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IntroductionPharmacists are increasingly adopting patient-centered roles, improving healthcare outcomes by reducing medication errors and costs. In China, recent healthcare reforms recognize and compensate for pharmacy services. However, patient awareness of these services and their willingness to pay (WTP) remain underexplored. Therefore, this study aims to examine inpatient understanding of pharmacy services, their WTP in Hebei Province, and the factors affecting it.MethodsBetween July and August 2024, a questionnaire was used to survey inpatients from 22 medical institutions across 11 prefecture-level cities in Hebei Province regarding their awareness of WTP for pharmacy services. Further investigation targeted inpatients unwilling to pay. The survey results were analyzed descriptively, with frequencies and percentages (%) used for categorical data and continuous data were presented as mean ± standard deviation (X ± SD). The chi-square test was used to determine statistically significant influences, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant factors affecting inpatient WTP for pharmacy services. A column-line graph was validated using receiver operating characteristic curves and calibration graph analysis.ResultsIn total, 464 questionnaires were distributed, with 432 valid responses, yielding a 93.10% effective response rate. Most inpatients (89.58%) viewed hospital pharmacists as primarily responsible for dispensing medication, while only 5.79% were aware of broader pharmacy services. Despite this, 72.69% of the inpatients were willing to receive pharmacy services, and 95.38% of those who had received such services found them beneficial. Half of the inpatients (216, or 50.00%) indicated WTP for pharmacy services. Among those initially unwilling to pay (216 inpatients), 102 indicated they would consider payment if a doctor recommended clinical pharmacist guidance. Of the 318 inpatients who were WTP, 315 (99.06%) chose health insurance reimbursement as a payment method. Key factors influencing inpatient WTP included literacy level, preferred source of medication counseling, prior pharmacy service experience, understanding of pharmacy service policies, and readiness to recommend these services (P < 0.05).ConclusionMost inpatients lacked knowledge and trust in clinical pharmacists, with limited awareness of the value of pharmacy services. However, they demonstrated high acceptance and WTP for these services, with nearly all inpatients preferring health insurance reimbursement. Integrating pharmacy service fees into health insurance is crucial for promoting these services.

Biotechnology assumes a paramount role in addressing micronutrient deficiencies. The promotion thereof and the augmentation of public awareness are indispensable for implementation. The advancement of big data presents challenges due to the plethora of information and the constrained processing capacity, thereby inducing difficulties in consumer decision-making. The study is obliged to intensify information dissemination to empower consumers to apprehend the value of selenium-enriched products as an integral constituent of positive nutrition guidance. The study undertook an experiment related to nutrition information acquisition, in which participants provided relevant interferences. The study utilized the structural equation model (SEM) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to analyze the data. The study arrived at three research conclusions. Firstly, the furnishing of valuable information constitutes a significant factor in motivating consumers to purchase selenium-rich agricultural products. Secondly, the communication of brand information holds crucial significance in shaping the perception of product advantages and plays a salient role in the promotion and construction of selenium-rich agricultural products. Finally, the dissemination of health information can be incorporated into the process of promoting selenium-rich agricultural products. This conforms to the urgent necessity to address hidden hunger and establish a value identity.

ObjectiveThis meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness and safety of novel antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in treating epilepsy in patients with brain tumors (BTRE).MethodsA search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library from inception to February 2023, with English language restriction.ResultsIn this meta-analysis, 18 clinical trials involving 755 BTRE patients were included to assess the efficacy and safety of novel AEDs in BTRE treatment. At the last follow-up, a ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency was experienced by 72% of patients (random-effects model, 95% CI = 0.64–0.78) using novel AEDs. At the last follow-up, seizure freedom was experienced by 34% of patients (random-effects model, 95% CI = 0.28–0.41) using novel AEDs. The pooled incidence of AEs was found to be 19% (95% CI: 13%–26%), with a withdrawal rate due to adverse effects of only 3%. Comparable efficacy and incidence of adverse effects were observed between lacosamide and perampanel.ConclusionThis meta-analysis suggests that novel antiepileptic drugs are deemed effective for seizure control in brain tumor patients, particularly when used as adjunctive therapy. Although lacosamide and perampanel received more focus in studies, no significant difference was observed in the efficacy and adverse reactions of these two drugs in seizure control. Further randomized controlled trials are deemed necessary to validate our findings.

