Types Of Sites Research Articles

The potential of Ti3C2Tx-KH2PO4 and Ti3C2Tx-chitosan in the efficient removal of cesium from nuclear wastewater

Ti3C2Tx is synthesized from Ti3AlC2 by two common methods, HF and HF in situ. The synthesis approach is very practical regarding the structure, morphology, space between layers, type and number of surface-active sites and its specific surface. XRD, SEM, EDS, FTIR and BET analyzes were used to investigate the structure, morphology, type and number of surface-active sites. Under the operating conditions of cesium initial concentration ~ 150 ppm, ambient temperature, pH ~ 7.00 and time of 60 min, the cesium adsorption intensity with Ti3C2Tx-HF and Ti3C2Tx-HF in situ was obtained as 194 and 219.5 mg.g− 1, respectively. The structural results of modification with KH2PO4 show that in this modification, in addition to the increase of hydroxyl functional groups, the distance between the layers has also increased and the cesium adsorption intensity has increased to 338.75 mg.g− 1 under the above operating conditions. Meanwhile, in modification with Chitosan by increasing the frequency of functional groups and specific surface up to 3 times the effective specific surface of Ti3C2Tx-HF in situ, no significant change in the cesium adsorption intensity has been observed (247.5 mg.g− 1). Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of parameters of initial concentration of Cs+ (250 − 50 ppm), time (30–60 min), ambient temperature (298.15–318.15 K), solution pH (3.0–11.0) with the help of RSM design. RSM results show that the pH parameter is one of the most important parameters affecting the cesium adsorption intensity with Ti3C2(OH)x and Ti3C2(OH)x-KH2PO4. Also, with the increase in temperature, the adsorption intensity should increase. It is shown in the isotherm modeling that R2 matches well with the Freundlich isotherm model, which is based on the layered structure of Ti3C2(OH)x and Ti3C2(OH)x-KH2PO4 and the presence of active sites with different energy levels, which leads to heterogeneous adsorption. The consistency will be of the adsorbent selectivity investigation shows that the Cs+ hydration radius plays a decisive role in its high adsorption potential. Reduction of MXene by 0.1 M HCl was carried out in 3 steps. The experimental results show that 15% absorption has been achieved in the third stage. The results of structural analysis show that its structure has not changed and the reduction of active sites as a result of washing with acid has led to a decrease in adsorption.

The Early Natufian Site of Hof Shahaf, Israel: Subsistence, Environment, and Settlement Dynamics

The terminal Pleistocene Natufian Culture of the Levant is one of the best-documented cases of preagricultural sedentism in prehistory, thanks to the proliferation of durable architecture, burial grounds, and intensified socioeconomic practices. Hof Shahaf, located on the shore of Lake Kinneret in Israel, is a recently excavated Natufian site whose interpretation presents a conundrum. On the one hand, the site produced evidence of architecture, burial, and diverse subsistence practices, just like the rich and permanently occupied hamlets of this culture. On the other hand, it clearly diverged in the meager accumulation of artifacts (lithics and fauna) and an apparent absence of aquatic resource exploitation. Here, we aim to understand the nature of habitation at Hof Shahaf: whether it was a sedentary hamlet, an ephemeral residential camp, or a task-specific logistic locality. The latter two site types are not well documented in the Early Natufian of the Mediterranean climate zone. We provide a zooarchaeological and taphonomic account of the site, supplemented with lithic data, to investigate the paleoenvironment, subsistence, and site-occupation intensity, all against the backdrop of a specific setting (one of the lowest recorded lake stands). Our results indicate that the site primarily falls within a middle ground between classic sedentary hamlets and more specialized sites. It may have functioned as an ephemeral residential camp for foragers traveling to the Kinneret Basin for specific or seasonal tasks. Nevertheless, the site still held some significance, evidenced by the investment in building a large structure and burying the dead.

