Conformal 3D Li/Li13Sn5 Scaffolds Anodes for High-Areal Energy Density Flexible Lithium Metal Batteries

Achieving a high depth of discharge (DOD) in lithium metal anodes (LMAs) is crucial for developing high areal energy density batteries suitable for wearable electronics. Yet, the persistent growth of dendrites compromises battery performance, and the significant lithium consumption during pre-lithiation obstructs their broad application. Herein, A flexible 3D Li13Sn5 scaffold is designed by allowing molten lithium to infiltrate carbon cloth adorned with SnO2 nanocrystals. This design markedly curbs the troublesome dendrite growth, thanks to the uniform electric field distribution and swift Li+ diffusion dynamics. Additionally, with a minimal SnO2 nanocrystals loading (2 wt.%), only 0.6 wt.% of lithium is consumed during pre-lithiation. Insights from in situ optical microscope observations and COMSOL simulations reveal that lithium remains securely anchored within the scaffold, a result of the rapid mass/charge transfer and uniform electric field distribution. Consequently, this electrode achieves a remarkable DOD of 87.1% at 10 mA cm-2 for 40 mAh cm-2. Notably, when coupled with a polysulfide cathode, the constructed flexible Li/Li13Sn5@CC||Li2S6/SnO2@CC pouch cell delivers a high-areal capacity of 5.04 mAh cm-2 and an impressive areal-energy density of 10.6 mWh cm-2. The findings pave the way toward the development of high-performance LMAs, ideal for long-lasting wearable electronics.

HIV Services Uptake Among People Living with HIV in Jiangsu Province, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Healthcare disparities are common among people living with HIV (PLWH) in China and likely impact access to HIV services. This study aimed to assess the current status of access to HIV services among PLWH and explore the correlates of service uptake using baseline data from a prospective cohort study among PLWH in Jiangsu Province. Guided by Andersen's behavioral model, univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with access to HIV services. Out of 8989 eligible PLWH included in this study, 46.4% perceived difficulty in seeing a healthcare professional for HIV treatment services in 2021-2022. PLWH aged 18-34 years (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.69, 95% CI 1.32-2.15), 35-39 years (AOR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.08-1.65), identified as a bisexual/other (AOR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.29), had a college and above education (AOR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.07-1.63), and perceived moderate (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.51-1.91) and severe (AOR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.94-2.49) levels of HIV stigma were more likely to perceive difficulty in seeing healthcare professionals for HIV treatment in 2021-2022. Living in northern Jiangsu was also associated with increased odds of perceiving difficulty in seeing healthcare professionals for HIV treatment (AOR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.00-1.26). These findings underscore the need for innovative solutions to eliminate the practical barriers to HIV services utilization among PLWH who are bisexual, well-educated, and effective HIV-related stigma reduction interventions.

DER-GCN: Dialog and Event Relation-Aware Graph Convolutional Neural Network for Multimodal Dialog Emotion Recognition

With the continuous development of deep learning (DL), the task of multimodal dialog emotion recognition (MDER) has recently received extensive research attention, which is also an essential branch of DL. The MDER aims to identify the emotional information contained in different modalities, e.g., text, video, and audio, and in different dialog scenes. However, the existing research has focused on modeling contextual semantic information and dialog relations between speakers while ignoring the impact of event relations on emotion. To tackle the above issues, we propose a novel dialog and event relation-aware graph convolutional neural network (DER-GCN) for multimodal emotion recognition method. It models dialog relations between speakers and captures latent event relations information. Specifically, we construct a weighted multirelationship graph to simultaneously capture the dependencies between speakers and event relations in a dialog. Moreover, we also introduce a self-supervised masked graph autoencoder (SMGAE) to improve the fusion representation ability of features and structures. Next, we design a new multiple information Transformer (MIT) to capture the correlation between different relations, which can provide a better fuse of the multivariate information between relations. Finally, we propose a loss optimization strategy based on contrastive learning to enhance the representation learning ability of minority class features. We conduct extensive experiments on the benchmark datasets, Interactive Emotional Dyadic Motion Capture (IEMOCAP) and Multimodal EmotionLines Dataset (MELD), which verify the effectiveness of the DER-GCN model. The results demonstrate that our model significantly improves both the average accuracy and the F1 value of emotion recognition. Our code is publicly available at https://github.com/yuntaoshou/DER-GCN.

Bottom-Up Magnesium Deposition Induced by Paper-Based Triple-Gradient Scaffolds toward Flexible Magnesium Metal Batteries

The development of advanced magnesium metal batteries (MMBs) has been hindered by longstanding challenges, such as the inability to induce uniform magnesium (Mg) nucleation and the inefficient utilization of Mg foil. This study introduces a novel solution in the form of a flexible, lightweight, paper-based scaffold that incorporates gradient conductivity, magnesiophilicity, and pore size. This design is achieved through an industrially adaptable papermaking process in which the ratio of carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes to softwood cellulose fibers is meticulously adjusted. The triple-gradient structure of the scaffold enables the regulation of Mg ion flux, promoting bottom-up Mg deposition. Owing to its high flexibility, low thickness, and reduced density, the scaffold has potential applications in flexible and wearable electronics. Accordingly, the triple-gradient electrodes exhibit stable operation for over 1200 h at 3 mA cm-2 /3 mAh cm-2 in symmetrical cells, markedly outperforming the non-gradient and metallic Mg alternatives. Notably, this study marks the first successful fabrication of a flexible MMB pouch full cell, achieving an impressive volumetric energy density of 244 Wh L-1 . The simplicity and scalability of the triple-gradient design, which uses readily available materials through an industrially compatible papermaking process, open new doors for the production of flexible, high-energy-density metal batteries.

Sustainable release of LiNO3 in carbonate electrolytes for stable lithium metal anodes

LiNO3 is recognized as an effective additive, forming a dense, nitrogen-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on lithium's surface, which safeguards it from parasitic reactions. However, its use is limited due to the poor solubility in carbonate electrolytes. Herein, we introduce a bilayer separator designed to release LiNO3 sustainably. This continual release not only alters the chemistry of the SEI but also replenishes the additives that are depleted during battery cycling, thereby enhancing the durability of the modified interphase. This strategy effectively curtails Li dendrite formation, significantly enhancing the longevity of Li|LiFePO4 batteries, evidenced by an impressive 85% capacity retention after 800 cycles. This research offers a compelling remedy to the longstanding challenge of incorporating LiNO3 in carbonate electrolytes.