The chiral pesticide hexythiazox was extensively employed in agricultural activities and has garnered growing concern for its harmful impact on the ecosystem. This study investigates the toxicodynamic earthworm at the enantiomeric level of hexythiazox. Earthworms exhibited notable enantioselectivity during the accumulation stage. Furthermore, the presence of earthworms can impact the rate of degradation and enantioselectivity of hexythiazox in soil. The accumulation of the two hexythiazox enantiomers in the earthworm adhered to the one-compartment model, whereas the elimination phase was governed by the first-order kinetics equation. Furthermore, it was discovered that there was no notable enantioselectivity observed during the elimination phase.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of low-temperature (LT) stress during the jointing stage on three most representative wheat varieties in the Huang-Huai-Hai region: “Shannong 38” (a robust winter wheat variety), “Jimai 22” (a semi-winter wheat variety), and “Zhenmai 12” (a weak winter wheat variety). The objective was to explain the sensitivity and change thresholds of various physiological and yield indicators of three winter wheat varieties to low temperatures during the jointing stage and to construct an index for the grading of LT disasters during the jointing stage using principal component analysis. Controlled environment experiments were conducted using an artificial climate chamber during the jointing stage of winter wheat. Five daily minimum temperature treatments were applied, namely (T1, −6 °C); (T2, −3 °C); (T3, 0 °C); (T4, 3 °C); (T5, 6 °C); and control (CK, 8 °C). The duration of treatments was divided into three levels: (D1: 2 days), (D2: 4 days), and (D3: 6 days). It was found that the photosynthetic parameters and chlorophyll content showed a decreasing trend with the increase in the degree of LT stress. The activities of protective enzymes and endogenous hormones increased during the early stages of LT stress or at relatively high temperatures. However, they decreased significantly with an increase in LT stress. Among the varieties, “Zhenmai 12” exhibited a yield reduction rate exceeding 10% under 3 °C LT stress for more than 4 days and a yield reduction rate exceeding 20% under 0 °C LT stress for more than 6 days. “Jimai 22” showed a yield reduction rate exceeding 10% under 3 °C LT stress lasting more than 2 days, and a yield reduction rate exceeding 20% under −3 °C LT stress lasting more than 4 days. “Shannong 38” experienced a yield reduction rate exceeding 10% under 0 °C LT stress lasting more than 4 days and a yield reduction rate exceeding 20% under −6 °C LT stress lasting more than 6 days. Principal component analysis (PCA) conducted on all trait indicators of the three winter wheat varieties revealed that “Zhenmai 12” experienced mild LT stress at 6 °C for 2 days, moderate LT stress at 0 °C for 6 days, and severe LT stress at −3 °C for 6 days. “Jimai 22” experienced mild LT stress under 6 °C for 6 days, moderate LT stress under 0 °C for 4 days, and severe LT stress under −6 °C for 2 days. “Shannong 38” experienced mild LT stress under 3 °C for 4 days, moderate LT stress under 0 °C for 4 days, and severe LT stress under −6 °C for 6 days.

