Search

Numerous sources have already demonstrated that varying annealing rates can result in distinct toughness and brittleness in glass. To determine the underlying mechanisms driving this phenomenon, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations were employed to investigate the microstructure of aluminosilicate glasses under different cooling rates, and then uniaxial stretching was performed on them under controlled conditions. Results indicated that compared with short-range structure, cooling rate has a greater influence on the medium-range structure in glass, and it remarkably affects the volume of voids. Both factors play a crucial role in determining the brittleness of the glass. The former adjusts network connectivity to influence force transmission by manipulating the levels of bridging oxygen (BO) and non-bridging oxygen (NBO), and the latter accomplishes the objective of influencing brittleness by modifying the environmental conditions that affect the changes in BO and NBO content. The variation in the void environment results in differences in the strategies of the changes in BO and NBO content during glass stress. These findings stem from the excellent response of BO and NBO to the characteristic points of stress–strain curves during stretching. This paper holds importance in understanding the reasons behind the effect of cooling rates on glass brittleness and in enhancing our understanding of the ductile/brittle transition (DTB) in glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Delayed meconium evacuation is an important cause of intestinal dysfunction in preterm infants. There are many methods to induce defecation in preterm infants: however, the effects are controversial. Finding a new intervention method to promote meconium evacuation in premature infants is necessary. Therefore, in the proposed study, the effectiveness of breast milk enema on complete meconium evacuation and time to achieve full enteral feeding will be investigated in preterm infants.Methods/design: The study is a randomized, open-label, parallel-group, and single-center clinical trial. A total of 294 preterm infants will be recruited and stratified based on gestational age. Then, the infants will be assigned in a randomized block design to the intervention and control groups with a 1:1 ratio. Preterm infants in the control and intervention groups will receive saline enema and breast milk enema, respectively. The primary outcomes will be the time to achieve complete meconium evacuation from birth and time to achieve full enteral feeding from birth in preterm infants. The secondary outcomes will include hospitalization days, body weight at discharge, duration of total parenteral nutrition, cholestasis, and adverse events.Discussion: The results of this trial will determine whether breast milk enema shortens the time to complete meconium evacuation and the time to achieve full enteral feeding in extremely preterm and preterm infants. Furthermore, the study results may provide a new, safe, inexpensive, and easy-to-use intervention to effectively evacuate meconium in preterm infants.Trial Registration: ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN17847514 . Registered on September 14, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environment and accumulate in humans. Toxicological studies have indicated the potential neurotoxicity of PFAS during the fetal development. However, in epidemiological studies, the association between prenatal exposure to PFAS and executive function in offspring remains unclear. To investigate the association between prenatal exposure to PFAS and executive function in offspring. This study included 1765 mother–child pairs in the Shanghai Birth Cohort, a prospective birth cohort enrolled during 2013–2016. The levels of 10 PFAS were measured in maternal plasma samples collected during early gestation. Child executive function was assessed at 4 years of age using the parent-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool version (BRIEF-P), which provided 4 composite measures: Inhibitory Self-Control Index, Flexibility Index, Emergent Metacognition Index, and Global Executive Composite. We used multivariable linear regression to examine the associations between individual PFAS and BRIEF-P scores. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was employed to evaluate the joint effects. We also investigated whether these associations were modified by sex. We found no significant associations between prenatal PFAS exposure and BRIEF-P scores when the child was 4 years old. BKMR analysis showed no joint effect of the PFAS mixture on child executive function. RCS analysis indicated that the majority of relationships between PFAS and BRIEF-P did not deviate from the linear relationship, even though there was a nonlinear association between PFUA and EMI. Additionally, the associations were not modified by sex. Overall, our findings showed that there were no associations between prenatal exposure to PFAS and child executive function at 4 years of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the impact of the 2017 American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guideline and the 2018 Chinese hypertension guidelines on the different secular trends for hypertension prevalence. A total of 82 665 eligible individuals aged ≥20 years were selected from nine cross‐sectional study periods (1991‐2015) from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Over the 24‐year period, the long‐term trend for the prevalence of the 2017 ACC/AHA‐defined age‐adjusted hypertension showed an increase from 32.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 31.0%‐33.3%) in 1991 to 60.0% (95% CI: 58.6%‐61.3%) in 2015 (Ptrend < 0.001). According to the 2018 Chinese guideline for hypertension, the weighted hypertension prevalence increased from 10.0% (95% CI: 9.4%‐10.5%) in 1991 to 28.7% (95% CI: 27.9%‐29.6%) in 2015 (Ptrend < 0.001). However, slopes of increasing prevalence of hypertension were significantly greater according to the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline than that based on Joint National Committee (JNC 7) report (β = 1.00% vs β = 0.67% per year, respectively, P = 0.041). Based on the 2017 ACC/AHA definition, the prevalence of stage 1 hypertension and elevated blood pressure significantly increase from 22.3% and 6.9% in 1991 to 31.2% and 10.1% in 2015 (all P < 0.05), respectively. The secular trend for the prevalence of hypertension according to the 2017 ACC/AHA guideline showed a greater rate of increase compared with the prevalence based on the 2018 Chinese hypertension guidelines. Public health initiatives should focus on the current status of hypertension in China because of the possible high prevalence of hypertension and concomitant vascular risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Even though the effectiveness of lifestyle modifications and antihypertensive pharmaceutical treatment for the prevention of hypertension and its complications have been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials, the benefits of adhering to these treatments have not been popularized among the general public. Studies suggest that incentive approaches based on behavioral economic concepts can improve patients' adherence to treatment. Therefore, we aimed to test whether financial incentives will reduce the blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive patients in China.Methods/design: This is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms. A total of 400 participants from six cities in the Liaoning and Shanxi provinces of China are block-randomized into intervention and control group with a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the