Unraveling a Concerted Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Pathway in Atomically Precise Gold Nanoclusters.

Metal nanoclusters (MNCs) represent a promising class of materials for catalytic carbon dioxide and proton reduction as well as dihydrogen oxidation. In such reactions, multiple proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) processes are typically involved, and the current understanding of PCET mechanisms in MNCs has primarily focused on the sequential transfer mode. However, a concerted transfer pathway, i.e., concerted electron-proton transfer (CEPT), despite its potential for a higher catalytic rate and lower reaction barrier, still lacks comprehensive elucidation. Herein, we introduce an experimental paradigm to test the feasibility of the CEPT process in MNCs, by employing Au18(SR)14 (SR denotes thiolate ligand), Au22(SR)18, and Au25(SR)18- as model clusters. Detailed investigations indicate that the photoinduced PCET reactions in the designed system proceed via an CEPT pathway. Furthermore, the rate constants of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been found to be correlated with both the size of the cluster and the flexibility of the Au-S framework. This newly identified PCET behavior in AuNCs is prominently different from that observed in semiconductor quantum dots and plasmonic metal nanoparticles. Our findings are of crucial importance for unveiling the catalytic mechanisms of quantum-confined metal nanomaterials and for the future rational design of more efficient catalysts.

Ultra-compact acousto-optic modulation using on-chip integrated Bragg gratings on lithium niobate-chalcogenide hybrid platform.

An ultra-compact and efficient acousto-optic modulator based on a thin-film lithium niobate-chalcogenide (ChG) hybrid platform was designed and realized. In this approach, π phase-shift Bragg grating has an ultra-short effective interaction length of only ∼ 300 µm and a compact footprint of 200 × 300 µm2. The strong microwave-acoustic coupling and superior photo-elastic property of the ChG allow us to achieve a half-wave voltage of Vπ = 1.08 V (4.07 V) for the π phase-shift Bragg grating (waveguide Bragg grating), corresponding to VπL = 0.03 V·cm (0.09 V·cm). This acousto-optic modulator exhibits a compact size, and low power consumption, and can be used for on-chip optical interconnects and microwave photonics.

Wearable strain sensor integrating mechanoluminescent fiber with a flexible printed circuit.

This paper reports an optical strain sensor that integrates a self-powered mechanoluminescent (ML) elastic fiber with a flexible circuit. The inclusion of an alumina nanoparticle as the additive results in seven-fold enhancement of ML intensity while maintaining flexibility of 120% strain. The sensor facilitates the detection of strain and stretching speed. It attains a sensitivity of 0.0022 lx/(1% strain) and a resolution of 0.2% strain, respectively. We have successfully applied it to detect bending motions of the finger, wrist, and elbow. This wearable strain sensor holds promise for diverse applications in wearable technology.

Remarkable Off-On Tunable Solid-State Luminescence by the Regulation of Pyrene Dimer.

It is always a challenge to achieve "off-on" luminescent switch by regulating non-covalent interactions. Herein, we report a unique strategy for constructing high performance "off-on" tunable luminescent materials utilizing a novel molecule (TFPA) consist of pyrene and cyanostilbene. The pristine crystal of TFPA is almost non-emissive. Upon grinding/UV irradiation, an obvious luminescence enhancement is observed. Theoretical and experimental results revealed the underlying mechanism of this intriguing "off-on" switching behavior. The non-emissive crystal consists of ordered H-aggregates, with adjacent two molecules stacked in an anti-parallel manner and no overlapped area in pyrene moieties. When external force is applied by grinding or internal force is introduced through the photoisomerization, the dimer structures are facilitated with shorter intermolecular distances and better overlapping of pyrene moieties. In addition, the "on" state can recover to "off" state under thermal annealing, showing good reversibility and applicability in intelligence material. The present results promote an in-depth insight between packing structure and photophysical property, and offer an effective strategy for the construction of luminescence "off-on" switching materials, toward the development of stimuli-responsive luminescent materials for anti-counterfeiting.

Influence Mechanism of Interfacial Oxidation of Li3YCl6 Solid Electrolyte on Reduction Potential.

