Potential Discharge Research Articles

New take on the post-take ward round: a quality improvement project undertaken in a district general hospital

A patient’s first encounter with a consultant clinician, known as the post-take ward round (PTWR), is a pivotal encounter at the start of their hospital journey. It is a chance...

Intrinsic and synaptic properties of adult mouse spinoperiaqueductal gray neurons and the influence of neonatal tissue damage.

The periaqueductal gray (PAG) represents a key target of projection neurons residing in the spinal dorsal horn. In comparison to lamina I spinoparabrachial neurons, little is known about the intrinsic and synaptic properties governing the firing of spino-PAG neurons, or whether such activity is modulated by neonatal injury. In this study, this issue was addressed using ex vivo whole-cell patch clamp recordings from lamina I spino-PAG neurons in adult male and female FVB mice after hindpaw incision at postnatal day (P)3. Spino-PAG neurons were classified as high output, medium output, or low output based on their action potential discharge after dorsal root stimulation. The high-output subgroup exhibited prevalent spontaneous burst firing and displayed initial burst or tonic patterns of intrinsic firing, whereas low-output neurons showed little spontaneous activity. Interestingly, the level of dorsal root-evoked firing significantly correlated with the resting potential and membrane resistance but not with the strength of primary afferent-mediated glutamatergic drive. Neonatal incision failed to alter the pattern of monosynaptic sensory input, with most spino-PAG neurons receiving direct connections from low-threshold C-fibers. Furthermore, primary afferent-evoked glutamatergic input and action potential discharge in adult spino-PAG neurons were unaltered by neonatal surgical injury. Finally, Hebbian long-term potentiation at sensory synapses, which significantly increased afferent-evoked firing, was similar between P3-incised and naive littermates. Collectively, these data suggest that the functional response of lamina I spino-PAG neurons to sensory input is largely governed by their intrinsic membrane properties and appears resistant to the persistent influence of neonatal tissue damage.

Evaluation of a liquid-phase plasma discharge process for ammonia oxidation in wastewater: Process optimization and kinetic modeling

Removing ammonia-nitrogen (NH3N) from wastewater is of paramount importance for wastewater treatment. In this study, a novel continuous liquid plasma process (CLPD) was evaluated to remove NH3N from synthetic wastewater. The Box–Behnken experimental design was used to optimize the main process parameters, including the initial NH3N concentration (50–200 mg/L), power input (150–300 W), and gas-flow rate (1.5–2.5 L/min), for efficient NH3N removal from wastewater. The gas-flow rate and power input were found to be significant factors affecting the removal efficiency of NH3N, whereas the initial concentration of NH3N played a vital role in determining the energy efficiency of the process. Under the optimal conditions of an initial NH3N concentration of 200 mg/L, applied power of 223 W, and gas-flow rate of 2.4 L/min, 98.91% of NH3N could be removed with a N2 selectivity of 92.91%, and the corresponding energy efficiency was 0.527 g/kWh after 2 hrs of treatment. A small fraction of undesirable NO3−-N (7.05 mg/L) and NO2−-N (2.83 mg/L) were also produced. Kinetic modeling revealed that NH3N degradation by the CLPD followed a pseudo-first-order reaction model, with a rate constant (k) of 0.03522 min−1. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was used to gather information about the active chemical species produced during the plasma discharge. The obtained spectra revealed the presence of several highly oxidative radicals, including ‧OH, ‧O, and ‧O2+. These results demonstrate the potential of liquid phase plasma discharge as a highly efficient technology for removing ammonia from aqueous solutions.

Sympathetic Action Potential Firing and Recruitment Patterns Are Abnormal in Gestational Hypertension.