control group will receive interactive management of mobile devices, including patient education and communication. Patients in the intervention group will receive financial incentives in addition to interactive management of mobile devices, conditional on them achieving their antihypertensive goals or hypertension control. Masking the arm allocation will be precluded by the behavioral nature of the intervention and investigators of BP measurement and statistics are masked to clinic assignment. The primary outcome is net change in systolic BP (SBP) from baseline to month 12 between the intervention and control groups. The secondary outcomes are net change in diastolic BP (DBP), BP control, change in medication adherence and lifestyle, and cost-effectiveness.Discussion: This trial will determine whether financial incentives will improve hypertension control and generate necessary data for controlling hypertension and concomitant cardiovascular diseases among hypertensive patients in China.Trial Registration: ISRCTN13467677. Registered on 16 May 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The degree of densification and structural response of indentation centers for different loads were investigated. • The growth of non-bridging oxygen during densification was discovered. • The trend of bridge oxygen conversion in Si, Al tetrahedral densification was investigated. • Provides a theoretical reference for understanding crack formation and extension. The Vickers indentation centers of glass have a general densification effect, and their ability to dissipate stress significantly influences the crack resistance and toughness of the glass. In this study, we used Raman spectroscopy and molecular dynamics simulations focused on the Vickers indentation center of Na 2 O-Al 2 O 3 -SiO 2 glass to investigate its structural contribution to densification. The indentation load and depth were both controlled.Results showed that as the loading increases, the structure of the glass densification zone shrinks (decreased spacing of silica-oxygen tetrahedra close to each other and Si-O-Si bond angles) and reorganizes (by ring distribution, or bridging oxygen distribution).The non-bridging oxygen(NBO) content increases with increasing degree of densification, and the corresponding modifier ions fill the original void space, indicate the occurrence of shear behavior during densification. Furthermore, Al tetrahedra inhibit NBO production during indentation. These findings jointly contribute to the study of the cracking behavior of glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background and aims Recent studies have shown that trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in different clinical settings, but few studies confirmed the association in a community-based general population. Methods This is a nested case-control study from a prospective cohort design. A total of 86 newly diagnosed CVD cases with a median follow-up period of 4.83 years and 86 matched controls were selected for the present analysis. Results Using the LC-MS/MS assays, we found that new CVD cases had a higher baseline levels of TMAO than controls [median (inter-quartile): 1.57 (0.79–2.29) μmol/L v.s 0.68 (0.23–1.40) μmol/L, p < 0.001]. After multivariable adjustment, individuals with TMAO ≥1.89 μmol/L (Q4) and 1.05–1.89 μmol/L (Q3) had odds ratio (OR) for CVD of 2.735 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.328–5.630] and 2.544 (95% CI: 1.251–5.172) with the lowest quartile (<0.43 μmol/L) as reference. In addition, comparisons of areas under receiver operator characteristics curves confirmed that a model including TMAO had a better discrimination than one without (0.732 vs. 0.664, p = 0.045). Conclusions In the community-based general population, there was a positive association between TMAO and future risk of CVD. Addition of TMAO improved the prediction of CVD beyond traditional risk factors. We recommend considering TMAO as a potential novel preventive target in the management of low-risk CVD adults. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • TMAO has a dose-dependent relationship with risk of CVD in the general population. • Addition of TMAO significantly improved the predictive ability of CVD risk. • TMAO is a potential novel preventive target for low-risk CVD adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the abnormal hemorheology in patients with metabolic syndrome (MS), some differences may exhibit in erythrocyte parameters. This cross-sectional study was to determine whether the red blood cell (RBC) count and hematocrit (Hct) were associated with MS in China rural area. We selected 11,191 (5170 males and 6021 females) subjects over 35 years. MS was defined according to the revised ATPIII criteria. We used Student's t test to compare the erythrocyte parameters between normal and MS groups. We also assessed the erythrocyte parameters for different MS component numbers. A partial correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between erythrocyte parameters and each MS component. The RBC counts and Hct were generally higher in MS/component groups than normal groups for both genders. The RBC counts and Hct increased with the increasing MS component numbers. The partial correlation coefficients between erythrocyte parameters and waist circumference (WC) were bigger than other components (RBC count: r = 0.258 for male and r = 0.218 for female, p < 0.001; Hct: r = 0.209 for male and r = 0.149 for female, p < 0.001). RBC count and Hct were positively related with MS/component for both genders. They were more associated with WC and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) than with other MS components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The assembly process of gold nanoparticles is controlled by surfactant structures. [•] The distribution fashion of capping agent is the key factor for the gold nanochains. [•] Systems with mixed nonionic surfactants were further investigated. [•] The different capping fashions transform gold nanochains into single nanoparticles. [•] The diverse capping fashions interpret the different stabilities of nanostructures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study was conducted to examine the differences in the incidence of hypertension and associated risk factors between Mongolian and Han populations in northeast China. Methods: A population-based sample of 4753 Mongolian subjects and 20,247 Han subjects aged ≥35 years and free from hypertension at baseline were followed from 2004–2006 to 2010. Incident hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure≥140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or current use of antihypertensive medication. Results: During mean 4.3 years follow-up, a total of 8779 individuals developed hypertension. The age-adjusted incidence of hypertension for Mongolian subjects was 12.64 per 100 person-years, for Han subjects was 9.77 per 100 person-years (P<0.05). The incidence of hypertension was positively correlated with age, physical activity, drinking, body mass index (BMI), family of hypertension and prehypertension in the Han population. In the Mongolian population, hypertension was positively correlated with age, physical activity, education level, drinking, BMI, prehypertension and family history of hypertension. The rates of awareness, treatment and control of hypertension for newly developed cases among both Han and Mongolian populations were low. (36.5% vs. 42.3%, 13.1% vs. 18.2%, 0.7% vs. 1.3%, P<0.05, respectively). Conclusions: The incidence rate of hypertension is higher in the Mongolian populations than that in the Han populations, and hypertension in both ethnic