Effects of Rattling Behavior of K and Cd Atoms along Different Directions in Anisotropic KCdAs on Lattice Thermal Transport and Thermoelectric Properties

We employ advanced first principles methodology,merging self-consistent phonon theory and the Boltzmann transport equation,to comprehensively explore the thermal transport and thermoelectric properties of KCdAs.Notably,the study accounts for the impact of quartic anharmonicity on phonon group velocities in the pursuit of lattice thermal conductivity and investigates 3ph and 4ph scattering processes on phonon lifetimes.Through various methodologies,including examining atomic vibrational modes and analyzing 3ph and 4ph scattering processes,the article unveils microphysical mechanisms contributing to the lowκL within KCdAs.Key features include significant anisotropy in Cd atoms,pronounced anharmonicity in K atoms,and relative vibrations in non-equivalent As atomic layers.Cd atoms,situated between As layers,exhibit rattling modes and strong lattice anharmonicity,contributing to the observed lowκL.Remarkably flat bands near the valence band maximum translate into high PF,aligning with ultralowκL for exceptional thermoelectric performance.Under optimal temperature and carrier concentration doping,outstanding ZT values are achieved:4.25(a(b)-axis,p-type,3×10^(19)cm^(−3),500 K),0.90(c-axis,p-type,5×10^(20)cm^(−3),700 K),1.61(a(b)-axis,n-type,2×10^(18)cm^(−3),700 K),and 3.06(c-axis,n-type,9×10^(17)cm^(−3),700 K).

Improving the ammonia synthesis activity of Ru/CeO_(2) through enhancement of the metal–support interaction

The metal–support interactions induced by high-temperature hydrogen reduction have a strong influence on the catalytic performance of ceria-supported Ru catalysts. However, the appearance of the strong metal–support interaction leads to covering of the Ru species by Ce suboxides, which is detrimental to the ammonia synthesis reaction that requires metallic species as active sites. In the present work, the interaction between Ru and ceria in the Ru/CeO_(2) catalyst was induced by NaBH_(4) treatment. NaBH_(4) treatment enhanced the fraction of metallic Ru, proportion of Ce^(3+), content of exposed Ru species, and amount of surface oxygen species. As a result, a larger amount of hydrogen species would desorb by the H_(2)-formation pathway and the strength of hydrogen adsorption would be weaker, weakening the inhibition effect of the hydrogen species on ammonia synthesis. In addition, the strong electronic metal–support interaction aids in nitrogen dissociation. Consequently, Ru/CeO_(2) with NaBH_(4) treatment showed higher ammonia synthesis rates than that with only hydrogen reduction.

Ru surface density effect on ammonia synthesis activity and hydrogen poisoning of ceria-supported Ru catalysts

Evaluating the effect of metal surface density on catalytic performance is critical for designing high-activity metal-based catalysts.In this study,a series of ceria(CeCO_(2))-supported Ru catalysts(Ru/CeCO_(2))were prepared to analyze the effect of Ru surface density on the catalytic performance of Ru/CeCO_(2) for ammonia synthesis.For the Ru/CeCO_(2) catalysts with Ru surface densities lower than 0.68 Ru nm^(-2),the Ru layers were in close contact with CeCO_(2),and electrons were transferred directly from the CeCO_(2) defect sites to the Ru species.In such cases,the adsorption of hydrogen species on the Ru sites in the vicinity of 0 atoms was high,leading to a high ammonia synthesis activity and strong hydrogen poisoning.In contrast,the preferential aggregation of Ru species into large particles on top of the Ru overlayer resulted in the coexistence of Ru clusters and particles,for catalysts with a Ru surface density higher than 1.4 Ru nm^(-2),for which Ru particles were isolated from the direct electronic influence of CeCO_(2).Consequently,the Ru-Ceth interactions were weak,and hydrogen poisoning can be significantly alleviated.Overall,electron transfer and hydrogen adsorption synergistically affected the synthesis of ammonia over Ru/CeCO_(2) catalysts,and catalyst samples with a Ru surface density lower than 0.31 Ru nm^(-2) or exactly 2.1 Ru nm^(-2) exhibited high catalytic activity for ammonia synthesis.

