Measurement of 224Ra in water via pulsed ionization chamber (PIC) radon detector.

224Ra (t1/2 = 3.6 d) has been widely used as a tracer in environmental water research. Here, we present a new method for measuring 224Ra in natural waters using a pulsed ionization chamber (PIC)-based radon detector. This method is based on the measurement of the 224Ra daughter isotope 220Rn (thoron) after reaching secular equilibrium within 7 min. Radium isotopes are concentrated on ''Mn-fibers'' before measurement of 220Rn, which can be distinguished from 222Rn by the difference in their half-lives. The measurement efficiency of the method is 0.20 ± 0.01 cps/Bq at an optimum airflow rate of 1.0 L/min and a water/Mn-fiber weight ratio of 1.0. Results from natural water samples obtained by this method agree well with analysis via RaDeCC, an established technique for 224Ra assessments. Since the PIC system is lighter compared to RaDeCC, easier to operate, and does not require the usage of helium carrier gas and desiccant, this method is recommended for in-situ 224Ra measurement in long-term fieldwork with limited logistical support.

Variants in HCFC1 and MN1 genes causing intellectual disability in two Pakistani families.

BACKGROUND: Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting around 2% of children and young adults worldwide, characterized by deficits in intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. Genetic factors contribute to the development of ID phenotypes, including mutations and structural changes in chromosomes. Pathogenic variants in the HCFC1 gene cause X-linked mental retardation syndrome, also known as Siderius type X-linked mental retardation. The MN1 gene is necessary for palate development, and mutations in this gene result in a genetic condition called CEBALID syndrome. METHODS: Exome sequencing was used to identify the disease-causing variants in two affected families, A and B, from various regions of Pakistan. Affected individuals in these two families presented ID, developmental delay, and behavioral abnormalities. The validation and co-segregation analysis of the filtered variant was carried out using Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: In an X-linked family A, a novel hemizygous missense variant (c.5705G > A; p.Ser1902Asn) in the HCFC1 gene (NM_005334.3) was identified, while in family B exome sequencing revealed a heterozygous nonsense variant (c.3680 G > A; p. Trp1227Ter) in exon-1 of the MN1 gene (NM_032581.4). Sanger sequencing confirmed the segregation of these variants with ID in each family. CONCLUSIONS: The investigation of two Pakistani families revealed pathogenic genetic variants in the HCFC1 and MN1 genes, which cause ID and expand the mutational spectrum of these genes.

Mn/carbon aerogels derived from the water-induced self-assembly of UIO-66 (Mn) for the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate.

In solid propellants, combustion catalysts play a crucial role. Here, we introduce a convenient method for the self-assembly of UIO-66 (Mn) in the presence of water, leading to the preparation of Mn/C aerogels. The aerogels were successfully utilized in the thermocatalytic decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). The results indicate that the incorporation of 2% mass fraction of Mn/C aerogels enhances the peak temperature of AP decomposition by approximately 87.5°C. Mn/C aerogels demonstrate excellent catalytic performance. In combination with kinetics, we propose a thermal catalytic mechanism.

Modulate synthesis of CeMn solid solution using various alcohols for toluene catalytic oxidation: synergistic effect of Ce-Mn and reaction mechanism.

