To Compare the Anesthetic Effect of Remimazolam and Propofol in Painless Hysteroscopic Minimally Invasive Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Hysteroscopic surgery will stimulate the autonomic nerves innervating the uterus, causing intense discomfort and pain in the examined person, and in severe cases, it will cause blood pressure drop, heart rate slowing, arrhythmia and even cardiac arrest, so most patients need anesthetic intervention. This study to retrospectively compare the anesthetic effect of remimazolam and propofol in minimally invasive painless hysteroscopic surgery and to explore the safety and efficacy of remimazolam. METHODS: The clinical data of 110 female patients who underwent painless hysteroscopic minimally invasive surgery in our hospital from January 2023 to June 2023 were collected. The patients were divided into the remimazolam group (group R, n = 55) and the propofol group (group P, n = 55) according to the main anesthetic drugs used during the operation. The changes in heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), and respiratory rate (RR) at the time of entry (T0), modified vigilance/sedation score (MOAA/S) 0 (T1), cervical dilation (T2), end of the operation (T3) and anesthesia recovery (T4) were compared between the two groups. Anesthesia induction time, operation time, and anesthesia recovery time were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative adverse reactions was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: HR, MAP, and SpO2 in group R were significantly higher than those in group P at T1, T2, T3, and T4 (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in RR between the two groups (p > 0.05). HR, MAP, and SpO2 at T1 and T2 were significantly lower than those at T0 in group R (p < 0.05), and RR at different time points in the group had no significant difference (p > 0.05). HR, MAP, and SpO2 at T1, T2, T3, and T4 were significantly lower than those at T0 in group P (p < 0.01), and RR at different time points in the same group had no significant difference (p > 0.05). The anesthesia induction time in group R was more prolonged than in group P, and the anesthesia recovery time in group R was shorter than in group P (p < 0.05). The incidences of hypotension, bradycardia, low oxygen saturation, respiratory depression, and injection pain in group R were significantly lower than those in group P (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Intravenous induction of remimazolam at 6 mg·kg-1·h-1 and maintenance of anesthesia at 1-2 mg·kg-1·h-1 have less effect on hemodynamics, faster recovery time and lower incidence of adverse reactions compared with propofol when used in minimally invasive hysteroscopic surgery. Remimazolam can be safely and effectively used in this kind of surgery.

Transition from Flat-Band Localization to Anderson Localization in a One-Dimensional Tasaki Lattice.

We report an extensive experimental investigation on the transition from flat-band localization (FBL) to Anderson localization (AL) in a one-dimensional synthetic lattice in the momentum dimension. By driving multiple Bragg processes between designated momentum states, an effective one-dimensional Tasaki lattice is implemented with highly tunable parameters, including nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor coupling coefficients and onsite energy potentials. With that, a flat-band localization phase is realized and demonstrated via the evolution dynamics of the particle population over different momentum states. The localization effect is undermined when a moderate disorder is introduced to the onsite potential and restored under a strong disorder. We find clear signatures of the FBL-AL transition in the density profile evolution, the inverse participation ratio, and the von Neumann entropy, where good agreement is obtained with theoretical predictions.

In situ growth of Zr-based metal-organic frameworks on cellulose sponges for Hg2+ and methylene blue removal.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are characterised by high porosity levels and controllable structures, making them ideal adsorbents for wastewater. However, obtaining substrate materials with mechanical stability, excellent pore accessibility, and good processability for compositing MOF crystal powders to adsorb multiple pollutants in complex aqueous environments is challenging. In this study, porous MOFs@ modified cellulose sponge (MCS) composites were fabricated using MCS as a scaffold to provide anchoring sites for the coordination of Zr4+ ions and further in situ synthesis of MOFs, namely UiO-66@MCS and UiO-66-NH2@MCS, which effectively removed heavy metal ions and organic dyes. MOFs@MCS composites exhibit excellent water and dimensional stability, maintaining the pore structure by ambient drying during reuse. Compared with UiO-66@MCS composite, UiO-66-NH2@MCS composite exhibited a higher adsorption capacity of 224.5 mg·g-1 for Hg2+ and 400.9 mg·g-1 for methylene blue (MB). The adsorption of Hg2+ onto the MOFs@MCS composites followed the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models, whereas the Freundlich and pseudo-second-order models were more suitable for MB adsorption. Moreover, the MOFs@MCS composites exhibited excellent reusability and were selective for the removal of Hg2+. Overall, this approach effectively combines Zr-based MOFs with mechanically and dimensionally stable porous cellulose sponges, rendering the approach suitable for purifying complex wastewater.

