Modification Procedure Research Articles

Ratiometrically homogeneous electrochemical biosensor based on the signal amplified strategy of dual DNA nanomachines for microRNA analysis

Precise and sensitive microRNA (miRNA) analysis is very significant for early disease diagnosis. In this work, a dual DNA nanomachines-based homogeneous electrochemical biosensor was constructed for the sensitively ratiometric detection of miRNA by a nicking enzyme (Nt.AlwI)-assisted cycling signal amplification strategy. The Co-based metal organic frameworks (Co-MOFs) and toluidine blue (TB) were employed as signal probes and internal reference probes, respectively. The introduction of internal reference probes can actually calibrate the interferent factors of the analytical system to improve the stability in detection procedure. In addition, with the help of the magnetic separation technique, the homogeneous electrochemical biosensor provides a more simpler way for the development of immobilization-free electrochemical miRNA biosensors, avoiding the complex modification procedure of traditional electrochemical biosensing interfaces. Consequently, taking advantages of this proposed dual DNA nanomachines-based homogeneous electrochemical biosensor, the highly sensitive and selective detection of miRNA-141 as model could be accomplished in ranging from 1 fM to 10 nM with detection limit of 0.46 fM. This strategy exhited good sensitivity and stability to integrate the nicking enzyme-powered dual DNA nanomachines with the ratiometric electrochemical output modes, which open new opportunities for the sensitive and reliable diagnosis of miRNA-related diseases.

A Critical Review of the Removal of Radionuclides from Wastewater Employing Activated Carbon as an Adsorbent.

Radionuclide-contaminated water is carcinogenic and poses numerous severe health risks and environmental dangers. The activated carbon (AC)-based adsorption technique has great potential for treating radionuclide-contaminated water due to its simple design, high efficiency, wide pH range, quickness, low cost and environmental friendliness. This critical review first provides a brief overview of the concerned radionuclides with their associated health hazards as well as different removal techniques and their efficacy of removing them. Following this overview, this study summarizes the surface characteristics and adsorption capabilities of AC derived from different biomass precursors. It compares the adsorption performance of AC to other adsorbents, such as zeolite, graphene, carbon nano-tubes and metal-organic frameworks. Furthermore, this study highlights the different factors that influence the physical characteristics of AC and adsorption capacity, including contact time, solution pH, initial concentration of radionuclides, the initial dosage of the adsorbent, and adsorption temperature. The theoretical models of adsorption isotherm and kinetics, along with their fitting parameter values for AC/radionuclide pairs, are also reviewed. Finally, the modification procedures of pristine AC, factors determining AC characteristics and the impact of modifying agents on the adsorption ability of AC are elucidated in this study; therefore, further research and development can be promoted for designing a highly efficient and practical adsorption-based radionuclide removal system.

Acrylic modified kraft lignin microspheres as novel support for immobilization of laccase from M. thermophila expressed in A. oryzae (Novozym® 51003) and application in degradation of anthraquinone textile dyes

The novel lignin-based microspheres (LMS-DEGDMA) were produced through a two-step modification procedure consisting of kraft lignin (KL) modification with acrylic acid synthesized from fructose; and suspension and copolymerization of acrylic acid modified KL (KL-A) with diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (DEGDMA). The applied procedure provided LMS-DEGDMA microspheres in the size range of 50–90 µm with specific surface area of 39 m2/g, porosity εp 62, pore diameters of 4–20 nm and total pore volume of 0.14 cm3/g. Immobilization of laccase from Myceliophthora thermophilia expressed in Aspergillus oryzae (Novozyme® 51003) on LMS-DEGDMA was explored. By optimization of the immobilization process, it was demonstrated that laccase immobilization on LMS-DEGDMA exhibited the best results (protein immobilization yield of 70 %, activity yield of 27 %, and catalytic activity of 262 IU/g of support) when the immobilization was carried out at pH 5.0 and 100 mg of offered protein per g support during 1 h. Additionally, the LMS-DEGDMA-laccase preparation showed efficiency (>80 %, 5–7 cycles) in decolorization of anthraquinone dyes (Lanaset® violet B, Lanaset® blue 2 R and C.I. Acid Green 40) and their mixture. In case of Lanaset® violet B, LMS-DEGDMA improved laccase's kinetics characteristics (90 % over 24 h) along with operational stability (> 63 % catalytic activity, 7 cycles).

