Heterointerfaces: Unlocking Superior Capacity and Rapid Mass Transfer Dynamics in Energy Storage Electrodes.

Heterogeneous electrode materials possess abundant heterointerfaces with a localized "space charge effect", which enhances capacity output and accelerates mass/charge transfer dynamics in energy storage devices. These promising features open new possibilities for demanding applications such as electric vehicles, grid energy storage, and portable electronics. However, the fundamental principles and working mechanisms that govern heterointerfaces are not yet fully understood, impeding the rational design of electrode materials. In this study, we systematically discuss the heterointerface evolution during charging and discharging process as well as the intricate interaction between heterointerfaces and charge/mass transport phenomena. We also provide guidelines along with feasible strategies for engineering structural heterointerfaces to address specific challenges encountered in various application scenarios. This review offers innovative solutions for the development of heterogeneous electrode materials, enabling more efficient energy storage beyond conventional electrochemistry. Furthermore, it provides fresh insights into the advancement of clean energy conversion and storage technologies. This review contributes to the knowledge and understanding of heterointerfaces, paving the way for the design and optimization of next-generation energy storage materials for a sustainable future. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Reservoir Computing Based on Oxygen-Vacancy-Mediated X-ray Optical Synaptic Device for Medical CT Bone Diagnosis.

Recognition and judgment of X-ray computed tomography (CT) images play a crucial role in medical diagnosis and disease prevention. However, the storage and calculation of the X-ray imaging system applied in the traditional CT diagnosis is separate, and the pathological judgment is based on doctors' experience, which will affect the timeliness and accuracy of decision-making. In this paper, a simple-structured reservoir computing network (RC) is proposed based on Ga2O3 X-ray optical synaptic devices to recognize medical skeletal CT images with high accuracy. Through oxygen vacancy engineering, Ga2O3 X-ray optical synaptic devices with adjustable photocurrent gain and a persistent photoconductivity effect were obtained. By using the Ga2O3 X-ray optical synaptic device as a reservoir, we constructed an RC network for medical skeletal CT diagnosis and verified its image recognition capability using the MNIST data set with an accuracy of 78.08%. In the elbow skeletal CT image recognition task, the recognition rate is as high as 100%. This work constructs a simple-structured RC network for X-ray image recognition, which is of great significance in applications in medical fields.

Pyroelectric Photoconductive Diode for Highly Sensitive and Fast DUV Detection.

Detecting high-energy photons from the deep ultraviolet (DUV) to X-rays is vital in security, medicine, industry, and science. Wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductors exhibit great potential for detecting high-energy photons. However, the implementation of highly sensitive and high-speed detectors based on WBG semiconductors has been a huge challenge due to the inevitable deep level traps and the lack of appropriate device structure engineering. Here, a sensitive and fast pyroelectric photoconductive diode (PPD), which couples the interface pyroelectric effect with the photoconductive effect based on tailored polycrystal Ga-rich GaOx (PGR-GaOx) Schottky photodiode, is first proposed. The PPD device exhibits ultrahigh detection performance for DUV and X-ray light. The responsivity for DUV light and sensitivity for X-ray are up to 104 A W-1 and 105 µC Gyair -1 cm-2, respectively. Especially, the interface pyroelectric effect induced by polar symmetry in the depletion region of the PGR-GaOx can significantly improve the response speed of the device by 105 times. Furthermore, the potential of the device is demonstrated for imaging enhancement systems with low power consumption and high sensitivity. This work fully excavates the potential of the pyroelectric effect for detectors and provides a novel design strategy to achieve sensitive and high-speed detectors.

Optimization of Desalination Efficiency and Exploratory Applications of TiO2 Active Site Electrode Enhanced by Activated Carbon and Tween 80 in Capacitive Deionization Technology.

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is an emerging desalination technology for seawater desalination. The development of high-desalination and long-life electrode materials is a research focus in the global water treatment field. In this experiment, Tween T80 was used as a surface activator, and a modified electrode was prepared by facilitating the deposition of TiO2 active sites onto the surface of activated carbon through a sol-gel/hydrothermal two-step synthesis strategy. The morphology and specific surface area of the composite material were analyzed through scanning electron microscopy, specific surface area measurements, and contact angle tests. The results indicated that the sol-gel/hydrothermal two-step synthesis strategy played a crucial role in the homogeneous combination and performance enhancement of the composite material. Under constant voltage mode, when the working voltage was 1.2 V, the desalination capacity of this composite material in a NaCl solution with an initial conductivity of 3000 µS·cm-1 reached 23.8 mg·g-1 (26% higher than materials prepared by conventional sol-gel methods). After 150 cycles, the capacity retention rate was 78%, and the retention capacity was significant (87%). Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of the sol-gel/hydrothermal two-step synthesis strategy in preparing high-performance CDI electrode materials. The modified electrode prepared using this method offers enhanced desalination capacity and durability, making it a promising candidate for seawater desalination and other water treatment applications.