We tested the hypothesis that women who develop gestational hypertension (GH) display abnormal sympathetic action potential (AP) discharge patterns during late pregnancy (32-36 weeks), both at supine rest and during postural stress. Thirteen nonpregnant, female controls (nonpregnant controls [CTRL]) and 32 pregnant women participated; 14 had low-risk (no personal history of GH) normal pregnancies (LR-NP), 10 had high-risk (personal history of GH) normal pregnancies (HR-NP), and 8 developed GH. We measured heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (microneurography) at supine rest and 60° head-up tilt. Sympathetic AP patterns were studied using wavelet-based methodology. At rest, muscle sympathetic nerve activity burst frequency was elevated in LR-NP, HR-NP, and GH versus CTRL (all P≤0.01); however, the AP content per integrated burst was augmented only in GH (20±5 spikes/burst), compared with CTRL (8±3 spikes/burst), LR-NP (9±2 spikes/burst) and HR-NP (11±4 spikes/burst; all P<0.0001). Thus, total AP firing frequency was greater in GH versus each of CTRL, LR-NP, and HR-NP (all P<0.0001). In pregnancy, AP frequency is related directly to systolic (R2=46%) and diastolic (R2=20%) blood pressure (both P≤0.01). Unlike CTRL (both P<0.01), women who developed GH were unable to increase within-burst AP firing (P=0.71) or recruit latent subpopulations of larger-sized APs (P=0.72) in response to head-up tilt, perhaps related to a ceiling-effect; however, total AP firing frequency in the upright posture was elevated in the GH cohort versus CTRL, LR-NP, and HR-NP (all P<0.05). Women who develop GH display aberrant sympathetic AP firing patterns in both the supine and upright postures.

STUDI PERENCANAAN PEMBANGKIT LISTRIK TENAGA MIKRO HIDRO DI DESA TINGKEM

Micro Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH) is a small-scale power plant with an installed capacity of under 200 kW that uses water flow from irrigation channels, rivers, or natural waterfalls by utilizing potential waterfalls at the proposed site. This study discusses the planning and equipment needed for the PLTMH located in a rural area such as Tingkem Village to meet the electricity needs of local residents. The research also includes the technical feasibility study aspect by surveying the hydrological potential and the height of the waterfall at the proposed site. Based on the study, the electricity needs of the residents of Tingkem Village at a peak load of 20kW. The results of the survey show that the potential of water discharge in the Aih Tilis river in Tingkem Village is about 0.95 m3/s with a flow discharge designed of 0.38 m3/s and has a head of about 7.5 m so that it can generate a power of 28 kW which is sufficient to meet the needs of local residents. Based on the head, discharge plan and installed capacity, the appropriate turbine type is a cross-flow type and the generator type is the synchronous generator type. Based on the findings, it can be said that the PLTMH is suitable to be developed in the Tingkem Village.

ჰიპოკამპის გამა სიხშირის ოსცილაციების უჯრედული მექანიზმები

Gamma oscillations are known as cognitive rhythms due to their occurrence during the cognitive functions such as working memory, episodic memory, memory encoding and retrieval, sensory binding and attention. Gamma oscillations can be easily transferred into epileptic activity. Altered gamma rhythms are seen during the brain disorders such as schizophrenia, dementia and autism. Hence, studying the mechanisms of gamma rhythms is of great importance. Recent discoveries revealed new details of gamma oscillations. The classical view about the parvalbumin containing perisomatic basket cells that drives the gamma oscillation is valid for CA3 region of hippocampus but it may not be so for CA1 region. However, medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) derived axo-axonic cells action potential discharge follows the gamma rhythm in CA1 together with caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE) derived trilaminar and back-projecting interneurons. Oriense-Lacunosum-Moleculare (OLM) cells appear to have dual origine and can be modulated by gamma frequency. Using the modern technologies and relying on the current knowledge and new insights about neuronal elements in gamma frequency oscillation will help the scientists to study the mechanisms of cognitive rhythms in more details.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation enhances the neuronal excitability of mice by regulating dynamic characteristics of Granule cells' Ion channels.