A redox co-precipitation method was employed to synthesize CeMn homogeneous solid solutions, utilizing various alcohols as activating agents. Ethanol effectively orchestrated the precipitation of CeO2 and MnOx, promoting their co-growth. As a result, the CeMn-EA achieved 90 % toluene conversion at 218 â„ƒ (T90 =218 â„ƒ) with a weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 48000 ml/(g·h). It also demonstrated high adaptability to increased WHSV, suggesting its potential for industrial-scale applications. The uniform dispersion of Ce and Mn accelerated the coupling between Ce3+/Ce4+ and Mn4+/Mn3+, engineering numerous oxygen vacancies, which enhanced the activation of gas-phase oxygen and the mobility of lattice oxygen. In situ DRIFTS confirmed that toluene oxidation accommodated both Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) and Mars-van Krevelen (MvK) mechanisms, with benzoate identified as a pivotal intermediate. Enhanced oxygen mobility facilitated the cleavage of the benzene ring, which was the rate-determining step. Additionally, the introduction of H2O significantly enhanced the dissociation and adsorption of toluene and facilitated the activation of gas-phase oxygen. At higher temperatures, H2O could further activate lattice oxygen engaging in toluene oxidation. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have emerged as major air pollutants due to the changes in air pollution patterns. They can act as precursors to near-surface ozone and haze. Toluene, a typical VOC, is primarily released from anthropogenic sources and poses significant risks to human health and the environment. Ce-based catalysts have been demonstrated efficiency in toluene oxidation due to their excellent oxygen storage and release properties. This study synthesized CeMn homogeneous solid solutions utilizing various alcohols as activating agents, which possessed abundant oxygen vacancies and optimum oxygen activation capacity to oxidize toluene in time.

[miR-342-3p Promotes the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells by Targeted Inhibition of PPM1E]. / miR-342-3p通过靶向抑制PPM1E促进肾透明细胞癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭.

Objective: To explore the effects of microRNA-342-3p/Mg2+Mn2+-dependent protein phosphatase 1E (miR-342-3p/PPM1E) on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) cells. Methods: The gene chips GSE12105, GSE23085, GSE66271, and GSE66270 were searched, and the relationship between miR-342-3p, PPM1E, and the clinical malignant phenotypes of ccRCC was analyzed. ACHN and 769-P cells were transfected with miR-342-3p inhibitor. The effects of miR-342-3p on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were examined. ACHN cell line with stable and high expression of miR-342-3p was constructed, and the tumorigenicity of the cell line in BALB/c nude mice was observed. The targeted relationship between miR-342-3p and PPM1E was verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The cells were transfected with miR-342-3p mimic and pcDNA-PPM1E plasmids to observe whether PPM1E could reverse the effects of miR-342-3p overexpression on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of the cells. Results: The expression of miR-342-3p was upregulated in ccRCC, and there were significant differences among patients with tumors of different T stages and G stages and those with different prognoses (P<0.05). The overall survival in the miR-342-3p high-expression group was significantly shorter than that in the low-expression group (P<0.05). Compared with those in the miR-NC group, the miR-342-3p level was significantly downregulated in the inhibitor group, and the cell proliferation ability and the numbers of migrating and invading cells were also significantly decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the miR-NC group, miR-342-3p group had significantly increased volume and mass of tumor tissues and miR-342-3p level, but significantly decreased level of PPM1E mRNA (P<0.05). The expression of PPM1E was downregulated in ccRCC, and there were significant differences among patients with tumors of different M stages, N stages, and G stages, and different recurrence statuses (P<0.05). The miR-342-3p could inhibit the expression of PPM1E in a targeted way. Compared with the miR-NC group, the miR-342-3p group had significantly increased cell proliferation ability and increased numbers of migrating and invading cells (P<0.05). However, PPM1E could reverse the promotion effect of miR-342-3p mimic on ccRCC cells (P<0.05). Conclusion: The miR-342-3p can inhibit PPM1E expression in a targeted way, and thus promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ccRCC cells.

