Thermal reflux to synthesise C3N4 nanostructures with high yield and enhanced photocatalytic activity in hydrogen evolution.

Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) is an attractive photocatalyst and a thermal reflux method was used to significantly increase the yield of g-C3N4 nanostructures and enhance their photocatalytic activity for H2 production. When raw material was placed in an inclined quartz tube with the bottom in the high temperature zone and the top in the low temperature zone, the vapor of the raw material was condensed from the top and refluxed to the bottom to then participate in the reaction again. This method can significantly improve the yield of g-C3N4 with an increase of 28.2%. When used as the photocatalyst in water splitting, these g-C3N4 nanostructures exhibit excellent activity with an H2 production of 2102 µmol h-1 g-1 under visible irradiation, which is 43.2% higher than the sample prepared by a traditional thermal polymerization method. This method is also promising to use for the synthesis of similar two-dimensional nanostructures for effective H2 production.

Combined rectus sheath block with transverse abdominis plane block by one puncture for analgesia after laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Rectus sheath block (RSB) and transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) have been shown to reduce opioid consumption and decrease postoperative pain scores in abdominal surgeries. However, there are no reports about the one-puncture technique of RSB combined with TAPB for perioperative pain management during laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery. METHODS: A total of 58 patients were randomly assigned to the control group (C), the TAP group (T), and the one-puncture technique of RSB combined with TAPB group (RT). The patients in group C did not receive any regional block. The patients in group T received ultrasound-guided subcostal TAPB with 30 mL of 0.33% ropivacaine on each side. The patients in the RT group received a combination of RSB and TAPB with 15 mL of 0.33% ropivacaine in each plane by one puncture technique. All patients received postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after surgeries. The range of blocks was recorded 20 min after the completion of the regional block. The postoperative opioid consumption, pain scores, and recovery data were recorded, including the incidence of emergence agitation (EA), the times of first exhaust and off-bed activity, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness. RESULTS: The range of the one-puncture technique in group RT covered all areas of surgical incisions. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the RT group is significantly lower at rest and during coughing compared to groups T and C at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after surgery, respectively (P < 0.05). The consumption of sufentanil and the number of postoperative compressions of the analgesic pumps at 24 and 48 h in the RT group are significantly lower than those in groups T and C (P < 0.05). The incidence of EA in the RT group is significantly lower than that in groups T and C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The one-puncture technique of RSB combined with TAPB provides effective postoperative analgesia for laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery, reduces the incidence of EA during PACU, and promotes early recovery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR, ChiCTR2300067271. Registered 3 Jan 2023, http://www.chictr.org.cn .

Enhanced Adsorption of Hexavalent Chromium from Aqueous Solutions by Iron- manganese Modified Cedarwood Biochar: Synthesis, Performance, Mechanism, and Variables.

Three modified biochar (Cunninghamia lanceolata) with iron and manganese elementals (FMBCs) were successfully prepared and used to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous solutions. The biochar before and after decoration were characterized by advanced instruments. The adsorption capacities of modified biochar in different Cr(VI) (20 mg·L- 1, 1 mg·L- 1) solutions were 4868.28 mg·kg- 1 and 300 mg·kg- 1. The Cr(VI) removal was highest at pH 2. The possible adsorption was considered to be ion exchange adsorption, chemisorption, and electrostatic attraction. Meanwhile, interfering ions are conducive to increasing the adsorption content. FMBCs prepared at different temperatures showed different characteristics, single-use and cycle-use performance, and high and low concentration removal superiority. The result indicated that FMBCs had a promising potential as an adsorbent to remove toxic and harmful Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.

Removal of antimonite and antimonate in aqueous solution by mugwort biochar modified by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans after pyrolysis.

In the research, iron oxides-biochar composites (ALBC) were prepared from pristine biochar modified by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans) and pyrolyzed at 500 °C and 700 °C in order to remove antimonite (Sb(III)) and antimonate (Sb(V)) from water. The results indicated that biochar prepared at 500 °C and 700 °C (ALBC500 and ALBC700) were loaded with Fe2O3 and Fe3O4, respectively. In bacterial modification systems, ferrous iron and total iron concentrations decreased continuously. The pH values of bacterial modification systems including ALBC500 increased first and then decreased to a stable state, while the pH values of bacterial modification systems with ALBC700 continued to decrease. The bacterial modification systems can facilitate the formation of more jarosites by A. ferrooxidans. ALBC500 had optimal adsorbing capacities for Sb(III) (18.81 mg·g-1) and Sb(V) (14.64 mg·g-1). The main mechanisms of Sb(III) and Sb(V) adsorption by ALBC were electrostatic interaction and pore filling.

Spatiotemporal variations and bioaccumulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and oxidative conversion of precursors in shallow lake water.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and fish from Nansi Lake, Chian and in inflowing tributaries and nearby sewage treatment plants (STPs) were determined to evaluate their distribution and bioaccumulation. The potential precursors of perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) present in the water were converted via hydroxyl radical oxidation. Over 3 seasons, the average concentration ranges of the 15 PFAA (∑15PFAA) concentrations in Nansi Lake, inflowing tributaries, and STPs were 22.8-70.3, 19.5-43.5, and 84.1-129 ng L-1, respectively. Perfluorooctanoic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and short-chain PFAA (perfluorocarboxlate acid <8, perfluorosulfonate acids <6) were present in high concentrations in the lake and tributaries. PFAA concentration was the lowest during the wet season and the highest during the dry season. Moreover, PFAA precursors were converted to perfluorocarboxlate acid. The concentration of C8-based precursors was higher than that of the C6-based precursors in the lake and tributaries. The concentration of PFAA in the fish liver was higher than that in fish muscles, and PFOS was the dominant chemical present in fish. Potential risk assessment based on Environment Quality Standard revealed heavy PFOS contamination in the fish. Thus, the water of Nansi Lake was heavily polluted by PFAS.

Prepandemic relationship satisfaction is related to postpandemic COVID-19 anxiety: A four-wave study in China.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had lasting impacts on people's interpersonal relationship and mental health. Using four-wave data in China (N = 222, 54.50% female, Mage = 31.53, SD = 8.17), the current study examined whether prepandemic relationship satisfaction was related to postpandemic COVID-19 anxiety through midpandemic perceived social support and/or gratitude. The results showed that people's COVID-19 anxiety decreased from the peak to the trough stage of the pandemic; perceived social support increased markedly from prepandemic to the peak and remained stable subsequently, while relationship satisfaction remained unchanged throughout. Further, it was midpandemic perceived social support, not gratitude, that mediated the association between prepandemic relationship satisfaction and postpandemic COVID-19 anxiety, indicating that perceived social support played a crucial role in this process. Finally, it is suggested that perceived social support should be distinguished from gratitude as two different components of social interactions.