Highly efficient subnanometer Ru-based catalyst for ammonia synthesis via an associative mechanism

The industrial manufacture of ammonia(NH_(3))using Fe-based catalyst works under rigorous conditions.For the goal of carbon-neutrality,it is highly desired to develop advanced catalyst for NH_(3)synthesis at mild conditions to reduce energy consumption and CO_(2)emissions.However,the main challenge of NH_(3)synthesis at mild conditions lies in the dissociation of steady N≡N triple bond.In this work,we report the design of subnanometer Ru clusters(0.8 nm)anchored on the hollow N-doped carbon spheres catalyst(Ru-SNCs),which effectively promotes the NH_(3)synthesis at mild conditions via an associative route.The NH_(3)synthesis rate over Ru-SNCs(0.49%(mass)Ru)reaches up to 11.7 mmol NH_(3)·(g cat)^(-1)·h^(-1) at 400℃ and 3 MPa,which is superior to that of 8.3 mmol NH_(3)·(g cat)^(-1)·h^(-1) over Ru nanoparticle catalyst(1.20%(mass)Ru).Various characterizations show that the N_(2)H_(4)species are the main intermediates for NH_(3)synthesis on Ru-SNCs catalyst.It demonstrates that Ru-SNCs catalyst can follow an associative route for N_(2)activation,which circumvents the direct dissociation of N_(2)and results in highly efficient NH_(3)synthesis at mild conditions.

The evolving concept of physiological ischemia training vs. ischemia preconditioning

Ischemic heart diseases are the leading cause of death with increasing numbers of patients worldwide. Despite advances in revascularization techniques, angiogenic therapies remain highly attractive. Physiological ischemia train- ing, which is first proposed in our laboratory, refers to reversible ischemia training of normal skeletal muscles by using a tourniquet or isometric contraction to cause physiologic ischemia for about 4 weeks for the sake of triggering mole- cular and cellular mechanisms to promote angiogenesis and formation of collateral vessels and protect remote ische- mia areas. Physiological ischemia training therapy augments angiogenesis in the ischemic myocardium by inducing differential expression of proteins involved in energy metabolism, cell migration, protein folding, and generation. It upregulates the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor, and induces angiogenesis, protects the myocardium when infarction occurs by increasing circulating endothelial progenitor cells and enhancing their migration, which is in accordance with physical training in heart disease rehabilitation. These findings may lead to a new approach of ther- apeutic angiogenesis for patients with ischemic heart diseases. On the basis of the promising results in animal studies, studies were also conducted in patients with coronary artery disease without any adverse effect in vivo, indicating that physiological ischemia training therapy is a safe, effective and non-invasive angiogenic approach for cardiovascular rehabilitation. Preconditioning is considered to be the most protective intervention against myocardial ischemia-reper- fusion injury to date. Physiological ischemia training is different from preconditioning. This review summarizes the preclinical and clinical data of physiological ischemia training and its difference from preconditioning.

Target-oriented confinement of Ru-Co nanoparticles inside N-doped carbon spheres via a benzoic acid guided process for high-efficient low-temperature ammonia synthesis

Ru-based heterogeneous catalysts have been used in a wide range of important reactions.However,due to the sintering of Ru nanoparticles their practical applications are somewhat restricted.Herein,for the first time we report a new and facile strategy to confine Ru and/or Co nanoparticles(NPs) in the channels of N-doped carbon using benzoic acid to guide the deposition location of Ru.The developed catalyst with confined RuCo alloy particles exhibits high resistance against Ru sintering and displays excellent activity and long term stability for NH3 synthesis,achieving an NH3 synthesis rate of up to 18.9 mmol NH_(3) gcat^(-1)h^(-1)at 400℃,which is ca.2.25 times that of the catalyst prepared without confinement(with metal deposited on the support surface).In the latter case,there is an increase of nanoparticle size from 2.52 to 4.25 nm together with ca.48% decrease of NH_(3) synthesis rate after 68 h at 400℃.This study provides a new avenue for simple fabrication of precious-metal-based catalysts that are highly resistant against sintering,specifically suitable for low-temperature synthesis of ammonia with outstanding efficiency.