Streptococcus suis can cause severe infections in pigs and humans. The tonsils of pigs are major niches for S. suis, and different serotypes of S. suis can be found in the same tonsil. Pig tonsil colonization by S. suis is believed to be an important source of infection for humans and pigs. However, how S. suis competes for a stable tonsil niche is unknown. Here, we found that S. suis strain WUSS351, isolated from a healthy pig tonsil, is virulent and multidrug-resistant. The ABC transporter system SstFEG, conferring resistance to bacitracin, was reported to confer a competitive survival advantage in vivo. In addition, strain WUSS351 has several antimicrobial systems, including a novel type VII secretion system (T7SS), lantibiotic bacteriocin, and lactococcin972-like bacteriocin Lcn351. Bacterial competition experiments demonstrated T7SS-mediated cell contact-dependent antagonism of S. suis. Antibacterial activity analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the culture-independent and culture-dependent pig tonsillar microbiome revealed that Lcn351 mainly targets S. suis, one of the core microbiomes in pig tonsils. Taken together, our results revealed the mechanism of the stable persistence of S. suis in the tonsil niche, which might have important implications for S. suis epidemiology, potentially influencing strain prevalence and disease progression.

We propose an ultra narrow-band filter in the mid infrared region (MIR) using artificial metamaterials (AMM), which is suitable for the design of on-chip photonic spectrometers. 2-D rectangular holes with a cross-like layerout are adopted to enhance the filter's efficiency and precision. Considering the penetration depth of electromagnetic (EM) waves in the metal film, we opt for multi-layer films composed of metal layers and dielectric layers, instead of a single metal layer, to improve the structure's performance in the MIR. This multilayer configuration significantly enhances the efficiency and precision of the AMM structures in the MIR. The transmission peak, with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 30 nm, can be achieved and tuned in the wavelength range from 3.0 μm to 10.0 μm by changing the periods of the unit cell (enlarging the unit cell from 3.0 to 10.0 μm). The proposed AMM structures, with tunable narrow band transmittance in MIR, exhibit promising potential in the fabrication of narrow band photonic detectors and on-chip spectrometers.

Dissipation, residue levels, and ingestion risks of carbendazim in peach (Amygdalus persica L.) were investigated with individual and joint applications in the present study. The dissipation kinetics of carbendazim, chlorpyrifos, prochloraz, and imidacloprid were evaluated by the first-order kinetics. When carbendazim was individually applied, the final residual concentration was 2.97 mg kg−1 and the half-life was 17.4 d. In the joint application of carbendazim with chlorpyrifos, prochloraz, and imidacloprid, the residual concentrations at 35 d after spraying were 7.16, 7.50, and 4.26 mg kg−1 and the half-lives were 30.8, 23.7, and 23.2 d, respectively, which showed an increase of 1.3–1.8 times compared with the single application of carbendazim. In addition, the effects of household processing of rinsing and peeling were investigated, and a high removal rate of 54.6% and 76.5% were found. Furthermore, the carbendazim ingestion risk assessment was conducted, which indicated that the acute health risk (aHI) and hazard quotient (HQ) of carbendazim were all within acceptable levels ranging from 21.7% to 40.9%. However, a higher ingestion risk of carbendazim was found under the joint application. This study provides some preliminary guidance for the joint application and risk assessment of carbendazim in peach, which is worth further investigation.

Drought is a major stress that restricts the growth and development of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and recovery after drought is the key to coping with adversity. So, we used a meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the responses of winter wheat to drought stress and rewatering and investigated the differences caused by several moderators (e.g., stress intensity, treatment durations, growth stages, planting methods, and experimental areas). The results show that drought can cause many negative effects on winter wheat. However, in most cases, rewatering can offset these adverse effects. Winter wheat under short-term or mild stress was less affected, and rewatering can restore it to the control level. Net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), and stomatal conductance (gs) are sensitive to environmental water change. Drought reduced the quantum yield of electron transport (ΦPSII), with insignificant effects on the efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm). Additionally, the responses to drought and rewatering also varied with different growth stages. The regreening stage and the anthesis-filling stage are both critical water management periods. Rewatering after the jointing stage had no significant effect on leaf area (LA) and plant height (PH). The drought tolerance and recovery ability of field-grown wheat were better than those of pot-grown wheat. Winter wheat planted on the Loess Plateau was less affected than that on the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain and the Middle–Lower Yangtze Plain. Overall, different moderators may lead to different degrees of responsiveness of wheat to drought stress and postdrought rewatering. This study provides a reference for winter wheat to cope with drought stress and a useful guidance to wheat breeding programs.

