The role of early use of Carbapenems perioperatively for urolithiasis with ESBL-producing Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis combined with ESBL-producing E. coli is often difficult to control and leads to higher postoperative infection-related complications. This study was aim to explore the efficacy and necessity for early use of carbapenem antibiotics perioperatively in urolithiasis patients with urinary tract infections caused by ESBL-producing E. coli. METHODS: The study included a total of 626 patients who were separated into two groups: Group I (the ESBL-producing E. coli group) and Group II (the non-ESBL-producing E. coli group). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed and the two groups induced postoperative infection-related events were recorded. the efficacy of perioperative antibiotics was evaluated. RESULTS: All strains of E. coli in our research were sensitive to Carbapenems antibiotics. In addition to Carbapenems, the resistance rates of ESBL-producing E. coli to 6 other commonly used antibiotics were higher than those of non-ESBL-producing strains. Based on the preoperative antibiotic susceptibility test for the ESBL-producing E. coli group and the qSOFA score, the Carbapenems were more effective than the ß-lactamase inhibitors (p = 0.08), while for the non-ESBL-producing E. coli group, there was no difference in the treatment effects between Carbapenems, ß-lactamase inhibitors, Ceftazidime and Quinolones (p = 0.975). CONCLUSIONS: Carbapenem antibiotics significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative infection-related events compared with other types of antibiotics for ESBL-producing E. coli infections in patient with urolithiasis.

Reviving Sodium Tunnel Oxide Cathodes Based on Structural Modulation and Sodium Compensation Strategy Toward Practical Sodium-Ion Cylindrical Battery.

As a typical tunnel oxide, Na0.44MnO2 features excellent electrochemical performance and outstanding structural stability, making it a promising cathode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, it suffers from undesirable challenges such as surface residual alkali, multiple voltage plateaus, and low initial charge specific capacity. Herein, an internal and external synergistic modulation strategy is adopted by replacing part of the Mn with Ti to optimize the bulk phase and construct a Ti-containing epitaxial stabilization layer, resulting in reduced surface residual alkali, excellent Na+ transport kinetics and improved water/air stability. Specifically, the Na0.44Mn0.85Ti0.15O2 using water-soluble carboxymethyl cellulose as a binder can realize a capacity retention rate of 94.30% after 1,000 cycles at 2C, and excellent stability is further verified in kilogram large-up applications. In addition, taking advantage of the rich Na content in Prussian blue analog (PBA), PBA-Na0.44Mn1-xTixO2 composites are designed to compensate for the insufficient Na in the tunnel oxide and are matched with hard carbon to achieve the preparation of coin full cell and 18650 cylindrical battery with satisfactory electrochemical performance. This work enables the application of tunnel oxides cathode for SIBs in 18650 cylindrical batteries for the first time and promotes the commercialization of SIBs.

In situ construction of a static-dynamic hybrid interface toward stable Zn anodes for aqueous Zn-ion batteries.

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries are promising candidates for next-generation energy storage devices due to the advantages of high safety, low cost and good environmental friendliness. However, the uncontrollable dendrite growth and undesirable side reactions occurring on the Zn anode result in poor cycling stability. Herein, a Lewis base, triethanolamine, is used as the electrolyte additive to construct a hybrid solid-electrolyte interphase layer composed of a static ZnSO4·3Zn(OH)2·4H2O layer and dynamic quaternary ammonium ion adsorption layer. The static SEI layer acts as a physical barrier between the Zn anode and electrolyte, thus effectively suppressing chemical corrosion and the hydrogen evolution reaction. The dynamic layer can not only regulate the ion flux at the interface, but also promote the de-solvation of solvated Zn2+, thus leading to homogenous Zn deposition along the (002) electro-crystallization orientation. As a result, the Zn anode demonstrates an extended cycle life of 2500 h at a current density of 1.0 mA cm-2, with an areal capacity of 1.0 mA h cm-2 and a high coulombic efficiency (CE) of 98.94%. The Zn‖V2O5 cells exhibit a specific capacity of 178.4 mA h g-1 after 500 cycles, indicating both high capacity and robust cycling stability, which are essential for practical applications.

Progesterone and estradiol alleviate Poly I:C-induced immune response in endometrial stromal cells.

Progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) regulate the immune status of the uterus. However, whether P and E2 can affect the immune response of endometrial cell is still unknown. In the study, primary endometrial stromal cells (EndSCs) were treated with Poly(I:C), the pathogen-associated molecular pattern of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) virus, to induce immune response, and then EndSCs were stimulated with P or/and E2. The results showed Poly(I:C) up-regulated the expression of immune cytokines IL-6, IL-8, IL-1ß and TNF-α, and significantly down-regulated the expression of ERα and PGRMC1 in EndSCs. Moreover, P or low-dose of E2 attenuate Poly(I:C)-induced immune response, and then the synergistic effects of P and E2 decreased expression of ERα, ERß and PGR, and alleviate the decease of PGRMC1 induced by Poly(I:C), but not alleviate the decease of ERα caused by Poly(I:C). The result provides a steroid therapeutic method to suppress dsRNA virtues-induced immune response through the synergistic effect of P and E2 on endometrial stromal cells.

ECG autoencoder based on low-rank attention.

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has surged in recent years, making it the foremost cause of mortality among humans. The Electrocardiogram (ECG), being one of the pivotal diagnostic tools for cardiovascular diseases, is increasingly gaining prominence in the field of machine learning. However, prevailing neural network models frequently disregard the spatial dimension features inherent in ECG signals. In this paper, we propose an ECG autoencoder network architecture incorporating low-rank attention (LRA-autoencoder). It is designed to capture potential spatial features of ECG signals by interpreting the signals from a spatial perspective and extracting correlations between different signal points. Additionally, the low-rank attention block (LRA-block) obtains spatial features of electrocardiogram signals through singular value decomposition, and then assigns these spatial features as weights to the electrocardiogram signals, thereby enhancing the differentiation of features among different categories. Finally, we utilize the ResNet-18 network classifier to assess the performance of the LRA-autoencoder on both the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia and PhysioNet Challenge 2017 datasets. The experimental results reveal that the proposed method demonstrates superior classification performance. The mean accuracy on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia dataset is as high as 0.997, and the mean accuracy and F 1 -score on the PhysioNet Challenge 2017 dataset are 0.850 and 0.843.

Whole-genome resequencing reveals genetic diversity, differentiation, and selection signatures of yak breeds/populations in southwestern China.

The Sichuan-Yunnan region is the main production area of yaks in southwestern China, with rich genetic resources of Yaks. Nevertheless, there have been limited study on the genetic characteristics of the entire yak populations in Tibet and southwestern China. In this study, we performed whole-genome resequencing to identify genetic variation information in a total of 198 individuals from six yak breeds (populations) in Sichuan (Muli yak, Jinchuan yak, Changtai yak, Maiwa yak), Yunnan (Zhongdian yak), and Tibet (Tibetan yak). The aim was to investigate the whole-genome genetic diversity, population genetic structure, and genome selection signatures. We observed that all six populations exhibit abundant genetic diversity. Except for Tibetan yaks, which showed low nucleotide diversity (0.00104), the remaining yak populations generally displayed high nucleotide diversity (0.00129-0.00153). Population genetic structure analysis revealed that, among the six yak populations, Muli yak exhibited greater differentiation from other yak populations and formed a distinct cluster independently. The Maiwa yak population displayed a complex genetic structure and exhibited gene exchange with Jinchuan and Changtai yaks. Positive selection signals were detected in candidate genes associated with growth (GNB4, HMGA2, TRPS1, and LTBP1), reproduction (PI4KB, DYNC1I1, and GRIP1), immunity (CD200 and IL1RAP), lactation (SNX13 and CPM), hypoxia adaptation (NDUFB6, PRKN, and MRPS9), hair (KRT24, KRT25, and KRT26), meat quality (SUCLG2), digestion and absorption (CLDN1), and pigment deposition (OCA2) using the integrated Pi and F ST methods. This study provides significant insights into understanding the whole-genome genetic characteristics of yak populations in Tibet and southwestern China.

Air-Stable and Low-Cost High-Voltage Hydrated Eutectic Electrolyte for High-Performance Aqueous Aluminum-Ion Rechargeable Battery with Wide-Temperature Range.

