Se Values Research Articles

Influence of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide on TiO2-reinforced flexible poly(vinyl alcohol) films for electromagnetic interference shielding

This study evaluates the impact of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on the structural characteristics and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films containing titanium dioxide (TiO₂). The composite films were prepared by solution casting, and their structural properties were analyzed through FTIR, electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. EMI SE was evaluated as a function of GO and rGO concentrations. Spectroscopic data indicated that TiO₂ and GO interact with PVA primarily through hydrogen bonding. The inclusion of TiO₂ increased the crystallinity of the films, although its interaction with PVA was not uniform. In composites containing GO, TiO₂ exhibited enhanced affinity for the polymer matrix due to the hydrophilic nature of both components. As a result, GO influenced the action of TiO₂ in the composite, leading to EMI SE values of 3.27 dB/mm in the X-band and 7.28 dB/mm at 9.3 GHz. The addition of rGO led to reduced interaction with TiO₂ due to a lower content of oxygen-containing groups, with the higher electrical conductivity of rGO being the most prominent effect observed. rGO demonstrated a competitive effect at 1 % filler and a synergistic effect at 4 % filler, with EMI SE values at 9.9 GHz increasing to 31.34 dB/mm and 55.80 dB/mm, respectively. This study shows that GO/TiO₂/PVA and rGO/TiO₂/PVA composite films exhibit promising EMI shielding properties. The different interactions between GO and rGO with TiO₂ and PVA result in distinct EMI SE mechanisms, with rGO showing superior performance. Combined with excellent mechanical flexibility and relatively low thickness, these data highlight the potential of these composite films for EMI shielding applications.

Comparative enhancement of H+ and OH− treatment on electromagnetic interference shielding in aligned and compact Ti3C2Tx MXene film

Abstract The pressing demand for ultrathin and flexible shields to counter electromagnetic interference (EMI) has sparked interest in Ti3C2Tx MXene materials due to their exceptional electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and layered structure. However, pure Ti3C2Tx MXene films often lack the mechanical properties required for practical engineering applications, and traditional reinforcement methods tend to reduce electrical conductivity. This work demonstrates an effective strategy to enhance the alignment and densely packed layered structure of Ti3C2Tx MXene films by regulating the acidity and alkalinity of Ti3C2Tx MXene aqueous solutions. This approach simultaneously improves mechanical strength and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE). Compared with original Ti3C2Tx MXene films, MXene films modified with ammonia solution (NH3·H2O) via OH− show a significant improvement in tensile strength (27.7 ± 1.9 MPa). Meanwhile, MXene films treated with hydrochloric acid (HCl) via H+ reach an even higher tensile strength of 39 ± 1.5 MPa. Moreover, the EMI SE values of the treated MXene films increase significantly, each reaching 66.2 and 58.4 dB. The maximum improvements in EMI SE values for the acid- and alkali-treated samples are 17.9% and 4%, respectively. In conclusion, the simultaneous enhancement of mechanical strength and EMI shielding efficacy highlights the potential of acid- and alkali-treated Ti3C2Tx MXene films for applications in ultrathin and flexible EMI shielding materials. Graphical abstract

PH‐Tunable 3D Interconnected Network of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes /Polyacrylic Acid Hydrogel with Excellent Electromagnetic Radiation Shielding Capability

AbstractThe fabrication of durable and high anticorrosion hydrogel composite materials composed of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) and crosslinked polyacrylic acid (PAA) for EMI shielding application is reported. The MCNTs contribute to the generation of 3D porous structures and enhance the mechanical properties of composite hydrogel. The 3D porous structure and high electrical conductivity inherited from ultrahigh electrically conductive MCNTs enable excellent EMI shielding properties with a total shielding efficiency EMI SE (SET) value of 32.8 dB (>99.9%) at only 3 wt% filler content of MCNTs. The MCNTs/PAA hydrogels also display superior EMI shielding performance under a strong acidic environment with SET > 99.99% while the 3D porous structure remained intact. The combination of electron–ion system in pH solution enriches the charge transfer and accumulation, enabling dipole orientation and polarization that are favorable for enhancing EMI attenuation. Moreover, the porous structure of MCNTs/PAA also contributes to partial trapping and dissipation of EM radiation energy via multiple scattering phenomena. This work thus paves the way toward applications of 3D hierarchical network materials for EMI shielding applications in both land and aqueous environments.