This study aims to explore the effects of acute high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (hf-rTMS) on neuronal excitability of granule cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, as well as the underlying intrinsic mediating mechanisms by which rTMS regulates neuronal excitability. First, high-frequency single TMS was used to measure the motor threshold (MT) of mice. Then, rTMS with different intensities of 0 MT (control), 0.8 MT, and 1.2 MT were applied to acute mice brain slices. Next, patch-clamp technique was used to record the resting membrane potential and evoked nerve discharge of granule cells, as well as the voltage-gated sodium current (I Na) of voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), transient outward potassium current (I A) and delayed rectifier potassium current (I K) of voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv). Results showed that acute hf-rTMS in both 0.8 MT and 1.2 MT groups significantly activated I Na and inhibited I A and I K compared with control group, due to the changes of dynamic characteristics of VGSCs and Kv. Acute hf-rTMS in both 0.8 MT and 1.2 MT groups significantly increased membrane potential and nerve discharge frequency. Therefore, changing dynamic characteristics of VGSCs and Kv, activating I Na and inhibiting I A and I K might be one of the intrinsic mediating mechanisms by which rTMS enhanced the neuronal excitability of granular cells, and this regulatory effect increased with the increase of stimulus intensity.

Improving the accuracy of glacial lake volume estimation: A case study in the Poiqu basin, central Himalayas

• We present a new volume-scaling law specific to moraine-dammed lakes. • The new equation shows a more robust performance than other published formulas. • The total lake volume in the Poiqu basin has increased by 148% from 1974 to 2020. Lake volume is a critical parameter in the prediction of potential flood volume and peak discharge in the risk assessment of glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). As existing volume–area scaling relationships often blur the complexity of lake geometry, we presented a new volume-scaling law specific to moraine-dammed lakes, derived from a large lake bathymetry dataset. The relationship was based on the premise that lake geometry parameters (i.e., area, volume, width/length ratio) scale predictably. We then critically evaluated the performance of the new approach and compared it with 19 existing empirical relationships by examining a database of glacial lake bathymetry obtained without repeated measurements. Overall, the new volume-scaling relationship showed a more robust performance than other published formulas. In addition, an intriguing result was that regional differences were not always controlled by the predictability of lake volumes, that is, there were no regional restrictions on the use of the new method, at least not in the Himalayas. Finally, using the new approach and high-resolution Landsat imagery, our results of sequential mapping of all lakes in the Poiqu basin indicated that the total lake volume has increased by 148% from 1974 to 2020. Compared with other formulas, the lake volume estimation approach proposed in this paper provides an approximate mean value, which provides a key input parameter for flood simulation and a new alternative for estimating lake volume.

COVID-19 in Geriatric Patients

Objective: Considering the ongoing pneumonia epidemic associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), aging is a major risk factor alone for serious illness and death. In this study, we aimed to investigate the length of stay, hospital discharge status, and prognostic factors in geriatric patients with COVID-19. Methods: Medical files of 199 patients over the age of 65 years, who were treated as inpatients due to the diagnosis of COVID-19, were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic characteristics, comorbid diseases, laboratory values, the length of stay, and hospital discharge status of eligible patients were evaluated. Results: Of inpatients with COVID-19, the mean age was 75.01±7.86 years and 50.8% were men. In patients, who were transferred to ICU, C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin levels were higher compared to patients discharged to home and the monocyte/HDL ratio (MHR) was higher compared to nonsurvivors (p=0.037, p=0.003, p=0.023). Nonsurvivors had significantly higher white blood cell (WBC) counts and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) compared to patients discharged to home. Nonsurvivors had a significantly shorter length of hospital stay compared to patients, who were transferred to ICU. Conclusion: Geriatric patients are susceptible to adverse clinical outcomes of COVID-19. We think that WBC, ESR, CRP, ferritin, and MHR levels may inform about poor prognosis and the potential discharge status in elderly patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Gaining insight into poor prognostic factors in elderly patients is essential to control COVID-19 and develop rapid treatment strategies in this age group.

Comparative study of chemical discharge strategy to pretreat spent lithium-ion batteries for safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly recycling

