Ce-4f as an electron-modulation reservoir weakening Fe-O bond to induce iron vacancies in CeFevNi hydroxide for enhancing oxygen evolution reaction.

Designing novel rare-earth-transition metal composites is at the forefront of electrocatalyst research. However, the modulation of transition metal electronic structures by rare earths to induce vacancy defects and enhance electrochemical performance has rarely been reported. In this study, we systematically investigate the mechanism by which Ce-4f electron modulation weakens the Fe-O bond, thereby altering the electronic structure in CeFevNi hydroxide to improve oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Theoretical calculations and experimental characterizations reveal that Ce-4f orbitals function as electron-modulation reservoirs, capable not only of retaining or donating electrons but also of influencing the material's electronic structure. Moreover, Ce-4f bands optimize the Fe lower Hubbard bands (LHB) and O-2p bands, leading to weakened Fe-O bonds and the formation of cationic vacancies. This change results in the upshift of the d-band center at the active sites, favoring the reaction energy barrier for oxygen intermediates in the OER process. The synthesized catalyst demonstrated an overpotential of 201 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and a lifetime exceeding 200 h at 100 mA cm-2 under alkaline conditions. This work offers a proof-of-concept for the application of the mechanism of rare earth-induced transition metal vacancy defects, providing a general guideline for the design and development of novel highly efficient catalysts.

Acid etching-induced nanocutting of LaNiO3 transplanting self-assembled photodiode array-like LaNiO3/N,P-RGO nanoreactor for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

Nanoscale graphene-semiconductor composite photocatalysts with fascinating properties in the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution have inspired numerous interests in broad research fields. The architectures with efficient light response and promoting charge separation at the interface between reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and semiconductor are critical, yet synthesizing them remains a formidable challenge. Herein, the photodiode array-like LaNiO3/N,P-RGO (LNO/N,P-RGO) nanoreactor was constructed using an innovative strategy of acid etching-induced nanocutting self-assembly. Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate working as both a nitrogen phosphorus co-dopant and an acid etching reagent, cuts perovskite LaNiO3 (LNO) nanoparticles into nanorods, which are bonded evenly on the nitrogen phosphorus co-doped reduced graphene oxide (N,P-RGO) to form an n-n semiconductor heterojunction LNO/N,P-RGO as a photodiode array-like nanoreactor via hydrothermal treatment. The photodiode array-like nanostructure exposes more active sites that are conducive to light absorption. The robust Ni-C and P-O bonds promote the narrowing of space-charge region at the interface by UV irradiation, thereby improving the transport of photogenerated carriers by visible light irradiation. The LNO/N,P-RGO nanoreactor exhibits excellent photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance with a yield of up to 354 µmol g-1 h-1 under UV-visible light, which is 50 times higher than that of pure perovskite LNO, and it also displays favorable recycling stability.

Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 are diagnostic biomarkers for Henoch-Schönlein purpura and pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematous.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) and pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (pSLE) are closely associated with vasculitis and vascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate the clinical diagnostic values of Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 for HSP and pSLE. We surveyed 82 HSP patients, 34 pSLE patients, and 10 healthy children. The expression levels of Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 in the serum and urine were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The diagnostic values of Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 for HSP and pSLE were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. The results revealed that the serum and urine expression levels of Ang-2 and Tie2 were significantly elevated in HSP and pSLE patients, whereas the Ang-1/Ang-2 values were reduced. Additionally, Ang-1 was highly expressed in the serum and urine of HSP patients and in the serum of pSLE patients. Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 showed differential expression in various types of HSP and pSLE compared with their expression in healthy controls. In summary, Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 can serve as biomarkers for HSP and pSLE. Moreover, Ang-1/Ang-2 values are reduced in HSP and pSLE patients. Ang-1, Ang-2, and Tie2 can be used as biomarkers for HSP and pSLE.

Surface charge induced self-assembled nest-like Ni3S2/PNG composites for high-performance supercapacitors.