Coping Strategies Among Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Cultural Exploration

PurposeTo identify the patterns of stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents living in different cultural settings and to explore how adolescents cope with such stressors, particularly by type of stressor, site, and gender. MethodsThe study was based on focus group discussion data from 9 urban poor communities in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo), Blantyre (Malawi), Shanghai (China), Semarang and Denpasar (Indonesia), New Orleans (USA), Ghent (Belgium), São Paulo (Brazil), and Santiago (Chile). Translated transcripts from the focus group discussions were uploaded into ATLAS.ti (Version 9.1) and analyzed using an inductive thematic analytical approach to code and identify themes related to the primary objectives. ResultsAdolescents in Blantyre and Kinshasa reported stressors primarily related to economic constraints and hardships, whereas adolescents in other sites were more likely to report stressors related to school lockdowns. Patterns of coping strategies also loosely aligned with these differences, as adolescents in Blantyre and Kinshasa were also more likely to report using religious coping strategies compared to any other site. Still, the most common coping mechanism mentioned across sites was obtaining social support, with support from friends and family being the most dominant. DiscussionA comprehensive understanding of adolescent stressors and coping mechanisms is valuable for promoting internal resources and positive outcomes for adolescents. Given that adolescents’ stressors and types of coping strategies varied primarily by socioeconomic factors, interventions that aim to bolster positive coping among adolescents need to consider the local context and available resources.

Integrated in situ spectroscopic characterization of bi-functional nanoporous hybrid catalysts

Bi-functional catalysts possess various catalytic sites and can catalyze different types of reactions in a single-pot cascade manner. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of mono- and bifunctional silica-based mesoporous hybrid catalysts involving acid and base active sites. The ability for cooperative catalysis has been investigated using a multi-technique approach involving powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, and multinuclear MAS NMR spectroscopy, as well as thermogravimetric analysis. To elucidate the nature and strength of multifunctional catalytic sites, different types of probe molecules were employed and studied using spectroscopic techniques. The results show that the activity of the mesoporous surface-grafted acid and/or base sites is directly related to the intimacy criterion, the separation between the different types of catalytic sites. The presence or absence of mutual interactions between the different catalytic sites dictates the selectivity and yield of the reactions.

In Vivo Glucose Transporter-2 Regulation of Dorsomedial Versus Ventrolateral VMN Astrocyte Metabolic Sensor and Glycogen Metabolic Enzyme Gene Expression in Female Rat.

Astrocyte glycogenolysis shapes ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) regulation of glucostasis in vivo. Glucose transporter-2 (GLUT2), a plasma membrane glucose sensor, controls hypothalamic primary astrocyte culture glycogen metabolism in vitro. In vivo gene silencing tools and single-cell laser-catapult-microdissection/multiplex qPCR techniques were used here to examine whether GLUT2 governs dorsomedial (VMNdm) and/or ventrolateral (VMNvl) VMN astrocyte metabolic sensor and glycogen metabolic enzyme gene profiles. GLUT2 gene knockdown diminished astrocyte GLUT2 mRNA in both VMN divisions. Hypoglycemia caused GLUT2 siRNA-reversible up-regulation of this gene profile in the VMNdm, but down-regulated VMNvl astrocyte GLUT2 transcription. GLUT2 augmented baseline VMNdm and VMNvl astrocyte glucokinase (GCK) gene expression, but increased (VMNdm) or reduced (VMNvl) GCK transcription during hypoglycemia. GLUT2 imposed opposite control, namely stimulation versus inhibition of VMNdm or VMNvl astrocyte 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha 1 and -alpha 2 gene expression, respectively. GLUT2 stimulated astrocyte glycogen synthase (GS) gene expression in each VMN division. GLUT2 inhibited transcription of the AMP-sensitive glycogen phosphorylase (GP) isoform GP-brain type (GPbb) in each site, yet diminished (VMNdm) or augmented (VMNvl) astrocyte GP-muscle type (GPmm) mRNA. GLUT2 enhanced VMNdm and VMNvl glycogen accumulation during euglycemia, and curbed hypoglycemia-associated VMNdm glycogen depletion. Results show that VMN astrocytes exhibit opposite, division-specific GLUT2 transcriptional responsiveness to hypoglycemia. Data document divergent GLUT2 control of GCK, AMPK catalytic subunit, and GPmm gene profiles in VMNdm versus VMNvl astrocytes. Ongoing studies seek to determine how differential GLUT2 regulation of glucose and energy sensor function and glycogenolysis in each VMN location may affect local neuron responses to hypoglycemia.