Non-radical activation of persulfate with Bi2O3/BiO1.3I0.4 for efficient degradation of propranolol under visible light.

Non-radical activation of persulfate (PS) by photocatalysts is an effective approach for removing organic pollutants from aqueous environments. In this study, a novel Bi2O3/BiO1.3I0.4 heterojunction was synthesized using a facile solvothermal approach and used for the first time for non-radical activation of PS to degrade propranolol (PRO) in the presence of visible light. The findings found that the degradation rate of PRO in the Bi2O3/BiO1.3I0.4/PS system was significantly increased from 19% to more than 90% within 90 min compared to the Bi2O3/BiO1.3I0.4 system. This indicated that the composite system exerted an excellent synergistic effect between the photocatalyst and the persulfate-based oxygenation. Quenching tests and electron paramagnetic resonance demonstrated that the non-radical pathway with singlet oxygen as the active species played a major role in the photocatalytic process. The existence of photo-generated holes during the reaction could also be directly involved in the oxidation of pollutants. Meanwhile, a possible PRO degradation pathway was also proposed. Furthermore, the impacts of pH, humic acid and common anions on the PRO degradation by the Bi2O3/BiO1.3I0.4/PS were explored, and the system's stability and reusability were also studied. This study exhibits a highly productive catalyst for PS activation via a non-radical pathway and provides a new idea for the degradation of PRO.

Recent progresses in neural tissue engineering using topographic scaffolds.

Neural tissue engineering as alternatives to recover damaged tissues and organs is getting more and more attention due to the lack of regeneration ability of natural tissue nervous system after injury. Particularly, topographic scaffolds are one of the critical elements to guide nerve orientation and reconnection with characteristics of mimic the natural extracellular matrix. This review focuses on scaffolds preparation technologies, topographical features, scaffolds-based encapsulations delivery strategies for neural tissue regeneration, biological functions on nerve cell guidance and regeneration, and applications of topographic scaffolds in vivo and in vitro. Here, the recent developments in topographic scaffolds for neural tissue engineering by simulating neural cell topographic orientation and differentiation are presented. We also explore the challenges and future perspectives of topographical scaffolds in clinical trials and practical applications.

Green conversion of waste alkaline battery material to zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 and its iodine capture mechanism.

Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) exhibits excellent performance in capturing iodine. However, the solvent-based procedures and raw materials for ZIF-8 synthesis often lead to secondary pollution. We developed a solvent-minimizing method for preparing ZIF-8 via ball milling of raw material obtained from spent alkaline batteries, and studied its iodine-capture performance and structural changes. Exposure of the ZIF-8 to iodine vapor for 60 min demonstrated that it exhibited industrially competitive iodine-capture performance (the adsorbed amount reaches to 1123 mg g-1 within 60 min). Spectroscopic studies showed that ZIF-8 underwent a structural transformation upon iodine loading. Iodine molecules were adsorbed onto the surface of ZIF-8 and also formed C-I bond with the methyl groups on the imidazole rings, reducing iodine release. This work represents a comprehensive revelation of long-range order and short-range order evolution of ZIF-8 during iodine vapor adsorption over time. Moreover, this green synthesis of ZIF-8 is of lower cost and generates fewer harmful by-products than existing methods, and the produced ZIF-8 effectively entraps toxic iodine vapor. Thus, this synthesis enables a sustainable and circular material flow for beneficial utilization of waste materials.

