)6] as probe revealed that the peak-to-peak separation of the in-house SPCE (0.140 V) was further apart than that of DS 110 (0.075 V). The oxidation and reduction peak currents of the in-house SPCE were 73% and 82% of that of the DS 110, respectively. When CV was applied to the determination of acetaminophen in Tylenol (product label concentration: 661 mmol/L) using Bausch + Lomb solution with 1 mol/L KCl as the buffer, DS 110 showed better sensitivity, but the in-house SPCE was stable and more precise. Though DS 110 displayed higher current and thus more sensitive, the in-house SPCE current was stable and thus more precise. The concentrations obtained from oxidation and reduction peaks were (775 ± 80) mmol/L and (686 ± 322) mmol/L for DS 110, and (637 ± 39) mmol/L and (713 ± 139) mmol/L for in-house SPCE, respectively. Moreover, DS 110 exhibited two large unknown peaks and thus less reliable in the acetaminophen-in-Tylenol CV test. Determination of acetaminophen in real Tylenol sample was helpful as additional quality control in SPCEs fabrication.

Shenyankangfu Tablet (SYKFT) is a Chinese patent medicine that has been used widely to decrease proteinuria and the progression of chronic kidney disease.This trial compared the efficacy and safety of SYKFT, for the control of proteinuria in primary glomerulonephritis patients, against the standard drug, losartan potassium.This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Primary glomerulonephritis patients, aged 18-70 years, with blood pressure ≤ 140/90 mmHg, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 45 mL/min per 1.73 mThe primary outcome was change in the 24-hour proteinuria level, after 48 weeks of treatment.A total of 735 participants were enrolled. The percent decline of urine protein quantification in the SYKFT group after 48 weeks was 8.78% ± 2.56% (P = 0.006) more than that in the losartan 50 mg group, which was 0.51% ± 2.54% (P = 1.000) less than that in the losartan 100 mg group. Compared with the losartan potassium 50 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 50 mg group had a 13.39% ± 2.49% (P 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein level. Compared with the losartan potassium 100 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 100 mg group had a 9.77% ± 2.52% (P = 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein. With a superiority threshold of 15%, neither was statistically significant. eGFR, serum creatinine and serum albumin from the baseline did not change statistically significant. The average change in TCM syndrome score between the patients who took SYKFT (-3.00 [-6.00, -2.00]) and who did not take SYKFT (-2.00 [-5.00, 0]) was statistically significant (P = 0.003). No obvious adverse reactions were observed in any group.SYKFT decreased the proteinuria and improved the TCM syndrome scores of primary glomerulonephritis patients, with no change in the rate of decrease in the eGFR. SYKFT plus losartan potassium therapy decreased proteinuria more than losartan potassium therapy alone.NCT02063100 on ClinicalTrials.gov.

The 2D nanomaterials have achieved the superlubrication property whatever in solid or liquid lubrication in recent years. However, whether or not the nanosheets can stably disperse in oils and smoothly enter into the asperity of friction pairs is crucial for exerting the function of antifriction. The structure of 2D QDs is desirable for addressing these issues due to its smaller 3D size. In this study, we developed a facile preparation process for WS2 QDs with uniform 2 nm size from nanosheets via hydrothermal-assisted grinding approach. The structure of the as-obtained WS2 QDs was determined by a series of characterizations. The results showed that the as-obtained WS2 QDs exhibited the typical spectrum features of nanosized quantum dot. The results of the tribological performance in grease verified that the average friction coefficient (ACOFs) and wear volume (AWVs) were decreased by 7.89% and 63.90% relative to grease, respectively, exhibiting a preferable friction reducing and wear resistance.