Hollow Pt/CeO2 nanocatalysts pretreated with pulsed steam for enhanced CO oxidation performance

The supported Pt/CeO2 catalysts are widely used for the catalytic oxidation of CO at ambient conditions. Herein, we reported a new strategy for modifying the interaction between Pt and CeO2 support via pulsed steam treatment, which significantly optimized the catalytic performance of Pt/CeO2 for CO oxidation. Specifically, the hollow CeO2 nanospheres were prepared by using carbon spheres as sacrificial templates and then subjected to pulsed steam treatment at 150 °C for different times to obtain the CeO2-xH support (x means the time of pulsed steam treatment, min). It was found that the complete oxidation of CO can be achieved at 90 °C over the Pt/CeO2–50H sample, which was much lower than that (130 °C) on Pt/CeO2 without pulsed steam treatment. The XPS and in-situ DRIFTS characterizations were conducted to reveal the high performance of the Pt/CeO2–50H catalyst for CO oxidation. It was found that the valence state of Pt significantly controlled by pulsed steam treatment was critical to the catalytic activity, whereby the presence of two types of active sites (Pt0-CO and Ptδ+-CO) over Pt/CeO2–50H greatly promoted the combination of adsorbed CO and O2 to generate CO2. Accordingly, this study provides a facile method to regulate the Pt valence state by pulsed steam treatment for CeO2 support, which is critical to the CO oxidation activity.

Variation in mangrove species diversity across gradients of climate-change-induced environmental conditions and hydrological restoration

Increasing drought, elevated temperatures, and salinization are significant challenges to reestablishing species in mangrove restoration areas. In this study, we assessed how the diversity of two key mangrove faunal groups, molluscs and brachyuran crustaceans (hereafter referred to as crabs), varies across a gradient of disturbed, restored, and natural (undisturbed) mangroves. We also explored the environmental factors driving these variations in ten sites across the southern Gulf of Mexico, one of the regions with the largest mangrove coverage globally. A total of 15 species were recorded (10 mollusks and 5 crabs), with higher abundance in natural (612 individuals) than in restored (554 individuals) and degraded (98 individuals) sites. Community structure analysis revealed that certain species were restricted to specific restoration conditions: for example, the crab Minuca vocator was found only in restored sites, while the mollusc Vitta virginea was exclusive to natural sites. In contrast, species like the crab Minuca rapax were present across all site types. Salinity emerged as the primary environmental factor influencing community structure, with disturbed sites exhibiting significantly higher salinity levels than restored and natural sites. All sites were classified as hypersaline, which presents challenges for species that cannot tolerate such conditions. This study provides a valuable baseline for understanding the ecological conditions that shape mangrove restoration outcomes, offering insights into the effects of environmental factors on species diversity and the success of restoration efforts.

Outcome and risk factors of ulcer healing after gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely utilized for the treatment of large adenomas, submucosal lesions, and early gastric cancer. A significant artificial ulcer typically forms after ESD. Delayed or incomplete healing of these ulcers can result in complications such as delayed bleeding and perforation. However, a comprehensive review of the outcomes and risk factors related to ulcer healing following ESD is currently lacking. AIM To assess ulcer healing outcomes and identify risk factors associated with delayed ulcer healing. METHODS Databases retrieved by computer include PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Data, and VIP. The study collects reports on ESD post-surgical ulcer healing outcomes and risk factors, using Stata 16.0 and RevMan 5.0 software for meta-analysis. RESULTS Our analysis included 12 studies, involving a total of 3430 patients. The meta-analysis revealed an overall healing rate of 65.55% for ulcers following ESD [odds ratio (OR) = 2.71; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.45-3.00]. The healing rate within eight weeks was 48.32% (OR = 0.76; 95%CI: 0.35-1.66), while the rate beyond eight weeks was 88.32% (OR = 6.73; 95%CI: 3.82-11.87). Risk factors included Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori ) infection (OR: = 5.32; 95%CI: 1.90-14.87; P = 0.001), ulcer size (OR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.19-3.61; P = 0.01), lesion site (OR = 2.08; 95%CI: 1.19-3.11), and pathological type (OR = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.06-2.52). Diabetes (OR = 0.56; 95%CI: 0.05-5.80; P = 0.63) and duration of operation (OR = 1.00; 95%CI: 0.99-1.01; P = 0.96) were not significant factors. CONCLUSION The healing rate of ulcers following ESD is high after eight weeks. Risk factors affecting the healing process include H. pylori infection, ulcer size, lesion site, and pathological type.

