Recent Developments in Materials for Physical Hydrogen Storage: A Review.

The depletion of reliable energy sources and the environmental and climatic repercussions of polluting energy sources have become global challenges. Hence, many countries have adopted various renewable energy sources including hydrogen. Hydrogen is a future energy carrier in the global energy system and has the potential to produce zero carbon emissions. For the non-fossil energy sources, hydrogen and electricity are considered the dominant energy carriers for providing end-user services, because they can satisfy most of the consumer requirements. Hence, the development of both hydrogen production and storage is necessary to meet the standards of a "hydrogen economy". The physical and chemical absorption of hydrogen in solid storage materials is a promising hydrogen storage method because of the high storage and transportation performance. In this paper, physical hydrogen storage materials such as hollow spheres, carbon-based materials, zeolites, and metal-organic frameworks are reviewed. We summarize and discuss the properties, hydrogen storage densities at different temperatures and pressures, and the fabrication and modification methods of these materials. The challenges associated with these physical hydrogen storage materials are also discussed.

Nanocrystalline Cellulose-Supported Iron Oxide Composite Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) can be converted into carbon materials for the fabrication of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as well as serve as a substrate for the incorporation of transition metal oxides (TMOs) to restrain the volume expansion, one of the most significant challenges of TMO-based LIBs. To improve the electrochemical performance and enhance the longer cycling stability of LIBs, a nanocrystalline cellulose-supported iron oxide (Fe2O3) composite (denoted as NCC-Fe2O3) is synthesized and utilized as electrodes in LIBs. The obtained NCC-Fe2O3 electrode exhibited stable cycling performance, better capacity, and high-rate capacity, and delivered a specific discharge capacity of 576.70 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1 after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the NCC-Fe2O3 electrode was restored and showed an upward trend of capacity after working at high current densities, indicating the fabricated composite is a promising approach to designing next-generation high-energy density lithium-ion batteries.

Covalent Organic Frameworks: From Structures to Applications.

Three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks possess hierarchical nanopores, enormous surface areas with high porosity, and open positions. The synthesis of large crystals of three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks is a challenge, since different structures are generated during the synthesis. Presently, their synthesis with new topologies for promising applications has been developed by the use of building units with varied geometries. Covalent organic frameworks have multiple applications: chemical sensing, fabrication of electronic devices, heterogeneous catalysts, etc. We have presented the techniques for the synthesis of three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks, their properties, and their potential applications in this review.

Development of Cellulose Nanofiber-SnO2 Supported Nanocomposite as Substrate Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The large volumetric expansion of conversion-type anode materials (CTAMs) based on transition-metal oxides is still a big challenge for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). An obtained nanocomposite was established by tin oxide (SnO2) nanoparticles embedding in cellulose nanofiber (SnO2-CNFi), and was developed in our research to take advantage of the tin oxide's high theoretical specific capacity and the cellulose nanofiber support structure to restrain the volume expansion of transition-metal oxides. The nanocomposite utilized as electrodes in lithium-ion batteries not only inhibited volume growth but also contributed to enhancing electrode electrochemical performance, resulting in the good capacity maintainability of the LIBs electrode during the cycling process. The SnO2-CNFi nanocomposite electrode delivered a specific discharge capacity of 619 mAh g-1 after 200 working cycles at the current rate of 100 mA g-1. Moreover, the coulombic efficiency remained above 99% after 200 cycles showing the good stability of the electrode, and promising potential for commercial activity of nanocomposites electrode.

Glutathione Fluorescence Sensing Based on a Co-Doped Carbon Dot/Manganese Dioxide Nanocoral Composite.

Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant thiol that has a vital role in the pathogenesis of various human diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. Hence, it is necessary to study effective methods of GSH evaluation. In our work, an effective GSH sensor based on a nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbon dot (NPCD)-MnO2 nanocoral composite was fabricated. In addition to utilizing the strong fluorescence of the NPCDs, we utilized the reductant ability of the NPCDs themselves to form MnO2 and then the NPCD-MnO2 nanocoral composite from MnO4-. The characteristics of the nanocoral composite were analyzed using various electron microscopy techniques and spectroscopic techniques. The overlap between the absorption spectrum of MnO2 and the fluorescence emission spectrum of the NPCDs led to effective fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in the nanocoral composite, causing a decrease in the fluorescent intensity of the NPCDs. A linear recovery of the fluorescent intensity of the NPCDs was observed with the GSH level raising from 20 to 250 µM. Moreover, our GSH sensor showed high specificity and sensing potential in real samples with acceptable results.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Serum Ferritin Levels in Vietnamese Adults with Metabolic Syndrome.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is one of the most common public health concerns in the 21st century. Several previous studies have shown an association between increased serum ferritin levels and other components of metabolic syndrome and the risk of metabolic syndrome. They conclude that ferritin can be viewed as a predictor of metabolic syndrome risk. This study investigates some main features of metabolic syndrome and the serum ferritin levels in a Vietnamese adult cohort with metabolic syndrome. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 207 patients who were treated at the General Internal Medicine-Geriatric Department, Hue Central Hospital, from May 2018 to August 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: the study group (104 patients with metabolic syndrome) and the control group (103 patients without metabolic syndrome and no serum ferritin-mediated disease). The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation/American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/World Heart Federation/International Atherosclerosis Society/International Association for the Study of Obesity in 2009. Results: Hypertriglyceridemia-hypertension-hyperglycemia (50.9%) is the most common combination of metabolic syndrome components. The mean serum ferritin concentration was 391.62±181.97ng/mL and 124.55±63.95ng/mL in the metabolic syndrome and control groups, respectively. In the metabolic syndrome group, increased ferritin concentration accounted for 86.54% for men, the mean serum ferritin concentration was 453.064 ± 161.75ng/mL (increased ferritin concentration accounted for 96.15%) for women; the mean serum ferritin concentration was 330.17 ± 181.71 ng/mL (increased ferritin concentration accounted for 86.54%). Conclusion: The serum ferritin level is significantly increased in Vietnamese patients with metabolic syndrome.

Nanocrystalline Cellulose Supported MnO2 Composite Materials for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The rate capability and poor cycling stability of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are predominantly caused by the large volume expansion upon cycling and poor electrical conductivity of manganese dioxide (MnO2), which also exhibits the highest theoretical capacity among manganese oxides. In this study, a nanocomposite of nanosized MnO2 and pyrolyzed nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) was prepared with high electrical conductivity to enhance the electrochemical performance of LIBs. The nanocomposite electrode showed an initial discharge capacity of 1302 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1 and exhibited a high discharge capacity of 305 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the MnO2-CNC nanocomposite delivered a good rate capability of up to 10 A g-1 and accommodated the large volume change upon repeated cycling tests.

SnO2 Nanoflower-Nanocrystalline Cellulose Composites as Anode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

One of the biggest challenges in the commercialization of tin dioxide (SnO2)-based lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrodes is the volume expansion of SnO2 during the charge-discharge process. Additionally, the aggregation of SnO2 also deteriorates the performance of anode materials. In this study, we prepared SnO2 nanoflowers (NFs) using nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC) to improve the surface area, prevent the particle aggregation, and alleviate the change in volume of LIB anodes. Moreover, CNC served not only as the template for the synthesis of the SnO2 NFs but also as a conductive material, after annealing the SnO2 NFs at 800 °C to improve their electrochemical performance. The obtained CNC-SnO2NF composite was used as an active LIB electrode material and exhibited good cycling performance and a high initial reversible capacity of 891 mA h g-1, at a current density of 100 mA g-1. The composite anode could retain 30% of its initial capacity after 500 charge-discharge cycles.

Corifollitropin alfa versus follitropin beta: an economic analysis alongside a randomized controlled trial in women undergoing IVF/ICSI.

This cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted from the patient's perspective alongside a randomized controlled trial comparing corifollitropin alfa with follitropin beta for a single stimulation cycle. Only unit costs paid by patients are included in this analysis. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated. One-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) were also performed. Baseline characteristics (except for the number of follicles and frozen embryos), treatment outcomes and complications were similar in the two groups. The live birth rate was comparable between the two groups, but the mean total cost per patient was higher for the corifollitropin alfa strategy (€4293) compared with the follitropin beta strategy (€4086). Costs per live birth were €13,726 and €12,511, respectively. The difference in effect between corifollitropin alfa and collitropin beta was three fewer live births, and the difference in costs was €24,048. The probability of live birth after the first and second embryo transfers and the proportion of patients who had no more frozen embryos available after non-achievement of live birth in the first or second transfer influenced the comparative cost-effectiveness of the two strategies. PSA showed that a corifollitropin alfa strategy would be rejected in up to 27.4% of scenarios. Follitropin beta 300 IU/day was more cost-effective than corifollitropin alfa 150 µg in women aged 35-42 years weighing ≥ 50 kg undergoing in-vitro fertilzation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Trend of emergency department presentations with a mental health diagnosis in Australia by diagnostic group, 2004-05 to 2016-17.