Surface modification for site-directed covalent attachment of molecules via strain-promoted azide-alkyne click-chemistry reaction and photolithography

Copper-free “click” chemistry on appropriately modified surfaces and photolithography were explored for site-directed immobilization of biomolecules. The surfaces were modified either with self-assembled monolayers of silanes or an epoxy resin and then used as they were or further modified through adsorption of rabbit gamma-globulins to increase their reactive amine-content. All surfaces were then reacted with a succinimidyl ester cyclooctyne derivative and the efficiency of each modification approach was determined through click reaction with an azide derivative of fluorescein. It was found that the highest fluorescence signal was provided by the surface that had been modified with the epoxy resin and then coated with rabbit gamma-globulins. Surfaces prepared following the different modification procedures have been analyzed with ToF-SIMS to gain insight into the chemical changes of the surfaces after each step of the modification procedure. Analysis of intensities of characteristic ions signals confirmed the successful outcome of click reaction following the proposed surface modification approach. In addition, the ability to define through photolithography areas for site-directed immobilization of biomolecules onto surfaces modified with the succinimidyl ester cyclooctyne derivative was demonstrated through the creation of two molecules patterns.

Spraying Fluorinated Silicon Oxide Nanoparticles on CuONPs@CF-PVDF Membrane: A Simple Method to Achieve Superhydrophobic Surfaces and High Flux in Direct Contact Membrane Distillation.

Desalinization of seawater can be achieved by membrane distillation techniques (MD). In MD, the membranes should be resistant to fouling, robust for extended operating time, and preferably provide a superhydrophobic surface. In this work, we report the preparation and characterization of a robust and superhydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride membrane containing fluoroalkyl-capped CuONPs (CuONPs@CF) in the inner and fluorinated capped silicon oxide nanoparticles (SiO2NPs@CF) on its surface. SiO2NPs@CF with a mean diameter of 225 ± 20 nm were prepared by the sol method using 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane as a capping agent. Surface modification of the membrane was carried out by spraying SiO2NPs@CF (5% wt.) dispersed in a mixture of dimethyl formamide (DMF) and ethanol (EtOH) at different DMF/EtOH % v/v ratios (0, 5, 10, 20, and 50). While ethanol dispersed the nanoparticles in the spraying solution, DMF dissolved the PVDF on the surface and retained the sprayed nanoparticles. According to SEM micrographs and water contact angle measurements, the best results were achieved by depositing the nanoparticles at 10% v/v of DMF/EtOH. Under these conditions, a SiO2NPs covered surface was observed with a water contact angle of 168.5°. The water contact angle was retained after the sonication of the membrane, indicating that the modification was successfully achieved. The membrane with SiO2NPs@CF showed a flux of 14.3 kg(m2·h)-1, 3.4 times higher than the unmodified version. The method presented herein avoids the complicated modification procedure offered by chemical step modification and, due to its simplicity, could be scalable to a commercial membrane.

Locust Bean Gum, a Vegetable Hydrocolloid with Industrial and Biopharmaceutical Applications

Locust bean gum (LBG), a vegetable galactomannan extracted from carob tree seeds, is extensively used in the food industry as a thickening agent (E410). Its molecular conformation in aqueous solutions determines its solubility and rheological performance. LBG is an interesting polysaccharide also because of its synergistic behavior with other biopolymers (xanthan gum, carrageenan, etc.). In addition, this hydrocolloid is easily modified by derivatization or crosslinking. These LBG-related products, besides their applications in the food industry, can be used as encapsulation and drug delivery devices, packaging materials, batteries, and catalyst supports, among other biopharmaceutical and industrial uses. As the new derivatized or crosslinked polymers based on LBG are mainly biodegradable and non-toxic, the use of this polysaccharide (by itself or combined with other biopolymers) will contribute to generating greener products, considering the origin of raw materials used, the modification procedures selected and the final destination of the products.

