Effective and reusable 3D CuxS nanocluster structured magnetic adsorbent for mercury extraction from wastewater

The elimination of mercury from polluted water using an effective, cost-economic, and sustainable method was investigated in this work. A modulated multilayer magnetic Hg²⁺ extractor was prepared with a self-assembly engineering that permitting robust anchoring and uniform distribution of the negatively charged 3D Cu_xS nanocluster onto a polydopamine (PDA) covered positively strengthened Fe₃O₄ surface. The developed PAD@Fe₃O₄ supported copper sulfide composite (Cu_xS/PAD@Fe₃O₄) presented an unparalleled Hg²⁺ uptake performance with adsorption capacity of 1394.61 mg/g (without saturation), and extraordinary selectivity with distribution coefficient value K_d of 17419.2 mL/g. A complexation reaction during Hg²⁺ affinity was taken place on Cu_xS/PAD@Fe₃O₄ surface, and almost no components losses occurring during the adsorption. Furthermore, the as-prepared Cu_xS/PAD@Fe₃O₄ micron-adsorbent can be easily magnetic recovery and recycled with hydrochloric acid elution. The purification of 50 L Hg²⁺ containing wastewater, initial concentration of 20 μg/L can be achieved with Cu_xS/PAD@Fe₃O₄ dosage of 0.1 g and treatment cost of 0.077 US $. The outlet Hg²⁺ concentration met drinking water standard of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The Cu_xS/PAD@Fe₃O₄ magnetic adsorbent can be fabricated cheaply and holds promise for scale-up applications.

DOCK4 regulates ghrelin production in gastric X/A-like cells

PURPOSE

Ghrelin, a gastric hormone, provides a hunger signal to the central nervous system to stimulate food intake. Ghrelin also modulates neuroinflammatory and apoptotic processes. Dedicator of cytokinesis 4 (DOCK4), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), is involved in the regulation of neuronal polarization and axon regeneration. However, the effect of DOCK4 on ghrelin production has not been explored.

METHODS

The expression of DOCK4 in human and mouse stomach was examined by immunohistochemical staining. The synthesis and secretion of ghrelin in Dock4 null mice were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot and ELISA. The effects of DOCK4 on ghrelin production in mHypoE-42 cells were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

We showed that DOCK4 was expressed in both human and mouse gastric ghrelin cells. The mRNA and protein levels of gastric ghrelin, as well as ghrelin secretion, were remarkably diminished in Dock4 null mice. Furthermore, we showed that overexpression of Dock4 significantly stimulated ghrelin expression, while siRNA knockdown of endogenous Dock4 resulted in a marked decrease of ghrelin in mHypoE-N42 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results identify DOCK4 as a critical regulator for ghrelin production in gastric X/A-like cells.

Acid-in-Clay Electrolyte for Wide-Temperature-Range and Long-Cycle Proton Batteries

Proton conduction underlies many important electrochemical technologies. A family of new proton electrolytes is reported: acid-in-clay electrolyte (AiCE) prepared by integrating fast proton carriers in a natural phyllosilicate clay network, which can be made into thin-film (tens of micrometers) fluid-impervious membranes. The chosen example systems (sepiolite-phosphoric acid) rank top among the solid proton conductors in terms of proton conductivities (15 mS cm^-1 at 25 °C, 0.023 mS cm^-1 at -82 °C), electrochemical stability window (3.35 V), and reduced chemical reactivity. A proton battery is assembled using AiCE as the solid electrolyte membrane. Benefitting from the wider electrochemical stability window, reduced corrosivity, and excellent ionic selectivity of AiCE, the two main problems (gassing and cyclability) of proton batteries are successfully solved. This work draws attention to the element cross-over problem in proton batteries and the generic "acid-in-clay" solid electrolyte approach with superfast proton transport, outstanding selectivity, and improved stability for room- to cryogenic-temperature protonic applications.