Aqueous aluminum-ion batteries (AAIBs) are considered as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their large theoretical capacity, high safety, and low cost. However, the uneven deposition, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and corrosion during cycling impede the development of AAIBs, especially under a harsh environment. Here, a hydrated eutectic electrolyte (AATH40) composed of Al(OTf)3, acetonitrile (AN), triethyl phosphate (TEP), and H2O was designed to improve the electrochemical performance of AAIBs in a wide temperature range. The combination of molecular dynamics simulations and spectroscopy analysis reveals that AATH40 has a less-water-solvated structure [Al(AN)2(TEP)(OTf)2(H2O)]3+, which effectively inhibits side reactions, decreases the freezing point, and extends the electrochemical window of the electrolyte. Furthermore, the formation of a solid electrolyte interface, which effectively inhibits HER and corrosion, has been demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction tests, and in situ differential electrochemical mass spectrometry. Additionally, operando synchrotron Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring reveal a three-electron storage mechanism for the Al//polyaniline full cells. Consequently, AAIBs with this electrolyte exhibit improved cycling stability within the temperature range of -10-50 °C. This present study introduces a promising methodology for designing electrolytes suitable for low-cost, safe, and stable AAIBs over a wide temperature range.

The function and application of edible fungal polysaccharides.

Edible fungi, commonly known as mushrooms, are precious medicinal and edible homologous gifts from nature to us. Edible fungal polysaccharides (EFPs) are a variety of bioactive macromolecular which isolated from fruiting bodies, mycelia or fermentation broths of edible or medicinal fungus. Increasing researches have confirmed that EFPs possess multiple biological activities both in vitro and in vivo settings, including antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and regulating intestinal flora activities. As a result, they have emerged as a prominent focus in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Fungal EFPs have safe, non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible properties with low immunogenicity, bioadhesion ability, and antibacterial activities, presenting diverse potential applications in the food industries, cosmetic, biomedical, packaging, and new materials. Moreover, varying raw materials, extraction, purification, chemical modification methods, and culture conditions can result in variances in the structure and biological activities of EFPs. The purpose of this review is to provide comprehensively and systematically organized information on the structure, modification, biological activities, and potential applications of EFPs to support their therapeutic effects and health functions. This review provides new insights and a theoretical basis for prospective investigations and advancements in EFPs in fields such as medicine, food, and new materials.

Halloysite-derived mesoporous silica with high ionic conductivity improves Li-S battery performance.

The slow Li+ transport rate in the thick sulfur cathode of the Li-S battery affects its capacity and cycling performance. Herein, Fe-doped highly ordered mesoporous silica material (Fe-HSBA-15) as a sulfur carrier of the Li-S battery shows high ion conductivity (1.10 mS cm-1) and Li+ transference number (0.77). The Fe-HSBA-15/S cell has an initial capacity of up to 1216.7 mA h g-1 at 0.2C and good stability. Impressively, at a high sulfur load of 4.34 mg cm-2, the Fe-HSBA-15/S cell still maintains an area specific capacity of 4.47 mA h cm-2 after 100 cycles. This is because Fe-HSBA-15 improves the Li+ diffusion behavior through the ordered mesoporous structure. Theoretical calculations also confirmed that the doping of iron enhances the adsorption of polysulfides, reduces the band gap and makes the catalytic activity stronger.

Characteristics of Acid Leaching and Vibration Coupling Desorption of Gas-Saturated Coking Coal.

Permeability is a key factor affecting efficient gas drainage from coal seams, and acidification and vibration shock are effective means to increase permeability in original low-permeability coal seams. To study the gas desorption characteristics of coking coal under the coupling effect of mining disturbance and acidification permeability enhancement, taking the coal seam of Shoushan No. 1 coal as the research object, a self-built adsorption-desorption vibration test platform was used. Acid leaching vibration coupling desorption experiments at vibration frequencies of 0, 30, 60, and 100 Hz were conducted on selected particle coals with particle sizes of 0.18-0.25 and 1-3 mm. The experimental results show that the gas desorption amount of particle coal with the same particle size first increases and then decreases with the increase of vibration frequency, among which the desorption effect is the best under 60 Hz vibration condition. Under the condition of fixed vibration frequency, the desorption amount, initial desorption velocity, and velocity attenuation coefficient of particle coal increase as the particle size decreases. Under the same particle size and vibration frequency conditions, the acid leaching and vibration of coal samples have a synergistic effect on gas desorption, which is manifested in the promotion of gas desorption on the outer surface of the coal sample and the surface of open macropores. The research can provide theoretical reference for coal seam acidification and permeability enhancement under the influence of mining disturbance.

Tunable Interfacial Electric Field-Mediated Cobalt-Doped FeSe/Fe3Se4 Heterostructure for High-Efficiency Potassium Storage.

