Complete Absorption Research Articles

Taiwan Thorn in Chinese Rejuvenation

The ramifications of geopolitical tensions between China and Taiwan are wide-reaching, and the "Taiwan Question" ceases to be China's domestic affair. Wanting to stop at nothing less than the complete absorption of Taiwan into China, Beijing has consistently put concerted efforts, including offering economic inducements, to isolate Taipei and make Taiwan a "pariah nation". Despite this, Taiwan is the world's largest semiconductor exporter and is an integral part of the global chain for the supply of electronics and machinery. Such economic, and military deterrence has kept China away from annexing Taiwan completely so far. Taiwan continues to stand as a sore thumb in achieving the Chinese dream by 2049. The focal point of this article is to expound the reasons for the rise in tensions specifically in the last three decades and the impact of Beijing-Taipei dynamics on other countries.

A machine learning framework to measure Water Drop Penetration Time (WDPT) for soil water repellency analysis

The heat from wildfires volatilizes soil’s organic compounds which form a waxy layer when condensed on cooler soil particles causing soil to repel water. Timely assessment of soil water repellency (SWR) is critical for prediction and prevention of detrimental impacts of hydrophobic soils such as soil erosion, reduced availability of water to plants, and water runoff after rainfalls leading to floods. The Water Drop Penetration Time (WDPT), i.e., the time elapsed from a drop landing on the soil surface to its complete absorption is commonly used to assess the SWR level. Its manual measurements have variability based on the used instruments and subjective observations. The goal of this work is to design an automated system to perform standardized WDPT tests and assess the SWR levels. It consists of an electronically controlled mechanism to release a water drop, and a video camera to record the water penetration process. The latter is modeled as an “action” in video and Temporal Action Localization (TAL) analytics is used for predicting the WDPT and assessing the SWR level.

Infrared nearly complete absorption in hexagonal boron nitride crystals based on guided mode resonance

The near-complete absorption effect in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) crystals for mid-infrared spectra with guided mode resonance (GMR) is studied. It is achieved by placing an hBN film on a substrate, which is separated from a subwavelength grating by a dielectric film. Under normal incidence, the absorber demonstrates approximately 100% absorption in the reststrahlen upper-frequency band of light. The underlying physical mechanism responsible for this near-complete absorption effect is examined through visualization of electric field distributions at the resonant frequency. Additionally, to provide practical guidance for fabrication, the influence of structural dimensions on the absorption spectra is also explored. These findings reveal that guided mode resonance can be utilized to achieve perfect absorption in hBN films, thereby enhancing their potential applications in the mid-infrared range.

The remarkable microquasar S26: A super-Eddington PeVatron

Context. S26 is an extragalactic microquasar with the most powerful jets ever discovered. They have a kinetic luminosity of Lj ∼ 5 × 1040 erg s−1. This implies that the accretion power to the black hole should be super-Eddington, of the order of Lacc ∼ Lj. However, the observed X-ray flux of this system indicates an apparent very sub-Eddington accretion luminosity of LX ≈ 1037 erg s−1. Aims. We aim to characterize the nature of S26, explain the system emission, and study the feasibility of super-Eddington microquasars as potential PeVatron sources. Methods. We first analyze multi-epoch X-ray observations of S26 obtained with XMM-Newton and model the super-Eddington disk and its wind. We then develop a jet model and study the particle acceleration and radiative processes that occur in shocks generated near the base of the jet and in its terminal region. Results. We find that the discrepancy between the jet and the apparent disk luminosities in S26 is caused by the complete absorption of the disk radiation by the wind ejected from the super-Eddington disk. The nonthermal X-rays are produced near the base of the jet, and the thermal X-rays are emitted in the terminal regions. The radio emission observed with the Australia Telescope Compact Array can be explained as synchrotron radiation produced at the reverse shock in the lobes. We also find that S26 can accelerate protons to PeV energies in both the inner jet and the lobes. The ultra-high energy protons accelerated in the lobes of S26 are injected into the interstellar medium with a total power of ∼1036 erg s−1. Conclusions. We conclude that S26 is a super-Eddington microquasar with a dense disk-driven wind that obscures the X-ray emission from the inner disk, and that the supercritical nature of the system allows the acceleration of cosmic rays to PeV energies.