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends of ED presentations with a mental health (MH) diagnosis in Australia and its jurisdictions by diagnostic group between 2004-05 and 2016-17. METHODS: Data comprised ED presentations with a principal diagnosis of ICD-10-AM F00-F99 (MHdx ) captured within the National Non-Admitted Patient Emergency Department Care Database. Trends in absolute number and rates of MHdx presentations per 10 000 population were assessed as differences (x-fold) and annual growth rates (average and compound). RESULTS: Increased presentation rates were observed for most diagnostic groups, except for mental retardation (F70-F79) and mood disorders (F30-F39). The greatest absolute increase was for psychoactive substance use-related disorders (F10-F19), and relative increase, unspecified mental disorder (F99). There was differentiation across jurisdictions regarding rates of and growth in presentations. In 2016-17, rates at least twice the national average were observed for psychoactive substance-use (F10-F19), schizophrenia and psychotic disorders (F20-F29) and childhood and adolescence onset disorders (F90-F98) in the Northern Territory, F90-F98 in South Australia, personality disorders (F60-F69) in Tasmania and unspecified mental disorder (F99) in New South Wales. The most marked growth was observed for F99 in New South Wales. CONCLUSION: Between 2004-05 and 2016-17, rates of ED presentations increased across most MH diagnostic groups, but particularly psychoactive substance use-related disorders. To reduce the need for MH crisis care in Australian EDs, strategies are required to reduce psychoactive substance use in the community, and policies may be needed to strengthen the capability of community MH services and primary care professionals to recognise, diagnose and treat earlier in the course of illness.

Emergency department presentations with a mental health diagnosis in Australia, by jurisdiction and by sex, 2004-05 to 2016-17.

OBJECTIVES: To examine trends in ED presentations with a mental health diagnosis (MHdx ) in Australia by jurisdiction and by sex, between 2004-05 and 2016-17. METHODS: Data were captured in the National Non-Admitted Patient Emergency Department Care Database. Outcomes were the proportion of ED presentations with a principal diagnosis of ICD-10-AM F00-F99 (MHdx ), and the rate of all ED and MHdx presentations per 10 000 population. RESULTS: Between 2004-05 and 2016-17, MHdx presentations experienced compounding annual growth of 5.9% nationally, and increased from 3.3% to 3.7% of all ED presentations with a diagnosis. Most growth occurred between 2010-11 and 2015-16. Northern Territory (NT) had the highest level of MHdx presentations per 10 000 population, more than double the Australian average. The proportion of MHdx presentations was highest in South Australia (SA) in most years, and the average annual proportion of MHdx presentations was statistically significantly higher than the national average in SA, Queensland (QLD) and Western Australia (WA). The proportion of MHdx presentations increased in each jurisdiction, with significant increases for Victoria, QLD, WA, Australian Capital Territory and NT. Males experienced greater numbers and rates of all ED and MHdx presentations, while the proportion of MHdx presentations was 8% higher for females. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of ED presentations for MH conditions, narrowly defined, has increased in all Australian jurisdictions between 2004-05 and 2016-17, but particularly since 2010-11. Differences between jurisdictions indicate jurisdictional specific issues. However, significant or upward trend of MHdx presentations across all jurisdictions indicates generic issues necessitating concern and policy development at a national level.

Clinician Response to Child Abuse Presentations in the Vietnamese Hospital Emergency Setting.

Ongoing fiscal stability has enabled the National Assembly in Vietnam to turn its attention to improving the health and well-being of women and children. Training pediatric health care professionals in the recognition and response to child abuse presentations in the emergency setting has the potential to improve outcomes for the disproportionate number of vulnerable children presenting to the emergency setting with nonaccidental injuries. This study explored the training needs and expectations of the staff preparing to undertake such a clinical training program. This qualitative study is based on semistructured interviews with 16 clinicians from the emergency setting of a leading pediatric hospital in Vietnam. Interview questions focused on current practice in recognizing and responding to child abuse and neglect presentations, the level of training and experience of participants, and subjective reports of confidence in recognizing abuse. Interviews were conducted in English and Vietnamese, with check-translation of transcripts performed by an independent translator. A culture of collegiality and innovative workplace practices was revealed. Analysis revealed two overarching themes that were related to the need for evidence, forensic analysis, respecting families, and consultation. Despite participant confidence in recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect presentations, knowledge deficits were found. This article presents a critical analysis of the context within which the first evidence-based clinical training program of its kind in Vietnam was developed and implemented in a pediatric children's hospital. Clinicians felt a strong moral obligation to protect children from further harm, however encountered a number of barriers inhibiting this process. Findings significantly shaped the Safe Children Vietnam training program and will also contribute to the development of protocols and improvement of community support services at the study site.