Evaluating the Anterior Loop of the Mental Nerve Using Cone Beam CT Scans in the Jordanian Population.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of anatomical landmarks is crucial for effective dental treatments, especially in surgical procedures. The mental nerve (MN), a branch of the inferior alveolar nerve, features a critical landmark known as the anterior loop (AL), often overlooked by surgeons. This study aims to assess the occurrence of the MN AL, its type, and its length within a sample of the Jordanian population by utilizing cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included the acquisition of CBCT images from a total of randomly selected 268 patients who sought treatment for a range of dental conditions (such as tooth extraction, orthodontic therapy, and dental implants) at hospitals affiliated with the Jordanian Royal Medical Services. Reformatted images were utilized to detect the AL type, length, and the association between the nerve type and mental foramen (MF) position. RESULTS: This study involved 268 patients. The distribution of MF positions and the characteristics of the inferior dental nerve were evaluated, with no significant gender differences observed. The predominant location for the MF in both males and females in both sides was position IV, with 52% of females and 56-59% (left-right sides) of males presenting this trait. The inferior dental nerve types also showed no significant gender variation, with 42-43% (left-right sides) of females having type III and a similar distribution among males. Measurements of the midline-mental foramen and inter-foramen distances revealed slight variations between genders, with significant differences noted in the right AL length for type III nerves, favoring males (p=0.034). A notable correlation was found between the type of inferior dental nerve and the MF position, particularly with type I nerves predominantly associating with position IV mental foramina (p≤0.004). CONCLUSION: CBCT scans are essential in the precise evaluation of the AL, aiding in the prevention of nerve injuries during dental procedures. Our results highlight the diversity of the AL in the Jordanian population and the importance of individualized treatment plans. Future research with larger cohorts is advised to refine these insights, aiming to improve treatment outcomes and patient care.

Synthesis, characterization and reactivity of a Mn(III)-hydroxido complex as a biomimetic model for lipoxygenase.

Manganese hydroxido (Mn-OH) complexes supported by a tripodal N,N',N″-[nitrilotris(ethane-2,1-diyl)]tris(P,P-diphenylphosphinic amido) ([poat]3-) ligand have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques including UV-vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. X-ray diffraction (XRD) methods were used to confirm the solid-state molecular structures of {Na2[MnIIpoat(OH)]}2 and {Na[MnIIIpoat(OH)]}2 as clusters that are linked by the electrostatic interactions between the sodium counterions and the oxygen atom of the ligated hydroxido unit and the phosphinic (P=O) amide groups of [poat]3-. Both clusters feature two independent monoanionic fragments in which each contains a trigonal bipyramidal Mn center that is comprised of three equatorial deprotonated amide nitrogen atoms, an apical tertiary amine, and an axial hydroxido ligand. XRD analyses of {Na[MnIIIpoat(OH)]}2 also showed an intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction between the MnIII-OH unit and P=O group of [poat]3-. Crystalline {Na[MnIIIpoat(OH)]}2 remains as clusters with Na+---O interactions in solution and is unreactive toward external substrates. However, conductivity studies indicated that [MnIIIpoat(OH)]- generated in situ is monomeric and reactivity studies found that it is capable of cleaving C-H bonds, illustrating the importance of solution-phase speciation and its direct effect on chemical reactivity. Synopsis: Manganese-hydroxido complexes were synthesized to study the influence of H-bonds in the secondary coordination sphere and their effects on the oxidative cleavage of substrates containing C-H bonds.

Improved gradient echo magnitude- and phase-based mapping of T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ using multiple RF spoiling increments at 3T and 7T.

PURPOSE: The transverse relaxation time T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ holds significant relevance in clinical applications and research studies. Conventional T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ mapping approaches rely on spin-echo sequences, which require lengthy acquisition times and involve high radiofrequency (RF) power deposition. An alternative gradient echo (GRE) phase-based T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ mapping method, utilizing steady-state acquisitions at one small RF spoil phase increment, was recently demonstrated. Here, a modified magnitude- and phase-based T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ mapping approach is proposed, which improves T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ estimations by simultaneous fitting of T 1 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$ and signal amplitude ( A ∝ P D $$ A\propto PD $$ ) at three or more RF spoiling phase increments, instead of assuming a fixed T 1 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$ value. METHODS: The feasibility of the magnitude-phase-based method was assessed by simulations, in phantom and in vivo experiments using skipped-CAIPI three-dimensional-echo-planar imaging (3D-EPI) for rapid GRE imaging. T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ , T 1 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$ and PD estimations obtained by our method were compared to T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ of the phase-based method and T 1 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$ and PD of spoiled GRE-based multi-parameter mapping using a multi-echo version of the same sequence. RESULTS: The agreement of the proposed T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ with ground truth and reference T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ values was higher than that of phase-based T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ in simulations and in phantom data. While phase-based T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ overestimation increases with actual T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ and T 1 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$ , the proposed method is accurate over a large range of physiologically meaningful T 2 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_2 $$ and T 1 $$ {\mathrm{T}}_1 $$ values. At the same time, precision is improved. In vivo results were in line with these observations. CONCLUSION: Accurate magnitude-phase-based T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ mapping is feasible in less than 5 min scan time for 1 mm nominal isotropic whole-head coverage at 3T and 7T.

