Insights into the roles of nitrogen and phosphorus co-doping for efficient methanol electrooxidation.

Anchoring Pt onto multi-heteroatom doped carbon materials has been recognized as an effective approach to improve the performance of electrocatalytic methanol oxidation. However, distinct contributions and specific behavior mechanisms of different heteroatoms, notably N and P, the specific behavior mechanisms in synergistically promoting Pt NPs remain elusive. In this work, we construct 1D N and P co-doped carbon nanotube (N, P-CNTs) supports with abundant defect anchors for Pt. The as-prepared Pt/N, P-CNTs exhibit outstanding activity and exceptional stability in methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), achieving high mass activity up to 6481.3 mA mg-1Pt. Moreover, they can retain 90.5 % of their initial current density even after 800 cycles tests. Detailed characterizations and theoretical calculations indicate that the robust strong metal-support interactions (SMSI) effect caused by N doping within the unique N and P co-doped coordination structure controllably regulate the coordination environment of Pt, reduce the d-band center of Pt, thus promoting the adsorption and decomposition of CH3OH. However, P doping weakens the adsorption strength of CO on the Pt active site by sacrificing partial electron transfer, accelerating the oxidative conversion of the CO-like poisoning species (COads). Significantly, the synergistic mechanism of N and P species on the modification of Pt's electronic structure and its subsequent impact on the electrocatalytic methanol oxidation behaviors on the Pt surface was thoroughly elucidated, providing a constructive route for designing robust MOR electrocatalysts with high MOR activity and durability.

Effect of low-dose norepinephrine combined with goal-directed fluid therapy on postoperative pulmonary complications in lung surgery: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs), the predominant complications following lung surgery, are closely associated with intraoperative fluid therapy. This study investigates whether continuous low-dose norepinephrine infusion combined with goal-directed fluid therapy (GDFT) reduced the risk of PPCs after lung surgery relative to either GDFT alone or standard fluid treatment. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China. PATIENTS: The study included 184 patients undergoing elective thoracoscopic lung resection surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized into three groups based on different fluid treatment regimens: Group C received standard fluid treatment, Group G received GDFT, and Group N received continuous low-dose norepinephrine infusion combined with GDFT. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was the incidence of PPCs, including respiratory infection, atelectasis, pneumothorax, pleural empyema, respiratory failure, pulmonary embolism and bronchopleural fistula, during the postoperative hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were hemodynamic variables and arterial blood gases. Additional recorded parameters included other postoperative complications such as bleeding, postoperative re-intubation, re-hospitalization within 30 days, and the length of hospital stay. MAIN RESULTS: Group N showed a significantly lower PPCs incidence during hospitalization compared to Group C (11.5 % vs 27.9 %; odds ratio, 2.98; 95 % confidence interval, 1.17-8.31; P = 0.023). No significant difference in PPCs was found between Group N and Group G (11.5 % vs 14.5 %; odds ratio, 1.31; 95 % confidence interval, 0.46-3.91; P = 0.616). Additionally, there were no significant differences among the three groups in the components of PPCs. Group N showed higher mean arterial pressure and stroke volume index intraoperatively compared to Group C. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous low-dose norepinephrine infusion combined with GDFT reduced PPCs incidence in elective lung surgery patients compared with standard fluid management, but showed no difference compared to GDFT alone. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2200064081.

acFibroMASH index for the diagnosis of fibrotic MASH and prediction of liver-related events: An international multicenter study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and fibrotic MASH are significant health challenges. This multi-national study aimed to validate the acMASH index (including serum creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase concentrations) for MASH diagnosis and develop a new index (acFibroMASH) for non-invasively identifying fibrotic MASH and exploring its predictive value for liver-related events (LREs). METHODS: We analyzed data from 3,004 individuals with biopsy-proven metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) across 29 Chinese and nine international cohorts to validate the acMASH index and develop the acFibroMASH index. Additionally, we utilized the independent external data from a multi-national cohort of 9,034 patients with MAFLD to examine associations between the acFibroMASH index and the risk of LREs. RESULTS: In the pooled global cohort, the acMASH index identified MASH with an AUROC of 0.802 (95%CI 0.786-0.818). The acFibroMASH index (including the acMASH index plus liver stiffness measurement) accurately identified fibrotic MASH with an AUROC of 0.808 in the derivation cohort and 0.800 in the validation cohort. Notably, the AUROC for the acFibroMASH index was 0.835 (95% CI 0.786-0.882), superior to that of the FAST score at 0.750 (95% CI 0.693-0.800, P<0.01) in predicting the 5-year risk of LREs. Patients with acFibroMASH >0.39 had a higher risk of LREs than those with acFibroMASH <0.15 (adjusted-hazard ratio: 11.23 95%CI 3.98-31.66). CONCLUSIONS: This multi-ethnic study validates the acMASH index as a reliable, non-invasive test for identifying MASH. The newly proposed acFibroMASH index is a reliable test for identifying fibrotic MASH and predicting the risk of LREs.

