Bariatric surgery and diabetes:Current challenges and perspectives

Diabetes mellitus(DM)and obesity have become public issues of global concern.Bariatric surgery for the treatment of obesity combined with type 2 DM has been shown to be a safe and effective approach;however,there are limited studies that have systematically addressed the challenges of surgical treatment of obesity combined with DM.In this review,we summarize and answer the most pressing questions in the field of surgical treatment of obesity-associated DM.I believe that our insights will be of great help to clinicians in their daily practice.

Low-energy-consumption temperature swing system for CO_(2) capture by combining passive radiative cooling and solar heating

Temperature-swing adsorption(TSA)is an effective technique for CO_(2) capture,but the temperature swing procedure is energy-intensive.Herein,we report a low-energy-consumption system by combining passive radiative cooling and solar heating for the uptake of CO_(2) on commercial activated carbons(CACs).During adsorption,the adsorbents are coated with a layer of hierarchically porous poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene)[P(VdF-HFP)HP],which cools the adsorbents to a low temperature under sunlight through radiative cooling.For desorption,CACs with broad absorption of the solar spectrum are exposed to light irradiation for heating.The heating and cooling processes are completely driven by solar energy.Adsorption tests under mimicked sunlight using the CACs show that the performance of this system is comparable to that of the traditional ones.Furthermore,under real sunlight irradiation,the adsorption capacity of the CACs can be well maintained after multiple cycles.The present work may inspire the development of new temperature swing procedures with little energy consumption.

Bird species composition and conservation challenges in the Gaoligong Mountains, one of the most diverse bird areas in the world

The Gaoligong Mountains(GLGM),located in southwestern China,extend north to south along the western border of the Hengduan Mountains,spanning approximately 600 km.In this study,we consolidated findings from 17 bird surveys conducted in the GLGM between 2010 and 2022.We found that the GLGM harbors tremendous bird diversity,with a total of 796 documented bird species in the region.Nearly a quarter(23.0%)of these species are listed as state key protected species or as Chinese and global threatened species.Analysis of species richness at the county level showed a decreasing trend with increasing latitude,with the greatest diversity in Yingjiang(661 species).Observations indicated that the GLGM belongs to the Oriental realm,primarily composed of bird species from southern and southwestern China.The GLGM plays an important role in avian conservation by sheltering exceptional bird diversity,providing corridors and flyways for bird migration and dispersal,and mitigating the effects of climate change.In response to the conservation needs of birds and other wildlife,the Chinese government has established numerous protected areas within the GLGM.Despite these efforts,avian conservation still faces considerable challenges in the GLGM due to limitations in the protected area network,transboundary nature of the regions,and existing gaps in monitoring and research.

Potential applications of 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in paediatric neuroimaging:Feasibility and challenges

The integration of 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging(7 T MRI)in adult patients has marked a revolutionary stride in radiology.In this article we explore the feasibility of 7 T MRI in paediatric practice,emphasizing its feasibility,applications,challenges,and safety considerations.The heightened resolution and tissue contrast of 7 T MRI offer unprecedented diagnostic accuracy,particularly in neuroimaging.Applications range from neuro-oncology to neonatal brain imaging,showcasing its efficacy in detecting subtle structural abnormalities and providing enhanced insights into neurological conditions.Despite the promise,challenges such as high cost,discomfort,and safety concerns necessitate careful consideration.Research suggests that,with precautions,7 T MRI is feasible in paediatrics,yet ongoing studies and safety assessments are imperative.

Differences between lower extremity joint running kinetics captured by marker-based and markerless systems were speed dependent

