Electro-chemo-mechanical design of polymer matrix in composited LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2) cathode endows solid-state batteries with superior performance

Nickel-rich LiNi_(0.8)Co_(0.1)Mn_(0.1)O_(2)(NCM811) cathode material has been widely concerned due to its high voltage,high specific capacity and excellent rate performance,which is considered as one of the most promising cathode materials for the next generation of high-energy-density solid-state lithium batteries.However,serious electro-chemo-mechanical degradation of Nickel-rich cathode during cycling,especially at a high voltage(over 4.5 V),constrains their large-scale application.Here,using the multiphysical simulation,highly-conductive polymer matrix with spontaneous stress-buffering effect was uncovered theoretically for reinforcing the electrochemical performance of composited NCM81 1 cathode through the visualization of uniform concentration distribution of Li-ion coupled with improved stress field inside NCM811 cathode.Thereupon,polyacrylonitrile(PAN) and soft polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF) were selected as the polymer matrix to fabricate the composited NCM811 cathode(PVDFPAN@NCM811) for improving the electrochemical performance of the solid-state NMC811|Li full cells,which can maintain high capacity over 146.2 mA h g^(-1)after 200 cycles at a high voltage of 4.5 V.Suggestively,designing a multifunctional polymer matrix with high ionic conductivity and mechanical property can buffer the stress and maintain the integrity of the structure,which can be regarded as the door-opening avenue to realize the high electrochemical performance of Ni-rich cathode for solidstate batteries.

AN ALABASTER SCULPTED HEADOFPTOLEMY V FROM THE PUSHKIN MUSEUMOFFINEARTS,MOSCOW,ANDHORUSASPECTS OF LATE PERIOD EGYPTIAN AND PTOLEMAIC KINGSHIP

The typology of Ptolemaic royal sculpture has served as a theme of research for a number of scholars who have managed to achieve impressive results:two fundamental works must be mentioned.The earlier is Bildnisse der Ptolemaer by H.Kyrieleis,which established a convincing correspondence between the well-attributed images of the Ptolemaic kings on their coins and their mostly uninscribed sculpted images.'The history of the research reveals that although the corpus of Ptolemaic sculpture gradually expanded,due to new finds and new publications,challenges to specific attributions proposed by Kyrieleis often proved to be a failure?A later work deserving a special mention is Portraits of the Ptolemies by P.E.Stanwick,which proposed a well-founded scheme for the evolution of the Ptolemaic royal sculpture dividing it into nine groups(Groups A-E,G making a chronological sequence,Groups F,H-J uncertain and miscellaneous)'Quite expectedly,a problematic issue is the ultimate motive and final result of shifting from one such group to another:a grouping of objects is largely a formal task,and a scholar performing it is unlikely to concentrate simultaneously on the variety of political,ideological,and religious factors that could lie behind the emergence of the groups indicated.The present article aims to offer a tentative explanation for the shift in the style of Ptolemaic sculpture that took place at the cusp of the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC,i.e.,the transition between Stanwick's "Group A"and "Group B."

Deep bed filtration model for cake filtration and erosion

Many phenomena in nature and technology are associated with the filtration of suspensions and colloids in porous media. Two main types of particle deposition,namely, cake filtration at the inlet and deep bed filtration throughout the entire porous medium, are studied by different models. A unified approach for the transport and deposition of particles based on the deep bed filtration model is proposed. A variable suspension flow rate, proportional to the number of free pores at the inlet of the porous medium, is considered. To model cake filtration, this flow rate is introduced into the mass balance equation of deep bed filtration. For the cake filtration without deposit erosion,the suspension flow rate decreases to zero, and the suspension does not penetrate deep into the porous medium. In the case of the cake filtration with erosion, the suspension flow rate is nonzero, and the deposit is distributed throughout the entire porous medium. An exact solution is obtained for a constant filtration function. The method of characteristics is used to construct the asymptotics of the concentration front of suspended and retained particles for a filtration function in a general form. Explicit formulae are obtained for a linear filtration function. The properties of these solutions are studied in detail.

Phase composition,conductivity,and sensor properties of cerium-doped indium oxide

The hydrothermal synthesis of In_(2)O_(3)and CeO_(2)–In_(2)O_(3)is investigated as well as the properties of sensor layers based on these compounds.During the synthesis of In_(2)O_(3),intermediate products In(OH)_(3)and InOOH are formed,which are the precursors of stable cubic(c-In_(2)O_(3))and metastable rhombohedral(rh-In_(2)O_(3))phases,respectively.A transition from c-In_(2)O_(3)to rh-In_(2)O_(3)is observed with the addition of CeO_(2).The introduction of cerium into rh-In_(2)O_(3)results in a decrease in the sensor response to hydrogen,while it increases in composites based on c-In_(2)O_(3).The data on the sensor activity of the composites correlate with XPS results in which CeO_(2)causes a decrease in the concentrations of chemisorbed oxygen and oxygen vacancies in rh-In_(2)O_(3).The reverse situation is observed in composites based on c-In_(2)O_(3).Compared to In_(2)O_(3)and CeO_(2)–In_(2)O_(3)obtained by other methods,the synthesized composites demonstrate maximum response to H_(2)at low temperatures by 70–100℃,and have short response time(0.2–0.5 s),short recovery time(6–7 s),and long-term stability.A model is proposed for the dependence of sensitivity on the direction of electron transfer between In_(2)O_(3)and CeO_(2).

