Symptoms experienced after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in patients with primary liver cancer: A network analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to establish a symptom network for patients with primary liver cancer posttranscatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), identifying core and bridge symptoms. The goal is to provide a foundation for precise and comprehensive nursing interventions. Methods: A total of 1207 post-TACE patients were included using a consecutive sampling method. Data collection involved a general information questionnaire, the Anderson Symptom Assessment Scale, and a primary liver cancer-specific symptom module. The symptom network was constructed using the R language. Results: In the overall network, distress exhibited the highest strength (rs = 1.31) and betweenness (rb = 62). Fatigue had the greatest closeness (rc = 0.0043), while nausea and vomiting (r = 0.76 ± 0.02) had the highest marginal weights. Nausea had the highest bridge strength (rbs = 5.263). In the first-time TACE-treated symptom network, sadness (rbs = 5.673) showed the highest bridge strength, whereas in the non-first-time symptom network, fever (rbs = 3.061) had the highest bridge strength. Conclusions: Distress serves as a core symptom, and nausea acts as a bridge symptom after TACE treatment in liver cancer patients. Interventions targeting bridge symptoms should be tailored based on the number of treatments, enhancing the quality of symptom management.

Full Potential Catalysis of Co0.4Ni1.6P-V/CNT with Phosphorus Vacancies for Li2S1-2 Deposition/Decomposition and S8/Li2Sn (3 ≤ n ≤ 8) Conversion in Li-S Batteries.

The slow kinetics of polysulfide conversions hinders the commercial progress of Li-S batteries. The introduction of high-efficiency catalysts accelerates heterogeneous reactions and enhances the utilization of S. The full potential of the Co0.4Ni1.6P-V/CNT-modified separator catalyzes the all-process reactions of the S electrode and increases the rates and cycling lives of the batteries. The two-site synergistic effect of Co0.4Ni1.6P-V/CNT regulates the catalytic activity, and the phosphorus vacancies enrich the active sites. The higher electron density at the Co and Ni double sites increases chemisorption of the Co0.4Ni1.6P-V/CNT on Li2Sn (1 ≤ n ≤ 4), stretches and breaks the Li-S and Ni-S bonds during Li2S decomposition, and reduces the energy barrier for Li2S decomposition. The cyclic voltammograms of the asymmetric batteries demonstrated that Co0.4Ni1.6P-V/CNT also catalyzed the Li2Sn ⇌ S8 (3 ≤ n ≤ 8) reaction, realizing the full catalytic potential of the Li-S batteries. Increased Li+ diffusion/migration in the Co0.4Ni1.6P-V/CNT-modified separator ensured fast electrochemical reactions. The excellent catalytic effect of Co0.4Ni1.6P-V/CNT provided smaller polarization and superior rate performance, which led to high discharge specific capacities of 1511.9, 1172.6, 1006.0, 881.0, and 785.7 mA h g-1 at current densities of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 mA cm-2 with sulfur loadings of 7.98 mg cm-2, respectively. This approach involving simple crystal modulation and introduction of defects provides a new way to achieve the full catalytic potential of Li-S batteries.

Unveiling microplastics from zippers: Characterisation and visualisation through Raman imaging analysis.

Microplastics have emerged as a global concern due to the increased plastic contamination found in a variety of sources. Herein we unveil microplastics released from plastic zippers that can generally be found in our clothes and textiles. We first employ a scanning electron microscope (SEM) to visualise the scratches developed on the zipper teeth and the derived particles. We then use Raman imaging to identify and simultaneously visualise the plastics from the chemical or molecular spectrum window. Based on hundreds to thousands of spectra, rather than a single spectrum or even a single peak that works as just a pixel in the image, imaging analysis can significantly increase the signal-to-noise ratio. Furthermore, the non-uniform distribution of components or multi-components can also be effectively imaged to avoid the possible bias from the single-spectrum analysis. The challenge to convert the hundreds to thousands of spectra of a hyperspectral matrix to an image is also discussed, and chemometrics is adopted and recommended to further improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The co-ingredient of titanium oxide in the zipper teeth/sewing lines is also effectively identified by Raman imaging. Based on the effective characterisation, we estimate that up to ~410 microplastics could be potentially released during each time of on-off zipping, although the variation can be expected and depends on several other factors. This study reminds us to be aware of the potential contamination derived from similar types of microplastic sources in our daily lives.

