Analytical solution of a pollutant transport model for unsaturated soil considering the effects of consolidation and temperature.

The migration behavior of pollutants is affected by consolidation and temperature when using thermal desorption technology to clean contaminated sites. Based on a one-dimensional consolidation model for unsaturated soil and the traditional heat conduction equation, a pollutant transport model accounting for the combined effects of consolidation and temperature was established in this paper. An analytical solution was obtained by using the separation of variables method and the integral transformation method. In addition, the correctness of the proposed model was verified via a comparison between the existing analytical solution and the theoretical model. Finally, adopting benzene as the research object, the influence of different factors on pollutant migration was studied. It was found that the growth rate of the pollutant concentration increased with increasing consolidation pressure, and the final pollutant concentration decreased with increasing consolidation pressure. The pollutant concentration increment due to temperature first increased and then decreased with increasing migration distance. The higher the Soret coefficient and volumetric moisture content are, the higher the pollutant concentration.

Ionic Polyimine-Based Composite Membrane with Inductive and Complexation Synergistic Effects for Sensitive and On-Site Fluorescent Detection of Volatile Iodine.

Along with the development of nuclear power, concerns about radioactive emissions and the potential for nuclear leakage have been widely raised, particularly of harmful iodine isotopes. However, as a significant component of nuclear air waste, the enrichment and detection of air-dispersed gaseous iodine remain a challenge. In this work, it is focused on developing an attraction-immobilization-detection strategy-based fluorescence method for the on-site detection of volatile iodine, by employing a photoluminescent ionic polyimine network-polyvinylpyrrolidone (IPIN-PVP) composite membrane. This strategy synergizes ion-induced dipole interactions from IPIN and complexation effects from PVP, allowing effective iodine enrichment and immobilization. As a result, the optimized IPIN-PVP membrane exhibits rapid response times of 5 s and a low detection limit of 4.087 × 10-8 m for gaseous iodine. It also introduces a portable handheld detection device that utilizes the composite membrane, offering a practical solution for real-time on-site detection of volatile iodine. This innovation enhances nuclear safety measures and disaster management by providing rapid and reliable iodine detection capabilities.

Estimated prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of mental disorders in medical students of Hebei Province, China: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: In China, the identification rate and treatment rate of mental disorders are low, and there are few surveys on the prevalence of mental disorders among college students using diagnostic tools such as Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), so the prevalence and treatment of mental disorders among college students are unclear. AIM: To estimate prevalence of mental disorders among medical students in Hebei Province, and provide guidance for improving their mental health. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study based on an Internet-based survey. Three levels of medical students in Hebei Province were randomly selected (by cluster sampling) for screening. Using the information network assessment system, the subjects scanned the 2D code with their mobile phones, clicked to sign the informed consent, and answered a scale. A self-designed general status questionnaire was used to collect information about age, gender, ethnicity, grade, and origin of students. The MINI 5.0. was used to investigate mental disorders. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software. Statistically significant findings were determined using a two-tailed P value of 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 7117 subjects completed the survey between October 11 and November 7, 2021. The estimated prevalence of any mental disorders within 12 mo was 7.4%. Mood disorders were the most common category (4.3%), followed by anxiety disorders (3.9%); 15.0% had been to psychological counseling, while only 5.7% had been to a psychiatric consultation, and only 10% had received drug therapy in the past 12 mo. CONCLUSION: Although the estimated prevalence of mental disorders in medical students is lower than in the general population, the rate of adequate treatment is low. We determined that improving the mental health of medical students is an urgent matter.

Flexible and Antifreezing Fiber-Shaped Solid-State Zinc-Ion Batteries with an Integrated Bonding Structure.

Fiber-shaped solid-state zinc-ion battery (FZIB) is a promising candidate for wearable electronic devices, but challenges remain in terms of mechanical stability and low temperature tolerance. Herein, we design and fabricate a FZIB with an integrated device structure through effective incorporation of the active electrode materials with a carbon fiber rope (CFR) and a gel polymer electrolyte. The gel polymer electrolyte incorporated with ethylene glycol (EG) and graphene oxide (GO) endows the FZIB with a high Zn stripping/plating efficiency under extreme low temperature conditions. A high power density of 1.25 mW cm-1 and large energy density of 0.1752 mWh cm-1 are obtained. In addition, a high capacity retention of 91% after 2000 continuous bending cycles is achieved. Furthermore, the discharge capacity is fairly retained at more than 22% even at the low temperature of -20 °C. Toward practical applications, the FZIB integrated into textiles to power electronic products is demonstrated.