Cryo-Electron Tomography of Highly Deformable and Adherent Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Exoskeleton in Li-Metal Batteries with Ether-Based Electrolyte

The 3D nanocomposite structure of plated lithium (Li_Metal ) and solid electrolyte interphases (SEI), including a polymer-rich surficial passivation layer (SEI exoskeleton) and inorganic SEI "fossils" buried inside amorphous Li matrix, is resolved using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. With ether-based DOLDME-LiTFSI electrolyte, LiF and Li₂ O nanocrystals are formed and embedded in a thin but tough amorphous polymer in the SEI exoskeleton. The fast Li-stripping directions are along [ 1 ¯ 10 ] or [ 12 1 ¯ ] , which produces eight exposed {111} planes at halfway charging. Full Li stripping produces completely sagging, empty SEI husks that can sustain large bending and buckling, with the smallest bending radius of curvature observed approaching tens of nanometers without apparent damage. In the 2nd round of Li plating, a thin Li_BCC sheet first nucleates at the current collector, extends to the top end of the deflated SEI husk, and then expands its thickness. The apparent zero wetting angle between Li_BCC and the SEI interior means that the heterogeneous nucleation energy barrier is zero. Due to its complete-wetting property and chemo-mechanical stability, the SEI largely prevents further reactions between the Li metal and the electrolyte, which explains the superior performance of Li-metal batteries with ether-based electrolytes. However, uneven refilling of the SEI husks results in dendrite protrusions and some new SEI formation during the 2nd plating. A strategy to form bigger SEI capsules during the initial cycle with higher energy density than the following cycles enables further enhanced Coulombic efficiency to above 99%.

Caloric restriction and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass promote white adipose tissue browning in mice

PURPOSE

Caloric restriction (CR) and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) are considered effective means of body weight control, but the mechanism by which CR and RYGB protect against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity remains elusive. The browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) is a potential approach to combat obesity. Here we assess whether browning of WAT is involved in CR- and RYGB-treatment.

METHODS

The average size of adipocytes was determined by histological analysis. Expression of thermogenic genes in both human subjects and mice were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

The average size of adipocytes was bigger, while the expression of thermogenic genes such as uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), nuclear factor erythroid-2 like 1 (NRF1) and PPARγ coactivator-1 α (PGC1α) were lower in the WAT of obese subjects when compared to lean controls. Both CR and RYGB promoted weight and fat loss. Increment of the average adipocytes size and down-regulation of thermogenic genes were significantly reversed by both CR and RYGB in the WAT of obese mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings showed that CR and RYGB significantly improved high-fat diet-induced lipid accumulation by promoting the browning of WAT.

Immunohistochemical Characterization of H3K4Me3 in Reactive Lymph Nodes and Follicular Lymphoma

Introduction/Objective

Genes involved in histone methylation are frequently mutated in non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas. For instance, frequent mutations in genes encoding histone methytransferases MML2 and EZH2 are present in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL). The aim of this study was to characterize the immunohistochemical expression of H3K4Me3 in benign/reactive lymph nodes (LNs) with comparison to follicular lymphoma (FL).

Methods/Case Report

Immunohistochemical staining with an anti-H3K4Me3 antibody was performed on FFPE whole slide section from patients with benign/reactive LNs (n=21), low grade (grade 1-2) FL (n=21). H3K4Me3 reactivity was scored for staining intensity and percentage of lymphocytes showing reactivity.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

The majority of the reactive LN sections (15 out of 21 cases) showed a distinct distribution of H3K4Me3 staining, with the majority of cells in the mantle zone and the interfollicular zones showing moderate-strong staining, whereas reactive germinal centers (GCs) showed significantly decreased or close to negative staining. Neoplastic follicles in all the FL cases contained positive cells with significantly stronger staining compared to that in the germinal centers in benign lymph nodes. The interfollicular zones, while diminished in FL due to expanded neoplastic follicles, showed retained H3K4Me3 staining. The difference in staining intensity between follicles and mantle/interfollicular zones became indistinct in FL.

Conclusion

H3K4Me3 expression in benign/reactive LNs is characterized by positive expression in lymphocytes in interfollicular and mantle zones and significantly decreased in GCs. However, the expression pattern is different in FL, which showed significantly increased expression in the follicles compared to that in reactive GCs. In FL, the expression in GCs is similar to that in the interfollicular and mantle zone lymphocytes. It is reported that about 90% of FL have MLL2 mutation and MLL2 is the enzyme responsible for the methylation of H3K4. So far, it is unclear whether the mutation of MLL2 in FL affects the overall methylation activity of the enzyme. In our study, there is increased methylation of H3K4 in the follicles of FL, which raises the possibility that MLL2 mutation somehow increases H3K4 methylation.