The residual electricity contained in spent lithium-ion batteries probably triggers the thermal runaway and results in irreparable disaster during recycling. Chemical discharge is a common method to eliminate hazards by immersing batteries in an aqueous solution to release the remnant energy. However, a high-efficiency discharge solution usually causes severe corrosion of the battery shell, inducing safety accidents. In this work, theoretical and experimental studies are carried out in various solutions to investigate the efficiency and corrosion of chemical discharge strategy. The results suggest that zinc acetate solution is a potential discharge medium with excellent comprehensive properties compared with NaCl, MnSO 4 , FeSO 4 , and KAc solutions. Electrolytic reactions and external short circuit have been proved to be the essential causes of high discharge efficiency. Adsorption theory and Kolbe reaction are used to explain the low corrosion of battery shells in acetate solutions. Besides, the thermal stability of treated spent batteries also validates our discharge strategy's feasibility and ensures safety during transportation, storage, and recycling. The high-efficiency discharge mechanism and excellent corrosion inhibition of spent lithium-ion battery immersing in zinc acetate solution. • Electrolysis and external short circuit ensure the high discharge efficiency. • Manganese sulfate cannot effectively discharge spent batteries. • Zinc acetate solution is first proposed as a potential discharge medium. • Adsorption theory and Kolbe reaction explain the low corrosion in acetate solution.

Rationale and Design of the Project to Look for Early Discharge in Patients Undergoing TAVR With ACURATE (POLESTAR Trial)

BackgroundTranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is now an established treatment strategy for elderly patients with symptomatic aortic stenosis (AS) across the entire operative risk spectrum. Streamlined TAVR protocols along with reduced procedure time and expedited ambulation promote early hospital discharge. Selection of patients suitable for safe early discharge after TAVR might improve healthcare efficiency. Study designThe POLESTAR trial is an international, multi-center, prospective, observational study which aims to evaluate the safety of early discharge in selected patients who undergo TAVR with the supra-annular functioning self-expanding ACURATE Neo transcatheter heart valve (THV). A total of 250 patients will be included based on a set of baseline criteria indicating potential early discharge (within 48 h post-TAVR). Primary study endpoints include Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC)-3 defined safety at 30 days and VARC-3 defined efficacy at 30 days and 1 year. Endpoints will be compared between early discharge and non-early discharge cohorts with a distinct landmark analysis at 48 h post-TAVR. Secondary endpoints include quality of life assessed using EQ5D-5L and Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) questionnaires and resource costs compared between discharge groups. SummaryThe POLESTAR trial prospectively evaluates safety and feasibility of an early discharge protocol for TAVR using the ACURATE Neo THV.

Mapping the long‐term influence of river discharge on coastal ocean chlorophyll‐a

AbstractAlthough the potential of river discharge to support ocean productivity and marine ecosystems is known, the specifics of this relationship are poorly understood in many regions of the world. Global estimates of river flow indicate that river discharge is decreasing due to the increasing fragmentation, extraction and regulation of rivers. This likely means that the contribution of river flow to coastal productivity and water quality is changing, potentially leading to fewer and smaller magnitude ocean fertilisation events. We developed a simple analysis method, based on Earth observation data, to investigate where coastal ocean chlorophyll‐a is most strongly influenced by river discharge. The per‐pixel spatiotemporal correlation technique (implemented using Python) correlates chlorophyll‐a concentration (a proxy for phytoplankton biomass and indicator of primary productivity) from MODIS ocean colour data with river discharge data. The method was tested globally on 11 different rivers discharging into coastal ocean regions. Our findings suggest some of the world's largest river systems, such as the Amazon River, have zones of elevated coastal chl‐a that extend hundreds to thousands of km from the river mouth. These findings suggest the influence of river discharge may have been underestimated in many coastal regions of the world. The method appears more effective for larger river systems discharging to ocean waters with less complex nutrient dynamics and weaker seasonal productivity patterns, most notably in temperate regions. Increasing our understanding of the specific areas influenced by river discharge, and the degree of influence over space and time, is an important step towards the improved river and coastal management. This method will increase the capacity of researchers to monitor how, when and where coastal waters are affected as river discharge continues to change into the future.

Intrinsic and Sensory Synaptic Properties of Adult Mouse spino-PAG Neurons after Neonatal Tissue Damage