A multi-function glass shield for neutrons and gamma rays of boron- and bismuth-reinforced silicate glass

A successful attempt to produce a multi-function glass shield for attenuating neutrons and gamma rays by reinforcing a silicate glass network with boron and bismuth has been accomplished. A composition of 20SiO2-80Na2O (BSiBi0) was proposed to be used as a host glass network and prepared using the melt/annealing techniques. The low concentration of SiO2 in BSiBi0 was not sufficient to form a stable glass network. Then, the proposed BSiBi0 was modified with 10, 20, 30, and 40 mol% of each of B2O3 and Bi2O3 (BSiBi1, BSiBi2, BSiBi3, and BSiBi4) simultaneously. The structural effects of adding B3+ and Bi3+ were studied through X-ray diffraction, density, and FTIR, which all showed enhancement of glass forming ability, a former role of Bi3+ ions, and crowded the glass network by BO4 units. The derived structural parameters -\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$-$$\\end{document} molar volume, mean silicon – silicon separation, mean boron – boron separation, oxygen packing density, packing density, and number of bridging/non-bridging oxygen -\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$-$$\\end{document} were extensively discussed to explore the impact of B3+ and Bi3+ on the formed network. The richness of the proposed host glass network by B3+ and Bi3+ enhanced its thermal stability. The obtained elastic properties by ultrasonic measurements reflect the increase of the glass rigidity with increasing concentrations of B3+ and Bi3+ ions. The obtained glasses have high visible light transparency and almost complete UV absorption. The measured shielding parameters against two types of neutron energies (total slow and slow) and a wide range of gamma rays’ energies showed a significant improvement in the shielding efficiency of the considered glasses. The total slow neutrons, slow neutrons, and gamma rays’ attenuation abilities were improved by 22.9, 135.5, and 73.8 -\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$-$$\\end{document} 199.5%. High thermal stability, elasticity, visible light transparency, and neutrons and gamma rays’ attenuation performance features give the produced glasses, especially BSiBi4 glass, preference as shielding materials in nuclear fields.

Analysis and prediction of ablation zone absorption in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma undergoing microwave ablation.

This study aims to investigate the factors that influence the absorption of the ablation zone in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) following microwave ablation (MWA) and construct a nomogram for predicting the absorption of the ablation zone. Data from 150 patients with 187 PTMCs who received MWA between April 2020 and April 2023 were analyzed. PTMCs were randomly divided into training and validation sets in a 7:3 ratio. Univariable and multivariable analyses of Cox regression were utilized to identify the independent variables associated with the absorption of the ablation zone in PTMC post-MWA, and a nomogram was established. The discrimination and calibration performance of the nomogram was assessed using the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves and calibration curves. At 12 months post-MWA, a 53% proportion of complete disappearance of the ablation zone was observed. Energy delivered per milliliter of volume measured in contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) mode immediately post-MWA (Edv) and the CEUS margin at 1-month post-WMA were identified as independently correlated with the ablation zone absorption post-MWA (P = 0.001, P < 0.001 respectively). A nomogram incorporating these two factors was constructed. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve were all above 0.78 in the training and validation sets. Edv and the CEUS margin at 1-month post-MWA were found to be significantly associated with complete absorption of the ablation zone in PTMC patients following MWA. The established nomogram can assist practitioners in formulating more appropriate ablation strategies and provide a clinical basis for explaining the recovery status to patients.

