Cooperative structure of Li/Ni mixing and stacking faults for achieving high-capacity Co-free Li-rich oxides

Co-free Li-rich layered oxides(LLOs)are emerging as promising cathode materials for Li-ion batteries due to their low cost and high capacity.However,they commonly face severe structural instability and poor electrochemical activity,leading to diminished capacity and voltage performance.Herein,we introduce a Co-free LLO,Li_(1.167)Ni_(0.222)Mn_(0.611)O_(2)(Cf-L1),which features a cooperative structure of Li/Ni mixing and stacking faults.This structure regulates the crystal and electronic structures,resulting in a higher discharge capacity of 300.6 mA h g^(-1)and enhanced rate capability compared to the typical Co-free LLO,Li_(1.2)Ni_(0.2)Mn_(0.6)O_(2)(Cf-Ls).Density functional theory(DFT)indicates that Li/Ni mixing in LLOs leads to increased Li-O-Li configurations and higher anionic redox activities,while stacking faults further optimize the electronic interactions of transition metal(TM)3d and non-bonding O 2p orbitals.Moreover,stacking faults accommodate lattice strain,improving electrochemical reversibility during charge/discharge cycles,as demonstrated by the in situ XRD of Cf-L1 showing less lattice evolution than Cf-Ls.This study offers a structured approach to developing Co-free LLOs with enhanced capacity,voltage,rate capability,and cyclability,significantly impacting the advancement of the next-generation Li-ion batteries.

Egg laying behavior of common cuckoos(Cuculus canorus): Data based on field video-recordings

DEAR EDITOR,The egg laying behavior of brood parasites is at the heart of studies on host co-evolution.Therefore,research on egg laying behavior can improve our understanding of brood parasitism and associated processes.Over a seven year study period,we monitored 455 oriental reed warbler(Acrocephalus orientalis)nests during the egg laying period,250 of which were parasitized by common cuckoos(Cuculus canorus).We collected 53 clear videos of common cuckoo parasitism,analyzed all recorded parasitic behavior in detail.

Magnetic compression anastomosis for reconstruction of digestive tract after total gastrectomy in beagle model

BACKGROUND Magnetic compression anastomosis(MCA)is a simple procedure contributing to a reliable anastomosis.However,digestive-tract reconstruction after total gastrectomy using MCA has not yet been reported.AIM To investigate the feasibility of MCA for simultaneous esophagojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy after total gastrectomy using beagle dogs.METHODS Sixteen beagles were randomly divided into an MCA group(study group,n=8)and a manual-suture anastomosis group(control group,n=8).Two different magnetic anastomosis devices were used in the study group for esophagojejunal and jejunojejunal anastomoses.Both devices included a pair of circular daughter and parent magnets each.The time of esophagojejunostomy and jejunojejunostomy,postoperative complications,and survival rate of the two groups were compared.The dogs were sacrificed one month after the operation and their anastomotic specimens were obtained.Healing was observed by the naked eye and a light microscope.RESULTS Digestive-tract reconstruction after total gastrectomy was successfully completed in both groups(survival rate=100%).In the study group,esophagojejunal and jejunojejunal anastomoses took 6.13±0.58 and 4.06±0.42 min,respectively,significantly lower than those in the control group(15.63±1.53 min,P<0.001 and 10.31±1.07 min,P<0.001,respectively).Complications such as bleeding,anastomotic leakage,and anastomotic stenosis were not observed.In the study group,the magnets did not interfere with each other.Discharge time of the jejunojejunal magnetic anastomosis device was 10.75±1.28 d,while that of the esophagojejunal magnetic anastomosis device was 12.25±1.49 d.Residual silk was found in the control group.The study group showed a greater smoothness of the anastomosis than that of the control group.All layers of anastomosis healed well in both groups.CONCLUSION MCA is a safe and feasible procedure for digestive-tract reconstruction after total gastrectomy in this animal model.

Nonlocal advantage of quantum coherence in a dephasing channel with memory

We investigate nonlocal advantage of quantum coherence(NAQC)in a correlated dephasing channel modeled by themultimode bosonic reservoir.We obtain analytically the dephasing and memory factors of this channel for the reservoirhaving a Lorentzian spectral density,and analyze how they affect the NAQC defined by the l1 norm and relative entropy.It is shown that the memory effects of this channel on NAQC are state-dependent,and they suppress noticeably the rapiddecay of NAQC for the family of input Bell-like states with one excitation.For the given transmission time of each qubit,we also obtain the regions of the dephasing and memory factors during which there is NAQC in the output states.