The paper presents a self-assembly approach to synthesize Ni3S2/N, P co-doped graphene (PNG) composite electrode materials for supercapacitors with high energy storage performance and structural stability. Innovatively, the self-assembly approach is induced via the surface charge effect utilizing a two-step hydrothermal method. The doping of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) atoms regulates the surface charge distribution on graphene nanosheets. Therefore, in the synthesized Ni3S2/PNG heterostructures, Ni3S2 nanowires are interwoven into nests and uniformly attached to PNG. The design of the electrode materials with such a special structure not only supports each other to improve the stability of the materials but also facilitates the rapid diffusion of electrolyte ions. Based on the advantages of composition and structure, Ni3S2/PNG has a high specific capacitance of 1117C g-1 at a current density of 1 A/g and excellent rate performance. The asymmetric supercapacitors (ASC) assembled with Ni3S2/PNG and PNG as positive and negative materials respectively have a high energy density of 62 Wh kg-1 at a power density of 158 W kg-1.

Analysis of the prevalence and related factors of primary hypertension among adolescents and children in the Taicang area.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of hypertension in adolescents and children in the Taicang area and analyse related factors to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of hypertension in this region. METHODS: A total of 1,000 students who were visited and surveyed in primary schools in the Taicang area in 2021 were selected for statistical testing using a cluster random sampling method, and a survey was conducted on their dietary habits. dietary habits, such as the consumption of meals that included protein-rich animal products, beans and dairy products, vegetables and fruits, salty foods and fried food, was taken into consideration, along with physical fitness indices, waist-to-height ratio and waist circumference. RESULTS: Of the 1,000 adolescents and children surveyed, 222 were classified into the hypertensive group and 778 into the normotensive group. There were 138 boys (a prevalence rate of 6.3%) and 84 girls (a prevalence rate of 4.1%) in the hypertensive group. The physical fitness indices of the hypertensive group were significantly higher than those of the normotensive group. Concerning dietary structure, the frequency of cereal intake between the two groups was comparable, while the hypertensive group's intake of vegetables, fruits, beans and dairy products was significantly lower than that of the normotensive group. Finally, a logistic multivariate regression analysis of related factors was carried out, and it was concluded that waist-to-height ratio, waist circumference and salty and fried food intake were positively correlated with the prevalence of hypertension. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypertension among adolescents and children in the Taicang area is high. Body weight and dietary structure can be used as reference indicators for the prevalence of hypertension in this age group.

Analysis of the operational status of the three-level referral system for urologic ultrasound screening and risk factors for renal pelvic dilatation in high-risk children.

Background: Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT) are the primary cause of end-stage renal disease in children, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the kidney function. Among CAKUT, renal pelvis dilatation (RPD) due to various causes has the highest detection rate, which can be detected early by postnatal ultrasound screening. Since 2010, the Children's Hospital of Fudan University (CHFU), together with the Minhang District Maternal and Child Health Hospital (MCH) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) of Minhang District has created a three-level referral system for urological ultrasound screening. This study aims to describe the operation of a three-level referral system for ultrasound screening of CAKUT and to select risk factors of RPD in high-risk children. Methods: The operation of the three-level referral system was assessed by analyzing the screening volume, screening rate, referral rate, and follow-up rate; risk factors of RPD in high-risk children were selected by chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: A total of 16,468 high-risk children were screened in ten years, and the screening volume was maintained at about 1,500 cases per year; the screening rate showed a linear increase, from 36.8% in 2010 to 98.2% in 2019; the referral rate from the CHCs to the MCH was 89.9% significantly higher after 2015 than that of 84.7% from 2010 to 2015; the follow-up rate after 2015 was 71.0% significantly higher than that of 46.3% from 2010 to 2015. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of RPD was 1.966 times higher in males than in females, and the risk of moderate to severe RPD was 2.570 times higher in males than in females; the risk of RPD in preterm children was 1.228 times higher than that of full-term children; and the risk of RPD was 1.218 times higher in twins than in singles. Conclusions: The screening volume of the three-level referral system has remained stable over a decade, with significantly higher screening, referral, and follow-up rates. Males, preterm, and twins are risk factors of RPD in high-risk children; males are also risk factors for moderate to severe RPD in high-risk children.