Salinity Studies in Quinoa (Quinoa Chenipodoum Willd) from Haditha Desert, Western of Iraq

The present studies were conducted to determine the effect of various concentrations of NaCl salinity on germination and growth of four genotypes of Quinoa Chenopodium Willd, namely G1 (KVL-SR2), G2 (Q-21), G3 (Q-37), and G4 (Regalona), exposed to 0, 60, 120, and 300 mM NaCl. The study was conducted at the Center of Desert Research, Egypt, and the experiment was carried out in the Plant Physiology Laboratory of the Center of Desert Studies. Seeds were treated with four different levels of NaCl concentration: 0, 60, 120, and 300 mM. The experiment followed a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The germination experiment aimed to determine the effect of NaCl salinity on seed germination percentage. Seeds were placed in autoclaved petri dishes lined with two layers of filter paper, with fifty seeds per dish. Seeds were treated with 0, 60, 120, and 300 mM NaCl solutions (5 mL). The petri dishes were kept in the laboratory at temperatures ranging from 25°C to 28°C for four weeks. Water loss from the petri dishes due to evaporation was monitored using control petri dishes, and water was added every 24 hours as needed. A pot experiment was conducted using plastic pots containing 1700 grams of fine-sieved soil. Seeds of the aforementioned genotypes were sown in 500 grams of soil, separated from the rest of the pot's soil by a polythene sheet. Plants were watered on alternate days and subjected to salinity treatment 25 days after sowing. Fifty milliliters of nutrient solution (N ratio of 6:4) were also added to the salt solution per pot. The salt solution was applied to the 1200 grams of soil in the pot, and after complete absorption, the polythene sheet separating the soil containing plantlets was removed, allowing the roots of the seedlings to grow into the saline soil in the lower half of the pot. Thinning was done after one week, maintaining five plants per pot. The plants were harvested one month after the salinity treatment. It was observed that the germination percentage decreased as the salinity level increased. G1 was tolerant, while G4 was salt-sensitive compared to the other genotypes. Plant height, number of leaves, and number of nodes per plant decreased with increasing salt concentration. G3 was least affected, followed by G2, G1, and G4. Fresh weight, dry weight, and percentage water content of the plants also significantly decreased with increased salinity. The distribution of Na+ ions in various plant parts showed a high concentration in the roots, stem, leaf blade, and leaf sheath of all genotypes. The highest concentration of Na+ ions was found in the leaf sheath of all genotypes, followed by the stem, root, and leaf blade, with high water content even under the highest salt levels. An effective partition of Na+ and Cl- ions in the leaf sheath and the transport of K+ to the physiologically important leaf blade were observed in G1, while other genotypes did not exhibit this efficiency. The specific ion effect of NaCl on the total N status of plants was most pronounced in G1, followed by G2 and G3, while G4 maintained optimal N levels in the root and leaf blade. The tolerant genotype G1 could be utilized for rehabilitation in salt-affected areas.

Facile synthesis of ZnFe2O4/ZnO/Fe3O4/Fe3N/C composites derived from bimetallic MOFs for efficient electromagnetic wave absorption

A novel metal–organic framework (MOF), ZnFe-MOF, was synthesized using a water phase method. By employing an explosion method with ZnFe-MOF as a precursor, a porous carbon composite electromagnetic wave-absorbing powder, ZnFe2O4/ZnO/Fe3O4/Fe3N/Fe2N/Zn/C (ZFC280), was obtained. This study examined the effects of paraffin filling amount and calcination temperature on the absorption performance of carbon composite materials. Notably, when the mass ratio of the absorber to paraffin was 1:1, the nanocomposite absorber ZnFe2O4/ZnO/Fe3O4/Fe3N/C (ZFC300) exhibited superior electromagnetic wave absorption capability. The ZFC300 sample demonstrated nearly complete absorption of electromagnetic waves across frequencies from 2 to 18 GHz with thicknesses ranging from 1 to 10 mm. Particularly, ZFC300 achieved a minimum reflection loss of −55.32 dB at 4.31 GHz with the 5.46 mm thickness and exhibited the broadest absorption bandwidth of 4.14 GHz at a thickness of 2.0 mm. The primary loss mechanism of the multicomponent and porous ZFC300 was dielectric loss with supplementary magnetic loss. Owing to its excellent absorption performance, the ZFC300 absorber is be a promising candidate for both civilian and military applications.

Electrical-Modulated Flexible Acoustic Metamaterial: Enhancing Low-Frequency Absorption via an Ionic Electroactive Polymer.