Halide-based solid electrolytes are promising candidates for all solid-state lithium-ion batteries (ASSLBs) due to their high ionic conductivity, wide electrochemical window, and excellent chemical stability with cathode materials. However, when tested in practice, their intrinsic electrochemical stability windows do not well match the conditions for stable operation of ASSBs. Existing literature reports halide-based ASSBs that still operate well outside the electrochemical stability window, while ASSBs that do not operate within the window are not well studied or the studies are based on the cathode material interface. In this study, we aim to elucidate the mechanism behind all-solid-state battery failure by investigating how the reduction potential of Li3YCl6 solid-state electrolyte itself changes under overcharging conditions. Our findings demonstrate that in Li-In|Li3YCl6|Li3YCl6-C half-cells during the first state of charge, Cl ions participate in charge compensation, resulting in a depletion of ligands. This phenomenon significantly affects the reduction potential of Y3+, causing it to be reduced to Y2Cl3 and ultimately to Y0 at conditions far exceeding its actual reduction potential. Furthermore, we analyze the interfacial impedance induced by this process and propose a novel perspective on battery failure.

Effects of low-tube voltage coronary CT angiography on plaque and pericoronary fat assessment: intraindividual comparison.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of low tube voltage on coronary plaques and pericoronary fat assessment, and to compare their extent among various levels of low voltage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were recommended for high-pitch low-tube voltage coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and they were included if they had poor image quality and were referred to a conventional CCTA. The patients were classified into a low-voltage group (with 70-kV, 80-kV, and 90-kV subgroups) and a conventional group (100/120 kV). Their total plaque and subcomponent volumes and pericoronary fat attenuation index (FAI) were measured. RESULTS: A total of 1002 image slices (from 65 patients and 74 plaques) were included, including 21, 31, 13, 4, and 61 patients in the 70-kV, 80-kV, 90-kV, 100-kV, and 120-kV groups respectively. The CT values of noncalcified plaques in the conventional and low-voltage groups were 54.6 ± 21.3 HU and 31.5 ± 22.6 HU, respectively (p < 0.05). Compared with the conventional group, the necrotic core and calcification volume were increased, and the fibrolipid volume, periplaque, and right coronary artery FAI were decreased in the low-voltage group and its subgroups (p < 0.001). The magnitude of changes in fibrous and calcification volumes increased in the 70-kV subgroup compared with that in the 90-kV subgroup (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low tube voltages, particularly of 70 kV, have a significant effect on coronary plaque and FAI. The effect of low voltage on plaque composition is characterized by a polarization pattern, i.e., a decrease in fibrolipid (medium density) and an increase in necrotic core (low density) and calcification (high density). CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Our results highlight the comparability and repeatability of plaque and pericoronary fat assessments facilitated by the same or a similar tube voltage. It is necessary to carry out studies on the specificity threshold of low tube voltage at each level. KEY POINTS: • Low tube voltage had a significant effect on coronary plaque and pericoronary fat, particularly 70 kV. • The effect of low tube voltage on plaque composition shows the shift from medium-density mixed components to low- and high-density components. • It is necessary to correct the specificity threshold or attenuation difference for low tube voltage at each level.

A novel AIE-based mitochondria-targeting fluorescent probe for monitoring of the fluctuation of endogenous hypochlorous acid in ferroptosis models.

Ferroptosis is a way of cell death mainly due to the imbalance between the production and degradation of lipid reactive oxygen species, which is closely associated with various diseases. Endogenous hypochlorous acid (HOCl) mainly produced in mitochondria is regarded as an important signal molecule of ferroptosis. Therefore, monitoring the fluctuation of endogenous HOCl is beneficial to better understand and treat ferroptosis-related diseases. Inspired by the promising aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties of tetraphenylethene (TPE), herein, we rationally constructed a novel AIE-based fluorescent probe, namely QTrPEP, for HOCl with nice mitochondria-targeting ability and high sensitivity and selectivity. Probe QTrPEP consisted of phenylborate ester and the AIE fluorophore of quinoline-conjugated triphenylethylene (QTrPE). HOCl can brighten the strong fluorescence through a specific HOCl-triggered cleavage of the phenylborate ester bond and release of QTrPE, which has been demonstrated by MS, HPLC, and DLS experiments. In addition, combining QTrPE-doped test strips with a smartphone-based measurement demonstrated the excellent performance of the probe to sense HOCl. The obtained favorable optical properties and negligible cytotoxicity allowed the use of this probe for tracking of HOCl in three different cells. In particular, this work represents the first AIE-based mitochondria-targeting fluorescent probe for monitoring the fluctuation of HOCl in ferroptosis.

