Single-stage computer-assisted approach for tumour resection and functional restoration of Brown class III maxillary defects-titanium mesh and zygomatic implants combined with vascularized anterolateral thigh flap

The functional restoration of Brown class III maxillary defects is a challenging endeavour in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Conventional reconstruction techniques with osseous free flaps have certain limitations, such as the need for multiple operations and greater patient morbidity. This study introduces a single-stage computer-assisted approach for tumour resection and functional restoration of these defects using titanium mesh, zygomatic implants, and a vascularized anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF). Virtual surgical planning was used to simulate tumour resection, titanium mesh placement, and zygomatic implant insertion. Surgery was performed under the guidance of mixed reality and surgical navigation. The tumour was resected by total hemimaxillectomy, and the reconstruction was performed using a pre-bent patient-specific titanium mesh for the orbital floor and two zygomatic implants placed and exposed through tunnels in an ALTF. The ALTF survived without any perioperative complications. A fixed prosthesis with built-in titanium frame was delivered 4 months postoperatively. At the 1-year follow-up, there was no tumour recurrence, the implants were osseointegrated, and aesthetics and masticatory function were satisfactory. An occlusal force of 155 N was attained on the reconstructed side, compared to 127 N on the non-surgical side.

Spatial distribution characteristics of carbazole and polyhalogenated carbazoles in water column and sediments in the open Western Pacific Ocean

Polyhalogenated carbazoles (PHCZs), an emerging persistent halogenated organic pollutant, have been detected in the environment. However, our understanding of PHCZs in the ocean remains limited. In this study, 47 seawater samples (covering 50 - 4000 m) and sediment samples (49 surface and 3 cores) were collected to investigate the occurrence and spatial distribution patterns of carbazole and its halogenated derivants (CZDs) in the Western Pacific Ocean. In seawater, the detection frequencies of CZ (97.87%) and 3-CCZ (57.45%) were relatively high. In addition, the average concentration of ΣPHCZs in the upper water (< 150 m, 0.23 ± 0.21 ng/L) was significantly lower than that in the deep ocean (1000 - 4000 m, 0.65 ± 0.56 ng/L, P < 0.05), which may indicate the vertical transport of PHCZs in the marine environment. The concentration of ΣCZDs in surface sediment ranges from 0.46 to 6.48 ng/g (mean 1.54 ng/g), among which CZ and 36-CCZ were the predominant components. Results from sediment cores demonstrate a noteworthy negative correlation between the concentration of CZDs and depth, indicating the ongoing natural degradation process occurring in sediment cores over a long period. This study offers distinctive insights into the occurrence, composition, and vertical features of CZDs in oceanic environments.

Tailoring Titanium Carbide Clusters for New Materials: from Met-Cars to Carbon-Doped Superatoms

Tailoring materials with prescribed properties and regular structures is a critical and challenging research topic. Early transition metals were found to form supermagic M8C12 metallocarbohedrenes (Met-Cars); however, stable metal carbides are not limited to this common stoichiometry. Utilizing self-developed deep-ultraviolet laser ionization mass spectrometry, here, we report a strategy to generate new titanium carbides by reacting pure Tin clusters with acetylene. Interestingly, two products corresponding to Ti17C2 and Ti19C10 exhibit superior abundances in addition to the Ti8C12 Met-Cars. Using global-minimum search, the structures of Ti17C2 and Ti19C10 are determined to be an ellipsoidal D4d and a rod-shaped D5h geometry, respectively, both with carbon-capped Ti4C moieties and superatomic features. We illustrate the electronic structures and bonding nature in these carbon-doped superatoms concerning their enhanced stability and local aromaticity, shedding light on a new class of metal-carbide nanomaterials with atomic precision.