Diagnostic value of peripheral TiM-3, NT proBNP, and Sestrin2 testing in left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease is more likely to induce recurrent respiratory infections in the patients which exacerbate pulmonary hypertension and thereby impairs cardiac function. It is urgent to explore a non-invasive and accurate diagnostic method that can show the cardiac anatomy and associated malformations in clinical research. OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of peripheral mucin domain protein-3 (Tim-3), N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT proBNP), sestrin2 testing in patients with the left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease and heart failure. METHODS: Fifty-two neonates with with left to right shunt congenital heart disease and 30 healthy neonates were enrolled. Blood samples were collected within 24 h of admission from newborns for determining the content of TiM-3, NT proBNP, and Sestrin2. Analyzing the ROC curve provided insight into the diagnostic accuracy. Both a Spearman's rank correlation test and a logistic regression analysis were carried out. RESULTS: TiM-3, NT proBNP, and Sestrin2 levels in peripheral blood were statistically different in the three groups (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in LVEF and LVFS among the three groups (P < 0.05). When used to diagnose heart failure in conjunction with left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease, TiM-3, NT proBNP, and Sestrin2 exhibited sensitivity of 58.3, 58.3, and 83.3%, respectively, and specificity of 85.0, 72.5, and 70.0%. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUCs of Tim-3, NT proBNP, and sestrin2 in predicting the outcome of left-to-right shunted congenital heart disease combined with heart failure were 0.744 (95% CI, 0.580 to 0.908), 0.608 (95% CI, 0.359 to 0.857), respectively 0.744 (95% CI 0.592 to 0.896). CONCLUSION: Tim-3, NT proBNP, and sestrin2 can accurately differentiate heart failure from non-combined heart failure from left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease.

One step synthesis of N, P co-doped hierarchical porous carbon nanosheets derived from pomelo peel for high performance supercapacitors.

Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (NH4H2PO4) was used as an activator and co-dopant to induce the synthesis of N, P co-doped porous carbon nanosheets (NPCNs) from pomelo peel for using as high-performance supercapacitors. Pomelo peel has a unique sponge-like structure in which NH4H2PO4 particles can be evenly embedded. The pore structure and heteroatomic doping amount of NPCNs were controlled by adjusting the pyrolysis temperature. As a result, the optimal sample exhibits high specific capacitance (314 ± 2.6 F g-1) and rate capability (82% of capacitance retention at 20 A g-1). NPCNs-750 was further employed in a symmetrical supercapacitor (NPCNs-750//NPCNs-750 SSC) with 2 M Li2SO4 electrolyte, and exhibits a high energy density of 36 ± 1.5 W h kg-1 at a power density of 1000 W kg-1, with excellent cycling stability with 99% retention after 10,000 cycles. A series of excellent results show that this pollution-free and cost-effective method can be used for the design and preparation of high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials.

Optimizing light distribution and controlling biomass concentration by continuously pre-harvesting Spirulina platensis for improving the microalgae production.

To improve the microalgae production in batch cultivation, a cultivation mode that continuously pre-harvesting Spirulina platensis from photobioreactor (PBR) with culture medium recycling was proposed. For realizing the continuously pre-harvesting cultivation mode, a Spirulina platensis culture column PBR with overflowing device was designed, which could adjust pre-harvesting rate through the overflowing device. By adjusting the pre-harvesting rate, the biomass concentration could be kept when biomass accumulation and pre-harvesting biomass were equal. Hence, the meridional light attenuation could be reduced by controlling biomass concentration in PBR. The maximum microalgae production were 44.6%, 10.98% higher in total production than that cultivated in batch cultivation without pre-harvesting and periodically pre-harvesting cultivation mode respectively, which was realized in pre-harvesting rate 0.228 mL min-1 and biomass concentration 1.8 g L-1. Besides, a model was built by mass balance and polynomial fitting for evaluating the continuously pre-harvesting cultivation mode.

Energy-producing electro-flocculation for harvest of Dunaliella salina.

In this study, an efficient electro-flocculation process for Dunaliella salina with energy production by aluminum-air battery has been successfully applied. The formed aluminum hydroxide hydrates during discharging of battery were positively charged, which have a great potential for microalgae flocculation. The precipitation of aluminum hydroxide hydrates by algae also could improve the performance of aluminum-air battery. The harvesting efficiency could reach 97% in 20mins with energy production of 0.11kWh/kg. This discharging electro-flocculation (DEF) technology provides a new energy producing process to effectively harvest microalgae.

Early Activation of PINCH/ Glycogen-Synthase Kinase 3ß/ERK Pathway in Obstructive Nephropathy Rat Model.