Identifying groundwater characteristics and controlling factors in Jiaozhou Bay's northern coastal region, China: a combined approach of multivariate statistics, isotope analysis, and field empirical investigations.

Explicit identification of hydrochemical processes and their controlling factors within groundwater systems is critical for the sustainable utilization of water resources in coastal urban areas. This study was undertaken in the North Coastal Region of Jiaozhou Bay (NCRJB), located in the eastern part of Shandong Province, China, an area grappling with significant issues of groundwater quality degradation and water scarcity. A total of 105 groundwater samples and 34 surface water samples, collected from 2020 to 2024, were analyzed and studied using various hydrogeological tools, multivariate statistical analyses, and water quality assessment methods. These include the Piper diagram, hydrochemical facies evolution diagram (HFE-D), Principal Components Analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, stable isotope analysis, Water Quality Index (WQI), and USSL diagrams. The results indicated that all surface water and pore groundwater samples were categorized as Na-Cl type, exhibiting high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity (EC) values, characteristics that render them poor to unsuitable for drinking and irrigation purposes. The fracture groundwater is predominantly of the Ca-Na-Cl mixed type, with average suitability for irrigation and a limited proportion (22.5%) deemed suitable for drinking. Seawater intrusion, primarily through the surface water system, and the impact of human activities were identified as the predominant controlling factors con-tributing to the degradation of the local groundwater environment. Field empirical investigations further validated the results derived from hydrogeological assessments, multivariate statistical analyses, and isotopic approaches. The long-term shifts in hydrochemical properties, along with the latent threat of seawater intrusion, exhibit an upward trend during the dry season and show a certain degree of mitigation during the wet season. This study highlights that field investigations, in conjunction with hydrochemical tools, multivariate statistical analyses, and stable isotope analysis, can successfully furnish reliable insights into the predominant mechanisms governing regional groundwater evolution within the context of long-term and intricate envi-ronmental settings.

Identifying the major metabolic potentials of microbial-driven carbon, nitrogen and sulfur cycling on stone cultural heritage worldwide.

Microbial activities and biochemical reactions are responsible for the biodeterioration of stone cultural heritage, but information on microbial metabolic potentials remains elusive. Here we profiled microbial community signatures and its functional traits on stone cultural heritage from different climate zones globally using sequencing datasets available publicly. Bacterial community on stone cultural heritage shows a significant separation between BSk (cold semi-arid climate) and Cfb (temperate oceanic climate) with Aw (tropical savanna climate) as a transition region. Importantly, the ubiquity of ammonia oxidizers and nitrite oxidizers on stone cultural heritage under different climates supports the active production and accumulation of nitrates while ammonia/ammonium can be supplied by dinitrogen fixation and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), together with the hydrolysis of urea, arginine, formamide and cyanate. Sulfate accumulation on stone cultural heritage is mainly resulted from the microbial-driven transformation of organosulfur and thiosulfate, with little dissimilatory reduction of sulfate. Pseudorhodoplanes was identified and reported in elemental sulfur turnover for the first time. Notably, carbon sequestration via the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) cycle and an incomplete 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutynate (HP/HB) cycle other than the Calvin Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle is also significant on stone cultural heritage under relatively humid climate. These results advance our understanding of microbial metabolic potentials and their genetical partitioning patterns on stone cultural heritage of different climate zones globally.

Photoirradiation-enhanced behavior via morphological manipulation of CoFe2O4/g-C3N4 heterojunction for supercapacitor and CO2 reduction.