Efficient standardization of clinical T2-weighted images: Phase-conjugacy e-CAMP with projected gradient descent.

PURPOSE: To standardize T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ -weighted images from clinical Turbo Spin Echo (TSE) scans by generating corresponding T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ maps with the goal of removing scanner- and/or protocol-specific heterogeneity. METHODS: The T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ map is estimated by minimizing an objective function containing a data fidelity term in a Virtual Conjugate Coils (VCC) framework, where the signal evolution model is expressed as a linear constraint. The objective function is minimized by Projected Gradient Descent (PGD). RESULTS: The algorithm achieves accuracy comparable to methods with customized sampling schemes for accelerated T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ mapping. The results are insensitive to the tunable parameters, and the relaxed background phase prior produces better T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ maps compared to the strict real-value enforcement. It is worth noting that the algorithm works well with challenging T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ w-TSE data using typical clinical parameters. The observed normalized root mean square error ranges from 6.8% to 12.3% over grey and white matter, a clinically common level of quantitative map error. CONCLUSION: The novel methodological development creates an efficient algorithm that allows for T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ map generated from TSE data with typical clinical parameters, such as high resolution, long echo train length, and low echo spacing. Reconstruction of T 2 $$ {}_2 $$ maps from TSE data with typical clinical parameters has not been previously reported.

Rapid submillimeter QSM and R2* mapping using interleaved multishot 3D-EPI at 7 and 3 Tesla.

PURPOSE: To explore the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) efficiency of interleaved multishot 3D-EPI with standard image reconstruction for fast and robust high-resolution whole-brain quantitative susceptibility (QSM) and R 2 ∗ $$ {R}_2^{\ast } $$ mapping at 7 and 3T. METHODS: Single- and multi-TE segmented 3D-EPI is combined with conventional CAIPIRINHA undersampling for up to 72-fold effective gradient echo (GRE) imaging acceleration. Across multiple averages, scan parameters are varied (e.g., dual-polarity frequency-encoding) to additionally correct for B 0 $$ {\mathrm{B}}_0 $$ -induced artifacts, geometric distortions and motion retrospectively. A comparison to established GRE protocols is made. Resolutions range from 1.4 mm isotropic (1 multi-TE average in 36 s) up to 0.4 mm isotropic (2 single-TE averages in approximately 6 min) with whole-head coverage. RESULTS: Only 1-4 averages are needed for sufficient SNR with 3D-EPI, depending on resolution and field strength. Fast scanning and small voxels together with retrospective corrections result in substantially reduced image artifacts, which improves susceptibility and R 2 ∗ $$ {R}_2^{\ast } $$ mapping. Additionally, much finer details are obtained in susceptibility-weighted image projections through significantly reduced partial voluming. CONCLUSION: Using interleaved multishot 3D-EPI, single-TE and multi-TE data can readily be acquired 10 times faster than with conventional, accelerated GRE imaging. Even 0.4 mm isotropic whole-head QSM within 6 min becomes feasible at 7T. At 3T, motion-robust 0.8 mm isotropic whole-brain QSM and R 2 ∗ $$ {R}_2^{\ast } $$ mapping with no apparent distortion in less than 7 min becomes clinically feasible. Stronger gradient systems may allow for even higher effective acceleration rates through larger EPI factors while maintaining optimal contrast.