A colorimetric sensing strategy based on chitosan-stabilized platinum nanoparticles for quick detection of α-glucosidase activity and inhibitor screening.

α-Glucosidase (α-Glu) is implicated in the progression and pathogenesis of type II diabetes (T2D). In this study, we developed a rapid colorimetric technique using platinum nanoparticles stabilized by chitosan (Ch-PtNPs) to detect α-Glu activity and its inhibitor. The Ch-PtNPs facilitate the conversion of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into oxidized TMB (oxTMB) in the presence of dissolved O2. The catalytic hydrolysis of 2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) by α-Glu produces ascorbic acid (AA), which reduces oxTMB to TMB, leading to the fading of the blue color. However, the presence of α-Glu inhibitors (AGIs) hinders the generation of AA, allowing Ch-PtNPs to re-oxidize colorless TMB back to blue oxTMB. This unique phenomenon enables the colorimetric detection of α-Glu activity and AGIs. The linear range for α-Glu was found to be 0.1-1.0 U mL-1 and the detection limit was 0.026 U mL-1. Additionally, the half-maximal inhibition value (IC50) for acarbose, an α-Glu inhibitor, was calculated to be 0.4769 mM. Excitingly, this sensing platform successfully detected α-Glu activity in human serum samples and effectively screened AGIs. These promising findings highlight the potential application of the proposed strategy in clinical diabetes diagnosis and drug discovery.

Development of Integrated Vectors with Strong Constitutive Promoters for High-Yield Antibiotic Production in Mangrove-Derived Streptomyces.

It is important to improve the production of bioactive secondary products for drug development. The Escherichia coli-Streptomyces shuttle vector pSET152 and its derived vector pIB139 containing a strong constitutive promoter ermEp* are commonly used as integrative vectors in actinomycetes. Four new integrative vectors carrying the strong constitutive promoter kasOp*, hrdBp, SCO5768p, and SP44, respectively, were constructed and proven to be functional in different mangrove-derived Streptomyces host strains by using kanamycin resistance gene neo as a reporter. Some biosynthetic genes of elaiophylins, azalomycin Fs, and armeniaspirols were selected and inserted into these vectors to overexpress in their producers including Streptomyces sp. 219807, Streptomyces sp. 211726, and S. armeniacus DSM 43125, resulting in an approximately 1.1-1.4-fold enhancement of the antibiotic yields.

First Report of Leaf Spot Disease on Avocado Caused by Bipolaris setariae in China.

Avocado (Persea americana), which is native to Latin America, is mostly planted in southwest China. In November 2021, leaf spot symptoms were observed in a nursery in Chongzuo (22.2019°N, 106.4723°E), Guangxi, China. Approximately 90% of avocado seedlings in the nursery were affected. Symptomatic plant fully expanded leaves showed small brown spots that ranged from 1 to 3 mm, with a yellow halo around (Fig.1). Lesions gradually expanded and became nearly round and dark brown. Finally, leaves withered or curled. For pathogen isolation, 15 symptomatic leaves were randomly sampled from different plants of the nursery, five leaves were selected and four samples size 4×4mm were taken from each leaf and were plated on potato glucose agar. Identical fungus colonies were observed in 80% of the samples, and no bacteria were isolated. Single conidial isolation was performed. After 4 days, the colony diameter reached 74.6 mm, colonies appeared gray, and developed aerial hyphae. Conidiophores were mostly solitary with a few clustered erect or slightly curved, knee shaped, and 3.89 to 5.24 µm wide. Conidia were 39.33 -96.88 × 9.96 - 15.59 µm, slightly curved, rarely straight, light brown to yellowish brown, fusoid or navicular, and truncated at the base with 4 to 10 septa. Based on morphological and cultural characteristics, the fungus was identified as Bipolaris sp. (Manamgoda et al. 2014). An isolate named MP211122 was grown on Sachs' ager at 27℃ under 12-h light/dark for 1 week and consistently with Adhikari et al. (2021) no sexual from was observed. To confirm the tentative identification, genomic DNA was extracted, ITS and GAPDH gene were amplified and sequenced using primers ITS1/ITS4 and GPD/GPD2, respectively (Tan et al. 2022). The ITS sequence (GenBank ON248469) shared 100% identity with B. setariae (MN215632.1), and the GAPDH sequence (ON642344) shared 99.82% identity with B. setariae (MF490833.1, MK144540.1) and B. yamadae (MK026428.1). A maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis based on GAPDH and ITS sequences using MEGA 7.0 revealed that the isolate clustered with B. setariae with 100% bootstrap support(Fig. 2). Healthy 11-month old potted avocado seedlings from disease-free nursery were selected , the conidial suspension (1 × 105 conidia/mL) of MP211122 isolate was prepared by harvesting conidia from a 10-day-old culture on water agar. Conidia were sprayed onto young leaves of six potted plants. Three additional seedlings sprayed with sterile distilled water served as controls. All plants were covered with plastic bags for 3 days to maintain high humidity and then maintained in a greenhouse at 30℃ with a 12-h/12-h light/dark cycle. After 5 days, typical symptoms of small brown spots were observed on all inoculated leaves (Fig.3). All leaves on control plants remained asymptomatic. The reisolated fungus was morphologically identical to the original isolate used for inoculation, fulfilling Koch's postulates. This is the first report of B. setariae as a pathogen causing leaf spot on avocado in China. This information will facilitate further studies, monitoring and control of the disease as accurate identification of the causal agent is a primary requisite for designing management strategies.