Right gastroepiploic artery length determined anastomotic leakage after minimally invasive esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: This prospective cohort study, conducted at a high-volume esophageal cancer center from July 2019 to July 2022, aimed to investigate the link between the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) length and anastomotic leakage (AL) rates following minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). Real-world data on stomach blood supply in the Chinese population were examined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 516 cases were enrolled, categorized into two groups based on the Youden index-determined optimal cut-off value for the relative length of RGEA (length of RGEA/length of gastric conduit, 64.69%) through ROC analysis: Group SR (short RGEA) and Group LR (long RGEA). The primary observation parameter was the relationship between AL incidence and the ratio of direct blood supply from RGEA. Secondary parameters included the mean length of the right gastroepiploic artery, greater curvature, and the connection type between right and left gastroepiploic vessels. Patient data were prospectively recorded in electronic case report forms. RESULTS: The study revealed median lengths of 43.60 cm for greater curvature, 43.16 cm for the gastric conduit, and 26.75 cm for RGEA. AL, the most common postoperative complication, showed a significant difference between groups (16.88 vs. 8.84%, P =0.01). Multivariable binary logistic regression identified Group SR and LR (odds ratio: 2.651, 95% CI: 1.124-6.250, P =0.03) and Neoadjuvant therapy (odds ratio: 2.479, 95% CI: 1.374-4.473, P =0.00) as independent predictors of AL. CONCLUSIONS: The study emphasizes the crucial role of RGEA length in determining AL incidence in MIE for esophageal cancer. Preserving RGEA and fostering capillary arches between RGEA and LGEA are recommended strategies to mitigate AL risk.

Screening and characterization of a denitrifying Chelatococcus with strong desulfurization capacity.

A denitrifying bacteria, which we named Chelatococcus DNB-15, was screened and isolated from the Shengli Oilfield polymer-containing wastewater. The strain was characterized by 16S rDNA analysis and the effects of nutrient substrate type, pH, mineralization and temperature on the activity of the strain were also investigated. The strain was identified as Chelatococcus, of which the most efficient carbon source is sodium citrate, the most suitable nitrogen source is potassium nitrate, the suitable temperature for growth is 35～45 °C, the suitable pH range for growth is 7.0～9.0, and the maximal tolerable mineralization is 4 × 104 mg/L. The desulfurization experiment showed that Chelatococcus DNB-15 has desulfurization ability to some extent. When the initial sulfide concentration is lower than 50 mg/L, Chelatococcus DNB-15 grows rapidly, and the sulfides are removed quickly within 24 h, displaying a sulfur removal rate higher than 99 %; When the initial sulfide concentration is higher than 150 mg/L, the growth of Chelatococcus DNB-15 is severely restricted, the desulfurization effect is not obvious, and the desulfurization rate is almost stagnant.

IFN-α armed gE elicits superior immunogenicity compared to unmodified antigens and flagellin armed gE in mice.

Herpes zoster (HZ) induces significant pain and discomfort, which can seriously affect the quality of life of patients. At present, there is no specific treatment for HZ, and the mosteffective HZ control is vaccination. The main obstacle to developing an effective HZ vaccine is poorly induced cellular immune response. In this study, the IFN-α-gE-Fc fusion protein induced higher levels of humoral and cellular immunity compared to the unengineered gE antigen and higher levels of cellular immunity compared to the flagellin-gE-Fc fusion protein in a murine model. Compared with the marketed recombinant herpes zoster vaccine (Shingrix), IFN-α-gE-Fc can replace current used MPL adjuvant. At the same time, the immunogenicity of the IFN-α-gE-Fc + AQ was not weaker than that of the marketed recombinant zoster vaccine. The novel fusion protein provides a candidate entity for the development of a safe and effective novel HZ vaccine.

Application of dirty-acid wastewater treatment technology in non-ferrous metal smelting industry: Retrospect and prospect.

Dirty-acid wastewater (DW) originating from the non-ferrous metal smelting industry is characterized by a high concentration of H2SO4 and As. During the chemical precipitation treatment, a significant volume of arsenic-containing slag is generated, leading to elevated treatment expenses. The imperative to address DW with methods that are cost-effective, highly efficient, and safe is underscored. This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of three typical methods to DW treatment, encompassing technical principles, industrial application flow charts, research advancements, arsenic residual treatment, and economic considerations. Notably, the sulfide method emerges as a focal point due to its minimal production of arsenic residue and the associated lowest overall treatment costs. Moreover, in response to increasingly stringent environmental protection policies targeting new pollutants and carbon emissions reduction, the paper explores the evolving trends in DW treatment. These trends encompass rare metal and sulfuric acid recycling, cost-effective H2S production methods, and strategies for reducing, safely disposing of, and harnessing resources from arsenic residue.