Regulating the morphology of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4, CN) and constructing CoFe2O4/g-C3N4 (CFO/CN) heterojunctions were adopted in the photocatalytic energy storage and photocatalytic CO2 reduction (PCR). CFO/CNS had outstanding light response ability, while CFO/CNT possessed excellent charge transfer ability. Consequently, CFO/CNT electrode exhibited the highest specific capacitance without light, CFO/CNS electrode showed the most obvious photo-enhanced capacitance behavior with an increase by 21.05 % under light. This was ascribed to the generation and separation of photo-generated carriers, promoting oxidation/reduction reactions. And in PCR, the electron consumption rates of four CFO/CN heterojunctions were CFO/CNT > CFO/BCN > CFO/MCN > CFO/CNS. CFO/CNT presented the highest photocatalytic activity, attributing to the strong redox ability and photo-enhanced electron transfer. This strategy of utilizing CFO/CN heterojunctions to construct photo-enhanced supercapacitor electrodes and photocatalytic CO2 reduction catalysts provided new ideas for energy conversion and storage.

Chemical signaling in biofilm-mediated biofouling.

Biofouling is the undesirable accumulation of living organisms and their metabolites on submerged surfaces. Biofouling begins with adhesion of biomacromolecules and/or microorganisms and can lead to the subsequent formation of biofilms that are predominantly regulated by chemical signals, such as cyclic dinucleotides and quorum-sensing molecules. Biofilms typically release chemical cues that recruit or repel other invertebrate larvae and algal spores. As such, harnessing the biochemical mechanisms involved is a promising avenue for controlling biofouling. Here, we discuss how chemical signaling affects biofilm formation and dispersion in model species. We also examine how this translates to marine biofouling. Both inductive and inhibitory effects of chemical cues from biofilms on macrofouling are also discussed. Finally, we outline promising mitigation strategies by targeting chemical signaling to foster biofilm dispersion or inhibit biofouling.

1D Lead Bromide Hybrids Directed by Complex Cations: Syntheses, Structures, Optical and Photocatalytic Properties.

This study presents the synthesis, structural characterization, and evaluation of the photocatalytic performance of two novel one-dimensional (1D) lead(II) bromide hybrids, [Co(2,2'-bpy)3][Pb2Br6CH3OH] (1) and [Fe(2,2'-bpy)3][Pb2Br6] (2), synthesized via solvothermal reactions. These compounds incorporate transition metal complex cations as structural directors, contributing to the unique photophysical and photocatalytic properties of the resulting materials. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that both compounds crystallize in monoclinic space groups with distinct 1D lead bromide chain configurations influenced by the nature of the complex cations. Optical property assessments show band gaps of 3.04 eV and 2.02 eV for compounds 1 and 2, respectively, indicating their potential for visible light absorption. Photocurrent measurements indicate a significantly higher electron-hole separation efficiency in compound 2, correlated with its narrower band gap. Additionally, photocatalytic evaluations demonstrate that while both compounds degrade organic dyes effectively, compound 2 also exhibits notable hydrogen evolution activity under visible light, a property not observed in 1. These findings highlight the role of metal complex cations in tuning the electronic and structural properties of lead(II) bromide hybrids, enhancing their applicability in photocatalytic and optoelectronic devices.

Association of visceral adiposity index and lipid accumulation products with prediabetes in US adults from NHANES 2007-2020: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The lipid accumulation product (LAP) and the visceral adiposity index (VAI) are suggested as dependable measures for assessing visceral fat levels. Prediabetes is recognized as a condition that precedes the potential onset of diabetes. The objective of this research is to investigate how VAI and LAP are related to prediabetes among the adult population in the United States. METHODS: Information from the 2007-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) was scrutinized in a cross-sectional study. To evaluate the connection between VAI or LAP and the presence of prediabetes, both univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were utilized. Threshold effect analysis and fitted smoothing curves were used to delve into the non-linear association between VAI or LAP and prediabetes. Additional analyses were performed on specific subgroups, along with tests to explore potential interactions. RESULTS: In general, 12,564 American adults were included. After full adjustment, prediabetes with VAI (OR: 1.128, 95% CI: 1.073-1.185) or LAP (OR: 1.006, 95% CI: 1.004-1.008) showed a positive correlation. Individuals in the 4th VAI quartile group faced a significant 61.9% elevated risk for prediabetes (OR: 1.619, 95% CI: 1.354-1.937) when contrasted to those in the 1st VAI quartile. Participants in the 4th LAP quartile group had a significant 116.4% elevated risk for prediabetes (OR: 2.164, 95% CI: 1.747-2.681) when contrasted to individuals of the 1st LAP quartile. Smooth curve fitting analysis revealed a nonlinear correlation of VAI or LAP and prediabetes, and threshold effect analysis was used to determine an inflection point of 4.090 for VAI and 68.168 for LAP. CONCLUSIONS: The values of VAI and LAP are positively associated with the prevalence of prediabetes. The VAI and LAP indices may be used as predictors of prediabetes.