Observation of giant room-temperature anisotropic magnetoresistance in the topological insulator β-Ag2Te

Achieving room-temperature high anisotropic magnetoresistance ratios is highly desirable for magnetic sensors with scaled supply voltages and high sensitivities. However, the ratios in heterojunction-free thin films are currently limited to only a few percent at room temperature. Here, we observe a high anisotropic magnetoresistance ratio of -39% and a giant planar Hall effect (520 μΩ⋅cm) at room temperature under 9 T in β-Ag2Te crystals grown by chemical vapor deposition. We propose a theoretical model of anisotropic scattering - induced by a Dirac cone tilt and modulated by intrinsic properties of effective mass and sound velocity - as a possible origin. Moreover, small-size angle sensors with a Wheatstone bridge configuration were fabricated using the synthesized β-Ag2Te crystals. The sensors exhibited high output response (240 mV/V), high angle sensitivity (4.2 mV/V/°) and small angle error (<1°). Our work translates the developments in topological insulators to a broader impact on practical applications such as high-field magnetic and angle sensors.

Surface Patterning of Metal Zinc Electrode with an In-Region Zincophilic Interface for High-Rate and Long-Cycle-Life Zinc Metal Anode

The undesirable dendrite growth induced by non-planar zinc (Zn) deposition and low Coulombic efficiency resulting from severe side reactions have been long-standing challenges for metallic Zn anodes and substantially impede the practical application of rechargeable aqueous Zn metal batteries (ZMBs). Herein, we present a strategy for achieving a high-rate and long-cycle-life Zn metal anode by patterning Zn foil surfaces and endowing a Zn-Indium (Zn-In) interface in the microchannels. The accumulation of electrons in the microchannel and the zincophilicity of the Zn-In interface promote preferential heteroepitaxial Zn deposition in the microchannel region and enhance the tolerance of the electrode at high current densities. Meanwhile, electron aggregation accelerates the dissolution of non-(002) plane Zn atoms on the array surface, thereby directing the subsequent homoepitaxial Zn deposition on the array surface. Consequently, the planar dendrite-free Zn deposition and long-term cycling stability are achieved (5,050 h at 10.0 mA cm-2 and 27,000 cycles at 20.0 mA cm-2). Furthermore, a Zn/I2 full cell assembled by pairing with such an anode can maintain good stability for 3,500 cycles at 5.0 C, demonstrating the application potential of the as-prepared ZnIn anode for high-performance aqueous ZMBs.

High-Areal Capacity, High-Rate Lithium Metal Anodes Enabled by Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Mesh

Hosts hold great prospects for addressing the dendrite growth and volume expansion of the Li metal anode, but Li dendrites are still observable under the conditions of high deposition capacity and/or high current density. Herein, a nitrogen-doped graphene mesh (NGM) is developed, which possesses a conductive and lithiophilic scaffold for efficient Li deposition. The abundant nanopores in NGM can not only provide sufficient room for Li deposition, but also speed up Li ion transport to achieve a high-rate capability. Moreover, the evenly distributed N dopants on the NGM can guide the uniform nucleation of Li so that to inhibit dendrite growth. As a result, the composite NGM@Li anode shows satisfactory electrochemical performances for Li-S batteries, including a high capacity of 600 mAh g-1 after 300 cycles at 1 C and a rate capacity of 438 mAh g-1 at 3 C. This work provides a new avenue for the fabrication of graphene-based hosts with large areal capacity and high-rate capability for Li metal batteries.

Stabilizing Lithium-Metal Host Anodes by Covalently Binding MgF2 Nanodots to Honeycomb Carbon Nanofibers

Constructing lithiophilic carbon hosts has been regarded as an effective strategy for inhibiting Li dendrite formation and mitigating the volume expansion of Li metal anodes. However, the limitation of lithiophilic carbon hosts by conventional surface decoration methods over long-term cycling hinders their practical application. In this work, a robust host composed of ultrafine MgF2 nanodots covalently bonded to honeycomb carbon nanofibers (MgF2/HCNFs) is created through an in situ solid-state reaction. The composite exhibits ultralight weight, excellent lithiophilicity, and structural stability, contributing to a significantly enhanced energy efficiency and lifespan of the battery. Specifically, the strong covalent bond not only prevents MgF2 nanodots from migrating and aggregating but also enhances the binding energy between Mg and Li during the molten Li infusion process. This allows for the effective and stable regulation of repeated Li plating/stripping. As a result, the MgF2/HCNF-Li electrode delivers a high Coulombic efficiency of 97% after 200 cycles, cycling stably for more than 2000 h. Furthermore, the full cells with a LiFePO4 cathode achieve a capacity retention of 85% after 500 cycles at 0.5C. This work provides a strategy to guide dendrite-free Li deposition patterns toward the development of high-performance Li metal batteries.

Above-Room-Temperature Ferromagnetism in Copper-Doped Two-Dimensional Chromium-Based Nanosheets

Two-dimensional ferromagnetic materials (2D-FMs) are expected to become ideal candidates for low-power, high-density information storage in next-generation spintronics devices due to their atomically ultrathin and intriguing magnetic properties. However, 2D-FMs with room-temperature Curie temperatures (Tc) are still rarely reported, which greatly hinders their research progress and practical applications. Herein, ultrathin Cu-doped Cr7Te8 FMs were successfully prepared and can achieve above-room-temperature ferromagnetism with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy via a facile chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, which can be controlled down to an atomic thin layer of ∼3.4 nm. STEM-EDX quantitative analysis shows that the proportion of Cu to metal atoms is ∼5%. Moreover, based on the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) measurements in a six-terminal Hall bar device without any encapsulation as well as an out-of-plane magnetic field, the maximum Tc achieved ∼315 K when the thickness of the sample is ∼28.8 nm; even the ultrathin 7.6 nm sample possessed a near-room-temperature Tc of ∼275 K. Meanwhile, theoretical calculations elucidated the mechanism of the ferromagnetic enhancement of Cu-doped Cr7Te8 nanosheets. More importantly, the ferromagnetism of CVD-synthesized Cu-doped CrSe nanosheets can also be maintained above room temperature. Our work broadens the scope on room-temperature ferromagnets and their heterojunctions, promoting fundamental research and practical applications in next-generation spintronics.

The dimensional structure of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) and predictors of camouflaging in a representative general population sample

OBJECTIVES

Some autistic people "camouflage" their differences by modeling neurotypical behaviors to survive in a neurotypical-dominant social world. It remains elusive whether camouflaging is unique to autism or if it entails similar experiences across human groups as part of ubiquitous impression management (IM). Here we examined camouflaging engagement and theoretical drivers in the general population, drawing on the transactional IM framework and contextualizing findings within both contemporary autism research and the past IM literature.

METHODS

A large representative U.S. general population sample (N = 972) completed this survey study. We combined exploratory item factor analysis and graph analysis to triangulate the dimensional structure of the Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q) and examined its correspondence with prior autism-enriched psychometric findings. We then employed hierarchical regression and elastic-net regression to identify the predictors of camouflaging, including demographic (e.g., age, gender), neurodivergence (i.e., autistic and ADHD traits), socio-motivational, and cognitive factors.