Metallomic Approach to Mercury and Selenium in the Liver Tissue of Psectrogaster amazonica and Raphiodon vulpinus from the Brazilian Amazon.

This paper reports the results of a mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) metallomic study in the liver tissues of Psectrogaster amazonica and Raphiodon vulpinus from the Brazilian Amazon. Two-dimensional electrophoresis, graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry were performed. Hg and Se determinations allowed the calculation of Hg:Se and Se:Hg molar ratio and Se values for health benefits (Se HBVs). The Se:Hg values were >1 for both fish species, whereas the Se HBVs were >5 for P. amazonica and >10 for R. vulpinus, indicating that both possess Se reserves to control Hg toxicity. The metallomic data allowed the identification of 11 Hg/Se-associated protein spots in the two fish species, with concentrations in the range of 9.70 ± 0.14 and 28.44 ± 0.31 mg kg-1 of Hg and 16.15 ± 0.21 and 43.12 ± 0.51 mg kg-1 of Se. Five metal binding proteins (MBP) in the Hg/Se-associated protein spots in the liver proteome of P. amazonica and eight in R. vulpinus were identified, indicating the possible formation of Hg/Se complexes on the MBP structures. The activities analysis of catalase, superoxide dismutase, GPx enzymes, and lipoperoxide concentrations demonstrated that Hg-induced oxidative stress did not occur, possibly because both fish species possess Se reserves necessary to inhibit the Hg's deleterious effects.

Significant improvement in the removal performance of decimeter-sized zero-valent iron plates for mixed heavy metal ions in wastewater by enhancing surface sharpness

This study aims to lower the work function (Wa) of a decimeter-sized zero-valent iron plate (DZVIP) by introducing surface sharpness (TDZVIP) during stirring. Sharpness was achieved by cutting isosceles triangles with heights of 1 cm and varying apex angles (α) of 10˚, 20˚, 30˚, 40˚, and 50˚. A mixed simulated wastewater containing Cu(II), Te(IV), Se(IV), As(III), Bi(III), and Pb(II) at concentrations exceeding emission standards was prepared. Results indicate that the removal process exhibits mixed kinetic behavior, and sharpness significantly enhances the removal capacity (Re), mean removal rate (Vm), recycling performance, and final discharge quality. The Vm values for Cu(II), Te(IV), Se(IV), As(III), Bi(III), and Pb(II) over TDZVIP with optimized α are 2.34, 1.97, 1.51, 1.59, 4.09, and 1.53 times higher, respectively, than those over PDZVIP (without sharpness). UPS measurements provide direct evidence of Wa reduction, while XRD offers indirect confirmation. This is the first time the Wa of the amorphous shell has been identified and verified as a critical potential barrier for core electrons transferring from the DZVIP surface to wastewater. Additionally, it has been successfully reduced by incorporating surface sharpness and stirring, leading to enhanced removal efficiency, improved recycling performance, and higher final discharge quality.