The growing concern over low-frequency noise pollution resulting from global industrialization has posed substantial challenges in noise attenuation. However, conventional acoustic metamaterials, with fixed geometries, offer limited flexibility in the frequency range adjustment once constructed. This research unveiled the promising potential of ionic electroactive polymers, particularly ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs), as a superior candidate to design tunable acoustic metamaterial due to its bidirectional energy conversion capabilities. The previously perceived limitations of the IPMC, including slow reaction and high energy expenditure, owning to its inherent sluggish intermediary ionic mass transport process, were astutely leveraged to expedite the attenuation of low-frequency sound energy. Both our experimental and simulation results elucidated that the IPMC can generate voltage potentials in response to acoustic pressure at frequencies significantly higher than those previously established. In addition, the peak absorption frequency can be effectively shifted by up to 45.7% with the application of a 4 V voltage. By further integration with a microperforated panel (MPP) structure, the developed metamaterial absorbers can achieve complete sound absorption, which was continuously tunable under minimal voltage stimulation across a wide frequency spectrum. In addition, a microslit structure IPMC metamaterial absorber was designed to realize modulation of the perforation rate, and the absorption peak can be shifted by up to 79.2%. These findings signify a pioneering application of ionic intelligent materials and may pave the way for further innovations of tunable low-frequency acoustic structures, ultimately advancing the pragmatic deployment of both soft intelligent materials and acoustic metamaterials.

Pharmacokinetics of Enrofloxacin and Its Metabolite Ciprofloxacin in Nanyang Cattle.

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its metabolite, ciprofloxacin, in Nanyang cattle after a single intravenous (IV), and intramuscular (IM) administration of enrofloxacin at 2.5 mg/kg body weight (BW). Blood samples were collected at predetermined time points. Enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin concentrations in plasma were simultaneously determined using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay method and subjected to a non-compartmental analysis. After IV administration, enrofloxacin had a mean (±SD) volume of distribution at steady state (VSS) of 1.394 ± 0.349 L/kg, a terminal half-life (t1/2λz) of 3.592 ± 1.205 h, and a total body clearance (Cl) of 0.675 ± 0.16 L/h/kg. After IM administration, enrofloxacin was absorbed relatively slowly but completely, with a mean absorption time (MAT) of 6.051 ± 1.107 h and a bioavailability of 99.225 ± 7.389%. Both compounds were detected simultaneously in most plasma samples following both routes of administration, indicating efficient biotransformation of enrofloxacin to ciprofloxacin. After IV injection, the peak concentration (Cmax) of ciprofloxacin was 0.315 ± 0.017 μg/mL, observed at 0.958 ± 0.102 h. Following IM injection, the corresponding values were 0.071 ± 0.006 μg/mL and 3 ± 1.095 h, respectively. Following IV and IM administration, the conversion ratio of enrofloxacin to ciprofloxacin was calculated as 59.2 ± 9.6% and 31.2 ± 7.7%, respectively. The present results demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic profiles for enrofloxacin, characterized by complete absorption with relatively slow kinetics, extensive distribution, efficient biotransformation to ciprofloxacin, and prolonged elimination in Nanyang cattle.

Chemical Substitution Strategies for Tailoring P2- and O3-Type Layered Oxide Cathodes in Sodium-Ion Batteries

