Typical Agents Research Articles

Regulating Chlorine and Hydrogen Atom Transfer for Selective Photoelectrochemical C─C Coupling by Cu-coordination Effect at Semiconductor/Electrolyte Interfaces.

Semiconductor-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) organic transformations usually show radical characteristics, in which the reaction selectivity is often difficult to precisely control due to the nonselectivity of radicals. Accordingly, several simple organic reactions (e.g., oxidations of alcohols, aldehydes, and other small molecules) have been widely studied, while more complicated processes like C─C coupling remain challenging. Herein, a synergistic heterogeneous/homogeneous PEC strategy is developed to achieve a controllable radical-induced C─C coupling reaction mediated by the copper-coordination effect at the semiconductor/electrolyte interfaces, which additionally exerts a significant impact on the product regioselectivity. Through experimental studies and theoretical simulations, this study reveals that the copper-chloride complex effectively regulates the formation of chloride radicals, a typical hydrogen atom transfer agent, on semiconductor surfaces and stabilizes the heterogeneous interfaces by suppressing the radical-induced surface passivation. Taking the Minisci reaction (the coupling between 2-phenylquinoline and cyclohexane) as a model, the yield of the target C─C coupling product reaches up to 90% on TiO2 photoanodes with a selectivity of 95% and long-term stability over 100h. Moreover, such a strategy exhibits a broad scope and can be used for the functionalization of various heteroaromatic hydrocarbons.

Organophosphorus Hydrolase-like Nanozyme with an Activity-Quenched Aggregation-Induced Emission Effect: A Self-Reporting and Specific Assay of Nerve Agents.

Given the promising prospect of aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) in fluorescence assays, it is interesting and significant to endow AIEgens with molecular recognition capability (such as enzyme-like activity). Here, an AIE nanomaterial with intrinsic enzyme-like activity (named as "AIEzyme") is designed and synthesized via a facile coordination polymerization of Zr4+ and AIE ligands. AIEzyme possesses enhanced and stable fluorescence in different solvents because of the AIE effect of ligands in the rigid structure of a coordination polymer. On the other hand, the organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH)-mimicking activity of AIEzyme exhibits excellent affinity and specific activity. Interestingly, the OPH-like activity can quench the inherent fluorescence of AIEzyme by the hydrolysate of a typical organophosphorus nerve agent (OPNA), diethyl-4-nitrophenylphosphate. Due to the sensitive activity-induced quenching effect for AIE, the self-reporting fluorescence assay method based on AIEzyme was established, which shows ultrahigh sensitivity, high selectivity, good storage stability, and acceptable reliability for a real sample assay. Moreover, the simultaneous colorimetric method broadens the detection range and the application scenarios. The proposed assay method avoided the interference of O2 during detection because the OPH-like activity does not derive from the generation of ROS. As a bonus, AIEzyme can also be used for the degradation of OPNAs by OPH-like activity, and the process can be self-monitored by AIE quenching. This work would provide a new opportunity for expanding the application of AIEgens and artificial enzymes by endowing AIEgens with enzyme-like activity.

Unveiling the antibacterial potential of anthocyanins - a comprehensive review on this natural plant extract.

With the gradual prohibition of antibiotic fungicides, it is of great significance to develop high-efficient, nontoxic and environmental-friendly antimicrobial agents. Anthocyanin is a natural plant polyphenol pigment which shows antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects through inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell wall, interfering bacterial respiratory metabolism, and inducing bacterial autolysis. As a typical antibacterial agent, anthocyanins have been widely used in various fields, including biological pesticides or feed additives in agricultural production, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial wound dressings in medicine, etc. However, the structure of anthocyanins is unstable, which limits its practical application. In this article, the biological activity, antibacterial mechanism and stabilization strategy of anthocyanins as antibacterial agents were reviewed. The safety, application scope and methods of anthocyanins were discussed. In addition, the challenges and development prospects of anthocyanin extract antibacterial technology were also prospected. This will be the direction for researchers to further explore and better apply anthocyanins to practical production and application.

Reactive oxygen species-inducing itraconazole and its anti-biofilm activity against resistant Candida parapsilosis sensu lato biofilm cells isolated from patients with recalcitrant onychomycosis.

