Eco-Friendly Sustainable and Responsive High-Performance Benzotriazole-Metal Organic Frameworks/Silica Composite Coating with Active/Passive Corrosion Protection on Copper.

Coatings with only passive protection cannot offer long-term anticorrosion on metals. Eco-friendly sustainable and responsive coating for active/passive corrosion protection is desirable to extend the service life of metals. Here, benzotriazole (BTA)-metal organic frameworks (Cu-MOFs, UiO-66) were embedded in silica (SiO2) coating by one-step electrodeposition on copper. Combined with passive capability of MOFs and active protection of BTA inhibitor, the composite coating (BTA-MOF/SiO2) exhibited high and stable corrosion resistance, confirmed by microstructure characterizations and electrochemical tests. As a result, the as-prepared composite coating exhibited superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 154.2°. With loading of BTA-MOF in SiO2 coating, the impedance modulus at 0.01 Hz increased by ∼10-fold and the corrosion current density decreased to 3.472 × 10-9 A·cm-2. Immersion and salt spray tests confirmed the long-term protection of the composite coating. The responsive release of BTA inhibitor endows the coating with a responsively anticorrosive behavior. The active-passive ability makes the coating a good candidate for protection on metals used in highly salty environments.

Association between organophosphate esters exposure and all-cause and cause-specific mortality: a national population-based cohort study.

Exposure to organophosphate esters (OPEs) is associated with several chronic diseases, but the relationship with mortality risk is unclear. Therefore, we used the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011-2018 data to evaluate these relationships. 6,869 participants aged 18 years or older were included. Survival status information was obtained through the National Death Index through 31 December 2019. Multivariable COX regression model was adopted to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the relationships of urinary OPEs metabolites with mortality risk. During an average of 5.0 years of follow-up, 406 deaths were documented. After adjusting for confounders, bis(2-chloroethyl) phosphate was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality [HR (95%CI) = 1.12(1.05-1.20)] and cardiovascular mortality [HR (95%CI) = 1.15(1.04-1.26)]. Our study found that exposure to OPEs was significantly associated with increased risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Consequently, controlling OPEs exposure is needed to alleviate the health-related burden.

Olver plasmon: an accelerating surface wave with various orders.

In this Letter, we introduce a new, to the best of our knowledge, class of accelerating surface plasmonic wave: the Olver plasmon. Our research reveals that such a surface wave propagates along self-bending trajectories at the silver-air interface with various orders, among which Airy plasmon is regarded as the zeroth-order one. We demonstrate a plasmonic autofocusing hot-spot by the interference of Olver plasmons and the focusing properties can be controlled. Also, a scheme for the generation of this new surface plasmon is proposed with the verification of finite difference time-domain numerical simulations.

Association between diverticular disease and colorectal cancer: a bidirectional mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Diverticular disease has been inconsistently associated with colorectal cancer risk. We conducted a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study to assess this association. METHODS: Forty-three and seventy single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with diverticular disease and colorectal cancer at the genome-wide significance level (p < 5 × 10- 8) were selected as instrumental variables from large-scale genome-wide association studies of European descent, respectively. Summary-level data for colon cancer, rectum cancer, and colorectal cancer were obtained from genome-wide association analyses of the FinnGen consortium and the UK Biobank study. Summary-level data for diverticular disease was derived from a genome-wide association study conducted in the UK Biobank population. The random effect inverse-variance weighted Mendelian randomization approach was used as the primary method and MR-Egger, weighted-median, and MR-PRESSO approaches were conducted as sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Genetically determined diverticular disease was associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer (beta = 0.441, 95%CI: 0.081-0.801, P = 0.016) in the FinnGen population, but the association was not found in the UK Biobank (beta = 0.208, 95%CI: -0.291,0.532, P = 0.207). The positive association remained consistent direction in the three sensitivity analyses. In the stratified analysis in the FinnGen consortium, an association was found to exist between genetically predicted diverticular disease and colon cancer (beta = 0.489, 95%CI: 0.020-0.959, P = 0.041), rather than rectum cancer (beta = 0.328, 95%CI: -0.119-0.775, P = 0.151). Besides, we found a slight association between colorectal cancer and diverticular disease (beta = 0.007, 95%CI: 0.004-0.010, P < 0.001) when using colorectal cancer as exposome and diverticular disease as outcome. However, there is a large sample overlap in this step of analysis. CONCLUSION: This Mendelian randomization study suggests that diverticular disease may be a possible risk factor for colorectal cancer and colon cancer rather than rectum cancer in the FinnGen population.

Ambient fine particulate matter and pregnancy outcomes: An umbrella review.