Among cathodes for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), layered transition metal oxides Na x MO2 (M = transition metal) are very promising due to their easy synthesis and high theoretical capacity.1,2 In this class, Ni/Mn/Fe-based layered oxides are attractive due to the high redox potential of Ni2+/ Ni4+ and Jahn Teller inactive centers (Ni2+, Fe3+,and Mn4+).3 However, complex phase transitions, Na+/vacancy ordering and transition-metal (TM) migration degrade their electrochemical performances.4 To address the issues, a widely studied cathode- P2-type Na0.67[Ni0.33Mn0.67]O2 is chosen and Li+ is substituted in the TM-layer to tailor a series of high Na-content cathodes. Among them, Na0.85[Li0.14Ni0.29Mn0.57]O2 cathode with optimal Li-substitution exhibits a reversible capacity of 168 mAh g-1 at 0.1 C rate and good cycling stability (82% retention after 100 cycles).5 In-situ XRD measurement reveals a complete solid-solution formation and X-ray absorption spectroscopy studies confirm the participation of Ni4+/Ni2+ and Mn4+/Mn3+ redox couples during Na+-extraction/insertion. Lastly, a full Na-ion cell with hard carbon is demonstrated with an energy density of 420 Wh kg-1. In subsequent work, a Li and Ti co-substitution strategy is applied to design a high-entropy O3-type NaLixNiyFezMn0.5Ti0.5-aO2 cathode.6 It retains 77% of its initial capacity after 400 cycles at a 2 C rate with a facile O3-P3-OP2-P3-O3 phase transition. The co-substitution strategy uplifts the average voltage of the system, improves the reversibility of the high-voltage OP2 phase, and enhances the Na-ion diffusion rate. A mere 1.32% unit cell volume change and diminishing electrochemical cell resistance over cycling ensure its superior long-term cycling performance. A full cell is fabricated, which holds 62% of its initial capacity even after 1000 cycles at a 0.5 C rate. Therefore, mono- and di-ion substitution strategies hold enormous potential for designing high-performing P2- and O3-type cathode materials for practical SIBs. References T. Hosaka, K. Kubota, A. S. Hameed, and S. Komaba, Chem. Rev., 120, 6358–6466 (2020).J. Y. Hwang, S. T. Myung, and Y. K. Sun, Chem. Soc. Rev., 46, 3529–3614 (2017).F. Zhang, J. Liao, L. Xu, W. Wu, and X. Wu, ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 13, 40695–40704 (2021).Z. Lu and J. R. Dahn, J. Electrochem. Soc., 148, A1225 (2001).A. Ghosh, B. Senthilkumar, S. Ghosh, P. Amonpattaratkit, and P. Senguttuvan, J. Electrochem. Soc., 170, 030538 (2023).A. Ghosh, R. Hegde, and P. Senguttuvan, J. Mater. Chem. A., submitted(2023).

Design, synthesis, and characterization of intrinsic black polyimide with complete absorption of visible light and low coefficient of thermal expansion

Black polyimides (BPIs) show increasing demand in the microelectronics and optoelectronics fields. However, the existing BPIs have drawbacks of poor masking ability, dimensional stability, thermal and electrical properties. 3,6-Bis(thiophen-2-yl)diketopyrrolopyrroles (TDPP) is a typical dye that possesses a high molar extinction coefficient. In the work, a new diamine (DPPTOMePDA) bearing TDPP connected with methoxyl-substituted benzene rings was synthesized. Based on such diamine and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), a high-performance intrinsic BPI (DPPTOMePPI) was obtained. The resulting DPPTOMePPI exhibited a red-shifted and broadened absorption spectrum, thus achieving complete absorption of visible light and highly black color. Its cut-off wavelength (λcut) was up to 734 nm, and the Commission International de l’Eclairage (CIE)-Lab coordinate L* decreased to 0.53. Furthermore, DPPTOMePPI exhibited excellent thermal and electrical performances with a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). Density functional theory calculation was executed to analyze the underlying electron transitions of DPPTOMePPI. The results showed that the strong light absorption of DPPTOMePPI was primarily ascribed to the electronic transition of HOMO to LUMO+1 that occurred in the chromophores units. The flexible copper clad laminates (FCCLs) derived from DPPTOMePPI film showed high peel strength and resistance to solder heat. The work offers a theoretical guide for the construction of intrinsic black PI possessing complete visible absorption and low CTE.

A Hot Mess: The Rich and Complex Soft Emitting Regions Surrounding the Reflection Dominated Flaring Central Engine of Mrk 1239