Novel deformable self-assembled magnetic anastomosis ring for endoscopic treatment of colonic stenosis via natural orifice

BACKGROUND Although endoscope-assisted magnetic compression anastomosis has already been reported for colonic anastomosis,there is no report on a single-approach operation using the natural orifice.AIM To design a deformable self-assembled magnetic anastomosis ring(DSAMAR)for colonic anastomosis for use in single-approach operation and evaluate its feasibility and safety through animal experiments.METHODS The animal model for colonic stenosis was prepared by partial colonic ligation in eight beagles.The magnetic compression anastomosis of their colonic stricture was performed by endoscopically assisted transanal implantation of the DSAMAR.The anastomotic specimen,obtained 2 wk after the operation,was observed by both the naked eye and a light microscope.RESULTS The DSAMAR was successfully inserted into the proximal end of colon stenosis through the anus.The DSAMAR of seven dogs was successfully transformed into rings,while that of the remaining dog was removed after the first deformation failed.The rings were successfully retransformed after optimization.All animals underwent colonic anastomosis using the DSAMAR.No device-related or procedure-related adverse events were observed.The colostomy specimens of the experimental dogs were obtained 2 wk after the operation.Both gross and histological observations showed good anastomotic healing.CONCLUSION The DSAMAR is a safe and feasible option for the treatment of colon stenosis.Its specific deformation and selfassembly capability maximize the applicability of the minimally invasive treatment.

Primary animal experiment to test the feasibility of a novel Y-Z magnetic hepatic portal blocking band

BACKGROUND Hepatic portal blood flow occlusion is a common technique for reducing hepatic hemorrhage during hepatectomy.We designed a novel Y-Z magnetic hepatic portal blocking band(Y-Z MHPBB)based on the principle of magnetic compression technique.AIM To introduce the Y-Z MHPBB device and verify the feasibility of this device for hepatic portal blood flow occlusion in dogs.METHODS Ten beagles were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,the number of portal blood flow occlusions,the total time spent on adjusting the blocking band,and the average time spent on adjusting the blocking band were recorded.The surgeons evaluated the feasibility and flexibility of the two portal occlusion devices.RESULTS Laparoscopic hepatectomy was successfully performed in both the experimental group and control group.There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the operation time,intraoperative blood loss,and the number of hepatic portal blood flow occlusions.With respect to the total time spent on adjusting the blocking band and the average time spent on adjusting the blocking band,the experimental group showed significantly better outcomes than the control group,with a statistical difference(P<0.05).The operators found that the Y-Z MHPBB was superior to the modified T-tube in terms of operational flexibility.CONCLUSION The Y-Z MHPBB seems to be an ingenious design,accurate blood flow occlusion effect,and good flexibility;and it can be used for hepatic portal blood flow occlusion during laparoscopic hepatectomy.

Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality:the current status,temporal trends and their attributable risk factors in 60 countries in 2000–2019

Background:Globally,colorectal cancer(CRC)imposes a substantial burden on healthcare systems and confers considerable medical expenditures.We aimed to evaluate the global and regional burden in epidemiological trends and factors associated with the incidence and mortality of CRC.Methods:We used data from the GLOBOCAN database to estimate CRC incidence and mortality worldwide in 2020 and their association with the human development index(HDI).Trends of age-standardized rates of incidence and mortality in 60 countries(2000–2019)were evaluated by Joinpoint regression analysis using data of Global Burden of Disease 2019.The association between exposure to country-level lifestyle,metabolic and socioeconomic factors obtained from the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory and World Bank DataBank data and CRC incidence and mortality was determined by multivariable linear regression.Results:CRC incidence and mortality varied greatly in the 60 selected countries,and much higher incidence and mortality were observed in countries with higher HDIs,and vice versa.From 2000 to 2019,significant increases of incidence and mortality were observed for 33 countries(average annual percent changes[AAPCs],0.24–3.82)and 18 countries(AAPCs,0.41–2.22),respectively.A stronger increase in incidence was observed among males(AAPCs,0.36–4.54)and individuals<50 years(AAPCs,0.56–3.86).Notably,15 countries showed significant decreases in both incidence(AAPCs,0.24 to2.19)and mortality(AAPCs,0.84 to2.74).A significant increase of incidence among individuals<50 years was observed in 30 countries(AAPCs,0.28–3.62).Countries with higher incidence were more likely to have a higher prevalence of alcohol drinking,higher level of cholesterol level,higher level of unemployment,and a poorer healthcare system.Conclusions:Some high-HDI countries showed decreasing trends in CRC incidence and mortality,whereas developing countries that previously had low disease burden showed significantly increased incidence and mortality trends,especially in males and populations≥50 years,which require targeted preventive health programs.