The interfacial electric field (IEF) in the heterostructure can accelerate electron transport and ion migration, thereby enhancing the electrochemical performance of potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). Nevertheless, the quantification and modulation of the IEF for high-efficiency PIB anodes currently remains a blank slate. Herein, we achieve for the first time the quantification and tuning of IEF via amorphous carbon-coated undifferentiated cobalt-doped FeSe/Fe3Se4 heterostructure (denoted UN-CoFe4Se5/C) for efficient potassium storage. Co doping can increase the IEF in FeSe/Fe3Se4, thereby improving the electron transport, promoting the potassium adsorption capacity, and lowering the diffusion barrier. As expected, the IEF magnitude in UN-CoFe4Se5/C is experimentally quantified as 62.84 mV, which is 3.65 times larger than that of amorphous carbon-coated FeSe/Fe3Se4 heterostructure (Fe4Se5/C). Benefiting from the strong IEF, UN-CoFe4Se5/C as a PIB anode exhibits superior rate capability (145.8 mAh g-1 at 10.0 A g-1) and long cycle lifespan (capacity retention of 95.1 % over 3000 cycles at 1.0 A g-1). Furthermore, this undifferentiated doping strategy can universally regulate the IEF magnitude in CoSe2/Co9Se8 and FeS2/Fe7S8 heterostructures. This work can provide fundamental insights into the design of advanced PIB electrodes.

High Entropy Alloys Enable Durable and Efficient Lithium-Mediated CO2 Redox Reactions.

Designing electrocatalysts with high activity and durability for multistep reduction and oxidation reactions is challenging. High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are intriguing due to their tunable geometric and electronic structure through entropy effects. However, understanding the origin of their exceptional performance and identifying active centers is hindered by the diverse microenvironment in HEAs. Herein, NiFeCoCuRu HEAs designed with an average diameter of 2.17 nm, featuring different adsorption capacities for various reactants and intermediates in Li-mediated CO2 redox reactions, are introduced. The electronegativity-dependent nature of NiFeCoCuRu HEAs induces significant charge redistribution, shifting the d-band center closer to Fermi level and forming highly active clusters of Ru, Co, and Ni for Li-based compounds adsorptions. This lowers energy barriers and simultaneously stabilizes *LiCO2 and LiCO3+CO intermediates, enhancing the efficiency of both CO2 reduction and Li2CO3 decomposition over extended periods. This work provides insights into specific active site interactions with intermediates, highlighting the potential of HEAs as promising catalysts for intricate CO2 redox reactions.

Progress and perspectives on iron-based electrode materials for alkali metal-ion batteries: a critical review.

Iron-based materials with significant physicochemical properties, including high theoretical capacity, low cost and mechanical and thermal stability, have attracted research attention as electrode materials for alkali metal-ion batteries (AMIBs). However, practical implementation of some iron-based materials is impeded by their poor conductivity, large volume change, and irreversible phase transition during electrochemical reactions. In this review we critically assess advances in the chemical synthesis and structural design, together with modification strategies, of iron-based compounds for AMIBs, to obviate these issues. We assess and categorize structural and compositional regulation and its effects on the working mechanisms and electrochemical performances of AMIBs. We establish insight into their applications and determine practical challenges in their development. We provide perspectives on future directions and likely outcomes. We conclude that for boosted electrochemical performance there is a need for better design of structures and compositions to increase ionic/electronic conductivity and the contact area between active materials and electrolytes and to obviate the large volume change and low conductivity. Findings will be of interest and benefit to researchers and manufacturers for sustainable development of advanced rechargeable ion batteries using iron-based electrode materials.

Bismuth-doping boosting Na+ diffusion kinetics of layered oxide cathode with radially oriented {010} active lattice facet for sodium-ion batteries.

O3-type layered oxide cathodes (NaxTMO2) for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have attracted significant attention as one of the most promising potential candidates for practical energy storage applications. The poor Na+ diffusion kinetics is, however, one of the major obstacles to advancing large-scale practical application. Herein, we report bismuth-doped O3-NaNi0.5Mn0.5O2 (NMB) microspheres consisting of unique primary nanoplatelets with the radially oriented {010} active lattice facets. The NMB combines the advantages of the oriented and exposed electrochemical active planes for direct paths of Na+ diffusion, and the thick primary nanoplatelets for less surface parasitic reactions with the electrolyte. Consequently, the NMB cathode exhibits a long-term stability with an excellent capacity retention of 72.5% at 1C after 300 cycles and an enhanced rate capability at a 0.1C to 10C rate (1C = 240 mA g-1). Furthermore, the enhancement is elucidated by the small volume change, thin cathode-electrolyte-interphase (CEI) layer, and rapid Na+ diffusion kinetics. In particular, the radial orientation-based Bi-doping strategy is demonstrated to be effective at boosting electrochemical performance in other layered oxides (such as Bi-doped NaNi0.45Mn0.45Ti0.1O2 and NaNi1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3O2). The results provide a promising strategy of utilizing the advantages of the oriented active facets of primary platelets and secondary particles to develop high-rate layered oxide cathodes for SIBs.