Construction of a Bifunctional Nanoelectrode for Intracellular Natural Product Delivery and Monitoring Anticancer Efficiency in Single Cells.

Natural products play a significant role in new drug discovery and anticancer therapy, making the evaluation of their anticancer efficiency crucial for clinical application. However, delivering natural products to single cells and in situ monitoring of induced signaling molecule fluctuation to evaluate anticancer efficiency remain significant challenges. Hence, we proposed a universal and straightforward strategy to construct a bifunctional nanoelectrode that integrates drug loading and monitoring of signal molecule fluctuations at the single-cell level. Platinum (Pt) nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites were first electrochemically deposited on the carbon fiber nanoelectrode (CFNE@Pt/rGO) to serve as electrocatalytic materials for the monitoring of natural-product-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The GO/natural product complex, formed by π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions, was further electrochemically reduced on the surface of CFNE@Pt/rGO to enable the CFNE drug-loading function. Using this bifunctional functional nanoelectrode, a series of natural products (such as capsaicin, curcumin, and chrysin) were delivered into single cancer cells, and their anticancer efficiency was evaluated by measuring ROS generation. The results showed that intracellular ROS production induced by chrysin was 1.5-fold greater than that of curcumin and 2.1-fold greater than that of capsaicin. This work proposes an effective tool to evaluate the anticancer efficiency of various natural products. Additionally, this nanotool can be expanded to monitor the fluctuation of other biomolecules (such as RNS, GSH, NADH, etc.) by replacing Pt nanoparticles with other electrocatalytic materials, which is significant for comprehensively exploring the anticancer efficiency of new drugs and for the clinical treatment of various diseases.

Photoredox/NHC Dual Catalysis Enabled de Novo Synthesis of α-Amino Acids Derivatives.

Herein, we report a mild and operationally simple photoredox/NHC dual catalysis strategy for the α-carboxylation of tertiary amine C(sp3)-H bonds using diethyl pyrocarbonate. This method offers a novel approach for synthesizing α-amino acid derivatives. The protocol features a broad substrate scope, accommodating both N-aryl tetrahydroisoquinolines (THIQ) and N-methyl aniline and is scalable to gram quantities. Additionally, it is suitable for the late-stage derivatization of certain pharmaceutical compounds.

Plastid phylogenomics provides new insights into the systematics, diversification, and biogeography of Cymbidium (Orchidaceae).

Cymbidium (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae), with around 60 species, is widely-distributed across Southeast Asia, providing a nice system for studying the processes that underlie patterns of biodiversity in the region. However, phylogenetic relationships of Cymbidium have not been well resolved, hampering investigations of species diversification and the biogeographical history of this genus. In this study, we construct a plastome phylogeny of 56 Cymbidium species, with four well-resolved major clades, which provides a framework for biogeographical and diversification rate analyses. Molecular dating and biogeographical analyses show that Cymbidium likely originated in the region spanning northern Indo-Burma to the eastern Himalayas during the early Miocene (∼21.10 Ma). It then rapidly diversified into four major clades in East Asia within approximately a million years during the middle Miocene. Cymbidium spp. migration to the adjacent regions (Borneo, Philippines, and Sulawesi) primarily occurred during the Pliocene-Pleistocene period. Our analyses indicate that the net diversification rate of Cymbidium has decreased since its origin, and is positively associated with changes in temperature and monsoon intensity. Favorable hydrothermal conditions brought by monsoon intensification in the early Miocene possibly contributed to the initial rapid diversification, after which the net diversification rate was reduced with the cooling climate after the middle Miocene. The transition from epiphytic to terrestrial habits may have enabled adaptation to cooler environments and colonization of northern niches, yet without a significant effect on diversification rates. This study provides new insights into how monsoon activity and temperature changes affected the diversification dynamics of plants in Southeast Asia.