DNAzymes-conjugated upconversion nanoamplicon for in-situ ultrasensitive detection and imaging of microRNA in vivo

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are promising materials for imaging biomolecules and predicting the progression of diseases, especially for tumors. However, conventional luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) based nanosensors remain challenging with complicated modification and unsatisfactory sensitivity. Herein, a sensing platform integrating confined emission effect and cycling amplification strategy into one substrate with high LRET efficiency and sensitivity has been developed for the in-vitro and in-vivo detection of microRNA-21. Washing UCNPs with hydrochloric acid was conducted for electrostatic absorption of 8–17 DNAzyme labeled with BHQ1 (8–17 DNAzyme-BHQ1) and complementary capturing template-aDNA3 complex (CPT-aDNA3) to form energy donor–acceptor pair (UCNPs-BHQ1) and capture miR-21. It not only avoids the complex modification procedure but also shortens the distance between the donor (UCNPs) and the acceptor (BHQ1). The quenching efficiency of 60.94 % was obtained. Targeted miR-21 could bind with CPT to release aDNA3 that can unlock 8–17 DNAzyme-BHQ1 to form aDNA3-DNAzyme-BHQ1 duplex. This aDNA3-DNAzyme-BHQ1 duplex owning -rA- group can be cleaved by Zn2+ so that UCNPs restored green UCL emission because of the desorption of BHQ1. aDNA3 becomes dissociative again to trigger the next cycle. This UCNP@DNAzyme-BHQ1/CPT- aDNA3 achieved a wide linear range from 4 × 10-14 M to 1 × 10-8 M with a low limit detection of 31 fM for the sensitive detection of miR-21 in vitro. Furthermore, it was successfully applied to the real-time intracellular detection of miR-21 in HeLa cells and in-vivo monitoring of miR-21 expression in KS-01 treated tumor-bearing mouse. This proposed DNA-conjugated upconversion nanoamplicon provides new sights into monitoring of anti-cancer active ingredients efficacy and the progress evaluation of miRNA-related diseases.

A comparison of Quasi-Newton methods considering line search conditions in unconstrained minimization

Optimization algorithms are essential tools in all fields such as engineering, business, science and even in nature. Their performance and efficiency may differ from problem-to-problem. In this respect, the current paper aims to provide an understanding of the three well-known Quasi-Newton methods relation with various line search conditions on a performance basis. To this end, the fifteen Quasi-Newton method-line search condition combinations, which are composed of Symmetric-Rank-1 (SR-1), Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (BFGS) and Davidon-Fletcher-Powell (DFP) Quasi-Newton methods and Backtracking (BC), Armijo-Backtracking (ABC), Goldstein (GC), Weak Wolfe (WWC) and Strong Wolfe (SWC) conditions, are subjected to totally 195 computational experiments using thirteen test functions including smooth and non-smooth ones. During the experiments, the number of function evaluations at every iteration for all the combinations are kept track and the total number of function evaluations, when each combination converges, are set as a first performance metric. In addition to that, the eigenvalues of Hessian approximation matrix are checked if the updated matrix is positive definite or not. In case of having a negative definite Hessian approximation, the eigenvalue modification procedure is employed to guarantee that the updated matrix is positive definite, which in turn progress along the descent direction. Besides, for purpose of using in the performance evaluations, the number of negative definite matrix generations, as a second performance metric, are recorded for all the combinations. To conduct a reliable and an efficient performance analysis on the combinations, the performance and data profiles are used along with the number of negative definite Hessian matrix update generations. Based on the mathematical analysis through those data, the BFGS-GC combination is the fastest one whereas the slowest one is the DFP-SWC combination. For an optimal choice, it is determined that the BFGS-WWC combination is a great candidate. It is also observed that the BFGS and DFP methods operate very well as long as the curvature condition is satisfied by any line search conditions. However, this statement is not valid for the SR-1 method.