The role of New World vultures as carriers of environmental antimicrobial resistance

BackgroundAlthough antibiotics have significantly improved human and animal health, their intensive use leads to the accumulation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment. Moreover, certain waste management practices create the ideal conditions for AMR development while providing predictable resources for wildlife. Here, we investigated the role of landfills in the potentiation of New World vultures to disseminate environmental AMR. We collected 107 samples (soil, water, and feces) between 2023 and 2024, in different bird use sites (roosts, landfills and boneyards).ResultsWe isolated enterococci (EN), Escherichia coli (EC), and Salmonella spp. (SM), performed antibiotic susceptibility tests, and quantified the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) within all samples. We identified EN, EC, and SM, in 50, 37, and 26 samples, from the three vulture use areas, respectively. AMR was mainly to aminoglycoside, cephalosporin, and tetracycline, and the prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) was 5.3% (EC), 78.2% (EN), and 17.6% (SM). Variations in bacterial abundance and AMR/MDR profiles were found based on the season, use site, and sample types, which was corroborated by ARG analyses.ConclusionsOur study suggests that landfills constitute a source of zoonotic pathogens and AMR for wildlife, due to readily available refuse input. Using non-invasive molecular methods, we highlight an often-ignored ecosystem within the One Health paradigm.

Biochemical principles of miRNA targeting in flies.

MicroRNAs-direct Argonaute proteins to repress complementary target mRNAs via mRNA degradation or translational inhibition. While mammalian miRNA targeting has been well studied, the principles by which Drosophila miRNAs bind their target RNAs remain to be fully characterized. Here, we use RNA Bind-n-Seq to systematically identify binding sites and measure their affinities for four highly expressed Drosophila miRNAs. Our results reveal a narrower range of binding site diversity in flies compared to mammals, with fly miRNAs favoring canonical seed-matched sites and exhibiting limited tolerance for imperfections within these sites. We also identified non-canonical site types, including nucleation-bulged and 3'-only sites, whose binding affinities are comparable to canonical sites. These findings establish a foundation for future computational models of Drosophila miRNA targeting, enabling predictions of regulatory outcomes in response to cellular signals, and advancing our understanding of miRNA- mediated regulation in flies.

Supporting diversity in clinical trials: the equitable breakthroughs in medicine site maturity model

BackgroundAmong the most powerful barriers to broader inclusion of diverse participants in clinical trials are social determinants of health, trustworthiness of health care providers and research institutions, and competing pressures on potential participants. Nevertheless, current tools to assess organizational capabilities for clinical trial diversity focus primarily on trial infrastructure, rely solely on quantitative self-reported data, and lack meaningful assessment of capabilities related to community engagement.MethodsThe Equitable Breakthroughs in Medicine (EQBMED) initiative developed a holistic, collaborative, site-driven formative model and accompanying assessment to catalog sites’ current capabilities and identify opportunities for growth in both conducting industry-sponsored clinical trials and enriching diversity of those trials. The model builds upon prior work and reflects unification of two historically distinct components—research operations and community engagement—since sustainable clinical trial diversity efforts must overcome these silos. Here we present the methodology we used to develop the model and accompanying assessment, describe how findings can support clinical trial diversity efforts, and report findings from early field testing at three U.S. sites.ResultsThe first three sites were diverse in size (e.g., < 250–1 K beds), with varying levels of clinical trial capabilities and community engagement. The maturity assessment laid the foundation for sites to identify and prioritize key areas to advance clinical trial diversity capabilities, and each has made tangible progress. In parallel to completing the assessment with these early sites to understand their maturity and set actionable goals, we also collected their feedback on content validity (e.g., clarity, comprehensiveness, terminology) and feasibility (e.g., ability to collect needed information and data, time required). We describe refinements made to improve the assessment and streamline the process. The EQBMED program will deploy the assessment across various site types (e.g., FQHCs, safety net hospitals) and make further refinements as warranted.ConclusionsStrategic investment in clinical trial diversity requires structured assessment of site maturity as a starting point for collaborative action. We propose the EQBMED maturity model as a first step toward informing efforts to increase representation of diverse populations in clinical research.

Two-Dimensional Topological Platinum Telluride Superstructures with Periodic Tellurium Vacancies for Efficient and Robust Catalysis.