Tetracycline and quinolone contamination mediate microbial and antibiotic resistant gene composition in epiphytic biofilms of mesocosmic wetlands.

The fate and ecological impact of antibiotics on aquatic ecosystems have not been properly elucidated in mesocosm wetlands scale. This study explored how tetracyclines (TCs, including tetracycline TC and oxytetracycline) and fluoroquinolones (QNs, including ciprofloxacin CIP and levofloxacin) affect mesocosm wetlands vegetated by V. spiralis, focusing on their impact on epiphytic biofilm microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Results showed that submerged plants absorbed more antibiotics than sediment. Both TCs and QNs disrupted microbial communities in different ways and increased eukaryotic community diversity in a concentration-dependent manner (2-4 mg/L for CIP, 4-8 mg/L for TC). TCs mainly inhibited epiphytic bacteria, while CIP increased bacterial phyla abundance. TC reduced Cyanobacteriota, Acidobacteriota, and Patescibacteria but increased Bacillota, Bacteroidota, and Armatimonadota. In contrast, CIP reduced Bacteroidota, Cyanobacteriota, and Gemmatimonadota but increased Bacillota, Planctomycetota, and Acidobacteriota. Significant differences in ARG profiles were observed between QNs and TCs, with TCs having a more substantial effect on ARGs due to their stronger impact on bacterial communities. Both antibiotics raised ARG levels with higher concentrations, particularly for multidrug resistance, tetracyclines, trimethoprim, sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, and fosfomycin, emphasizing their role in antimicrobial resistance. The study suggests that antibiotics can either stimulate or inhibit ARGs depending on their effects on bacterial communities. This study provides key evidence on the ecological mechanisms underlying the impact of TCs and QNs on epiphytic microbes of mesocosm wetlands.

Analysis of risk factors for postoperative anxiety and depression in endometriosis patients with reproductive intention.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of postoperative depression and anxiety in patients with endometriosis (EMS) not only causes psychological distress, but may also harm their physical health. AIM: To explore the postoperative depression status, and its influencing factors, of EMS patients with reproductive intention. METHODS: A total of 321 EMS patients with reproductive intent were included. Using the self-rating anxiety scale and self-rating depression scale, EMS patients with anxiety or depression were distinguished. A clinical model for predicting anxiety or depression in EMS patients was constructed and evaluated using a nomogram, receiver operating characteristic curve, and calibration curve. RESULTS: The results of the single factor analysis showed that smoking, coffee, EMS stage, chronic pelvic pain, and sexual discomfort may be related to anxiety. Further, smoking, drinking, spouse, annual household income and EMS stage may be related to depression in EMS patients. Multivariate logistic regression illustrated that smoking, coffee, chronic pelvic pain and sexual discomfort may be independent risk factors for anxiety in EMS patients, while smoking, EMS stage (Phase III and Phase IV), spouse and high annual household income may be independent risk factors for depression in EMS patients. Additionally, the models used to predict the risk of anxiety or depression in EMS patients have good predictive value. CONCLUSION: The anxiety and depression of EMS patients may be related to many factors. In clinical treatment, additional attention should be paid to the psychological status of EMS patients.

A global metagenomics-based analysis of BPA degradation and its coupling with nitrogen, sulfur, and methane metabolism in landfill leachates.

Microbial metabolism in landfill leachate systems is critically important in driving the degradation reactions of organic pollutants, including the emerging pollutant bisphenol A (BPA). However, little research has addressed the microbial degradation of BPA in landfill leachate and its interactions with nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and methane (CH4) metabolism on a global scale. To this end, in this study on a global scale, an extremely high concentration of BPA was detected throughout the global landfill leachates. Subsequent reconstructive analyses of metagenomic datasets from 113 sites worldwide revealed that the predominant BPA-degrading microflora included Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidota. Further metabolic analyses revealed that all four biochemical pathways involved in the degradation of BPA were achieved through biochemical cooperation between different bacterial members of the community. In addition, BPA degraders have also been found to actively collaborate synergistically with non-BPA degraders in the N and S removal as well as CH4 catabolism in landfill leachates. Collectively, this study not only provides insights into the dominant microbial communities and specific types of BPA-degrading microbial members in the community of landfill leachates worldwide, but also reveals the synergistic interactions between BPA mineralization and N, S, and CH4 metabolism. These findings offer valuable and important insights for future comprehensive and in-depth investigations into BPA metabolism in different environments.