populations was associated with similar risk factors. Our results suggest that most newly-diagnosed cases of hypertension are not adequately treated. Improvements in hypertension prevention and control programs in rural China are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, clinical sub-types, and associated risk factors of stroke among rural Chinese adults. Methods A population-based sample of 38 949 rural Chinese adults, aged ≥35 years and free from stroke at baseline, were followed from 2004-2006 to 2010. Stroke was defined by the World Health Organization diagnosis criteria. Results The age-standardized incidence rates per 100 000 person-years of overall, first ever stroke was 601·9 (95% confidence interval, 528·3 to 675·5), and mortality rate was 276·7 (95% confidence interval, 251·6 to 301·9). The age-standardized incidence rate was higher in men (775·9 per 100 000 person-years) than in women (435·6 per 100 000 person-years). Among 858 first ever stroke events, 56·3% were ischemic strokes, 40·6% were hemorrhagic strokes, and 3·1% were undetermined strokes. Hypertension and lipid disorder were common modifiable risk factors in the ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke groups. Conclusions The annual incidence of stroke and resulting mortality has increased at an accelerated rate. Furthermore, the incidence of stroke in rural China was higher than that found in urban China and Western countries. Hypertension and lipid disorder were important modifiable risk factors. The primary sub-type of stroke observed in rural China was ischemic stroke. These findings underscored the need for more aggressive efforts to control the risk factors of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: We aim to assess if the relationship between short or long sleep duration and hypertension is present among adults from epidemiological evidence and to investigate the relationship quantitatively. Methods: We performed a comprehensive search of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies using PubMed and the Cochrane Library through February 2012. Our search was supplemented by reviewing reference lists of original and relevant reviews. After the related data were extracted by two investigators independently, pooled odds ratios (ORs) or relative risks (RRs) were estimated using a random-effects model or a fixed-effects model. Publication bias was evaluated, while sensitivity and meta-regression analyses were performed. Results: Twenty-four adult studies met our inclusion criteria, with ages ranging from 18 to 106years. Twenty-one studies involving 225,858 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled results from the cross-sectional studies showed that short sleep duration was associated with a greater risk for hypertension (OR, 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–1.34; P <0.001), and long sleep duration also increased the risk for hypertension (OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04–1.18; P =0.003). There was no evidence of publication bias. Pooled analysis from the longitudinal studies indicated a significant association between short sleep duration and hypertension (RR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.06–1.42; P =0.005), but an insignificant relationship between long sleep duration and hypertension (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.91–1.14; P =0.732). The effects of sleep duration differed by gender, location of the population, and definitions of short or long sleep duration. Meta regression analysis including seven variables did not find the sources of heterogeneity. Conclusions: Among adults, a U-shaped relationship between habitual sleep duration and hypertension was found at the cross-sectional level. Short sleep duration was associated with a higher risk for hypertension even longitudinally. We must pay more attention to this lifestyle factor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

BACKGROUND: A novel method for detecting hypertension in paediatric age groups has recently been formulated using ratios of systolic blood pressure to height (SBPHR) and diastolic blood pressure to height (DBPHR). AIM: To validate this approach and assess its applicability to children. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 6837 children and adolescents five to 18 years of age was conducted. Blood pressure (BP) readings obtained were stratified using population-based percentiles from the United States. RESULTS: For SBPHR and DBPHR, areas under the ROC curve were >0.9 for BP at or above the 95th percentile. Performance of the cut-off points for detecting elevated BP in adolescents 13 to 18 years of age compared favourably with previous studies, showing high sensitivity and specificity (>95%). SBPHR and DBPHR also proved satisfactory when applied to children five to 12 years of age. Nevertheless, performance was lower for BP between the 90th and 95th percentiles. CONCLUSIONS: BP to height ratios are a practical means for detecting elevated BP in adolescents and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the prevalence and risk profile of prehypertension among Chinese children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prehypertensive status and its associated risk factors among rural Chinese children and adolescents. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 5,245 children and adolescents (2,732 boys and 2,513 girls) aged 5-18 years in Northeast China. Main anthropometric data and related information were collected. The overall prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension was 15 % and 20.2 %, respectively. The prevalence of prehypertension among boys was 15.7 %, compared to that of 14.2 % among girls ( P = 0.256). After adjusting for age, race, weight status, waist circumference, triceps skinfold, family income, smoking and drinking status, boys aged 12-14 and 15-18 years had a 2.86- and 5.97-fold risk of prehypertension, respectively, compared to those aged 5-8 years. Overweight and obese boys had an increased risk of prehypertension in comparison to those with normal weight (overweight: odds ratio [OR] = 1.837, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.321-2.556; obese: OR = 2.941, 95 % CI 1.783-4.851). A larger triceps skinfold (≥90th percentile) was significantly related to increased odds of prehypertension (OR = 2.32; 95 % CI, 1.516-3.55) among boys. For girls, only older age was found to be a risk factor for prehypertension. Conclusion: Pediatric prehypertension is highly prevalent in rural Northeast China. The risk factors for prehypertension differed among boys and girls. A more comprehensive risk profile of prehypertension among children and adolescents needs to be established for early prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aggregation behavior of surface active imidazoliumionic liquids(ILs) with different alkyl chain length, cations, and counterions,namely, 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Cnmim]Br (n= 8, 10, 12)), 1-dodecyl-2,3-dimethylimidazoliumbromide ([C12bmim]Br), 1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-3-dodecylimidazoliumbromide ([C12pim]Br), and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazoliumtetrafluoroborate ([C12mim][BF4]) in a proticroom temperature IL, ethylammonium nitrate (EAN), was investigatedthrough surface tension measurements and 1H NMR spectroscopy.Surface tension results show that surface properties and micellizationbehavior of surface active ILs in EAN are significantly affected bythe structure of the cations, the basicity of counterions, and thehydrophobicity of alkyl chains. A detailed analysis of chemical shiftsof various protons of surface active ILs and