Background T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells were newly identified as the subsets of cluster of CD4+ T cells. As major components of human immune system, they were found in tumor microenvironment and reported to play vital roles in the progression of cancer. But their clinical significance in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was not elucidated. Thus, this research aimed to investigate their prognostic value in HCC. Materials and methods A total of 210 subjects (including 110 HCC patients, 50 chronic hepatitis patients and 50 healthy individuals) were enrolled in the research. Tfh, Tfr cells and Treg cells from peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of Tfr-Tfh Index (TTI) in early HCC and relapse status. Its further prognostic valve was assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival estimate and log rank tests. Results Tfh cells, Tfr cells, Treg cells and TTI were all higher in HCC patients than in chronic hepatitis patients and healthy control. TTI was found to have positive correlation with the load of HBV. The AUC of TTI for early HCC and relapse status was better than other clinical indices in HBV positive patients. An optimal cutoff point for the TTI stratified the HCC patients into high (>21.96) and low index (≤21.96) groups. High TTI was significantly correlated with recurrence. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed TTI could be a predictor for recurrence. Moreover, it retained prognostic performance for patients with lower recurrence risk. Conclusion Our research showed that TTI could be a promising indicator for early recurrence in HCC patients with HBV infection.

Regardless of the prevailing capacity and energy density of lithium, manganese-rich layered oxide (LMR-NMC) cathodes, continuous decay of voltage and overall energy density during cycling hinders this material from commercialization in Li-ion batteries. Although significant work focuses on single doping of Na and F, analysis in portraying the benefit of these ions in diminishing the structural distortion during activation cycle is in doubt. Herein, the effects of co-doping Na and F into the LMR-NMC structure in stabilizing the structure and mitigating oxygen loss during the first cycle are closely examined via in situ x-ray measurements. Na and F co-doping shows a 30% lower degree of Li+/Ni2+ mixing in the Li layer (C2/m structure), 50% reduced Debye-Waller factor of Mn-O bonding, increase reversible TM migration, and faster Li diffusion relative to the pristine material. Due to the utilization of Ni redox chemistry below 4.4 V, less oxygen redox is required for charge compensation at high voltage. This study offers the first instance to quantitatively evaluate the effects of co-doping Na and F in LMR-NMC cathode in order to minimize voltage degradation by altering the local ordering of O3-type structure, which may rationalize strategies to overcome the issues of the material.

Background Intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a debilitating cerebrovascular degeneration. Current clinical diagnosis relies mainly on conventional angiogram except for some peculiar aneurysms. Nonetheless, there is no documentation of aneurysm showing robust intracranial artifact on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Case Description Herein, we report a 45-year-old female with an IA showing a robust intracranial metal artifact. During surgery, the culprit lesion for the artifact was discovered to be hard plaque on the ventral part of the aneurysm. Craniotomy clipping and vessel reconstruction were successful, but minor vasospasm was observed postoperatively. Postoperative pathology and optical emission spectrometer analyses showed elevated iron and copper level in the plaque on the IA. After comparing with other aneurysm samples, we believe the overenriched local iron deposition contributed to the metal artifact on imaging. Conclusions Taken together, accidental findings of intracranial metal artifacts on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can be indicative to iron deposition on intracranial aneurysm. Neuroimaging using magnetic field should be performed with caution. Local accumulation of lysed products from erythrocyte might contribute to the occurrence of this enriched iron deposition, but further evidence regarding the pathogenesis of copper deposition should be provided. Surgically, measures should be taken to avoid perioperative complications like vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia. Future report of similar cases would be helpful in optimizing the treatment modality for the aneurysm with metallic plaque.

The convenient and high efficient exfoliation for few-layer nanosheets was indispensable for their potential applications. In fact, many reported approaches have been used to successfully exfoliate bulk layered materials into few layers, which fundamentally confronted a few challenges in practice, such as high cost, complicate process, low efficiency and environmental problem. Hence, developing the novel exfoliation process without the above issues was imperative to the prospective application of nanosheets. In this work, we presented a facile and high-quality exfoliation process for few-layer WS2 nanosheets via microwave-assisted sonication method. Detailedly, the crucial highlight in this process was employed the microwave heating expansion via the decomposition of ammonium carbonate pre-impregnated in the interlayers of bulk layered WS2, which was conductive to the second-step liquid phase sonication. The structure characterizations of the as-exfoliated WS2 nanosheets revealed that the high-quality nanosheets had the average lateral size of ca.400 nm and thickness of ca.2.33 nm. Additionally, the tribological performance of the as-exfoliated WS2 nanosheets in oil was investigated, showing that the average friction coefficient of the WS2-based oil was reduced by 28.47% and the wear scar diameter was decreased by 51.67% compared to pristine oil.