Combining Functional Units to Design Organic Materials with Dynamic Room-Temperature Phosphorescence under Continuous Ultraviolet Irradiation.

Developing materials with dynamic room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) properties is crucial for expanding the applications of organic light-emitting materials. In this study, we designed and synthesized two novel RTP molecules by combining functional units, incorporating the folded unit thianthrene into the classic luminescent cores thioxanthone or anthraquinone to construct TASO and TA2O. In this combination, the TA unit contributes to the enhancement of spin-orbit coupling (SOC), while the luminescent core governs the triplet energy level. After the strategic manipulation of SOC using the thianthrene unit, the target molecules exhibited a remarkable enhancement in RTP performance. This strategy led to the successful development of TASO and TA2O molecules with outstanding dynamic RTP properties when exposed to continuous ultraviolet irradiation, a result that can be ascribed to their efficient RTP, improved absorption ability, and oxygen-sensitive RTP properties. Leveraging the oxygen-mediated ultraviolet-radiation-induced RTP enhancement in TASO-doped polymer films, we developed a novel time-resolved detection technique for identifying phase separation in polymers with varying oxygen permeability. This research offers a promising approach for constructing materials with dynamic RTP properties.

Triglyceride-glucose index is associated with poor prognosis in acute coronary syndrome patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.

BACKGROUND: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, which is a reliable substitute indicator for insulin resistance, has been considered an independent risk factor for long-term outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, it remains unknown whether the TyG index is associated with poor prognosis in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 1158 ACS patients with prior CABG undergoing PCI were retrospectively studied. The TyG index was calculated by ln[fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) × fasting blood glucose (mg/dL)/2]. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), a composite of all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, and unplanned repeat revascularization. RESULTS: During a median of 42-month follow-up, 350 patients (30.2%) experienced at least one endpoint event. Based on the optimal cut-off value of the TyG index, patients were divided into the high TyG index group and the low TyG index group. Patients in the high TyG index group had higher risks of MACCE (35.3% vs. 25.3%, p < 0.001), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (31.1% vs. 23.4%, p = 0.003), nonfatal stroke (4.2% vs. 1.9%, p = 0.022) and unplanned repeat revascularization (19.4% vs. 11.3%, p < 0.001) than those in the low TyG index group. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that there was an independent association between the TyG index and MACCE regardless of whether the TyG index was a continuous or categorical variable (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.09-1.86, p = 0.009; HR 1.53, 95% CI 1.16-2.01, p = 0.003, respectively). Restricted cubic spline curve exhibited that the relationship between the TyG index and MACCE was linear (p for non-linear = 0.595, p for overall = 0.005). By incorporating the TyG index groups into baseline risk model, the accuracy of predicting MACCE was improved [AUC: baseline risk model, 0.618 vs. baseline risk model + TyG index groups, 0.636, p for comparison = 0.042]. CONCLUSIONS: The TyG index is independently associated with MACCE, suggesting that the TyG index may serve as a valid indicator for predicting poor prognosis in ACS patients with prior CABG undergoing PCI.