A Quantitative Method for the Evaluation of Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Murine Model Using Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Imaging.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a life-threatening condition that can lead to its sequelae pulmonary embolism (PE) or post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). Murine models of DVT are frequently used in early-stage disease research and to assess potential therapies. This creates the need for the reliable and easy quantification of blood clots. In this paper, we present a novel high-frequency 3D ultrasound approach for the quantitative evaluation of the volume of DVT in an in vitro model and an in vivo murine model. The proposed method involves the use of a high-resolution ultrasound acquisition system and semiautomatic segmentation of the clot. The measured 3D volume of blood clots was validated to be correlated with in vitro blood clot weights with an R2 of 0.89. Additionally, the method was confirmed with an R2 of 0.91 in the in vivo mouse model with a cylindrical volume from macroscopic measurement. We anticipate that the proposed method will be useful in pharmacological or therapeutic studies in murine models of DVT.

Citric acid/chitosan adhesive with viscosity-controlled for wood bonding through supramolecular self-assembly.

Developing bio-based sustainable wood adhesives is significant as a substitute for petroleum-derived adhesives. However, the existing bio-based adhesives have disadvantages of complex fabrication, uncontrollable viscosity, and poor water resistance. Herein, we developed a citric acid/chitosan adhesive with viscosity-controlled and water-resistant features by one-step dissolution at room temperature based on the supramolecular self-assembly strategy. Different wood products (plywood, laminated veneer lumber and particleboard) with superior performance were prepared by applying that adhesive on veneer and wood particles (fine and rough particles). The plywood test results showed that the citric acid/chitosan adhesive had dry and wet shear strengths outperforming the China National Standard (GB/T 9846-2015, ≥0.7 MPa), reaching 2.1 and 1.1 MPa, respectively. The adhesion mechanism was mechanical interlocks and cross-linking of citric acid/chitosan in adhesives with those in the cell wall. This work provides high promise for alternatives to traditional unsustainable wood adhesives (urea-formaldehyde, melamine-urea-formaldehyde and phenolic resins) for fabricating different wood products.

Acute abdominal pain as the first symptom of Chlamydia psittaci pneumonia complicated by acute pancreatitis: a case report.

Background: Chlamydia psittaci infections primarily cause damage to the lungs but may also affect the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney, and brain, resulting in a variety of extrapulmonary complications. However, reports regarding C. psittaci infection-associated pancreatitis are rare. In this report, a patient with C. psittaci pneumonia complicated by acute pancreatitis is presented. Case description: The patient presented with acute upper abdominal pain and developed severe pyrexia and dyspnoea one day later. A chest computed tomography image revealed patchy consolidation in the left lung. The disease progressed rapidly, and the patient exhibited liver and kidney damage and type 1 respiratory failure within a short period of time. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing of alveolar lavage fluid revealed the presence of C. psittaci. The patient was administered doxycycline and moxifloxacin, after which the patient's abdominal pain and lung infection significantly resolved. Conclusion: This case report demonstrates that extrapulmonary C. psittaci infections due to secondary acute pancreatitis can manifest as abdominal pain, although the exact mechanisms of C. psittaci caused by acute pancreatitis remain unclear. Timely diagnoses and treatments of such infections are necessary to achieve favorable clinical outcomes.