Respective contribution of baseline clinical data, tumour metabolism and tumour blood-flow in predicting pCR after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in HER2 and Triple Negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the added value of combining tumour blood flow (BF) and metabolism parameters, including texture features, with clinical parameters to predict, at baseline, the pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer (BC). METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight BC patients underwent a 18F-FDG PET/CT before any treatment. Tumour BF and metabolism parameters were extracted from first-pass dynamic and delayed PET images, respectively. Standard and texture features were extracted from BF and metabolic images. Prediction of pCR was performed using logistic regression, random forest and support vector classification algorithms. Models were built using clinical (C), clinical and metabolic (C+M) and clinical, metabolic and tumour BF (C+M+BF) information combined. Algorithms were trained on 80% of the dataset and tested on the remaining 20%. Univariate and multivariate features selections were carried out on the training dataset. A total of 50 shuffle splits were performed. The analysis was carried out on the whole dataset (HER2 and Triple Negative (TN)), and separately in HER2 (N=76) and TN (N=52) tumours. RESULTS: In the whole dataset, the highest classification performances were observed for C+M models, significantly (p-value<0.01) higher than C models and better than C+M+BF models (mean balanced accuracy of 0.66, 0.61, and 0.64 respectively). For HER2 tumours, equal performances were noted for C and C+M models, with performances higher than C+M+BF models (mean balanced accuracy of 0.64, and 0.61 respectively). Regarding TN tumours, the best classification results were reported for C+M models, with better performances than C and C+M+BF models but not significantly (mean balanced accuracy of 0.65, 0.63, and 0.62 respectively). CONCLUSION: Baseline clinical data combined with global and texture tumour metabolism parameters assessed by 18F-FDG PET/CT provide a better prediction of pCR after NAC in patients with BC compared to clinical parameters alone for TN, and HER2 and TN tumours together. In contrast, adding BF parameters to the models did not improve prediction, regardless of the tumour subgroup analysed.

Pharmacokinetic and molecular docking studies to pyrimidine drug using Mn3O4 nanoparticles to explore potential anti-Alzheimer activity.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the cause of dementia and accounts for 60-80% cases. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a multifunctional cytokine that provides resistance to infections, inflammation, and cancer. It developed as a prospective therapeutic target against multiple autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Cholinergic insufficiency is linked to Alzheimer's disease, and several cholinesterase inhibitors have been created to treat it, including naturally produced inhibitors, synthetic analogs, and hybrids. In the current study, we tried to prepared compounds may also support the discovery and development of novel therapeutic and preventative drugs for Alzheimer's using manganese tetroxide nanoparticles (Mn3O4-NPs) as a catalyst to generate compounds with excellent reaction conditions. The Biginelli synthesis yields 4-(4-cyanophenyl)-6-oxo-2-thioxohexahydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile when the 4-cyanobenzaldehyde, ethyl cyanoacetate, and thiourea were coupled with Mn3O4-NPs to produce compound 1. This multi-component method is non-toxic, safe, and environmentally friendly. The new approach reduced the amount of chemicals used and preserved time. Compound 1 underwent reactions with methyl iodide, acrylonitrile, chloroacetone, ethyl chloroacetate, and chloroacetic acid/benzaldehyde, each of the synthetized compounds was docked with TNF-α converting enzyme. These compounds may also support the discovery and development of novel therapeutic and preventative drugs for Alzheimer's disease. The majority of the produced compounds demonstrated pharmacokinetic features, making them potentially attractive therapeutic candidates for Alzheimer's disease treatment.

Formation of Biogenic Manganese Oxide Nodules on Hyphae of a New Fungal Isolate of Periconia That Immobilizes Aqueous Copper.

Mn(II)-oxidizing microorganisms are considered to play significant roles in the natural geochemical cycles of Mn and other heavy metals because the insoluble biogenic Mn oxides (BMOs) that are produced by these microorganisms adsorb other dissolved heavy metals and immobilize them as precipitates. In the present study, a new Mn(II)-oxidizing fungal strain belonging to the ascomycete genus Periconia, a well-studied plant-associating fungal genus with Mn(II)-oxidizing activity that has not yet been exami-ned in detail, was isolated from natural groundwater outflow sediment. This isolate, named strain TS-2, was confirmed to oxidize dissolved Mn(II) and produce insoluble BMOs that formed characteristic, separately-located nodules on their hyphae while leaving major areas of the hyphae free from encrustation. These BMO nodules also adsorbed and immobilized dissolved Cu(II), a model analyte of heavy metals, as evidenced by elemental mapping ana-lyses of fungal hyphae-BMO assemblages using a scanning electron microscope with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Analyses of functional genes within the whole genome of strain TS-2 further revealed the presence of multiple genes predicted to encode laccases/multicopper oxidases that were potentially responsible for Mn(II) oxidation by this strain. The formation of BMO nodules may have functioned to prevent the complete encrustation of fungal hyphae, thereby enabling the control of heavy metal concentrations in their local microenvironments while maintaining hyphal functionality. The present results will expand our knowledge of the physiological and morphological traits of Mn(II)-oxidizing Periconia, which may affect the natural cycle of heavy metals through their immobilization.