Background:The development of computer vision technology has enabled the use of markerless movement tracking for biomechanical analysis.Recent research has reported the feasibility of markerless systems in motion analysis but has yet to fully explore their utility for capturing faster movements,such as running.Applied studies using markerless systems in clinical and sports settings are still lacking.Thus,the present study compared running biomechanics estimated by marker-based and markerless systems.Given running speed not only affects sports performance but is also associated with clinical injury prevention,diagnosis,and rehabilitation,we aimed to investigate the effects of speed on the comparison of estimated lower extremity joint moments and powers between markerless and marker-based technologies during treadmill running as a concurrent validating study.Methods:Kinematic data from marker-based/markerless technologies were collected,along with ground reaction force data,from 16 young adults running on an instrumented treadmill at 3 speeds:2.24 m/s,2.91 m/s,and 3.58 m/s(5.0 miles/h,6.5 miles/h,and 8.0 miles/h).Sagittal plane moments and powers of the hip,knee,and ankle were calculated by inverse dynamic methods.Time series analysis and statistical parametric mapping were used to determine system differences.Results:Compared to the marker-based system,the markerless system estimated increased lower extremity joint kinetics with faster speed during the swing phase in most cases.Conclusion:Despite the promising application of markerless technology in clinical settings,systematic markerless overestimation requires focused attention.Based on segment pose estimations,the centers of mass estimated by markerless technologies were farther away from the relevant distal joint centers,which led to greater joint moments and powers estimates by markerless vs.marker-based systems.The differences were amplified by running speed.

Offshore Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage

Climate change, resulting from human-caused CO_(2) and other greenhouse gas emissions, is an urgent problem that demands immediate action from everyone. The need to decrease emissions has sparked a renewed emphasis on developing and utilizing offshore Carbon Capture,Utilization,and Storage(CCUS) technologies.While these technologies offer potential solutions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions,many challenges must be addressed to ensure successful implementation.

Advanced Materials for NH_(3)Capture:Interaction Sites and Transport Pathways

Ammonia(NH3)is a carbon-free,hydrogen-rich chemical related to global food safety,clean energy,and environmental protection.As an essential technology for meeting the requirements raised by such issues,NH3 capture has been intensively explored by researchers in both fundamental and applied fields.The four typical methods used are(1)solvent absorption by ionic liquids and their derivatives,(2)adsorption by porous solids,(3)abadsorption by porous liquids,and(4)membrane separation.Rooted in the development of advanced materials for NH3 capture,we conducted a coherent review of the design of different materials,mainly in the past 5 years,their interactions with NH3 molecules and construction of transport pathways,as well as the structure–property relationship,with specific examples discussed.Finally,the challenges in current research and future worthwhile directions for NH3 capture materials are proposed.

Quantitative analysis of the morphing wing mechanism of raptors:IMMU-based motion capture system and its application on gestures of a Falco peregrinus

This paper presented a novel tinny motion capture system for measuring bird posture based on inertial and magnetic measurement units that are made up of micromachined gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers. Multiple quaternion-based extended Kalman filters were implemented to estimate the absolute orientations to achieve high accuracy.Under the guidance of ornithology experts, the extending/contracting motions and flapping cycles were recorded using the developed motion capture system, and the orientation of each bone was also analyzed. The captured flapping gesture of the Falco peregrinus is crucial to the motion database of raptors as well as the bionic design.

Navigating interdisciplinary research:Historical progression and contemporary challenges

Interdisciplinary research plays a crucial role in addressing complex problems by integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines.This integration fosters innovative solutions and enhances understanding across various fields.This study explores the historical and sociological development of interdisciplinary research and maps its evolution through three distinct phases:pre-disciplinary,disciplinary,and post-disciplinary.It identifies key internal dynamics,such as disciplinary diversification,reorganization,and innovation,as primary drivers of this evolution.Additionally,this study highlights how external factors,particularly the urgency of World War II and the subsequent political and economic changes,have accelerated its advancement.The rise of interdisciplinary research has significantly reshaped traditional educational paradigms,promoting its integration across different educational levels.However,the inherent contradictions within interdisciplinary research present cognitive,emotional,and institutional challenges for researchers.Meanwhile,finding a balance between the breadth and depth of knowledge remains a critical challenge in interdisciplinary education.

Magnesium-based biomaterials for coordinated tissue repair:A comprehensive overview of design strategies,advantages,and challenges

Magnesium-based biomaterials(MBMs)are one of the most promising materials for tissue engineering due to their unique mechanical properties and excellent functional properties.This review describes the development,advantages,and challenges of MBMs for biomedical applications,especially for tissue repair and regeneration.The history of the use of MBMs from the beginning of the 20th century is traced,and the transformative advances in contemporary applications of MBMs in areas such as orthopedics and cardiovascular surgery are emphasized.The review also provides insight into the signaling pathways affected by MBMs,such as the PI3K/Akt and RANKL/RANK/OPG pathways,which are critical for osteogenesis and angiogenesis.The review advocates that future research should focus on optimizing alloy compositions,surface modification and exploring innovative technologies such as 3D printing to improve the efficacy of MBMs in complex tissue repair.The potential of MBMs to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is significant,urging further exploration and interdisciplinary collaboration to maximize their therapeutic effects.