Defect engineering in the inherently inert basal planes of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), involving the introduction of chalcogen vacancies, represents a pivotal approach to enhance catalytic activity by exposing high-density catalytic metal single-atom sites. However, achieving a single-atom limit spacing between chalcogen vacancies to form ordered superstructures remains challenging for creating uniformly distributed high-density metal single-atom sites on TMDs comparable to carbon-supported single-atom catalysts (SACs). Here we unveil an efficient TMD-based topological catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), featuring high-density single-atom reactive centers on a few-layer (7 × 7)-PtTe2-x superstructure. Compared with pristine Pt(111), PtTe2, and (2 × 2)-PtTe2-x, (7 × 7)-PtTe2-x exhibits superior HER performance owing to its substantially increased density of undercoordinated Pt sites, alongside exceptional catalytic stability when operating at high current densities. First-principles calculations confirm that multiple types of undercoordinated Pt sites on (7 × 7)-PtTe2-x exhibit favorable hydrogen adsorption Gibbs free energies, and remain active upon increasing hydrogen coverage. Furthermore, (7 × 7)-PtTe2-x possesses nontrivial band topologies with robust edge states, suggesting potential enhancements for HER. Our findings are expected to advance TMD-based catalysts and exploration of topological materials in catalysis.

Stabilization of High‐Valent Molecular Cobalt Sites through Oxidized Phosphorus in Reduced Graphene Oxide for Enhanced Oxygen Evolution Catalysis

AbstractHeterogeneous molecular cobalt (Co) sites represent one type of classical catalytic sites for electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline solutions. There are dynamic equilibriums between Co2+, Co3+ and Co4+ states coupling with OH−/H+ interaction before and during the OER event. Since the emergence of Co2+ sites is detrimental to the OER cycle, the stabilization of high‐valent Co sites to shift away from the equilibrium becomes critical and is proposed as a new strategy to enhance OER. Herein, phosphorus (P) atoms were doped into reduced graphene oxide to link molecular Co2+ acetylacetonate toward synthesizing a novel heterogeneous molecular catalyst. By increasing the oxidation states of P heteroatoms, the linked Co sites were spontaneously oxidized from 2+ to 3+ states in a KOH solution through OH− ions coupling at an open circuit condition. With excluding the Co2+ sites, the as‐derived Co sites with 3+ initial states exhibited intrinsically high OER activity, validating the effectiveness of the strategy of stabilizing high valence Co sites.

Synthesis of Laves phase hydrides YFe2H6 and YFe2H7 at high pressure: Reaching a limit of interstitial hydrogen uptake

The C15 Laves phase compound YFe2 has been extensively studied for its significant hydrogen absorption in its tetrahedral interstitial sites. It can stably hold up to five hydrogen atoms per formula unit under ambient conditions. However, the maximum hydrogen capacity in such Laves phase materials remains an open question. The use of high pressure is a tool that facilitates the formation of polyhydrides with high hydrogen-to-metal ratios. By subjecting YFe2H4.2 to hydrogen pressures up to 50 GPa in a diamond anvil cell without any heating, two new interstitial compounds, YFe2H6 and YFe2H7, were synthesized. Synchrotron X-ray diffraction and ab initio calculations reveal that these new compounds have ordered hydrogen atoms occupying two types of tetrahedral interstitial sites, A2B2 and B4 (for YFe2H7), and a new triangular interstitial site AB2, in an orthorhombic structure distorted from the C15 Laves phase. The magnetic properties of YFe2Hx hydrides have to be taken into account to reproduce experimental volumes, identify stable compounds on the convex hull of the YFe2-H system, and explain deviations from Vegard’s law regarding volume expansion with hydrogen concentration. These compounds cannot be retrieved at ambient pressure upon pressure release.

The Impact of Built-in Ad-Blockers in Web Browsers on Computer Power Consumption

This study investigates the power consumption of various web browsers, specifically focusing on those with built-in ad-blockers compared to standard browsing without ad-blocking features. Using detailed measurements of CPU and GPU power consumption across multiple browsers i.e. Chrome without Ad blocker, Brave, Opera, Firefox, Vivaldi, Librewolf, and Tor—this research highlights the significant impact of ad-blocking on power consumption during web browsing. Experiments were conducted on different types of websites, including video-heavy, news, and entertainment sites, to evaluate how browser optimizations affect overall power usage. Results indicate that browsers with integrated ad-blockers, such as Brave and Librewolf, use significantly reduce power consumption up to 44% compared to traditional browsing setups. The findings also reveal that video content significantly increases CPU and GPU load, with ad-blocking browsers demonstrating superior performance in minimizing energy use. This study emphasizes the importance of browser selection in reducing power consumption, particularly for mobile and battery-dependent devices, and suggests that adopting ad-blocking technologies can lead to substantial energy savings.