E_{8} Spectra of Quasi-One-Dimensional Antiferromagnet BaCo_{2}V_{2}O_{8} under Transverse Field

We report ^{51}V NMR and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) measurements on a quasi-1D antiferromagnet BaCo_{2}V_{2}O_{8} under transverse field along the [010] direction. The scaling behavior of the spin-lattice relaxation rate above the Néel temperatures unveils a 1D quantum critical point (QCP) at H_{c}^{1D}≈4.7  T, which is masked by the 3D magnetic order. With the aid of accurate analytical analysis and numerical calculations, we show that the zone center INS spectrum at H_{c}^{1D} is precisely described by the pattern of the 1D quantum Ising model in a magnetic field, a class of universality described in terms of the exceptional E_{8} Lie algebra. These excitations are nondiffusive over a certain field range when the system is away from the 1D QCP. Our results provide an unambiguous experimental realization of the massive E_{8} phase in the compound, and open a new experimental route for exploring the dynamics of quantum integrable systems as well as physics beyond integrability.

Ultralow Resistance Two-Stage Electrostatically Assisted Air Filtration by Polydopamine Coated PET Coarse Filter

Airborne particulate matters (PM) pose serious health threats to the population, and efficient filtration is needed for indoor and vehicular environments. However, there is an intrinsic conflict between filtration efficiency, air resistance, and service life. In this study, a two-stage electrostatically assisted air (EAA) filtration device is designed and the efficiency-air resistance-filter life envelope is significantly improved by a thin coating of polydopamine (PDA) on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coarse filter by in situ dopamine polymerization. The 8 mm thick EAA PDA-140@PET filter has a high filtration efficiency of 99.48% for 0.3 µm particles, low air resistance of 9.5 Pa at a filtration velocity of 0.4 m s^-1 , and steady performance up to 30 d. Compared with the bare PET filter, the penetration rate for 0.3 µm particles is lowered by 20×. The coated PDA is of submicron thickness, 10^-3  × the gap distance between filter fibers, so low air resistance could be maintained. The filter shows steadily high filtration efficiency and an acceptable increase of air resistance and holds nearly as many particles as its own weight in a 30 day long-term test. The working mechanism of the EAA coarse filter is investigated, and the materials design criteria are proposed.

Vibration modes of a transportable optical cavity

Many factors still need to be evaluated to fully understand the physical mechanisms determining optical cavity vibration, which are crucial for designing and constructing a transportable ultra-stable laser. Herein, a detailed dynamic analysis is used to characterize the vibration modes of a transportable optical cavity. The first five resonance modes are identified in the presence of a cavity support, and the guidelines to achieve a high first-order resonance frequency are proposed; thereby, high robustness is described using a 50 mm length optical cavity. The results demonstrate that the first-order resonance of up to 681 Hz with a gross weight of 2.51 kg can be achieved using an optimization strategy for given cavity support. The theoretical results are consistent with simulation and experiment. With the optimal group, a 1.34 Hz linewidth transportable ultra-stable laser at 1550 nm is established, and a linewidth of 1.5 Hz and frequency instability of 9.5×10^-15@1s are obtained after the test including 100 km actual road transportation and 34 min continuous vibration. The test condition is equivalent to ∼ 1000 km road transportation. Our method can be readily extended to other transportable optical cavities, providing a powerful tool for improving the robustness of vibration, particularly important for transportable environments.

[Otological and hearing characteristics in children with Turner syndrome]

Objective: To explore the otological and hearing characteristics in children with Turner syndrome (TS), to determine risk factors of hearing loss, and to discuss algorithms for future surveillance. Methods: The clinical data of otolaryngology in children with TS from January 2018 to April 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. A total of 46 female children with TS, aged from 5 to 18 years were enrolled. Karyotypes included 17 cases (37.0%) of monosomy, 16 cases (34.7%) of mosaicism, and 13 cases (28.3%) of abnormal X chromosome structures. The otoscopic characteristics, audiological performance, and otologic diagnoses were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The most common otologic comorbidity was otitis media with effusion (OME), including 20 cases (43.5%) with 33 ears (35.9%). 14 cases (30.4%) were diagnosed with hearing loss. The regression analysis revealed that the age (OR=1.345, 95%CI: 1.072-1.760) and comorbidity of OME (OR=9.460, 95%CI: 2.065-60.350) were risk factors associated with hearing loss. In TS with OME, when compared with the mean air conduction threshold, the hearing loss of the group with pars flaccida retractions was significantly higher ((24.3±13.8) dB HL vs. (14.4±4.2) dB HL, U=59.500, P=0.008) than that of the group with none retractions. Conclusion: OME and hearing loss are common in children with TS. As age increases or suffers from OME, the risk of hearing loss increases.