RESULTS

We found a three-factor/dimensional structure of the CAT-Q in the general population, nearly identical to that found in previous autism-enriched samples. Significant socio-motivational predictors of camouflaging included greater social comparison, greater public self-consciousness, greater internalized social stigma, and greater social anxiety. These camouflaging drivers overlap with findings in recent autistic camouflaging studies and prior IM research.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel psychometric and socio-motivational evidence demonstrates camouflaging as a shared social coping experience across the general population, including autistic people. This continuity guides a clearer understanding of camouflaging and has key implications for autism scholars, clinicians, and the broader clinical intersecting with social psychology research. Future research areas are mapped to elucidate how camouflaging/IM manifests and functions within person-environment transactions across social-identity and clinical groups.

Disparities in healthcare access and utilization among people living with HIV in China: A scoping review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This review aims to assess the status of healthcare disparities among people living with HIV (PLWH) in China and summarize the factors that drive them.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and China Wanfang for studies published in English or Chinese. Studies focusing on any disparities in healthcare services among PLWH in China and published between January 2000 and July 2022 were included.

RESULTS

In all, 51 articles met the inclusion criteria, with 37 studies reporting HIV-focused care, and 14 reporting non-HIV-focused care. PLWH aged ≥45 years (vs. <45 years), female (vs. male), ethnic minority (vs. Han), and cases attributed to sexual transmission (vs. injecting drug use) were more likely to receive ART. Females living with HIV have higher ART adherence than males. Notably, 20% [95% confidence interval (CI): 9-43%, I2  = 96%] of PLWH reported any illness in the previous 2 weeks without medical consultation, and 30% (95% CI: 12-74%, I2  = 90%) refused hospitalization when needed in the previous year. Barriers to HIV-focused care included inadequate HIV/ART knowledge and treatment side effects at the individual level; and social discrimination and physician-patient relationships at the community/social level. Structural barriers included medical costs and transportation issues. The most frequently reported barriers to non-HIV-focused care were financial constraints and the perceived need for medical services at individual-level factors; and discrimination from physicians, and medical distrust at the community/social level.

CONCLUSION

This review suggests disparities in access and utilization of healthcare among PLWH. Financial issues and social discrimination were prominent reasons. Creating a supportive social environment and expanding insurance policies could be considered to promote healthcare equity.

The Secret of Nanoarrays toward Efficient Electrochemical Water Splitting: A Vision of Self-Dynamic Electrolyte

Nanoarray electrocatalysts with unique advantage of facilitating gas bubble detachment have garnered significant interest in gas evolution reactions (GERs). Existing research is largely based on a static hypothesis, assuming that buoyancy is the only driving force for the release of bubbles during GERs. However, this hypothesis overlooks the effect of the self-dynamic electrolyte flow, which is induced by the release of mature bubbles and helps destabilize and release the smaller, immature bubbles nearby. Herein, the enhancing effect of self-dynamic electrolyte flow on nanoarray structures is examined. Phase-field simulations demonstrate that the flow field of electrode with arrayed surface focuses shear force directly onto the gas bubble for efficient detachment, due to the flow could pass through voids and channels to bypass the shielding effect. The flow field therefore has a more substantial impact on the arrayed surface than the nanoscale smooth surface in terms of reducing the critical bubble size. To validate this, superaerophobic ferrous-nickel sulfide nanoarrays are fabricated and employed for water splitting, which display improved efficiency for GERs. This study contributes to understanding the influence of self-dynamic electrolyte on GERs and emphasizes that it should be considered when designing and evaluating nanoarray electrocatalysts.

N- and S-codoped carbon quantum dots for enhancing fluorescence sensing of trace Hg2

Carbon-quantum-dot-based fluorescence sensing of Hg2+ is a well-known cost-effective tactic with fast response and high sensitivity, while rationally constructing heteroatom-doped carbon quantum dots with improved fluorescence sensing performances through tuning the electronic and chemical structures of the reactive site still remains a challenging project for monitoring trace Hg2+ in aquatic ecosystems to avoid harm resulting from its high toxicity, nonbiodegradabilty and accumulative effects on human health. Herein, intriguing N,S-codoped carbon quantum dots were synthesized via a facile one-step hydrothermal procedure. As an admirable fluorescent probe with plentiful heteroatom-related functional groups, these N,S-codoped carbon quantum dots can exhibit an absolute fluorescence quantum yield as high as 11.6%, excellent solubility and stability over three months, remarkable sensitivity for Hg2+ detection with an attractive detection limit of 0.27 μg L-1 and admirable selectivity for Hg2+ against thirteen other metal ions. Density functional theory calculations reveal that electron-enriched meta-S of the unique graphitic N with homocyclic meta-thiophene sulfur structure can regulate this N site to have more electrons and preferable affinity towards Hg, hence achieving enhanced fluorescence quenching due to greater charge transfer from N to Hg after the coordination interaction. This strategy provides a promising avenue for precisely designing purpose-made quantum dots with the dedicated fluorescence sensing applications.

HPV Infection Profiles among People Living with HIV and HPV Vaccine Acceptance among Individuals with Different HIV Infection Statuses in China: A Systematic Meta-Analysis

To understand the HPV infection profiles among Chinese HIV/AIDS patients and the HPV vaccine acceptance among unvaccinated Chinese people with different HIV infection statuses after the HPV vaccine launch in China, this study searched Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, CNKI, WANFANG, SinoMed, and VIP databases up to 23 June 2023, according to the registered protocol (CRD42023449913). A total of 58 studies were included. The results showed that the HPV infection rate among Chinese HIV/AIDS patients was 52.54% (95% CI: 42.11-62.86%) and higher in males than in females (74.55% vs. 41.04%); meanwhile, the rate was higher in the anus than in the cervix (69.22% vs. 41.71%). Although there was no statistical difference, the high-risk HPV infection rate (38.98%) was higher than low-risk HPV (23.86%), and single infections were more common (28.84%) than multiple infections (19.23%). HPV vaccine acceptance among the unvaccinated Chinese population was 59.19% (95% CI: 52.50-65.89%), and was slightly higher among HIV-infected rather than non-HIV-infected individuals (67.72% vs. 59.58%). There was a difference in acceptance among respondents from different regions. Although the difference in acceptance rate between males and females was not statistically significant (61.10% vs. 61.18%), MSM had a higher acceptance rate than non-MSM (84.28% vs. 59.05%). HPV infection is prevalent among HIV patients, demonstrating the need to increase the frequency of HPV screening for PLWH. The HPV vaccine acceptance rate is higher than that of non-HIV-infected individuals. Male acceptance is almost the same as female's, with MSM acceptance higher than non-MSM, suggesting that using MSM, especially MSM in PLWH, as an entry point may be a practical avenue to explore to further expand the scope of HPV vaccination.