Fabry Disease with Aseptic Meningitis:A Case Series and Literature Review of an Underestimated Clinical Presentation

Objective Fabry disease(FD)is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by the mutation in theα-galactosidase A gene that leads to a consequently decreasedα-galactosidase A enzyme activity and a series of clinical presentations.However,FD accompanied with aseptic meningitis can be relatively scarce and rarely reported,which leads to significant clinical misdiagnosis of this disease.Methods Sixteen patients diagnosed with FD based on a decreased activity ofα-galactosidase A enzyme and/or genetic screening were identified through a 6-year retrospective chart review of a tertiary hospital.Clinical presentations,brain magnetic resonance imaging,cerebrospinal fluid analysis,treatment and outcome data were analyzed in cases of aseptic meningitis associated with FD.Results Three out of 16 cases exhibited aseptic meningitis associated with FD.There was one female and two male patients with a mean age of 33.3 years.A family history of renal failure or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was found in 3 cases.All cases presented with a persistent or intermittent headache and recurrent ischemic stroke.The cerebrospinal fluid analyses showed mild pleocytosis in 2 patients and an elevated level of protein in all patients.Cerebrospinal fluid cytology revealed activated lymphocytes,suggesting the existence of aseptic meningitis.In the literature review,up to 9 cases presenting with FD and aseptic meningitis were found,which bore a resemblance to our patients in demographic and clinical characteristics.Conclusion Our cases suggested that aseptic meningitis in FD might be under-detected and easily misdiagnosed,and should be more thoroughly examined in further cases.

Web-Enabled Remote Machine Monitoring and Prognostics

Today's machine tool industries are facing unprecedented challenges brought about by development of outsourcing and low cost manufacturing in Asia. Manufacturing outsourcing provided many opportunities but also added challenges to produce and deliver products with improved productivity, quality, service and costs. Lead times must be cut short to their extreme extend to meet need the changing demands

簇-金属氧化物助剂电子相互作用调控的Ru原子簇催化剂用于温和条件下合成氨反应

氨是重要的化肥原料,也是颇具潜力的氢能源载体,对于可再生能源的储存、运输和终端利用至关重要.然而,传统Haber-Bosch工艺合成氨的反应条件苛刻,需要高温高压条件,并消耗大量化石能源及排放大量二氧化碳.可再生能源电解水制氢耦合温和合成氨新技术(eHB),不仅能实现可再生能源电力的“消纳和调峰”,而且可进行低成本、跨地域长距离存储运输,并可将“绿氨”与氢能产业相结合.然而,现有的高温高压合成氨催化剂与eHB工艺相不匹配,因此,迫切需要开发温和条件下高效合成氨催化剂技术,以实现可再生能源电力电解制氢体系和合成氨技术互补融合.目前,虽然助剂对于Ru基纳米簇(≥1 nm)合成氨催化剂的影响规律已得到了广泛研究,但它们对于Ru原子簇催化剂的作用机制尚不清楚,需要进一步揭示.本文考察了Ba及Ce助剂对Ru原子簇催化剂的影响规律,并分析了其作用机制.首先,通过简单的浸渍法将Ba和/或Ce物种掺杂到Ru原子簇催化剂(2 wt%Ru ACCs),制得Ba/Ce/2 wt%Ru ACCs催化剂;然后,通过一系列实验考察了这些催化剂的合成氨性能,并利用多种表征手段对其进行了深入分析.合成氨性能测试结果表明,添加Ba和Ce助剂后,2 wt%Ru ACCs催化剂的合成氨速率明显提高,在400℃和1 MPa下,Ba/Ce/2 wt%Ru ACCs催化剂的合成氨反应速率达到56.2 mmolNH_(3) gcat^(-1) h^(-1),是2 wt%Ru ACCs的7.5倍,且催化剂表现出较好的稳定性,在稳定运行140 h后活性未见明显降低.球差校正电子显微镜和X射线吸收精细结构谱结果表明,负载Ba和/或Ce后,Ru以Ru_(3)原子簇形式存在.X射线吸收近边结构谱和X射线光电子能谱结果表明,Ru与Ba及Ce物种之间存在较强的簇-金属氧化物助剂电子相互作用,可促进电子转移到Ru物种,形成富电子状态的Ru,进而促使电子转移到N_(2)的p*反键轨道,提高温和条件下合成氨反应速率.利用25%N_(2)+75%D_(2)气氛下的原位红外光谱研究催化剂的合成氨反应机理,结果表明,在Ba/Ce/2 wt%Ru ACCs催化剂表面同时检测到N_(2)D_(2)物种和N_(2)D_(x)物种的振动吸收峰,说明添加Ba和/或Ce物种没有改变Ru原子簇催化剂活化N_(2)的方式,N_(2)仍是通过加氢的路径合成氨.综上,本文考察了助剂对Ru原子簇的影响规律,揭示了其作用机制,为设计高效的温和条件合成氨催化剂提供参考.