Previous X-ray works on Mrk 1239 have revealed a complex narrow-line Seyfert 1 that exhibits substantial absorption and strong emission from both collisionally ionized and photoionized plasmas. Here, we report on deep-pointed observations with XMM-Newton and NuSTAR, along with Swift monitoring, to understand the 0.3–30 keV continuum emission and the central engine geometry. A strong X-ray flare, where the AGN brightens by a factor of 5 in ∼30 ks, is captured between 4 and 30 keV and can be attributed to a brightening of the primary continuum. However, the lack of any variability below ∼3 keV on long or short timescales requires complete absorption of the AGN continuum with a neutral medium of column density ∼1023.5 cm−2. The timing and spectral properties are consistent with a blurred reflection interpretation for the primary emission. The variability and presence of a Compton hump disfavors ionized partial covering. The neutral absorber, if outflowing, could be crashing into the surrounding medium and interstellar medium to produce the low-energy continuum and collisionally ionized emission. Scattered emission off the inner torus could produce the photoionized emission. The intricate scenario is demanded by the data and highlights the complexity of the environment that is normally invisible when overwhelmed by the AGN continuum. Objects like Mrk 1239 serve as important sources for unveiling the interface between the AGN and host galaxy environments.

IDENTITY OF THE MODERN INDIVIDUAL IN THE CONTEXT OF SOCIAL-PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS

The article examines the problem of individual identity formation in modern conditions of neoliberalism. It is noted that the research of subjectivity, «I» (self), which is the source and condition for the formation of individual identity, actualizes the study of this problem in many social and humanitarian sciences. In the context of socio-philosophical analysis, identity represents itself as a complicated dynamic phenomenon that constantly needs new definitions, clarifications and additions. The effectiveness of using E.Erikson’s theory of individual identity in modern conditions, its significance for the formation of «I» and P.Ricker’s concept of personalistic identity are analyzed. It has been clarified that a new request for the conceptualization of identity has been formed now, which is conditioned of the collapse of political ideologies, in particular, the communist one, the significant crisis of modern neoliberal ideology and the persistent search for new forms of collective involvement or solidarity of people in the current era of globalization. However, various forms of collective identity are imposed by society, its numerous communities, ideology, state institutions, mass media, social networks with their computer capabilities, dominance of advertisements, etc. Therefore, it is not surprising that now individuals are trying to find their own identity, going out from under the pressure of the collective, mainly discursive forms of identity, and already these efforts do not depend on them to a certain extent. The construct «collective identity» in many cases does not reflect the social I (social me) of the individual, as it was conceived in the last century, because society and its communities, which involve active, mobile and changing structures, cannot be thought in terms of subjectivity. Analogies and comparisons do not work here either on a conscious or unconscious level. In the studying identity, there is a significant problem of the transition from the individual to the collective level and vice versa. A collective or group does not have the qualities of individuality with its diversity of characteristics. Taking into account the conducted consideration, it can be stated that approaches to the formation of identity are now acquiring a profound semantic transformation. An assumption was made, which needs to be carefully investigated in the future, according to which the process of partial or complete absorption of individual identity by its collective forms is currently taking place. That’s why, there is an urgent need for the formation of a new interdisciplinary approach to the research of personal identity in the modern digital society.

Couple and family optimal experiences: Integrating flow theory into the relational sciences

AbstractShared experiences are a fundamental aspect of couple and family life that impact both individual well‐being and satisfaction with close relationships. Optimal experience, also known as flow, is the state of complete absorption and fulfillment experienced when engaged in an intrinsically rewarding activity. The interdisciplinary concept of flow provides a sound basis to explore optimal shared experiences. Research on flow experiences in couple and family contexts is limited, presenting a gap in the literature. This article outlines a research program integrating flow theory into the relational sciences along three lines of inquiry. First, couple/family flow requires a clear definition and theoretical framework by building upon previous scholarly work on social flow. Second, the impact of flow experiences on relational variables (e.g., relationship quality, interpersonal commitment, sexual satisfaction) requires investigation. Lastly, flow theory presents an opportunity to develop new interventions aimed at improving the experiences couples and families share together.

Early life-history stages of the olive barb, Systomus sarana (Hamilton), and a key ontogenetic systematic character of Smiliogastrinae.