Zirconium (Zr) modified CuO/ZnO/Al2O3 (CZA) catalysts with different aluminum (Al) and Zr contents were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. The synthesized CuO/ZnO/ZrO2/Al2O3 (CZZA) catalysts were comprehensively characterized and studied for methanol synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation. The CZZA catalyst showed the highest methanol yield of 12.4 % at 220 °C and 2.76 MPa with an optimized catalyst composition of Cu/Zn/Zr/Al (atomic ratio) at 4:2:1:0.5. The CZZA catalyst showed better activity than that of the CZA catalyst and a superior stability for methanol synthesis. There was no decrease in the BET surface area and very little coke formation for the spent CZZA catalyst, after 300 h of methanol synthesis. Bifunctional catalysts, composed of CZZA and HZSM-5, were investigated for dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis directly from CO2 hydrogenation, and a maximum DME yield of 18.3 % was obtained at a reaction temperature of 240 °C and a pressure of 2.76 MPa. The stability of the bifunctional CZZA and HZSM-5 catalyst during the DME synthesis also significantly improved, as compared to that of the CZA and HZSM-5. A significant decrease in the BET surface area and an increase in coking on the spent CZZA catalyst were observed after 100 h of DME synthesis, indicating a detrimental effect on CZZA stability when a HZSM-5 catalyst was present. The changes in structural properties (e.g., BET surface area and crystallinity) and coking for HZSM-5 could be responsible for the deactivation of the bifunctional catalyst.

The adverse health effects of household air pollution have been widely explored, but few studies have evaluated the effects of household air pollution on the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM), a pressing public health concern worldwide. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether exposure to household use of polluting fuels is associated with morbid CMM and, if so, whether a healthy lifestyle could mitigate this association.In this prospective, nationwide representative cohort of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), participants free of CMM (defined as the coexistence of 2 or more of the following: heart disease, stroke, and diabetes or high blood sugar) were included in 2011-2012 and followed for CMM incidence until 2018. Household air pollution was measured as the use of solid fuels for cooking and heating. The healthy lifestyle score was determined by six factors, physical activity, smoking, body mass index, total cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure, and categorized into three groups (unhealthy, 0-1 factors; intermediate, 2-4; and healthy, 5-6). Cox proportional hazards models investigated associations between household air pollution and incident CMM. The potential modifier effect of a healthy lifestyle score was tested through stratified analyses.Among 7125 eligible participants, 239 incident cases of CMM were identified over a median follow-up of 7.0 years. After adjustment for potential confounders, the use of solid household fuels for heating was associated with more significant hazards of CMM (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.71, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.28 to 2.28), while use for cooking (HR, 1.14; 95 % CI, 0.85 to 1.52) was not. Compared with participants in the unhealthy group, those in the healthy and intermediate groups had considerably lower CMM risk, with adjusted HRs (95 % CI) of 0.17 (0.09 to 0.31) and 0.39 (0.29 to 0.53), respectively, regardless of the household air pollution category. Importantly, when participants adhered to a healthy lifestyle, exposure to household air pollution was no longer significantly associated with a higher risk of CMM (adjusted HR 1.77, 95 % CI 0.51 to 6.12; P = 0.369).Household usage of polluting fuels was significantly associated with a higher risk of CMM, and adherence to a healthy lifestyle may mitigate this adverse effect. From a broader perspective, our findings underscore the importance of public health policies and interventions targeting multiple exposures (air pollution, physical activity, smoking, etc.) in enhancing the prevention of detrimental cardiometabolic health effect.

