Future Utilization Research Articles

Solvent Effects in Hyperpolarization of 15N Nuclei in [15N3]Metronidazole and [15N3]Nimorazole Antibiotics via SABRE‐SHEATH**

Metronidazole and nimorazole are antibiotics of a nitroimidazole group which also may be potentially utilized as hypoxia radiosensitizers for the treatment of cancerous tumors. Hyperpolarization of 15N nuclei in these compounds using SABRE‐SHEATH (Signal Amplification By Reversible Exchange in SHield Enables Alignment Transfer to Heteronuclei) approach provides dramatic enhancement of detection sensitivity of these analytes using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. Methanol‐d4 is conventionally employed as a solvent in SABRE hyperpolarization process. Herein, we investigate SABRE‐SHEATH hyperpolarization of isotopically labeled [15N3]metronidazole and [15N3]nimorazole in nondeuterated methanol and ethanol solvents. Optimization of such hyperpolarization parameters as polarization transfer magnetic field, temperature, parahydrogen flow rate and pressure allowed us to obtain an average 15N polarization of up to 7.2–7.4% for both substrates. The highest 15N polarizations were observed in methanol‐d4 for [15N3]metronidazole and in ethanol for [15N3]nimorazole. At a clinically relevant magnetic field of 1.4 T the 15N nuclei of these substrates possess long characteristic hyperpolarization lifetimes (T1) of ca. 1 to ca. 7 min. This study represents a major step toward SABRE in more biocompatible solvents, such as ethanol, and also paves the way for future utilization of these hyperpolarized nitroimidazoles as molecular contrast agents for MRI visualization of tumors.

Polar bear hair inspired 3D photothermal evaporator for efficient solar steam desalination and electricity generation

While solar steam generation for desalination and electricity production is a burgeoning field, traditional systems often face challenges with rapid heat loss and salt buildup. To address these issues, we introduce a biomimetic approach, inspired by the unique thermal properties of polar bear hair. Our study presents a photothermal 3D hierarchical hollow Ppy@CuO nanorod array system, featuring a dual-structured design: a cone-shaped 3D topological structure for improved light absorption and a hollow structure for enhanced thermal insulation. This innovative approach effectively maximizes solar energy capture and reduces thermal losses, particularly in marine environments. Our system exhibits outstanding performance in solar steam generation, achieving high water evaporation rates and maintaining stability and efficiency in high-salinity settings. Under one solar illumination at a 75° tilt angle, the Ppy@CuO-3 NAs demonstrated an evaporation rate of 3.3 kg m−2 h−1 and an energy efficiency of 97.5 %. Additionally, the synergistic effect of released Cu2+ and Ppy resulted in a 99.9 % antibacterial rate against E. coli and S. aureus. This significant advancement in simultaneous, effective seawater desalination and efficient evaporation-driven electricity generation marks a crucial step toward future sustainable resource utilization.

Unraveling the impact of water deficit stress on nutritional quality and defense response of tomato genotypes.

Water deficit stress triggers various physiological and biochemical changes in plants, substantially affecting both overall plant defense response and thus nutritional quality of tomatoes. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant defense response and nutritional quality of different tomato genotypes under water deficit stress. In this study, six tomato genotypes were used and subjected to water deficit stress by withholding water for eight days under glass house conditions. Various physiological parameters from leaves and biochemical parameters from tomato fruits were measured to check the effect of antioxidant defense response and nutritional value. Multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index (MGIDI) was used for the selection of genotypes with improved defense response and nutritional value under water deficit stress condition. Results indicated that all physiological parameters declined under stress conditions compared to the control. Notably, NBH-362 demonstrated resilience to water deficit stress, improving both defense response and nutritional quality which is evident by an increase in proline (16.91%), reducing sugars (20.15%), total flavonoids (10.43%), superoxide dismutase (24.65%), peroxidase (14.7%), and total antioxidant capacity (29.9%), along with a decrease in total oxidant status (4.38%) under stress condition. Overall, the findings suggest that exposure to water deficit stress has the potential to enhance the nutritional quality of tomatoes. However, the degree of this enhancement is contingent upon the distinct genetic characteristics of various tomato genotypes. Furthermore, the promising genotype (NBH-362) identified in this study holds potential for future utilization in breeding programs.