Despite the important role of the genre awareness in facilitating the effective communication in the global business context and the need to teach and practice writing for various social purposes, there was scant classroom-based research on effects of providing peer feedback on EFL learners’ genre awareness in business writing for fulfilling the particular communicative purpose. This study examined whether student reviewers could improve their genre awareness in business letter writing by providing peer feedback to other students’ writings at varying levels. Sixty business English majors, taking the business writing course for 1 year under the tutelage of the same instructor, participated in the current study. They were randomly assigned to the experimental group who reviewed the students’ drafts at different levels (high, medium and low) and gave written comments and the control group who received no treatment but did self-revision. Both groups followed the genre-specific evaluation criteria during peer feedback and self-revision. Repeated-measures ANOVA on the two groups’ writing performances at different timepoints (pretest, immediate posttest, transfer posttest and delayed transfer posttest) demonstrated that the participants in the experimental group had better performance than those in the control group at the transfer posttest as well as the delayed transfer posttest. Moreover, providing weakness comments on both the low-quality and the medium-quality drafts had significant effects on their own writing quality at the subsequent tests, whereas providing strength feedback on the high-quality drafts had statistically significant impacts on their own writing quality at the immediate posttest and the delayed transfer posttest. However, multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that only offering weakness comments to the medium-quality drafts could effectively predict the reviewers’ overall writing quality in the immediate posttest, the transfer posttest, and the delayed transfer posttest. Tentative research and pedagogical implications of the findings were discussed.

There is no gold standard for evaluating the severity of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), and it is still based on a score. This study aimed to use the metabolomics method to find promised biomarkers in assessing disease severity and potential therapeutic targets for CAP. The result found that the metabolites in the plasma samples of CAP patients had significantly different between the acute phase and the remission phase, especially lysophosphatidylcholine (LPCs) in glycerophospholipids, whose levels are negatively linked to the severity of the disease. Subsequently, the two key metabolites of myristoyl lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC 14:0) and LPC 16:1 were screened. We analyzed the predictive performance of the two metabolites using Spearman-related analysis and ROC curves, and LPC14:0 showed more satisfactory diagnostic performance than LPC16:1. Then we explored the protective role and mechanism of LPC 14:0 in animal and cell models. The results showed that LPC 14:0 could inhibit the LPS-induced secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, lower the ROS and MDA levels, and decreased the depletion of SOD and GSH, thereby reducing lung tissue and cell damage, such as down-regulating the protein level in BALF, lung W/D ratio, MPO activity, and apoptosis. We found that LPC 14:0 inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress, and the above protection was achieved by inhibiting LPS-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. LPC 14:0 may serve as a novel biomarker for predicting the severity of CAP. In addition, our exploration of the role of LPC 14:0 in animal and cellular models has reinforced its promise as a therapeutic target to improve the clinical efficacy for CAP.

Three covalent organic polymers (COPs) were successfully fabricated by room-temperature solvent-free mechanochemical grinding method between 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (TP) and p-phenyl enediamine (COP1), benzidine (COP2), 4, 4″-diamino-p-terphenyl (COP3), and followed by coprecipitation on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles to form three corresponding magnetic Tp-series COPs. The fabricated magnetic COPs were evaluated and then applied for the extraction of phthalate esters from food samples before gas chromatography-tandem spectrometry analysis. Magnetic COP2 exhibited the highest extraction efficiency, which can be attributed to its larger pore size, and its strong hydrophobic and π-π interactions with phthalate esters. The method possessed good linearity (10–1000 μg·kg−1), high sensitivity (0.29–2.59 µg·kg−1 for LODs and 0.97–8.63 µg·kg−1 for LOQs), and satisfactory recoveries (70.2–108.1%) with relative standard deviations lower than 5.2%. This method has potentials for high efficient separation/preconcentration of hydrophobic phthalate esters from foods.