Fabrication of PVC-based electromagnetic interference shielding composite film by positively charged SMA enhancing the dispersibility of carbon nanomaterial

To address the weak binding force and poor dispersion stability of carbon (C) nanoparticles in current non-covalent modification methods, we employed organic amine-grafted styrene maleic anhydride copolymers (SMA-N) to modify C nanoparticles (C@SMA-N) through π–π conjugation and positive charge interactions. The obtained C@SMA-N has excellent dispersion in N, N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), which is attributed to the enhanced steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion from the grafted organic amine chains. To study the impact of surface modification on the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE), C@SMA-N was used as a conductive filler in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composite films, which exhibits a higher EMI SE performance than pristine C nanoparticles. Particularly, the obtained C@SMA-N using polyether amine (PEA) (C@SMA-PEA) exhibits a better EMI SE performance. By optimizing the SMA-PEA grafting parameters, the PVC/C@SMA-PEA composite films transition from insulators to conductors at a C@SMA-PEA content of 0.3 wt%. To achieve a higher EMI SE performance, the filler content, mixed filler composition, and film thickness were optimized. The results indicate that with a total filler content of 20 wt% and a mixed filler comprising fibrous form carbon nanotubes (CNT) and particles form carbon black (CB) in a 10:1 mass ratio (CB@SMA-PEA to CNT@SMA-PEA), the composite film has a thickness of 0.08 mm and an EMI SE value of 20.2 dB. Increasing the thickness to 0.2 mm enhances the EMI SE value to 31.5 dB. These findings indicate that thinner films have a higher EMI SE performance and promising application prospects in the field of electromagnetic shielding.

Aramid nanofiber-reinforced carbon nanotubes@cobalt ferrite nanoparticles aerogel films achieve excellent electromagnetic interference shielding, photothermal and joule heating performance

We embedded cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4, CFO) nanoparticles on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through oxidation and wet chemical methods to prepare CNT@CFO. Subsequently, aramid nanofiber (ANF)-reinforced aerogel films CNT@CFO/ANF were prepared by vacuum-assisted filtration and freeze-drying. CNT@CFO is evenly interspersed in the ordered ANF layers, giving the aerogel film excellent flexibility and stretchability. In electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI SE) applications, electromagnetic coupling and rich heterogeneous interfaces alleviate impedance mismatch and improve the attenuation of electromagnetic waves. The CNT@CFO/ANF film with a thickness of 30 μm exhibits an EMI SE value of 35 dB in the X-band. The absorption coefficient of CNT@CFO/ANF exceeds 0.9, which effectively reduces secondary reflection pollution compared with CNT/ANF. In photothermal conversion applications, the dual light absorption of conjugated CNTs and semiconductor CFO enables the composite film to exhibit rapid and stable photothermal heating. At AM 1.5G intensity, the stable temperature of CNT@CFO/ANF is 60.1 °C, which is higher than that of CNT/ANF. In addition, the CNT conductive network enables films to achieve rapid response, adjustable, and long-term stable joule heating capabilities. These results indicate that CNT@CFO/ANF aerogel films prepared by a simple and efficient method have great application potential in the field of multifunctional flexible devices.

A super-stretchable conductive film with strain-insensitive conductivity for stretchable EMI shielding materials and wearable capacitive strain sensors

Strain-insensitive conductive films as stretchable electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials and stretchable electrodes are highly desired in wearable electronics. However, fabricating super strain-insensitive conductive films under a tensile strain higher than 400 % is still a great challenge. Herein, a super-stretchable conductive film based on the crumple-structured Ti3C2Tx nanosheets-single walled carbon nanotubes/stretchable substrate double-layers is designed for the stretchable EMI shielding materials and electrodes. The resulting film exhibits a strain-insensitive electrical conductivity as high as 3.01 × 103 S/m even at a strain up to 500 %, which endows the film with a high and stable electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE) value of ∼45 dB. More interestingly, the EMI SE value of the film remains nearly constant even after 2000 cycles of 500 % tensile strain, indicating the excellent long-term service stability as a stretchable EMI shielding material. Moreover, a capacitive strain sensor with extra-wide sensing range, ultra-high stability, and excellent durability is successfully achieved by employing the as-prepared films as stretchable electrodes. This work proposes a convenient strategy of strain-insensitive conductive film aiming to design stretchable EMI shielding materials and electrodes for wearable electronics.