Multi-Mode Data Organization and File Retrieval Based on a Primer Library in Large-Scale Digital DNA Storage

At present, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification-based file retrieval method is the most commonly used and effective means of DNA file retrieval. The number of orthogonal primers limits the number of files that can be accurately accessed, which in turn affects the density in a single oligo pool of digital DNA storage. In this paper, a multi-mode DNA sequence design method based on PCR file retrieval in a single oligonucleotide pool is proposed for high-capacity DNA data storage. Firstly, by analyzing the maximum number of orthogonal primers at each predicted primer length, it was found that the relationship between primer length and the maximum available primer number does not increase linearly, and the maximum number of orthogonal primers is on the order of 104. Next, this paper analyzes the maximum address space capacity of DNA sequences with different types of primer binding sites for file mapping. In the case where the capacity of the primer library is R (where R is even), the number of address spaces that can be mapped by the single-primer DNA sequence design scheme proposed in this paper is four times that of the previous one, and the two-level primer DNA sequence design scheme can reach [R2∙(R2-1)]2 times. Finally, a multi-mode DNA sequence generation method is designed based on the number of files to be stored in the oligonucleotide pool, in order to meet the requirements of the random retrieval of target files in an oligonucleotide pool with large-scale file numbers. The performance of the primers generated by the orthogonal primer library generator proposed in this paper is verified, and the average Gibbs free energy of the most stable heterodimer formed between the orthogonal primers produced is –1 kcal∙(mol∙L−1)−1 (1 kcal = 4.184 kJ). At the same time, by selectively PCR-amplifying the DNA sequences of the two-level primer binding sites for random access, the target sequence can be accurately read with a minimum of 103 reads, when the primer binding site sequences at different positions are mutually different. This paper provides a pipeline for orthogonal primer library generation and multi-mode mapping schemes between files and primers, which can help achieve precise random access to files in large-scale DNA oligo pools.

One-Pot Synthesis of Mixed-Phase MoVTeNbOx Catalysts for Selective Oxidation of Propane to Acrylic Acid.

One-pot hydrothermal synthesis assisted by sodium citrate and citric acid is developed to fabricate mixed-phased MoVTeNbOx catalysts with different phase compositions for selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid. Structures of various catalysts are comprehensively characterized. Interfacial interactions occur among the M1 and M2 phases of mixed-phase MoVTeNbOx catalysts to exert synergistic effects on the selective production of acrylic acid. Various mixed-phase MoVTeNbOx catalysts exhibit the same type of active site on the M1-phase component, with a significantly enhanced ability to adsorb and activate propane. The propane conversion increases linearly with the density of surface site for propane adsorption, while the propene selectivity increases linearly with the density of surface site for propene adsorption. Among the synthesized catalysts, a MoVTeNbOx catalyst composed of 35.3 wt % M1 phase, 19.2 wt % M2 phase, and 45.7 wt % amorphous phase exhibits the largest density of active site and consequently the best catalytic performance with 38.9% propane conversion and 71.2% acrylic acid selectivity at 380 °C.

Do wildfires impact community structure and diversity of beetles (Coleoptera) in northern Mongolian forests? An investigation in Khentey Mountains

Forest fires are part of taiga ecosystem dynamics in northern Mongolia. We studied beetle diversity and community structure in 98 plots at five sites in different forest types (light taiga, mixed taiga, dark taiga, floodplain forest) and under different fire regimes. Each plot included five pitfall traps, one soil and litter sampling and recording of environmental variables. We used Hill numbers, GLMM and RDA to evaluate the data. In total, we collected 2692 individuals of 130 species and 72 genera of beetles, mainly Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Silphidae, and Leidodidae, with Pterostichus eximius occurring in 60% of all plots. Forest fires had a significant effect on diversity and community structure of Coleoptera at the local level. However, in all data, the effects of site and forest type outweighed the influence of fire. An RDA explained 32% of the variation in community patterns with the effects of fire and environmental parameters. RDA1 scores differed significantly by fire regime, suggesting different species composition of post-fire communities. Hylobius abietis, Byrrhus pilula and Leiodes sp2 were identified as indicator species for fire plots. Protection of beetle refugia is critical for successful habitat recolonization, but is threatened by the post-fire salvage logging practices common in Mongolian forestry.