In Vivo Validation of Modulated Acoustic Radiation Force-Based Imaging in Murine Model of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Using VEGFR-2-Targeted Microbubbles.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to validate the modulated acoustic radiation force (mARF)-based imaging method in the detection of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in murine models using vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2)-targeted microbubbles (MBs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mouse AAA model was prepared using the subcutaneous angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion combined with the ß-aminopropionitrile monofumarate solution dissolved in drinking water. The ultrasound imaging session was performed at 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days after the osmotic pump implantation. For each imaging session, 10 C57BL/6 mice were implanted with Ang II-filled osmotic pumps, and 5 C57BL/6 mice received saline infusion only as the control group. Biotinylated lipid MBs conjugated to either anti-mouse VEGFR-2 antibody (targeted MBs) or isotype control antibody (control MBs) were prepared before each imaging session and were injected into mice via tail vein catheter. Two separate transducers were colocalized to image the AAA and apply ARF to translate MBs simultaneously. After each imaging session, tissue was harvested and the aortas were used for VEGFR-2 immunostaining analysis. From the collected ultrasound image data, the signal magnitude response of the adherent targeted MBs was analyzed, and a parameter, residual-to-saturation ratio ( Rres - sat ), was defined to measure the enhancement in the adherent targeted MBs signal after the cessation of ARF compared with the initial signal intensity. Statistical analysis was performed with the Welch t test and analysis of variance test. RESULTS: The Rres - sat of abdominal aortic segments from Ang II-challenged mice was significantly higher compared with that in the saline-infused control group ( P < 0.001) at all 4 time points after osmotic pump implantation (1 week to 4 weeks). In control mice, the Rres - sat values were 2.13%, 1.85%, 3.26%, and 4.85% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks postimplantation, respectively. In stark contrast, the Rres - sat values for the mice with Ang II-induced AAA lesions were 9.20%, 20.6%, 22.7%, and 31.8%, respectively. It is worth noting that there was a significant difference between the Rres - sat for Ang II-infused mice at all 4 time points ( P < 0.005), a finding not present in the saline-infused mice. Immunostaining results revealed the VEGFR-2 expression was increased in the abdominal aortic segments of Ang II-infused mice compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The mARF-based imaging technique was validated in vivo using a murine model of AAA and VEGFR-2-targeted MBs. Results in this study indicated that the mARF-based imaging technique has the ability to detect and assess AAA growth at early stages based on the signal intensity of adherent targeted MBs, which is correlated with the expression level of the desired molecular biomarker. The results may suggest, in very long term, a pathway toward eventual clinical implementation for an ultrasound molecular imaging-based approach to AAA risk assessment in asymptomatic patients.

Superior Mechanical Properties of Invar36 Alloy Lattices Structures Manufactured by Laser Powder Bed Fusion.

Invar36 alloy is a low expansion alloy, and the triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) structures have excellent lightweight, high energy absorption capacity and superior thermal and acoustic insulation properties. It is, however, difficult to manufacture by traditional processing methods. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) as a metal additive manufacturing technology, is extremely advantageous for forming complex lattice structures. In this study, five different TPMS cell structures, Gyroid (G), Diamond (D), Schwarz-P (P), Lidinoid (L), and Neovius (N) with Invar36 alloy as the material, were prepared using the LPBF process. The deformation behavior, mechanical properties, and energy absorption efficiency of these structures under different load directions were studied, and the effects and mechanisms of structure design, wall thickness, and load direction were further investigated. The results show that except for the P cell structure, which collapsed layer by layer, the other four TPMS cell structures all exhibited uniform plastic collapse. The G and D cell structures had excellent mechanical properties, and the energy absorption efficiency could reach more than 80%. In addition, it was found that the wall thickness could adjust the apparent density, relative platform stress, relative stiffness, energy absorption, energy absorption efficiency, and deformation behavior of the structure. Printed TPMS cell structures have better mechanical properties in the horizontal direction due to intrinsic printing process and structural design.

Programmable, Changeable, Origami Cellulose Films for Magnetically Controllable Soft Robots.

Magnetic soft robots composed of stimuli-responsive materials are promising for biomedical engineering applications; however, typical responsive materials are fabricated with nondegradable polymeric substrates. In this study, we report a flexible, biodegradable, and magnetically sensitive cellulose film (M-film) that can be utilized for magnetically controllable soft robots (M-robots) with programmable locomotion, cargo delivery, and remote wireless operation functions. The M-film with good foldability, origami, and magnetic properties is synthesized by a simple paper-making process using cellulose nanofibers, additive sodium alginate, and BaFe12O19 particles. Through the following origami-magnetization process, the M-robot with multimodal movements is designed: climbing over the obstacles in the walking environment; additionally, this process can complete various cargo transport tasks by clawing, rolling, and flipping. This approach expands the precise controllability and manipulability of environmentally friendly cellulose nanomaterials beyond the known applications and opens the prospects of their implementation in stimuli-responsive robots, wireless control electronics, and intelligent devices.