Construction of a fluorescence switch sensor of Mn doped AgInS2 quantum dots for the detection of Fe (III) and ascorbic acid.

The convenience and high efficiency of recently developed I-III-VI group AgInS2 (AIS) fluorescence sensors have garnered considerable attention. In this study, glutathione (GSH) was employed as a stabilizer to synthesize Mn doped AgInS2 quantum dots (Mn-AIS QDs) via a one-step hydrothermal method at a lower temperature. The resultant samples displayed favorable photoluminescent characteristics and excellent water dispersibility. The photoluminescence of Mn-AIS QDs is quenched by Fe (III) via a photo-induced electron transfer mechanism (PET), and this quenching can be reversed by ascorbic acid (AA) as a result of the redox reaction between the Mn-AIS-Fe (III) complex and AA. Utilizing the on-off-on fluorescence principle, a fluorescence switch sensor based on Mn-AIS QDs was developed for the detection of Fe (III) and AA. The linear range for the detection of Fe (III) using the Mn-AIS QDs sensor was established to be 0.03-120 µM, with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.16 nM. For the detection of AA within the Mn-AIS-Fe (III) system, the linear range spanned from 0.05 to 180 µM, with a LOD of 0.031 µM. Both Mn-AIS and Mn-AIS-Fe (III) demonstrated robust anti-interference properties, facilitating the accurate detection of Fe (III) in tap water and AA in vitamin C tablets. This approach is notable for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and considerable potential for application in the creation of innovative biological and environmental sensors.

Ceria Quantum Dot Filler-Modified Polymer Electrolytes for Three-Dimensional-Printed Sodium Solid-State Batteries.

Solid polymer electrolytes have been considered as promising candidates for solid-state batteries (SSBs), owing to their excellent interfacial compatibility and high mechanical toughness; however, they suffer from intrinsic low ionic conductivity (lower than 10-6 S/cm) and large thickness (usually surpassed over 100 µm or even 500 µm), which has a negative influence on the interface resistance and ionic migration. In this work, ceria quantum dot (CQD)-modified composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) membranes with a thickness of 20 µm were successfully manufactured via 3D printing technology. The CQD fillers can reduce the crystallinity of the polymer, and the oxygen vacancies on CQDs can facilitate the dissociation of ion pairs in the NaTFSI salt to release more free Na+, improving the ionic conductivity. Meanwhile, tailoring the thickness of the CPE-CQDs membrane via 3D printing can further promote the migration and transport of Na+. Furthermore, the printed NNM//CPE-CQDs//Na SSB exhibited outstanding rate capability and cycling stability. The combination of CQD modification and thickness tailoring through 3D printing paves a new avenue for achieving high performance solid electrolyte membranes for practical application in Na SSBs.

Polypyrrole-coated sodium manganate microspheres cathode for superior performance Sodium-ion batteries.