Exploring Photoswitchable Binding Interactions with Small-Molecule- and Peptide-Based Inhibitors of Trypsin.

The ability to photochemically activate a drug, both when and where needed, requires optimisation of the difference in biological activity between each isomeric state. As a step to this goal, we report small-molecule- and peptide-based inhibitors of the same protease-trypsin-to better understand how photoswitchable drugs interact with their biological target. The best peptidic inhibitor displayed a more than fivefold difference in inhibitory activity between isomeric states, whereas the best small-molecule inhibitor only showed a 3.4-fold difference. Docking and molecular modelling suggest this result is due to a large change in 3D structure in the key binding residues of the peptidic inhibitor upon isomerisation; this is not observed for the small-molecule inhibitor. Hence, we demonstrate that significant structural changes in critical binding motifs upon irradiation are essential for maximising the difference in biological activity between isomeric states. This is an important consideration in the design of future photoswitchable drugs for clinical applications.

External validation of postoperative nausea and vomiting risk scores in patients with liver cancer: A single-centre prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to test the external validity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) risk assessment tools in patients undergoing hepatectomy, and to guide healthcare professionals' assessment of postoperative patients. BACKGROUND: The identification of PONV risk is particularly important in the context of prevention. However, the predictive performance of the current PONV risk scores has not been confirmed in patients with liver cancer, and its applicability is still unknown. These uncertainties pose difficulties in performing routine risk assessment of PONV for patients with liver cancer in a clinical practice setting. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with liver cancer and undergoing hepatectomy were prospectively consecutively recruited. All enrolled patients received PONV assessments and PONV risk assessments via the Apfel risk score and the Koivuranta risk score. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC curves) and calibration curves were used to assess the external validity. This study was reported according to the TRIPOD Checklist. RESULTS: Among 214 PONV-assessed patients, 114 patients (53.3%) developed PONV. For the Apfel simplified risk score, the ROC area was 0.612 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.543-0.678) in the validation dataset, which demonstrated imperfect discrimination; the calibration curve showed poor calibration with a slope of 0.49. For the Koivuranta score, the ROC area was 0.628 (CI: 0.559-0.693) in the validation dataset, which showed limited discrimination; the calibration curve indicated an unsatisfactory calibration with a slope of 0.71. CONCLUSIONS: The Apfel risk score and the Koivuranta risk score were not well validated in our study and disease-specific risk factors should be taken into account when updating or developing PONV risk stratification instruments.

Ratiometric colorimetric detection of fluoride ions using a schiff base sensor: enhancing selectivity and sensitivity for naked-eye analysis.

A Schiff base receptor with an active -NH group was designed and synthesized for the selective and sensitive colorimetric detection of inorganic fluoride (F-) ions in an aqueous medium. The sensitivity of the receptor for F- ions was enhanced by the influence of two electron-withdrawing -NO2 groups at ortho and para positions which result in a vivid color change. The receptor underwent a remarkable color change from light yellow to violet, enabling naked-eye detection of F- ions without the need for spectroscopic equipment. To ensure the structural integrity of the synthesized receptors, prominent spectroscopic techniques such as 1H NMR, FTIR, and GCMS analysis were used for characterization. With a limit of detection (LoD) of 0.0996 ppm, a 1 : 2 stoichiometric binding ratio was observed for receptor and F- ions. The binding mechanism confirmed the deprotonation of the -NH group followed by the formation of -HF2, resulting in an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) transition, which correlates with UV-vis and 1H NMR titration results. In addition, the proposed binding mechanism of F- ion interaction with the receptor was theoretically validated using DFT and TDDFT calculations. Furthermore, as a real-life implementation of the receptor, quantification of the F- ions present in a commercially available mouthwash was demonstrated. To assess the sensitivity performance, a paper-based dip sensor and a solid substrate sensor by functionalizing the receptor on diatomaceous earth were demonstrated. Finally, sensors were built into smartphones that could recognize the red, green, and blue percentages (RGB%) where each parameter defines the intensity of the color, which could also be used as a supplement to the colorimetric investigations.