On the nature of Con±/0 clusters reacting with water and oxygen

Bulk cobalt does not react with water at room temperature, but cobalt nanometals could yield corrosion at ambient conditions. Insights into the cobalt cluster reactions with water and oxygen enable us to better understand the interface reactivity of such nanometals. Here we report a comprehensive study on the gas-phase reactions of Con±/0 clusters with water and oxygen. All these Con±/0 clusters were found to react with oxygen, but only anionic cobalt clusters give rise to water dissociation whereas the cationic and neutral ones are limited to water adsorption. We elucidate the influences of charge states, bonding modes and dehydrogenation mechanism of water on typical cobalt clusters. It is unveiled that the additional electron of anionic Con- clusters is not beneficial to H2O adsorption, but allows for thermodynamics- and kinetics-favourable H atom transfer and dehydrogenation reactions. Apart from the charge effect, size effect and spin effect play a subtle role in the reaction process. The synergy of multiple metal sites in Con- clusters reduces the energy barrier of the rate-limiting step enabling hydrogen release. This finding of water dissociation on cobalt clusters put forward new connotations on the activity series of metals, providing new insights into the corrosion mechanism of cobalt nanometals.

Spontaneous Wetting Induced by Contact-Electrification at Liquid-Solid Interface

Wettability significantly influences various surface interactions and applications at the liquid-solid interface. However, the understanding is complicated by the intricate charge exchange occurring through contact electrification (CE) during this process. The understanding of the influence of triboelectric charge on wettability remains challenging, especially due to the complexities involved in concurrently measuring contact angles and interfacial electrical signals. Here, the relationship is investigated between surface charge density and change of contact angle of dielectric films after contact with water droplets. It is observed that the charge exchange when water spared lead to a spontaneous wetting phenomenon, which is termed as the contact electrification induced wetting (CEW). Notably, these results demonstrate a linear dependence between the change of contact angle (CA) of the materials and the density of surface charge on the solid surface. Continuous CEW tests show that not only the static CA but also the dynamics of wetting are influenced by the accumulation charges at the interface. The mechanism behind CEW involves the redistribution of surface charges on a solid surface and polar water molecules within liquid. This interaction results in a decrease in interface energy, leading to a reduction in the CA. Ab initio calculations suggest that the reduction in interface energy may stem from the enhanced surface charge on the substrate, which strengthens the hydrogen bond interaction between water and the substrate. These findings have the potential to advance the understanding of CE and wetting phenomena, with applications in energy harvesting, catalysis, and droplet manipulation at liquid-solid interfaces.

[Epidemiological characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli infection in infectious diarrhea outpatients aged 15 years and older in Shanghai, 2014-2021]

Objective: To understand the epidemiological characteristics of diarrheagenic Escherichia (E. ) coli infection in infectious diarrhea outpatients aged 15 years and older in Shanghai and provide evidence for the development of disease control strategies. Methods: Based on multistage systematic sampling, diarrhea surveillance was conducted in 22 sentinel hospitals in Shanghai, the information about cases' demographic, clinical, and epidemiological characteristics were collected. Stool samples were collected for the detection and typing of diarrheagenic E. coli by local centers for disease control and prevention. The positive rate of diarrheagenic E. coli in different populations and seasons from 2014 to 2021 were analyzed. Statistical analysis was conducted by using χ2 test. Results: In 15 185 diarrhea cases, 8.05% (1 222/15 185) were positive for diarrheagenic E. coli. The positive rate was higher in men (8.74%, 684/7 824) than in women (7.31%, 538/7 361). The positive rate was highest in age group 15-29 years (9.14%, 335/3 665) and the annual positive rate was highest in 2021 (10.21%, 83/813), the differences were all significant (P<0.05). In the 1 264 strains of diarrheagenic E. coli analyzed through PCR, enterotoxingenic E. coli was the most frequently identified pathogen (50.24%, 635/1 264), followed by enteroadhesive E. coli (27.93%, 353/1 264), and enteropathogenic E. coli (21.36%, 270/1 264). The positive rate of diarrheagenic E. coli showed obvious seasonality with peak in summer (13.92%, 774/5 562) (χ2=495.73, P<0.001). Conclusions: Diarrheagenic E. coli has become a prominent pathogen in infectious diarrhea cases in Shanghai, the disease can occur all the year round with incidence peak during summer and autumn. Predominant subtypes included enterotoxingenic E. coli, enteroadhesive E. coli and enteropathogenic E. coli. Targeted prevention and control strategies are needed for diarrheagenic E. coli-induced infectious diarrhea in different age groups, seasons and for different types of infections.