Li+ mobility powered by a crystal compound for fast Li-S chemistry

Placing blocking layers between electrodes has shown paramount prospects in suppressing the shuttle effect of Li-S batteries, but the associated ionic transport would be a concurrent obstacle. Herein, we present a Li-based crystal composited with carbon (LiPN2@C) by a one-step annealing of Li+ absorbed melamine polyphosphate, which simultaneously achieves alleviated polysulfide-shuttling and facilitated Li+ transport. As a homologous crystal, LiPN2 with abundant lithiophilic sites makes Li+ transport more efficient and sustainable. With a LiPN2@C-modified separator, the Li2S cathode exhibits a much-lower activation potential of 2.4 V and a high-rate capacity of 519 mA h g-1 at 2C. Impressively, the battery delivers a capacity of 726 mA h g-1 at 0.5C with a low decay rate of 0.25% per cycle during 100 continuous cycles.

Prevention and Control Are Not a Regional Matter: A Spatial Correlation and Molecular Linkage Analysis Based on Newly Reported HIV/AIDS Patients in 2021 in Jiangsu, China

HIV-related spatial analysis studies in China are relatively few, and Jiangsu Province has not reported the relevant data in recent years. To describe the spatial distribution and molecular linkage characteristics of HIV-infected patients, this article combined descriptive epidemiology, spatial analysis, and molecular epidemiology methods to analyze patient reporting, patient mobility information, and HIV sequence information simultaneously. The results showed that HIV reporting profiles differed among Jiangsu cities, with the reporting rate in southern Jiangsu being above average. There was a spatial autocorrelation (Global Moran I = 0.5426, p < 0.05), with Chang Zhou showing a High-High aggregation pattern. Chang Zhou and Wu Xi were identified as hotspots for HIV reporting and access to molecular transmission networks. Some infected individuals still showed cross-city or even cross-province mobility after diagnosis, and three were linked with individuals in the destination cities within the largest molecular transmission cluster, involving 196 patients. The cross-city or cross-province mobility of patients may result in a potential HIV transmission risk, suggesting that combining timely social network surveys, building an extensive transmission network across cities and provinces, and taking critical regions and key populations as entry points could contribute to improved prevention and control efficiency and promote achievement of the 95-95-95 target and cascade.

Fast-Charging Sodium-Ion Batteries Enabled by Molecular-Level Designed Nitrogen and Phosphorus Codoped Mesoporous Soft Carbon

Soft carbons have attracted extensive interests as competitive anodes for fast-charging sodium-ion batteries (SIBs); however, the high-rate performance is still restricted by their large ion migration barriers and sluggish reaction kinetics. Herein, we show a molecular design approach toward the fabrication of nitrogen and phosphorus codoped mesoporous soft carbon (NPSC). The key to this strategy lies in the chemical cross-linking reaction between polyphosphoric acid and p-phenylenediamine, associated with pyrolysis induced in-situ self-activation that creates mesoporous structures and rich heteroatoms within the carbon matrix. Thanks to the enlarged interlayer spacing, reduced ion diffusion length, and plentiful active sites, the obtained NPSC delivers a superb rate capacity of 215 mAh g-1 at 10 A g-1 and an ultralong cycle life of 4,700 cycles at 5 A g-1. Remarkably, the full cell shows 99% capacity retention during 100 continuous cycles, and maximum energy and power densities of 191 Wh kg-1 and 9.2 kW kg-1, respectively. We believe that such a synthetic protocol could pave a novel venue to develop soft carbons with unique properties for advanced SIBs.

Integrated Gradient Cu Current Collector Enables Bottom-Up Li Growth for Li Metal Anodes: Role of Interfacial Structure

3D Cu current collectors have been demonstrated to improve the cycling stability of Li metal anodes, however, the role of their interfacial structure for Li deposition pattern has not been investigated thoroughly. Herein, a series of 3D integrated gradient Cu-based current collectors are fabricated by the electrochemical growth of CuO nanowire arrays on Cu foil (CuO@Cu), where their interfacial structures can be readily controlled by modulating the dispersities of the nanowire arrays. It is found that the interfacial structures constructed by sparse and dense dispersion of CuO nanowire arrays are both disadvantageous for the nucleation and deposition of Li metal, consequently fast dendrite growth. In contrast, a uniform and appropriate dispersity of CuO nanowire arrays enables stable bottom Li nucleation associated with smooth lateral deposition, affording the ideal bottom-up Li growth pattern. The optimized CuO@Cu-Li electrodes exhibit a highly reversible Li cycling including a coulombic efficiency of up to ≈99% after 150 cycles and a long-term lifespan of over 1200 h. When coupling with LiFePO4 cathode, the coin and pouch full-cells deliver outstanding cycling stability and rate capability. This work provides a new insight to design the gradient Cu current collectors toward high-performance Li metal anodes.

The Discovery of a High-Mobility Two-Dimensional Bismuth Oxyselenide Semiconductor and Its Application in Nonvolatile Neuromorphic Devices

The development of two-dimensional (2D) electronics is always accompanied by the discovery of 2D semiconductors with high mobility and specific crystal structures, which may bring revolutionary breakthrough on proof-of-concept devices and physics. Here, Bi₃O_2.5Se₂, a 2D bismuth oxyselenide semiconductor with non-neutral layered crystal structure is discovered. Ultrathin Bi₃O_2.5Se₂ films are readily synthesized by chemical vapor deposition, displaying tunable band gaps and high room-temperature field-effect mobility of >220 cm² V^-1 s^-1. Moreover, the as-synthesized Bi₃O_2.5Se₂ nanoplates were fabricated into top-gated transistors with a simple device configuration, whose carrier density can be reversibly regulated in the range of 10¹⁴ cm^-2 just by a facile method of electrostatic doping at room temperature. These features enable it to be functionalized into nonvolatile synaptic transistors with ultralow operating energy consumption (∼0.5 fJ), high repeatability, low operating voltage (0.1 V), and long retention time. Our work extends the family of bismuth oxyselenide 2D semicondutors.

Modulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts by nanodelivery system to enhance efficacy of tumor therapy

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most common cells in the tumor stroma and are essential for tumor development and metastasis. While decreasing the release and infiltration of nanomedicine through nonspecific internalization, CAFs specifically increase solid tumor pressure and interstitial fluid pressure by secreting tumor growth- and migration-promoting cytokines, which increases vascular and organ pressure caused by solid tumor pressure. Nanoparticles have good permeability and can penetrate tumor tissue to reach the lesion area, inhibiting tumor growth. Thus, CAFs are used as modifiable targets. Here, the authors review the biological functions, origins and biomarkers of CAFs and summarize strategies for modulating CAFs in nanodelivery systems. This study provides a prospective guide to modulating CAFs to enhance oncology treatment.