Co-assembly of stearoylated cellulose nanocrystals and GO (or CNTs) for the construction of superhydrophobic hierarchical structure with enhanced photothermal conversion.

The development of photothermal materials with high photothermal-conversion efficiencies is important in a range of applications, such as power generation, sterilization, desalination, and energy-production. To date, a few reports have been published related to improving the photothermal conversion performances of photothermal materials based on self-assembled nanolamellae. Herein, hybrid films of co-assembled stearoylated cellulose nanocrystals (SCNCs) and polymer-grafted graphene oxide (pGO)/polymer-grafted carbon nanotubes (pCNTs) were prepared. The chemical compositions, microstructures, and morphologies of these products were characterized, and it was found that the self-assembled SCNC structures exhibited numerous surface nanolamellae due to crystallization of the long alkyl chains. The hybrid films (i.e., SCNC/pGO and SCNC/pCNTs films) consisted of ordered nanoflake structures, confirming the co-assembly behavior of the SCNCs with pGO or pCNTs. The melting temperature (~65 °C) and latent heat of melting (87.87 J/g) of SCNC1.07 indicate its potential to induce the formation of nanolamellar pGO or pCNTs. Under light irradiation (50-200 mW/cm2), the pCNTs exhibited a higher light absorption capacity than pGO, and as a result, the SCNC/pCNTs film exhibited the best photothermal performance and electrical conversion, ultimately demonstrating its potential for use as a solar thermal device in practical applications.

Magnetic Heating Amorphous NiFe Hydroxide Nanosheets Encapsulated Ni Nanoparticles@Wood Carbon to Boost Oxygen Evolution Reaction Activity.

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has significant effects on the water-splitting process and rechargeable metal-air batteries; however, the sluggish reaction kinetics caused by the four-electron transfer process for transition metal catalysts hinder large-scale commercialization in highly efficient electrochemical energy conversion devices. Herein, a magnetic heating-assisted enhancement design for low-cost carbonized wood with high OER activity is proposed, in which Ni nanoparticles are encapsulated in amorphous NiFe hydroxide nanosheets (a-NiFe@Ni-CW) via direct calcination and electroplating. The introduction of amorphous NiFe hydroxide nanosheets optimizes the electronic structure of a-NiFe@Ni-CW, accelerating electron transfer and reducing the energy barrier in the OER. More importantly, the Ni nanoparticles located on carbonized wood can function as magnetic heating centers under the effect of an alternating current (AC) magnetic field, further promoting the adsorption of reaction intermediates. Consequently, a-NiFe@Ni-CW demonstrated an overpotential of 268 mV at 100 mA cm-2 for the OER under an AC magnetic field, which is superior to that of most reported transition metal catalysts. Starting with sustainable and abundant wood, this work provides a reference for highly effective and low-cost electrocatalyst design with the assistance of a magnetic field.

Association of a Statewide Opioid Legislation with Opioid Prescribing Patterns in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Procedures.

Background: The Michigan Opioid Laws are legislation enacted between 2017 and 2018 as a strategy to combat the growing opioid crisis. Objective: To compare opioid prescription rates and morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) of opioid prescribed to patients undergoing various facial plastic and reconstructive surgery (FPRS) procedures before, during, and after legislation enactment. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional retrospective review of subjects undergoing any of 10 FPRS procedures between July 2016 and November 2019 at a tertiary care hospital with analysis of demographic factors, opioid prescription rates, and MMEs over time. Results: Of 863 patients included, 107 and 575 patients were prescribed postoperative opioids before and after opiate legislation enactment, respectively, with no difference in baseline demographics between groups. Regression analysis showed no change in MME prescribing in the year before legislation (p = 0.70), followed by a decrease of 0.13 MME per day (p = 0.00), with a subsequent stabilization of MME at a reduced rate for the remainder of the study period (p = 0.74). Conclusion: Enactment of the Michigan Opioid Laws was temporally associated with a decrease in opioid prescriptions for common facial plastic surgery procedures.

Flexible Janus wood membrane with asymmetric wettability for high-efficient switchable oil/water emulsion separation.