Evaluation of Preoperative Microvascular Invasion in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Multidimensional Parameter Combination Modeling Based on Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI

Background and Aims:The study established and compared the efficacy of the clinicoradiological model,radiomics model and clinicoradiological-radiomics hybrid model in predicting the microvascular invasion(MVI)of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)using gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylene triaminepentaacetic acid(Gd-EOB-DTPA)enhanced MRI.Methods:This was a study that enrolled 602 HCC patients from two institutions.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(Lasso)method was used to screen for the most important clinicoradiological and radiomics features that predict MVI pre-operatively.Three machine learning algorithms were used to establish the clinicoradiological,radiomics,and clinicoradiological-radiomics hybrid models.Area under the curve(AUC)of receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and Delong’s test were used to compare and quantify the predictive performance of the models.Results:The AUCs of the clinicoradiological model in training and validation cohorts were 0.793 and 0.701,respectively.The radiomics signature of arterial phase(AP)images alone achieved satisfying predictive efficacy for MVI,with AUCs of 0.671 and 0.643 in training and validation cohort,respectively.The combination of clinicoradiological factors and fusion radiomics signature of AP and VP images achieved AUCs of 0.824 and 0.801 in training and validation cohorts,0.812 and 0.805 in prospective validation and external validation cohorts,respectively.The hybrid model provided the best prediction results.The results of the Delong test revealed that there were statistically significant differences among the clinicoradiological-radiomics hybrid model,clinicoradiological model,and radiomics model(p<0.05).Conclusions:The combination of clinicoradiological factors and fusion radiomics signature of AP and VP images based on Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced MRI can effectively predict MVI.

Head-to-head comparison of the test performance of selfadministered qualitative vs. laboratory-based quantitative fecal immunochemical tests in detecting colorectal neoplasm

Background:Fecal immunochemical tests(FITs)are the most widely used non-invasive tests in colorectal cancer(CRC)screening.However,evidence about the direct comparison of the test performance of the self-administered qualitative a laboratory-based quantitative FITs in a CRC screening setting is sparse.Methods:Based on a CRC screening trial(TARGET-C),we included 3144 pre-colonoscopy fecal samples,including 24 CRCs,230 advanced adenomas,622 non-advanced adenomas,and 2268 participants without significant findings at colonoscopy.Three selfadministered qualitative FITs(Pupu tube)with positivity thresholds of 8.0,14.4,or 20.8 mg hemoglobin(Hb)/g preset by the manufacturer and one laboratory-based quantitative FIT(OC-Sensor)with a positivity threshold of 20 mg Hb/g recommended by the manufacturer were tested by trained staff in the central laboratory.The diagnostic performance of the FITs for detecting colorectal neoplasms was compared in the different scenarios using the preset and adjusted thresholds(for the quantitative FIT).Results:At the thresholds preset by the manufacturers,apart from the qualitative FIT-3,significantly higher sensitivities for detecting advanced adenoma were observed for the qualitative FIT-1(33.9%[95%CI:28.7–39.4%])and qualitative FIT-2(22.2%[95%CI:17.7–27.2%])compared to the quantitative FIT(11.7%[95%CI:8.4–15.8%]),while at a cost of significantly lower specificities.However,such difference was not observed for detecting CRC.For scenarios of adjusting the positivity thresholds of the quantitative FIT to yield comparable specificity or comparable positivity rate to the three qualitative FITs accordingly,there were no significant differences in terms of sensitivity,specificity,positive/negative predictive values and positive/negative likelihood ratios for detecting CRC or advanced adenoma between the two types of FITs,which was further evidenced in ROC analysis.Conclusions:Although the self-administered qualitative and the laboratory-based quantitative FITs had varied test performance at the positivity thresholds preset by the manufacturer,such heterogeneity could be overcome by adjusting thresholds to yield comparable specificities or positivity rates.Future CRC screening programs should select appropriate types of FITs and define the thresholds based on the targeted specificities and manageable positivity rates.

Dynamic Pricing with Stochastic Reference Price Effect

We study a dynamic pricing problem of a firm facing stochastic reference price effect.Randomness is incorporated in the formation of reference prices to capture either consumers’heterogeneity or exogenous factors that affect consumers’memory processes.We apply the stochastic optimal control theory to the problem and derive an explicit expression for the optimal pricing strategy.The explicit expression allows us to obtain the distribution of the steady-state reference price.We compare the expected steadystate reference price to the steady-state reference price in a model with deterministic reference price effect,and we find that the former one is always higher.Our numerical study shows that the two steady-state reference prices can have opposite sensitivity to the problem parameters and the relative difference between the two can be very significant.

Divergent detection rates of fecal immunochemical test and questionnaire-based risk assessment for detecting proximal and distal advanced colorectal adenomas

To the Editor:Fecal immunochemical tests(FTTs)are immunoassays that are designed to detect human hemoglobin to indicate the occurrence of colonic neopla-sia,which have been widely used in global colorectal cancer(CRC)screening programs.Previous diagnostic studies demonstrated that strong gradient in site-specific sensitivity existed with typically higher rate for advanced adenoma located in distal colon/rectum than that in the proximal parts,which may be explained by the colonic transition time affecting the degradation of hemoglobin,and the shape of adenoma(pedunculated,flat,and sessile)in different anatomic regions.