BACKGROUND: Despite a previous study showing that PINCH-1 exerts an important role in regulating TGF-ß1-mediated mesenchymal transition through its interaction with integrin-linked kinase, relatively little is known about the role of PINCH in the obstructive nephropathy. METHODS: To construct a rat model of renal interstitial fibrosis and obstructive nephropathy, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was used. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining were used in histologic examinations. Quantificational reverse transcription-PCR was used to analyze the mRNA expression level. Western blot and the immunohistochemistry staining were used to detect the protein levels. RESULTS: Histologic examination showed that slight interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy existed in the kidney of UUO rats. PINCH, alpha-smooth muscle actin, vascular endothelial growth factor and connective tissue growth factor were markedly induced in the kidney of the UUO rats. However, the expression level of E-cadherin was markedly suppressed in the kidney of the UUO rats. Moreover, both JUN and phosphorylation of JUN proteins were significantly decreased in the kidney of the UUO rats. Conversely, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and glycogen-synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß) were markedly induced in UUO rats compared to that in sham rats. However, ERK1/2 proteins showed no statistically significant difference between UUO and sham groups. CONCLUSIONS: PINCH/GSK3ß/ERK pathway was early molecular responses to obstructed kidney induced by UUO in rat.

Facile sand enhanced electro-flocculation for cost-efficient harvesting of Dunaliella salina.

Energy consumption and water resource in the cultivation and harvesting steps still need to be minimized for the popularization of the microalgae-based products. An efficient electro-flocculation method for harvesting Dunaliella Salina integrated with local sand has been successfully applied. Sand was effective for speeding up the processes of flocculation and sedimentation of algal flocs and the electrolytic hydroxides was essential to bridge the sand and small flocs into large dense flocs. The maximal recovery effective improved from 95.13% in 6min to 98.09% in 4.5min and the optimal electrical energy consumption decreased 51.03% compared to conventional electro-flocculation in a laboratory ambient condition. Furthermore, reusing the flocculated medium in cultivation of the D. Salina with nitrogen supplemented performed no worse than using fresh medium. This sand enhanced electro-flocculation (SEF) technology provides a great potential for saving time and energy associated with improving microalgae harvesting.

Biomass assisted synthesis of alumina by Gardenia Jasminoides Ellis and their application for removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution.

A simple and novel process has been proposed to synthesize alumina using gardenia extract and aluminum salts in an aqueous solution. The alumina sample notated as "bio-Al2O3" was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption experiment. The results indicated that the existence of the gardenia biomass enlarged the surface area of alumina and reached 256 m(2)/g. The thermo gravimetric (TG), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results showed that gardenia biomass bound to the surface of the alumina has substantially improved the adsorption capacity of Ni(II) and the adsorption behavior of nickel ion was related to the biomass functional groups. The results of three adsorption-desorption cycles showed that the bio-Al2O3 using as the adsorbent for Ni(II) was relatively stable. The kinetic of the Ni(II) adsorption by the bio-Al2O3 followed pseudo-second-order equation. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to analyze the experimental data and the result demonstrated that the adsorption isotherms followed Langmuir isotherm model.

Reversible absorption of SO2 by amino acid aqueous solutions.

Six water-soluble amino acids (glycine, l-α-alanine, dl-alanine, ß-alanine, proline and arginine) aqueous solutions were applied to remove SO(2) from SO(2)-N(2) system in this report. All the tested amino acids solutions were found to be excellent absorbents for SO(2) removal, and SO(2) saturation uptake of ß-alanine solution was the highest under the same experimental conditions. The effects of amino acid concentration, SO(2) concentration, absorption temperature, desorption temperature and initial pH value of the absorbent on the removal of SO(2) were investigated with ß-Ala solution. The experimental results showed that SO(2) saturation uptake increased with the increase in ß-alanine solution and SO(2) concentration. Room temperature (20-30°C) was found to be optimal for SO(2) absorption. Additionally the SO(2) desorption capacity increased with increasing desorption temperature. The neutral environment pH value of 6.8 was found to be optimal for SO(2) removal. Ten continuous absorption-desorption cycles showed that the absorbent had an excellent regeneration performance. (13)C NMR and ultraviolet analyses offer ample evidence to speculate that the bonding between SO(2) and ß-alanine was not covalent but some weak interactive forces, such as dispersion force, induction force, dipole-dipole force and hydrogen bond.