High-throughput microfluidic production of carbon capture microcapsules:fundamentals,applications,and perspectives

In the last three decades,carbon dioxide(CO_(2)) emissions have shown a significant increase from various sources.To address this pressing issue,the importance of reducing CO_(2) emissions has grown,leading to increased attention toward carbon capture,utilization,and storage strategies.Among these strategies,monodisperse microcapsules,produced by using droplet microfluidics,have emerged as promising tools for carbon capture,offering a potential solution to mitigate CO_(2) emissions.However,the limited yield of microcapsules due to the inherent low flow rate in droplet microfluidics remains a challenge.In this comprehensive review,the high-throughput production of carbon capture microcapsules using droplet microfluidics is focused on.Specifically,the detailed insights into microfluidic chip fabrication technologies,the microfluidic generation of emulsion droplets,along with the associated hydrodynamic considerations,and the generation of carbon capture microcapsules through droplet microfluidics are provided.This review highlights the substantial potential of droplet microfluidics as a promising technique for large-scale carbon capture microcapsule production,which could play a significant role in achieving carbon neutralization and emission reduction goals.

Indispensable gutter layers in thin-film composite membranes for carbon capture

Industrial thin-film composite(TFC)membranes achieve superior gas separation properties from high-performance selective layer materials,while the success of membrane technology relies on high-performance gutter layers to achieve production scalability and low-cost manufacturing.However,the current literature predominantly focuses on the design of polymer architectures to obtain high permeability and selectivity,while the art of fabricating gutter layers is usually safeguarded by industrial manufacturers and appears lackluster to academic researchers.This is the first report aiming to provide a comprehensive and critical review of state-of-the-art gutter layer materials and their design and modification to enable TFC membranes with superior separation performance.We first elucidate the importance of the gutter layer on membrane performance through modeling and experimental results.Then various gutter layer materials used to obtain high-performance composite membranes are critically reviewed,and the strategies to improve their compatibility with the selective layer are highlighted,such as oxygen plasma treatment,polydopamine deposition,and surface grafting.Finally,we present the opportunities of the gutter layer design for practical applications.

Recent advances in intermediate-temperature CO_(2) capture: Materials,technologies and applications

Carbon capture,utilization and storage(CCUS) is widely recognized as a vital strategy for mitigating the impact of human induced climate change.Among various CO_(2) adsorbents,intermediate-temperature solid adsorbents have garnered significant attention due to their potential applications in hydrogen utilization,specifically in the water gas shift,steam reforming and gasification processes.These processes are crucial for achieving carbon neutrality.While laboratory-level studies have showcased the high adsorption capacity of these materials via various synthesis and modification methods,their practical application in complex industrial environments remains challenging,impeding the commercialization process.This review aims to critically summarize the recent research progress made in intermediatetemperature(200-400℃) solid CO_(2) adsorbents,particularly focusing on indicators such as cyclability,gas selectivity,and formability,which play vital roles in industrial application scenarios.Additionally,we provide an overview of laboratory-level advanced technologies specifically tailored for industrial applications.Furthermore,we highlight several industrial-ready advanced technologies that can pave the way for overcoming the challenges associated with large-scale implementation.The insights provided by this review aim to assist researchers in identifying the most relevant research directions for industrial applications.By promoting advances in the application of solid adsorbents,we strive to facilitate the ultimate goal of achieving carbon neutrality.

