COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among Older Adolescents and Young Adults: A National Cross-Sectional Study in China.

Background: With promotion of COVID-19 vaccinations, there has been a corresponding vaccine hesitancy, of which older adolescents and young adults represent groups of particular concern. In this report, we investigated the prevalence and reasons for vaccine hesitancy, as well as potential risk factors, within older adolescents and young adults in China. Methods: To assess these issues, an online survey was administered over the period from March 14 to April 15, 2021. Older adolescents (16-17 years old) and young adults (18-21 years old) were recruited nationwide from Wechat groups and results from a total of 2,414 respondents were analyzed. Socio-demographic variables, vaccine hesitancy, psychological distress, abnormal illness behavior, global well-being and social support were analyzed in this report. Results: Compared to young adults (n = 1,405), older adolescents (n = 1,009) showed higher prevalence rates of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (16.5 vs. 7.9%, p < 0.001). History of physical diseases (p = 0.007) and abnormal illness behavior (p = 0.001) were risk factors for vaccine hesitancy among older adolescents, while only a good self-reported health status (p = 0.048) was a risk factor for young adults. Concerns over COVID-19 vaccine side effects (67.1%) and beliefs of invulnerability regarding infection risk (41.9%) were the most prevalent reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Providing evidence on the vaccine reduction of COVID-19 infection risk (67.5%), ensuring vaccine safety (56.7%) and the low risk of side effects (52.7%) were the most effective persuasions for promoting vaccinations. Conclusion: In China, older adolescents showed a higher prevalence for vaccine hesitancy than that of young adults. Abnormal illness behavior and history of physical diseases were risk factors for vaccine hesitancy among these older adolescents, while social support represents an important factor which could help to alleviate this hesitancy.

Carbon Quantum Dots Modified (002) Oriented Bi2O2CO3 Composites with Enhanced Photocatalytic Removal of Toluene in Air.

In work, (002) oriented flower-like Bi2O2CO3(BOC) composites are synthesized by a facile chemical route and carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are modified on their surfaces through a hydrothermal method. The synthesized samples (CQD/BOC) are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV-Vis diffuser reflectances (DRS), BET and TEM/HRTEM. The morphologies of CQD/BOC composites are the flower-like shapes, the irregular flaky structures and the fine spherical particles of CQDs attached. Photocatalytic performances were investigated in terms of removing gaseous toluene at a concentration of 94.3ppm in air, with the assistance of CQD/BOC under artificial irradiation. Our results show that CQDs modified (002) oriented Bi2O2CO3 exhibits good photocatalytic activity for toluene decomposition, which can be attributed to the enhanced efficient charge separation. A certain ratio composite photocatalyst (BOC-CQD-15) shows a toluene removal rate of 96.62% in three hours, as well as great stability. CO2 was verified to be the primary product. The oriented flower-like Bi2O2CO3 with carbon quantum dots on the surface shows great potential in the field of solar driven air purification.

Investigation on the compositions of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine treatment with different oxidants using solid-phase micro-extraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometer.

The majority of unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) treatments produce lots of toxic by-products, among which N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a strong carcinogen. The compositions of the by-products are important for evaluating the treatment efficiency and understanding the UDMH degradation mechanism to achieve UDMH mineralization. The intermediate and end products of UDMH treatment with different oxidants were investigated by using a simple and fast method, solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) in combination with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The effects of several parameters (coating fibre, salt addition, pH, sampling time and desorption time) were studied to optimize analyte recovery. The best response can be attained by the 65 µm PDMS/DVB fibre at pH 7 during 10 min after desorption of 1 min in the GC inlet. The intermediate and final oxidative products of UDMH wastewater treatment with different oxidants (O3, Mn2+/O3, Fe2+/H2O2) were investigated. The results showed that the UDMH treatment with O3 could lead to high yields of NDMA. Metal catalytic ozonation could largely minimize the formation of NDMA. No NDMA was observed in the final decontaminated samples after treatment with Fe2+/H2O2. The NDMA formation and degradation mechanism were discussed based on the intermediates. This study is expected to provide useful information for controlling NDMA formation during UDMH wastewater treatment.