Background and aims Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a state of slower fetal growth usually followed by a catch-up growth. Postnatal catch-up growth in IUGR models increases the incidence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in adulthood. Here, we hypothesize that the adverse pulmonary vascular consequences of IUGR may be improved by slowing down postnatal growth velocity. Meanwhile, cognitive function was also studied. Methods and results We established an IUGR rat model by restricting maternal food throughout gestation. After birth, pups were fed a regular or restricted diet during lactation by changing litter size. Thus, there were three experimental groups according to the dam/offspring diet: C/C (gold standard), IUGR with catch-up growth (R/C) and IUGR with delayed growth (R/D). In adulthood (14 weeks of age), we assessed pulmonary vascular development by hemodynamic measurement and immunohistochemistry. Our results showed that adult R/C offspring developed an elevated mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary arteriolar remodeling accompanied with decreased eNOS mRNA and protein expressions compared to C/C or R/D offspring. This suggested that delayed postnatal growth improved pulmonary circulation compared to postnatal catch-up growth. Conversely, adult R/D offspring performed poorly in cognition. Behavior test and electrophysiology results exhibited a reduced synaptic plasticity. Furthermore, decreased mRNA expression levels of the memory-related gene zif268 and transcription factor recruitment factor p300 in the hippocampus region were also observed in R/D group. Conclusion These findings indicate that delayed postnatal growth results in cognitive impairment, but it reverses elevations in mPAP induced by postnatal catch-up growth following IUGR.

Propylene epoxidation using molecular oxygen and hydrogen mixture on Au-based catalysts has attracted attention because of high propylene oxide selectivity and the use of an inexpensive and environmental friendly oxidant. Single-site titanium on metal oxide supports plays an important role in achieving high reactivity and selectivity in propylene epoxidation. Here we used TiO2 atomic layer deposition (ALD) to synthesize single-site titanium imbedded in the SiO2 framework for propylene epoxidation. High temperature calcination was used as post-treatment to control the titania structure and Ti O coordination number. Using UV–vis spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we successfully established that under similar propylene conversion the selectivity to propylene oxide (PO) is strongly correlated to the Ti O coordination number and bond length. Using a cluster model, density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the partial charges of single Ti SiO2 sites scale linearly as a function of the coordination number. Also, the predicted Ti O bond lengths follow the same trend as found in the experiments, providing additional support for the observed experimental activity relationships.

Background The venous thromboembolism, which may be caused by increased platelet activation, is a risk factor for tumor prognosis. We determined the platelet activation status for diagnosis and predicting postoperative prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods We conducted a prospective study of 191 patients diagnosed with HCC at Zhongshan Hospital from April 2016 to July 2016 as well as 99 healthy people. The platelet activation status was assessed by 2 platelet markers, PAC-1 and CD62p, using flow cytometry. The patients were treated with TACE or resection and monitored for ≥6 months. The diagnostic value of marker-positive platelets was determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve and the postoperative value were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and COX regression model. Results All the 3 groups with high levels of marker-positive platelets were likely to be diagnosed with HCC and the PAC-1+ percentage had the best efficacy. The univariate analysis showed that the levels of PAC-1+ and CD62p+ platelets was risker factors for poor postoperative prognosis after both TACE and resection. Moreover, the multivariate analysis revealed that the level of PAC-1+ platelets was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis. Conclusions The PAC-1+ percentage of platelets is a new indicator for diagnosis and predicting postoperative prognosis.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating subtype of stroke that is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, up to now, there are no effective prevention methods or specific therapies to improve its clinical outcomes. Herein, we explore preliminarily the efficacy of crocin, a carotenoid extracted from the stigma of saffron known for its anti-oxidation and free radical scavenging activities, in a mouse ICH model induced with collagenase infusion. Crocin or saline was administrated 6 h after ICH and then every 12 h for up to 7 days. Neurological scores were examined on days 1, 3, and 7 after ICH. Mice were sacrificed after1, 3, and 7 days of crocin treatment for examination of histology and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that oral administration of crocin attenuated the neurological deficits and reduced the myelin loss, neuron degeneration, iron deposition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in the early stage of ICH, making it potential to be an ideal candidate for medical therapy of ICH in clinic.