Comparison of predictive performance for cage subsidence between CT-based Hounsfield units and MRI-based vertebral bone quality score following oblique lumbar interbody fusion.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the predictive performance between CT-based Hounsfield units (HU) and MRI-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) for cage subsidence (CS) following oblique lumbar interbody fusion combined with anterolateral single-rod screw fixation (OLIF-AF). METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on consecutive patients who underwent OLIF-AF at our institution from 2018 to 2020. CS was determined by CT according to the change in the midpoint intervertebral space height. The VBQ score and HU value were measured from preoperative MRI and CT, respectively. Then, we evaluated the predictive performance of those two parameters by comparing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The mean global and segmental VBQ scores were significantly higher in the CS group, and the mean global and segmental HU values were significantly lower in the CS group. The area under the curve (AUC) of CS prediction was higher in the operative segments' VBQ score and HU value than the measurement in the global lumbar spine. Finally, the combined segmental VBQ score and segmental HU value demonstrated the highest AUC. CONCLUSION: Both MRI-based VBQ score and CT-based HU value can achieve accurate CS prediction. Moreover, the combination of those two measurements indicated the best predictive performance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: Both MRI-based VBQ score and CT-based HU value can be used for cage subsidence prediction, in order to take preventive measures early enough. KEY POINTS: • Osteoporosis is a risk factor for CS, both MRI-based VBQ score and CT-based HU value are important predictors during vertebral bone quality evaluation. • The VBQ score and HU value measured in the operative segments are better predictors of CS than the measurement in the global lumbar spine. • Combined segmental VBQ score and segmental HU value achieved the best predictive performance for CS.

Preparation and Electrochemical Dissolution of a Soluble Uranium Oxycarbide Anode.

A soluble uranium oxycarbide (UC0.4O0.6) anode was synthesized by a carbothermal reduction process, using U3O8, UO2, and graphite as raw materials, in a vacuum environment of 0.1 MPa at 1750 °C. The sintered UC0.4O0.6 exhibited excellent conductivity and stability in LiCl-KCl molten salt. The dissolution process of UC0.4O0.6 in molten salt was analyzed by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and the initial dissolution potential, rapid dissolution potential, and passivation potential were determined. The oxidation/reduction process of dissolved uranium ions in LiCl-KCl molten salt was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The experimental results showed that the addition of Li2O significantly reduced the volatilization of U(VI) and increased the concentration of UO22+ in molten salt. Finally, the product was conducted by electrolysis at 1.0 V and was confirmed to be UO2 by XRD and SEM-EDS analysis.

Fragmentation effects on an endangered species across a gradient from the interior to edge of its range.

Understanding how habitat fragmentation affects individual species is complicated by challenges associated with quantifying species-specific habitat and spatial variability in fragmentation effects within a species' range. We aggregated a 29-year breeding survey data set for the endangered marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) from >42,000 forest sites throughout the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington, and northern California) of the United States. We built a species distribution model (SDM) in which occupied sites were linked with Landsat imagery to quantify murrelet-specific habitat and then used occupancy models to test the hypotheses that fragmentation negatively affects murrelet breeding distribution and that these effects are amplified with distance from the marine foraging habitat toward the edge of the species' nesting range. Murrelet habitat declined in the Pacific Northwest by 20% since 1988, whereas the proportion of habitat comprising edges increased by 17%, indicating increased fragmentation. Furthermore, fragmentation of murrelet habitat at landscape scales (within 2 km of survey stations) negatively affected occupancy of potential breeding sites, and these effects were amplified near the range edge. On the coast, the odds of occupancy decreased by 37% (95% confidence interval [CI] -54 to 12) for each 10% increase in edge habitat (i.e., fragmentation), but at the range edge (88 km inland) these odds decreased by 99% (95% CI 98 to 99). Conversely, odds of murrelet occupancy increased by 31% (95% CI 14 to 52) for each 10% increase in local edge habitat (within 100 m of survey stations). Avoidance of fragmentation at broad scales but use of locally fragmented habitat with reduced quality may help explain the lack of murrelet population recovery. Further, our results emphasize that fragmentation effects can be nuanced, scale dependent, and geographically variable. Awareness of these nuances is critical for developing landscape-level conservation strategies for species experiencing broad-scale habitat loss and fragmentation.