The available evidence on the effects of ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and pregnancy outcomes (birth outcomes and pregnancy complications) has increased substantially. The purpose of this umbrella review is to refine the evidence of the association between birth outcome (birth defects) and PM2.5; and summarize the credibility of existing research on the association between pregnancy complications and PM2.5. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases for relevant systematic reviews and meta-analyses up to March 16, 2022 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Two independent investigators conducted data extraction. AMSTAR 2 and GRADE assessment criteria were used to evaluate the methodological and evidence quality. We performed subgroup analyses by trimesters of pregnancy. The review protocol for this study has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022325550). This umbrella review identified a total of 41 systematic reviews, including 28 articles evaluating the influence of PM2.5 on birth outcomes and 13 on pregnancy complications. Positive associations between perinatal PM2.5 exposure and adverse birth outcomes were found, including low birth weight, preterm birth, stillbirth, small for gestational age, and birth defects. Pregnant women exposed to PM2.5 had a significantly higher risk of developing hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia. The findings of subgroup analysis demonstrated that the effects of ambient PM2.5 exposure on pregnancy outcomes varied by trimesters. The findings of this extensive umbrella review provide convincing proof that exposure to ambient PM2.5 raises the risks of unfavorable birth outcomes and pregnancy complications. Some associations show considerable disparity between trimesters. These findings have implications for strengthen perinatal health care on air pollution and improving intergenerational equity.

The spread of antibiotic resistance to humans and potential protection strategies.

Antibiotic resistance is currently one of the greatest threats to human health. Widespread use and residues of antibiotics in humans, animals, and the environment can exert selective pressure on antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG), accelerating the flow of antibiotic resistance. As ARG spreads to the population, the burden of antibiotic resistance in humans increases, which may have potential health effects on people. Therefore, it is critical to mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance to humans and reduce the load of antibiotic resistance in humans. This review briefly described the information of global antibiotic consumption information and national action plans (NAPs) to combat antibiotic resistance and provided a set of feasible control strategies for the transmission of ARB and ARG to humans in three areas including (a) Reducing the colonization capacity of exogenous ARB, (b) Enhancing human colonization resistance and mitigating the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARG, (c) Reversing ARB antibiotic resistance. With the hope of achieving interdisciplinary one-health prevention and control of bacterial resistance.

Green space, air pollution and gestational diabetes mellitus: A retrospective cohort study in central China.

Emerging evidence suggests residential surrounding green space is beneficial for human health. The association between green space and GDM showed inconsistent results, and potential effect modification of green space with air pollution is still unclear. This study aims to evaluate the association between green space and GDM, and further explore potential interaction and medication effects. Participants were recruited from a retrospective cohort study between 2015 and 2020 in Henan, China. Residential green space based on normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and air pollution exposure were estimated using spatial-statistical models. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to evaluate the association between per 0.1 unit increase in NDVI with 4 buffer sizes (250 m, 500 m, 1000 m, 2000 m) and GDM. We examined potential interaction of green space and air pollutants on GDM. Mediating effects of air pollution associated with green space exposure on GDM were also investigated by causal mediation analyses. A total of 46,665 eligible pregnant women were identified. There were 4092 (8.8 %) women diagnosed with GDM according to the IADPSG criteria. We found that per 0.1-unit increment in NDVI250 m, NDVI500 m, NDVI1000 m and NDVI2000 m in second trimester were associated with the decreased risk of GDM, with adjusted OR of 0.921(95 %CI: 0.890-0.953), 0.922 (95 %CI: 0.891-0.953), 0.921 (95 %CI: 0.892-0.952) and 0.921 (95 %CI: 0.892-0.951), respectively. We identified significant interactions between second trimester PM2.5 and O3 exposure and NDVI for GDM (Pinteraction < 0.001). The causal mediation analysis showed that PM2.5 mediated approximately 2.5-5.5 % of the association between green space and GDM, while the estimated mediating effect of O3 was approximately 30.1-38.5 %. In conclusion, our study indicates that residential green space was associated with a reduced risk of GDM, particularly second trimester. Green space may benefit to GDM partly mediated by a reduction in PM2.5 and O3.

Ligand-mediated CsPbBrxI3-x/SiO2quantum dots for red, stable and low-threshold amplify spontaneous emission.