Metaverse for mental health disorders:Opportunities and challenges

Several articles on the mental health impact of the metaverse and the need to balance its potential benefits with the risks of metaverse use has recently published.The metaverse consists of a combination of immersive technologies and artificial intelligence algorithms.The metaverse differs from the preceding digital psychiatric interventions due to its complex structure and interactions between components.The diverse functions of the metaverse ensure that it may have a substantial impact on mental health.However,the evidence for its efficacy in treating mental health disorders is limited to a few trials.The mental health benefits of immersive technologies are well-documented and suggest that metaverse-based psychiatric treatment may be similarly efficacious.The mental health risks of the metaverse are largely unknown,and it is not clear whether they will be greater than other digital psychiatric interventions.Much more research is needed to determine whether metaverse-based psychiatric treatment will meet the standards of appropriate mental healthcare.

Configuration Synthesis and Grasping Performance Analysis of Multi-Loop Coupling Capture Mechanism for Launch and Recovery of Torpedo-Shaped Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Research of capture mechanisms with strong capture adaptability and stable grasp is important to solve the problem of launch and recovery of torpedo-shaped autonomous underwater vehicles(AUVs).A multi-loop coupling capture mechanism with strong adaptability and high retraction rate has been proposed for the launch and recovery of torpedo-shaped AUVs with different morphological features.Firstly,the principle of capturing motion retraction is described based on the appearance characteristics of torpedo-shaped AUVs,and the configuration synthesis of the capture mechanism is carried out using the method of constrained chain synthesis.Secondly,the screw theory is employed to analyze the degree of freedom(DoF)of the capture mechanism.Then,the 3D model of the capture mechanism is established,and the kinematics and dynamics simulations are carried out.Combined with the capture orientation requirements of the capture mechanism,the statics and vibration characteristics analyses are carried out.Furthermore,considering the capture process and the underwater working environment,the motion characteristics and hydraulics characteristics of the capture mechanism are analyzed.Finally,a principle prototype is developed and the torpedo-shaped AUVs capture experiment is completed.The work provides technical reserves for the research and development of AUV capture special equipment.

Hollow tubes constructed by carbon nanotubes self-assembly for CO_(2) capture

Carbon nanotubes(CNTs)have garnered significant attention in the fields of science,engineering,and medicine due to their numerous advantages.The initial step towards harnessing the potential of CNTs involves their macroscopic assembly.The present study employed a gentle and direct self-assembly technique,wherein controlled growth of CNT sheaths occurred on the metal wire’s surface,followed by etching of the remaining metal to obtain the hollow tubes composed of CNTs.By controlling the growth time and temperature,it is possible to alter the thickness of the CNTs sheath.After immersing in a solution containing 1 g/L of CNTs at 60℃ for 24 h,the resulting CNTs layer achieved a thickness of up to 60μm.These hollow CNTs tubes with varying inner diameters were prepared through surface reinforcement using polymers and sacrificing metal wires,thereby exhibiting exceptional attributes such as robustness,flexibility,air tightness,and high adsorption capacity that effectively capture CO_(2) from the gas mixture.

Comparison of fish communities using environmental DNA metabarcoding and capture methods in a plateau Erhai Lake,China

Environmental DNA(eDNA)has been used as an important tool for fish diversity analysis,which can greatly solve the problems in traditional survey methodology.However,little work has been done on the actual monitoring accuracy of eDNA.In this study,we analyzed the current status of fish resources in Erhai Lake in Yunnan,SW China,by dividing the lake into three sectors according to habitat differences,and compared the results of eDNA and traditional capture methods to investigate the shortcomings of the current analysis of eDNA results.A total of 27 fish species were detected by eDNA and traditional capture methods,including 20 and 19 fish species,respectively,and additional differences in fish composition between the two methods.The alpha diversity showed higher fish abundance and lower fish diversity by eDNA method compared to the traditional capture method,demonstrating that eDNA was not superior for use in fish diversity analysis.Fish community similarity analysis showed that community differences were generally significant for eDNA(P<0.05).RDA analysis indicated that environmental factors did not significantly affect fish communities monitored by the eDNA method.However,water temperature,aquatic plants,and water depth had significant(P<0.05)effects on fish communities in the traditional capture method,suggesting that eDNA results are insensitive to the effects of environmental factors.Our results illustrate the effectiveness of eDNA in fish identification and the issues in quantification compared to traditional capture methods.Therefore,combining eDNA with traditional methods is a more effective method for analyzing eDNA metabarcoding,following which the protocols of both quantitative methods can be designed to explore the regularity of eDNA quantification.