Efectos de la fragmentación sobre las especies en peligro a lo largo de un gradiente desde el interior hasta el borde de su distribución Resumen Es complicado entender el efecto de la fragmentación del hábitat sobre las especies individuales debido a los retos asociados con la cuantificación de hábitats específicos por especie y la variabilidad espacial de los efectos de la fragmentación dentro de la distribución de la especie. Combinamos los datos de un censo reproductivo realizado durante 29 años para el mérgulo jaspeado (Brachyramphus marmoratus) de >42,000 sitios boscosos a lo largo del noroeste del Pacífico (Oregón, Washington, y el norte de California, EE. UU.). Construimos un modelo de distribución de especie (MDE) en el cual los sitios ocupados estuvieron vinculados con imágenes de Landsat para cuantificar el hábitat específico del mérgulo y después usamos los modelos de ocupación para comprobar la hipótesis de que la fragmentación afecta negativamente la distribución reproductiva de la especie y que estos efectos se amplifican con la distancia entre el hábitat de forrajeo marino y el borde de la distribución de anidación de la especie. El hábitat del mérgulo declinó en la zona en un 20% a partir de 1988, mientras que la proporción de hábitat que comprende bordes incrementó en un 17%, lo que indica un aumento en la fragmentación. Además, la fragmentación del hábitat del mérgulo a escala de paisaje (a de 2 km de las estaciones de censo) afectó negativamente a la ocupación de sitios potenciales de reproducción y estos efectos se amplificaron cerca del borde de la distribución. La probabilidad de ocupación disminuyó en un 37% (95% IC -54 a 12) por cada 10% de incremento en el hábitat de borde (es decir, fragmentación) en la costa, pero en el borde de la distribución (88 km tierra adentro), esta probabilidad disminuyó en un 99% (95% IC 98 a 99). De forma contraria, la probabilidad de ocupación incrementó en un 31% (95% IC 14 a 52) por cada 10% de incremento en el hábitat de borde local (a 100 m de las estaciones de censo). La evasión de la fragmentación a gran escala y el uso de hábitats con calidad reducida y fragmentados a nivel local podría explicar la falta de recuperación poblacional del mérgulo. Más allá, nuestros resultados resaltan que los efectos de la fragmentación pueden estar matizados, depender de la escala y tener variación geográfica. Es importante tener conciencia de estos matices para desarrollar estrategias de conservación a nivel paisaje para las especies que experimentan fragmentación y pérdida del hábitat a gran escala.

Experience of a modified chest tube suture-fixation technique in uniportal thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the feasibility and advantages of a modified chest tube suture-fixation technique in uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery for pulmonary resection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 116 patients who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (U-VATS) for lung diseases in Zhengzhou People's Hospital between October 2019 and October 2021. Patients were stratified into two groups based on the applied suture-fixation methods, i.e., 72 patients in the active group and 44 patients in the control group. The two groups were subsequently compared in the terms of gender, age, operation method, indwelling time of chest tube, postoperative pain score, chest tube removal time, wound healing grade, length of hospital stay, incision healing grade, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, operation method, indwelling time of chest tube, postoperative pain score, and length of hospital stay (P = 0.167, 0.185, 0.085, 0.051, 0.927, and 0.362, respectively). However, the chest tube removal time, incision healing grade, and incision scar satisfaction in the active group were significantly better compared with those of the control group (P = < 0.001, 0.033, and < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: In summary, the new suture-fixation approach can minimize the number of stitches, and time necessary for chest tube removal process, and avoid the pain experienced when removing the drainage tube. This method is more feasible, has better incision conditions, and provides a convenient tube removal, making it more suitable to patients.

A Multi-Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Time Transfer Method with Federated Kalman Filter (FKF).