The red-emitting perovskite material has received widespread attention as a long-wavelength optical gain media. But the easy phase change in the air limits its practical application. Herein, red CsPbBrxI3-x/SiO2quantum dots (QDs) are prepared by a ligand-mediated hot injection method in which 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES) is used instead of the usual oleylamine (OAm) ligand. Through the hydrolysis of amino groups, a thin silicon layer is formed on the QD surface, improving the stability and without causing the aggregation of QDs. We find that the ratio of I/Br and the size of QDs can be tuned by adjusting the APTES amount. Moreover, this ligand-mediated synthesis effectively passivates the surface defects, so the photoluminescence quantum yield is remarkably improved, and the carrier lifetime is prolonged. The amplified spontaneous emission is achieved under 532 nm nanosecond laser excitation. Compared with the original CsPbBrI2-OAm QD films, the threshold of CsPbBrxI3-x/SiO2QD films is reduced from 403.5 to 98.7µJ cm-2, and the radiation stability is significantly enhanced. Therefore, this material shows great potential in the random laser field.

Gestational exposure to ambient particulate matter and preterm birth: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Previous studies on gestational particulate matter (PM) exposure and preterm birth (PTB) showed inconsistent results, and no study systematically examined the short-term effect of PM exposure on PTB subtypes. To investigate both long- and short-term effects of the evidence to date in general population, we searched for epidemiological studies on PM exposure and PTB that published in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library up to March 31, 2022. The protocol for this review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021265202). Heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran's Q test and I2 statistic. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's tests. Subgroup analysis, meta-regression and sensitivity analysis were performed. Of 16,801 records, 84 eligible studies were finally included. The meta-analysis of long-term effect showed that per 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and PM10 during entire pregnancy were associated with PTB, the pooled odds ratios (ORs) were 1.084 (95% CI: 1.055-1.113) and 1.034 (95% CI: 1.018-1.049). Positive associations were found between PM2.5 in second trimester and PTB subtypes. For the short-term exposure, we observed that PTB was positively associated with a 10 µg/m3 increment in PM2.5 on lag day 2 and 3, the pooled ORs and 95% CIs were 1.003 (1.001-1.004) and 1.003 (1.001-1.005), with I2 of 65.30% and 76.60%. PM10 exposure on ave day 1 increased the risk of PTB, the pooled OR was 1.001 (95% CI: 1.000, 1.001). We also found that PM10 exposure in 2 weeks prior to birth increased PTB risk. Our results support the hypothesis of both long- and short-term PM2.5 exposure increase the risk of PTB. Further well-designed longitudinal studies and investigations into potential biological mechanisms are warranted.

The type of previous abortion modifies the association between air pollution and the risk of preterm birth.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution and previous abortion have been reported to be related to preterm birth (PTB). But rare study examined the effect of air pollution on PTB risk among mothers with previous abortion. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effect of air pollution on PTB and the potential effect modification of previous abortion on such an association in rural part of Henan province (China). METHOD: Based on National Free Preconception Health Examination Project (NFPHEP), information from the medical records of 57,337 mothers with previous abortion were obtained. An inverse distance-weighted model was used to estimate exposure levels of air pollutants. The effect of air pollution on the risk of PTB was estimated with a multiple logistic regression model. Stratified and interaction analyses were undertaken to explore the potential effect modification of previous abortion on this association. RESULTS: The risk of PTB was positively associated with exposure to levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2; OR: 1.03; 95%CI: 1.02-1.04)], and sulfur dioxide (SO2; 1.04; 1.02-1.07), and negatively associated with ozone (O3) exposure (0.97; 0.97-0.98) during the entire pregnancy. Besides, we observed a positive effect of carbon monoxide (CO) exposure during the third trimester of pregnancy on PTB (1.14; 1.01-1.29). The type of previous abortion could modify the effect of air pollution on the PTB risk (P-interaction < 0.05). Compared with mothers with previous induced abortion, mothers with previous spontaneous abortion carried a higher risk of PTB induced by NO2, CO, and O3. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of PTB was positively associated with levels of NO2, SO2 and CO, and negatively associated with the O3 level. The types of previous abortion could modify the effect of air pollution on PTB. Mothers who had an abortion previously, especially spontaneous abortion, should avoid exposure to air pollution to improve their pregnancy outcome.

Christiansen filters realized with cylindrical lenses of even symmetry.

A type of Christiansen filter that takes the form of a smooth cylindrical lens of even symmetry is proposed. By varying the shape of the lens, the filter can be made to realize many common filtering responses, including the polynomial function response, the Gaussian function response, and the sinc function response. A systematic design technique based on inverse scattering is established, and a desired, prescribed response can be tailored by properly shaping the lens of the filter. Three prototypical Christiansen filters, namely, a second-order all-real-roots filter, a second-order sinc filter, and a Gaussian filter, are synthesized using the proposed method. A prescribed response at 545 nm with a FWHM of 2 nm is achieved systematically by all of the three Christiansen filters.

Stable and tunable single-mode lasers based on cholesteric liquid crystal microdroplets.