One-Pot Synthesis of BiCuSO Nanosheets under Ambient Atmosphere as Broadband Spectrum Photocatalyst.

Cuprous based chalcogenides have attracted intensive research interest due to the potential applications in solar energy conversion. However, typical fabrications of these compounds are often carried out under severe conditions, such as inert gas protection, high vacuum, and/or extreme high temperature. Here we reported a one-pot process for cuprous based chalcogenides synthesis in aqueous solution. A strategy for BiCuSO nanosheets fabrication without toxic chemicals or rigorous reagents at pretty low temperatures under an ambient atmosphere was established, with the practicality of morphology controlling and the compatibility of multifarious precursors. Platelike BiCuSO with a thickness range from several to hundreds nanometers are fabricated by adjusting the alkali concentration, reaction time, and temperature. The positive effect of alkali hydroxide concentration is proposed cautiously based on the experimental results. The photocatalytic activities of BiCuSO nanosheet under UV, visible, and near-infrared irradiation were also investigated. BiCuSO obtained at room temperature with a thickness of 4.5 nm showed the most impressive efficiency to decompose organic contaminants. Our research presented a new way for cuprous sulfides fabrication, and might open up a new vista for large-scale synthesis of cuprous based materials as promising broadband spectrum light-absorbing materials.

Synthesis and Broadband Spectra Photocatalytic Properties of Bi2O2(CO3)1-xSx.

High efficiency photocatalyst Bi2O2(CO3)1-xSx was synthesized conveniently with chemical bath precipitation using Bi2O2CO3 as the precursor. The microstructures of the samples are systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and UV-Vis spectroscopy; the optical and photocatalytic properties are carefully tested as well. The content of S, which was tuned through the controlling of the precipitation process, was verified to have an intense effect over the photocatalytic properties. A nearly saturated S ratio and the best photocatalytic performance were observed in specimens with the most S content. Our study reveals that, with negligible influence of the morphology and crystal structure, Bi2O2(CO3)1-xSx possessed a broadened optical absorption regionfromultraviolet to visible light, and enhanced photocatalytic activity in comparison to precursor Bi2O2CO3 in photocatalytic degradation of Congo Red aqueous solution.

Bismuth Oxysulfide and Its Polymer Nanocomposites for Efficient Purification.

The danger of toxic organic pollutants in both aquatic and air environments calls for high-efficiency purification material. Herein, layered bismuth copper oxychalcogenides, BiCuSO, nanosheets of high photocatalytic activity were introduced to the PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride). The fibrous membranes provide an easy, efficient, and recyclable way to purify organic pollutant. The physical and photophysical properties of the BiCuSO and its polymer composite were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron spin resonance (EPR). Photocatalysis of Congo Red reveals that the BiCuSO/PVDF shows a superior photocatalytic activity of a 55% degradation rate in 70 min at visible light. The high photocatalytic activity is attributed to the exposed active {101} facets and the triple vacant associates V B i ‴ V O • • V B i ‴ . By engineering the intrinsic defects on the surface of bismuth oxysulfide, high solar-driven photocatalytic activity can be approached. The successful fabrication of the bismuth oxysulfide and its polymer nanocomposites provides an easy and general approach for high-performance purification materials for various applications.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance under Visible and Near-Infrared Irradiation of Cu1.8Se/Cu3Se2 Composite via a Phase Junction.

A novel Cu1.8Se/Cu3Se2 composite photocatalyst was prepared by the simple precipitation method. This composite possesses a wide photoabsorption until the range of near-infrared light, and exhibits significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity for methyl orange degradation under visible and near-infrared light irradiation compared with bare Cu1.8Se and Cu3Se2. The mechanism of this outstanding photocatalytic behavior can be explained by the calculated energy band positions. The efficient charge separation via a phase junction of Cu1.8Se/Cu3Se2 composite would make a great contribution to its much-enhanced photocatalytic efficiency.