Double-Walled NiTeSe-NiSe2 Nanotubes Anode for Stable and High-Rate Sodium-Ion Batteries

Electrodes made of composites with heterogeneous structure hold great potential for boosting ionic and charge transfer and accelerating electrochemical reaction kinetics. Herein, hierarchical and porous double-walled NiTeSe-NiSe₂ nanotubes are synthesized by a hydrothermal process assisted in situ selenization. Impressively, the nanotubes have abundant pores and multiple active sites, which shorten the ion diffusion length, decrease Na⁺ diffusion barriers, and increase the capacitance contribution ratio of the material at a high rate. Consequently, the anode shows a satisfactory initial capacity (582.5 mA h g^-1 at 0.5 A g^-1 ), a high-rate capability, and long cycling stability (1400 cycles, 398.6 mAh g^-1 at 10 A g^-1 , 90.5% capacity retention). Moreover, the sodiation process of NiTeSe-NiSe₂ double-walled nanotubes and underlying mechanism of the enhanced performance are revealed by in situ and ex situ transmission electron microscopy and theoretical calculations.

Engineering the First Coordination Shell of Single Zn Atoms via Molecular Design Strategy toward High-Performance Sodium-Ion Hybrid Capacitors

Atomically dispersed Zn moieties are efficient active sites for accelerating the electrode kinetics of carbons for sodium-ion hybrid capacitors (SIHCs), but the low utilization and symmetric configuration of Zn single-atom greatly hamper the Na ion storage capability. Herein, a molecular design strategy is employed to synthesize high-density Zn single atoms with asymmetric Zn-N₃ S coordination embedded in nitrogen/sulfur codoped carbon (Zn-N₃ S-NSC). The key to this strategy lies in the Zn power-catalyzed condensation of trithiocyanuric acid molecules to generate S-doped g-C₃ N₄ , which can in situ coordinate with Zn sources to form Zn-N₃ S moieties during pyrolysis. By virtue of the highly exposed Zn-N₃ S moieties, Zn-N₃ S-NSC presents ultrahigh reactivity, efficient electron transfer, and decreased ion diffusion barriers for SIHCs, rendering an impressive energy density of 215 Wh kg^-1 and a maximum power density of 15625 W kg^-1 . Moreover, the pouch cell displays a high capacity of 279 mAh g^-1 after 4000 cycles. This work provides a new avenue for the regulation of the coordination configuration of single metal atoms in carbons toward high-performance electrochemical energy technologies at the molecular level.

Disparities in healthcare access and utilization among people living with HIV in China: a scoping review and meta-analysis

Background Healthcare disparities hinder the goal of ending the HIV pandemic by 2030. This review aimed to understand the status of healthcare disparities among people living with HIV (PLWH) in China and summarize driving factors. Methods We searched six databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and China Wanfang. English or Chinese articles published between January 2000 and July 2022 were included if they focused on any disparities in access to and utilization of healthcare among PLWH in China. Grey literature, reviews, conferences, and commentaries were excluded. A random effects model was used to calculate the pooled estimates of data on healthcare access/utilization and identified the driving factors of healthcare disparities based on a socio-ecological framework. Results A total of 8728 articles were identified in the initial search. Fifty-one articles met the inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 37 studies reported HIV-focused care, and 14 focused on non-HIV-focused care. PLWH aged ≥ 45 years, female, ethnic minority, and infected with HIV through sexual transmission had a higher rate of receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). Females living with HIV have higher adherence to ART than males. Notably, 20% (95% CI, 9-43%, I 2  = 96%) of PLWH with illness in two weeks did not seek treatment, and 30% (95% CI, 12-74%, I 2  = 90%) refused hospitalization when needed. Barriers to HIV-focused care included the lack of knowledge of HIV/ART and treatment side effects at the individual level, and social discrimination and physician-patient relationships at the community/social level. Structural barriers included out-of-pocket medical costs, and distance and transportation issues. The most frequently reported barriers to non-HIV-focused care were financial constraints and the perceived need for medical services at individual-level factors; and discrimination from healthcare providers, distrust of healthcare services at the community/social level. Conclusion This review suggests disparities in ART access, adherence, and utilization of non-HIV-focused care among PLWH. Financial issues and social discrimination were prominent reasons for healthcare disparities in PLWH care. Creating a supportive social environment and expanding insurance policies, like covering more medical services and increasing reimbursement rates could be considered to promote healthcare equity.

On the Road to the Frontiers of Lithium-Ion Batteries: A Review and Outlook of Graphene Anodes

Graphene has long been recognized as a potential anode for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The past decade has witnessed the rapid advancement of graphene anodes, and considerable breakthroughs are achieved so far. In this review, the aim is to provide a research roadmap of graphene anodes toward practical LIBs. The Li storage mechanism of graphene is started with and then the approaches to improve its electrochemical performance are comprehensively summarized. First, morphologically engineered graphene anodes with porous, spheric, ribboned, defective and holey structures display improved capacity and rate performance owing to their highly accessible surface area, interconnected diffusion channels, and sufficient active sites. Surface-modified graphene anodes with less aggregation, fast electrons/ions transportation, and optimal solid electrolyte interphase are discussed, demonstrating the close connection between the surface structure and electrochemical activity of graphene. Second, graphene derivatives anodes prepared by heteroatom doping and covalent functionalization are outlined, which show great advantages in boosting the Li storage performances because of the additionally introduced defect/active sites for further Li accommodation. Furthermore, binder-free and free-standing graphene electrodes are presented, exhibiting great prospects for high-energy-density and flexible LIBs. Finally, the remaining challenges and future opportunities of practically available graphene anodes for advanced LIBs are highlighted.

Dual step-scheme heterojunction with full-visible-light-harvesting towards synergistic persulfate activation for enhanced photodegradation

The occurrence of micropollutants in aquatic media raises great concern because of their biological toxicity and persistence. Herein, visible-light-driven photocatalyst titanium dioxide/graphitic carbon nitride/triiron tetraoxide (TiO_2-x/g-C₃N₄/Fe₃O₄, TCNF) with oxygen vacancies (O_v) was prepared via a facile hydrothermal-calcination method. The complementary visible-light co-absorption among semiconductors enhances light-harvesting efficiency. The built-in electric field formed during Fermi level alignment drives photoinduced electron transfer to improve charge separation across the interfaces. The increased light-harvesting and favorable energy band bending significantly enhance the photocatalytic performance. Therefore, TCNF_-5-500/persulfate system could effectively photodegrade bis-phenol A within 20 min under visible-light irradiation. Moreover, the superior durability, non-selective oxidation, adaptability, and eco-friendliness of the system were confirmed by different reaction conditions and biotoxicity assessment. Furthermore, the photodegradation reaction mechanism was presented according to the major reactive oxygen species produced in the system. Thus, this study constructed a dual step-scheme heterojunction by tuning visible-light absorption and energy band structure to increase the charge transfer efficiency and photogenerated carrier lifetime, which has great potential for environmental remediation using visible photocatalysis.