Candida parapsilosis was introduced as the second most responsible for nail involvement. The colonization of biotic and abiotic surfaces by Candida spp.can result in the formation of biofilms, which possess a high level of resistance to typical antifungal agents. Since Candida spp. can produce biofilm mass on the surface of the nails, dermatologists should consider appropriate antifungals to eliminate both the planktonic and biofilm cells. The aim of this research was to determine the antifungal efficacy of itraconazole against C. parapsilosis sensu lato biofilm formations, in addition to its static effects. Ten C. parapsilosis sensu lato isolates were enrolled in this study. The use of itraconazole results in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during treatment. In order to verify the correlation between ROS and itraconazole-induced cell death, the viability of cells was analyzed by administering the ROS scavenger Ascorbic acid. The apoptotic features of itraconazole were analyzed using the Annexin V-FITC method. Based on current data, it was found that the generation of intracellular stresses by itraconazole is not observed in cells upon ROS inhibition, emphasizing the importance of intracellular ROS in the apoptotic mechanism of itraconazole. Targeting the oxidative defense system is a powerful point to use ROS-inducing antifungals as a superior choice for more effective therapies in case of recalcitrant onychomycosis.

How Does Triclocarban Affect Sulfur Transformation in Anaerobic Systems?

Triclocarban (TCC), as a typical antimicrobial agent, accumulates at substantial levels in natural environments and engineered systems. This work investigated the impact of TCC on anaerobic sulfur transformation, especially toxic H2S production. Experimental findings revealed that TCC facilitated sulfur flow from the sludge solid phase to liquid phase, promoted sulfate reduction and sulfur-containing amino acid degradation, and largely improved anaerobic H2S production, i.e., 50-600 mg/kg total suspended solids (TSS) TCC increased the cumulative H2S yields by 24.76-478.12%. Although TCC can be partially biodegraded in anaerobic systems, the increase in H2S production can be mainly attributed to the effect of TCC rather than its degradation products. TCC was spontaneously adsorbed by protein-like substances contained in microbe extracellular polymers (EPSs), and the adsorbed TCC increased the direct electron transfer ability of EPSs, possibly due to the increase in the content of electroactive polymer protein in EPSs, the polarization of the amide group C═O bond, and the increase of the α-helical peptide dipole moment, which might be one important reason for promoting sulfur bioconversion processes. Microbial analysis showed that the presence of TCC enriched the organic substrate-degrading bacteria and sulfate-reducing bacteria and increased the abundances of functional genes encoding sulfate transport and dissimilatory sulfate reduction.

A systematic study of the effect of nano-additives on the functional characteristics of hydraulic fracturing gels

Currently, the main technique for the development of low-permeability reservoirs is hydraulic fracturing technology. To further enhance its efficiency and reduce costs, it is necessary to improve the formulations and properties of liquids used for hydraulic fracturing. The use of nanoparticles for these purposes may become one of the promising directions. In this paper, for the first time, the effect of concentration, size, material and form of nano-additives on colloidal stability, viscosity, wetting characteristics and filtration losses of cross-linked gels for hydraulic fracturing were studied systematically. In the preparation of cross-linked gels, a guar gum biopolymer was used as a typical gel-forming agent and sodium tetraborate in glycerin was applied as a cross-linker. Spherical nanoparticles of silicon oxide and aluminum oxide, single-walled carbon nanotubes, and aluminum oxide nanofibers were employed as nano-additives. The average size of the nanoparticles varied from 11 to 216 nm. The concentration of nano-additives in the gels ranged from 0.01 to 0.8 wt%. The temperature was changed from 25 to 70 °C. The research has shown that the dependences of the functional characteristics of nano-modified gels on the concentration and size of nano-additives are non-monotonic in nature. The optimal concentration of nanoparticles to control the properties of the gel is in the range of 0.05–0.2 wt%, and the optimal average size is 70–80 nm. With these parameters, nanomaterial additives can radically change the properties of hydraulic fracturing gels (increase the effective viscosity several times, reduce filtration losses tenfold and significantly change the hydrophobicity).