Improved thermostimulative shape memory behavior of HDPE/PET immiscible blend‐based polymer nanocomposite using amphiphilic Janus nanoparticles

AbstractIn the study, the impact of homogeneously modified (HM) and Janus silica nanoparticles on the thermostimulative shape memory effect of high‐density polyethylene/poly(ethylene terephthalate) blend‐based polymer nanocomposites (BPN) is investigated. It is shown that the physical/mechanical characteristics of the polymer/polymer interface have a determinative role in defining the shape memory effect of the system. Accordingly, the effect of each nanoparticle type on this region is precisely evaluated and interpreted. The Janus nanoparticles are synthesized via a two‐step desymmetrization process in Pickering emulsion, using different polar/apolar silane agents, while a single‐step modification procedure is used to perform the homogenous modification. The designing stages of a comprehensive analytical model are discussed which is used to evaluate the corporation level of the HM and Janus nanoparticles in the recovery mechanism of the BPN samples. The results of different characterizing tests (e.g., tensile, recovery, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, rheology, etc.) are proposed to demonstrate the impact of different types of nanoparticles on the polymer/polymer interface and shape memory effect (SME) in each sample. It is proved that the BPN samples containing Janus nanoparticles have the strongest SME, in both stretching and bending modes, even better than similar systems containing small molecule compatibilizers.

Solubility Enhancement of Poorly Soluble Drug by using different Techniques

Solubility is the process of a solid dissolving in a liquid phase, resulting in a homogeneous system. Solubility is a crucial characteristic for achieving the appropriate drug concentration in the systemic circulation and demonstrating pharmacological response. Drugs that are poorly water soluble require substantial dosages to achieve therapeutic plasma concentrations following oral administration. Low aqueous solubility is a major issue in the development of novel chemical entities' formulations. Any medicine that needs to be absorbed must be in the form of an aqueous solution at the absorption site. For liquid medicinal compositions, water is the preferred solvent. The majority of medications are weakly acidic and basic, with low water solubility. Micronization, chemical modification, pH adjustment, solid dispersion, complexation, cosolvency, micellar solubilization, hydrotropy, and other procedures are used to increase the solubility of weakly water-soluble pharmaceuticals. The goal of this review paper is to present solubilization approaches for achieving optimal absorption and increased bioavailability.

Possibilising food translation in children’s literature

Abstract Food is omnipresent in children’s literature, from Popeye’s Spinach to Detective Cluj’s Carpenter Gums, thus signifying its immense cultural value since cultures and societies are built upon food (Keeling and Pollard 2009, 6). Food narratives are capable of performing a number of functions ranging from evoking a sense of coziness and comfort to being a cause of temptation and power struggle, and these functions ought to come under the spotlight when translating children’s books. This article focuses on the English-Greek examination of translation patterns in the Captain Underpants series and on the critical discussion of the translation strategies that have been employed for the transferring of food items to Greek children. To this end, thirty-five examples of food references are analyzed using a purpose-built schema of translation procedures. The results indicate that translators make a conscious attempt to bring foreign dishes closer to the target language culture by adopting a variety of modification and substitution procedures. This study highlights the intrinsic role that the translation tendencies of preservation, modification, substitution, expansion, transcreation, omission, and creation play in enabling food translation, thus bringing to the fore the important yet neglected area of food translation in children’s literature which can have a profound impact not only on literary but also on translational landscapes.

A Numerical Investigation of the Energy Efficiency Enhancement of Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter Systems

This work focuses on the geometry effects over the performance of oscillating water column (OWC)-type wave energy converter (WEC) systems and searches for the OWC geometries that enhance the energy efficiencies under the same wave conditions. To analyze the hydrodynamic performances of the WEC systems, an in-house smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code based on weakly compressible fluid approach is utilized. The energy efficiency enhancement studies of the determined OWC device are carried out with a two-step geometry modification procedure. The first step starts with the validation of the free-surface elevation and orbital velocity time histories. Then, a three-by-three simulation matrix that depends on the geometrical design parameters of chamber length and front wall draft is run at three different wave conditions, and the OWC geometry that produces the maximum energy efficiency is determined. In the second step, the corner regions of the obtained optimal geometry are chamfered, and another simulation matrix is tested at the wave condition that yields maximum wave energy. It is observed in this step that the energy efficiency index can still be improved by 4.3% by only chamfering the back face of the OWC chamber. To scrutinize the physical grounds of this increase, the correlation between the time-averaged vorticity and energy efficiency is presented. Finally, the performance of the best configuration is also examined in three different wave periods, where the suggested geometry shows better performance with respect to base geometry results in all wave conditions.

Synthesis and Characterization of Thermally Stable Lignosulfonamides.