Ion-doped γ-C2S: Clinker characteristics, carbonation products, and carbonation properties

The γ-crystalline form of dicalcium silicate (γ-C2S) is recognized for its carbonation activity, making it a promising low-carbon binder. This study investigates how impurity ions such as sodium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, titanium, nickel, copper, and zinc influence the carbonation characteristics of γ-C2S. Results on the calcined γ-C2S powders indicate that Na, P and K doping hinder the β-γ phase transition. Mg, Ti, Ni and Cu doping have little effect on the crystal form of γ-C2S, but substantially alter their morphology, evident in reduced particle size and increased surface folds. This increases the specific surface area and may facilitate the carbonation reaction. Analysis on carbonation products reveals calcium carbonate content is increasing especially in calcite crystals. The results of carbonation exothermic show the elevation of maximum temperature with the doping level increases. This may be attributable to ion doping promoting the dissociation of Ca2+. The increase in degree of carbonation and compressive strength illustrates the beneficial effects of these ionic doping on mechanical and carbonation properties, in particular, Ti ion doping increased 15.6 % and 75.7 % compared to the blank group, respectively. However, Zn doping is contrary to the results of other four ions and its addition has a negative effect on the properties of γ-C2S. All five ions (Mg, Ti, Ni, Cu, Zn) can be effectively solidified into the calcium carbonate crystals of the carbonation product, which is an important guideline for the future resource utilization of waste and industrialized production. Ion doping provides a reliable reference for future modification of γ-C2S.

Migration Rules and Mechanisms of Nano-Biochar in Soil Columns under Various Transport Conditions.

Compared to traditional biochar (BC), nano-biochar (NBC) boasts superior physicochemical properties, promising extensive applications in agriculture, ecological environments, and beyond. Due to its strong adsorption and migration properties, NBC may carry nutrients or pollutants to deeper soil layers or even groundwater, causing serious environmental risks. Nevertheless, the migration rules and mechanisms of NBC in soil are still unclear. Therefore, this study employed soil column migration experiments to systematically explore the migration rules and mechanisms of NBC under various flow rates, initial soil water contents, soil depths, and soil textures. The results showed that regulated by smaller particle size differences and greater surface charges, NBC exhibited a stronger migration ability compared with traditional BC. As the soil texture transitioned from fine to coarse, the migration capability of NBC significantly improved, driven by both pore structure and interaction forces as described by the DLVO theory. The migration ability of NBC was also greatly boosted as the soil transitioned from saturated to unsaturated conditions, primarily because of preferential flow. When the flow rate increased from 70% KS to 100% KS and 130% KS, the migration ability of NBC also increased accordingly, as changes in injection flow rates altered the velocity distribution of pore water. NBC in 25 cm soil columns was more prone to shallow retention compared with 10 cm soil columns, resulting in weaker overall migration ability. In addition, through fitting of the two-site kinetic model and related parameters, the penetration curves of NBC under various variable conditions were effectively characterized. These findings could offer valuable insights for NBC's future efficient, rational, and sustainable utilization, facilitating the evaluation and mitigation of its potential environmental risks.

Synergetic effects during co-pyrolysis of waste textiles and Ca/Fe-rich industrial sewage sludge: Reaction kinetics and product distribution