The relationships between organizational culture and thriving at work among nurses: The mediating role of affective commitment and work engagement.

AIM: Guided by the social embeddedness model of thriving at work, this paper explores how nursing organizational culture, work engagement and affective commitment affect nurses' thriving at work. BACKGROUND: Thriving at work has implications for better employee and organization outcomes. The antecedents of thriving at work among the nursing population needs to be expanded by analysing the cross-level impact of organizational and individual characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used to collect data from 1437 frontline nurses in a tertiary teaching hospital in China between April and May 2020 through an online survey about perceived nursing culture, work engagement, affective commitment and thriving at work. Data were analysed using SPSS, and a structural equation model was established using the PROCESS macro. RESULTS: Our results showed that work engagement and affective commitment mediated the relationship between nurses' perceived nursing culture and their thriving at work. Among nurses, work engagement was positively correlated to affective commitment. CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the social embeddedness model of thriving at work by showing that both contextual and dispositional factors can influence nurses' thriving at work. Nurse leaders can foster nursing staff's thriving at work by building an inclusive work environment and by providing adequate resources to staff. Future research is needed to elaborate on employee and organizational outcomes associated with thriving at work. IMPACT: Nurse leaders should be the advocate for nurses to improve their organizational identification, fostering their thriving at work. Individual nurses can also take an active role in developing work-related resources to sustain their thriving through self-adaption processes. Collective thriving in the nursing workforce is needed to overcome adversity and hardship in the ever-changing and increasingly demanding health care industry and to further contribute to the vitality of the broader social and public environments. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution. This study did not involve patients, service users, caregivers or members of the public.

2,3-Diaminophenazine@carbon felt with chemical grafting via amide bonds as an electrode in lithium-ion batteries.

Grafting organic molecules onto an insoluble matrix is an effective way to improve the electronic conductivity and insolubility in electrolyte of organic electrode materials. The active group of CN in DAP@C composites synthesized by chemical grafting of 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP) with carbon felt through amide bonds (-CO-NH-) displays excellent electrochemical behavior.

High Lithium Ion Flux of Integrated Organic Electrode/Solid Polymer Electrolyte from In Situ Polymerization.

The high interface impedance between inorganic material electrodes and solid electrolytes results in a high Li+ diffusion energy barrier, which limits the electrochemical performance of active materials. To solve this issue, an integrated configuration of organic active material electrode-solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) is synthesized via in situ polymerization. In the integrated aminoanthraquinone-solid polymer electrolyte (AQ-SPE), the naphthalene urethane bond acts as a bridge that links the organic material electrode and the SPE and acts as a channel for Li+ transport at the electrode/SPE interface. Compared to the activation energy of the conventional aminoanthraquinone/solid polymer electrolyte (AQ/SPE), the activation energy of the charge transfer process for the integrated AQ-SPE decreases from 71.2 to 42.1 kJ mol-1, and the charge transfer impedance decreases from 1140 to 198 Ω at 50 °C. The first and 625th discharge capacity densities of AQ in the integrated AQ-SPE at 0.1 mA cm-1 and 50 °C are 139.7 and 125.3 mAh g-1, respectively. Moreover, pouch batteries with the integrated AQ-SPE show excellent safety performance. The in situ fabrication of integrated electrode-SPE provides an enlightening and extended method for realizing efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly batteries.

Long Noncoding RNA lncRHL Regulates Hepatic VLDL Secretion by Modulating hnRNPU/BMAL1/MTTP Axis.