A positive contribution to nitrogen removal by a novel NOB in a full-scale duck wastewater treatment system.

Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) are undesirable in the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox)-driven nitrogen removal technologies in the modern wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Diverse strategies have been developed to suppress NOB based on their physiological properties that we have understood. But our knowledge of the diversity and mechanisms employed by NOB for survival in the modern WWTPs remains limited. Here, Three NOB species (NOB01-03) were recovered from the metagenomic datasets of a full-scale WWTP treating duck breeding wastewater. Among them, NOB01 and NOB02 were classified as newly identified lineage VII, tentatively named Candidatus (Ca.) Nitrospira NOB01 and Ca. Nitrospira NOB02. Analyses of genomes and in situ transcriptomes revealed that these two novel NOB were active and showed a high metabolic versatility. The transcriptional activity of Ca. Nitrospira could be detected in all tanks with quite different dissolved oxygen (DO) (0.01-5.01 mg/L), illustrating Ca. Nitrospira can survive in fluctuating DO conditions. The much lower Ca. Nitrospira abundance on the anammox bacteria-enriched sponge carrier likely originated from the intensification substrate (NO2 -) competition from anammox and denitrifying bacteria. In particular, a highlight is that Ca. Nitrospira encoded and treanscribed cyanate hydratase (CynS), amine oxidase, urease (UreC), and copper-containing nitrite reductase (NirK) related to ammonium and NO production, driving NOB to interact with the co-existed AOB and anammox bacteria. Ca. Nitrospira strains NOB01 and NOB02 showed quite different niche preference in the same aerobic tank, which dominanted the NOB communities in activated sludge and biofilm, respectively. In addition to the common rTCA cycle for CO2 fixation, a reductive glycine pathway (RGP) was encoded and transcribed by NOB02 likely for CO2 fixation purpose. Additionally, a 3b group hydrogenase and respiratory nitrate reductase were uniquely encoded and transcribed by NOB02, which likely confer a survival advantage to this strain in the fluctuant activated sludge niche. The discovery of this new genus significantly broadens our understanding of the ecophysiology of NOB. Furthermore, the impressive metabolic versatility of the novel NOB revealed in this study advances our understanding of the survival strategy of NOB and provides valuable insight for suppressing NOB in the anammox-based WWTP.

[Spatiotemporal Distribution Characteristics of Ground-level-ozone and Its Relationship with Meteorological Conditions in a Representative City in the Bohai Rim from 2017 to 2022].

In recent years, ground-level-ozone（O3） pollution in urban areas in the Bohai Rim has attracted wide attention. Based on the analysis of the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of O3 concentration in Dongying, a representative city in the Bohai Rim from 2017 to 2022, the effects of meteorological factors and sea-land breeze circulation on O3 concentration were evaluated. The results showed that： ① From 2017 to 2022, the annual assessment value of O3 concentration in Dongying showed a fluctuating upward trend, and the pollution days with O3 as the primary pollutant increased. O3 pollution mainly occurred in spring, summer, and autumn, with the most severe O3 pollution episodes typically occurring in May and June, and the duration of O3 pollution season tended to be longer. The monthly variation in the daily maximum 8-h average ozone （MDA8 O3） presented a bimodal distribution, with significant increases in the 5th and 25th percentiles, and the spatial distribution was "high in the north and south, low in the middle." In addition, the nocturnal O3 concentration in recent years in Dongying also showed a significant increase trend. ② Meteorological factors greatly influenced O3 concentration in Dongying. When the temperature was greater than 30℃, the relative humidity was less than 50%, and the wind direction was south-southwest or east-northeast, a high O3 value was more likely to occur. Meteorological factors contributed 30% of the MDA8 O3 variation in Dongying during the study period. In the case of moderate and severe O3 pollution, the contribution of meteorological factors to the change in MDA8 O3 could be as high as 40%. ③ To some extent, sea-land breeze contributed to the occurrence of MDA8 O3 exceeding the secondary standard limit value of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. In the afternoon, the hourly concentration of O3 during the sea-land breeze days was approximately 20 µg·m-3 higher than that during the non-sea-land breeze days. On the days of moderate and severe O3 pollution, the O3 concentration during the sea-land breeze days from 10：00 to 16：00 was higher than that during non-sea-land breeze days, and the O3 concentration was also at a high level from 20：00 to 23：00 on sea-land breeze days. In the O3 pollution season, the sea-land breeze could significantly affect the O3 level in coastal cities, which could bring significant challenges for O3 pollution prevention and control in this region. In the future, cities in the Bohai Rim need to further strengthen regional joint prevention and control of O3 pollution and increase emission reduction efforts of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. This strategy could effectively lower pollutant concentrations within the land breeze air mass, consequently reducing the impact of the sea breeze air mass on air quality in cities in the Bohai Rim.