Co-pyrolysis is a promising technology for industrial organic waste to utilize their unique resource and energy properties for efficient conversion into valuable products. This study was the first time to characterize the co-pyrolysis of waste textiles with Ca-rich industrial sludge and Fe-rich industrial sludge on a laboratory-scale fixed bed. The properties, mechanisms, gas, oil and carbon production were investigated as a function of temperature and mixing type. Co-pyrolysis increased the total weight loss from 50.05 % to 69.81 % for Ca-rich industrial sludge mixed with 50 % waste textiles and from 49.13 % to 70.01 % for Fe-rich industrial sludge mixed with 50 % waste textiles. The activation energy of co-pyrolysis was approximately 50 % lower compared to the pyrolysis of waste textiles alone. The optimal reaction model for the different reaction stages for all samples was three diffusion (D3). Co-pyrolysis resulted in lower CO and CO2 emission temperatures of about 25–110 °C and produced more short-chain organic compounds (C < 10). Co-pyrolysis produced more aldehydes and ketones organics. Moreover, co-pyrolysis char exhibited an elevated level of fatty alkyl side chains and bridge branching, as well as higher degrees of aromatization and stability. This study offers valuable insights into the potential application of pyrolysis for the management of Ca/Fe-rich industrial sludge and waste textiles, thereby serving as a basis for future utilization endeavors.

Functional Tea Extract Inhibits Cell Growth, Induces Apoptosis, and Causes G0/G1 Arrest in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Line Possibly through Reduction in Telomerase Activity.

The functional tea CFT-1 has been introduced into China as a nutraceutical beverage according to the "Healthy China" national project. The effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells remain unclear and were investigated with the functional tea extract (purity > 98%). The morphological changes in the cells were observed with microscopes. Cell proliferation, migration, cycle distribution, and apoptotic effects were assessed by MTT, Transwell assays, and flow cytometry, respectively, while telomerase inhibition was evaluated with telomerase PCR ELISA assay kits. The CFT-1 treatment resulted in cell shrinkage, nuclear pyknosis, and chromatin condensation. CFT-1 suppressed the growth of Hep3B cells with IC50 of 143 μg/mL by inducing apoptosis and G0/G1 arrest in Hep3B cells. As for the molecular mechanism, CFT-1 treatment can effectively reduce the telomerase activity. The functional tea extract inhibits cell growth in human HCC by inducing apoptosis and G0/G1 arrest, possibly through a reduction in telomerase activity. These results indicate that CFT-1 extract exhibited in vitro anticancer activities and provided insights into the future development and utilization of CFT-1 as functional foods to inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells.

Approximate analytical solutions of nonlinear vibration and bifurcation of dielectric elastomer balloon

Dielectric elastomers (DE), a novel class of actuators, are increasingly employed in fields such as soft robotics and vibration control. Most existing studies investigating the dynamic characteristics of DE structures neglect the viscoelasticity and strain-stiffening effects of materials, with only a few offering approximate analytical solutions. This paper establishes the governing equation for the dynamics of a DE balloon, utilizing the principle of virtual work and considering material viscoelasticity and strain-stiffening effects through linear damping and the Gent hyperelastic model, respectively. The nonlinear governing equations are simplified using the Chebyshev polynomial approximation. The multiple scales method is applied to derive approximate solutions for the structure's free vibration under static voltage excitation and parametrically excited vibration under harmonic voltage excitation. The accuracy of these approximate analytical solutions is validated by comparison with numerical solutions. Additionally, the paper analyzes stability and bifurcation phenomena through time-domain response curves, amplitude-frequency curves, and phase trajectories. Furthermore, the influence of the stretching limit, voltage, and damping on the nonlinear vibration of the balloon structure is studied, providing a valuable theoretical foundation for the future design and utilization of dielectric elastomers.

Effect of accelerated extraction and sonication on the antioxidant capacity of wood and bark extracts of wet-hearted silver fir (Abies alba Mill.)