The current study aims to uncover the early life-history stages of Systomus sarana, a medium-sized smiliogastrin cyprinid important for aquaculture in South Asia. The fish were effectively bred in captivity by administering 0.25 mL of breeding hormone per kilogram of fish. The spawning occurred 8.54 ± 0.55 h after the injection, and the eggs were phyto-lithophilic with a pale yellow color and a diameter of 1.49 ± 0.04 mm. Hatching occurred 17 h after fertilization, and the yolk-sac larvae of 3.43 ± 0.08 mm total length (TL) were adhering to the plant parts and other substrata with the cement glands on the forehead. On the third day, with complete absorption of the yolk sac and the disappearance of the attachment organ, the pre-flexion larvae measured 5.3 ± 0.11 mm TL. On the eighth day, the flexion larvae measured 6 ± 0.4 mm TL with a well-inflated posterior swim bladder, and the post-flexion larvae, at 11 days post-hatching (dph), developed a two-chambered gas bladder. The juvenile stage, on day 21 post-hatching, was marked by the loss of the median finfolds and the appearance of black blotches on the caudal, subdorsal, and supra-anal regions. The commencement of squamation and the appearance of the rudiments of maxillary barbels distinguished the juvenile stage. The subadults measuring 4.6 ± 0.36 cm TL had finished squamation and completely lost the subdorsal and supra-anal blotches. We propose that the presence of subdorsal blotches is a distinctive ontogenetic and systematic feature of larval and juvenile forms of smiliogastrin barbs.

Intravitreal conbercept injection with panretinal photocoagulation for high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy with vitreous hemorrhage.

To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of combining panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) with intravitreal conbercept (IVC) injections for patients with high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy (HR-PDR) complicated by mild or moderate vitreous hemorrhage (VH), with or without diabetic macular edema (DME). Patients diagnosed with VH with/without DME secondary to HR-PDR and received PRP combined with IVC injections were recruited in this retrospective study. Upon establishing the patient's diagnosis, an initial IVC was performed, followed by prompt administration of PRP. In cases who significant bleeding persisted and impeded the laser operation, IVC was sustained before supplementing with PRP. Following the completion of PRP, patients were meticulously monitored for a minimum of six months. Laser therapy and IVC injections were judiciously adjusted based on fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) results. Therapeutic effect and the incidence of adverse events were observed. Out of 42 patients (74 eyes), 29 were male and 13 were female, with a mean age of 59.17±12.74y (33-84y). The diabetic history was between 1wk and 26y, and the interval between the onset of visual symptoms and diagnosis of HR-PDR was 1wk-1y. The affected eye received 2.59±1.87 (1-10) IVC injections and underwent 5.5±1.02 (4-8) sessions of PRP. Of these, 68 eyes received PRP following 1 IVC injection, 5 eyes after 2 IVC injections, and 1 eye after 3 IVC injections. Complete absorption of VH was observed in all 74 eyes 5-50wk after initial treatment, with resolution of DME in 51 eyes 3-48wk after initial treatment. A newly developed epiretinal membrane was noted in one eye. Visual acuity significantly improved in 25 eyes. No complications such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, or endophthalmitis were reported. The study suggests that the combination of PRP with IVC injections is an effective and safe modality for treating diabetic VH in patients with HR-PDR.

Application of LU-tarjet congruent-arc technique in treatment of recurrent shoulder dislocation with huge glenoid defect

To investigate the early effectiveness of the limited unique coracoid osteotomy suture button fixation Latarjet (LU-tarjet)-congruent-arc (CA) technique (LU-tarjet-CA) in treating recurrent shoulder dislocations with huge glenoid defect. The clinical data of 12 patients with recurrent shoulder dislocation and huge glenoid defect who met the selection criteria and treated with arthroscopic LU-tarjet-CA between January 2021 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The cohort included 8 males and 4 females, aged 20-40 years with an average age of 30.4 years. The range of glenoid bone loss was 30%-40%, with an average of 35.5%. The time from symptom onset to hospital admission ranged from 1 to 36 months, with an average of 18.5 months. The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) score, American Association for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ASES) score, Walch-Duplay score, and Rowe score were used to evaluate shoulder function preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. CT three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction was used to assess coracoid healing and plasticity at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Subjective satisfaction of patient was recorded at last follow-up. All incisions healed by first intention, with no incision infection or nerve injury. All 12 patients were followed up 12 months. One patient developed Propionibacterium acnes infection within the joint postoperatively and recovered after initial arthroscopic debridement and anti-inflammatory treatment. At 3 months after operation, CT 3D-reconstruction showed 1 case of complete coracoid absorption; neither of these two patients experienced redislocation. The remaining patients exhibited partial coracoid absorption but displayed local reshaping, filling the preoperative defect area, and bony fusion between the coracoid and the glenoid. At last follow-up, 9 patients (75%) were very satisfied with the outcome, and 3 patients (25%) were satisfied; the satisfied patients experienced postoperative shoulder stiffness caused by suboptimal functional exercise but did not have impaired daily life activities. The UCLA score, ASES score, Walch-Duplay score, and Rowe score at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were significantly better than preoperative scores, and each score improved further over time postoperatively, with significant differences between different time points ( P<0.05). The arthroscopic LU-tarjet-CA technique for treating recurrent shoulder dislocations with huge glenoid defect can achieve the surgical objective of bony blockade and filling bone defects to prevent shoulder dislocation, thereby improving patients' quality of life and shoulder joint function and stability.