Triboelectric Spectroscopy for In Situ Chemical Analysis of Liquids

Chemical analysis of ions and small organic molecules in liquid samples is crucial for applications in chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, and health monitoring. Mainstream electrochemical and chromatographic techniques often suffer from complex and lengthy sample preparation and testing procedures and require either bulky or expensive instrumentation. Here, we combine triboelectrification and charge transfer on the surface of electrical insulators to demonstrate the concept of triboelectric spectroscopy (TES) for chemical analysis. As a drop of the liquid sample slides along an insulating reclined plane, the local triboelectrification of the surface is recorded, and the charge pattern along the sample trajectory is used to build a fingerprinting of the charge transfer spectroscopy. Chemical information extracted from the charge transfer pattern enables a new nondestructive and ultrafast (<1 s) tool for chemical analysis. TES profiles are unique, and through an automated identification, it is possible to match against standard and hence detect over 30 types of common salts, acids, bases and organic molecules. The qualitative and quantitative accuracies of the TES methodology is close to 93%, and the detection limit is as low as ppb levels. Instruments for TES chemical analysis are portable and can be further miniaturized, opening a path to in situ and rapid chemical detection relying on inexpensive, portable low-tech instrumentation.

To What Extent Do Iodomethane and Bromomethane Undergo Analogous Reactions?

Iodomethane and bromomethane (CH3I/CH3Br) are common chemicals, but their chemistry on nanometals is not fully understood. Here, we analyze the reactivity of Rhn+ (n = 3-30) clusters with halomethanes and unveil the spin effect and concentration dependence in the C-H and C-X bond activation. It is found that the reactions under halomethane-rich conditions differ from those under metal-rich conditions. Both CH3I and CH3Br undergo similar dehydrogenation on the Rhn+ clusters in the presence of small quantity reactants; however, different reactions are observed in the presence of sufficient CH3I/CH3Br, showing dominant Rh(CH3Br)x+ (x = 1-4) products but a series of RhnCxHyIz+ species (x = 1-4, y = 1-12, and z = 1-5) pertaining to H2, HI, or CH4 removal. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the dehydrogenation and demethanation of CH3Br are relatively less exothermic and will be deactivated by sufficient gas collisions if helium cooling takes away energy immediately; instead, the successive adsorption of CH3Br gives rise to a series of Rh(CH3Br)x+ species with accidental C-Br bond dissociation.

Neuroprotection of low dose carbon monoxide in Parkinson's disease models commensurate with the reduced risk of Parkinson's among smokers

Paradoxically, cigarette smoking is associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). This led us to hypothesize that carbon monoxide (CO) levels, which are constitutively but modestly elevated in smokers, might contribute to neuroprotection. Using rodent models of PD based on α-synuclein (αSyn) accumulation and oxidative stress, we show that low-dose CO mitigates neurodegeneration and reduces αSyn pathology. Oral CO administration activated signaling cascades mediated by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which have been implicated in limiting oxidative stress, and in promoting αSyn degradation, thereby conferring neuroprotection. Consistent with a neuroprotective effect of smoking, HO-1 levels in cerebrospinal fluid were higher in human smokers compared to nonsmokers. Moreover, in PD brain samples, HO-1 levels were higher in neurons without αSyn pathology. Thus, CO in rodent PD models reduces pathology and increases oxidative stress responses, phenocopying possible protective effects of smoking evident in PD patients. These data highlight the potential for low-dose CO modulated pathways to slow symptom onset and limit pathology in PD patients.

Ang1/Tie2/VE-Cadherin Signaling Regulates DPSCs in Vascular Maturation

Adding dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) to vascular endothelial cell-formed vessel-like structures can increase the longevity of these vessel networks. DPSCs display pericyte-like cell functions and closely assemble endothelial cells (ECs). However, the mechanisms of DPSC-derived pericyte-like cells in stabilizing the vessel networks are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the functions of E-DPSCs, which were DPSCs isolated from the direct coculture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and DPSCs, and T-DPSCs, which were DPSCs treated by transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), in stabilizing blood vessels in vitro and in vivo. A 3-dimensional coculture spheroid sprouting assay was conducted to compare the functions of E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs in vitro. Dental pulp angiogenesis in the severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse model was used to explore the roles of E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs in vascularization in vivo. The results demonstrated that both E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs possess smooth muscle cell-like cell properties, exhibiting higher expression of the mural cell-specific markers and the suppression of HUVEC sprouting. E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs inhibited HUVEC sprouting by activating TEK tyrosine kinase (Tie2) signaling, upregulating vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, and downregulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). In vivo study revealed more perfused and total blood vessels in the HUVEC + E-DPSC group, HUVEC + T-DPSC group, angiopoietin 1 (Ang1) pretreated group, and vascular endothelial protein tyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP) inhibitor pretreated group, compared to HUVEC + DPSC group. In conclusion, these data indicated that E-DPSCs and T-DPSCs could stabilize the newly formed blood vessels and accelerate their perfusion. The critical regulating pathways are Ang1/Tie2/VE-cadherin and VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling.