EAN was employed to investigatethe micelle formation mechanism. Hydrogen bonding interaction is foundto occur between the protons at C-2 on the imidazolium ring and theoxygen atoms in [NO3]−anions, and theinteraction varies as a function of the basicity of the counterionsand the hydrophobicity of the side-chains bonded to the imidizoliumring. The micelle formation may be accompanied by a partial changeoverfrom trans to gauche conformations in the alkyl chain. The solvophobiceffect may exist between the hydrophobic portion of [CH3CH2NH3]橷 the hydrophobic chainsof the surface active ILs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Tandem PDZ domains have been suggested to form structurally independent supramodules. However, dissimilarity between crystallography and NMR models emphasize their malleable conformation. Studies in full-length scaffold proteins are needed to examine the effect of tertiary interactions within their native context. Using single-molecule fluorescence to characterize the N-terminal PDZ tandem in PSD-95, we provide the first direct evidence that PDZ tandems can be structurally independent within a full-length scaffold protein. Molecular refinement using our data converged on a single structure with an antiparallel alignment of the ligand-binding sites. Devoid of interaction partners, single-molecule conditions captured PSD-95 in its unbound, ground state. Interactions between PDZ domains could not be detected while fluctuation correlation spectroscopy showed that other conformations are dynamically sampled. We conclude that ultra-weak interactions stabilize the conformation providing a “low-relief” energy landscape that allows the domain orientation to be flipped by environmental interactions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two-dimensional dendritic gold nanostructures are synthesized at the air/water interface with the assistance of a special additive, [camphorC2mim]Cl, which can form a precipitate with AuCl4−. Interestingly, the precipitate is essential to the formation of dendritic nanostructures. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization reveals that the ratio of [camphorC2mim]Cl to HAuCl4 rather than the concentration is crucial to the morphology of the obtained dendritic nanostructures. A reasonable mechanism based on diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) theory is proposed according to the high resolution TEM (HRTEM) characterization. The obtained gold dendrites are shown to yield a large surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) enhancement for rhodamine 6G. Two-dimensional dendritic gold nanostructures are synthesized at air/water interface with the assistance of a special additive, [camphorC2mim]Cl, which can form precipitate with AuCl4−. Interestingly, the precipitate is essential to the formation of dendritic nanostructures. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization reveals that the ratio of [camphorC2mim]Cl to HAuCl4 rather than the concentration is crucial to the morphology of the obtained dendritic nanostructures. A reasonable mechanism based on diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) theory is proposed according to the high resolution TEM (HRTEM) characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Complex formation between sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (C12mimBr) has been studied by isothermal titration microcalorimetry (ITC), turbidimetric titration, and the surface tension measurements at varied concentrations of NaBr. The addition of salt is found to influence the formation of C12mimBr/NaCMC complexes markedly. At C NaBr <0.20M, C12mimBr forms micelle-like aggregates with the NaCMC polymer chains to form C12mimBr/NaCMC complexes above the critical aggregate surfactant concentration (C 1). Free C12mimBr micelles are formed at C m before the saturation concentration of surfactant on the NaCMC chains (C 2). However, when C NaBr >0.20M, there is no polyelectrolyte/surfactant complex formation because of complete salt screening of the electrostatic attraction between C12mimBr micelles and the NaCMC chains. Additionally, the addition of salt to a system of 0.01g/L NaCMC and fixed C12mimBr concentration induces the formation of C12mimBr/NaCMC complexes when C NaBr <0.20M, and dissociates the complexes at C NaBr >0.20M. The salt effect on complex formation is explained as the result of a competition between the screening interaction (the addition of NaBr screens the electrostatic attraction between surfactant headgroups and stabilizes surfactant micelles) and the increasing interaction (the addition of NaBr compresses the diffusive electric double layers and hence reduces the repulsion between the surfactant heads and carboxylate groups). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The binding of long-chain imidazolium ionic liquid (IL), 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (C14mimBr) to bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by fluorescence spectra and surface tension. Fluorescence spectra show that tryptophan (Trp) residues, one of the intrinsic fluorophores in BSA, are buried in a hydrophobic microenvironment with the addition of C14mimBr, which induces the denaturation of BSA. Moreover, the fluorescence quenching mechanism was determined to be static quenching. The equilibrium constant (K) and the number of binding sites (n) were calculated based on the results of fluorescence measurement. The critical aggregation concentration (CAC) and critical micelle concentration (CMC) under different BSA concentrations at various temperatures were investigated based on the surface tension plots. Surface tension indicates that C14mimBr binds to BSA through electrostatic attraction at low C14mimBr concentrations (below CMC) and through hydrophobic interaction at high C14mimBr concentrations (above CMC). Additionally, the thermodynamic parameters of micelle formation were determined. This study provides an understanding of the binding of C14mimBr to BSA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Silica products with two different morphologies were synthesized using nonaqueous ionic liquid microemulsion droplets as templates. The morphologies of the obtained products were characterized by both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By adjusting the reaction conditions, ellipsoidal nanoparticles were formed under acidic conditions, while hollow silica spheres were obtained under alkaline conditions. It is demonstrated that the size distribution of hollow silica spheres was narrower than that of the ellipsoidal nanoparticles. The various vibration modes of different functional groups in the silica materials were revealed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The two samples were both shown to be amorphous, not crystalline by X-ray diffraction (XRD). A simple diagram of the formation process including the hydrolysis and condensation reactions is given. Furthermore, a probable mechanism for the formation of silica materials under acidic or alkaline conditions is presented, which may be helpful for better understanding the different silica materials obtained under different conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of prehypertension, hypertension, and associated risk factors between Mongolian and Han populations in Northeast China. Methods: The study was conducted in 2004–2006, and used a multistage cluster sampling method to select a representative sample. A total of 9236 Mongolian people and 36,154 Han people in the same area, age 35 years or older, were examined. The survey on blood pressure and associated risk factors was carried out. Results: Overall, the prevalence of prehypertension