While neonatal surgical injury can persistently modulate the excitability of mature lamina I spinoparabrachial neurons, nothing is known about the degree to which early life injury shapes intrinsic firing and synaptic function within adult projection neurons targeting the periaqueductal gray (PAG). The present study seeks to characterize the intrinsic and evoked firing of adult mouse lamina I spino-PAG neurons in the absence or presence of neonatal tissue damage. In vitro whole-cell patch clamp recordings were obtained from retrogradely labelled lamina I spino-PAG neurons in spinal cord slices prepared from adult male and female Gad67-EGFP mice, which were subjected to hindpaw surgical incision (or anesthesia only) at postnatal day (P)3. In response to high-threshold stimulation of the dorsal root, spino-PAG neurons could be even divided into two subtypes based on the evoked action potential (AP) discharge: (1) high-output (HO), defined by repetitive AP discharge throughout the 1 second period following dorsal root stimulation; and (2) low-output (LO), characterized by a single spike or small number of APs restricted to the first 500 ms after the stimulus. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in the overall strength of sensory synaptic drive to HO vs. LO neurons as measured by the area under the primary afferent-evoked EPSCs. Instead, the HO phenotype strongly correlated with the pattern of intrinsic firing evoked by intracellular current injection, as 95% of sampled HO neurons were classified as initial burst or tonic-firing. Finally, P3 incision failed to alter the intrinsic membrane excitability of mature spino-PAG neurons or the efficacy of their primary afferent synaptic inputs. The results demonstrate that sensory afferent-evoked firing of adult spino-PAG neurons is largely governed by their intrinsic membrane properties, and that the excitability of this subpopulation of projection neurons remains stable in the aftermath of neonatal tissue damage. This work was supported by NIH (NS072202 to MLB).

The Braking KV1/D‐type Potassium Channels Regulate the Excitability of Bronchopulmonary Vagal Afferent Nerves

The proper function of airway vagal afferent nerves is essential for the dynamic regulation of breathing and initiation of adequate airway defensive reflexes. A better understanding of the mechanisms controlling their activation bears physiological and pathological significance. The voltage‐gated potassium (KV) channels exert powerful controls on the neuronal excitability. Yet their expression and functions in the bronchopulmonary vagal afferent neurons remain largely unexplored. In this study we characterized the expression profile and inhibitory function of α‐dendrotoxin (α‐DTX)‐sensitive D‐type K+ channels composed of members of KV1subfamily of α‐subunits in mouse bronchopulmonary nodose neurons using a combination of single‐neurons RT‐PCR, patch clamp recording, ex‐vivo extracellular recording and two‐photon microscopic Ca2+ imaging techniques. The results showed that the vast majority of retrogradely labeled lung‐specific nodose neurons expressed Kcna1, 2 and 6 coding for the α‐DTX‐sensitive KV1.1, 1.2 and 1.6 α‐subunits, respectively. The D‐type K+ current (IK.D), defined as the α‐DTX‐sensitive K+ current, was recorded in 14/15 bronchopulmonary nodose neurons. It started to be activated at ‐65.7±4.3 mV with 50% channel activation at ‐24 ± 14 mV. IK.D opened rapidly in response to depolarization (activation time constants &lt;10 ms at voltage ≥‐15 mV), and displayed no inactivation during 600 ms at subthreshold/ threshold voltages and little or slow inactivation at more positive potentials (≥‐5 mV). Inhibition of IK.D with 50 nM α‐DTX depolarized mouse pulmonary nodose neurons, increased input resistance, lowered the minimal depolarizing current needed to evoke an action potential, and increased the number and frequency of action potential firing in response to depolarizing current injections. Application of a bolus of 100 nM α‐DTX to the afferent terminals in the mouse lungs via trachea led to overt activation in 49% of capsaicin‐sensitive nodose neurons and in 32% of capsaicin‐insensitive nodose neurons as detected by two‐photon microscope. Further study with extracellular recording revealed that the application of an α‐DTX bolus evoked action potential discharges in 8/19 (42%) nodose C‐fibers terminating in the mouse lungs with a peak firing frequency of 4.4 ± 3.9 Hz. These results indicate that both the soma and terminals of bronchopulmonary nodose afferent nerves express functional IK.D characterized by low‐threshold, fast activation, and lack of or slow inactivation. With these unique biophysical properties, IK.D channels act as an activation brake on the airway vagal afferent nerves by stabilizing the resting membrane potential and by counterbalancing the subthreshold depolarizing forces. Down‐regulation of IK.D, as occurs in many inflammatory diseases, may result in a heightened excitability of airway vagal afferent nerves causing exaggerated dyspnea, excessive mucous secretion, bronchoconstriction and chronic unproductive coughs associated with airway inflammation.