Risk factors related to low-level viraemia in chronic hepatitis B patients receiving entecavir treatment.

Background: About 20% of on-treatment patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) experienced low-level viraemia (LLV), which is associated with persistent low-grade inflammation, fibrosis progression, and increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to investigate the high-risk factors related to LLV. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients receiving entecavir (ETV) treatment from January 2018 to January 2023 were enrolled, and were divided into a LLV (HBV DNA 20-2000 IU/mL) cohort and a complete virological response (CVR) (HBV DNA < 20 IU/mL) cohort according to the virological response at week 48 posttreatment. Treatment baseline characteristics were retrieved from electronic medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was performed. Results: Totally, 1653 patients were enrolled, male patients accounted for 73.0%; the median age was 44 years; the mean HBV DNA level was 5.9 Log10 IU/ml. Among them, 472 (28.6%) experienced LLV. Multivariate analysis showed that HBeAg positivity (OR = 2.650, 95% CI: 2.000-3.511, p < 0.001), HBV DNA ≥ 6.0 Log10 IU/mL (OR = 1.370, 95% CI: 1.054-1.780, p = 0.019), qHBsAg ≥ 9000 IU/mL (OR = 4.472, 95% CI: 3.410-5.866, p < 0.001), cirrhosis (OR = 1.650, 95% CI: 1.234-2.207, P = 0.001), LSM ≥ 13.0 kPa (OR = 1.644, 95% CI: 1.203-2.246, p = 0.002), and PLT < 100×109/L (OR = 1.450, 95% CI: 1.094-1.922, p = 0.010) at baseline were related to the development of LLV. Conclusions: High HBV DNA/HBsAg quantification/LSM, low PLT, HBeAg positivity, and liver cirrhosis were high-risk factors associated with LLV in patients receiving entecavir treatment.

Calibration and Validation of Simulation Parameters for Maize Straw Based on Discrete Element Method and Genetic Algorithm-Backpropagation.

There is a significant difference between the simulation effect and the actual effect in the design process of maize straw-breaking equipment due to the lack of accurate simulation model parameters in the breaking and processing of maize straw. This article used a combination of physical experiments, virtual simulation, and machine learning to calibrate the simulation parameters of maize straw. A bimodal-distribution discrete element model of maize straw was established based on the intrinsic and contact parameters measured via physical experiments. The significance analysis of the simulation parameters was conducted via the Plackett-Burman experiment. The Poisson ratio, shear modulus, and normal stiffness of the maize straw significantly impacted the peak compression force of the maize straw and steel plate. The steepest-climb test was carried out for the significance parameter, and the relative error between the peak compression force in the simulation test and the peak compression force in the physical test was used as the evaluation index. It was found that the optimal range intervals for the Poisson ratio, shear modulus, and normal stiffness of the maize straw were 0.32-0.36, 1.24 × 108-1.72 × 108 Pa, and 5.9 × 106-6.7 × 106 N/m3, respectively. Using the experimental data of the central composite design as the dataset, a GA-BP neural network prediction model for the peak compression force of maize straw was established, analyzed, and evaluated. The GA-BP prediction model's accuracy was verified via experiments. It was found that the ideal combination of parameters was a Poisson ratio of 0.357, a shear modulus of 1.511 × 108 Pa, and a normal stiffness of 6.285 × 106 N/m3 for the maize straw. The results provide a basis for analyzing the damage mechanism of maize straw during the grinding process.