Lignin, a highly aromatic macromolecule building plant cells, and cellulose are two of the most commonly occurring natural polymers. Lignosulfonate is a grade of technical lignin, obtained as a by-product in the paper and wood pulping industries, a result of the used lignin isolation method, i.e., sulfite process. In this work, sodium lignosulfonate is used as a starting material to manufacture sulfonamide derivatives of lignin in a two-step modification procedure. Since this direction of the lignin modification is rather rarely investigated and discussed, it makes a good starting point to expand the state of knowledge and explore the properties of lignosulfonamides. Materials obtained after modification underwent characterization by FTIR, SS-NMR, WAXD, SEM, and TGA. Spectroscopic measurements confirmed the incorporation of dihexylamine into the lignin structure and the formation of lignosulfonamide. The crystalline structure of the material was not affected by the modification procedure, as evidenced by the WAXD, with only minute morphological changes of the surface visible on the SEM imaging. The obtained materials were characterized by improved parameters of thermal stability in relation to the raw material. As-prepared sulfonamide lignin derivatives with a potential application as a filler in biopolymeric composites may become a new class of functional, value-added, sustainable additives.

A novel optical coherence tomography‑based calcium scoring system can predict the stent expansion of moderate and severe calcified lesions.

Coronary calcified lesions can exert serious effects on stent expansion. A calcium scoring system, based on optical coherence tomography (OCT), has been previously developed to identify relatively mild calcified lesions that would benefit from plaque modification procedures. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish a novel OCT-based scoring system to predict the stent expansion of moderate and severe calcified lesions. A total of 33 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; 34 calcified lesions were observed using coronary angiography) were retrospectively included in the present study. Coronary angiography and OCT images were subsequently reviewed and analyzed. Furthermore, a calcium scoring system was developed based on the results of multivariate analysis before the optimal threshold for the prediction of stent underexpansion in patients with moderate and severe calcified lesions was determined. The mean age of the patients was 67±10 years. The present analysis demonstrated that the final post-PCI median stent expansion was 70.74%, where stent underexpansion (defined as stent expansion <80%) was observed in 23 lesions. The mean maximum calcium arc, length and thickness, which were assessed using OCT, were found to be 230˚, 25.10 mm and 1.18 mm, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that age and the maximum calcium arc were independent predictors of stent underexpansion. A novel calcium scoring system was thereafter established using the following formula: (0.16 x age) + (0.03 x maximum calcium arc) according to the β-coefficients in the multivariate analysis, with the optimal cut-off value for the prediction of stent underexpansion being 16.87. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that this novel scoring system yielded a larger area under the curve value compared with that from a previous study's scoring system. Therefore, in conclusion, since the calcium scoring system of the present study based on age and the maximum calcium arc obtained from OCT was specifically developed in the subjects with moderate and severe calcified lesions, it may be more accurate in predicting the risk of stent underexpansion in these patients.

Understanding Improved Lifetimes of Lithium-Metal Batteries with LiPF6 Carbonate Electrolyte Modified By Phosphorus Pentoxide