Although many studies on cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) microdroplet single-mode lasers are available, it has been shown that the stability and tunability of such microdroplets are difficult to achieve simultaneously. In this paper, a new, to the best of our knowledge, method is proposed for the mass and rapid preparation of stable and tunable monodisperse CLC microdroplet single-mode lasers. This is based on the formation of polymer networks on the surface of the microdroplet via interfacial polymerization and a disruption of the orderliness of the polymer networks by increasing the temperature during polymerization, which results in a single pitch inside the microdroplets. This approach enables CLC microdroplet single-mode lasers to achieve improved environmental robustness, while maintaining the same temperature tunability as the unpolymerized sample. Our method has promising future applications in integrated optics, flexible devices, and sensors.

Tunable multi-mode laser based on robust cholesteric liquid crystal microdroplet.

To date, various studies have been dedicated to the development of cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) microdroplet omnidirectional lasers. In this work, a stable and tunable multi-mode laser emission is achieved by designing a dye-doping CLC microdroplet. In such a structure, the polymer network only exists on the surface, maintaining stability while providing tunability, and due to the uneven distribution of the pitch, it leads to multi-mode laser emission. A large number of microdroplets are produced quickly via a new method based on ultrasonic separation. During the reaction, we introduce interfacial polymerization where monomers and photoinitiator are respectively distributed inside and outside the microdroplets through mutual diffusion, which enables one to make the polymer network exist on the surface instead of the interior. The obtained microdroplet-based multi-mode laser is shown to possess stability and tunability, demonstrating a great potential for flexible devices and 3D displays.

Effects of ambient temperature on the risk of preterm birth in offspring of adolescent mothers in rural henan, China.

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have explored the association between ambient temperature and preterm birth (PTB), but rarely among adolescent mothers. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effects of ambient temperature on the risk of PTB and gestational age of newborns delivered by adolescent mothers in rural areas of Henan province. METHODS: We obtained 5394 medical records of adolescent mothers with results of pre-pregnancy physical examination and pregnancy outcomes from the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project (NFPHEP) in Henan province. Meteorological information was obtained from the China Meteorological Data Sharing Service System. Individual exposure levels were evaluated with an inverse distance-weighted model. A multiple logistic regression model and multiple linear regression model were used to estimate the effects of ambient temperature on the risk of PTB and gestational age, respectively. Stratified and interaction analyses were also performed. RESULTS: Of newborns in this study, 3.45% (186/5394) were PTB. Mean, maximum and minimum temperature during the entire pregnancy, especially the last 1-4 weeks of pregnancy, were positively associated with the risk of PTB and negatively associated with gestational age (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, a masking effect was observed that gestational age was positively associated with ambient temperature during the first trimester of pregnancy, due to the strongly inverse correlation between ambient temperature during the early and late stages of pregnancy. Stratified analyses showed that increasing temperature during the last 1-4 weeks of pregnancy increased the risk of PTB and decreased gestational age in newborns born in the cold season (P < 0.05). Furthermore, interaction analyses showed that birth season modified the effects of temperature on the gestational age (Pinteraction < 0.10). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated ambient temperature can decrease gestational age and increase the risk of PTB in offspring of adolescent mothers in rural areas. The birth season may modify the effects of temperature on gestational age.

Multi-wavelength coherent random laser in bio-microfibers.

In this paper, pure silk protein was extracted from Bombyx mori silks and fabricated into a new kind of disordered bio-microfiber structure using electrospinning technology. Coherent random lasing emission with low threshold was achieved in the silk fibroin fibers. The random lasing emission wavelength can be tuned in the range of 33 nm by controlling the pump location with different scattering strengths. Therefore, the bio-microfiber random lasers can be a wide spectral light source when the system is doped with a gain or energy transfer medium with a large fluorescence emission band. Application of the random lasers of the bio-microfibers as a low-coherence light source in speckle-free imaging had also been studied.

The role of maternal methylation in the association between prenatal meteorological conditions and neonatal H19/H19-DMR methylation.