Interface Engineering Toward Expedited Li2 S Deposition in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries: A Critical Review

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) with superior energy density are among the most promising candidates of next-generation energy storage techniques. As the key step contributing to 75% of the overall capacity, Li₂ S deposition remains a formidable challenge for LSBs applications because of its sluggish kinetics. The severe kinetic issue originates from the huge interfacial impedances, indicative of the interface-dominated nature of Li₂ S deposition. Accordingly, increasing efforts have been devoted to interface engineering for efficient Li₂ S deposition, which has attained inspiring success to date. However, a systematic overview and in-depth understanding of this critical field are still absent. In this review, the principles of interface-controlled Li₂ S precipitation are presented, clarifying the pivotal roles of electrolyte-substrate and electrolyte-Li₂ S interfaces in regulating Li₂ S depositing behavior. For the optimization of the electrolyte-substrate interface, efforts on the design of substrates including metal compounds, functionalized carbons, and organic compounds are systematically summarized. Regarding the regulation of electrolyte-Li₂ S interface, the progress of applying polysulfides catholytes, redox mediators, and high-donicity/polarity electrolytes is overviewed in detail. Finally, the challenges and possible solutions aiming at optimizing Li₂ S deposition are given for further development of practical LSBs. This review would inspire more insightful works and, more importantly, may enlighten other electrochemical areas concerning heterogeneous deposition processes.

Facile and Scalable Synthesis of Self-Supported Zn-Doped CuO Nanosheet Arrays for Efficient Nitrate Reduction to Ammonium

CuO has been regarded as a promising catalyst for the electrochemical reduction of nitrate (NO₃^-RR) to ammonium (NH₃); however, the intrinsic activity is greatly restricted by its poor electrical property. In this work, self-supported Zn-doped CuO nanosheet arrays (Zn-CuO NAs) are synthesized for NO₃^-RR, where the Zn dopant regulates the electronic structure of CuO to significantly accelerate the interfacial charge transfer and inner electron transport kinetics. The Zn-CuO NAs are constructed by a one-step etching of commercial brass (Cu₆₄Zn₃₆ alloy) in 0.1 M NaOH solution, which experiences a corrosion-oxidation-reconstruction process. Initially, the brass undergoes a dealloying procedure to produce nanosized Cu, which is immediately oxidized to the Cu₂O unit with a low valence state. Subsequently, Cu₂O is further oxidized to the CuO unit and reconstructed into nanosheets with the coprecipitation of Zn²⁺. For NO₃^-RR, Zn-CuO NAs show a high NH₃ production rate of 945.1 μg h^-1 cm^-2 and a Faradaic efficiency of up to 95.6% at -0.7 V in 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte with 0.01 M NaNO₃, which outperforms the majority of the state-of-the-art catalysts. The present work offers a facile yet very efficient strategy for the scale-up synthesis of Zn-CuO NAs for high-performance NH₃ production from NO₃^-RR.

The relationship between serum lipid and sudden sensorineural hearing loss

BACKGROUND

Hyperlipidemia may be part of the important mechanisms for the development of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).

AIMS

So the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between changes in blood lipid levels and ISSNHL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled 90 ISSNHL patients in our hospital using a retrospective study design from 2019.1 to 2021.12. Blood levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C). Hearing recovery was analyzed using the chi-square test and one-way analysis of variance (ANONA). Univariate and multifactorial Logstic retrospective analyses to establish the relationship between LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and hearing recovery after adjustment for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

In our study, 65 (72.2%) patients had their hearing recovered. All group analyses and three group analyses (i.e. Excluding the no-recovery group) found that LDL/HDL was on an upward trend from complete recovery to a slight recovery group and strongly associated with hearing recovery. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis found high levels of LDL and LDL/HDL in the partial hearing recovery group, relative to the full hearing recovery group. Curve fitting intuitively demonstrates the influence of blood lipids on prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that LDL. TC, TC/HDL, and LDL/HDL concentrations may be closely related to the pathogenesis of ISSNHL.

SIGNIFICANCE

Improving the relevant lipid test at the time of admission to the hospital has good clinical significance for improving the prognosis of ISSNHL.

Mesoporous silica SBA-15 composite for the delivery of amoxicillin against S. aureus skin infection

By subcutaneous injection of an amoxicillin-loaded nanocomposite, the skin bacterial infection of mice was well alleviated, and wound recovery was improved.

High Mobility and Quantum Oscillations in Semiconducting Bi2O2Te Nanosheets Grown by Chemical Vapor Deposition

Bi₂O₂Te has the smallest effective mass and preferable carrier mobility in the Bi₂O₂X (X = S, Se, Te) family. However, compared to the widely explored Bi₂O₂Se, the studies on Bi₂O₂Te are very rare, probably attributed to the lack of efficient ways to achieve the growth of ultrathin films. Herein, ultrathin Bi₂O₂Te crystals were successfully synthesized by a trace amount of O₂-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, enabling the observation of ultrahigh low-temperature Hall mobility of >20 000 cm² V^-1 s^-1, pronounced Shubnikov-de Haas quantum oscillations, and small effective mass of ∼0.10 m₀. Furthermore, few nm thick CVD-grown Bi₂O₂Te crystals showed high room-temperature Hall mobility (up to 500 cm² V^-1 s^-1) both in nonencapsulated and top-gated device configurations and preserved the intrinsic semiconducting behavior with I_on/I_off ∼ 10³ at 300 K and >10⁶ at 80 K. Our work uncovers the veil of semiconducting Bi₂O₂Te with high mobility and brings new blood into Bi₂O₂X family.

Balanced Crystallinity and Nanostructure for SnS2 Nanosheets through Optimized Calcination Temperature toward Enhanced Pseudocapacitive Na+ Storage

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are expected to take the place of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) as next-generation electrochemical energy storage devices due to the cost advantages they offer. However, due to the larger ion radius, the reaction kinetics of Na⁺ in anode materials is sluggish. SnS₂ is an attractive anode material for SIBs due to its large interlayer spacing and alloying reactions with high capacity. Calcination is usually employed to improve the crystallinity of SnS₂, which could affect the Na⁺ reaction kinetics, especially the pseudocapacitive storage. However, excessively high temperature could damage the well-designed nanostructure of SnS₂. In this work, we uniformly grow SnS₂ nanosheets on a Zn-, N-, and S-doped carbon skeleton (SnS₂@ZnNS). To explore the optimal calcination temperature, SnS₂@ZnNS is calcined at three typical temperatures (300, 350, and 400 °C), and the electrochemical performance and Na⁺ storage kinetics are investigated specifically. The results show that the sample calcined at 350 °C exhibited the best rate capacity and cycle performance, and the reaction kinetics analysis shows that the same sample exhibited a stronger pseudocapacitive response than the other two samples. This improved Na⁺ storage capability can be attributed to the enhanced crystallinity and the intact nanostructure.