Recent Development of Self-Powered Tactile Sensors Based on Ionic Hydrogels.

Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymer networks with excellent flexibility. In recent years, ionic hydrogels have attracted extensive attention in the development of tactile sensors owing to their unique properties, such as ionic conductivity and mechanical properties. These features enable ionic hydrogel-based tactile sensors with exceptional performance in detecting human body movement and identifying external stimuli. Currently, there is a pressing demand for the development of self-powered tactile sensors that integrate ionic conductors and portable power sources into a single device for practical applications. In this paper, we introduce the basic properties of ionic hydrogels and highlight their application in self-powered sensors working in triboelectric, piezoionic, ionic diode, battery, and thermoelectric modes. We also summarize the current difficulty and prospect the future development of ionic hydrogel self-powered sensors.

Donepezil Improves Gait Performance in Patients with an Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Hemiplegia is a common symptom after acute cerebral infarction. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the influence factors of gait performance and investigate whether donepezil could improve gait performance in patients with an acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: A total of 107 patients who experienced unilateral paresis after an acute cerebral infarction incident were enrolled in this prospectively observational study. Participants underwent a 3- month assessment. At the study's conclusion, patients were divided into 2 groups-those who received donepezil daily (observation Group) and those who did not (Control Group). RESULTS: There was a significant difference (t=3.269, P=0.001) of Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) score between single site infarction (27.11±6.65) and multiple sites infarction (31.54±6.42). For gender, smoking, drinking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes, there was no difference in WGS scores between subgroups (P>0.05), respectively. The patient's admission National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS) score had a strongly positive correlation with WGS score (r=0.850, P<0.001). Besides, age (r=0.218, P=0.024), glycosylated hemoglobin (r=0.274, P=0.004), MMSE (r=-0.261, P=0.007) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) (r=-0.272, P=0.005) had a weak correlation with WGS scores. Multivariate analysis showed age (95% CI: 0.042~0.188, P=0.002), admission NIHSS score (95% CI: 2.405~3.137, P<0.001) and multiple sites infarction (95% CI: 0.044~2.983, P=0.044) were independent risk factors of WGS scores. WGS scores of both observation and control groups gradually decreased after admission (P<0.001). At 3 months after admission, WGS score of the observation group was significantly lower than the control group (t=2.468, P=0.015). There were no significant differences between observation and control group at admission and 1 month after admission (P>0.05) and WGS scores of both single site and multiple sites infarction gradually decreased at one month and three months after admission (P<0.001), while there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Admission NIHSS score, age and multiple sites infarction were independent risk factors of WGS score. Donepezil could improve gait performance in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Kainic Acid Impairs the Memory Behavior of APP23 Mice by Increasing Brain Amyloid Load through a Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Dependent Mechanism.

Kainic acid (KA) was recently identified as an epileptogenic and neuroexcitotoxic agent that is responsible for inducing learning and memory deficits in various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanism by which KA acts upon AD remains unclear. To this end, we presently investigated the roles of KA in processing amyloid-ß protein precursor (AßPP) and amyloid-ß protein (Aß) loads during the course of AD development and progression. Specifically, KA treatment clearly caused the upregulation of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) via activation of the PI3-K/AKT, ERK1/2, and p65 pathways in glial cells. TNF-α secreted from glial cells was then found to be responsible for stimulating the expression of BACE-1 and PS1/2, which resulted in the production and deposition of Aß in neurons. Finally, the accumulation and aggregation of Aß lead to the cognitive decline of APP23 mice. These results indicate that KA accelerates the progression of AD by inducing the crosstalk between glial cells and neurons.

A neonate with hand, foot, and mouth disease complicated with brainstem encephalitis and pulmonary edema:A complete recovery.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) with serious complications and fatal cases have been reported over the last decade worldwide. The authors report a rare case of HFMD in a neonate complicated with brainstem encephalitis and pulmonary edema. She had fever, lethargy, dyspnea. Physical examination revealed shock signs, fine rales on both lungs, absent Moro reflex. The patient had a rapidly progressive course with seizures, coma, no spontaneous breathing, chemosis. There were some vesicles on left sole and red maculopapular rashes on perianal skin. She had a history of exposure to HFMD. Fecal sample was positive for EV71 RNA by real-time PCR. Chest X-rays showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. MRI of the brain showed significant hypointensity in the brainstem on T1WI and hyperintensity on T2WI. She recovered well. This case highlights severe HFMD in neonates is rare. Medical history and physical examination are important in making diagnosis.