The effect of TiSi2 healing improver in self-healing ability of ceramics

A method to enhance the temperature range in which continuous self-healing fiber-reinforced ceramics (shFRCs) can self-heal is proposed to obtain a new high-temperature structural material. The effect of TiSi2 oxidation on self-healing was investigated using SiC, a typical self-healing agent, and TiSi2, which oxidizes at a lower temperature than SiC. Mixtures of SiC and TiSi2 powders were prepared by wet-mixing, and changes in their high-temperature oxidation behavior were investigated using thermogravimetry/differential thermal analysis. The oxidation of TiSi2 at 1000 °C enhanced the oxidation rate of SiC by 2–3 times. A shFRC consisting of an Al2O3 matrix, an interface layer of SiC and TiSi2, and Al2O3 fiber bundles was fabricated by slurrying and filament-winding. The strength recovery of the shFRC following three-point bending was investigated, and results indicated that the prepared material recovered 50 times faster than conventional shFRCs at 1000 °C. The self-healing improver described in this study can promote the oxidation of self-healing agents via its reaction heat. Thus, this improver may be applied as a practical component of self-healing materials.

DISPERAL OF THE LILIACEAE REPRESENTATIVES IN RELATION TO THE STRUCTURE OF THEIR REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

The Liliaceae family is a terminal one in the order Liliales sensu APG IV (2016) and consists of 15 genera with more than 700 species. The family’s geographical range covers most of the Northern hemisphere and extends through several natural zones, from forest tundra (Gagea species) to tropical forests (Tricyrtis imeldae Guthnick), within three continents, i. e. Eurasia, North America and Africa. Most Liliaceous genera occur both in Eurasia and North America. Representatives of Liliaceae develop coenocarpous fleshly indehiscent berries or dry dehiscent capsules. In most cases, multi-seeded berries themselves are a diaspore, whereas in the case of capsules, the seeds are normally a diaspora. The capsules play a vital role in seed dispersal. Structural adaptations of fruits allowed representatives of Liliaceae to spread into the territories that make up the modern range of the family.The aim of the study is to determine the principal patterns of fruit development for the representatives of Liliaceae with different types of dissemination. The study is based on the investigation of morphological and anatomical structure of fruits which is related to geography, ecology and biology of the Liliaceae taxa dissemination.The study has revealed that the wind is the most typical and widespread agent of dissemination for the investigated representatives of Liliaceae. The specialized capsules responsible for anemochory, i.e. auto-anemochory and anemochionochory (mainly in representatives of the ground cover of deciduous forests in temperate and subtropical climatic zones of the Holarctic Kingdom), are characteristic of representatives of the Lilioideae subfamily. Unlike the capsules supporting the anemochory, which actively participate in dissemination, the primary function of capsules of baromyrmecochorous representatives of Liliaceae is seed production rather than their dispersal, which is reflected in the anatomical structure of the capsules, with numerous intercellular spaces in the pericarp and almost complete lack of its lignification. The endozoochory of fleshly berries of Liliaceae is effective for dispersal by long-distance transport, primarily by birds. Supposedly, the ornitochory prevents dispersal among a large number of ecosystems, which is echoed in the ranges of Clintonia, Prosartes and Streptopus genera, representatives of the ground cover of coniferous and broadleaf forests of the Holarctic Kingdom.

The pollutant perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) reduces serum thyroxine but does not alter thyroid action in the postnatal rat brain

Known as “forever chemicals”, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic compounds used in consumer goods but pose significant public health concerns, including disruption of the thyroid system. As thyroid hormones (THs) are required for normal brain development, PFAS may also be developmental neurotoxicants. However, this is not well understood. Here we examine the endocrine and neurodevelopmental consequences of perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) exposure in pregnant, lactating, and developing rats, and compare its effects to an anti-thyroid pharmaceutical (propylthiouracil, PTU) that induces thyroid-mediated developmental neurotoxicity. We show that PFHxS dramatically reduces maternal serum thyroxine (T4), nearly equivalently to PTU (–55 and –51%, respectively). However, only PTU increases thyroid stimulating hormone. The lactational transfer of PFHxS is significant and reduces pup serum T4 across the postnatal period. Surprisingly, brain THs are only minimally decreased by PFHxS, whereas PTU drastically diminishes them. Evaluation of brain TH action by phenotyping, RNA-Sequencing, and quantification of radial glia cell morphology supports that PTU interrupts TH signaling while PFHxS has limited to no effect. These data show that PFHxS induces abnormal serum TH profiles; however, there were no indications of hypothyroidism in the postnatal brain. We suggest the stark differences between the neurodevelopmental effects of PFHxS and a typical antithyroid agent may be due to its interaction with TH distributing proteins like transthyretin.