Background Brainstem hemorrhage (BSH) is the most dangerous and devastating subtype of intracerebral hemorrhage and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, to date, no effective prevention methods or specific therapies have been available to improve its clinical outcomes. We preliminarily explored the efficacy of deferoxamine (DFO), a clinical chelator known for its iron-scavenging activities, in a rat model of BSH induced with collagenase infusion. Methods DFO or saline was administrated 6 hours after BSH induction and then every 12 hours for ≤7 days. The survival curve of the rats was created, and the neurological scores were examined on days 1, 3, and 7 after BSH. The rats were sacrificed after 1, 3, and 7 days of DFO treatment for histological examination and immunohistochemistry. Results The results showed that administration of DFO delayed erythrocytes lysis, reduced iron deposition, reduced reactive oxygen species generation, reduced heme oxygenase-1 expression, and alleviated brain injury such as neuron degeneration and myelin sheath injury. However, DFO did not improve the survival rate and neurobehavioral outcomes in this model. Conclusions Administration of DFO had limited therapeutic effects on collagenase-induced brainstem hemorrhage in rats. Some potential explanations were proposed, and more preclinical work is required to clarify the controversial curative effect of DFO in ICH.

Objective Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) is significantly related to death and unfavorable functional outcome in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The association between alpha-delta ratio (ADR) on quantitative electroencephalography (EEG) and DCI has been reported in several previous studies, but their results are conflicting. This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the accuracy of ADR for DCI prediction in patients with aneurysmal SAH. Methods PubMed and Embase were systematically searched for related records. Study selection and data collection were completed by 2 investigators. Sensitivity, specificity, and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled. A summary receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted to show the pooled accuracy. Deeks funnel plot was used to evaluate publication bias. Results Five studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of worsening ADR for DCI prediction in patients with aneurysmal SAH were 0.83 (95% CI 0.44–0.97) and 0.74 (95% CI 0.50–0.89), respectively. In addition, the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.84 (95% CI 0.81–0.87). No obvious publication bias was found using Deeks funnel plot (P = 0.29). Conclusions Worsening ADR on quantitative EEG is a reliable predictor of DCI in patients with aneurysmal SAH. Further studies are still needed to confirm the role of quantitative EEG in DCI prediction.

By impregnating the thermal stable TiO2 nanotubes (C/TiO2NTs) in NH4F solution with different concentrations and subsequent calcination treatment at different temperatures, C, N, F-tridoped TiO2 nanotubes (C, N, F/TiO2NTs) were prepared. XRD, XPS, TEM, TG-DTG, UV–vis and nitrogen adsorption were used to and characterize the prepared materials. The influences of dopants, calcination temperature and NH4F concentration on the catalytic performances of C, N, F/TiO2NTs under UV light and simulated sunlight were investigated by using methyl orange solution as simulant wastewater. Obtained results indicated that the C, N, F/TiO2NTs exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than the C-doped or N, F-codoped ones, and the C, N, F/TiO2NTs showed the best photocatalytic performance when they were calcinated at 300 °C and impregnated by 1 wt.% NH4F solution. The electronic density of states (DOS) analysis results implied that the C, N, F-tridoping could improve the electronic transition and narrow the band gap of anatase TiO2, and resulted in improved photocatalytic performance. The synergistic effects of the three dopants were also discussed.