Unlocking Interfacial Electron Transfer of Ruthenium Phosphides by Homologous Core-Shell Design toward Efficient Hydrogen Evolution and Oxidation

Developing high-efficiency electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution and oxidation reactions (HER/HOR) in alkaline electrolytes is of critical importance for realizing renewable hydrogen technologies. Ruthenium phosphides (RuP_x ) are promising candidates to substitute Pt-based electrodes; however, great challenges still remain in their electronic structure regulation for optimizing intermediate adsorption. Herein, it is reported that a homologous RuP@RuP₂ core-shell architecture constructed by a phosphatization-controlled phase-transformation strategy enables strong electron coupling for optimal intermediate adsorption by virtue of the emergent interfacial functionality. Density functional theory calculations show that the RuP core and RuP₂ shell present efficient electron transfer, leading to a close to thermoneutral hydrogen adsorption Gibbs free energy of 0.04 eV. Impressively, the resulting material exhibits superior HER/HOR activities in alkaline media, which outperform the benchmark Pt/C and are among the best reported bifunctional hydrogen electrocatalysts. The present work not only provides an efficient and cost-effective bifunctional hydrogen electrocatalyst, but also offers a new synthetic protocol to rationally synthesize homologous core-shell nanostructures for widespread applications.

Primary cutaneous lymphoma: recommendations for clinical trial design and staging update from the ISCL, USCLC, and EORTC

The number of patients with primary cutaneous lymphoma (PCL) relative to other non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHLs) is small and the number of subtypes large. Although clinical trial guidelines have been published for mycosis fungoides/Sézary syndrome, the most common type of PCL, none exist for the other PCLs. In addition, staging of the PCLs has been evolving based on new data on potential prognostic factors, diagnosis, and assessment methods of both skin and extracutaneous disease and a desire to align the latter with the Lugano guidelines for all NHLs. The International Society for Cutaneous Lymphomas (ISCL), the United States Cutaneous LymphomaConsortium (USCLC), and the Cutaneous Lymphoma Task Force of the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) now propose updated staging and guidelines for the study design, assessment, endpoints, and response criteria in clinical trials for all the PCLs in alignment with that of the Lugano guidelines. These recommendations provide standardized methodology that should facilitate planning and regulatory approval of new treatments for these lymphomas worldwide, encourage cooperative investigator-initiated trials, and help to assess the comparative efficacy of therapeutic agents tested across sites and studies.

Advances in the Emerging Gradient Designs of Li Metal Hosts

Developing host has been recognized a potential countermeasure to circumvent the intrinsic drawbacks of Li metal anode (LMA), such as uncontrolled dendrite growth, unstable solid electrolyte interface, and infinite volume fluctuations. To realize proper Li accommodation, particularly bottom-up deposition of Li metal, gradient designs of host materials including lithiophilicity and/or conductivity have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years. However, a critical and specialized review on this quickly evolving topic is still absent. In this review, we attempt to comprehensively summarize and update the related advances in guiding Li nucleation and deposition. First, the fundamentals regarding Li deposition are discussed, with particular attention to the gradient design principles of host materials. Correspondingly, the progress of creating different gradients in terms of lithiophilicity, conductivity, and their hybrid is systematically reviewed. Finally, future challenges and perspective on the gradient design of advanced hosts towards practical LMAs are provided, which would provide a useful guidance for future studies.

Complete blood count during the first trimester predicting spontaneous preterm birth

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed at assessing the peripheral complete blood count during the first trimester of pregnancy in women with spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) compared with age-matched controls who are women with healthy pregnancies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional case-control study, with 175 sPTB and 175 age-matched healthy controls, carried out between January 2019 and December 2019. Baseline data and the complete blood count parameters examined during the first trimester of all the participants were recorded. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) was used to evaluate cut-off point and diagnostic characteristics and area under the curve predicting sPTB.

RESULTS

White blood count, platelet, lymphocyte, monocyte, and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio values were significantly higher, and platelet-lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio values were lower in sPTB group than healthy control group in the first trimester of pregnancy. Receiver-operator curve analysis suggested that lymphocyte, white blood count, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, lymphocyte-monocyte ratio, monocyte, and platelet in the first trimester of pregnancy had predictive value for sPTB. The greatest predictive was lymphocyte, and the areas under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROCs) reached 0.853.

CONCLUSIONS

Lymphocyte values during the first trimester of pregnancy were the most predictive spontaneous preterm delivery. Therefore, in the management of the higher risk of preterm delivery, lymphocyte values could be a more cost-effective method during the first trimester of pregnancy because it does not need any kit.

Expediting Sulfur Reduction/Evolution Reactions with Integrated Electrocatalytic Network: A Comprehensive Kinetic Map

Electrocatalysts are considered the most promising candidates in ameliorating the slow kinetics of Li-S batteries (LSBs), however, the issue of insufficient catalytic capability remains to be addressed. Herein, we report an integrated catalytic network comprising graphitic carbon-encapsulated/bridged ultrafine NiCoP embedded in N, P-codoped carbon (GC-uNiCoP@NPC) as a highly competent catalyst for sulfur-based species conversions. By profiling the evolution map of Li-S chemistry via operando kinetic analyses, GC-uNiCoP@NPC is demonstrated to possess versatile yet efficient catalytic activity for sulfur reduction/evolution reactions, especially the rate-determining heterogeneous phase transitions. As a result, GC-uNiCoP@NPC enables high capacity and stable cycling of sulfur cathode under high areal loading and lean electrolyte. Moreover, pouch cells assembled under practical conditions present promising performance with a specific energy of 302 Wh kg^-1. This work not only conceptually expands the catalyst design for LSBs but also provides a comprehensive insight into the catalyst performance for Li-S chemistry.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of The Interaction Between HIV Infection And COVID-19: Two Years' Evidence Summary

Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people living with HIV (PLWH) were considered to be at risk of worse COVID-19 outcomes once infected. However, the existing evidence is inconsistent. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe COVID-19 symptoms, and mortality among PLWH and patients without HIV.

Method

The articles included studies published in PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane between December 1, 2019, and December 1, 2021. We included the original studies published in English focusing on observational studies assessing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe COVID-19 symptoms, and mortality among PLWH. Four independent reviewers extracted data. STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology-Modified (STROBE-M) checklist was used for quality assessment. For the results with heterogeneity I2 >75%, a random-effects model was employed. Otherwise, a fixed-effects model was used. The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe COVID-19 symptoms, and mortality were compared with and without HIV.