[Analysis and prediction of burden of viral hepatitis C-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2044]

OBJECTIVE

To measure the burden of hepatitis C-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2019, and to predict its changes from 2020 to 2044, so as to provide insights into formulation of the targeted hepatitis C control strategy.

METHODS

The total burden due to hepatitis C-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2019 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 (GBD 2019) data resources, and the trends in age-standardized prevalence, incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) rate of hepatitis C-associated acute hepatitis C (AHC), chronic liver diseases (CLD) and liver cancer in China from 1990 to 2019 were evaluated in China from 1990 to 2019 using estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). In addition, the changes in the burden of hepatitis C-associated diseases were predicted in China from 2020 to 2044 using a Bayesian model.

RESULTS

The prevalence, incidence, mortality and DALY rate of hepatitis C-associated diseases all appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2019 (EAPC = -2.64%, -2.24%, -3.81% and -3.90%, respectively); however, there was a minor rise in the incidence and prevalence of hepatitis C-associated diseases from 2015 to 2019. The overall prevalence of hepatitis C-associated diseases reduced from 2 152.7/105 in 1990 to 1 254.1/105 in 2019 in China, with a reduction of 41.7%. The overall incidence reduced from 87.9/105 in 1990 to 55.0/105 in 2019 in China, with a reduction of 37.4%, and the highest incidence was seen for AHC, followed by CLD and liver cancer. The overall mortality and DALY rate of hepatitis C-associated diseases was 4.0/105 and 100.8/105 in China from 1990 to 2019, with CLD showing the largest contributions to the gross mortality and DALY. The mortality and DALY rate of hepatitis C-associated diseases were 5.5/105 and 142.4/105 among men in China in 2019, which were both much higher than among women (2.8/105 and 60.3/105, respectively), and the overall prevalence (1 604.9/105), mortality (30.2/105) and DALYs (437.1/105) of hepatitis C-associated diseases were all highest among patients at ages of 70 years and older, and the highest incidence was seen among patients at ages of 0 to 9 years (167.3/105). The incidence of hepatitis C-associated diseases was predicted to rise in China from 2020 to 2044; however, the DALY rate was projected to appear a tendency towards a decline.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the burden of hepatitis C-associated diseases showed a tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2019, the burden remained high, and was predicted to slightly rise from 2020 to 2044. High attention should be paid to screening of hepatitis C among infants and treatment among adults.

Unusually High-Spin Fe12C12- Metallo-Carbohedrene Clusters

Ferromagnets constructed from nanometals of atomic precision are important for innovative advances in information storage, energy conversion, and spintronic microdevices. Considerable success has been achieved in designing molecular magnets, which, however, are challenging in preparation and may suffer from drawbacks on the incompatibility of high stability and strong ferromagnetism. Utilizing a state-of-the-art self-developed mass spectrometer and a homemade laser vaporization source, we have achieved a highly efficient preparation of pure iron clusters, and here, we report the finding of a strongly ferromagnetic metal-carbon cluster, Fe12C12-, simply by reacting the Fen- clusters with acetylene in proper conditions. The unique stability of this ferromagnetic Fe12C12- cluster is rooted in a plumb-bob structure pertaining to Jahn-Teller distortion. We classify Fe12C12- as a new member of metallo-carbohedrenes and elucidate its structural stability mechanism as well as its soft-landing deposition and magnetization measurements, providing promise for the exploration of potential applications.

[Burden of hepatitis B-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2030]

OBJECTIVE

To measure the burden of hepatitis B-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2019, and to predict its changes from 2020 to 2030.