Primary intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) is a rare condition in adult patients. PIVH occurs frequently in adult hemorrhagic Moyamoya disease (MMD). Idiopathic PIVH is defined as PIVH without cerebrovascular abnormalities. This study is aimed to compare the baseline characteristics and outcomes of acute MMD-related and idiopathic PIVH.Adult patients with acute MMD-related or idiopathic PIVH were retrospectively included. Baseline characteristics and outcomes at discharge were obtained and compared. Chi-square test, Student's t-test, or rank-sum test were used in statistical analyses.This study finally included 32 patients with acute MMD-related PIVH and 112 with acute idiopathic PIVH. Patients with acute MMD-related PIVH were significantly younger (53.3 ± 15.8 vs. 42.8 ± 12.2 years, P0.001). The admission systolic blood pressure in patients with acute idiopathic PIVH was significantly higher (161.7 ± 30.9 vs. 134.6 ± 24.6 mm Hg, P0.001). Patients with acute idiopathic PIVH had significantly higher admission serum urea (5.68 ± 2.66 vs. 4.34 ± 1.62 mmol/L, P = 0.008), cystatin C (0.97 ± 0.72 vs. 0.68 ± 0.16 mg/L, P = 0.023), and uric acid (309.01 ± 105.97 vs. 242.24 ± 77.65 μmol/L, P = 0.001). In patients with acute MMD-related PIVH, only one (3.1%) patient was dead at discharge. In contrast, a total of 22 (19.6%) patients with acute idiopathic patients died at discharge (P = 0.027).Compared with patients with acute idiopathic PIVH, patients with acute MMD-related PIVH have younger age, lower blood pressure, and better renal function. Moreover, patients with acute MMD-related PIVH have lower short-term mortality.

Background Hematoma enlargement happens in about 30% patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, which is reported to be closely correlated with poor prognosis. Swirl sign has been reported to have correlation with hematoma enlargement. This meta-analysis analyzed the accuracy of swirl sign for predicting hematoma enlargement in intracerebral hemorrhage. Methods Five databases were searched for potentially eligible literature. Studies were included if they were about the predictive properties of swirl sign for hematoma enlargement in intracerebral hemorrhage. Sensitivity and specificity of swirl sign for hematoma enlargement prediction were pooled. Pooled positive and negative likelihood ratios were also calculated. Results Six studies with 2647 patients were finally included in meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of swirl sign were 0.45 (95%CI 0.32–0.59) and 0.79 (95%CI 0.73–0.84), respectively. The pooled positive likelihood ratio of swirl sign was 2.2 (95%CI 1.8–2.5). In contrast, the pooled negative likelihood ratio of swirl sign was 0.69 (95%CI 0.57–0.84). Conclusions This meta-analysis suggests that swirl sign has the relatively high specificity for hematoma enlargement prediction in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Lithium sulfur (Li-S) battery is one promising candidate for high energy density electrochemical energy storage system. Accelerating the sluggish reaction kinetics of sulfur cathode and suppressing the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttle are crucial for the high-performance Li-S batteries. Herein, we prepared the catalytic palladium nano-particles (Pd NPs) imbedded in hollow carbon spheres (Pd@HCS) as sulfur host by a sacrificial template method. Benefitting from the hollow nanostructure and strong chemisorption ability of Pd NPs, Pd@HCS can effectively mitigate the LiPS shuttling via physical and chemical pathways. Furthermore, the Pd NPs as one electrocatalyst can accelerate the redox reaction kinetics of LiPS. The theoretical calculation and X-ray absorption spectroscopy elucidate that the moderate Pd-S bonding between Pd NPs and sulfur species are beneficial to LiPS conversion. The Pd@HCS/S electrode delivers a high initial capacity of 1306 mAh g−1 and 885 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C, as well as the good cycling stability (a slight capacity decay of 0.068% per cycle over 400 cycles at 1 C). The Pd@HCS/S cathode with the high sulfur loading of 5.88 mg cm−2 delivers an initial capacity of 873 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C and good capacity retention of 85% after 100 cycles.