Proppant transport in rough fracture networks using supercritical CO_(2)

Proppant transport within fractures is one of the most critical tasks in oil,gas and geothermal reservoir stimulation,as it largely determines the ultimate performance of the operating well.Proppant transport in rough fracture networks is still a relatively new area of research and the associated transport mechanisms are still unclear.In this study,representative parameters of rough fracture surfaces formed by supercritical CO_(2) fracturing were used to generate a rough fracture network model based on a spectral synthesis method.Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)coupled with the discrete element method(DEM)was used to study proppant transport in this rough fracture network.To reveal the turning transport mechanism of proppants into branching fractures at the intersections of rough fracture networks,a comparison was made with the behavior within smooth fracture networks,and the effect of key pumping parameters on the proppant placement in a secondary fracture was analyzed.The results show that the transport behavior of proppant in rough fracture networks is very different from that of the one in the smooth fracture networks.The turning transport mechanisms of proppant into secondary fractures in rough fracture networks are gravity-driven sliding,high velocity fluid suspension,and fracture structure induction.Under the same injection conditions,supercritical CO_(2)with high flow Reynolds number still has a weaker ability to transport proppant into secondary fractures than water.Thickening of the supercritical CO_(2)needs to be increased beyond a certain value to have a significant effect on proppant carrying,and under the temperature and pressure conditions of this paper,it needs to be increased more than 20 times(about 0.94 m Pa s).Increasing the injection velocity and decreasing the proppant concentration facilitates the entry of proppant into the branching fractures,which in turn results in a larger stimulated reservoir volume.The results help to understand the proppant transport and placement process in rough fracture networks formed by reservoir stimulation,and provide a theoretical reference for the optimization of proppant pumping parameters in hydraulic fracturing.

非小细胞肺癌围手术期免疫治疗相关不良反应管理的临床诊疗建议

背景与目的肺癌围手术期治疗(术前新辅助治疗及术后辅助治疗)作为手术的重要辅助手段,已成为非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)全程管理中越来越重要的环节。近年来,小规模临床研究发现免疫新辅助治疗主要病理缓解率明显提升,甚至达到完全病理缓解,有望成为NSCLC治疗的重要组成部分。然而,免疫新辅助治疗带来疗效和生存获益,同时,其相关严重不良反应(延误手术、丧失手术机会、死亡等)备受关注。本诊疗建议目的是针对免疫检查点抑制剂相关不良反应(immune-related adverse event,irAE)形成适合国内医疗现状的诊疗方案。方法本文由胸外科专家、肿瘤学专家、胸内科专家以及irAE相关科室专家(消化内科、呼吸内科、心血管内科、感染内科、血液内科、内分泌科、风湿免疫科、神经内科、皮肤科和急诊科)共同完成本诊疗意见的制定工作。专家充分参考irAE指南、胸外科公开发表的大型临床研究数据以及国内医生的临床实战经验和公开发表个案,多学科反复讨论,形成针对围手术期免疫治疗相关不良反应的诊疗建议。结果本诊疗意见涵盖irAE相关的预防、评估、检查、治疗和监测全过程,以便全面、有效的指导临床工作。结论围手术期irAE管理是肺癌免疫围手术期治疗的重要组成部分,随着免疫围手术期治疗的不断发展,未来需要更多的研究,以优化围手术irAE的诊疗。

Treatment of abdominal compartment syndrome in severe acute pancreatitis patients with traditional Chinese medicine