Lightweight composites derived from carbonized taro stems for microwave energy attenuation and thermal energy storage

A novel strategy has been developed for preparing porous carbon materials derived from taro stems, aimed at enhancing electromagnetic wave (EMW) attenuation and thermal energy storage. The materials were synthesized through the carbonization of taro stems to form a porous carbon structure, subsequently enhanced with polyethylene glycol (PEG) containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nickel (Ni) nanoparticles. By adjusting the carbonization temperature and the loading of CNTs and Ni, the resulting carbon materials exhibited exceptional EMW attenuation performance. Specifically, the PC-800 sample demonstrated a remarkable minimum reflection loss of −61.4 dB across the frequency range of 8.2–11 GHz, with a low density of 0.054 g/cm³. The PC-1200 sample exhibited EMI SE values of 23.6 dB axially and 21.5 dB radially in the X-band, with an ultra-low density of 0.033 g/cm³. Further enhancements were observed in the PC/CNT2 and PC/CNT2-Ni15 composites, achieving EMI SE values of 26.3 dB and 26.8 dB, respectively. Additionally, these composites exhibited effective thermal energy storage and release, as confirmed by heating experiments. This study not only introduces a method for creating absorption-dominated biomass electromagnetic shielding materials but also provides a dual-functional solution for enhancing the performance of electronic devices.

Investigation of hydrochemical characteristic, water quality and associated health risks of metals and metalloids in water resources in the vicinity of Akamkpa quarry district, southeastern, Nigeria

Quarrying of rock aggregates generates produced water that, if not handled properly will be a source of pollution for nearby water bodies, thus affecting the chemistry of the water. This study examined the chemistry, impact of quarrying activities on water resources and the health consequences/risks posed by ingestion of the water by humans in the Akamkpa quarry region in southeastern Nigeria. Thirty (30) water samples consisting of pond water, stream water, hand dug wells, and borehole samples were collected and analyzed for their physicochemical parameters using standard methods. The results obtained from the analyses indicated that the water was moderately acidic, fresh, and not salty, with many parameters below the recommended standards with Ca2+, and HCO3− being the dominant ions present in the water resources. Rock weathering processes including silicate weathering as illustrated by hydrochemical facies, cross plots, and Gibbs diagrams are the dominant mechanisms influencing the quality and major ions chemistry of the water resources with minor contributions from dissolution, anthropogenic activities, and ion exchange. Ca-Mg-SO4-Cl and Na–K-HCO3− are the most important water types. Although the water quality index shows that the water is suitable for human use and irrigation, the mean values of As, Cd, Pb, and Se are above the acceptable limits. Additionally, the calculated contamination factor revealed the water resources are moderate to highly contaminated by As, Cd, Cr, Mo, Pb, Sb, and Se, and are therefore unsuitable for consumption with regards to these parameters. However, the residual sodium carbonate and water hazard index (WHI) values showed that 38% to 90% of sites in the quarry area were unsuitable for cultivation, 10–30% were in the low to medium impact category, and 60% were classified as risky and are from high to very high impact category. A non-cancer study of inhabitants living in the vicinity of the quarry area indicated that 6.7% of the sites have values greater than one, indicating that it may endanger the health of the people. Therefore, constant monitoring of the water quality is recommended as long-term use of contaminated water can harm humans, plants, and soils.

Assessment of Reticulocyte Count as a Prognostic Indicator for Canine Ehrlichiosis: Implications for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies

Canine ehrlichiosis is increasingly recognized in India, with significant implications for canine health. It is a tick-borne disease, caused by Ehrlichia canis. It is prevalent in various regions, particularly in areas with high tick populations. Anaemia is one of the most common and important manifestation of this disease. Anemia results from the destruction of red blood cells and bone marrow suppression. The prevalence of canine ehrlichiosis correlates with the density of tick vectors and can be exacerbated by environmental factors. Canine anemia can be classified as either regenerative or non-regenerative. Objective of the study was, investigating the prognostic value of reticulocyte counts in dogs with ehrlichiosis. The study involved 212 dogs screened between February 2023 and March 2024. Risk factors such as age, sex, breed, and season were recorded. Canine ehrlichiosis was diagnosed by finding morula stages in monocytes and neutrophils in thin blood smear examination. The pathogen was confirmed through PCR-based molecular examination. Reticulocyte count was performed through supravital stain new methylene blue (NMB). Reticulocytes contain ribosomal RNA, which is less condensed than in mature erythrocytes. NMB has a high affinity for ribosomal RNA, resulting in a blue coloration of these immature cells. This staining reaction makes reticulocytes clearly distinct compared to mature red blood cells under a microscope, facilitating their identification and quantification. The study found that the haematological parameters of infected dogs were significantly lower than healthy dogs. The mean ±SE values of Hb, TEC, PCV, and corrected reticulocyte were significantly lower (p<0.001) in infected dogs compared to healthy dogs. These findings suggest that significantly lower values of Hb, TEC, PCV, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and corrected reticulocyte indicate anaemia, normocytic, normochromic anaemia, and non-regenerative anaemia. It can be concluded than in canine ehrlichiosis, anemia is one of the most common finding accounting aprox 28% of total diagnosed cases. Accurate anemia characterization is key for diagnosing and treating ehrlichiosis.

Comparative Analysis of 50 MeV Li3+ and 100 MeV O7+ Ion Beam Induced Electrical Modifications in Silicon Photodetectors

This article investigates the impact of 100 MeV O7+ and 50 MeV Li3+ ions on Silicon Photodetectors, focusing on their electrical characteristics with similar Sn/Se ratios. Elevated ion fluences led to a significant rise in the ideality factor “n”, indicating the presence of Generation-Recombination (G-R) current due to introduced defects, especially those with deep energy levels in the forbidden gap acting as G-R centers. While Ideality factor (n) values decreased for oxygen ions at maximum fluence, they increased for lithium ions, reflecting consistent patterns in series resistance (Rs) and reverse leakage current (IR), attributed to ion-induced defects. Oxygen ions showed a monotonic variation in Rs, whereas lithium ions exhibited a slight reduction at maximum fluence, possibly due to defect annihilation. Despite differing Se values, 50 MeV Li3+ ions demonstrated improved device characteristics, suggesting potential defect annihilation. The ratio of Sn to Se indicated comparable damage contributions from nuclear and electronic energy. Additionally, TRIM computations revealed non-uniform damage distributions, with ions penetrating deep into the substrate, away from the n+/p junction.

Construction of rGO-MXene@FeNi/epoxy composites with regular honeycomb structures for high-efficiency electromagnetic interference shielding

With the rapid development of 5G communication technology and wearable electronic devices, the demand for low-reflection electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials is becoming increasingly urgent. In this work, reduced graphene oxide-MXene (rGMH) @FeNi/epoxy EMI shielding composites with a regular honeycomb structure were successfully prepared by the combination of surface functionalization modification, sacrificial template, and freeze-drying. The effects of magnetic FeNi alloy particle loading mode and loading amount on the EMI shielding performance of composites were investigated. The results show that rGMH@FeNi/epoxy EMI shielding composites have the highest EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) and the lowest reflection shielding effectiveness when magnetic FeNi alloy particles are loaded only on the graphene skeleton. In this composite, the EMI SE value of the composite is 61 dB when the rGMH@FeNi mass fraction is 5.4 wt% (f-FeNi mass fraction is 0.9 wt%), which is 4.7 times that of the blended rGO/MXene/FeNi/ epoxy resin composite (13 dB) with the same mass fraction. At the same time, the rGMH@FeNi/epoxy composite has excellent thermal stability (heat-resistance index of 190.3 °C) and mechanical properties (energy storage modulus of 8606.7 MPa). These polymer-based EMI shielding composites with excellent EMI shielding properties and low reflection effectiveness have great potential in the protection of high-power, portable and wearable electronic devices against electromagnetic pollution.