Pulmonary coinfection by Pneumocystis jirovecii and Aspergillus terreus in an ITP patient after corticosteroid therapy: A case report

AbstractPneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis are both life‐threatening opportunistic fungal infections. There are only few reports of coinfection by these two fungi in the literature, and Aspergillus fumigatus is the predominant Aspergillus species in the coinfection. We report here the first case of coinfection by Aspergillus terreus and P. jirovecii pneumonia and caspofungin can be an appropriate choice for salvage treatment of the coinfection. A 51‐year‐old man with a history of immune thrombocytopenia treated with prednisone over 2 months was admitted to emergency intensive care unit for acute respiratory failure and a cavity was found on chest computed tomography. Therefore, his trachea was immediately intubated. The patient was treated with a large spectrum of antibiotic regimen, consisting initially of imipenem/cilastatin, moxifloxacin and fluconazole followed by fluconazole, imipenem/cilastatin, vancomycin, trimethoprim–sulphamethoxazole (TMP‐SMZ) and azithromycin. When the polymerase chain reaction analysis of the bronchoalveolar lavage sample revealed P. jirovecii and A. terreus, all the antibiotics were stopped except TMP‐SMZ, and voriconazole was added. Two weeks later, the patient showed clinical improvement but radiological deterioration. Consequently, caspofungin was started for salvage therapy, then the patient showed gradual clinical improvement. He was discharged with oral voriconazole and TMP‐SMZ. The antifungal treatment was continued for 6 months until complete radiological absorption. In conclusion, early bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid should be considered in order to diagnose and treat promptly in those treated with corticosteroids combined with immunocompromised and caspofungin could be an appropriate choice for salvage treatment of coinfection by P. jirovecii and A. terreus.

Characterization of luminal contents from the fasted human proximal colon

To treat colonic diseases more effectively, improved therapies are urgently needed. In this respect, delivering drugs locally to the colon is a key strategy to achieve higher local drug concentrations while minimizing systemic side effects. Understanding the luminal environment is crucial to efficiently develop such targeted therapies and to predict drug disposition in the colon. In this clinical study, we collected colonic contents from an undisturbed fasted proximal colon via colonoscopy and characterized their composition with regard to drug disposition. Colonic pH, osmolality, protein content, bile salts, lipids, phospholipids and short-chain fatty acids were investigated in 10 healthy volunteers (8 male and 2 female, age 19–25). The unique environment of the proximal colon was reflected in the composition of the sampled luminal fluids and the effect of the microbiota could be observed on the pH (median 6.55), the composition of bile salts (majority deconjugated and secondary), and the abundance of short-chain fatty acids. At the same time, an increase in phospholipid concentration, osmolality and total protein content compared to reported ileal values was seen, likely resulting from desiccation. Lipids could only be found in low quantities and mainly in the form of cholesterol and free fatty acids, showing almost complete digestion and absorption by the time luminal contents reach the colon. All characteristics also displayed the considerable intersubject variability found in different regions of the gastrointestinal tract. This study contributes to an improved understanding of the luminal conditions in the proximal colon and facilitates the development of new predictive tools to study colonic drug absorption.