Weather conditions have been recognized as important factors affecting school commute mode choices. This paper aims to explore the modal shift of middle school commutes with respect to the variation in weather-related variables, with empirical emphases on the situation in Beijing, China. Data from the latest Beijing School Commute Survey (2014–2015) were adopted, and multinomial probit (MNP) and multinomial logit (MNL) models were developed. The modeling results are in favor of the MNP model because it has better statistical performance. Weather-related variables, including sky condition, wind speed, highest temperature, humidity, air quality index (AQI), and some interaction terms, were found to have a significant impact on students' commute mode choices. Based on these models, an empirical sensitivity measure was defined as the expected percentage change in the probability of choosing each mode with respect to an order of magnitude change in the influential factors. Most of the results are in line with those of previous studies, and some unique results reflect features of Beijing. For example, on days with extremely poor air quality, students are more likely to turn to public transport rather than use a car from active transportation modes. This is probably due to the special urban traffic regulations that restrict household car ownership and car travel in Beijing. These findings could have implications for promoting active transportation for students and serve as references for policymakers and planners.

An aqueous blend of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroburate ([Bmim][BF4]) + piperazine (PZ) was proposed in this work. Density and viscosity of the aqueous blend were measured and correlated at (293.15–333.15) K and atmospheric pressure. Performance of CO2 absorption into the aqueous blend was evaluated. It turned out that PZ mass fraction slightly influenced on the density and viscosity, being linear with them. Temperature significantly affected the viscosity. The calculated values are in good agreement with the experimental values. The main factors affecting the CO2 loading of the aqueous blend were PZ mass fraction, gas CO2 mole fraction and temperature. The average absorption rate of the aqueous blend was the biggest in the aqueous [Bmim][BF4], PZ and [Bmim][BF4]/PZ, and much higher than that of the former two. The performance of the aqueous [Bmim][BF4]/PZ with low PZ mass fraction was better than that with high PZ mass fraction. It demonstrated that the aqueous blend of [Bmim][BF4]/PZ is a good absorbent of CO2.

Oligochitosan (OCHI) is known to have some specific biological activities. However, its interactions with blood components and related correlation with molecular structures remains to be clarified due to its growing use in biomedical areas. Herein, a series of OCHI were prepared by hydrogen peroxide induced degradation combined fractionation in ethanol solutions and their molecular structures were characterized by GPC, FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR, and then the interactions of the prepared OCHI with blood components, including red blood cells (hemolysis, deformability, and aggregation), coagulation system, complement (C3a, and C5a activation), and platelet (activation, and aggregation), were investigated. For red blood cells, OCHI has a quite low risk of hemolysis in a dose- and MW-dependent manner and the deformability and aggregation were observed in its high MW fraction. The coagulation tests revealed that OCHI is capable of a mild anticoagulation through blocking the intrinsic pathway and the anticoagulation corresponding MW was identified. In terms of complement, OCHI could inhibit C3a in a dose-dependent manner and activate C5a with its high MW fraction. In addition, there is no significant effect of OCHI on platelet activation and aggregation. Based on above results, the interactions related mechanism was discussed and proposed.

Background Understanding the impact of emergency medical services (EMS) response times on the likelihood of death has received repeated attention in the literature. However, the current literature lacks definite and detailed results. This study seeks to contribute by revealing a smoothed conditional association between EMS response times and the odds of fatality, also allowing this association to be heterogeneous with respect to the statuses of other influential variables. Methods The 2015 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) national dataset of the United States was adopted as it was large enough to support the sample-size requirement for exhibiting heterogeneous smooth link functions of EMS response times, with higher confidence levels. An additive logistic regression model with smooth interaction terms was introduced. Two ordinary logistic models with different settings for the EMS response time were developed for comparison with the additive logistic model. Results The overall impact of the EMS response time, as well as age, gender, seating position and manner of collision, on the odds of death, was statistically significant. For the first time, the marginal smooth influential pattern of the EMS response time was found to be non-monotonic, such that, for cases with long EMS response times, it could be negatively associated with the odds of death. Similar phenomena were also found when the EMS response time interacted with several other factors. Conclusion Two critical values (5.5 minutes and 17 minutes respectively) of the EMS response time were found. The former represents the fastest decline in the chance of survival and the latter is just the “gold time” for operating rescues. Overestimation of the urgency level of certain types of crashes at the very early stages of rescues could be the main reason for observing a negative influential pattern of the EMS response time on the odds of death.