Full correction of the self-absorption of laser-induced plasma beryllium emissions via sample preparation

Self-absorption effect is always encountered in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and immediately distorts the calibration curves especially for the elemental determination of complex materials. With the aim to provide an expeditious approach for LIBS measurements susceptible to self-absorption effect, an exploratory study for sample preparation by powder mixing is implemented, and the self-absorption of laser-induced plasma beryllium emissions is investigated as a function of the dilution factor. For comparison, boric acid and wax powder are separately used as typical binding agent to mix with beryl powder to produce two sets of pressed pellets with sequential gradient of beryllium content variation. For the resonant lines most prone to self-absorption of Be II emission doublet at 313.042 nm and 313.107 nm, the beryllium spectral line shapes can be directly regulated and improved in the case of both sets of pellets as the dilution factor increases. In addition, the self-absorption effect for the strongly emitting beryllium spectral lines is further assessed by calculating the self-absorption coefficients based on the radiation transport equation. With regard to the both types of binder as diluent, when the dilution factor for beryl increases to 10 with a weight percent of 0.386% for beryllium in the pellet, the SA values may exponentially increase in general to around 0.8 and eventually asymptotically approaches to 1 without exception. Thus the self-absorption effect of laser-induced beryl plasma emissions can be readily overcome with sample preparation by powder mixing. By contrast with laser pulse irradiance in the present work, the dilution factor for powder mixing plays a dominant role in eliminating self-absorption effect. This research proposes a potentially effective approach to reduce self-absorption in laser-induced plasma emissions.

DNA-Mediated Magnetic-Dimer Assembly for Fault-Free Ultra-High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Tumors.

Ultra-high-field (UHF) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) stands as a pivotal cornerstone in biomedical imaging, yet the challenge of false imaging persists, constraining its full potential. Despite the development of dual-mode contrast agents improving conventional MRI, their effectiveness in UHF remains suboptimal due to the high magnetic moment, resulting in diminished T1 relaxivity and excessively enhanced T2 relaxivity. Herein, we report a DNA-mediated magnetic-dimer assembly (DMA) of iron oxide nanoparticles that harnesses UHF-tailored nanomagnetism for fault-free UHF-MRI. DMA exhibits a dually enhanced longitudinal relaxivity of 4.42 mM-1·s-1 and transverse relaxivity of 26.23 mM-1·s-1 at 9 T, demonstrating a typical T1-T2 dual-mode UHF-MRI contrast agent. Importantly, DMA leverages T1-T2 dual-modality image fusion to achieve artifact-free breast cancer visualization, effectively filtering interference from hundred-micrometer-level false-positive signals with unprecedented precision. The UHF-tailored T1-T2 dual-mode DMA contrast agents hold promise for elevating the accuracy of MR imaging in disease diagnosis.

Task-driven Risk-bounded Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning Based on Iterative Refinement

Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) has garnered substantial acclaim for its versatility and widespread applications across diverse domains. Aligned with human-like learning, DRL is grounded in the fundamental principle of learning from interaction, wherein agents dynamically adjust behavior based on environmental feedback in the form of rewards. This iterative trial-and-error process, mirroring human learning, underscores the importance of observation, experimentation, and feedback in shaping understanding and behavior. DRL agents, trained to navigate complex surroundings, refine their knowledge through hierarchical and abstract representations, empowered by deep neural networks. These representations enable efficient handling of long-horizon tasks and flexible adaptation to novel situations, akin to the human ability to construct mental models for comprehending complex concepts and predicting outcomes. Hence, abstract representation building emerges as a critical aspect in the learning processes of both artificial agents and human learners, particularly in long-horizon tasks. Furthermore, human decision-making, deeply rooted in evolutionary history, exhibits a remarkable capacity to balance the tradeoff between risk and cost across various domains. This cognitive process involves assessing potential negative consequences, evaluating factors such as the likelihood of adverse outcomes, severity of potential harm, and overall uncertainty. Humans intuitively gauge inherent risks and adeptly weigh associated costs, extending beyond monetary expenses to include time, effort, and opportunity costs. The nuanced ability of humans to consider the tradeoff between risk and cost highlights the complexity and adaptability of human decision-making, a skill lacking in typical DRL agents. Principles like these derived from human-like learning present an avenue for inspiring advancements in DRL, fostering the development of more adaptive and intelligent artificial agents. Motivated by these observations and focusing on practical challenges in robotics, our efforts target risk-aware stochastic sequential decision-making problem which is crucial for tasks with extended time frames and varied strategies. A novel integration of model-based conditional planning with DRL is proposed, inspired by hierarchical techniques. This approach breaks down complex tasks into manageable subtasks(motion primitives), ensuring safety constraints and informed decision-making. Unlike existing methods, our approach addresses motion primitive improvement iteratively, employing diverse prioritization functions to guide the search process effectively. This risk-bounded planning algorithm seamlessly integrates conditional planning and motion primitive learning, prioritizing computational efforts for enhanced efficiency within specified time limits.

Phosphorus immobilization/release behavior of lanthanum-modified bentonite amended sediment under the dual effects of pH and dissolved organic carbon

Lanthanum modified bentonite (LMB) is typical P-inactivating agent that has been applied in over 200 lakes. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and high pH restrict the phosphorus (P) immobilization performance of LMB. However, the P immobilization/release behaviors of LMB-amended sediment when suspended to overlying water with high pH and DOC have not yet been studied. In the present work, batch adsorption and long-term incubation experiments were performed to study the combined effects of pH and DOC on the P control by LMB. The results showed that the coexistence of low concentration of DOC or preloading with some DOC had a negligible effect on P binding by LMB. In the presence of DOC, the P adsorption was more pronounced at pH 7.5 and was measurably less at pH 9.5. Additionally, the pH value was the key factor that decided the P removal at low DOC concentration. The increase in pH and DOC could significantly promote the release of sediment P with a higher EPC0. Under such condition, a higher LMB dosage was needed to effectively control the P releasing from sediment. In sediment/water system with intermittent resuspension, the alkaline conditions greatly facilitated the release of sediment P and DOC, which increased from 0.087 to 0.581 mg/L, and from 11.05 to 26.56 mg/L, respectively. Under the dual effect of pH and DOC, the P-immobilization performance of LMB was weakened, and a tailor-made scheme became essential for determining the optimum dosage. The desorption experiments verified that the previously loaded phosphorus on LMB was hard to be released even under high pH and DOC conditions, with an accumulative desorption rate of less than 2%. Accordingly, to achieve the best P controlling efficiency, the application strategies depending on LMB should avoid the high DOC loading period such as the rainy season and algal blooms.

Structure–Performance Relationship of Coal-Based Lubricating Base Oils and Sensitivities to Typical Additives

The relationship between the structure characteristics and performances of coal-based hydrogenation isomeric (CTL) base oil and metallocene-catalyzed coal-based poly-alpha-olefin (mPAO) base oil is clarified in this paper. CTL and mPAO were compared with typical petroleum-based and natural gas-based commercial API III and IV base oils. Pressurized differential scanning calorimetry (PDSC), the rotary bomb oxidation test (RBOT), and a four-ball friction tester were used to evaluate the oxidation stability and lubrication performance of base oils under different working conditions. The sensitivity of different base oils to typical antioxidants and extreme-pressure antiwear agents was compared. In particular, the composition and structure of CTL base oil are clearly different from GTL and mineral base oil. The coal-based CTL and mPAO base oils exhibit commendable viscosity–temperature properties, coupled with low-temperature fluidity, fire safety, and minimal evaporation loss. The lubricating properties, oxidation stability, and sensitivity to extreme-pressure antiwear agents of CTL are close to those of similar base oils. However, the sensitivity of CTL to typical antioxidants is relatively poor. In addition, compared with commercial PAO base oil, mPAO has a lower isomerization degree and fewer isomerization types. The oxidation stability and sensitivity to typical antioxidants of mPAO base oil are comparable with those of commercial PAO base oil, while its lubrication performance and sensitivity to typical extreme-pressure antiwear agents are significantly better than those of commercial PAO base oil.