Dysregulation of hepatic VLDL secretion contributes to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hyperlipidemia. Accumulating evidence has suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) had malfunctioning roles in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. However, the function of lncRNAs in controlling hepatic VLDL secretion remains largely unillustrated. Here, we identified a novel lncRNA, lncRNA regulator of hyperlipidemia (lncRHL), which was liver-enriched, downregulated on high-fat diet feeding, and inhibited by oleic acid treatment in primary hepatocytes. With genetic manipulation in mice and primary hepatocytes, depletion of lncRHL induces hepatic VLDL secretion accompanied by decreased hepatic lipid contents. Conversely, lncRHL restoration reduces VLDL secretion with increased lipid deposition in hepatocytes. Mechanistic analyses indicate that lncRHL binds directly to heterogeneous nuclear ribonuclear protein U (hnRNPU), and thereby enhances its stability, and that hnRNPU can transcriptional activate Bmal1, leading to inhibition of VLDL secretion in hepatocytes. lncRHL deficiency accelerates the protein degradation of hnRNPU and suppresses the transcription of Bmal1, which in turn activates VLDL secretion in hepatocytes. With results taken together, we conclude that lncRHL is a novel suppressor of hepatic VLDL secretion. Activating the lncRHL/hnRNPU/BMAL1/MTTP axis represents a potential strategy for the maintenance of intrahepatic and plasma lipid homeostasis.

Electrochemical preparation of nano/micron structure transition metal-based catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction.

Electrochemical water splitting is a promising technology for hydrogen production and sustainable energy conversion, but the existing electrolytic cells lack a sufficient number of robust and highly active anodic electrodes for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Electrochemical synthesis technology provides a feasible route for the preparation of independent OER electrodes with high utilization of active sites, fast mass transfer, and a simple preparation process. A comprehensive review of the electrochemical synthesis of nano/microstructure transition metal-based OER materials is provided. First, some fundamentals of electrochemical synthesis are introduced, including electrochemical synthesis strategies, electrochemical synthesis substrates, the electrolyte used in electrochemical synthesis, and the combination of electrochemical synthesis and other synthesis methods. Second, the morphology and properties of electrochemical synthetic materials are summarized and introduced from the viewpoint of structural design. Then, the latest progress regarding the development of transition metal-based OER electrocatalysts is reviewed, including the classification of metals/alloys, oxides, hydroxides, sulfides, phosphides, selenides, and other transition metal compounds. In addition, the oxygen evolution mechanism and rate-determining steps of transition metal-based catalysts are also discussed. Finally, the advantages, challenges, and opportunities regarding the application of electrochemical techniques in the synthesis of transition metal-based OER electrocatalysts are summarized. This review can provide inspiration for researchers and promote the development of water splitting technology.

How does overall hospital satisfaction relate to patient experience with nursing care? a cross-sectional study in China.

OBJECTIVE: To determine how patient experience with nursing care influence patient satisfaction with overall hospital services. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study. SETTING: Inpatients were consecutively recruited at the national hospital (with 2000 beds) in Shanghai, China. PARTICIPANTS: The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) hospitalised for 2 days or more; (2) able to read and understand Chinese; and (3) aged 18 years old or above. Patients with mental health problems were excluded. 756 patient surveys distributed among 36 wards were analysed. The mean age of participants in the study was 57.7 (SD=14.5) and ranged from 18 to 80 years. Most participants were men (61.5%) and ever married (94.6%). PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient experience with nursing care, meaning the sum of all interactions between patients and nurses, was measured using the self-designed questionnaire, which was developed by patient interviews, literature analysis and expert consultation. The overall patient satisfaction question was measured with a 10-point response option ranging from 1 to 10. RESULTS: A linear relationship between the patient experience with nursing care and overall patient satisfaction was observed. The patient experience with nursing care was significantly associated with overall satisfaction in the crude model and in the adjusted models. Even after adjusting for six sociodemographic and three disease-related factors, the patient experience with nursing care explained 34.9% of the variation in overall patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that patient experience with nursing care was an important predictor for overall patient satisfaction.

Novel data-driven two-dimensional Q-learning for optimal tracking control of batch process with unknown dynamics.