Rational Design of Multinary Metal Chalcogenide Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 Nanocrystals for Efficient Potassium Storage.

Multinary metal chalcogenides hold considerable promise for high-energy potassium storage due to their numerous redox reactions. However, challenges arise from issues such as volume expansion and sluggish kinetics. Here, a design featuring a layered ternary Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 anchored on graphene layers as a composite anode, where Bi atoms act as a lattice softening agent on Sb, is presented. Benefiting from the lattice arrangement in Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3 and structure, Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3/graphene exhibits a mitigated expansion of 28% during the potassiation/depotassiation process and demonstrates facile K+ ion transfer kinetics, enabling long-term durability of 500 cycles at various high rates. Operando synchrotron diffraction patterns and spectroscopies including in situ Raman, ex situ adsorption, and X-ray photoelectron reveal multiple conversion and alloying/dealloying reactions for potassium storage at the atomic level. In addition, both theoretical calculations and electrochemical examinations elucidate the K+ migration pathways and indicate a reduction in energy barriers within Bi0.4Sb1.6Te3/graphene, thereby suggesting enhanced diffusion kinetics for K+. These findings provide insight in the design of durable high-energy multinary tellurides for potassium storage.

Electropolymerized Bipolar Poly(2,3-diaminophenazine) Cathode for High-Performance Aqueous Al-Ion Batteries with An Extended Temperature Range of -20 to 45 °C.

Achieving reversible insertion/extraction in most cathodes for aqueous aluminum ion batteries (AAIBs) is a significant challenge due to the high charge density of Al3+ and strong electrostatic interactions. Organic materials facilitate the hosting of multivalent carriers and rapid ions diffusion through the rearrangement of chemical bonds. Here, a bipolar conjugated poly(2,3-diaminophenazine) (PDAP) on carbon substrates prepared via a straightforward electropolymerization method is introduced as cathode for AAIBs. The integration of n-type and p-type active units endow PDAP with an increased number of sites for ions interaction. The long-range conjugated skeleton enhances electron delocalization and collaborates with carbon to ensure high conductivity. Moreover, the strong intermolecular interactions including π-π interaction and hydrogen bonding significantly enhance its stability. Consequently, the Al//PDAP battery exhibits a large capacity of 338 mAh g-1 with long lifespan and high-rate capability. It consistently demonstrates exceptional electrochemical performances even under extreme conditions with capacities of 155 and 348 mAh g-1 at -20 and 45 °C, respectively. In/ex situ spectroscopy comprehensively elucidates its cation/anion (Al3+/H3O+ and ClO4 -) storage with 3-electron transfer in dual electroactive centers (C═N and -NH-). This study presents a promising strategy for constructing high-performance organic cathode for AAIBs over a wide temperature range.

Zinc ion Batteries: Bridging the Gap from Academia to Industry for Grid-Scale Energy Storage.

Zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) exhibit significant promise in the next generation of grid-scale energy storage systems owing to their safety, relatively high volumetric energy density, and low production cost. Despite substantial advancements in ZIBs, a comprehensive evaluation of critical parameters impacting their practical energy density (Epractical) and calendar life is lacking. Hence, we suggest using formulation-based study as a scientific tool to accurately calculate the cell-level energy density and predict the cycling life of ZIBs. By combining all key battery parameters, such as the capacity ratio of negative to positive electrode (N/P), into one formula, we assess their impact on Epractical. When all parameters are optimized, we urge to achieve the theoretical capacity for a high Epractical. Furthermore, we propose a formulation that correlates the N/P and Coulombic efficiency of ZIBs for predicting their calendar life. Finally, we offer a comprehensive overview of current advancements in ZIBs, covering cathode and anode, along with practical evaluations. This Minireview outlines specific goals, suggests future research directions, and sketches prospects for designing efficient and high-performing ZIBs. It aims at bridging the gap from academia to industry for grid-scale energy storage.