Zingiber officinale ethanolic extract improved organs function in lipopolysaccharides-induced organ toxicity by modulating inflammation and oxidative stress in male rats

ABSTRACT Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the typical inflammatory and oxidative stress agent; ginger (Zingiber officinale) has long been utilized to treat inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the possible therapeutic role of ginger extract (GE) against LPS-induced hepato-renal and testicular injury. Male rats received GE (150 mg/kg, orally, for 28 days) after the inflammation shock was provoked by a single intraperitoneal injection of LPS (5 mg/kg). Rats treated with LPS exhibited marked inflammation and oxidative stress, in addition to liver and kidney injury and disruption of male sex hormones. The treatment of LPS-injected rats with GE resulted in a remarkable return to normalcy of the oxidative stress in the rats, as evidenced by a notable decrease MDA and an amelioration of SOD and CAT activities. On the other hand, the rats administered LPS and GE had considerably decreased serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6, improvement in serum albumin, total bilirubin and ALT and AST activity, urea, creatinine, and uric acid as well as FSH and testosterone levels. This indicating improved liver, kidney and testicular functions. In conclusion, GE attenuates the inflammatory damage and oxidative stress caused by LPS, which helps to restore organ function.

ЭТИОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ СТРУКТУРА ОСТРОЙ ВНЕБОЛЬНИЧНОЙ ПНЕВМОНИИ У ДЕТЕЙ

Background. Difficulties in the etiological diagnosis of pneumonia in children are due to its polyetiology. Pneumonia can be caused by both typical bacterial agents and atypical pathogens. The condition of frequently ill children is characterized by a combination of several pathogens, in particular, a viral-bacterial association. The frequent use of antibacterial therapy in a group of frequently ill children should be taken into account when choosing initial therapy in a hospital. Objective. To establish the etiological structure of acute community-acquired pneumonia in frequently ill children. Material and methods. 180 children (1st group 50/180 - children belonged to the group of frequently ill children, 2nd group 130/180 - children did not belong to the group of frequently ill children) with a diagnosis of "acute communityacquired pneumonia" were examined in accordance with the protocol with assessment of the etiological structure. Results. The total number of frequently ill children was 27.8% (50/180). The somatic type of “truly” frequently ill children occurs 2.3 times more often (RR=2.33; 95% CI 1.4720-3.6986; p=0.0003) than the otorhinolaryngological type. The infection index in patients from the group of frequently ill children is 3.0 times higher (p=0.0002), the resistance index is 3.5 times higher (p=0.0012), compared with the group of infrequently ill children. In the group of frequently ill children, there was a higher frequency of acute illnesses during the year and the development of complications from acute respiratory infections. Conclusion. The causative agent of pneumonia was diagnosed in every third patient, in the remaining patients the causative agent was undifferentiated, while atypical pathogens (Chlamydophila рneumoniae and Mycoplasma рneumoniae) were diagnosed 4.7 times more often (RR=4.773; 95% CI 2.9620-7.6901; p=0.0024) than grampositive, gram-negative flora.

Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Nanostructures on Glass Surfaces Using Hydrogen Fluoride Gas.

Water-repellent glass surfaces have become increasingly important to ensure clear visibility in outdoor cameras, sensors, and automotive windows. In this study, we investigated a process for the formation of nanoscale structures on a glass surface using chemical reactions with hydrogen fluoride gas. Using this approach, nanostructures with superhydrophobicity, superhydrophilicity, and antireflective properties were formed on glass surfaces with minimal processing time. This mask-free method, working at atmospheric pressure, can be efficiently integrated within the float process, a mainstream manufacturing technique for flat glass, to introduce nanostructures onto the glass surface. Notably, after treatment with (1-H, 1-H, 2-H, 2-H-tridecafluorooctyl)trimethoxysilane (FAS-13), a typical hydrophobic agent, the resulting surface exhibited a maximum water contact angle of 162°. Owing to its low reflectivity and superhydrophobicity, this surface is anticipated to find applications in not only the design of architectural window glass and vehicle windows but also the development of solar panels and sensor cover glass for autonomous vehicles.