Association of serum amyloid A and prognosis in people with diabetes and COVID-19: A retrospective cohort study.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase reactive protein that plays a vital role in the early diagnosis, risk prediction, efficacy observation and prognosis evaluation of infectious diseases. This study aimed to assess the association between SAA levels and the prognosis of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out this retrospective cohort study from March 2022 to May 2022. The population was stratified by tertiles of SAA levels: low (<8.5 mg/L), medium (8.5-36 mg/L) and high (>36 mg/L). The primary outcome was whether the patient developed severe COVID-19, and secondary outcomes included the need for invasive mechanical ventilation and length of hospital stay. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to identify risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with COVID-19 and diabetes. RESULTS: We analyzed 910 diabetes patients with COVID-19. The median age of the patients was 69 years, and 52.3% were men. As SAA levels increased, the proportion of severe COVID-19 (6.3% vs 7.3% vs 22.8%, P < 0.001) and the proportion of invasive mechanical ventilation also increased among the three groups. Patients with high SAA levels had a longer length of hospital stay compared with patients with medium SAA and low SAA levels. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that SAA >36 mg/L further increased the odds ratio to 4.423 (P < 0.001) for the development of severe COVID-19 compared with low SAA. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age and sex, confirmed that SAA >36 mg/L remained an independent risk factor for the development of severe COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio 3.038, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SAA levels are strongly associated with poor prognosis in patients with COVID-19 and diabetes.

New insights into antibiotic stimulation of methane production during anaerobic digestion.

Residual antibiotics in swine wastewater pose a critical challenge for stable anaerobic digestion (AD). This study offers fresh insights into the anaerobic treatment of swine wastewater. The results showed that the presence of three typical antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole (SMX), oxytetracycline (OTC) and ciprofloxacin (CIP)) in swine wastewater could promote methane production by stimulating the production and conversion of ethanol. Among them, SMX exhibited the strongest methane promotion effect, with the cumulative methane production increasing from 138.47 to 2204.19 mL/g VS. According to the microbial community structure, antibiotics could promote the growth of Corynebacterium, Lutispora and hydrogenotrophic methanogens (Methanosassiliicoccus, Methanobrevibacter, and Methanobacterium), but inhibit the enrichment of acetoclastic methanogen (Methanosaeta). The relative abundance of Methanosaeta decreased from 2.93-19.80% to 0.52-2.58% under antibiotic stress. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the influence of different antibiotic types on methanogenic pathways. Specifically, OTC and CIP promoted the acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways, respectively, to enhance methane production. However, SMX could promote both acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic pathways.

Unlocking the Potential of 2D MoS2 Cathodes for High-Performance Aqueous Al-Ion Batteries: Deciphering the Intercalation Mechanisms.

In recent years, there have been significant advancements in Al-ion battery development, resulting in high voltage and capacity. Traditionally, only carbon-based materials with layered structures and strong bonding capabilities can deliver superior performance. However, most other materials exhibited low discharge voltages of 1.4 V, especially in aqueous Al-ion battery systems lacking anion intercalation. Thus, the development of high-voltage cathode materials has become crucial. This study introduces 2D MoS2 as a high-performance cathode for aqueous Al-ion batteries. The material's interlayer structure enables the intercalation of AlCl4 - anions, resulting in high-voltage intercalation. The resulting battery achieved a high voltage of 1.8 V with a capacity of 750 mAh g-1 , contributing to a high energy density of 890 Wh kg-1 and an impressive retention rate of ≈100% after 200 cycles. This research not only sheds light on the high-voltage anion-intercalation mechanism of MoS2 but also paves the way for the further development of advanced cathode materials in the field of Al-ion batteries. By demonstrating the potential of using 2D MoS2 as a cathode material, this finding can lead to the development of more efficient and innovative energy storage technologies, ultimately contributing to a sustainable and green energy future.

Corrigendum: The development of microscopic imaging technology and its application in micro-and nanotechnology.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.931169.].

Corrigendum: Detection methods of nanoparticles synthesized by gas-phase method: a review.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.845363.].

Effect of Adding Different Commercial Propylene Glycol Alginates on the Properties of Mealworm-Flour-Formulated Bread and Steamed Bread.

Mealworm-flour-formulated flour-based products have gained increasing attention; however, their textural properties need to be improved. Propylene glycol alginate (PGA) is a commercial food additive with excellent emulsifying and stabilizing capabilities. We evaluated the effects of adding three commercially available PGAs (0.3% w/w, as food additive) on the properties of 10% concentration of mealworm-flour-formulated bread and steamed bread. The results showed that, compared with the control (2.17 mL/g), three PGA brands (Q, M, and Y) significantly increased the specific volume of the bread to 3.34, 3.40, and 3.36 mL/g, respectively. Only PGA from brand Q significantly improved the specific volumes of bread and steamed bread. The color of the bread was affected by the Maillard reaction. The addition of PGAs also augmented the moisture content of the fresh bread crumbs and steamed bread crumbs. All three PGAs improved the textural properties of bread and steamed bread. During storage, PGA addition delayed the staling of bread and steamed bread. In summary, our study showed that the addition of 0.3% PGA from three different producers improved bread properties, with PGA from brand Q having the most substantial effect. PGA had a more substantial effect on bread than steamed bread. Our results provide a theoretical basis to guide the development of insect-formulated flour-based products.