KV 1/D-type potassium channels inhibit the excitability of bronchopulmonary vagal afferent nerves.

The KV1/D‐type potassium current (I D) is an important determinant of neuronal excitability. This study explored whether and how I D channels regulate the activation of bronchopulmonary vagal afferent nerves. The single‐neuron RT‐PCR assay revealed that nearly all mouse bronchopulmonary nodose neurons expressed the transcripts of α‐dendrotoxin (α‐DTX)‐sensitive, I D channel‐forming KV1.1, KV1.2 and/or KV1.6 α‐subunits, with the expression of KV1.6 being most prevalent. Patch‐clamp recordings showed that I D, defined as the α‐DTX‐sensitive K+ current, activated at voltages slightly more negative than the resting membrane potential in lung‐specific nodose neurons and displayed little inactivation at subthreshold voltages. Inhibition of I D channels by α‐DTX depolarized the lung‐specific nodose neurons and caused an increase in input resistance, decrease in rheobase, as well as increase in action potential number and firing frequency in response to suprathreshold current steps. Application of α‐DTX to the lungs via trachea in the mouse ex vivo vagally innervated trachea–lungs preparation led to action potential discharges in nearly half of bronchopulmonary nodose afferent nerve fibres, including nodose C‐fibres, as detected by the two‐photon microscopic Ca2+ imaging technique and extracellular electrophysiological recordings. In conclusion, I D channels act as a critical brake on the activation of bronchopulmonary vagal afferent nerves by stabilizing the membrane potential, counterbalancing the subthreshold depolarization and promoting the adaptation of action potential firings. Down‐regulation of I D channels, as occurs in various inflammatory diseases, may contribute to the enhanced C‐fibre activity in airway diseases that are associated with excessive coughing, dyspnoea, and reflex bronchospasm and secretions.Key points The α‐dendrotoxin (α‐DTX)‐sensitive D‐type K+ current (I D) is an important determinant of neuronal excitability.Nearly all bronchopulmonary nodose afferent neurons in the mouse express I D and the transcripts of α‐DTX‐sensitive, I D channel‐forming KV1.1, KV1.2 and/or KV1.6 α‐subunits.Inhibition of I D channels by α‐DTX depolarizes the bronchopulmonary nodose neurons, reduces the minimal depolarizing current needed to evoke an action potential (AP) and increases AP number and AP firing frequency in response to suprathreshold stimulations.Application of α‐DTX to the lungs ex vivo elicits AP discharges in about half of bronchopulmonary nodose C‐fibre terminals. Our novel finding that I D channels act as a critical brake on the activation of bronchopulmonary vagal afferent nerves suggests that their down‐regulation, as occurs in various inflammatory diseases, may contribute to the enhanced C‐fibre activity in airway inflammation associated with excessive respiratory symptoms.

Rechargeable sunlight-promoted Zn-air battery constructed by bifunctional oxygen photoelectrodes: Energy-band switching between ZnO/Cu2O and ZnO/CuO in charge-discharge cycles

A sunlight-promoted metal-air battery with bifunctional catalysts. Through the introduction of sunlight promotion strategy, the battery obtains an unprecedented low charge voltage of 1.5 V and a high discharge voltage of 1.28 V at a current density of 0.1 mA/cm 2 . • Bifunctional catalysts for sunlight-promoted metal-air battery are prepared. • The single-electrode Zn-air battery obtains high photoelectric performance. • Energy-band switching between ZnO/Cu 2 O and ZnO/CuO in charge-discharge cycles is found. Effective utilization of solar energy in battery systems has become an active attractive and active research in the field of green energy. Herein, highly efficient and stable bifunctional oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) photoelectrodes are constructed for rechargeable Zn-air batteries. This work introduces a simple and efficient method for designing bifunctional ZnO/CuO composite materials with impressive photocatalytic activity, superhydrophilicity and excellent stability. Through the strategy of sunlight promotion, the ZnO/CuO photoelectrodes are used in the charging and discharging processes of Zn-air batteries, achieving low charge potential and high discharge potential of around 1.50 V and 1.28 V by galvanostatic charge and discharge, respectively. Under illumination, the short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage can reach up to 49 mA cm -2 and 0.9 V, respectively. We revealed that this bifunctionality is originated from the valence change mechanism of Cu, meaning that ZnO/Cu 2 O and ZnO/CuO play the photoelectric catalytic roles in charge and discharge processes, respectively. This work paves the way to introduce a facile and efficient method for the development of integrated single-cell photo-assisted Zn-air batteries.