METHODS

The age-standardized prevalence, incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rate of hepatitis B-associated diseases in China from 1990 to 2019 were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 (GBD 2019) data resources, and the trends in burdens of hepatitis B-associated diseases were evaluated from 1990 to 2019 using estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and annual percent change (APC). In addition, the changes in the burden of hepatitis B-associated diseases were predicted in China from 2020 to 2023 using the Bayesian model.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of hepatitis B-associated diseases reduced from 2 725.98/105 in 1990 to 1 397.31/105 in 2019 in China [estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) = -2.35%, 95% confidential interval (CI): (-2.58%, -2.13%)], with a reduction in the prevalence from 12 239.53/105 in 1990 to 6 566.12/105 in 2019 [EAPC = -2.34%, 95% CI: (-2.54%, -2.14%)], a reduction in the mortality from 24.67/105 in 1990 to 8.07/105 in 2019 [EAPC = -4.92%, 95% CI: (-5.37%, -4.47%)], and a reduction in the DALY rate from 793.38/105 in 1990 to 247.71/105 in 2019 [(EAPC = -5.15%, 95% CI: (-5.64%, -4.66%)]. The DALY rate of hepatitis B-associated diseases were mainly attributed to liver cancer, and the DALY rate of hepatitis B-associated diseases appeared a tendency towards a rise in China from 2012 to 2019 [APC = 1.30%, 95% CI: (0.16%, 2.45%)]. The overall burden of hepatitis Bassociated diseases was higher in males than in females, and the DALY rate of hepatitis B-associated diseases increased with age, with the greatest DALY rate seen among patients at ages of 50 to 69 years. The overall incidence of hepatitis B-associated diseases was projected to be 866.79/105 in China in 2030, with the greatest incidence seen in acute hepatitis B (854.87/105), and the burden of hepatitis B-associated diseases was predicted to decline in China from 2020 to 2030; however, the burden of liver disease was projected to appear a tendency towards a rise.

CONCLUSIONS

The burden of hepatitis B-associated diseases appears an overall tendency towards a decline in China from 1990 to 2030; however, the burden of liver cancer appears a tendency towards aggravation. Early diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer should be given a high priority.

[Advances in the applications of dissolving polymer microneedles for delivering drugs in ocular diseases]

Due to the unique anatomical structure and physiological barriers of the eye, drug delivery for ocular diseases presents a formidable challenge. Conventional methods of ocular drug administration often suffer from limitations such as low drug bioavailability and a lack of tissue targeting, necessitating multiple administrations to achieve the desired therapeutic drug concentrations. In recent years, microneedles, known for their attributes of safety, minimally invasive application, and high efficiency, have found widespread application in ocular drug delivery research. Among the various types of microneedles, dissolving polymer microneedles have emerged as a prominent focus in the field of ocular drug delivery due to their distinct advantages over other microneedle types. This article provides a comprehensive summary and outlook on the progress in the application of dissolving polymer microneedles for drug delivery in ocular diseases.

Effects of dietary methionine supplementation from different sources on growth performance and meat quality of barrows and gilts

Methionine is indispensable for growth and meat formation in pigs. However, it is still unclear that increasing dietary sulphur-containing amino acid (SAA) levels using different methionine sources affects the growth performance and meat quality of barrows and gilts. To investigate this, 144 pigs (half barrows and half gilts) were fed the control (100% SAA, CON), DL-Methionine (125% SAA, DL-Met)-supplemented, or OH-Methionine (125% SAA, OH-Met)-supplemented diets during the 11-110 kg period. The results showed that plasma methionine levels varied among treatments during the experimental phase, with increased plasma methionine levels observed following increased SAA consumption during the 25-45 kg period. In contrast, pigs fed the DL-Met diet had lower plasma methionine levels than those fed the CON diet (95-110 kg). Additionally, gilts fed the DL-Met or OH-Met diets showed decreased drip loss in longissimus lumborum muscle (LM) compared to CON-fed gilts. OH-Met-fed gilts had higher pH45min values than those fed the CON or DL-Met diets, whereas OH-Met-fed barrows had higher L45min values than those fed the CON or DL-Met diets. Moreover, increased consumption of SAA, regardless of the methionine source, tended to decrease the shear force of the LM in pigs. In conclusion, this study indicates that increasing dietary levels of SAA (+25%) appeared to improve the meat quality of gilts by decreasing drip loss and increasing meat tenderness.

