Mg-Defect Compensation to Realize High Performance at Room Temperature in Mg3Bi2-Based Thermoelectric Single Crystals.

Mg3Bi2-based materials are a very promising substitute for current commercial Bi2Te3 thermoelectric alloys. The successful growth of Mg3Bi2-based single crystals with high room-temperature performance is especially significant for practical applications. Previous studies indicated that the effective suppression of Mg defects in Mg3Bi2-based materials was crucial for high performance, which was usually realized by applying excessive Mg during syntheses. However, utilization of excessive Mg generates Mg-rich phases between the crystalline boundaries and is unfavorable for the long-term stability of the materials. Here, bulk single crystals with a low-content Mg component such as Mg3.1Bi1.49Sb0.5Te0.01 were successfully grown. For compensating Mg defects, Li was chosen as the additional electron dopant. The results indicate that Li is a very effective electron compensator when low-concentration doping is applied. For high-concentration doping, Mg atoms in the lattice are substituted by Li, leading to decreased electron concentration again. This strategy is very significant for improving the room-temperature performance of Mg3Bi2-based materials. As a result, a record-high figure of merit of 1.05 at 300 K is achieved for Mg3+xLi0.003Bi1.49Sb0.5Te0.01 single crystals.

Does category of strength predict return-to-work after occupational injury?

BACKGROUND: Occupational accidents may lead laborers to lose their working capacities, affecting their physical and mental health. Occupational rehabilitation helps improve the ability of patients with occupational accidents and suggests appropriate jobs to avoid second injuries. This study aimed to identify whether any of the functional capacity evaluation (FCE) strength subtests predicted successful return to work. METHODS: Data were collected of 84 patients receiving government-subsidized occupational rehabilitation between September 2016 and December 2018. A structured questionnaire was employed for pre- and post-training assessment, including basic information, information of the occupational accident, status of the laborer at the opening of the injury case, physical requirement for the job, and physical capacity. Eight subtests of strength were included in the physical capacity evaluation, i.e., carrying, lifting to several levels, power grip, and lateral pinch, to explore the association between the strength tests and return to work. RESULTS: The unadjusted model showed that for every additional kilogram in bilateral carrying strength before work hardening training, the odds of successful return to work increased (crude odds ratio [OR] = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01-1.24, p = 0.027). After adjustment for basic demographic information and pre-accident physical functional elements of work, the odds of successful return to work increased (adjusted OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.04-1.54, p = 0.02) for every additional kilogram in the pre-training bilateral carrying strength. There were no statistically significant differences observed in the other seven subtests. CONCLUSION: Through thorough evaluation and work hardening training provided in the occupational rehabilitation, patients' physical capacity can be understood and improved. However, a full evaluation of functional capacities is prolonged and time-consuming. This study provides evidence that pre-work-hardening bilateral carrying strength may be a promising predictor of return to work and we recommend to consider it as a prioritized test to assist in determining appropriate advice regarding return to work.

[FXR and its influence on hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal diseases].

Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a bile acid receptor, serves as a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily. It plays a pivotal role in regulating hepatic inflammation and regeneration. Recent evidence suggests, that FXR and the bile acid are involved in diseases such as cholestatic and inflammatory liver diseases, hepatocellular carcinoma, and bacterial translocation. In this review we discuss the pathophysiology influence of FXR and the bile acid on liver, biliary and gastrointestinal diseases and its mechanisms.

Mechanism of L-arginine-induced sebaceous gland hyperplasia in rats.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of L-arginine (L-arg) on the sebaceous gland of SD rat. METHODS: The SD rats of different sexes and ages were subjected to intragastric administration of L-arg at 10 mg.kg(-1).d(-1) (L-arg group) or saline (saline group) for 14 days. Blood samples were obtained from these rats for serum androgen determination and the pathological changes of the skin were observed. RESULTS: After L-arg treatment for 7 days, the dorsal hair of all the adult male rats appeared damp, greasy and yellow, while that of the adult and 5-week-old female rats looked normal. When the treatment was prolonged to 14 days, the same changes occurred in most of the adult female rats and all the 5-week-old female rats. The sebaceous glands of the abnormal skin showed hyperplasia in pathologic examination. The serum levels of androgen in rats with sebaceous gland hyperplasia were significantly higher than those in the control rats. CONCLUSION: L-arg can promote sebaceous gland hyperplasia in rats in relation to increased androgen secretion induced by L-arg and NO.

[A new method of establishing adult rat model of skin necrosis].

A new method of establishing adult rat model of skin necrosis using L-arginine (L-ARG) is described. The adult rats were subjected to 5 to 7-day treatment with L-ARG at the dose of 500 mg/kg.b.w.d that was dissolved in the drinking water, and skin necrosis was subsequently observed in approximately 50% of the rats. Using L-ARG is simple and efficient to establish animal models of skin necrosis, yielding a high success rate within a relatively shorter period of time.