The aim of this study was to compare the antioxidant capacity of hydrophilic extracts of different tissues of wet-hearted silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) logs. Wet heart is a wood defect of silver fir and lowers the value of wood. The exploitation of extractives could increase utilization and financial returns. The bark, sapwood, heartwood and knotwood were investigated by using two green extraction methods: ultrasound assisted extraction (US) and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), with aqueous ethanol as solvent. Total extractive content (TEC), total polyphenol content (TPC) and antioxidant capacities (FRAP, DPPH, ABTS) from the extracts were determined and compared. The highest contents of total hydrophilic extractives were measured in knotwood (23.07%, ASE) and bark (10.31%, ASE), and the lowest values were determined for sapwood (2.00%, ASE) and heartwood (3.56%, ASE). The ASE method resulted in significantly higher TPC (0.65–10.58%) than the US (0.46–9.19%) method. Nevertheless, the simplicity of instrumentation and costs can make US also a potential candidate for future extraction and utilization. The highest antioxidant capacities were measured in knotwood (FRAP: 159.75 mg AAE/g, ABTS: 316.15 mg TE/g, DPPH: 189.23 mg TE/g) and bark (FRAP: 159.75 mg AAE/g, ABTS: 126.81 mg TE/g, DPPH: 74.52 mg TE/ g) extracts, prepared with ASE, which complements well the existing literature data on silver fir extractives. The knotwood and bark of wet-hearted silver fir is an abundant source of antioxidant polyphenols, whereas sapwood and heartwood are poor in these extractives and potentially unsuitable for the valorization by the extraction of natural antioxidants.

Ultrafast hot electron transfer and trap-state mediated charge separation for boosted photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 evolution

Comprehensive interpretation of photo-generated carrier dynamics in photocatalytic systems will strengthen its position as a candidate for future utilization and development of solar energy resources. As exploratory models, aggregated carbon dots (A-CDs) and dispersed carbon dots (D-CDs) were coated on the surface of g-C3N4 nanovesicles (CNNVS) to form A-CDs/CNNVS and D-CDs/CNNVS composite systems. Among of them, A-CDs/CNNVS exhibits a superior photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 evolution of up to 24.8 mmol/g, which was about 2.03 and 1.23 times higher than that of CNNVS and D-CDs/CNNVS, respectively. Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) demonstrates that the improved thermalization of photo-generated electrons and trapping behavior of cooled electrons via the introduction of A-CDs in A-CDs/CNNVS to complement the hot electrons of intrinsic excitation and electrons trapping of CNNVS at a higher extent in comparison of D-CDs/CNNVS. This work presents an in-depth insight to investigate CDs-based photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H2 evolution system for realizing solar energy conversion.

Single-tissue proteomics in Caenorhabditis elegans reveals proteins resident in intestinal lysosome-related organelles

The nematode intestine is the primary site for nutrient uptake and storage as well as the synthesis of biomolecules; lysosome-related organelles known as gut granules are important for many of these functions. Aspects of intestine biology are not well understood, including the export of the nutrients it imports and the molecules it synthesizes, as well as the complete functions and protein content of the gut granules. Here, we report a mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic analysis of the intestine of the Caenorhabditis elegans and of its gut granules. Overall, we identified approximately 5,000 proteins each in the intestine and the gonad and showed that most of these proteins can be detected in samples extracted from a single worm, suggesting the feasibility of individual-level genetic analysis using proteomes. Comparing proteomes and published transcriptomes of the intestine and the gonad, we identified proteins that appear to be synthesized in the intestine and then transferred to the gonad. To identify gut granule proteins, we compared the proteome of individual intestines deficient in gut granules to the wild type. The identified gut granule proteome includes proteins known to be exclusively localized to the granules and additional putative gut granule proteins. We selected two of these putative gut granule proteins for validation via immunohistochemistry, and our successful confirmation of both suggests that our strategy was effective in identifying the gut granule proteome. Our results demonstrate the practicability of single-tissue MS-based proteomic analysis in small organisms and in its future utility.

Synthesis of BaO/NiO/rGO nanocomposite for supercapacitor application

Abstract Considering the global energy crisis, alternative energy resources requirement is rising gradually. In light of dwindling energy resources, we turn to renewable alternatives. Storing this energy for future utilization remains a pressing endeavor. The ideal storage device should possess intensified energy density, power density, and cyclic stability. In this study, we have synthesized metal oxide with carbon based material nanocomposite such as BaO/NiO, BaO/NiO/rGO through cost effective co-precipitation method and their comparative performance for supercapacitor application were studied. Various characterizations were taken for the above synthesized material. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study confirmed the material formation and their crystallinity of the nanocomposite. BaO has tetragonal structure which was confirmed through JCPDS card number 26-0178 and NiO has rhombohedral structure which was confirmed through JCPDS card number 89-7390. To study electrochemical behaviour of electrode material and its cyclic stability, cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies was executed. BaO/NiO/rGO possesses 1072 F/g specific capacitance at 0.3 A/g in aqueous 1 M KOH. The electrochemical action of hybrid device was setup and it revealed 224 F/g at 0.3 A/g within the charging potential of 1.6 V. Capacitive retention of 97.6 % was achieved by asymmetric hybrid supercapacitor even after 5000 cycles at 10 A/g, this shows prepared nanocomposite exceptional cyclic stability in energy storage application.