Selectively Irradiation of the Supraclavicular Area in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated with Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The application of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has significantly improved the locoregional control and overall survival of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but how to deescalate the intensity of treatment to further reduce the side effects while ensuring the efficacy is the main concern of clinicians. Decreasing radiation volume is one of the hot research topics. Whole-neck irradiation is recommended for patients with cervical lymph node involvement, which includes levels IVb and Vc. Since the implementation of IMRT in our clinic, patients with only upper cervical lymph node invasion have not been irradiated in the levels IVb and Vc, and the regional control rate is comparable to that of other centers. This study intends to retrospectively analyze the feasibility of omitting levels IVb and Vc in patients with only upper cervical lymph node invasion, and provide a basis for the revision of international guideline for the delineation of the clinical target volume (CTV).

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with histologically confirmed NPC who completed IMRT successfully at our attending group between January 2014 to March 2018 were candidates for this study. Other eligibility criteria for analysis were as follows: (1) The first patient without distant metastasis; (2) Only patients with upper cervical lymph node invasion (only N1, N2, because the maximum diameter of the upper neck 6cm diagnosed as N3 patients were not included) (AJCC staging system, 8th edition); (3) Having complete baseline imaging data; (4) Over 3 months of follow-up; (5) Patients without previous history of malignant tumor and secondary cancer. According to the delineation of CTV in our protocol for patients with stage N1 and N2, levels IVb and Vc are not irradiated (i.e., retaining the original supraclavicular area). The main endpoints of the study were regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS) and recurrence rates in levels IVb and Vc.

RESULTS

In all, 363 patients with NPC and median follow-up of 61.9 months (range, 3.67-93.3) met the study inclusion criteria and comprise the dataset for the analysis. The overall survival, survival without local recurrence, survival without regional recurrence, and survival without distant metastasis at 3 and 5 years were 94.6% and 91.1%, 97.7% and 96.5%, 98.6% and 98.0%, 93.5% and 91.1%. At the final follow-up, 11 cases showed regional recurrence, and only one case (0.28%) showed recurrence in regions IVb and Vc, which were field recurrences, while the rest were intra-field recurrences.

CONCLUSION

Omitting levels Ⅳb and Ⅴc IMRT should be safe and feasible for patients who only had involvement of upper neck LNs. Further well-designed multicenter prospective trials should be conducted to confirm our results and further optimize the recommendation of the International Guideline.

Rh19-: A high-spin super-octahedron cluster

Probing atomic clusters with magic numbers is of supreme importance but challenging in cluster science. Pronounced stability of a metal cluster often arises from coincident geometric and electronic shell closures. However, transition metal clusters do not simply abide by this constraint. Here, we report the finding of a magic-number cluster Rh19- with prominent inertness in the sufficient gas-collision reactions. Photoelectron spectroscopy experiments and global-minimum structure search have determined the geometry of Rh19- to be a regular Oh‑[Rh@Rh12@Rh6]- with unusual high-spin electronic configuration. The distinct stability of such a strongly magnetic cluster Rh19- consisting of a nonmagnetic element is fully unveiled on the basis of its unique bonding nature and superatomic states. The 1-nanometer-sized Oh-Rh19- cluster corresponds to a fragment of the face-centered cubic lattice of bulk rhodium but with altered magnetism and electronic property. This cluster features exceptional electron-spin state isomers confirmed in photoelectron spectra and suggests potential applications in atomically precise manufacturing involving spintronics and quantum computing.

Size-dependent charge transfer between water microdroplets

Contact electrification (CE) in water has attracted much attention, owing to its potential impacts on the chemical reactions, such as the recent discovery of spontaneous generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in water microdroplets. However, current studies focus on the CE of bulk water, the measurement of CE between micrometer-size water droplets is a challenge and its mechanism still remains ambiguous. Here, a method for quantifying the amount of charge carried by the water microdroplets produced by ultrasonic atomization is proposed. In the method, the motions of water microdroplets in a uniform electric field are observed and the electrostatic forces on the microdroplets are calculated based on the moving speed of the microdroplets. It is revealed that the charge transfer between water microdroplets is size-dependent. The large microdroplets tend to be positively charged while the small microdroplets tend to receive negative charges, implying that the negative charges transfer from large microdroplets to the small microdroplets during ultrasonic atomization. Further, a theoretical model for microdroplets charging is proposed, in which the curvature-induced surface potential/energy difference is suggested to be responsible for the charge transfer between microdroplets. The findings show that the electric field strength between two microdroplets with opposite charges during separation is strong enough to convert OH‒ to OH*, providing evidence for the CE-induced spontaneous generation of H2O2 in water microdroplets.