Poor Stability of Li2 CO3 in the Solid Electrolyte Interphase of a Lithium-Metal Anode Revealed by Cryo-Electron Microscopy

The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) dictates the cycling stability of lithium-metal batteries. Here, direct atomic imaging of the SEI's phase components and their spatial arrangement is achieved, using ultralow-dosage cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The results show that, surprisingly, a lot of the deposited Li metal has amorphous atomic structure, likely due to carbon and oxygen impurities, and that crystalline lithium carbonate is not stable and readily decomposes when contacting the lithium metal. Lithium carbonate distributed in the outer SEI also continuously reacts with the electrolyte to produce gas, resulting in a dynamically evolving and porous SEI. Sulfur-containing additives cause the SEI to preferentially generate Li₂ SO₄ and overlithiated lithium sulfate and lithium oxide, which encapsulate lithium carbonate in the middle, limiting SEI thickening and enhancing battery life by a factor of ten. The spatial mapping of the SEI gradient amorphous (polymeric → inorganic → metallic) and crystalline phase components provides guidance for designing electrolyte additives.

Self-Perpetuating Carbon Foam Microwave Plasma Conversion of Hydrocarbon Wastes into Useful Fuels and Chemicals

White wastes (unseparated plastics, face masks, textiles, etc.) pose a serious challenge to sustainable human development and the ecosystem and have recently been exacerbated due to the surge in plastic usage and medical wastes from COVID-19. Current recycling methods such as chemical recycling, mechanical recycling, and incineration require either pre-sorting and washing or releasing CO₂. In this work, a carbon foam microwave plasma process is developed, utilizing plasma discharge to generate surface temperatures exceeding ∼3000 K in a N₂ atmosphere, to convert unsorted white wastes into gases (H₂, CO, C₂H₄, C₃H₆, CH₄, etc.) and small amounts of inorganic minerals and solid carbon, which can be buried as artificial "coal". This process is self-perpetuating, as the new solid carbon asperities grafted onto the foam's surface actually increase the plasma discharge efficiency over time. This process has been characterized by in situ optical probes and infrared sensors and optimized to handle most of the forms of white waste without the need for pre-sorting or washing. Thermal measurement and modeling show that in a flowing reactor, the device can achieve locally extremely high temperatures, but the container wall will still be cold and can be made with cheap materials, and thus, a miniaturized waste incinerator is possible that also takes advantage of intermittent renewable electricity.

The interface between paediatrics and camhs (child and adolescent psychiatry): Mental state examination teaching for paediatric trainees

Introduction

During an out-of-hours shift, the initial assessment of a CAMHS patient is performed by the paediatric trainee, usually the paediatric SHO (senior-house-officer). During my placement as a paediatric SHO, I was aware of a gap in formalised metal state examination teaching for paediatric juniors, which would be crucial for a thorough assessment of these patients, and to better guarantee they are safely managed until further assessment.

Objectives

The aim is to provide a short teaching session on mental state examining of the CAMHS patent to paediatric SHOs in order to improve their confidence in assessment.

Methods

In order to assess initial confidence in assessing the mental-state of a CAMHS patient, a pre-teaching questionnaire was given to the paediatric SHOs. A 30-minute teaching session on the mental state exam was then carried out and a post-teaching questionnaire was then given to the same trainees.

Results

Paired sample Wilcoxons signed rank test found that training significant improved trainees’ confidence in taking a psychiatric mental state exam (p= 0.005, r = 0.628), and improved their confidence in presenting a mental state exam (p = 0.0041, r = 0.6420).

Conclusions

Being able to confidently assess the mental state of a CAMHS patient in an on call shift is important for the initial assessing paediatric trainee. However this is often not taught in the paediatric curriculum and trainees have expressed some anxiety in performing this assessment overnight, before a more comprehensive assessment by a CAMHS professional. A simple teaching session may help to reduce this anxiety and improve trainees’ confidence.

[Research advances on mechanism of exosomes derived from adipose derived stem cells in the treatment of chronic wounds]

Exosomes are a kind of membrane vesicle with a diameter of 30-150 nm. It is formed by the budding of multiple vesicles in cells, which can fuse with the cell membrane and be released into the extracellular matrix. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) have the potential of self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation. They can transport the active substance, regulate the inflammatory response, cell migration, proliferation, differentiation and angiogenesis via the action of paracrine exosomes, so as to enhance the ability of wound repair, promote wound healing, and inhibit the formation of scars. Chronic wounds refer to the wounds that can not reach the anatomic and functional integrity through the normal, orderly, and timely repair process, and the course of the wound healing is more than 4 weeks. At present, there are various treatment methods for chronic wounds, among which ADSCs, although showing a good application prospect, have some limitations due to ethical issues, while exosomes can avoid this problem. This article reviews the treatment of chronic wounds with ADSC exosomes.