P2-Na0.67Mn0.67Ni0.33O2 is a promising cathode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) due to its low cost, high theoretical capacity, and non-toxicity. However, it still suffers from unsatisfactory cycling stability mainly incurred by the Jahn-Teller effect of Mn3+ and electrolyte decomposition on the electrode/electrolyte interface. Herein, the P2-Na0.67Ni0.33Mn0.67O2@PPy (NNMO@PPy) composite applied as cathode materials for SIBs is obtained by introducing conductive polypyrrole (PPy) as coating layer on the P2-Na0.67Ni0.33Mn0.67O2 (NNMO) microspheres. Numerous physical characterization methods indicate that the PPy layer was uniformly coated on the surface of NNMO microspheres without change in phase structure and morphology. The PPy coating layer can alleviate Mn dissolution and effectively suppress the side reactions between the electrolyte and electrode during cycling. The optimal NNMO@PPy-9 with 9 wt% PPy delivers a high capacity of 127.4 mAh/g at the current density at 150 mA g-1, an excellent cyclic stability with high capacity retention of 80.5 % after 300 cycles, and enhanced rate performance (169.3 mAh/g at 15 mA g-1 while 89.8 mAh/g at 600 mA g-1). Furthermore, hard carbon (-)//NNMO@PPy-9 (+) full cell delivers a high energy density of 305.1 Wh kg-1 and superior cycling stability with 88.2 % capacity retention after 150 cycles. In-situ X-ray diffraction experiment and electrochemical characterization verify the highly reversible structure evolution and robust P2-type phase structure of NNMO@PPy-9 for fast and stable Na+ diffusion. This effective strategy of using conductive PPy as a coating layer may provide a new insight to modify NNMO surface, improving the cycling stability and rate capability.

Greater physical fitness ( VO 2 max $$ {\mathrm{VO}}_{2_{\mathrm{max}}} $$ ) in healthy older adults associated with increased integrity of the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic system.

AIM: Physical activity (PA) is a key component for brain health and Reserve, and it is among the main dementia protective factors. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning Reserve are not fully understood. In this regard, a noradrenergic (NA) theory of cognitive reserve (Robertson, 2013) has proposed that the upregulation of NA system might be a key factor for building reserve and resilience to neurodegeneration because of the neuroprotective role of NA across the brain. PA elicits an enhanced catecholamine response, in particular for NA. By increasing physical commitment, a greater amount of NA is synthetised in response to higher oxygen demand. More physically trained individuals show greater capabilities to carry oxygen resulting in greater Vo 2 max $$ {\mathrm{Vo}}_{2_{\mathrm{max}}} $$ - a measure of oxygen uptake and physical fitness (PF). METHODS: We hypothesized that greater Vo 2 max $$ {\mathrm{Vo}}_{2_{\mathrm{max}}} $$ would be related to greater Locus Coeruleus (LC) MRI signal intensity. In a sample of 41 healthy subjects, we performed Voxel-Based Morphometry analyses, then repeated for the other neuromodulators as a control procedure (Serotonin, Dopamine and Acetylcholine). RESULTS: As hypothesized, greater Vo 2 max $$ {\mathrm{Vo}}_{2_{\mathrm{max}}} $$ related to greater LC signal intensity, and weaker associations emerged for the other neuromodulators. CONCLUSION: This newly established link between Vo 2 max $$ {\mathrm{Vo}}_{2_{\mathrm{max}}} $$ and LC-NA system offers further understanding of the neurobiology underpinning Reserve in relationship to PA. While this study supports Robertson's theory proposing the upregulation of the NA system as a possible key factor building Reserve, it also provides ground for increasing LC-NA system resilience to neurodegeneration via Vo 2 max $$ {\mathrm{Vo}}_{2_{\mathrm{max}}} $$ enhancement.

Scientific and technological analysis of exchange-spring magnets: Applications and trends.