Animal waste as a valuable biosorbent in the removal of heavy metals from aquatic ecosystem-an eco-friendly approach.

Toxic pollutants in the form of heavy metals are added through various anthropogenic activities daily into the aquatic ecosystem beyond their permissible limits, and their bioaccumulation capacity makes them hazardous substances for the survival of all organisms. Thus, their removal from aquatic ecosystems is the need of the hour. Treatment of wastewater containing heavy metals through biosorption is gaining popularity and is being explored all around the world due to its various advantages over conventional methods of treatment. Utilization of animal waste as a biomaterial could be the best solution to remove it from the ecosystem. Such treatment methods are a blessing for developing and underdeveloped countries due to their low cost. This paper provides in-depth details about heavy metals, their health implications, mechanisms of toxicity, modes of transportation, and conventional treatment approaches. A comprehensive understanding of the biosorption process, encompassing its world scenario, evolution, mechanisms, factors affecting the process, and advantages, will also be covered. Finally, animal wastes and their applicability in the removal of heavy metal pollutants from wastewater shall also be thoroughly reviewed, followed by their future utility and recommendations.

Applications of machine‐learning interatomic potentials for modeling ceramics, glass, and electrolytes: A review

AbstractThe emergence of artificial intelligence has provided efficient methodologies to pursue innovative findings in material science. Over the past two decades, machine‐learning potential (MLP) has emerged as an alternative technology to density functional theory (DFT) and classical molecular dynamics (CMD) simulations for computational modeling of materials and estimation of their properties. The MLP offers more efficient computation compared to DFT, while providing higher accuracy compared to CMD. This enables us to conduct more realistic simulations using models with more atoms and for longer simulation times. Indeed, the number of research studies utilizing MLPs has significantly increased since 2015, covering a broad range of materials and their structures, ranging from simple to complex, as well as various chemical and physical phenomena. As a result, there are high expectations for further applications of MLPs in the field of material science and industrial development. This review aims to summarize the applications, particularly in ceramics and glass science, and fundamental theories of MLPs to facilitate future progress and utilization. Finally, we provide a summary and discuss perspectives on the next challenges in the development and application of MLPs.

Modulating the Hydrogenation Mechanism of Electrochemical CO2 Reduction Using Ruthenium Atomic Species on Bismuth

AbstractThe conversion of CO2 into formate through electrochemical methods is emerging as an elegant approach for industrial‐scale CO2 utilization in the near future. Although Bismuth (Bi)‐based materials have shown promise thank to their excellent selectivity, their limited reactivity remains a challenge. Herein, this study demonstrates a significant enhancement in the CO2‐to‐formate efficiency of Bi by incorporating ruthenium (Ru) atomic species. Ru single atom doped Bi exhibited a nearly twofold higher partial current density compared with pure Bi and Ru clusters doped Bi, while over 95% Faradaic efficiency (FE) is maintained. Through comprehensive investigations using a combined approach of electrochemical techniques, operando spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations, this study elucidates that the presence of Ru single atom promotes H2O dissociation and H* migration to Bi sites for CO2‐to‐formate conversion by significantly reducing the energy barrier via a H* spillover path. Besides, it is constructed Ru–Bi bridge sites for efficient CO2 hydrogenation via a non‐spillover path, which served as the major mechanism for CO2‐to‐formate conversion in Ru single atom doped Bi.