[Clinical characteristics of 13 cases with entrapped temporal horn syndrome and efficacy of refined temporal-to-frontal horn shunt]

Thirteen consecutive patients with entrapped temporal horn syndrome in the Department of Neurosurgery of Beijing Tiantan Hospital from February 2018 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, and there were 5 males and 8 females, with a mean age of (43±21) years. Increased intracranial pressure caused by hydrocephalus was the main clinical symptom. All the patients underwent refined temporal-to-frontal horn shunt, and all the symptoms were improved after surgery. Postoperative Karnofsky performance score (KPS) [90 (90, 100)] was higher than preoperative KPS [57 (40, 70)] (P=0.001). However, postoperative entrapped temporal horn volume [13.85 (8.90, 15.25) cm³] decreased, compared with preoperative volume [66.52 (38.65, 88.65) cm³] (P=0.001). Likewise, postoperative midline shift [0.77 (0, 1.50) mm] was longer than preoperative midline shift [6.69 (2.50, 10.00) mm] (P=0.002). No surgery-related complications were observed after the operation. Therefore, the refined temporal-to-frontal horn shunt is safe and effective treatment for entrapped temporal horn syndrome, with favorable outcomes.

Large and Tunable Ranking Shift in Triboelectric Series of Polymers by Introducing Phthalazinone Moieties

Regulating the ranking of polymer in triboelectric series over a wide range is of great help for material's selection of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Herein, fluorinated poly(phthalazinone ether)s (FPPEs) with tunable molecular structure and aggregate structure are synthesized by co-polycondensation, while the large positive ranking shift in the triboelectric series can be achieved by introducing phthalazinone moieties with strong electron donating capability. FPPE-5, which includes abundant phthalazinone moieties, is more positive than all of the previously reported triboelectric polymers. Hence, the regulating range of FPPEs in this work updates a new record in triboelectric series, which is wider than that of previous works. A peculiar crystallization behavior, capable of trapping and storing more electrons, has been observed in FPPE-2 with 25% phthalazinone moieties. Correspondingly, FPPE-2 is more negative than FPPE-1 without a phthalazinone moiety, which is an unexpected shift against the common changing tendency in triboelectric series. With FPPEs films as the probing material, a tactile TENG sensor is applied to enable material identification via electrical signal polarity. Hence, this study demonstrates a strategy to regulate the series of triboelectric polymers by copolymerization using monomers with distinct electrification capabilities, where both the monomer ratio and the peculiar nonlinear behavior can control triboelectric performance.

Improved Measurement of the Evolution of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

Reactor neutrino experiments play a crucial role in advancing our knowledge of neutrinos. In this Letter, the evolution of the flux and spectrum as a function of the reactor isotopic content is reported in terms of the inverse-beta-decay yield at Daya Bay with 1958 days of data and improved systematic uncertainties. These measurements are compared with two signature model predictions: the Huber-Mueller model based on the conversion method and the SM2018 model based on the summation method. The measured average flux and spectrum, as well as the flux evolution with the ^{239}Pu isotopic fraction, are inconsistent with the predictions of the Huber-Mueller model. In contrast, the SM2018 model is shown to agree with the average flux and its evolution but fails to describe the energy spectrum. Altering the predicted inverse-beta-decay spectrum from ^{239}Pu fission does not improve the agreement with the measurement for either model. The models can be brought into better agreement with the measurements if either the predicted spectrum due to ^{235}U fission is changed or the predicted ^{235}U, ^{238}U, ^{239}Pu, and ^{241}Pu spectra are changed in equal measure.