Progress on mechanisms of age-related hearing loss.

Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is a common cause of hearing loss in elderly people worldwide. It typically presents as progressive, irreversible, and usually affects the high frequencies of hearing, with a tremendous impact on the quality of life. Presbycusis is a complex multidimensional disorder, in addition to aging, multiple factors including exposure to noise, or ototoxic agents, genetic susceptibility, metabolic diseases and lifestyle can influence the onset and severity of presbycusis. With the aging of the body, its ability to clean up deleterious substances produced in the metabolic process is weakened, and the self-protection and repair function of the body is reduced, which in turn leads to irreversible damage to the cochlear tissue, resulting in the occurrence of presbycusis. Presently, oxidative stress (OS), mitochondrial DNA damage, low-grade inflammation, decreased immune function and stem cell depletion have been demonstrated to play a critical role in developing presbycusis. The purpose of this review is to illuminate the various mechanisms underlying this age-related hearing loss, with the goal of advancing our understanding, prevention, and treatment of presbycusis.

Anterior debridement combined with autogenous iliac bone graft fusion for the treatment of lower cervical tuberculosis: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the clinical efficacy of one-stage anterior debridement of lower cervical tuberculosis using iliac crest bone graft fusion and internal fixation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 48 patients with lower cervical tuberculosis admitted to multiple medical centers from June 2018 to June 2021. Among them, 36 patients had lesions involving two vertebrae and 12 patients had lesions involving more than three vertebrae. All patients were treated with quadruple antituberculosis drugs for more than 2 weeks before the operation, and then treated with one-stage anterior debridement and autogenous iliac bone graft fusion combined with titanium plate internal fixation. After the operation, antituberculosis drugs were continued for 12-18 months. The patients were followed-up to observe the improvement in clinical symptoms, bone graft fusion, Cobb angle, visual analog score (VAS), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), wound healing, and neurological function. RESULTS: The patients were followed-up for 13-43 months, with an average of 21.46 ± 1.52 months. The clinical symptoms significantly improved after the operation. The bone graft was completely fused in all patients, and the bone fusion time was 3-6 months, with an average of 4.16 ± 0.47 months. At the last follow-up, the Cobb angle, VAS, ESR, and CRP level were significantly lower than those before surgery (P < 0.05). None of the patients had loosening, detachment, or rupture of the internal fixation, and no recurrence occurred. All surgical incisions healed in one stage without infection or sinus formation. The preoperative Frankel neurological function classification was grade B in 7 cases, grade C in 13, grade D in 18, and grade E in 10. At the last follow-up, 8 cases recovered to grade D and 40 recovered to grade E. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with lower cervical tuberculosis, based on oral treatment with quadruple antituberculosis drugs, direct decompression through anterior debridement, followed by autologous iliac bone graft fusion combined with internal fixation can completely remove tuberculosis foci, rebuild the stability of the cervical spine, and obtain good clinical efficacy. Level of evidence Level 3.

Next-generation magnesium-ion batteries: The quasi-solid-state approach to multivalent metal ion storage.

Mg-ion batteries offer a safe, low-cost, and high-energy density alternative to current Li-ion batteries. However, nonaqueous Mg-ion batteries struggle with poor ionic conductivity, while aqueous batteries face a narrow electrochemical window. Our group previously developed a water-in-salt battery with an operating voltage above 2 V yet still lower than its nonaqueous counterpart because of the dominance of proton over Mg-ion insertion in the cathode. We designed a quasi-solid-state magnesium-ion battery (QSMB) that confines the hydrogen bond network for true multivalent metal ion storage. The QSMB demonstrates an energy density of 264 W·hour kg-1, nearly five times higher than aqueous Mg-ion batteries and a voltage plateau (2.6 to 2.0 V), outperforming other Mg-ion batteries. In addition, it retains 90% of its capacity after 900 cycles at subzero temperatures (-22°C). The QSMB leverages the advantages of aqueous and nonaqueous systems, offering an innovative approach to designing high-performing Mg-ion batteries and other multivalent metal ion batteries.