Lithium metal anodes offer the possibility of a ten-fold increase in capacity versus standard intercalation anodes such as graphite. However, to date, there has been limited success using commercially available liquid electrolytes for batteries with lithium metal anodes. A critical issue in LiPF6 carbonate electrolytes results from the reaction of trace water (<100 ppm) with PF5, which is in equilibrium with the PF6 - anion, to produce hydrofluoric acid (HF) and difluorophosphoric acid. These reaction products contribute to lithium passivation, transition-metal leaching and subsequent particle cracking at the cathode, and degradation of cell components. Furthermore, HF begins an autocatalytic degradation cycle, so if not removed, can continually decompose the carbonate solvents in a self-sustaining cycle.Here, we demonstrate the effectiveness of a simple and scalable modification procedure of 1M LiPF6 ethylene carbonate (EC)/diethylcarbonate (DEC) (50/50 v/v) electrolyte to greatly enhance performance of lithium-metal batteries. Phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) added to commercial, battery-grade electrolyte performs the dual functions of both scavenging HF and H2O, while also generating chemical species that promote formation of a beneficial, POxFy-rich SEI layer upon cycling. In commercial-scale pouch cells (0.4 Ah), performance using the modified electrolyte is vastly superior, with 87.7% capacity retention at >230 cycles and minimal hysteresis, to that of the cell with as-received electrolyte, which failed after approximately 30 cycles. Electrodes harvested after 30 cycles in the commercial electrolyte yielded cracked cathode particles and transition metal migration to the anode surface, while these were not seen with the modified electrolyte, corroborating the performance enhancement resulting from HF scavenging. Rigorously quantitative, liquid-state 19F, 31P, 1H, and 13C NMR of the modified electrolyte proves complete removal of residual HF in addition to revealing a plethora of new fluorophosphate species, while two-dimensional 19F{31P} correlation experiments were used to confidently establish signal assignments. These fluorophosphate moieties make up the anodic surface layer that promotes smooth and uniform lithium electrodeposition, further enhancing performance. Understanding the relationship between electrolyte speciation and electrochemical performance is crucial for careful design of electrolyte additives, and in particular, multi-functional materials such as P2O5 offer simple but highly effective improvements to resultant electrolyte formulations.Overall, we achieve enhanced operation of lithium-metal batteries using a P2O5-modified LiPF6 carbonate electrolyte as a result of HF and H2O removal, alongside formation of favorable SEI-forming species. Through NMR, we quantitatively established speciation of this electrolyte to better understand the improved performance and elucidate the major reaction pathways. Reference: Zhang, J., et al. Performance Leap of Lithium Metal Batteries in LiPF6 Carbonate Electrolyte by a Phosphorus Pentoxide Scavenger. (Under review, 2022)

Effect of Biochar from Oat Hulls on the Physical Properties of Asphalt Binder.

The purpose of this study was to verify the feasibility of using biochar from oat hulls (BO) as a potential bio-modifier to improve the physical properties of conventional asphalt binder. The BO and asphalt binder were characterized by confocal (fluorescence) laser microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Then, an asphalt binder modification procedure was established and modifications with 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% of BO on the weight of the asphalt binder were evaluated, using a particle size < 75 µm. The physical properties of the evaluated modified asphalt binder with BO were: rotational viscosity in original and aged state, aging index, Fraass breaking point, softening point, penetration, penetration rate and storage stability. The results indicated that the BO has a porous structure, able to interact with the asphalt binder by C=O and C=C bonds. In addition, modification of the asphalt binder with BO increases the rotational viscosity related to high-temperature rutting resistance. The results obtained from the Fraass breaking point and softening point indicated that the use of BO extends the viscoelastic range of the asphalt binder. In addition, the evaluated modifications present low susceptibility to aging and good storage stability.

Long-lasting renewable antibacterial graphene/N-halamine-coated cotton fabrics benefitting from enhanced UV stability and quantitative tracking of bactericidal factors

In this study, anionic GO aqueous dispersion and cationic QAS aqueous solution with specific concentrations were applied for the fabrication of modified cotton fabrics (MCFs) through the layer-by-layer self-assembly method. The chlorinated cotton fabrics with optimized protocol possessed excellent ultraviolet-blocking properties, with a UPF value of 323.08. Moreover, graphene greatly improved the UV stability of N-halamine, which could also be proved in the UV aging test of MCFs. In addition, the modification procedure also endowed cotton fabrics with superhydrophobic properties, thus broadening the application range of cotton fabric. The obtained GQC10 possessed excellent antibacterial activity, with all inoculated S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 being completely killed within 5 min and 1 min of contact time, respectively. Indicated by the quantitative function relation between the active chlorine content (ACC) and the surface sheet resistance (SSR) of the MCFs, a novel and simple method for the determination of ACC was established. This method could be used to monitor the antimicrobial efficacy to ensure its sustainability. Furthermore, according to the variation frequency of SSR, the risk level of bacterial hazards in different places could be evaluated, thus broadening the application range of N-halamine-based antibacterial cotton fabrics.