for Mongolian people was 43.6%, for Han people was 44.3%. The prevalence of hypertension in Mongolian was higher than in Han (42% vs 36.7%, p <0.05). The prevalence of hypertension was positively correlated with age, smoking, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), lipid disorder, diabetes, salt intake and family history of hypertension in Mongolian, whereas it was positively correlated with age, female, smoking, drinking, BMI, WC, lipid disorder, diabetes, salt intake and family history of hypertension in Han. The rates of awareness, treatment and control in Mongolian and Han were very low (29.7% vs 29.2%, 23.6% vs 23.5%, 0.7% vs 1.2%). Conclusions: Hypertension and prehypertension were common in Mongolian and Han populations in Northeast China, and it were associated with many risk factors. The percentages of hypertensives who were aware, treated, and controlled were unacceptably low. These results place great emphasis on the urgent need for a public health program to improve the detection, prevention and treatment of hypertension in the rural area of Northeast of China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The effect of caffeine on the phase behavior of aqueous dispersion of cubic phase was studied. The morphologies of the dispersed particles were observed by means of cryo-transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the sizes of the dispersed particles were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). It was found that the addition of caffeine could lead to the phase transition from cubic phase to vesicle, and this might be due to the “salt out” effect of caffeine on the monoglyceride molecules in aqueous phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electrochemical polymerization of 1,2-methylenedioxybenzene (MDOB) in a room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BmimPF6) has been investigated. Its polymer poly(1,2-methylenedioxybenzene) (PMDOB) showed good redox activity and stability even in concentrated sulfuric acid. IR and 1H NMR spectra confirmed that the polymerization occurred at the C4 and C5 positions on the benzene ring of MDOB, resulting in the main backbone of PMDOB similar to polyacetylene. In contrast to acetonitrile containing 0.1mol/L Bu4NBF4, BmimPF6 serves as both the growth medium and an electrolyte. Hence, enhanced electrochemical stability of PMDOB can be easily obtained on repetitive redox cycling. As-formed PMDOB represented good electrochromic properties from green grass to opalescent between doped and dedoped states. Scanning electron microscopic results demonstrated that smooth and compact PMDOB films composed of ordered nanostructures were obtained, implying their possible utilizations in ion-sieving films, ion-selective, and matrices for catalyst particles. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The rheological behavior of a cubic liquid crystalline monoglyceride/PF‐127/water system was investigated using a Haake RS‐75 viscometer. As the concentration of PF‐127 increased, the variation of the rheological properties of the systems revealed the changes of the internal structure of the cubic phases by means of small angle X‐ray scattering. When the concentration of PF‐127 increased from 5% (wt) to 15% (wt), the space group of the cubic phase transitioned from C D ‐type to C P ‐type. The frequency‐dependent storage and loss moduli were found for the cubic phase in the linear viscoelastic region. The rheological behaviors of the systems could be analyzed on the basis of Jones‐McLeish slip‐plane theory, and their deviation could be interpreted from their deviation the Cox‐Merz formula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effect of sucrose on the structure of molecular assemblies formed in an MO/H2O mixture has been studied using a small-angle X-ray scattering method. It was found that the phase transition Ia3d →Pn3m → HII occurs with increased sucrose concentration in the mixture with the composition 70 wt% MO at 20 °C. This structural change induced by sucrose addition would be ascribed to a cosmotropic property of sucrose, which leads to the dehydration of the MO head group and hence causes a decrease in the effective area occupied by the MO molecule at the polar/apolar interface, which facilitates the formation of molecular assemblies with a high curvature for the reversed liquid-crystal mesophase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In recent years, aqueous two-phase systems (ATPSs) have been widely used in different fields and have become an increasingly attractive subject due to their application in the separation and purification of biomolecules. In this work, the aqueous phase behavior of ionic liquids (ILs) was modulated by changing the cis-trans structure of the anion in ILs. With the same tetra-butyl-phosphine as the cation, the cis-anion exhibited upper critical solution temperature (UCST) phenomena. In contrast, the trans-anion exhibited lower critical solution temperature (LCST) phenomena. The proposed mechanism shows that the main factors responsible for these phenomena include variations in the dissociation degree with temperature and the steric hindrance of the ILs. This phase behavior combines the chemical equilibrium in a solution with the microstructure of the molecule and is useful for constructing new chemical dynamic equilibria in ATPS. As an example of its application, aqueous solutions of both ILs can be used for the efficient separation and extraction of specific amino acids. The two ATPS systems reported in this work highlight a simple, effective, and environmentally friendly method for separating small biological molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of various concentration of dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) on the precipitation of barium sulfate (BaSO4) was investigated. Flower-shaped BaSO4 nanoparticles were synthesized in the presence of DTAB. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the morphologies and structures of BaSO4 crystals. On the basis of the characterizations, a possible formation mechanism was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tadpole-shaped nanoplates, linearly arranged nanoparticles and triangular and hexagonal nanoplates were synthesized under a Langmuir monolayer of a cationic fluorocarbon surfactant, FC-4 (C3F7O(CF(CF3)CF2O)2CF(CF3)CONH(CH2)3N+(C2H5)2CH3I−) through interfacial reduction of AuCl4 − by formaldehyde gas. Reports about such tadpole-shaped nanoparticles are relatively scarce. The predominantly plate-like particles are mainly nearly perfect triangular and hexagonal nanocrystals, of micrometer scale in diameter. The Au nanoparticles are characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED). The atomically flat planar surfaces of the Au nanoplates correspond to {111} planes and the lateral surfaces are {110} planes. The surface pressure strongly influences the formation of different Au nanostructures. A potential mechanism of such diverse morphologies is also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hollow silica spheres have been successfully synthesized by using the ionic liquid microemulsion droplets as the template. The morphology and microstructures of the silica spheres were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and Nitrogen adsorption–desorption measurements. The obtained images showed that the average size of the silica spheres was almost between 150 and 300 nm. The Nitrogen adsorption–desorption investigation on the silica spheres indicated the amorphous structure on the interface. Both of these two results provide us new insights into this novel template and hollow silica spheres were for the first time prepared free of additional acid and alkali conditions. The possible mechanism for the formation of silica spheres has been put forward and discussed in details. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries have garnered renewed interest owing to their inherent safety and cost‐effectiveness. However, Zn anode suffers from notorious side reactions and dendrite growth, compromising the battery performance. Designing anion‐containing solvation structures to facilitate the in situ formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer proves effective in protecting Zn anode, yet balancing the inherent interactions between the cations‐solvents and cations–anions remains a significant challenge. Herein, latent solvent (hexafluoroisopropanol) with specific anion‐philic and cation‐phobic properties is introduced, which can remarkably increase Zn(TFSI)2 solubility in water and induce anion‐containing solvation structures. The introduction of latent solvent enables anions to preferentially decompose, giving rise to an anion‐derived SEI layer. More interestingly, the direct anion‐cation interaction endows Zn2+ species with stepwise dehydration, minimizing the adsorption of water on Zn anode. The anion‐derived SEI layer and optimized de‐solvation process work in synergy to enable homogeneous Zn deposition and ensure high reversibility. When coupled with a NaV3O8·1.5H2O (NVO) cathode, the resultant full cell delivers a high‐capacity retention of 87.8% after 2000 cycles at 1 A g−1. This work provides valuable insights into the advanced latent solvent electrolyte design and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the enormous potential of zinc metal as an anode material for cost-competitive and safer power sources, the practical application of aqueous zinc batteries (AZIBs) has been plagued by uncontrollable detrimental side reactions and dendrite growth. To tackle these challenges, we propose a novel design strategy that focuses on balancing the hydrophobicity and zincophilicity of poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) solid–electrolyte interphases (SEIs). PILs with the same cation ([VBIm]+) but different anions (BF4−, TFO−, TFSI−) were polymerized on Zn electrodes to form artificial SEI layers with adjustable hydrophobicity. The hydrophobicity of the PIL SEIs leads to the formation of a uniform surface, which is beneficial for eliminating dendrites and inhibiting side reactions. As a result, the Zn‖[PVBIm][TFSI]@Ti cell exhibits a significantly improved coulombic efficiency of 99.61%. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the enhanced hydrophobicity, which contributes to benefits such as better coulombic efficiency, also introduces an inevitable risk of compromised zinc kinetics. To address this trade-off, a zwitterionic PIL, [PVIPS][Zn(TFSI)2], with a zincophilicity group (–SO3−) was proposed. This approach substantially improves the reversibility and long-term stability of Zn anodes, as evidenced by the outstanding capacity retention of the [PVIPS][Zn(TFSI)2]@Zn‖PANI full cell (81.32% after 2000 cycles) and 13 times longer life of symmetrical cells (over 1950 h at 1.0 mA cm−2/1.0 mA h cm−2) compared to bare Zn symmetrical cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Isometric handgrip resistance exercise, a nonpharmacological lifestyle modification, has been recommended as a first-line treatment for hypertension. This study aimed to examine the relationship of handgrip strength to blood pressure and the risk of hypertension. Methods: The responses and examination of 4597 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed in this study. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were transformed to age- and sex-specific z-scores. Handgrip strength was adjusted by weight (kg) and converted to an age- and sex-specific z-score. The relationships of SBP and DBP to handgrip strength were analyzed by Pearson correlation test and multivariable linear regression. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between handgrip strength and prevalence of hypertension. Results: Handgrip strength was positively related to higher DBP in men and women. In men, logistic regression models revealed that increased handgrip strength was associated with higher risk of hypertension after adjusting for age, BMI, smoking and drinking status; OR was 1.24 (95%CI: 1.04–1.48). After stratifying on BMI, handgrip strength was significantly associated with higher risk of hypertensions after adjusting for age, BMI, smoking and drinking status in overweight and obese men; OR was 1.31 (95%CI: 1.05–1.63). No significant associations were observed in women. Conclusions: Increased handgrip strength is associated with higher DBP in men and women. In men, especially overweight and obese men, strong handgrip strength may be associated with higher risk of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zwitterionic amphiphiles with covalently bonded anionic and cationic groups exhibit electrically neutral properties but extremely high polarity. Under most circumstances, their charge densities can be simply and reversibly modulated by pH values. Such unique structures and properties distinguish them from all other types of amphiphiles. In this review, we summarize the assembly characteristics of zwitterionic amphiphiles and put forward our important fundamental opinions on how to design and modify zwitterionic amphiphiles to achieve abundant aggregate structures and multifunctions. More importantly, this kind of amphiphile shows mildness, better wettability, good biocompatibility, biostability, nonfouling and functionalizable properties, as well as an excellent synergistic effect with other amphiphiles, which makes them promising candidates for applications in household cleaning, cosmetics, electrochemistry, intelligent soft materials and biology. Based on the matchless advantages of zwitterions, we focus on the introduction of zwitterionic betaine and imidazolium amphiphiles and explore their applications in target ion conduction, noble metal nanomaterials and antifouling biomaterial preparation. As far as we know, there has been no review of the aggregation behavior and green applications of zwitterionic amphiphiles so far. We expect to provide readers with a comprehensive overview of their assembly strategies, practical methodologies and future potential progression, as well as to promote greater interest and further developments in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The transport of small organic molecules through single-wall carbon nanotube is studied by MD simulation. • The flow behavior of ring molecules is significantly different with chain molecules. • Chain molecules show an ordered structure in the CNT. • Ring molecules exhibit strong ability to transport through the CNT. In this research, the flow behavior of ring and chain molecules through a carbon nanotube (CNT) driven by pressure has been investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. We have examined the distribution of fluid molecules and the flow process confined in the CNT. We also calculated the radial count profiles, the axial density distributions, molecular conformation and fluid flux. Our results revealed that a sudden pressure applied on fluid molecules will lead to inrush of fluid inside nanoscale channels. The fluid molecules confined in the CNT formed an interfacial layer near the CNT inner surface. That of toluene system is closer to the CNT wall than heptane system. The results also indicated that plane of toluene molecules in interfacial layer is parallel to the CNT wall. The distributions of the others are disordered. The heptane molecules formed four cylindrical layers inside the CNT. The