In view that the previous control methods usually rely too much on the models of batch process and have difficulty in a practical batch process with unknown dynamics, a novel data-driven two-dimensional (2D) off-policy Q-learning approach for optimal tracking control (OTC) is proposed to make the batch process obtain a model-free control law. Firstly, an extended state space equation composing of the state and output error is established for ensuring tracking performance of the designed controller. Secondly, the behavior policy of generating data and the target policy of optimization as well as learning is introduced based on this extended system. Then, the Bellman equation independent of model parameters is given via analyzing the relation between 2D value function and 2D Q-function. The measured data along the batch and time directions of batch process are just taken to carry out the policy iteration, which can figure out the optimal control problem despite lacking systematic dynamic information. The unbiasedness and convergence of the designed 2D off-policy Q-learning algorithm are proved. Finally, a simulation case for injection molding process manifests that control effect and tracking effect gradually become better with the increasing number of batches.

Progress in Solid Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium-Ion Batteries and Beyond.

Solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) for high electrochemical performance lithium-ion batteries have received considerable attention due to their unique characteristics; they are not prone to leakage, and they exhibit low flammability, excellent processability, good flexibility, high safety levels, and superior thermal stability. However, current SPEs are far from commercialization, mainly due to the low ionic conductivity, low Li+ transference number (tLi+ ), poor electrode/electrolyte interface contact, narrow electrochemical oxidation window, and poor long-term stability of Li metal. Recent work on improving electrochemical performance and these aspects of SPEs are summarized systematically here with a particular focus on the underlying mechanisms, and the improvement strategies are also proposed. This review could lead to a deeper consideration of the issues and solutions affecting the application of SPEs and pave a new pathway to safe, high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

Mechanically Induced Switching between Two Discrete Conductance States: A Potential Single-Molecule Variable Resistor.

The fabrication of solid-state single-molecule switches with high on-off conductance ratios has been proposed to advance conventional technology in areas such as molecular electronics. Herein, we employed the scanning tunneling microscope break junction (STM-BJ) technique to modulate conductance in single-molecule junctions using mechanically induced stretching. Compound 1a possesses two dihydrobenzothiophene (DHBT) anchoring groups at the opposite ends linked with rigid alkyne side arms to form a gold-molecule-gold junction, while 1b contains 4-pyridine-anchoring groups. The incorporation of ferrocene into the backbone of each compound allows rotational freedom to the cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings to give two distinct conductance states (high and low) for each. Various control experiments and suspended junction compression/retraction measurements indicate that these high- and low-conductance plateaus are the results of conformational changes within the junctions (extended and folded states) brought about by mechanically induced stretching. A high-low switching factor of 42 was achieved for 1a, whereas an exceptional conductance ratio in excess of 2 orders of magnitude (205) was observed for 1b. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest experimental on-off conductance switching ratio for a single-molecule junction exploiting the mechanically induced STM-BJ method. Computational studies indicated that the two disparate conductance states observed for 1a and 1b result from mechanically induced conformational changes due to an interplay between conductance and the dihedral angles associated with the electrode-molecule interfaces. Our study reveals the structure-function relationship that determines conductance in such flexible and dynamic systems and promotes the development of a single-molecule variable resistor with high on-off switching factors.

Water-Sintered Transient Nanocomposites Used as Electrical Interconnects for Dissolvable Consumer Electronics.

Rapid development of electronic technology shortens the development time for new products and accelerates the obsolescence of consumer electronics, resulting in the explosive growth of electronic waste that is difficult to recycle and hazardous to the environment and human health. Transient electronics that can dissolve in water may potentially be adopted to tackle the issues of electronic waste; however, promising approaches to yield large-scale and high-performance transient consumer electronics have not yet been developed. Here, the joint effect of galvanic corrosion and redeposition has been utilized to develop bimetallic transient nanocomposites, which can be printed and water-sintered to yield high-performance transient PCB circuits with excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical robustness. The entire sintering process requires no external energy and strict environmental conditions. The achieved PCB circuits offer a conductivity of 307,664.4 S/m that is among the highest in comparison with other printed transient circuits. The supreme performance of the transient circuits eventually leads to the first dissolvable smartwatch that offers the same functions and similar performance as conventional smartwatches and dissolves in water within 40 h. The joint effect of galvanic corrosion and redeposition between two metals with distinct activities leads to novel nanocomposites and processing techniques of transient electronics. The resulting high-performance transient devices may reshape the appearance of consumer electronics and reform the electronics recycling industry by reducing recycling costs and minimizing environmental pollution and health hazard.