[Analysis on missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis of anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery by echocardiography from one single medical center]

Objectives: To analyze the reasons of missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis on anomalous origin of left coronary artery from pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) by echocardiography. Methods: This is a retrospective study. Patients with ALCAPA who underwent surgical treatment in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from August 2008 to December 2021 were included. According to the results of preoperative echocardiography and surgical diagnosis, the patients were divided into confirmed group or missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis group. The results of preoperative echocardiography were collected, and the specific echocardiographic signs were analyzed. According to the experience of the doctors, the echocardiographic signs were divided into four types, namely clear displayed, vague/doubtful displayed, no display and no notice, and the display rate of each sign was calculated (display rate=number of clearly displayed cases/total number of cases×100%). By referring the surgical data, we analyzed and recorded the pathological anatomy and pathophysiological characteristics of the patients, and the rate of missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis of echocardiography in patients with different characteristics was compared. Results: A total of 21 patients were enrolled, including 11 males, aged 1.8 (0.8, 12.3) years (range 1 month to 47 years). Except for one patient with anomalous origin of left anterior descending artery, the others were all originated from the main left coronary artery (LCA). There were 13 cases of ALCAPA in infant and children, and 8 cases of adult ALCAPA. There were 15 cases in the confirmed group (diagnostic accuracy was 71.4% (15/21)), and 6 cases in the missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis group (three cases were misdiagnosed as primary endocardial fibroelastosis, two cases were misdiagnosed as coronary-pulmonary artery fistula; and one case was missed diagnosis). The working years of the physicians in the confirmed group were longer than those in the missed diagnosis/misdiagnosed group ((12.8±5.6) years vs. (8.3±4.7) years, P=0.045). In infants with ALCAPA, the detection rate of LCA-pulmonary shunt (8/10 vs. 0, P=0.035) and coronary collateral circulation (7/10 vs. 0, P=0.042) in confirmed group was higher than that in missed diagnosis/misdiagnosed group. In adult ALCAPA patients, the detection rate of LCA-pulmonary artery shunt was higher in confirmed group than that in missed diagnosis/misdiagnosed group (4/5 vs. 0, P=0.021). The missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis rate of adult type was higher than that of infant type (3/8 vs. 3/13, P=0.410). The rate of missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis was higher in patients with abnormal origin of branches than that of abnormal origin of main trunk (1/1 vs. 5/21, P=0.028). The rate of missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis in patients with LCA running between the main and pulmonary arteries was higher than that distant from the main pulmonary artery septum (4/7 vs. 2/14, P=0.064). The rate of missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension was higher than that in patients without severe pulmonary hypertension (2/3 vs. 4/18, P=0.184). The reasons with an echocardiography missed diagnosis/misdiagnosis rate of≥50% included that (1) the proximal segment of LCA ran between the main and pulmonary arteries; (2) abnormal opening of LCA at the right posterior part of the pulmonary artery; (3) abnormal origin of LCA branches; (4) complicated with severe pulmonary hypertension. Conclusions: Echocardiography physicians' knowledge of ALCAPA and diagnostic vigilance are critical to the accuracy of diagnosis. Attention should be paid to the pediatric cases with no obvious precipitating factors of left ventricular enlargement, regardless of whether the left ventricular function is normal or not, the origin of coronary artery should be routinely explored.

Generality-oriented optimization of enantioselective aminoxyl radical catalysis

Catalytic enantioselective methods that are generally applicable to a broad range of substrates are rare. We report a strategy for the oxidative desymmetrization of meso-diols predicated on a nontraditional catalyst optimization protocol by using a panel of screening substrates rather than a singular model substrate. Critical to this approach was rational modulation of a peptide sequence in the catalyst incorporating a distinct aminoxyl-based active residue. A general catalyst emerged, providing high selectivity in the delivery of enantioenriched lactones across a broad range of diols, while also achieving up to ~100,000 turnovers.

Precision Measurement of Reactor Antineutrino Oscillation at Kilometer-Scale Baselines by Daya Bay

We present a new determination of the smallest neutrino mixing angle θ_{13} and the mass-squared difference Δm_{32}^{2} using a final sample of 5.55×10^{6} inverse beta-decay (IBD) candidates with the final-state neutron captured on gadolinium. This sample is selected from the complete dataset obtained by the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment in 3158 days of operation. Compared to the previous Daya Bay results, selection of IBD candidates has been optimized, energy calibration refined, and treatment of backgrounds further improved. The resulting oscillation parameters are sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.0851±0.0024, Δm_{32}^{2}=(2.466±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the normal mass ordering or Δm_{32}^{2}=-(2.571±0.060)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} for the inverted mass ordering.