Large-Scale, Mechanically Robust, Solvent-Resistant, and Antioxidant MXene-Based Composites for Reliable Long-Term Infrared Stealth.

MXene-based thermal camouflage materials have gained increasing attention due to their low emissivity, however, the poor anti-oxidation restricts their potential applications under complex environments. Various modification methods and strategies, e.g., the addition of antioxidant molecules and fillers have been developed to overcome this, but the realization of long-term, reliable thermal camouflage using MXene network (coating) with excellent comprehensive performance remains a great challenge. Here, a MXene-based hybrid network comodified with hyaluronic acid (HA) and hyperbranched polysiloxane (HSi) molecules is designed and fabricated. Notably, the presence of appreciated HA molecules restricts the oxidation of MXene sheets without altering infrared stealth performance, superior to other water-soluble polymers; while the HSi molecules can act as efficient cross-linking agents to generate strong interactions between MXene sheets and HA molecules. The optimized MXene/HA/HSi composites exhibit excellent mechanical flexibility (folded into crane structure), good water/solvent resistance, and long-term stable thermal camouflage capability (with low infrared emissivity of ≈0.29). The long-term thermal camouflage reliability (≈8 months) under various outdoor weathers and the scalable coating capability of the MXene-coated textile enable them to disguise the IR signal of various targets in complex environments, indicating the great promise of achieved material for thermal camouflage, IR stealth, and counter surveillance.

Hydrosilylation Adducts to Produce Wide-Temperature Flexible Polysiloxane Aerogel under Ambient Temperature and Pressure Drying.

Despite incorporation of organic groups into silica-based aerogels to enhance their mechanical flexibility, the wide temperature reliability of the modified silicone aerogel is inevitably degraded. Therefore, facile synthesis of soft silicone aerogels with wide-temperature stability remains challenging. Herein, novel silicone aerogels containing a high content of Si are reported by using polydimethylvinylsiloxane (PDMVS), a hydrosilylation adduct with water-repellent groups, as a "flexible chain segment" embedded within the aerogel network. The poly(2-dimethoxymethylsilyl)ethylmethylvinylsiloxane (PDEMSEMVS) aerogel is fabricated through a cost-effective ambient temperature/pressure drying process. The optimized aerogel exhibits exceptional performance, such as ultra-low density (50 mg cm-3), wide-temperature mechanical flexibility, and super-hydrophobicity, in comparison to the previous polysiloxane aerogels. A significant reduction in the density of these aerogels is achieved while maintaining a high crosslinking density by synthesizing gel networks with well-defined macromolecules through hydrolytic polycondensation crosslinking of PDEMSEMVS. Notably, the pore/nanoparticle size of aerogels can be fine-tuned by optimizing the gel solvent type. The as-prepared silicone aerogels demonstrate selective absorption, efficient oil-water separation, and excellent thermal insulation properties, showing promising applications in oil/water separation and thermal protection.

Facile Synthesis of Hollow Glass Microsphere Filled PDMS Foam Composites with Exceptional Lightweight, Mechanical Flexibility, and Thermal Insulating Property.

The feature of low-density and thermal insulation properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) foam is one of the important challenges of the silicone industry seeking to make these products more competitive compared to traditional polymer foams. Herein, we report a green, simple, and low-cost strategy for synthesizing ultra-low-density porous silicone composite materials via Si-H cross-linking and foaming chemistry, and the sialylation-modified hollow glass microspheres (m-HM) were used to promote the HM/PDMS compatibility. Typically, the presence of 7.5 wt% m-HM decreases the density of pure foam from 135 mg/cm-3 to 104 mg/cm-3 without affecting the foaming reaction between Si-H and Si-OH and produces a stable porous structure. The optimized m-HM-modified PDMS foam composites showed excellent mechanical flexibility (unchanged maximum stress values at a strain of 70% after 100 compressive cycles) and good thermal insulation (from 150.0 °C to 52.1 °C for the sample with ~20 mm thickness). Our results suggest that the use of hollow microparticles is an effective strategy for fabricating lightweight, mechanically flexible, and thermal insulation PDMS foam composite materials for many potential applications.

A "dual-key-and-lock" ratiometric fluorescent probe with biocompatibility and selectivity for imaging vicinal dithiol proteins.

TMR-TPE, a ratiometric fluorescent probe, was reported for the imaging of vicinal dithiol proteins (VDPs) in living cells. Profiting from the "dual-key-and-lock" design, TMR-TPE solves the toxicity problem of VDP probes (98% cell viability at 50 µM) and avoids the interference of small thiols (up to 10 mM GSH). The change of VDPs during drug-induced liver injury was monitored for the first time using TMR-TPE.

Can human activities enhance the trade-off intensity of ecosystem services in arid inland river basins? Taking the Taolai River asin as an example.