In this study, ultrafast dynamics of photoexcited carriers in an intrinsic CdTe film are investigated deeply and systematically as a function of carrier density and excess energy using femtosecond-resolved pump–probe transient differential transmission spectroscopy. A dynamic model is developed based on an interband transition absorption model in direct bandgap semiconductors by introducing the dynamics of thermalization, cooling and recombination of photoexcited carriers into the interband transition absorption model. Then, the model is used to best fit the measured ultrafast dynamics to retrieve the initial temperature of thermalized electrons and time constants of the thermalization, cooling and recombination dynamic processes as a function of carrier density and excess energy. The increase with carrier density and the decrease with excess energy of thermalization time constant reveal that thermalization process of photoexcited carriers is dominated by carrier-phonon scatterings. We find for the first time that cooling of thermalized carriers depend strongly on carrier density and excess energy, and cooling time constant varies in a wide range from 0.2 to 5 ps. It is also found that carrier recombination in the intrinsic CdTe film is dominated by the radiative recombination of electron-hole pairs, rather than Auger recombination as reported in doped CdTe films. These new results are very important to understanding of microscopic mechanism of relaxation processes of photoexcited carriers and applications of CdTe-based optoelectronic devices.

Blocked impurity band (BIB) detectors play an important role in astronomical detection from the mid-infrared to THz region. We demonstrated the field dependence of the photoresponse in BIB detectors using both experimental results and theoretical calculations. It was found that there is a gain operation region between the saturation voltage of the photocurrent and the breakdown voltage of the dark current. The photoconduction gain in the gain operation region is several orders of magnitude larger than that in the other voltage range. Considering the field-assisted thermal ionization process and the photon-assisted impact ionization process, the gain operation mode can be well explained. Utilizing the gain operation mode, Ge:B BIB detectors can even detect the objects with a temperature as low as 10 K. We provide a theoretical basis to optimize BIB detectors and further improve their detection performance.

A central venous catheter is the most common access for initiating hemodialysis. Prolonged access through a central venous catheter increases the risk of infection and dysfunction of the catheter with potential development of catheter-induced thrombosis and embolism. However, fracture and dislodgement of the catheter with subsequent embolization is an unexpected complication. Endovascular treatment is a promising method to remove intravascular foreign bodies. We herein report a case of a 58-year-old woman undergoing prolonged hemodialysis who required central venous catheter removal because of mechanical fracture of the tunneled cuffed catheter and its migration in the internal jugular vein. An urgent chest X-ray showed that the two free ends of the fractured tunneled cuffed catheter were located in the right atrium and right internal jugular vein. Phlebotomy of the internal jugular vein was successfully performed to retrieve the fractured tunneled cuffed catheter and the associated thrombi. In this case, phlebotomy for retrieval of the embolized catheter fragment extending into the right atrium was a safe alternative to an endovascular technique of catheter fragment retrieval. Phlebotomy preserved the integrity of the catheter fragment and its associated thrombus and was both cost-effective and safe.

Abstract The remarkable optoelectronic properties and considerable performance of the organo lead‐halide perovskites (PVKs) in various optoelectronic applications grasp tremendous scientific attention. However, the existence of the toxic lead in these compounds is threatening human health and remains a major concern in the way of their commercialization. To address this issue, numerous nontoxic alternatives have been reported. Among these alternatives, bismuth‐based PVKs have emerged as a promising substitute because of similar optoelectronic properties and extended environmental stability. This work communicates briefly about the possible lead‐alternatives and explores bismuth‐based perovskites comprehensively, in terms of their structures, optoelectronic properties, and applications. A brief description of lead‐toxification is provided and the possible Pb‐alternatives from the periodic table are scrutinized. Then, the classification and crystal structures of various Bi‐based perovskites are elaborated on. Detailed optoelectronic properties of Bi‐based perovskites are also described and their optoelectronic applications are abridged. The overall photovoltaic applications along with device characteristics (i.e., VOC, JSC, fill factor, FF, and power conversion efficiency, PCE), fabrication method, device architecture, and operational stability are also summarized. Finally, a conclusion is drawn where a brief outlook highlights the challenges that hamper the future progress of Bi‐based optoelectronic devices and suggestions for future directions are provided.