Utilization of CO2 and biomass char derived from pyrolysis of Dunaliella salina: the effects of steam and catalyst on CO and H2 gas production.

Biomass char, by-product of Dunaliella salina pyrolysis at a final pyrolysis temperature of 500°C, was used as feedstock material in this study. The reactions of biomass char with CO(2) were performed in a fixed-bed reactor to evaluate the effect of temperature and steam on the CO(2) conversion, CO yield and gas composition. The CO(2) conversion and CO yield without steam and catalyst reached about 61.84% and 0.99mol/(mol CO(2)) at 800°C, respectively. Steam and high temperature led to high CO(2) conversion. A new approach for improving H(2) was carried out by using biomass char and Au/Al(2)O(3) catalyst, which combined steam gasification of biomass char and water gas shift reaction, and the H(2) concentration was 1.8 times higher than without catalyst. The process not only mitigated CO(2) emission and made use of residual biomass char, but also created renewable source.

Bio-oil from hydro-liquefaction of Dunaliella salina over Ni/REHY catalyst.

The hydro-liquefaction of Dunaliella salina over solid acid catalyst was examined under moderate conditions (200°C, 2.0 MPa, 60 min). The significant increment of bio-oil yield was obtained over Ni/REHY catalyst, increasing about 20% compared without modified REHY. H(2)-temperature-programmed desorption (H(2)-TPD) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) demonstrated that Ni/REHY as bifunctional catalyst played roles in hydrogenation and cracking, and further achieved the deoxygenation and desulfurization of D. salina under hydrogen gas. The oxygen and sulfur contents of bio-oils decreased relative to D. salina, and the higher heating value (HHV) significantly increased to 30.11 MJ/kg. From gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), the dominant compounds of the bio-oils were found to be esters, glycerins. The qualities of bio-oils were greatly improved. Hydro-liquefaction was beneficial to the exploration of bio-oils from microalgae.

Reversible removal of SO2 at low temperature by Bacillus licheniformis immobilized on γ-Al2O3.

Bacillus licheniformis R08 biomass was immobilized on γ-Al2O3 and the effects of R08 biomass loading, SO2 concentration, water vapor, oxygen and temperature on removal of SO2 were investigated. The experimental results indicated that SO2 saturation capacity increased with increasing R08 biomass loading and SO2 concentration, but decreased with increasing adsorption temperature. Water vapor activated the adsorbent and promoted SO2 removal. An increase in oxygen concentration from 5 to 10% had little effect on SO2 removal. FTIR analysis revealed that the R08 biomass bound to γ-Al2O3 mainly by forming R-CO-O-Al bonds. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that γ-Al2O3 reacted with SO2 and formed aluminum sulfate in the presence of oxygen when R08 biomass loading was 13.8%, but that amido groups of the R08 biomass reacted with SO2 and formed sulfite when biomass loading was 32.4%. Ten continuous adsorption-desorption cycles showed that the adsorbent had an excellent regeneration performance.

The biosynthesis of palladium nanoparticles by antioxidants in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis: long lifetime nanocatalysts for p-nitrotoluene hydrogenation.

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis' water crude extract was used for the bioreduction of palladium chloride in this paper. The UV-vis spectrum, x-ray diffraction spectrum measurement, the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and TEM technique confirmed the formation of palladium nanoparticles and identified antioxidants including geniposide, chlorogenic acid, crocins and crocetin were reducing and stabilizing agents for synthesizing palladium nanoparticles in water crude extract. The particle size and dispersity were temperature-dependent. The particle sizes ranged from 3 to 5 nm and revealed the best dispersity at 70 degrees C. Catalytic performance of the biosynthetic Pd nanoparticles with good dispersity was investigated by hydrogenation of p-nitrotoluene. The catalysts showed a conversion of 100% under conditions of 5 MPa, 150 degrees C for 2 h. The selectivity of p-methyl-cyclohexylamine achieved 26.3%. The catalyst was recycled five times with no agglomeration and maintained activity, which was attributed to the appropriate protection of the antioxidants. On the basis of the study, it appears to be a new promising biosynthetic nanocatalyst for the development of an industrial process.