Temperature-Dependent Tunneling in Furan Oligomer Single-Molecule Junctions.

Two commonly observed charge transport mechanisms in single-molecule junctions are coherent tunneling and incoherent hopping. It has been generally believed that tunneling processes yield temperature-independent conductance behavior and hopping processes exhibit increasing conductance with increasing temperature. However, it has recently been proposed that tunneling can also yield temperature-dependent transport due to the thermal broadening of the Fermi energy of the contacts. In this work, we examine a series of rigid, planar furan oligomers that are free from a rotational internal degree of freedom to examine the temperature dependence of tunneling transport directly over a wide temperature range (78-300 K). Our results demonstrate conductance transition from a temperature-independent regime to a temperature-dependent regime. By examining various hopping and tunneling models and the correlation between the temperature dependence of conductance and molecular orbital energy offset from the Fermi level, we conclude thermally assisted tunneling is the dominant cause for the onset of temperature-dependent conductance in these systems.

A 2D-FM model-based robust iterative learning model predictive control for batch processes.

The work deals with composite iterative learning model predictive control (CILMPC) for uncertain batch processes via a two dimensional Fornasini-Marchesini (2D-FM) model. A novel equivalent error system is first presented which is composed of state error and tracking error. Then an iterative learning predictive updating law is constructed by 2D state feedback control and the 'worst' case linear quadratic function is also designed. Besides, the update controller considering the input and output constraint will be optimized using the worst-case objective function along the infinite moving horizon. The solvable conditions that can be optimized online in real time are constructed using linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The stability of the proposed control scheme can be achieved with the feasibility of the optimization problem. Compared with robust traditional MPC using one-dimensional models, the presented control approach can guarantee more degrees of tuning to achieve faster convergence of tracking error, which is of more significance since uncertainties exist inevitably in industrial batch processes. Finally, an injection molding process and a three-tank are introduced as two cases to demonstrate the feasibility and superiority of the proposed MPC strategy.

Evaluation of Psychosocial Pathways to Family Adaptation of Chinese Patients With Liver Cancer Using the McCubbin's Family Resilience Model.

Background and Aim: With the prolonged survival time of patients with liver cancer, these families may face tremendous pressure and development dilemmas that can easily lead to family adaptation crises. Correspondingly, family adaptation crises adversely affect the quality of life of patients and family members. Basing on McCubbin's resilience model of family stress, adjustment, and adaptation, and considering the key factors affecting family resilience based on a review of literature, this study involved a construction of a family adaptation influencing factors model in Chinese liver cancer patients, which was then verified and revised. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between August and December 2020. Using convenience sampling, we selected 265 liver cancer families from the liver tumor center of a teaching hospital affiliated with a university in Shanghai, China. Data from 252 patients with liver cancer and their caregivers were used to identify the factors and pathways associated with family adaptation. The relationships were modeled using structural equations. Results: A total of 265 liver cancer families participated in the survey, and 252 valid questionnaires were returned, with a response rate of 95.09%. The pathway regression coefficients of six factors (family burden, individual resilience, family problem-solving and coping, inner family support, outer family social support, and family function) in the model were found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05), indicating that all of them were significantly associated with family adaptation. Among them, inner family support, outer family social support, and family function were direct influencing factors, while the others were indirect. The path coefficients of the total effect of the determinants on family adaptation were as follows (from largest to smallest): individual resilience (0.562), family function (0.483), outer family social support (0.345), family burden (-0.300), inner family support (0.293), family problem-solving and coping (0.127). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that clinical nurses should not only pay particular attention to direct influencing factors, develop strategies to strengthen the overall family function, encourage patients and caregivers to utilize inner family and outer family social support, but should also consider indirect influence factors, focus on the vital role of the individual, and promote patients' and caregivers' personal and family coping ability.