Janus membranes have attracted much attention for switchable oil/water separation because they have opposite wetting behavior on each side. However, it remains a challenge to fabricate Janus membranes with asymmetric wettability from biomass by simple methods. Herein, we prepared a flexible Janus wood (JW) membrane by cutting the natural wood along the longitudinal direction, followed by a facile top-down approach. The hydrophobic lignin was removed from the wood to prepare a highly porous and superhydrophilic wood (SW) with underwater superoleophobicity. Then, one side of the SW was sprayed with a mixture of 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyltrichlorosilane/SiO2 nanoparticles to form a superhydrophobic surface that hardly affected the wettability of the other side. The obtained JW membrane maintains its selective wettability in harsh environments owing to its durability and stability. Furthermore, it has a switchable, high separation efficiency of >99% for both oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions, which can be attributed to the unique wettability and hierarchical micro/nano structure of the JW membrane. Notably, the three-dimensional interconnected micro/nanochannels (pits and nanopores) of the JW membrane are beneficial to the size-sieving effect during emulsion separation. At the same time, the layered channels (tracheids and vessels) enable multiple separations. JW membrane is sustainable, inexpensive, stable, and easy to manufacture, providing more implications for the innovation of biomass-based Janus separation materials in industrial wastewater treatment.

Click chemistry-induced modification of acrylated cellulose nanocrystals for application in PVA-based nanocomposites.

The surface functionalization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) is crucial for promoting their diverse applications, especially regarding their use as sustainable biobased polymer reinforcements. In this study, we develop poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-CNC composites with improved tensile strength and gas-barrier performance using CNC-based nanofillers. Acrylated CNCs (ACNCs) were prepared from cellulose via one-pot acid hydrolysis/Fischer esterification; subsequently, surface modification was performed through a thiol-ene reaction to obtain surface-thiolated ACNCs, namely, DACNC, MACNC, and PACNC. The various functional groups on the surface-thiolated ACNCs not only affect the dispersion stability but also alter their interfacial interactions with the PVA matrix, thus realizing the PVA nanocomposites with tailored properties, including the thermal properties, mechanical properties, and gas barrier performance. This study demonstrates that surface-thiolated ACNCs with appropriate surface chemistry and loading levels can serve as excellent nanofillers for PVA, forming biobased composites with desired properties.

Aliphatic chains grafted cellulose nanocrystals with core-corona structures for efficient toughening of PLA composites.

To promote the replacement of nondegradable petrochemical-based polymers with green polylactic acid (PLA) materials, aliphatic chains-grafted cellulose nanocrystals (ECNCs) were prepared and used as nanofillers to overcome the disadvantage of poor toughness of PLA. ECNCs with core-corona structures were obtained by modifying cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) with valeryl chloride, octanoyl chloride, dodecanoyl chloride, and stearoyl chloride. ECNCs consists of a cellulose crystalline core and a soft esterified corona layer with aliphatic chains. Among the diverse ECNCs, the obtained EOCNC by esterification of octanoyl chloride exhibited most efficient enhancement of the toughness of PLA. Specifically, PLA/EOCNC-1% film displayed the best elongation at breakage of 108%, which was 6.4 times that of pure PLA. The esterified outer layer of ECNCs, which improves the interfacial compatibility, is one of the key factors contributing to toughening of PLA. These ECNCs with core-corona structure open up new directions for the application of PLA advanced composites.

Evaluation on the Performance of Hydraulic Bitumen Binders under High and Low Temperatures for Pumped Storage Power Station Projects.

The high and low-temperature performance of five hydraulic bitumen binders was evaluated using the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test, infrared spectrum test and direct tensile (DT) test. These hydraulic bitumen binders were respectively applied for several pumped storage power stations (PSPS) projects that were constructed or under construction. In order to relate the bitumen performance to the mixture performance, the slope flow test, three-point bending test and thermal stress restrained specimen test were carried out on hydraulic asphalt mixtures. The test results indicated the DSR rheological master curves can well distinguish the difference of each bitumen binder as well as the effect of polymer modification. Phase angle master curves, black diagrams and infrared spectra all indicated that several penetration-grade hydraulic bitumen binders were not virgin bitumen binders but were modified with relatively lower SBS polymer content when compared with traditional SBS-modified bitumen. When selecting the commonly used Karamay SG70 hydraulic bitumen as a reference, the normal SBS-modified bitumen was superior to other bitumen in terms of low- and high-temperature performance. Several slightly SBS-modified bitumen binders did not always show consistent results, which indicated that slightly modified bitumen may not really have the desired performance as expected. Therefore, SBS-modified bitumen will be more promising when dealing with extremely low or high temperatures. Bitumen performance was well compared with the mixture performance by using the bitumen creep, relaxation and tensile failure strain corresponding to the asphalt concrete slope flow, the maximum bending strain and the failure temperature, respectively. Compared with the traditional penetration, softening point and ductility test, it indicated that the DSR rheological test, creep test, direct tensile test and stress relaxation test can be used as more powerful tools for the characterization and optimization of hydraulic bitumen binders.