Lightweight and flexible polysulfonamide/polyurethane-CNTs@Ag fiber paper for electromagnetic interference shielding

Nowadays, electromagnetic wave radiation is one of the sources of environmental pollution, which seriously affects human health and and the environment. Fiber paper made from high-performance fibers has shown potential for use in the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding due to adapting different complex working environments. However, achieving lightweight, high-efficiency, and flexible electromagnetic shielding remains challenging. To address this issue, we design a lightweight polysulfonamide/polyurethane-CNTs@Ag (PSA/PU-CNTs@Ag) fiber paper with double-layered structure and high electromagnetic shielding efficiency (EMI SE) via vacuum-assisted filtration and heat treatment. The results show the content of Ag nanoparticles 0.3 g in PSA/PU-CNTs@Ag fiber paper, the resistance is less than 1 Ω, the electrical conductivity reaches 883.57 S/m. At the same time, the thickness of Ag film increases, the EMI SE value reaches 90.537 dB. The EMI SE value of PSA/PU-CNTs@Ag fiber paper after folding one thousand times has decreased, but still maintains 95% of the original shielding performance. Moreover, its EMI SE values still maintain above 60 dB in various extreme environments (hot 150 °C, cold −70 °C). In summary, this work shows PSA based EMI shielding materials own excellent overall performance and hold broad different working extreme environments.

Evaluation of Oxidative Stress, Thyroid Hormones, Trace Elements and Some Biochemical Markers in Goats Naturally Infected with Theileria ovis.

Theileriosis is a tick-borne disease caused by protozoon species in the Theileria genus of the Theileriidae family. The biochemical changes induced by infection are considered to be an important understanding of the pathophysiology of caprine theileriosis. In this study, it was aimed to determine oxidative stress, thyroid hormones, trace elements, and biochemical parameters in theileriosis infection. A sample of 14 goat was used for this purpose, of which 7 were healthy and 7 were infected with Theileria ovis. Theileria infection was diagnosed from the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sera from blood samples was tested for total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant capacity (TOC), oxidative stress index (OSI), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), total protein, albumin, triglyceride, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), urea, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), iron (Fe). TOC, OSI, AST, ALT and GGT values were higher in the patient group than in the healthy group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, there were decreases in TAC, T3, T4, total protein, albumin, creatinine, Cu, Zn, Se, and Co values (P < 0.05). However, there was not found to be a statistical difference between the healthy and patient groups in terms of triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, urea, BUN, Mn, and Fe values (P > 0.05). It can be stated that oxidative stress is a complication of caprine theileriosis and it may be accompanied with hypothyroidism and deficits in trace minerals.

A comprehensive investigation of biochemical status in patients with telogen effluvium: Analysis of Hb, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, thyroid function tests, zinc, copper, biotin, and selenium levels.

The etiology of telogen effluvium (TE) includes situations that may cause physiological stress, surgical trauma, inflammatory, infectious, iatrogenic causes, medications and nutritional deficiencies. TE has been associated with iron deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency and thyroid diseases. In recent years, the use of over-the-counter food supplements containing vitamins and minerals such as biotin, vitamin D, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and selenium (Se) has been increasing in TE patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are differences in nutritional status, vitamin and mineral levels by comparing individuals with TE and a control group. This case-control study included 90 female patients diagnosed with chronic telogen effluvium (CTE), and 90 female controls volunteered to participate in the study who consulted for reasons other than TE. Both groups aged 18 and over and applied to dermatology polyclinic between 01.09.2022 and 01.09.2023. A detailed anamnesis was taken from all patients, a hair pull test was performed, and TE was diagnosed after a dermoscopic examination was performed on all areas of the scalp. Then, serum vitamin D, Zn, Cu, Se levels and biotin levels in serum and urine were measured. Hemoglobin (Hb), ferritin, vitamin B12 and thyroid function tests were retrospectively scanned from the hospital database. It was determined that Zn levels were significantly lower in CTE patients than in controls. Se levels were found to be significantly higher in patients than in controls. There was no difference in Hb, ferritin, vitamin B12, thyroid function tests, vitamin D, Cu levels, serum and urine biotin levels between the two groups. Zn, Cu/Zn and Se levels were found to have statistically significant diagnostic performance in predicting the diagnosis of CTE. Cu/Zn ratio and Se value were found to be significant predictors of CTE. This study shows us that nutritional deficiencies are not as common as thought in patients diagnosed with TE. Other causes that may cause TE should be investigated by a detailed anamnesis and a good physical examination. After all, tests for suspected conditions should be performed and individualized treatment options should be created for each patient.