Relative to single Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements, i.e., the measurements from a single GNSS system, a single GNSS code, and a single GNSS receiver, multi-GNSS measurements for time transfer could improve reliability and provide better short-term stability. Previous studies applied equal weighting to different GNSS systems or different GNSS time transfer receivers, which, to some extent, revealed the improvement in the additional short-term stability from the combination of two or more kinds of GNSS measurements. In this study, the effects of the different weight allocation for multi-measurements of GNSS time transfer were analyzed, and a federated Kalman filter was designed and applied to fuse multi-GNSS measurements combined with the standard-deviation-allocated weight. Tests with real data showed that the proposed approach can reduce the noise level to well below about 250 ps for short averaging times.

A Novel Method for Automatic Detection and Elimination of the Jumps Caused by the Instantaneous Disturbance Torque in the Maglev Gyro Signal.

The signal measured by the maglev gyro sensor is sensitive to the influence of the instantaneous disturbance torque caused by the instantaneous strong wind or the ground vibration, which reduced the north-seeking accuracy of the instrument. To address this issue, we proposed a novel method combining the heuristic segmentation algorithm (HSA) and the two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test (named HSA-KS method) to process the gyro signals and improve the north-seeking accuracy of the gyro. There were two key steps in the HSA-KS method: (i) all the potential change points were automatically and accurately detected by HSA, and (ii) the jumps in the signal caused by the instantaneous disturbance torque were quickly located and eliminated by the two-sample KS test. The effectiveness of our method was verified through a field experiment on a high-precision global positioning system (GPS) baseline at the 5th sub-tunnel of the Qinling water conveyance tunnel of the Hanjiang-to-Weihe River Diversion Project in Shaanxi Province, China. Our results from the autocorrelograms indicated that the jumps in the gyro signals can be automatically and accurately eliminated by the HSA-KS method. After processing, the absolute difference between the gyro and high-precision GPS north azimuths was enhanced by 53.5%, which was superior to the optimized wavelet transform and the optimized Hilbert-Huang transform.

Superstructure-Induced Hierarchical Assemblies for Nanoconfined Photocatalysis.

Most attempts to synthesize supramolecular nanosystems are limited to a single mechanism, often resulting in the formation of nanomaterials that lack diversity in properties. Herein, hierarchical assemblies with appropriate variety are fabricated in bulk via a superstructure-induced organic-inorganic hybrid strategy. The dynamic balance between substructures and superstructures is managed using covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as dual building blocks to regulate the performances of hierarchical assemblies. Significantly, the superstructures resulting from the controlled cascade between COFs and MOFs create highly active photocatalytic systems through multiple topologies. Our designed tandem photocatalysis can precisely and efficiently regulate the conversion rates of bioactive molecules (benzo[d]imidazoles) through competing redox pathways. Furthermore, benzo[d]imidazoles catalyzed by such supramolecular nanosystems can be isolated in yields ranging from 70 % to 93 % within tens of minutes. The multilayered structural states within the supramolecular systems demonstrate the importance of hierarchical assemblies in facilitating photocatalytic propagation and expanding the structural repertoire of supramolecular hybrids.

Synergy of outer membrane disruptor SLAP-S25 with hydrophobic antibiotics against Gram-negative pathogens.

OBJECTIVES: An effective strategy for combating MDR Gram-negative pathogens can greatly reduce the cost and shorten the antibiotic development progress. Here, we investigated the synergistic activity of outer membrane disruptor SLAP-S25 in combination with hydrophobic antibiotics (LogP > 2, including novobiocin, erythromycin, clindamycin and rifampicin) against MDR Gram-negative pathogens. METHODS: Five representative Gram-negative bacteria were selected as model strains to analyse the synergistic combination of SLAP-S25 and hydrophobic antibiotics. Carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae CRHvKP4 was used to investigate the synergistic mechanism. The in vivo synergistically therapeutic activity of SLAP-S25 and hydrophobic antibiotics was measured in the mouse peritonitis/sepsis model infected with K. pneumoniae CRHvKP4. RESULTS: SLAP-S25 disrupted the outer membrane by removing LPS from Gram-negative bacteria, facilitating the entry of hydrophobic antibiotics to kill MDR Gram-negative pathogens. Moreover, the combination of SLAP-S25 and rifampicin exhibited promising therapeutic effects in the mouse infection model infected with K. pneumoniae CRHvKP4. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide a potential therapeutic strategy to combine SLAP-S25 with hydrophobic antibiotics for combating MDR Gram-negative pathogens.