Female Representation and Academic Leadership in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Despite increasing the numbers of women entering the field, underrepresentation of women in otolaryngology has been reported. In the subspecialty of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery (FPRS), female representation and academic leadership have not been formally characterized. Our study aims to identify female representation and academic leadership roles in FPRS. STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional analysis. METHODS: Analysis was performed using the 2020 American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) membership directory. Board-eligible and board-certified FPRS surgeons were included. Data regarding academic rank, leadership position, academic productivity, and years in practice were collected from publicly available departmental websites. Academic productivity was measured using h-index. RESULTS: Of 1,421 members queried in the 2020 AAFPRS membership directory, 13.0% were female and 86.9% were male. Most practitioners (87.0%) work in a private practice setting, but of the 13.0% of academic FPRS surgeons, 25.9% were female. Most female facial plastic surgeons in academic practice were Assistant Professors (72.9%), whereas ranks were evenly distributed among male FPRS surgeons. Three (4.3%) of 69 AAFPRS fellowship directors were women, and 1 (1.8%) of 56 present or past AAFPRS presidents was female. Female FPRS surgeons had fewer years in practice and lower h-indices compared with male surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Female FPRS surgeons hold fewer academic leadership positions and have lower academic productivity in comparison to male FPRS surgeons. Future studies are needed to elucidate the etiology of these gender differences. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 132:781-785, 2022.

HTO/Cellulose Aerogel for Rapid and Highly Selective Li+ Recovery from Seawater.

To achieve rapid and highly efficient recovery of Li+ from seawater, a series of H2TiO3/cellulose aerogels (HTO/CA) with a porous network were prepared by a simple and effective method. The as-prepared HTO/CA were characterized and their Li+ adsorption performance was evaluated. The obtained results revealed that the maximum capacity of HTO/CA to adsorb Li+ was 28.58 ± 0.71 mg g-1. The dynamic k2 value indicated that the Li+ adsorption rate of HTO/CA was nearly five times that of HTO powder. Furthermore, the aerogel retained extremely high Li+ selectivity compared with Mg2+, Ca2+, K+, and Na+. After regeneration for five cycles, the HTO/CA retained a Li+ adsorption capacity of 22.95 mg g-1. Moreover, the HTO/CA showed an excellent adsorption efficiency of 69.93% ± 0.04% and high selectivity to Li+ in actual seawater. These findings confirm its potential as an adsorbent for recovering Li+ from seawater.

Virtual Resident Mentorship Groups for Fourth Year Medical Students Applying into Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To create a longitudinal near-peer mentorship program for medical students applying to otolaryngology. METHODS: A program for longitudinal near-peer mentorship was designed based on a needs analysis of senior medical students. Program objectives were to (1) provide didactic education on common otolaryngology consults, (2) facilitate resident-student networking, and (3) enable applicants to meet other students. Senior otolaryngology residents were matched with medical students from across the United States applying to otolaryngology for a series of online small group meetings. Sessions included resident-designed didactics covering high-yield clinical scenarios and a mentorship component focused on transition to residency topics. Program evaluation included anonymized pre- and post-tests for each didactic session and an anonymous post-program participant survey. RESULTS: There were 40 student participants from across the United States, with an average attendance of 73% of sessions per participant. Performance on didactic testing improved for 2 of the 3 sessions. Participants stated they would be very likely to recommend each session to another student in the future (4.96/5.00, obs = 155). Participants stated the most valuable part of the program was interacting with residents (82% of responses), transition to residency advice (28%), and learning about otolaryngology consults (28%). Suggestions for improvement included expanding content, increasing the number of sessions, and involving additional faculty and residents. CONCLUSION: A longitudinal virtual experience can be valuable for near-peer mentorship for medical students applying to otolaryngology.