Fe3O4@CNTs/WPU@CNF aerogel/Ag foam composites with a double-layer structure for absorption-dominated electromagnetic shielding performance

With the popularity of electronic devices, absorption-dominated multilayered electromagnetic shielding materials are increasingly attractive due to the effective decrease of second pollution compared to the traditional homogeneous electromagnetic shielding materials. However, the design of multilayered structure and strong interface adhesion of functional composite while keeping light weight and practical use is not readily to realize. Therefore, we propose herein a double-layer aerogel/foam composite electromagnetic shielding composite. The absorption layer is made by a nanocellulose (CNF)@waterborne polyurethane (WPU) aerogel, in which magnetic nano iron tetraoxide (Fe3O4) joined with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to optimize the impedance matching. The reflection layer is a chemically silver-plated foam (AF) used to reflect the transmitted electromagnetic waves through its strong electrical conductivity, improving the overall ability of electromagnetic waves shielding and achieving enhanced electromagnetic shielding performance. The two layers are strongly combined by the adhesion of WPU without the use of adhesives. When the mass ratio of CNTs to Fe3O4 of 2:1 and the total mass fraction of 5 wt%, the EMI shielding efficiency of the composites reaches 62.81 dB in the X-band (8.2–12.4 GHz) at the thickness of 4 mm and the maximum value reaches a remarkable 76.63 dB at 1.17 GHz. The specific SE value of SSE/t reaches 1744.72 dB cm2 g−1. Thanks to the effect of AF layer, the average reflectivity is only 0.141, demonstrating an absorption-dominated shielding mechanism. In addition, the as-prepared composite material is remarkably flexible and deformation-resistant, with a density of only 0.0913 g cm−3 and can withstand approximately 85,000 times its own weight.

A Comparative Approach to Sustainable Fish Meal: Prussian carp meal (Carassius gibelio Bloch, 1782)

In the present study, the usability of Prussian carp (Carassius gibelio) meal (PCM) as an alternative animal protein source in fish feeds was investigated by comparing it with anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus) and sprat (Sprattus sprattus) meals in terms of their biochemical, fatty acid, amino acid and element compositions. Prussian carp were obtained by fishing and made into a meal (PCM). Anchovy (AM), and sprat (SM) meals were purchased from a commercial company. The amino acid analysis results show that PCM's total, essential, and non-essential amino acid values were lower than that of AM and SM (P &amp;lt; 0.05). The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and Omega-6 values of PCM were higher than AM and SM; and lower than saturated fatty acids (SFA), Omega-3, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), atherogenicity index (AI) values (P &amp;lt; 0.05). According to the element analysis, the P and Ca values of the PCM were higher than the AM and SM (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and the Na, K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Se values were lower. According to the results of the present study, PCM can be utilized in the feed industry to boost the sustainability of fish meals used in feed production, which in turn will reduce the foreign dependency on vegetable and fish meals, and lower feed costs.