Driven by economic and social factors, more and more human beings intervene in nature to promote rapid economic and social development at the expense of ecosystem services (ES), which inevitably leads to the occurrence and even aggravation of ES trade-offs. Especially in the arid inland river basin is more serious. Therefore, this paper takes the Taolai River Basin as an example and uses the InVEST model to evaluate the spatial distribution of four typical ES, including carbon sequestration, oxygen release, windbreak and sand fixation, and water production, under the potential-actual states of the watershed. And use the Pearson correlation coefficient and the root mean square error (RMSE) to analyze the trade-off relationship between services from qualitative and quantitative aspects, respectively. Finally, the spatial matching types of trade-offs in the potential-actual states are discussed using Bivariate Local Indicators of Spatial Association, and the degree and scope of the impact of human activities on trade-offs are analyzed. The results show that the spatial distribution of the four ES has obvious heterogeneity in the potential-actual states, and the service volume of most services in the potential state is much higher than in the actual state. Secondly, there is a significant trade-offs relationship between Water production and Carbon sequestration and Oxygen release services under the potential state, while the actual state under the impact of human activities shows a significant synergistic relationship, which shows that human activities will not only increase the probability of trade-off will also increase the probability of synergy between ES. Finally, through the analysis of the meaning and causes of "high and low space dislocation" and "low and high space dislocation", it is shown that human activities will not only increase but also weaken the trade-off intensity of ES. The results of this study can provide a certain scientific basis for regional ecological environment planning and promote regional people to share ecological well-being.

Noncoplanar Versus Coplanar Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for Protection of the Lip and Buccal Mucosa.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, by comparing coplanar and noncoplanar intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment planning in treating tongue cancer, the significance of noncoplanar fields in the protection of the lip and buccal mucosa was determined, and a reasonable solution was selected. METHODS: Forty-eight tongue cancer patients treated from June 2019 to February 2021 were selected and randomly divided into a coplanar field group and a noncoplanar field group. The mucosal dose limit changed from 15 Gy to 45 Gy for comparison of the two treatment plans. The evaluation indicators (conformal index (CI); homogeneity index (HI); D5, D50, and D98 of the target volume; and the dose of normal tissues) were calculated under different mucosal dose limits. The clinical observation of the lip and buccal mucosa of 48 cases was monitored and graded carefully according to NCI-CTCAE V4.0. Statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: The differences in CI, HI, D98, D50 and D5 between the two groups in the target volume tended to decrease when the mucosal dose limit was less than 30 Gy, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). When the limit exceeded 30 Gy, significant differences in other indicators except CI (P < 0.05) were still noted. In normal tissue, differences in doses between the two groups existed when the mucosal limit was less than 20 Gy, with a significant difference (P < 0.05). When the limit exceeded 20 Gy, no significant difference was noted. Patients in the noncoplanar group showed significantly better results than those in the other group in terms of the radiation-related toxicity of the lip and cheek membrane(P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with coplanar field radiotherapy, noncoplanar field radiotherapy can effectively reduce the exposure dose to the lip and buccal mucosa. The application of noncoplanar treatment plans exhibits good clinical significance and deserves to be promoted.

[Experimental Study of MAR Algorithm in Metal Artifact Removal of CT Simulator].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application value of MAR algorithm in metal artifact removal of CT simulator. METHODS: CT phantom with titanium plate was scanned using conventional algorithms and MAR algorithms, respectively. Artifact index(AI), contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR) and AI values at different slices were used to analyze the artifact images. RESULTS: In artifact index, MAR algorithm (10.28±2.60) is significantly lower than conventional algorithm (20.65±5.04); In contrast-to-noise ratio index, MAR algorithm (7.81±1.12) is better than conventional algorithm (5.61±1.36). The above indicators were statistically significant in both algorithms (P<0.01). In the slices affected by metal artifacts, the artifact index decreased by 21.72%~88.40% after the MAR algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: MAR algorithm can significantly reduce the metal artifacts and improve the clinical value of CT data.

[Research on Fault Risk Identification and Control of CT Simulator Based on FMEA].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the high-risk fault risk of CT simulator and the main causes of the risk, and to put forward effective risk management strategies. METHODS: The failure mode and effect analysis method was used to identify and control the operational fault risk of CT simulator. RESULTS: 5 major fault components, 8 fault failure models and 17 failure causes were analyzed. The top 5 failure causes are:anode target surface burn caused by direct scanning without warming up the tube (590.4), tube failure (518.2), burnout of joints caused by aging of high voltage cables (424.2), motor carbon brush wear (304.8) and belt break (296.4). CONCLUSIONS: The failure mode and effect analysis method can effectively identify the risk of equipment failure, and thus specifically formulate risk management and control measures to ensure the normal operation of equipment and the safety of doctors and patients.

[Research on the Evaluation System of Clinical Value of Digital Radiography].

OBJECTIVE: To establish a set of evaluation system of digital radiography clinical value and provide foundation for the maturity assessment of digital radiography. METHODS: The evaluation system of clinical value of digital radiography was established by literature survey,expert consultation,and percentage weight method. RESULTS: The expert authority coefficients were 0.81 and 0.88,respectively.After two rounds of consultation,variation coefficients of each item ranged from 0 to 0.207,and the coefficient coordination were 0.599.The index system consisted of 5 first-level indexes and 12 second-level indexes.The weights of first-level indexes such as image quality,safety,usability,economic and social indicators share of the weight are 0.298,0.294,0.199,0.121 and 0.088 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A completed and scientific evaluation system was established,which provides a scientific assessment tool for clinical value of digital radiography.