Interfacial Engineering of Zn Metal via a Localized Conjugated Layer for Highly Reversible Aqueous Zinc Ion Battery.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are regarded as promising and efficient energy storage systems owing to remarkable safety and satisfactory capacity. Nevertheless, the instability of zinc metal anodes, characterized by issues such as dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions, poses a significant barrier to widespread applications. Herein, we address this challenge by designing a localized conjugated structure comprising a cyclic polyacrylonitrile polymer (CPANZ), induced by a Zn2+-based Lewis acid (zinc trifluoromethylsulfonate) at a temperature of 120 °C. The CPANZ layer on the Zn anode, enriched with appropriate pyridine nitrogen-rich groups (conjugated cyclic -C=N-), exhibits a notable affinity for Zn2+ with ample deposition sites. This zincophilic skeleton not only serves as a protective layer to guide the deposition of Zn2+ but also functions as proton channel blocker, regulating the proton flux to mitigate the hydrogen evolution. Additionally, the strong adhesion strength of the CPANZ layer guarantees its sustained protection to the Zn metal during long-term cycling. As a result, the modified zinc electrode demonstrates long cycle life and high durability in both half-cell and pouch cells. These findings present a feasible approach to designing high performance aqueous anodes by introducing a localized conjugated layer.

Abdominal Fat is a Reliable Indicator of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration than Body Mass Index.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether abdominal fat status correlates with low back pain (LBP) and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and to identify a new anthropometric index to predict the likelihood of developing LBP. METHODS: Patients with chronic low back pain admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from June 2022 to May 2023 were collected as the experimental group. Volunteers without LBP from June 2022 to May 2023 were also recruited as the control group. They underwent lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging and had their body mass index (BMI) measured. Abdominal parameters were measured on T2-weighted median sagittal magnetic resonance imaging at the L3/4 level: abdominal diameter, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), and subcutaneous abdominal fat thickness (SAFT). Each lumbar IVDD was assessed using the Pfirrmann grading system. The differences in abdominal parameters and BMI between the experimental and control groups were compared, and the correlations between abdominal parameters, BMI, LBP, and IVDD were analyzed. RESULTS: Abdominal diameter, SAD, and SAFT had moderate-to-strong correlations with BMI. SAD was significantly associated with severe IVDD at L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels with odds ratio of 3.201 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.850-5.539, P < 0.001) and 1.596 (95% CI: 1.072-2.378, P = 0.021), respectively. BMI had no significant association with severe IVDD. In women, SAFT and BMI were significantly correlated with LBP; in men, only SAFT was significantly correlated with LBP. Appropriate cutoff values for men and women were 1.52 cm (area under the curve = 0.702, 95% CI: 0.615-0.789, P < 0.001) and 1.97 cm (area under the curve = 0.740, 95% CI: 0.662-0.818, P < 0.001), respectively. Men and women with SAFT of >1.52 cm and >1.97 cm, respectively, had significantly higher rates of LBP. CONCLUSIONS: SAD could predict severe IVDD better than BMI. SAFT is a better predictor of LBP than BMI, especially in men, and reliably distinguished patients with LBP from asymptomatic subjects with reliable cutoff values for men and women.

Hydrated Eutectic Electrolyte Induced Bilayer Interphase for High-Performance Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries with 100 °C Wide-Temperature Range.

The practical implementation of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) encounters challenges such as dendrite growth, parasitic reactions, and severe decay in battery performance under harsh environments. Here, a novel hydrated eutectic electrolyte (HEE) composed of Zn(ClO4 )2 ·6H2 O, ethylene glycol (EG), and InCl3 solution is introduced to effectively extend the lifespan of AZIBs over a wide temperature range from -50 to 50 °C. Molecular dynamics simulations and spectroscopy analysis demonstrate that the H2 O molecules are confined within the liquid eutectic network through dual-interaction, involving coordination with Zn2+ and hydrogen bonding with EG, thus weakening the activity of free water and extending the electrochemical window. Importantly, cryo-transmission electron microscopy and spectroscopy techniques reveal that HEE in situ forms a zincophobic/zincophilic bilayer interphase by the dissociation-reduction of eutectic molecules. Specifically, the zincophilic interphase reduces the energy barrier for Zn nucleation, promoting uniform Zn deposition, while the zincophobic interphase prevents active water from contacting the Zn surface, thus inhibiting the side reactions. Furthermore, the relationships between the structural evolution of the liquid eutectic network and interfacial chemistry at electrode/electrolyte interphase are further discussed in this work. The scalability of this design strategy can bring benefits to AZIBs operating over a wide temperature range.