Comparative study on the quality of wild and ecologically farmed large yellow croaker through on-site synchronous sampling from the Nanji Archipelago in the East China Sea

With consumers demanding higher quality in fish products, ecologically farmed fish are increasingly favored due to their quality being close to that of wild fish. However, the differences between the ecologically farmed and wild fish remain largely unclear. In the present study, the wild and ecologically farmed large yellow croakers of the same size were captured simultaneously from the same marine area around Nanji islands (27.479°E, 121.052°N). Then, synchronous tests were conducted to evaluate quality to clarify the key quality parameters that differentiate between the wild and farmed fish. We obtained 49 quality parameters after orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) with variable importance in projection (VIP) scores >1 and p < 0.05 using 307 indicators related to 121 length ratios, 4 body color indicators, 5 muscle fiber characteristic indicators, 87 nutrition quality parameters, 40 taste parameters, and 50 volatile compounds. Compared to the farmed fish, the wild fish exhibited a more yellow skin color, higher levels of carotenoids, and a more streamlined conical shape. Changes in histology and ultrastructure of muscle fibers were noted, including increased muscle fiber density and the ratio of fiber area to gap, as well as reduced I band width, observed in the wild fish. The wild fish had high nutritional value of fatty acids and minerals and low nutritional value of amino acids, as reflected by higher levels of C22: 6n3 (DHA), Σn-3 PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids), Σn-3/Σn-6 PUFA, Na (sodium), K (potassium), Fe (iron), and Se (selenium), and lower values of ΣMUFA (monosaturated fatty acids), Σn-6 PUFA, TI (thrombogenic index), amino acid and chemistry scores of isoleucine, ΣEAA/ΣTAA (essential amino acid/ total amino acid), and ΣTAA/ΣNEAA (total amino acid/non-essential amino acid) in the muscles of the wild fish. The wild fish muscle showed high levels of hydrolyzed glycine and proline and free methionine, and low levels of free glycine and proline, indicating a propensity for collagen synthesis. Despite significant differences in the contents of fourteen flavor substances of free amino acids, 5′-nucleotides, and volatile compounds, their concentrations were notably below the corresponding threshold and contributed minimally to flavor, suggesting that the wild and farmed fish shared similar flavor characteristics. In summary, this study reveals the quality differences between ecologically farmed and wild large yellow croaker based on on-site synchronous sampling, providing a theoretical foundation for further enhancing the quality of this species.

Chinese undergraduates' mental health help-seeking behavior: the health belief model.

The detection rate of mental health problems among undergraduates has recently risen significantly. However, undergraduates underutilize mental health services; approximately a third only of undergraduates in need of treatment use school counseling resources. Based on a social psychological theoretical framework, the health belief model, factors of undergraduates' willingness to seek help when dealing with psychological problems were investigated. A cross-sectional online questionnaire and a snowball sampling method with 446 undergraduates investigated perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived behavioral benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action to understand how students' mental health-seeking behaviors are affected. We found that perceived susceptibility (p < 0.01), perceived severity (p < 0.01), perceived benefits (p < 0.01), perceived barriers (p < 0.01), self-efficacy (p < 0.01), and cues to action (p < 0.01) significantly correlated with behavioral intention. Encouragement or counseling from others would be more likely to motivate undergraduates to seek mental health help. In addition, we used a bias-corrected Bootstrap approach to test the significance of the mediating effect, the mediation effect of cues to action between undergraduates' perceived susceptibility and mental health help-seeking behavior was utterly significant [mediation effect value of 0.077, with an SE value of 0.027 and a 95% CI (0.028, 0.133)]. It demonstrated that those who perceived themselves to be at high risk of developing a mental illness and who had received encouragement or counseling to seek mental health help were more likely to be motivated to seek mental health help. Multiple regression analyses indicated that self-efficacy (Z = 5.425, p < 0.01) and cues to action (Z = 6.673, p < 0.01) independently influenced behavioral intentions. Encouragement or counseling from others would be more likely to motivate undergraduates to seek mental health help.