Iron fluoride cathode for lithium batteries intrigues researchers for decades due to high capacity and low cost, but suffers from poor electronic and ionic conductivity. Hierarchical micro/nano construction with preferred orientation growth can shorten ion diffusion pathway and facilitate electron transportation without inducing side reactions. Here, FeF3·0.33H2O hierarchical microspheres self-assembled by octagonal single crystal slices are prepared. Benefiting from the artful structure, SAED and XRD characterizations confirm that the octagonal single crystal slices provides more lithium ions intercalation positions (4c sites). Electrochemical tests demonstrate that the well designed FeF3·0.33H2O single crystal (FFH-S) delivers 30 mAh g−1 higher capacity (172 mAh g−1 at 0.1C) than the common FeF3·0.33H2O polycrystal (FFH-P). In-situ XRD combined with theoretic calculation elucidate the difference in lithium storage capacity. Instructive argument that single crystal octagon slices with [110] oriented growth provide more active sites for lithium ions intercalation contributes to the preparation of high performance iron fluoride cathode materials for rechargeable battery.

Objective Among several novel predictors on noncontrast computed tomography (CT) for hematoma expansion in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), shape irregularity grade, satellite sign, and island sign are all related to irregular shape of hematoma. This study is aimed to compare the accuracy of these imaging markers for predicting hematoma expansion in the same cohort of sICH patients. Methods This retrospective study enrolled sICH patients who underwent diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scans within 6 hours after onset and another follow-up CT scan within 24 hours after initial CT scan. Shape irregularity grade, satellite sign, and island sign were assessed according to the definitions in previous studies. The accuracy of these imaging indicators for predicting hematoma expansion was analyzed using receiver operator analysis. Results Finally, a total of 196 patients were included. Shape irregularity grade ≥3 was found in 87 (44.39%) patients, satellite sign was identified in 76 (38.78%) patients, and island sign was shown in only 41 (20.92%) patients. Only island sign remained an independent predictor for hematoma expansion in multivariate logistic regression. The sensitivity values of shape irregularity grade ≥3, satellite sign, and island sign were 0.52, 0.63, and 0.48, respectively. By contrast, the specificity values of these 3 predictors were 0.58, 0.69, and 0.85, respectively. Shape irregularity grade ≥3 had the smallest area under the curve (0.597), and island sign had the largest (0.676). Conclusions Island sign seems to be the optimal shape-related predictor for hematoma expansion in sICH patients and could be included in the future predictive model for hematoma expansion.

Bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) gene encodes a transmembrane protein and is involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes, such as inflammatory response, tumor development and progression, cell proliferation and differentiation. A previous study suggested that BAMBI may interact with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via promoting β-catenin nuclear translocation associated with C2C12 myogenic myoblast differentiation. However, its biological function in skeletal muscle still remains unknown and requires further characterization. The present work sought to investigate its biological function in skeletal muscle, especially the physiological roles of BAMBI during skeletal muscle growth and regeneration. Our current work suggests that BAMBI protein is highly expressed in skeletal muscle and is only detected in cytosolic fraction in the resting muscle. Moreover, BAMBI protein is co-localized in fast-twitch (glycolytic) fibers, but not in slow-twitch (oxidative) fibers. Comparing with the cytosolic trapping in resting muscle, BAMBI protein is enriched on cellular membrane during the muscle growth and regeneration, suggesting that BAMBI-mediated a significant signaling pathway may be an essential part of muscle growth and regeneration.