The Positive Role of the Partial Discharge Monitoring System in the Partial Discharge Detection of GIS Equipment

When gas insulated metal enclosed switchgear and controlgear (GIS) has internal discharge, some faults are difficult to find during inspections due to the enclosed metal casing. This paper introduces the event of the floating potential discharge inside the GIS equipment of a 500kV substation found by GIS on-line monitoring system. Through on-site ultra-high frequency detection and precise positioning of the oscilloscope to determine the position of the discharge source at a certain switch, combined with the disassembly of the equipment, it is determined that the equipment defect is the discharge of the floating electrode of the switch fork.The results show that the on-line monitoring of GIS partial discharge has an important reference role in discovering the internal discharge of equipment during the test interval, and the monitoring and maintenance of GIS partial discharge on-line monitoring system should be strengthened in daily work.

Interactive effects of apneic and baroreflex stress on neuronal coding strategies in human muscle sympathetic nerve activity

The sympathetic nervous system exhibits patterns of action potential (AP) discharge in human muscle sympathetic nerve activity that suggest coding strategies express reflex specificity. This study explored the interactive effects of baroreceptor unloading using lower body negative pressure (LBNP) and volitional end-expiratory apnea (APN) on sympathetic postganglionic neuronal discharge patterns inferred from the firing patterns of differently sized sympathetic AP clusters. Seven individuals were studied using multiunit microneurography (fibular) and a continuous wavelet approach to quantify AP discharge probability, recruitment, and latency during APN performed under ambient conditions, -10, and -40 mmHg LBNP. Compared with the ambient condition, LBNP increased AP discharge rate at -10 and -40 mmHg and recruited larger previously silent sympathetic neurons at -40 mmHg. Compared with spontaneous breathing, APN increased AP discharge when performed during the ambient condition (Δ351 ± 132 AP/min), -10 mmHg (Δ423 ± 184 AP/min), and -40 mmHg (Δ355 ± 278 AP/min; main effect APN: P < 0.01; LBNP-by-APN interaction: P = 0.55). APN recruited larger previously silent AP clusters during the ambient condition (Δ4 ± 3; P < 0.02) and -10 mmHg (Δ4 ± 3; P < 0.01), but not -40 mmHg (Δ0 ± 2; P = 0.53; LBNP-by-APN: P < 0.01). LBNP did not affect AP latency. However, APN reduced AP latency similarly during all conditions (ambient pressure: Δ-0.04 ± 0.04s, -10 mmHg: Δ-0.03 ± 0.03s, -40 mmHg: Δ-0.03 ± 0.04s; main effect APN: P < 0.01; LBNP-by-APN: P = 0.48). These data indicate that apneic and baroreflex mechanisms appear to additively modify the axonal discharge rate of previously active sympathetic postganglionic neurons and interact to affect recruitment of previously silent sympathetic neurons. Reductions in AP latency due to apneic stress were not impacted by baroreflex unloading.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Discrete physiological stressors differentially affect sympathetic postganglionic neuronal rate-, population-, and temporal-coding strategies. When performing end-expiratory apnea (APN) during graded baroreflex unloading via lower body negative pressure (LBNP), we found: 1) augmented sympathetic axonal firing probability, 2) recruitment of larger and previously silent sympathetic postganglionic neurons at ambient and -10 mmHg, but not -40 mmHg LBNP, and 3) APN reduced axonal discharge latency similarly across all conditions, independent of the level of baroreflex unloading.

Tolerating clear fluids diet on postoperative day 0 predicts early recovery of gastrointestinal function after laparoscopic colectomy.