In this work, a bibliometric study was carried out to perform a scientific and technological analysis of exchange-spring magnets, an alternative permanent magnet synthesized by reducing or eliminating the use of critical raw materials, such as rare earths. The bibliometric analysis utilized the Scopus database, Orbit-Intellixir, VOSviewer, Orbit-Intelligence and Loglet Lab 4 software for maturity analysis, keyword network representations, charts and graphs for scientific articles and/or patents. A special analysis was performed on nanocomposite and thin-films systems based on Nd-Fe-B, SmCo5 and Mn-Al-C alloys, either mixed or layered with a soft magnetic phase, where relevant information on their magnetic parameters was compilated in tables, highlighting the nanostructured systems that have been exhibited the best permanent magnet properties. The bibliometric analysis revealed that the primary production of scientific articles is concentrated in industrialized countries, and they are predominantly published in journals dedicated to magnetism. A patents analysis showed that Nissan motors is by far the main applicant, with most of its patents is focused on technological domains related to electrical machinery, apparatus, energy and metallurgy. On the other hand, the S-curve of maturity for scientific articles indicated that the study of exchange-spring magnets is entering a mature state. In contrast, patent production, following a bi-logistic model, is in a saturation stage for the second S-curve. Maturity analyses, employing S-curve, bi-logistic and multi-logistic models, were performed on nanocomposites and thin films based on Nd-Fe-B, SmCo5 and Mn-Al-C alloys, respectively. We found that the investigation in Nd-Fe-B-based alloys is close to enter to a scientific saturation stage, while an average growth stage is observed for the SmCo5 and Mn-Al-C-based alloys. This suggests that research on alternative magnets, capable of fulfilling technological applications where a Nd-Fe-B magnets are commonly used, is a topic of significant interest.

Synthesis of iron-manganese bimetallic materials supported by activated carbon and application of activated persulfate in the degradation of soil contaminated by crude oil.

Heterogeneous catalytic processes based on zero-valent iron (ZVI) have been developed to treat soil and wastewater pollutants. However, the agglomeration of ZVI reduces its ability to activate persulfate (PS). In this study, a new Fe-Mn@AC activated material was prepared to activated PS to treat oil-contaminated soil, and using the microscopic characterization of Fe-Mn@AC materials, the electron transfer mode during the Fe-Mn@AC activation of PS was clarified. Firstly, the petroluem degradation rate was optimized. When the PS addition amount was 8%, Fe-Mn@AC addition amount was 3% and the water to soil ratio was 3:1, the petroluem degradation rate in the soil reached to the maximum of 85.69% after 96 h of reaction. Then it was illustrated that sulfate and hydroxyl radicals played major roles in crude oil degradation, while singlet oxygen contributed slightly. Finally, the indigenous microbial community structures remaining after restoring the Fe-Mn@AC/PS systems were analyzed. The proportion of petroleum degrading bacteria in soil increased by 23% after oxidation by Fe-Mn@AC/PS system. Similarly, the germination rate of wheat seeds revealed that soil toxicity was greatly reduced after applying the Fe-Mn@AC/PS system. After the treatment with Fe-Mn@AC/PS system, the germination rate, root length and bud length of wheat seed were increased by 54.05%, 7.98 mm and 6.84 mm, respectively, compared with the polluted soil group. These results showed that the advanced oxidation system of Fe-Mn@AC activates PS and can be used in crude oil-contaminated soil remediation.

Synthetic Mn3Ce2O5-Cluster Mimicking the Oxygen-Evolving Center in Photosynthesis.

The photosynthetic oxygen-evolving center (OEC) is a unique Mn4CaO5-cluster that catalyses water splitting into electrons, protons, and dioxygen. Precisely structural and functional mimicking of the OEC is a long-standing challenge and pressingly needed for understanding the structure-function relationship and catalytic mechanism of O-O bond formation. Herein we report two simple and robust artificial Mn3Ce2O5-complexes that display a remarkable structural similarity to the OEC in regarding of the ten-atom core (five metal ions and five oxygen bridges) and the alkyl carboxylate peripheral ligands. This Mn3Ce2O5-cluster can catalyse the water-splitting reaction on the surface of ITO electrode. These results clearly show that cerium can structurally and functionally replace both calcium and manganese in the cluster. Mass spectroscopic measurements demonstrate that the oxide bridges in the cluster are exchangeable and can be rapidly replaced by the isotopic oxygen of H2 18O in acetonitrile solution, which supports that the oxide bridge(s) may serve as the active site for the formation of O-O bond during the water-splitting reaction. These results would contribute to our understanding of the structure-reactivity relationship of both natural and artificial clusters and shed new light on the development of efficient water-splitting catalysts in artificial photosynthesis.