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese traditional medicines Da Cheng Qi Decoction (Timely-Purging and Yin-Preserving Decoction) and Glauber's salt combined with conservative measures on abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) patients. METHODS: Eighty consecutive SAP patients, admitted for routine non-operative conservative treatment, were randomly divided into study group and control group (40 patients in each group). Patients in the study group received Da Cheng Qi Decoction enema for 2 h and external use of Glauber's salt, once a day for 7 d. Patients in the control group received normal saline (NS) enema. Routine non-operative conservative treatments included non-per os nutrition (NPON), gastrointestinal decompression, life support, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), continuous peripancreatic vascular pharmaceutical infusion and drug therapy. Intra-cystic pressure (ICP) of the two groups was measured during treatment. The effectiveness and outcomes of treatment were observed and APACHE Ⅱ scores were applied in analysis. RESULTS: On days 4 and 5 of treatment, the ICP was lower in the study group than in the control group(P < 0.05). On days 3-5 of treatment, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) scores for the study and control groups were significantly different (P < 0.05). Both the effectiveness and outcome of the treatment with Da Cheng Qi Decoction on abdominalgia, burbulence relief time, ascites quantity, cyst formation rate and hospitalization time were quite different between the two groups (P < 0.05). The mortality rate for the two groups had no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Da Cheng Qi Decoction enema and external use of Glauber's salt combined with routine non-operative conservative treatment can decrease the intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) of SAP patients and have preventive and therapeutic effects on abdominal compartment syndrome of SAP.

Laws of 4D Printing

三维(3D)打印是一种增材制造(AM)工艺。相应地,四维(4D)打印是一个涉及多个研究领域的制造工艺。4D打印保留了3D打印的一般属性(如减少材料浪费,消除注射模具、冲压模具和机械加工过程),并且随着时间的推移能实现产品第四维度的智能行为。在打印过程中,这种智能行为(通常由逆数学问题)编码进刺激响应多材料中,并在打印后通过刺激该材料来实现。3D和4D打印结构的主要区别是4D打印存在一个附加的维度,这个维度可以随着时间的推移进行智能进化。然而,目前还没有用于建模和预测这个附加维度的一般公式。本文从基本原理开始,导出并验证了一个具有特定形式的一般双指数公式,该公式可以模拟几乎所有4D结构的时间相关性行为(如水、光化学、光热、溶剂、pH、湿度、电化学、电热、超声波等响应)。研究表明,需要利用两种类型的时间常数来捕捉4D多材料的正确的时间相关性行为。本文引入了4D多材料结构中主动材料和被动材料的界面错配压力的概念,从而得到了两个时间常数之一。本文从几乎所有刺激响应材料的时间相关性行为的统一模型中开发和提取了另一个时间常数。本文的结果从最基本的概念开始,并以控制方程结束,可以作为未来4D打印领域研究的一般设计原则,其中时间相关性行为应该被正确地理解、建模和预测。

CD13 inhibition augments DR4-induced tumor cell death in a p-ERK1/2-independent manner

Objective:Death receptor 4(DR4;TRAIL-R1)critically mediates extrinsic apoptosis cascades via binding to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL).However,intrinsic and/or acquired resistance are observed in the clinical application of TRAIL.The aim of this study was to investigate the function and molecular mechanism of CD13 in the TRAIL/DR4 pathway against tumor cells,and provide a new strategy for improving therapeutic efficacy or overcoming TRAIL-resistance.Methods:TRAIL protein was expressed as a secretory protein in a Pichia pastoris expression system and was isolated and purified by affinity chromatography.The cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated with MTT(thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide)assays and annexin V-FITC/PI staining with flow cytometry analysis,respectively.Western blot analysis was used to detect the levels of the indicated proteins in tumor cells.DR4 degradation or stability was examined with cycloheximide chase assays,and cell surface DR4 was assessed with flow cytometric analysis after staining with a FITC-conjugated antibody.The effects of cell migration were determined with Transwell and gelatin zymography assays.A xenograft nude mouse model was used to detect the anti-tumor effect in vivo,and the proliferation in tumor tissues was examined with immunohistochemical staining.Results:CD13 inhibition potently sensitized tumor cells to TRAIL-induced killing,including proliferation inhibition,increased apoptosis,and migration suppression.In addition,the inhibition of CD13 elevated both total cellular expression and cell surface DR4 through stabilizing DR4 by suppressing its degradation.DR4 si RNA attenuated the enhanced anti-tumor effects of TRAIL plus CD13 inhibition.Interestingly,these phenomena were p-ERK1/2 independent,although p-ERK1/2 down-regulation was tightly correlated with the cooperation of TRAIL and CD13 inhibition.Moreover,a synergistic decrease in tumor growth was surprisingly achieved in the xenograft model by treatment of TRAIL with a CD13 inhibitor(**P<0.01,CDI=0.47).Conclusions:CD13 inhibition cooperates with TRAIL in enhancing DR4-mediated cell death,through the up-regulation and stabilization of DR4 in a p-ERK1/2-independent manner.Thus CD13 inhibition has emerged as an effective strategy for TRAIL/DR4-based therapy.