Scalable Jet-Based Fabrication of PEI-Hydrogel Particles for CO_(2)Capture

The capture,regeneration,and conversion of CO_(2)from ambient air and flue gas streams are critical aspects of mitigating global warming.Solid sorbents for CO_(2)absorption are very promising as they have high mass transfer areas without energy input and reduce emissions and minimize corrosion as compared to liquid sorbents.However,precisely tunable solid CO_(2)sorbents are difficult to produce.Here,we demonstrate the high-throughput production of hydrogel-based CO_(2)-absorbing particles via liquid jetting.By wrapping a liquid jet consisting of an aqueous solution of cross-linkable branched polyethylenimine(PEI)with a layer of suspension containing hydrophobic silica nanoparticles,monodisperse droplets with a silica nanoparticle coating layer was formed in the air.A stable Pickering emulsion containing PEI droplets was obtained after these ejected droplets were collected in a heated oil bath.The droplets turn into mm-sized particles after thermal curing in the bath.The diameter,PEI content,and silica content of the particles were systematically varied,and their CO_(2)absorption was measured as a function of time.Steam regeneration of the particles enabled cyclic testing,revealing a CO_(2)absorption capacity of 6.5±0.5 mol kg^(−1)solid PEI in pure CO_(2)environments and 0.7±0.3 mol kg^(−1)solid PEI for direct air capture.Several thousands of particles were produced per second at a rate of around 0.5 kg per hour,with a single nozzle.This process can be further scaled by parallelization.The complete toolbox for the design,fabrication,testing,and regeneration of functional hydrogel particles provides a powerful route toward novel solid sorbents for regenerative CO_(2)capture.

CO_(2) capture by modified clinoptilolite and its regeneration performance

This study focuses on CO_(2) capture by pressure swing adsorption(PSA),with modified clinoptilolite as the adsorbent.Natural clinoptilolite is modified by roasting,by acid pickling,by a combination of acid pickling and roasting,and by ion exchange.Modification by acid pickling-roasting and by ion exchange are found to give the highest CO_(2) adsorption capacities,of 730 mL/g and 876.7 mL/g,respectively.It is found that regeneration of clinoptilolite by a combination of vacuum desorption and heating enables recovery of as much as 89%of its previous CO_(2) adsorption capacity.To examine the CO_(2) adsorption capacity of clinoptilolite when applied to mixed gas,a simulated coking exhaust containing 12%CO_(2) and 4%O_(2) is used,and it is found that ion exchange modified clinoptilolite achieves a CO_(2) removal efficiency of 92.5%.A BET test reveals that acid pickling-roasting and Na^(+) modification enhance the porosity of clinoptilolite,thereby improving its adsorption capacity.This work demonstrates the feasibility of applying modified clinoptilolite as an effective adsorbent for COO_(2)capture,providing a promising tool for dealing with greenhouse gases.

Research progress of CO_(2) capture and mineralization based on natural minerals

Natural minerals,such as kaolinite,halloysite,montmorillonite,attapulgite,bentonite,sepiolite,forsterite,and wollastonite,have considerable potential for use in CO_(2) capture and mineralization due to their abundant reserves,low cost,excellent mechanical prop-erties,and chemical stability.Over the past decades,various methods,such as those involving heat,acid,alkali,organic amine,amino sil-ane,and ionic liquid,have been employed to enhance the CO_(2) capture performance of natural minerals to attain high specific surface area,a large number of pore structures,and rich active sites.Future research on CO_(2) capture by natural minerals will focus on the full utiliza-tion of the properties of natural minerals,adoption of suitable modification methods,and preparation of composite materials with high specific surface area and rich active sites.In addition,we provide a summary of the principle and technical route of direct and indirect mineralization of CO_(2) by natural minerals.This process uses minerals with high calcium and magnesium contents,such as forsterite(Mg_(2)SiO_(4)),serpentine[Mg_(3)Si_(2)O(OH)_(4)],and wollastonite(CaSiO_(3)).The research status of indirect mineralization of CO_(2) using hydro-chloric acid,acetic acid,molten salt,and ammonium salt as media is also introduced in detail.The recovery of additives and high-value-added products during the mineralization process to increase economic benefits is another focus of future research on CO_(2) mineralization by natural minerals.