Influence of Gold-Silver Rough-Surface Nanoparticles on Plasmonic Light Scattering in Organic Solar Cells.

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi 461-701, Korea Among metallic nanomaterials used as plasmonic structures in organic photovoltaics (OPVs), gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted significant attention owing to their remarkable localized surface plasmon resonance optical properties and relatively high scattering efficiency. In this study, we propose rough-surface Au@Ag core-shell NPs (RSAu@Ag NPs) as an advanced plasmonic material to combine the high scattering power of Ag NPs and broad spectral response of Au NPs in the long-wavelength range. We coat an Au nanoflower core with a thin Ag shell to fabricate the RSAu@Ag NPs. Highly efficient plasmonic organic solar cells were fabricated by embedding RSAu@Ag NPs at the bottom of the organic active layer consisting of a polymer blend of poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b']dithiophene)-alt-4,7(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)]. The size, controlled morphology, and distribution of the metallic NPs are considered to determine the plasmonic effect, as these are the main factors contributing to the light absorption enhancement and power conversion efficiency of an OPV device.

Trends of emergency department presentations with a mental health diagnosis by age, Australia, 2004-05 to 2016-17: A secondary data analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to explore for Australia: (i) the trends of ED presentations with a mental health (MH) diagnosis by age group; and (ii) whether those trends differ from all ED presentations. METHODS: ED presentations to Australian public hospitals, 2004-05 to 2016-17 were captured in the National Non-Admitted Patient Emergency Department Care Database. We assessed total change and annual rate of change in the number and rates of presentations per 10 000 population for all presentations and those with a MH principal diagnosis (ICD-10-AM F00 to F99, MHdx ). Multivariable regression was used to assess the trend of the proportion of MHdx presentations. RESULTS: Between 2004-05 and 2016-17, children (0-14 years), followed by older persons (≥65 years) had the highest ED utilisation; while youth (15-24 years) and younger adults (25-34 years) predominated for MHdx presentations. As a proportion of all presentations, MHdx presentations were lowest in children, and highest in people 35-44 years (13.2-times higher than for children). The rate of increase in MHdx presentations was higher than for all presentations in all age groups, reaching almost four times higher for children. CONCLUSION: The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare should consider expanding the breadth of MH diagnoses they report to better identify the impact of MH on ED presentations. Between 2004-05 and 2016-17, high ED utilisation by children and older persons, and the increasing burden of MHdx presentations for youth, younger adults and children suggest that healthcare planning strategies for urgent and emergency care cannot afford to overlook the growing impact of these sub-groups.

Duplex DNA and DNA-RNA hybrids with parallel strand orientation: 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroisocytidine, 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroisoguanosine, and canonical nucleosides with 2'-fluoro substituents cause unexpected changes on the double helix stability.

Oligonucleotides with parallel or antiparallel strand orientation incorporating 2'-fluorinated 2'-deoxyribonucleosides with canonical nucleobases or 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroisocytidine ((F)iCd, 1c) and 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroisoguanosine ((F)iGd, 3c) were synthesized. To this end, the nucleosides 1c and 3c as well as the phosphoramidite building blocks 19 and 23 were prepared and employed in solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. Unexpectedly, (F)iCd is not stable during oligonucleotide deprotection (55 °C, aq NH3) and was converted to a cyclonucleoside (14). Side product formation was circumvented when oligonucleotides were deprotected under mild conditions (aq ammonia-EtOH, rt). Oligonucleotides containing 2'-fluoro substituents ((F)iCd, (F)iGd and fluorinated canonical 2'-deoxyribonucleosides) stabilize double-stranded DNA, RNA, and DNA-RNA hybrids with antiparallel strand orientation. Unexpected strong stability changes are observed for oligonucleotide duplexes with parallel chains. While fluorinated oligonucleotides form moderately stable parallel stranded duplexes with complementary DNA, they do not form stable hybrids with RNA. Furthermore, oligoribonucleotide duplexes with parallel strand orientation are extremely unstable. It is anticipated that nucleic acids with parallel chains might be too rigid to accept sugar residues in the N-conformation as observed for ribonucleosides or 2'-deoxy-2'-fluororibonucleosides. These observations might explain why nature has evolved the principle of antiparallel chain orientation and has not used the parallel chain alignment.