In this response, we explain the points mentioned by R. Rani and R. Bhatia in their Comment for our previous paper [AIP Advances 5, 097130 (2015)], that the high value of β obtained in Song et al. [AIP Advances 5, 097130 (2015)] is misleading because it does not corroborate with the obtained Jmax, and the obtained value of Jmax is “low” in the mentioned study as compared to the reported values [J. Appl. Phys. 111, 044307 (2012) & Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 033102 (2013)]. For the high value of β, the obtained current Jmax is corroborated but such high value is mainly due to the multistage effect when CNTs are deposited on the rough surface of reduced graphene. For the “low” Jmax, although this is true when compared with Sameera et al. [J. Appl. Phys. 111, 044307 (2012) and Appl. Phys. Lett. 102, 033102 (2013)], but we believe that our value is a generally common value when compared with other reports [Diam. Relat. Mater. 47, 1 (2014); J. Alloys Compd. 610, 659 (2014); J. Nanomater. 2013, 5239 (2013)] using the similar method as described in our paper. Therefore, the conclusions from the experimental results on field emission performance of CNT/graphene composite materials in our paper are reliable.

Preparation of aluminosilicate ferrierite (FER) zeolite nanosheets with controllable thickness in the presence of a sole organic ammonium is attractive, but still challenging. In this report, with the employment of N,N-diethyl-cis-2,6-dimethylpiperidinium (DMP) as both a structure directing agent and crystal growth inhibitor, aluminosilicate FER zeolite nanosheets, with a variety of crystal thicknesses, ranging from 6 to 200 nm, are successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Very interestingly, the amount of DMP in the starting gel is the key factor for crystal thickness control of aluminosilicate FER zeolite nanosheets. The obtained FER products, with different thicknesses, are well characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2 sorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) techniques. This simple strategy might provide a novel avenue for the synthesis of other zeolite nanosheets with controllable thickness.

Integrating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene into hybrid structures provides a novel approach to three dimensional (3D) materials with advantageous properties. Here we present a water-processing method to create integrated CNT/graphene hybrids and test their field emission properties. With an optimized mass ratio of CNTs to graphene, the hybrid shows a significantly enhanced field emission performance, such as turn-on electric field of 0.79 V/μm, threshold electric field of 1.05 V/μm, maximum current density of 0.1 mA/cm2, and field enhancement factor of ∼1.3 × 104. The optimized mass ratio for field emission emphasizes the importance of both CNTs and graphene in the hybrid. We also hypothesize a possible mechanism for this enhanced field emission performance from the CNT/graphene hybrid. During the solution treatment, graphene oxide behaves as surfactant sheets for CNTs to form a well dispersed solution, which leads to a better organized 3D structure with more conducting channels for electron transport.

The heterostructures of (zinc-blende)–CdTe/(rock-salt)–PbTe are typically found to have their common cubic axes aligned to each other, as in the case of PbTe quantum dots embedded in a CdTe matrix. In this work, we perform both theoretical and experimental studies on the CdTe/PbTe heterostructure in a different geometry: a planar CdTe/PbTe (111) heterostructure. We simulate the epitaxial growth of CdTe (PbTe) on the (111) PbTe (CdTe) substrate, using a density-functional theory. A twisted CdTe/PbTe (111) interface structure has been predicted in the layer-by-layer epitaxial growth on the (111) substrate, in contrast to the non-twisted CdTe/PbTe (111) interface reported in the literature. This predicted structure has been confirmed experimentally in the heterostructure grown by molecular beam epitaxy, using a high-resolution transmission electron microscope. The twisted interface has a lower binding energy than the non-twisted one, indicating that the twisted structure is a metastable phase formed in the non-equilibrium growth process. Additionally, the interface reconstructions of the CdTe/PbTe (111) heterostructure observed by reflection high-energy electron diffraction are explained using the twisted interface model.