Bi(1-x)La(x)CuSeO as New Tunable Full Solar Light Active Photocatalysts.

Photocatalysis is attracting enormous interest driven by the great promise of addressing current energy and environmental crises by converting solar light directly into chemical energy. However, efficiently harvesting solar energy for photocatalysis remains a pressing challenge, and the charge kinetics and mechanism of the photocatalytic process is far from being well understood. Here we report a new full solar spectrum driven photocatalyst in the system of a layered oxyselenide BiCuSeO with good photocatalytic activity for degradation of organic pollutants and chemical stability under light irradiation, and the photocatalytic performance of BiCuSeO can be further improved by band gap engineering with introduction of La. Our measurements and density-functional-theory calculations reveal that the effective mass and mobility of the carriers in BiCuSeO can be tuned by the La-doping, which are responsible for the tunable photocatalytic activity. Our findings may offer new perspectives for understanding the mechanism of photocatalysis through modulating the charge mobility and the effective mass of carriers and provide a guidance for designing efficient photocatalyts.

Photoelectrochemical Performance Observed in Mn-Doped BiFeO3 Heterostructured Thin Films.

Pure BiFeO3 and heterostructured BiFeO3/BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 (5% Mn-doped BiFeO3) thin films have been prepared by a chemical deposition method. The band structures and photosensitive properties of these films have been investigated elaborately. Pure BiFeO3 films showed stable and strong response to photo illumination (open circuit potential kept -0.18 V, short circuit photocurrent density was -0.023 mA·cm-2). By Mn doping, the energy band positions shifted, resulting in a smaller band gap of BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 layer and an internal field being built in the BiFeO3/BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 interface. BiFeO3/BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 and BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 thin films demonstrated poor photo activity compared with pure BiFeO3 films, which can be explained by the fact that Mn doping brought in a large amount of defects in the BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 layers, causing higher carrier combination and correspondingly suppressing the photo response, and this negative influence was more considerable than the positive effects provided by the band modulation.

Circulating microRNA-92a and microRNA-21 as novel minimally invasive biomarkers for primary breast cancer.

PURPOSE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in breast malignant tumor development and progression. The development of clinically validated biomarkers for primary breast cancer (BC) has remained an insurmountable task despite other advances in the field of cancer molecular biology. The objective of this study is to investigate the differential expression of miRNAs and the potential of circulating microRNAs as novel primary breast cancer biomarkers. METHODS: Our analyses were performed on 48 tissue and 100 serum samples of patients with primary BC and a set of 20 control samples of healthy women, respectively. The relative expression of ten candidate miRNAs (miR-106b, miR-125b, miR-17, miR-185, miR-21, miR-558, miR-625, miR-665, miR-92a, and miR-93) from the results of four bioinformatics approaches and literature curation was measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: The level of miR-92a was significantly lower, while miR-21 was higher, as previous reports, in tissue and serum samples of BC than that of healthy controls (p < 0.001). Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed the significant and independent value (p < 0.001) of the miR-92a and miR-21 expression quantification in serums. Moreover, the comparison with the clinicopathologic data of the BC patients showed that decreased levels of miR-92a and increased levels of miR-21 were associated with tumor size and a positive lymph node status (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that many miRNAs expressions are altered in BC, whose expression profiling may provide a useful clue for the pathophysiological research. Circulating miR-92a has potential use as novel breast cancer biomarker, which is comparable to miR-21.

1,1-Dimethyl-hydrazin-1-ium picrate.

In the title compound, C(2)H(9)N(2) (+)·C(6)H(2)N(3)O(7) (-), the dihedral angles between the mean planes of the three nitro groups and the benzene ring are 63.5 (3), 10.5 (2) and 10.4 (2)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a two-dimensional network parallel to (001).