A Mini-Review on Safe Treatment and Valorization of Salt Waste in Chemical Production Processes in China

In chemical production processes in China, a huge volume of salt waste is produced, contributing to environmental pollution due to the lack of proper treatment procedures to manage this waste effectively. With the current lack of proper treatment methods for salt waste disposal, landfill emerges as the predominant disposal approach adopted in China, exacerbating environmental concerns associated with the accumulation of such waste. In addition, this method fails to reuse and recycle salt waste. This review paper presents pertinent research on the safe disposal and utilization of salt waste in China. Well-known valorization methods, such as oxidation, thermal treatment, washing separation, precipitation, and evaporation crystallization, are comprehensively reviewed. The current technologies for recovering resources from salt waste and recommendations for its treatment and valorization are analyzed. This research work offers a reference for future resource utilization of industrial salt waste.

Evaluation of Two Satellite Surface Solar Radiation Products in the Urban Region in Beijing, China

Surface solar radiation, as a primary energy source, plays a pivotal role in governing land–atmosphere interactions, thereby influencing radiative, hydrological, and land surface dynamics. Ground-based instrumentation and satellite-based observations represent two fundamental methodologies for acquiring solar radiation information. While ground-based measurements are often limited in availability, high-temporal- and spatial-resolution, gridded satellite-retrieved solar radiation products have been extensively utilized in solar radiation-related studies, despite their inherent uncertainties in accuracy. In this study, we conducted an evaluation of the accuracy of two high-resolution satellite products, namely Himawari-8 (H8) and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), utilizing data from a newly established solar radiation observation system at the Beijing Normal University (BNU) station in Beijing since 2017. The newly acquired measurements facilitated the generation of a firsthand solar radiation dataset comprising three components: Global Horizontal Irradiance (GHI), Direct Normal Irradiance (DNI), and Diffuse Horizontal Irradiance (DHI). Rigorous quality control procedures were applied to the raw minute-level observation data, including tests for missing data, the determination of possible physical limits, the identification of solar tracker malfunctions, and comparison tests (GHI should be equivalent to the sum of DHI and the vertical component of the DNI). Subsequently, accurate minute-level solar radiation observations were obtained spanning from 1 January 2020 to 22 March 2022. The evaluation of H8 and MODIS satellite products against ground-based GHI observations revealed strong correlations with R-squared (R2) values of 0.89 and 0.81, respectively. However, both satellite products exhibited a tendency to overestimate solar radiation, with H8 overestimating by approximately 21.05% and MODIS products by 7.11%. Additionally, solar zenith angles emerged as a factor influencing the accuracy of satellite products. This dataset serves as crucial support for investigations of surface solar radiation variation mechanisms, future energy utilization prospects, environmental conservation efforts, and related studies in urban areas such as Beijing.

The role of angiotensin II type 1 receptor pathway in cerebral ischemia‒reperfusion injury: Implications for the neuroprotective effect of ARBs

AbstractCerebral ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is a crucial factor that impacts the prognosis of recanalization therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). It has been found that the brain renin–angiotensin system, especially the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) pathway, plays a significant role in cerebral I/R injury. This pathway is involved in processes such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, and it affects cerebrovascular autoregulation and the maintenance of blood–brain barrier. AT1R blocker (ARB), widely used as an antihypertensive agent, has demonstrated stroke prevention capabilities in numerous prospective studies, independent of its antihypertensive characteristics. Studies focusing on neurological diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and cognitive impairment have confirmed that ARBs exhibit neuroprotective effects and aid in improving neurological functions. Preclinical studies have shown that ARBs can reduce infarct volume and brain edema, inhibit multiple signaling pathways associated with I/R injury, restore energy levels in damaged brain regions, and rescue the penumbra by promoting neovascularization in cerebral I/R models. These findings suggest that ARBs have potential to become a novel category of neuroprotecting agents for clinical treatment of AIS. Therefore, this review primarily provides a theoretical foundation and practical evidence for the future clinical utilization of ARBs as neuroprotective agents following reperfusion therapy for AIS. It outlines the role of cerebral I/R injury through the AT1R pathway and highlights the research progress made on ARBs in I/R models.