Controllable synthesis of novel nanoporous manganese oxide catalysts for the direct synthesis of imines from alcohols and amines

A novel template-free oxalate route was applied to synthesize different mesoporous manganese oxides(amorphous manganese oxide(AMO),Mn5 O8,Mn3 O4,Mn O2)in the narrow temperature range from 350°C to 400°C by controlling the calcination conditions,which were employed as the efficient catalysts for the oxidative coupling of alcohols with amines to imines.The chemical and structural properties of the manganese oxides were characterized by the methods of thermogravimetry analysis and heat flow(TG-DSC),X-ray diffraction(XRD),nitrogen sorption,scanning electron microscope(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),H2 temperature-programmed reduction(H2-TPR),and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry(ICP-OES)techniques.The structures of different manganese oxides were confirmed by characterization.The M-350(AMO)presented the maximum surface area,amorphous nature,the lowest reduction temperature,the higher(Mn3++Mn4+)/Mn2+ratio,and the higher adsorbed oxygen species compared to other samples.Among the catalysts,M-350 showed the best catalytic performance using air as an oxidant,and the conversion of benzyl alcohol(BA)and the selectivity of N-benzylideneaniline(NBA)reached as high as 100%and 97.1%respectively at the lower reaction temperature(80°C)for 1 h.M-350 had also the highest TOF value(0.0100 mmol·mg-1·h-1)compared to the other manganese oxide catalysts.The catalyst was reusable and gave 95.8%conversion after 5 reuse tests,the XRD pattern of the reactivated M-350 did not show any obvious change.Lattice oxygen mobility and(Mn3++Mn4+)/Mn2+ratio were found to play the important roles in the catalytic activity of aerobic reactions.

Experimental Study of Microalgae Cultivation under Selective Illumination by Ag/CoSO_(4)for Bioelectrode Materials Preparation

Microalgae biomass is an ideal precursor to prepare renewable carbon materials,which has broad application.The bioaccumulation efficiency(lipids,proteins,carbohydrates)and biomass productivity of microalgae are influenced by spectroscopy during the culture process.In this study,a bilayer plate-type photobioreactor was designed to cultivate Chlorella protothecoides with spectral selectivity by nanofluids.Compared to culture without spectral selectivity,the spectral selectivity of Ag/CoSO_(4)nanofluids increased microalgae biomass by 5.76%,and the spectral selectivity of CoSO_(4)solution increased by 17.14%.In addition,the spectral selectivity of Ag/CoSO_(4)nanofluids was more conducive to the accumulation of nutrients(29.46%lipids,50.66%proteins,and 17.86%carbohydrates)in microalgae.Further cultured chlorella was utilized to prepare bioelectrode materials,it was found that algal based biochar had a good pore structure(micro specific surface area:1627.5314 m^(2)/g,average pore size:0.21294 nm).As the current density was 1 A/g,the specific capacitance reached 230 F/g,appearing good electrochemical performance.