A high proportion of colorectal surgery patients within an enhanced recovery pathway (ERP) do not experience complications but remain hospitalized mainly waiting for gastrointestinal (GI) recovery. Accurate identification of these patients may allow discharge prior to the return of GI function. Therefore, the objective of this study is to determine if tolerating clear fluid (CF) on postoperative day (POD) 0 was associated with uncomplicated return of GI function after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Pooled data from three prospective studies from a single specialist colorectal referral center were analyzed (2013-2019). The present study included adult patients that underwent elective laparoscopic colectomy without stoma. Postoperative GI symptoms were collected daily in all three datasets. The main exposure variable, whether CF diet was tolerated on POD0, was defined as patients drinking at least 300mL of CF without any nausea, anti-emetics, or vomiting (CF+ vs CF-). The main outcome measure was time to GI-3 (tolerating solid diet and passage of gas or stools). A total of 221 patients were included in this study, including 69% CF+ and 31% CF-. The groups were similar in age, gender, and comorbidities, but the CF- patients were more likely to have surgery for inflammatory bowel disease. CF+ patients had faster time to GI-3 (mean 1.6d (SD 0.7) vs. 2.3d (SD 1.5), p < 0.001). The CF+ group also experienced fewer complications (19% vs. 35%, p = 0.009), shorter mean LOS (mean 3.6d (SD 2.9) vs. 6.2d (SD 9.4), p = 0.002), and were more likely to be discharged by the target LOS (66% vs. 50%, p = 0.024). Toleration of CF on POD0 was associated with faster return of GI function, fewer complications, and shorter LOS. This may be used as a criteria for potential discharge prior to full return of GI function after laparoscopic colectomy within an ERP.

Mechanosensitivity of Murine Lung Slowly Adapting Receptors: Minimal Impact of Chemosensory, Serotonergic, and Purinergic Signaling.

Murine slowly adapting receptors (SARs) within airway smooth muscle provide volume-related feedback; however, their mechanosensitivity and morphology are incompletely characterized. We explored two aspects of SAR physiology: their inherent static mechanosensitivity and a potential link to pulmonary neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs). SAR mechanosensitivity displays a rate sensitivity linked to speed of inflation; however, to what extent static SAR mechanosensitivity is tuned for the very rapid breathing frequency (Bf) of small mammals (e.g., mouse) is unclear. NEB-associated, morphologically described smooth muscle-associated receptors (SMARs) may be a structural analog for functionally characterized SARs, suggesting functional linkages between SARs and NEBs. We addressed the hypotheses that: (1) rapid murine Bf is associated with enhanced in vivo SAR static sensitivity; (2) if SARs and NEBs are functionally linked, stimuli reported to impact NEB function would alter SAR mechanosensitivity. We measured SAR action potential discharge frequency (AP f, action potentials/s) during quasi-static inflation [0–20 cmH2O trans-respiratory pressure (PTR)] in NEB-relevant conditions of hypoxia (FIO2 = 0.1), hypercarbia (FICO2 = 0.1), and pharmacologic intervention (serotonergic 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, Tropisetron, 4.5 mg/kg; P2 purinergic receptor antagonist, Suramin, 50 mg/kg). In all protocols, we obtained: (1) AP f vs. PTR; (2) PTR threshold; and (3) AP f onset at PTR threshold. The murine AP f vs. PTR response comprises high AP f (average maximum AP f: 236.1 ± 11.1 AP/s at 20 cmH2O), a low PTR threshold (mean 2.0 ± 0.1 cmH2O), and a plateau in AP f between 15 and 20 cmH2O. Murine SAR mechanosensitivity (AP f vs. PTR) is up to 60% greater than that reported for larger mammals. Even the maximum difference between intervention and control conditions was minimally impacted by NEB-related alterations: Tropisetron −7.6 ± 1.8% (p = 0.005); Suramin −10.6 ± 1.5% (p = 0.01); hypoxia +9.3 ± 1.9% (p < 0.001); and hypercarbia −6.2 ± 0.9% (p < 0.001). We conclude that the high sensitivity of murine SARs to inflation provides enhanced resolution of operating lung volume, which is aligned with the rapid Bf of the mouse. We found minimal evidence supporting a functional link between SARs and NEBs and speculate that the <10% change in SAR mechanosensitivity during altered NEB-related stimuli is not consistent with a meaningful physiologic role.