Assessing ChatGPT's potential as a clinical resource for medical oncologists: An evaluation with board-style questions and real-world patient cases.

e13628 Background: ChatGPT is a conversational artificial intelligence (AI) model that learns from massive text-based datasets and then responds to user input, which often involves completing tasks or answering questions. Recent studies showed ChatGPT’s success in passing multiple specialty medical licensing and board examinations, showcasing its promising capabilities in the medical domain. Here, we investigated ChatGPT's potential as a swift and reliable information source for medical oncologists using board examination style questions and real patient cases. Methods: We randomly selected 121 board-style questions from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Self-Evaluation Program (ASCO SEP). The questions were entered into ChatGPT in both multiple-choice (MC) and open-ended (OE) prompts. ChatGPT’s answers and explanations were evaluated for accuracy and concordance. Non-inferiority analysis was performed with power of 80% at α = 0.05 and non-inferiority margin set at 70% correct answers given the historical board exam pass rate of about 65% correct answers. For subgroup analysis, the questions were categorized by tested competency and primary tumor pathology. ChatGPT was also given 10 questions derived from real patient cases. We compared its responses to the answers provided by experienced oncologists to determine accuracy and practical applicability. Results: ChatGPT answered 75 (62.0%) MC queries correctly. Among the correctly answered queries, 2 responses contained faulty explanations. Such inaccurate or discordant explanations were found in 26 of the 46 incorrectly answered queries. In OE prompts, ChatGPT answered 53 (43.8%) questions correctly with correct explanations for all. Of the 68 incorrect responses, 32 of them contained inaccurate or discordant explanations. Subgroup analysis suggested varying performance across the categories. The best performance was seen with malignant hematology (81.8% of MC and 72.8% of OE prompts answered correctly) while the weakest performance was seen with genitourinary malignancies (60% of MC and 20% of OE prompts answered correctly). As for the real-world patient case questions, responses from ChatGPT and the clinicians were concordant in 5 questions. None of the discordant responses contained inaccurate information while 80% of the concordant responses contained sufficient details to assist with patient management decisions. Conclusions: ChatGPT's performance fell short of the non-inferiority margin, highlighting the challenges with incorporating AI in the rapidly evolving field of medical oncology. Despite the limitations, ChatGPT’s partial success, in both board-style and real-world patient care questions, affirms its potential for clinical utility in future.

Elements characteristics and potential environmental risk assessment of jarosite residue and arsenic sulfide residue based on geochemical and mineralogical analysis

The waste slag known as jarosite residue (JR) and arsenic sulfide residue (ASR) were produced following the creation of zinc by hydrometallurgical procedures. The increasing annual zinc mining has led to growing pressure to dispose of the resulting JR and ASR from zinc smelting, making it crucial to assess their environmental impact and feasibility for utilization. The main components, distribution characteristics of elements, and potential environmental risks of zinc smelting wastes are studied through toxicity leaching tests, sequential extraction procedures, and various characterization technologies such as XRF, XRD, and SEM-EDS. The mineral compositions of JR are natrojarosite, franklinite, and gunningite, and zinc mainly adheres to the crevices of the natrojarosite mineral. Meanwhile, the ASR of flocculent structures is composed of orpiment, greenockite, arsenic oxide, and calvertite, and As appears in the form of the S-As-O phase. The Zn, Cu, and Cd in JR were dominated by exchangeable bound (81.53–96.6 %), and the main form of As, Cd, Se, and Tl in ASR was organic matter bound (87.0–99.21 %). The Risk Assessment Code (RAC) method confirmed the risk of Cd, Cu, Zn, and Mo in JR is high, while the risk of Cd, Pb, and Cr in ASR is moderate. Compared to the standard value of “Identification Standard for Toxicity of Hazardous Waste Leaching (GB5085.3-2007)”, the leachate concentrations of Zn in JR as well as Cd and As in ASR were exceeded, suggesting that the JR and ASR were in the type of hazardous waste and posed an environmental risk. The study provides theoretical guidance for the future rational management and effective utilization of hazardous waste.