Prognostic indicator by urinary microglobulin after renal stenting

Objective To evaluate the effect of revascularization of the renal artery on urinary microglobulin in patients with coronaryartery disease and significant renal artery stenosis(RAS).Methods Forty-four patients with coronary artery disease and severe RAS(luminal narrowing>70%)underwent percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty(PTRA)and stenting,as well as percutaneous coronary intervention.The urine-microglobulin(α_(1)-MG)andβ_(2)-Cmicroglobulin(β_(2)-MG)at baseline and at 3 months after the procedures were measured.Procedural success rate,procedural complications,serum creatinine concentration at baseline and at 3-months were also recorded.Results At 3-months after the renal revascularization therapy,there was no significant change of urineα_(1)-MG ompared with that of the baseline,however,the urineβ_(2)-MG decreased significantly 3-months after the treatment(237±187μg/L vs 377±173μg/L,P<0.01).Multivariate analysis revealed that persistent elevation of urine was an independent predictor of severe events(including re-admission and renal failure)after renal revascularization therapy in patients with severe RAS(OR=3.01,95%CI 1.01-8.95,P=0.036).Conclusions In patients with coronary artery disease and severe RAS,revascularization with PTRA and stenting may improve renal tubular function,but a continuous high level of urinary microglobulins after intervention is associated with more frequent re-hospitalization and renal failure.

Identification of active sites for hydrogenation over Ru/SBA-15 using in situ Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

The active sites for hydrogenation over Ru/SBA‐15catalysts were identified using in situ Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy.The amount of active sites was proportional to the interfacial circumference of the Ru particles.In contrast,the rate of hydrogen spillover from Ru to the support was inversely proportional to the size of the Ru metal particles.Consequently,a catalyst with small Ru metal particles has a high rate of hydrogen spillover but a low density of active sites,whereas one with large Ru particles has a low rate of hydrogen spillover but a high density of active sites.The formation of these active sites is probably an intermediate step in hydrogen spillover.

Long-Period InAs/GaSb Type-II Superlattices for Terahertz Application

We present a theoretical study on the terahertz (THz) optoelectronic properties of long-period InAs/GaSb type-II super lattices (SLs). The eight-band k·p model is used to calculate the electronic structures of such SLs and on the basis of band structures, the Boltzmann equation approach is employed to calculate the optical absorption coefficients for the corresponding SL systems. It is found that long-period InAs/GaSb type-II SLs have a considerable absorption in the THz bandwidth. By examining the dependence of THz absorption coefficient on the InAs/GaSb layer widths, we demonstrate that with a proper choice of InAs/GaSb layer widths, an optimized THz absorption can be achieved. This study is pertinent to the potential application of InAs/GaSb type-II SLs as THz photo detectors.

Inflammatory biomarkers and cerebral small vessel disease:a community-based cohort study

Background and purpose Although inflammation has been proposed to be a candidate risk factor for cerebral small vessel disease(CSVD),previous findings remain largely inconclusive and vary according to disease status and study designs.The present study aimed to investigate possible associations between inflammatory biomarkers and MRI markers of CSVD.Methods A group of 15 serum inflammatory biomarkers representing a variety of those putatively involved in the inflammatory cascade was grouped and assessed in a cross-sectional study involving 960 stroke-free subjects.The biomarker panel was grouped as follows:systemic inflammation(high-sensitivity C reactive protein(hsCRP),interleukin 6 and tumour necrosis factorα),endothelial-related inflammation(E-selectin,P-selectin,intercellular adhesion molecule 1,vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(VCAM-1),CD40 ligand,lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2,chitinase-3-like 1 protein and total homocysteine(tHCY))and media-related inflammation(matrix metalloproteinases 2,3 and 9,and osteopontin).The association(s)between different inflammatory groups and white matter hyperintensity(WMH),lacunes,cerebral microbleeds(CMBs),enlarged perivascular space(PVS)and the number of deep medullary veins(DMVs)were investigated.Results High levels of serum endothelial-related inflammatory biomarkers were associated with both increased WMH volume(R^(2)=0.435,p=0.015)and the presence of lacunes(R^(2)=0.254,p=0.027).Backward stepwise elimination of individual inflammatory biomarkers for endothelial-related biomarkers revealed that VCAM-1 was significant for WMH(β=0.063,p=0.005)and tHCY was significant for lacunes(β=0.069,p<0.001).There was no association between any group of inflammatory biomarkers and CMBs or PVS.Systemic inflammatory biomarkers were associated with fewer DMVs(R^(2)=0.032,p=0.006),and backward stepwise elimination of individual systemic-related inflammatory biomarkers revealed that hsCRP(β=−0.162,p=0.007)was significant.Conclusion WMH and lacunes were associated with endothelial-related inflammatory biomarkers,and fewer DMVs were associated with systemic inflammation,thus suggesting different underlying inflammatory processes and mechanisms.