Results

We included a total of 32 studies and 71,779,737 study samples, of whom 797,564 (1.11%) were PLWH. Compared with COVID-19 patients without HIV infection, PLWH had comparable risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (adjusted Risk Ratio=1.07, 95% CI: 0.53-2.16, I2 = 96%, study n=6, n=20,199,805) and risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms (aRR=1.06, 95% CI: 0.97-1.16, I2 = 75%, n=10, n=2,243,370). PLWH, if infected with SARS-CoV-2, were found to have an increased risk of mortality compared with people without HIV (aRR=1.30, 95% CI: 1.09-1.56, I2 = 76%, study n=16, n=71,032,659). This finding was consistent across different subgroup analyses.

Conclusion

PLWH are at increased risk of COVID-19 related mortality once infected. The local health system should, on the one hand, strengthen COVID-19 prevention and clinical management among PLWH to avoid infection and, on the other hand, sustain the HIV care continuum for PLWH for HIV management.

Ultra-Robust and Extensible Fibrous Mechanical Sensors for Wearable Smart Healthcare

Fibrous material with high strength and large stretchability is an essential component of high-performance wearable electronic devices. Wearable electronic systems require a material that is strong to ensure durability and stability, and a wide range of strain to expand their applications. However, it is still challenging to manufacture fibrous materials with simultaneously high mechanical strength and the tensile property. Herein, the ultra-robust (≈17.6 MPa) and extensible (≈700%) conducting microfibers are developed and demonstrated their applications in fabricating fibrous mechanical sensors. The mechanical sensor shows high sensitivity in detecting strains that have high strain resolution and a large detection range (from 0.0075% to 400%) simultaneously. Moreover, low frequency vibrations between 0 and 40 Hz are also detected, which covers most tremors that occur in the human body. As a further step, a wearable and smart health-monitoring system has been developed using the fibrous mechanical sensor, which is capable of monitoring health-related physiological signals, including muscle movement, body tremor, wrist pulse, respiration, gesture, and six body postures to predict and diagnose diseases, which will promote the wearable telemedicine technology.

Polygala saponins inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated neuroinflammation via SHP-2-Mediated mitophagy

Activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its mediated neuroinflammation are implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, while mitophagy negatively regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation. SHP-2, a protein-tyrosine phosphatase, is critical for NLRP3 inflammasome regulation and inflammatory responses. In this study, we investigated whether triterpenoid saponins in Radix Polygalae inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome via mitophagy induction. First, we isolated the active fraction (polygala saponins (PSS)) and identified 17 saponins by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-Q/TOF-MS). In microglial BV-2 cells, PSS induced mitophagy as evidenced by increased co-localization of LC3 and mitochondria, as well as an increased number of autophagic vacuoles surrounding the mitochondria. Furthermore, the mechanistic study found that PSS activated the AMPK/mTOR and PINK1/parkin signaling pathways via the upregulation of SHP-2. In Aβ(1-42)-, A53T-α-synuclein-, or Q74-induced BV-2 cells, PSS significantly inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation, which was attenuated by bafilomycin A1 (an autophagy inhibitor) and SHP099 (an SHP-2 inhibitor). In addition, the co-localization of LC3 and ASC revealed that PSS promoted the autophagic degradation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Moreover, PSS decreased apoptosis in conditioned medium-induced PC-12 cells. In APP/PS1 mice, PSS improved cognitive function, ameliorated Aβ pathology, and inhibited neuronal death. Collectively, the present study, for the first time, shows that PSS inhibit the NLRP3 inflammasome via SHP-2-mediated mitophagy in vitro and in vivo, which strongly suggests the therapeutic potential of PSS in various neurodegenerative diseases.

Emojis predict dropouts of remote workers: An empirical study of emoji usage on GitHub

Emotions at work have long been identified as critical signals of work motivations, status, and attitudes, and as predictors of various work-related outcomes. When more and more employees work remotely, these emotional signals of workers become harder to observe through daily, face-to-face communications. The use of online platforms to communicate and collaborate at work provides an alternative channel to monitor the emotions of workers. This paper studies how emojis, as non-verbal cues in online communications, can be used for such purposes and how the emotional signals in emoji usage can be used to predict future behavior of workers. In particular, we present how the developers on GitHub use emojis in their work-related activities. We show that developers have diverse patterns of emoji usage, which can be related to their working status including activity levels, types of work, types of communications, time management, and other behavioral patterns. Developers who use emojis in their posts are significantly less likely to dropout from the online work platform. Surprisingly, solely using emoji usage as features, standard machine learning models can predict future dropouts of developers at a satisfactory accuracy. Features related to the general use and the emotions of emojis appear to be important factors, while they do not rule out paths through other purposes of emoji use.

In Situ, Atomic-Resolution Observation of Lithiation and Sodiation of WS2 Nanoflakes: Implications for Lithium-Ion and Sodium-Ion Batteries

WS₂ nanoflakes have great potential as electrode materials of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) because of their unique 2D structure, which facilitates the reversible intercalation and extraction of alkali metal ions. However, a fundamental understanding of the electrochemical lithiation/sodiation dynamics of WS₂ nanoflakes especially at the nanoscale level, remains elusive. Here, by combining battery electrochemical measurements, density functional theory calculations, and in situ transmission electron microscopy, the electrochemical-reaction kinetics and mechanism for both lithiation and sodiation of WS₂ nanoflakes are investigated at the atomic scale. It is found that compared to LIBs, SIBs exhibit a higher reversible sodium (Na) storage capacity and superior cyclability. For sodiation, the volume change due to ion intercalation is smaller than that in lithiation. Also, sodiated WS₂ maintains its layered structure after the intercalation process, and the reduced metal nanoparticles after conversion in sodiation are well-dispersed and aligned forming a pattern similar to the layered structure. Overall, this work shows a direct interconnection between the reaction dynamics of lithiated/sodiated WS₂ nanoflakes and their electrochemical performance, which sheds light on the rational optimization and development of advanced WS₂ -based electrodes.

[CDs-BOC Nanophotocatalyst Activating Persulfate Under Visible Light for the Efficient Degradation of Typical PPCPs]

A new type of CDs-BOC photocatalyst was synthesized in a convenient two-step method of hydrothermal and calcination processes. Carbon quantum dots (CDs) were used to modify BiOCl nanosheets. The as-prepared nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), which showed that CDs were successfully introduced. The absorption edge of 7% CDs-BOC nanocomposite was broadened to the visible light region (424 nm), and the charge separation efficiency was remarkably improved. To improve the degradation efficiency of organic pollutants, persulfate (PS) was also introduced into the system. Due to the excellent photocatalytic ability of the nanocatalyst, the photogenerated electrons can effectively activate the PS to produce more reactive oxidizing species (ROS). Under visible light (λ>420 nm) irradiation, 5 mg·L^-1 acetaminophen (AAP) can be completely removed within 20 min. Via radical quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR), the major ROS are determined to be·OH,·SO₄^-,·O₂^-, and h⁺, and the photo-degradation mechanism is proposed. The excellent photocatalytic performance of the CDs-BOC/PS system shows broad practical potential for wastewater treatment.