The clinical effect of thoracoscopic segmentectomy in the treatment of lung malignancies less than 2CM in diameter

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical effect of thoracoscopic segmentectomy in the treatment of lung malignancies less than 2CM in diameter.MethodsIn this retrospective study, a total of 103 patients with lung cancer who received outpatient or inpatient treatment from December 2020 to May 2022 were selected and divided into the lobectomy group (n = 48) and the segmentectomy group (n = 55) according to different surgical methods. The lobectomy group was treated with thoracoscopic lobectomy, while the segmentectomy group was treated with thoracoscopic segmentectomy. The prognostic effect, complications, blood gas level and respiratory function indexes of the two groups were observed and compared.ResultsThe general data of the two groups of patients, such as gender, age, course of disease, body mass index, lesion diameter, lesion site and pathological type, were analyzed by statistical software. There was no statistical significance in the operation time and the number of lymph node dissection between the two groups (P > 0.05), while the drainage volume and intraoperative blood loss in the segmentectomy group were lower than those in the lobectomy group, and the drainage time and hospital stay were shorter than those in the lobectomy group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Before treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in various lung function indexes between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment, the values of FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC in each group had different amplitude changes, and the values of FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC in the segmentectomy group were significantly higher than those in the lobectomy group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Thoracoscopic segmentectomy showed a lower incidence of respiratory complications (P = 0.042) and higher pulmonary air leak (P = 0.023) than thoracoscopic lobectomy. After propensity score-matched analysis, respiratory complications remained significantly higher in thoracoscopic segmentectomy (P = 0.017). However, the difference in the total complication rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There were no differences during the 2-year follow-up (median follow-up in months: 18.4; interquartile range, 14.8–21.3) in terms of overall survival (P = 0.49) and disease-free survival (P = 0.34) between groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionsFor patients with lung cancer less than 2 cm in diameter, thoracoscopic segmentectomy can achieve good short-term efficacy, with rapid postoperative recovery and little impact on lung function, which may be helpful to improve patients’ postoperative quality of life.

Procedural and clinical outcomes according to ultrasound-guided access in TAVI: a propensity-matched comparative sub-analysis from the PULSE registry

Abstract Background Access-related vascular and bleeding complications during transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Ultrasound-guided (USG) puncture may reduce the incidence of these events, particularly in large-bore arterial access. However, large-scale data on this approach are limited and it has not yet fully been implemented into standard clinical practice during TAVI. Purpose We compared access-related vascular and bleeding complications in USG versus fluoroscopy-guided (FG) access from a large multicenter TAVI registry. Methods The PULSE registry (Plug or sUture based vascuLar cloSurE after TAVI) retrospectively evaluated data of 9,295 patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI at 10 high-volume German heart centers from 2016 to 2021. USG and FG access were performed in 1,992 (21.4%) and 7,303 (78.6%) patients, respectively. A propensity score was used to match 1,023 FG with 1,023 USG access patients in a 1:1 fashion. The primary endpoint was a composite of minor and major vascular complications at the TAVI-access site or bleeding type II-IV. Outcomes were evaluated in accordance with the Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-3) definitions. Results Mean age was 81.9±6.25 years and 48.0% of patients were female. Comorbidities and clinical variables were well-balanced in matched groups. The overall risk profile was comparable in USG vs. FG (mean EuroSCORE II: 3.4 [2.1, 6.4] vs. 3.6 [2.2, 5.7], p=0.54). The primary end point occurred in 12.0% in the USG and 17.7% in the FG group, p&amp;lt;0.001. While major large bore access-related vascular complications did not differ significantly (3.5% vs. 4.2%, p=0.49), there was a trend towards lower minor complications for USG compared to FG (5.9% vs. 7.8%, p=0.096). Large bore access-related bleeding occurred in 5.5% versus 7.8% (p=0.04) of patients. Endovascular balloon inflation was required in 0.6% and 3.3% (p&amp;lt;0.001) of all large-bore access vascular complications. Stroke (1.7% vs. 1.5%, p=0.86) and stage III/IV acute kidney injury (3.0% vs. 2.2%, p=0.42) were similar in both groups. Conclusion In patients treated with transfemoral TAVI, ultrasound-guidance for gaining access was associated with lower rates of access-related vascular complications or type II-IV bleeding. Endovascular treatment was required more frequently in case of a fluoroscopy-guided approach. These findings challenge the fact that most TAVI procedures were performed with fluoroscopy-guidance.