Metasurface-based broadband orbital angular momentum generator in millimeter wave region.

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) is an intrinsic property that all electromagnetic waves can carry. Interesting properties of OAM beams have enabled many novel applications. But broadband OAM generator has rarely been investigated, especially in the millimeter wave frequency band. In this work, a broadband OAM generator applying a metallic reflective metasurface operating from 59 to 70 GHz is designed, simulated, fabricated and measured. Both simulation and experiment results demonstrate that broadband millimeter wave OAM beams with good quality can be reliably launched by the designed metasurface. The proposed broadband OAM generator alleviates malfunctions caused by dispersion and provides new possibilities of multiplexing for millimeter wave communication applications.

[The Clinical Status and Process of Hydrosurgery System].

This paper reviews the principle and clinical application of hydrosurgery system, including the burn debridement, diabetic foot wounds debridement and other trauma debridement. Meanwhile, this paper introduces the development direction of waterjet technology. Furthermore, the safety, effectiveness and suitability can be discussed.

[Assessment of Technology and Clinical Application of Hydrosurgery System].

This paper introduces the technical features of hydrosurgery system and evaluates it from three aspects:safety and effectiveness, economy and technology maturity. The evaluation results show that the safety and effectiveness are high, and the safety mainly involves the misuse of the system, which cause the adverse events. A large number of literatures have proved that the system is more suitable for the debridement of fine parts. It is estimated that hydrosurgery system has better economic performance, but the cost and patients' cost is also increased correspondingly. In the aspect of technology maturity assessment, this technology is a patented technology, and the number of published papers both at home and abroad is on the rise, indicating that the initial application of the technology is better and the technology is in infancy stage. Therefore, hydrosurgery system has certain advantages in all aspects. Hospitals need to allocate the equipment according to their own needs and clinical application, while a wider range of clinical trials is needed to provide evidence-based evidence for clinical applications and promotion.

[Calculation of MR radiofrequency specific energy absorption rate and clinical application].

This paper reviews the basic principles and calculation methods of MR specific absorption rate, discusses the clinical application of MR specific absorption rate.

[The effect of LPS on airway inflammation, airway remodeling and TLR4 expression in asthmatic rat].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on airway inflammation, airway remodeling and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA in asthmatic rats. METHODS: Twenty-four SPF level SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): control group, low dose of LPS group, high dose of LPS group and asthma group. Using ovalbumin (OVA) to sensitize and challenge to establish asthmatic rat model. Observed pathological changes of lung tissue by HE staining, inflammatory cell infiltration was observed by airway wall eosinophils (EOS) counts; airway resistance was determined; image analysis software was used to determine the thickness of airway wall, detected airway smooth muscle TLR4 expression levels by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The rat airway resistance and the EOS number of airway wall and the thickness of airway wall in asthma group, low dose of LPS group and high dose of LPS group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). The above-mentioned parameters of high dose of LPS group showed significantly lower than those in asthma group and low dose of LPS group (P < 0.05). The expression of rat airway smooth muscle TLR4 mRNA in low dose of LPS group and high dose of LPS group were significantly higher than those in asthma group (P < 0.01). And the expression of rat airway smooth muscle TLR4 mRNA in high dose of LPS group was significantly higher than that in low dose of LPS group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TLR4 plays an important role in asthmatic airway inflammation and airway remodeling, LPS may play double-sided regulation in asthmatic airway inflammation and airway remodeling by activated TLR4.

The effect of LPS on airway inflammation, airway remodeling and TLR4 expression in asthmatic rat / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on airway inflammation, airway remodeling and the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA in asthmatic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four SPF level SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): control group, low dose of LPS group, high dose of LPS group and asthma group. Using ovalbumin (OVA) to sensitize and challenge to establish asthmatic rat model. Observed pathological changes of lung tissue by HE staining, inflammatory cell infiltration was observed by airway wall eosinophils (EOS) counts; airway resistance was determined; image analysis software was used to determine the thickness of airway wall, detected airway smooth muscle TLR4 expression levels by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rat airway resistance and the EOS number of airway wall and the thickness of airway wall in asthma group, low dose of LPS group and high dose of LPS group were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). The above-mentioned parameters of high dose of LPS group showed significantly lower than those in asthma group and low dose of LPS group (P < 0.05). The expression of rat airway smooth muscle TLR4 mRNA in low dose of LPS group and high dose of LPS group were significantly higher than those in asthma group (P < 0.01). And the expression of rat airway smooth muscle TLR4 mRNA in high dose of LPS group was significantly higher than that in low dose of LPS group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TLR4 plays an important role in asthmatic airway inflammation and airway remodeling, LPS may play double-sided regulation in asthmatic airway inflammation and airway remodeling by activated TLR4.</p>