Facile Sulfuration Route to Enhance the Supercapacitor Performance of 3D Petal‐like NiV‐Layered Double Hydroxide

The charge conductivity properties and ionic delivery of pseudocapacitive materials are important factors for the charge storage process. Herein, the new petal‐like S‐NiV‐layered double hydroxide (LDH) materials are successfully synthesized by a presynthetic solvothermal reaction and a sulfidation modification procedure. The specific capacitance of the new petal‐like S‐NiV‐LDHs electrode reaches 1403 F g−1 when the current density is 1 A g−1, and this is attributed to Ni3S2 formed on the surface of NiV‐LDHs. When the current density is up to 20 A g−1, the rate performance of the new petal‐like S‐NiV‐LDHs electrode is 65.04%. It can be seen that the comprehensive electrochemical performance of the new petal‐like S‐NiV‐LDHs is better than the petal‐like NiV‐LDHs before modification. When the power density of the S‐NiV‐LDHs//activated carbon asymmetric supercapacitor cell is 2278.48 W kg−1, its energy density is 20 Wh kg−1. The innovation of this work lies in that, based on the microstructure of petal‐like NiV‐LDHs with rich mesoporous structure, the surface of petal‐like NiV‐LDHs is slightly sulfurized, which makes the new petal‐like S‐NiV‐LDHs electrode material have smaller electrochemical impedance, richer oxidation states, richer chemical active sites, better energy storage, and cycle stability.

Web-delivered multisession alcohol-linked attentional bias modification for binge drinking: Cognitive and behavioral effects in young adult college students.

We investigated the efficacy of a web-delivered alcohol-linked attentional bias modification (AtBM) procedure designed to train attentional bias (AB) for negative alcohol-related expectancies. Using a double-blind randomized controlled design, 43 college students (aged 18-25) who reported consuming four or more drinks, each comprising 10 g of alcohol, on a single occasion in the past month (i.e., binge drinking) completed five web-based self-administered sessions over 3 weeks of AtBM toward negative alcohol-related expectancies or sham-training (control) modified dot-probe task. AB for negative alcohol-related expectancies was assessed pretraining, immediately posttraining, and 1 month following the AtBM (i.e., 1-month follow-up). Binge drinking frequency was assessed at pretraining and 1-month follow-up. At 1-month follow-up, the AtBM training group showed significantly greater AB for negative alcohol-related expectancies than the sham-training control group. No other AtBM effects were observed for alcohol expectancy AB scores nor for binge drinking frequency. This study provides preliminary support for the use of a novel web-based AtBM procedure that trains AB for negative alcohol-related expectancies, with intended effects on AB observed at 1-month follow-up. Further research is needed to establish generalization of cognitive bias effects and translation to significant reductions in hazardous drinking and to identify moderators of effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Episodes Of Tachycardia Captured On Athlete’s Smartphone ECG - Cricket

HISTORY: An elite male cricketer aged 16 years experienced episodes of palpitations. These lasted 10-120 seconds, and occurred every 2 weeks over 9-12 months, usually between bouts of submaximal exercise at training. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Subsequent clinical examination showed sinus bradycardia. Blood pressure was normal, heart sounds dual (no murmur), chest examination clear with no peripheral oedema. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: 1. Atrial fibrillation 2. Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) 3. No arrhythmia (non-cardiac cause) TEST AND RESULTSBaseline electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, 24-hour and 3-day Holter monitor were normal. The athlete purchased a smartphone single lead ECG (iECG) and captured a trace confirming paroxysmal SVT (206bpm) during an episode of symptoms. FINAL/WORKING DIAGNOSIS: Paroxysmal SVT. Dual atrioventricular (AV) nodal pathways, AV junctional re-entrant tachycardia. TREATMENT AND OUTCOMES The athlete had an electrophysiology study and ablation (slow pathway modification procedure), which was repeated 9 months later due to an incomplete response. This deferred the need for medication which could impact exercise capacity. At age 19, the athlete experienced symptoms on 2 occasions at maximal exertion levels. Both lasted 5 minutes, with an irregular arrhythmia and light-headedness, but no chest pain or shortness of breath. The athlete purchased an iECG (having misplaced the old one) and recorded traces showing a wide complex tachycardia (196bpm), likely SVT with aberrancy. The athlete had a further electrophysiology study which showed persisting dual AV nodal pathway physiology but concurrently a left sided posteroseptal concealed bypass tract, requiring a third ablation. He has returned to elite sport after a brief period off. This case demonstrates the utility of an iECG as the athlete was able to capture the arrhythmias, which aided in diagnosis where traditional monitoring could not detect an abnormality.