molecules in interfacial layer are parallel to the CNT wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Accumulation evidence has reported that olfactory impairment may be an essential clinical marker and predictor of mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. Method: Participants were enrolled in the population‐based, prospective study in Fuxin county, Liaoning province, China between 2019 and 2021. An inverse probability weighting logistic regression and mixed‐effect models were performed to explore the association between dysosmia and cognition and rate of change in cognition, respectively. Besides, we utilized the Robust Rank Aggregation method to integrated three eligible datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus to identify differential expressed genes. Results: A total of 4695 participants were enrolled and 4221 of those were eligible for our cross‐sectional study. The mean (SD) age was 59.93(9.78) years, 64.8% were men. Over a 2‐year follow‐up, of the 2088 participants who completed follow‐up, 1559 participants were eligible for our longitude cohort study. We observed an association between dysosmia and an increased risk of cognitive impairment (OR, 0.47, [95% CI, 0.35–0.64]; p < 0.001). The OR (95% CI) for cognition in females with dysosmia was higher than (OR, 0.73[0.51, 1.05], p =.007) that for males with dysosmia (OR, 0.25[0.15, 0.42], p < 0.001; P for interaction <0.001). Dysosmia was also associated with more rapid decline in calculation ability (p < 0.001). Besides, several DEGs were identified, which are mainly associated with olfactory transduction, detection of chemical stimulus involved in sensory perception of smell, sensory perception of smell, olfactory receptor activity and odorant binding. Interpretation: These findings proved novel insight into identifying olfactory dysfunction as potential biomarker for diagnosis of cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction Obesity plays a central role in metabolic syndrome. Obesity indexes are important in clinical work. In the present study, we sought to determine the relationships between obesity indexes and metabolic risk factors. Materials and Methods We studied 11,568 participants over 35 years. Body mass index, waist circumference ( WC), waist-to-height ratio ( WHtR) and waist-to-hip ratio were measured and calculated. To compare the predictive ability of the obesity indexes in diagnosing multiple metabolic risk factors, the areas under receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated, and cut-off values were determined. A partial correlation coefficient was used to assess the intercorrelations between the obesity indexes, and to evaluate the correlations between each index and each metabolic risk factor. Results The partial correlation coefficient for WHtR and WC was 0.947. In diagnosing multiple metabolic risk factors, the WHtR areas under receiver operating characteristic curves was greater than that for the other obesity indexes in both sexes. The cut-off point for the WHtR was 0.50 in men and 0.52 in women. The cut-off point for WC was 85 cm in men and 80 cm in women. Conclusions WHtR strongly correlates with WC. The WHtR might show the same predictive ability as the WC in diagnosing multiple metabolic risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate and analyze prevalence and risk factors of infertility at a representative rural site of Northern China. Method: This is a cross-sectional study. We conducted a face-to-face questionnaire survey from July 2014 to October 2014 involving 5,131 women who were at childbearing age in Suizhong, a medium-sized, representative county located in Northern China. Finally, data from 4,232 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Definition: Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regularly unprotected sexual intercourse. Results: Infertility prevalence in Suizhong County was 13.09% (95% CI, 12.09%-14.1%), of which the primary infertility incidence was 0.99% (95% CI, 0.72%-1.34%), and the secondary infertility incidence was 12.10% (95% CI, 11.13%-13.12%). For women, the infertility incidence of underweight women (Body Mass Index, BMI<18.5 kg/m2) was 1.5-fold higher than that of women with moderate BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2). The infertility incidence of women with little exercise was 4 times more than that of women with regular exercise, and 2 times more than that of women with heavy exercise. The group with moderate menstrual flow had the lowest prevalence of infertility, while both scant and excessive menstruation led to increased infertility incidence. Number of pregnancies (OR = 0.63; 95% CI, 0.51–0.79) was a protective factor for infertility, while the number of abortions (OR = 2.15; 95% CI, 1.58–2.93) was a risk factor for infertility. For men, those who stayed up late at night more than 3 times per week showed a significantly higher infertility incidence. Men who engaged in occupations with high-temperature working environment also suffered from an infertility incidence of about four times more than the others. Conclusions: We found significant association between women's infertility incidence with their BMI, state of exercise, amount of menstrual flow, number of pregnancies and number of abortions. As for men, both staying up late and engaging in high-temperature occupations are independent factors affecting their fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trimeric and tetrameric supra-amphiphiles with rich self-assembly behaviors were fabricated in the adipic acid–dodecylamine mixed solution under the effect of hydrogen bonding. The hydrogen bonding can be switched “on” and “off”via pH variation and CO2 stimulus, thus leading to finely controlled topologies and self-assembly behaviors of oligomeric supra-amphiphiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case of a 49-year-old Chinese man who was presented with persistent nodules on his hands and feet. The lesions posted gradual growth in 10 years in which the patient suffered occasional burning and itching. Based on biopsy specimens, he has dense neutrophil and histiocyte infiltration with leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) and patterned fibrosis. He was eventually diagnosed with erythema elevatum diutinum (EED) with pustule formation.

This study aimed to determine the present status of prehypertension in rural China. It was conducted between January and August 2013, using a multistage clustering method to select a representative sample of individuals (≥35 years old), resulting in a study population of 11,576 adults. Prehypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure (BP) in the range of 120 mm Hg to 139 mm Hg and/or a diastolic BP between 80 mm Hg and 89 mm Hg according to the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC 7). The results showed that the mean±standard deviation systolic and diastolic BP values for the entire population were 141.8±23.5 mm Hg and 82.1±11.8 mm Hg, respectively. Among the whole population, 35.1% of men and 32.5% of women were prehypertensive. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that high body mass index, advanced age, alcohol consumption, diabetes, high triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and elevated diet score were risk factors for prehypertension. This study indicates that there is a high prevalence of prehypertension in rural China and confirms the importance of healthy lifestyles--including the control of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia--to decrease the incidence of prehypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the present status of prehypertension in rural China. It was conducted between January and August 2013, using a multistage clustering method to select a representative sample of individuals (≥35 years old), resulting in a study population of 11,576 adults. Prehypertension was defined as a systolic blood pressure ( BP) in the range of 120 mm Hg to 139 mm Hg and/or a diastolic BP between 80 mm Hg and 89 mm Hg according to the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure ( JNC 7). The results showed that the mean±standard deviation systolic and diastolic BP values for the entire population were 141.8±23.5 mm Hg and 82.1±11.8 mm Hg, respectively. Among the whole population, 35.1% of men and 32.5% of women were prehypertensive. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that high body mass index, advanced age, alcohol consumption, diabetes, high triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and elevated diet score were risk factors for prehypertension. This study indicates that there is a high prevalence of prehypertension in rural China and confirms the importance of healthy lifestyles-including the control of obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia-to decrease the incidence of prehypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is essential to understand how we can prevent and treat the epidemic of depression. Several studies have reported the prevalence of depressive symptoms in the urban population in China, but there is a lack of information regarding the prevalence of depression in rural populations. Objective: To understand the prevalence of depression in a rural Chinese population and to analyze the risk factors for depression. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional approach. A total of 11,473 subjects were surveyed and completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief scales. Living conditions, per capita income, marital status, and information about dietary health and chronic disease status were assessed. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms in the population was 5.9%. The prevalence in women (8.1%) was higher compared with men (3.5%) and also increased with age. The per capita income level, amount of sleep obtained per day, education level, weekly consumption of meat and beans or bean products, salt intake, and chronic disease status were associated with depressive symptoms. The quality of life of individuals with a score less than 10 points on the PHQ-9 was significantly better compared with individuals with a score greater than 10. Conclusion: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among rural population is higher than some southern cities in China. Dietary patterns may be an important risk factor linked to this disorder in the Chinese rural population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel functional ionic liquid-based cross-linked polymer was synthesized from 1-aminoethyl-3-vinylimidazolium chloride hydrochloride and divinylbenzene. The physicochemical properties of the adsorbent were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption capacity of the novel cross-linked polymer with respect to Cr(VI) was investigated using a batch adsorption procedure and the kinetics and thermodynamics of the adsorption process were further investigated. It was found that the adsorption kinetics was well fitted by a pseudo-second-order model and the adsorption isotherms agreed well with the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity after 5 min at room temperature (25 °C) was found to be 391.4 mg/g, which was much better than the most of the previously reported adsorbents. The adsorption process was found to be dominated by electrostatic interactions. The introduction of functional ionic liquid moieties into cross-linked poly(divinylbenzene) polymer constitutes a new and efficient kind of adsorbent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] The PDVB-IL-OH was successfully prepared. [•] PDVB-IL-OH effectively removes dye from aqueous solutions. [•] PDVB-IL-OH has a high adsorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The WIBS electrolytes include "water-rich" and "anion-rich" micro-domains. • Formation of Li+(H 2 O) n network promotes Li+ transport. • Li+ aggregates within anion-rich domain restrict Li+ transport. Through a combination of molecular dynamics simulations and experimental approaches, the solvation structure and diffusion behavior of Li+ was investigated in water-in-bisalt electrolytes formed by introducing a second lithium salt (LiBF 4 , LiNO 3 , LiOAc) into the LiTFSI aqueous electrolyte. The calculation and experimental results indicate that nanostructures of water-in-bisalt electrolytes include "water-rich" and "anion-rich" domains. When LiBF 4 is added, Li+ is mostly located in the water-rich domain, effectively increasing the diffusion coefficient of Li+. This electrolyte exhibits a higher conductivity and a much lower price compared to mono-LiTFSI electrolytes, On the contrary, with the addition of LiOAc, OAc− will strongly coordinate with Li+ to change the solvation structure of solvent separated ion pairs (Li+(H 2 O) 4) to aggregates, which results in the decrease of Li+ diffusion coefficient. These fundamental insights highlight the correlation of microstructural and dynamic heterogeneities of water-in-bisalt electrolytes, which are expected to trigger rational design of solvation and dynamic behaviors of advanced aqueous electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A synergetic strategy to accelerate ion transfer kinetics and regulate Zn-ion flux has been proposed to achieve stable and dendrite-free Zn anodes via a series of zincophilic covalent organic framework (COF) films. [Display omitted] • The ketone group of the covalent organic framework (COF) interacted strongly with the Zn-ion. • The strong interaction simultaneously accelerated ion transfer kinetics and regulated Zn-ion flux. • The zincophilic COF layer promoted uniform Zn deposition, inhibited dendritic growth and corrosion reactions. Zn metal is considered as an ideal anode for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) owing to the inherent merits of low cost, high theoretical capacity, and remarkable safety. However, the formation of Zn dendrites and water-induced parasitic reactions hamper the commercialization of AZIBs. Herein, a synergetic strategy to accelerate ion transfer kinetics and regulate Zn-ion flux has been proposed to achieve dendrite-free Zn anodes via a series of zincophilic covalent organic framework (COF) films. The nanoporous and mechanically stable COF films synthesized by the liquid–liquid interfacial polymerization can be straightforward transferred on the Zn foil surface through a dip-coating technique. Benefiting from the affinity between Zn2+ and electron-rich ketone, the zincophilic COF interlayers promote the de-solvation of hydrated Zn2+, simultaneously offer ample Zn2+ transport channels to facilitate rapid diffusion and regulating a homogenous Zn2+ flux, thereby inhibiting the dendritic growth and leading to the uniform Zn deposition. Additionally, the COF films with strong adherence and large surface area effectively separate Zn anodes from bulk aqueous electrolytes, inhibiting the water-induced corrosion reactions. As a result, the symmetric cell with COF-modified Zn anode exhibited a stable cycling lifetime more than 900 h at 1 mA∙cm−2 and 1 mAh∙cm−2, accompanied by a low voltage polarization of merely 74.3 mV. As a simple approach to synergistically restrict Zn-ion flux and enhance ion transport kinetics using zincophilic COF films via interfacial synthesis, this work would provide new insights into developing highly stable Zn anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]