Stable Zirconium Isotopic Compositions of the Metasomatized Mantle

AbstractMantle metasomatism, which affects the geochemical and lithological properties of the Earth, is crucial to the evolution and modification of the Earth's interior. Variations in chemical proxy of metasomatism, including high‐field strength elements (HFSE, e.g., Zr‐Ti isotopes and isovalent Zr‐Hf), have been commonly utilized as a tool to unravel the processes associated with the evolution of the Earth. However, the impact of mantle metasomatism by diverse agents on the Zr isotopic compositions of metasomatized mantle remains poorly understood. Here we carried out high‐precision double‐spike δ94/90Zr measurements for a suite of basalts, which were derived from the mantle sources metasomatized by typical metasomatic agents of fluid, silicate melt and carbonate melt originating from the deep mantle or recycled crustal materials. Mantle metasomatism results in lithological diversities within the mantle, ranging from hybridized peridotites to pyroxenite/eclogite and carbonated eclogite, which can significantly fractionate the isovalent HFSEs. However, our data show that these basalts have primitive mantle‐like δ94ZrNIST values (−0.033–0.043 ‰), regardless of their superchondritic Zr/Hf. The primitive mantle‐like δ94ZrNIST, irrelevant to any proxy of metasomatism (e.g., Sr‐Nd isotopes, Zr/Hf and La/Sm), indicate that mantle metasomatism and subsequence melting produce no measurable Zr isotopic variations in metasomatized mantle‐derived basalts. The δ94ZrNIST of basalts thus can be representative of the mean metasomatized mantle compositions. Combined with previously reported komatiites and oceanic basalts, we show that the Earth's mantle displays consistent δ94ZrNIST (−0.013 ± 0.053 ‰), even if it has a secular dynamic evolution with the interaction between Earth's exterior and interior.

Mortality Associated with the Use of Antipsychotics in Alcohol Withdrawal Syndromes

ABSTRACT Antipsychotics are frequently used for inpatients with alcohol withdrawal syndromes (AWS). While there is evidence on the effects of these medications in other settings there is little data on the mortality rate associated with these drugs for the treatment of AWS) We utilized the national COSMOS Epic database to identify inpatients with AWS. We then assessed the mortality rate for adult patients with or without the use of anti-psychotics along with subsets of patients based on age, gender, race, and ethnicity. We identified 233,821 patients of whom 26% received antipsychotic agents. The mortality rate was 1.5%. Patients aged 60 or over and those who received typical antipsychotic agents had a higher mortality rate. The use of typical antipsychotic agents is associated with a higher mortality rate. The use of any antipsychotic agent in patients aged 60 or over is associated with an increased mortality rate. Further study of this effect is warranted.

Ecological Virtuous Selves: Towards a Non-Anthropocentric Environmental Virtue Ethic?

Existing predominant approaches within virtue ethics (VE) assume humans as the typical agent and virtues as dispositions that pertain primarily to human–human interpersonal relationships. Similarly, the main accounts in the more specific area of environmental virtue ethics (EVE) tend to support weak anthropocentric positions, in which virtues are understood as excellent dispositions of human agents. In addition, however, several EVE authors have also considered virtues that benefit non-human beings and entities (e.g., environmental or ecological virtues). The latter correspond to excellent character dispositions that would extend moral consideration and care for the benefit of non-human beings, entities, or entire ecosystems. In this direction, a few authors have argued that EVE could be considered non-anthropocentric insofar as it could: (a) promote non-human ends, well-being, and the flourishing of non-human beings and entities; (b) involve significant relations to non-humans. Drawing from different traditions, including ecofeminism and care ethics, we argue for a broader notion of self and a decentered notion of virtues. The broader notion of selfhood corresponds to the “ecological self”, one that can be enacted by both human and non-human beings, is embedded in a network of relations, and recognizes the more-than-human world as fundamental and yet indispensable otherness. We suggest that this broader notion of agency allows for an expansive understanding of virtues that includes a-moral functional ecological virtues, which can be exercised not only by humans but also by certain non-human beings. This alternative understanding of selfhood and ecological virtues within EVE could have several theoretical and practical implications, some of which may enable different types of agencies and transform collective action.