Meteorological conditions during pregnancy can affect birth outcome, which has been linked to the H19/H19-differentially methylated region (DMR). However, the detailed mechanisms underlying this association are unclear. This was investigated in the present study to provide epidemiological evidence for elucidating the pathogenesis of adverse birth outcomes. A total of 550 mother-newborn pairs were recruited in Zhengzhou, China from January 2010 to January 2012. Meteorological data including temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), and sunshine duration (SSD) were obtained from the China Meteorological Data Sharing Service System. Bisulfite sequencing PCR was performed to determine the methylation levels of H19/H19-DMR using genomic DNA extracted from maternal peripheral and umbilical cord blood. The results showed that H19-DMR methylation status in cord blood was positively associated with that in maternal blood. Neonatal H19-DMR methylation was negatively associated with T and RH during the first trimester and positively associated with these variables during the third trimester. There was a positive correlation between neonatal H19-DMR methylation and SSD during the second trimester and a negative correlation during the third trimester. Similar associations were observed between maternal H19-DMR methylation and prenatal meteorological conditions. We also observed significant interaction effects of maternal H19/H19-DMR methylation and most prenatal meteorological factors on neonatal methylation, and found that changes in the methylation status of maternal H19-DMR were responsible for the effects of prenatal meteorological conditions on neonatal methylation. In summary, neonatal H19-DMR methylation was significantly associated with prenatal meteorological conditions, which was modified and mediated by maternal H19-DMR methylation changes. These findings provide insights into the relationship between meteorological factors during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes or disease susceptibility in offspring, and can serve as a reference for environmental policy-making.

Experimental observation of wave localization at the Dirac frequency in a two-dimensional photonic crystal microcavity.

Trapping light within cavities or waveguides in photonic crystals is an effective technology in modern integrated optics. Traditionally, cavities rely on total internal reflection or a photonic bandgap to achieve field confinement. Recent investigations have examined new localized modes that occur at a Dirac frequency that is beyond any complete photonic bandgap. We design Al2O3 dielectric cylinders placed on a triangular lattice in air, and change the central rod size to form a photonic crystal microcavity. It is predicted that waves can be localized at the Dirac frequency in this device without photonic bandgaps or total internal reflections. We perform a theoretical analysis of this new wave localization and verify it experimentally. This work paves the way for exploring localized defect modes at the Dirac point in the visible and infrared bands, with potential applicability to new optical devices.

Spatial algebraic solitons at the Dirac point in optically induced nonlinear photonic lattices.

The discovery of a new type of soliton occurring in periodic systems is reported. This type of nonlinear excitation exists at a Dirac point of a photonic band structure, and features an oscillating tail that damps algebraically. Solitons in periodic systems are localized states traditionally supported by photonic bandgaps. Here, it is found that besides photonic bandgaps, a Dirac point in the band structure of triangular optical lattices can also sustain solitons. Apart from their theoretical impact within the soliton theory, they have many potential uses because such solitons are possible in both Kerr material and photorefractive crystals that possess self-focusing and self-defocusing nonlinearities. The findings enrich the soliton family and provide information for studies of nonlinear waves in many branches of physics.

Near-field coupling and resonant cavity modes in plasmonic nanorod metamaterials.

Plasmonic resonant cavities are capable of confining light at the nanoscale, resulting in both enhanced local electromagnetic fields and lower mode volumes. However, conventional plasmonic resonant cavities possess large Ohmic losses at metal-dielectric interfaces. Plasmonic near-field coupling plays a key role in a design of photonic components based on the resonant cavities because of the possibility to reduce losses. Here, we study the plasmonic near-field coupling in the silver nanorod metamaterials treated as resonant nanostructured optical cavities. Reflectance measurements reveal the existence of multiple resonance modes of the nanorod metamaterials, which is consistent with our theoretical analysis. Furthermore, our numerical simulations show that the electric field at the longitudinal resonances forms standing waves in the nanocavities due to the near-field coupling between the adjacent nanorods, and a new hybrid mode emerges due to a coupling between nanorods and a gold-film substrate. We demonstrate that this coupling can be controlled by changing the gap between the silver nanorod array and gold substrate.

Size and dielectric-environment dependence of transversal resonance modes of localized surface plasmons in silver nanorods.

Tuning transversal resonance modes of localized surface plasmons (LSPs) by the size and the ambient dielectric medium of Ag nanorods is presented. It is found that the resonance wavelength and intensity of the transversal modes of LSPs are closely related to the dimensions of the Ag nanorods embedded in anodic aluminum oxide membranes. The transversal resonance peak exhibits obvious redshifts from 365 to 396 nm with increasing nanorod diameter from 40 to 80 nm, and the resonance intensity remarkably enhances with increasing nanorod diameter. In addition, it is observed that the transversal resonance modes of LSPs in Ag nanorods are strongly sensitive to their surrounding dielectric medium such as water, ethanol, and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, and the transversal resonance peak distinctly redshifts from 422 to 467 nm when the refractive index of the dielectric medium increases from 1.342 to 1.435. As a result, a refractive index sensitivity of up to 484 nm/RIU can be achieved based on the transversal resonance modes. The transverse resonance modes of LSPs in the Ag nanorods can be used for sensitive quantification of chemical and biological species.