Determination of Thermal Properties of Unsmooth Si Nanowires

We estimate the thermal properties of unsmooth Si nanowires,considering key factors such as size(diameter),surface texture(roughness)and quantum size effects(phonon states)at different temperatures.For nanowires with a diameter of less than 20 nm,we highlight the importance of quantum size effects in heat capacity calculations,using dispersion relations derived from the modified frequency equation for the elasticity of a rod.The thermal conductivities of nanowires with diameters of 37,56,and 115nm are predicted using the Fuchs–Sondheimer model and Soffer’s specular parameter.Notably,the roughness parameters are chosen to reflect the technological characteristics of the real surfaces.Our findings reveal that surface texture plays a significant role in thermal conductivity,particularly in the realm of ballistic heat transfer within nanowires.This study provides practical recommendations for developing new thermal management materials.

Double-check in Lizard Age Estimation:Use of Phalanx Bone and Keratin Claw Sheath Lamellas

Dear Editor,The problem of age estimation in amphibians and reptiles with annual fluctuations of growth pattern has been considered to be mostly solved since the skeletochronological method was introduced(Kleinenberg and Smirina,1969).This method is based on counting the number of lines of arrested growth(LAGs)—cyclical growth marks that are usually formed annually and characterized by different optical aspects within the tubular bones.

Garg incontinence scores: New scoring system on the horizon to evaluate fecal incontinence. Will it make a difference?

The main aim of this opinion review is to comment on the recent article published by Garg et al in the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2023;29:4593–4603.The authors in the published article developed a new scoring system,Garg incon-tinence scores(GIS),for fecal incontinence(FI).FI is a chronic debilitating disease that has a severe negative impact on the quality of life of the patients.Rome IV criteria define FI as multiple episodes of solid or liquid stool passed into the clothes at least twice a month.The associated social stigmatization often leads to significant under-reporting of the condition,which further impairs management.An important point is that the complexity and vagueness of the disease make it difficult for the patients to properly define and report the magnitude of the problem to their physicians.Due to this,the management becomes even more difficult.This issue is resolved up to a considerable extent by a scoring ques-tionnaire.There were several scoring systems in use for the last three decades.The prominent of them were the Cleveland Clinic scoring system or the Wexner scoring system,St.Marks Hospital or Vaizey’s scores,and the FI severity index.However,there were several shortcomings in these scoring systems.In the opinion review,we tried to analyze the strength of GIS and compare it to the existing scoring systems.The main pitfalls in the existing scoring systems were that most of them gave equal weightage to different types of FI(solid,liquid,flatus,etc.),were not comprehensive,and took only the surgeon’s perception of FI into view.In GIS,almost all shortcomings of previous scoring systems had been addressed:different weights were assigned to different types of FI by a robust statistical methodology;the scoring system was made comprehensive by including all types of FI that were previously omitted(urge,stress and mucus FI)and gave priority to patients’rather than the physicians’perceptions while developing the scoring system.Due to this,GIS indeed looked like a paradigm shift in the evaluation of FI.However,it is too early to conclude this,as GIS needs to be validated for accuracy and simplicity in future studies.

Presepsin as a biomarker of bacterial translocation and an indicator for the prescription of probiotics in cirrhosis

BACKGROUND The gut–liver axis and bacterial translocation are important in cirrhosis,but there is no available universal biomarker of cellular bacterial translocation,for which presepsin may be a candidate.AIM To evaluate the relationship of the blood presepsin levels with the state of the gut microbiota in cirrhosis in the absence of obvious infection.METHODS This study included 48 patients with Child–Pugh cirrhosis classes B and C and 15 healthy controls.The fecal microbiome was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Plasma levels of presepsin were measured.A total of 22 patients received a probiotic(Saccharomyces boulardii)for 3 months.RESULTS Presepsin levels were higher in patients with cirrhosis than in healthy individuals[342(91-2875)vs 120(102-141)pg/mL;P=0.048].Patients with elevated presepsin levels accounted for 56.3%of all included patients.They had lower levels of serum albumin and higher levels of serum total bilirubin and overall severity of cirrhosis as assessed using the Child–Pugh scale.Patients with elevated presepsin levels had an increased abundance of the main taxa responsible for bacterial translocation,namely Bacilli and Proteobacteria(including the main class Gammaproteobacteria and the minor taxa Xanthobacteraceae and Stenotrophomonas),and a low abundance of bacteria from the family Lachnospiraceae(including the minor genus Fusicatenibacter),which produce short-chain fatty acids that have a positive effect on intestinal barrier function.The presepsin level directly correlated with the relative abundance of Bacilli,Proteobacteria,and inversely correlated with the abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Propionibacteriaceae.After 3 months of taking the probiotic,the severity of cirrhosis on the Child–Pugh scale decreased significantly only in the group with elevated presepsin levels[from 9(8-11)to 7(6-9);P=0.004],while there were no significant changes in the group with normal presepsin levels[from 8(7-8)to 7(6-8);P=0.123].A high level of presepsin before the prescription of the probiotic was an independent predictor of a greater decrease in Child–Pugh scores(P=0.046),as well as a higher level of the Child–Pugh scale(P=0.042),but not the C-reactive protein level(P=0.679)according to multivariate linear regression analysis.CONCLUSION The level of presepsin directly correlates with the abundance in the gut microbiota of the main taxa that are substrates of bacterial translocation in cirrhosis.This biomarker,in the absence of obvious infection,seems important for assessing the state of the gut–liver axis in cirrhosis and deciding on therapy targeted at the gut microbiota in this disease.

Ion heat transport in electron cyclotron resonance heated L-mode plasma on the T-10 tokamak

Anomalous ion heat transport is analyzed in the T-10 tokamak plasma heated with electron cyclotron resonance heating(ECRH) in second-harmonic extra-ordinary mode. Predictive modeling with empirical scaling for Ohmical heat conductivity shows that in ECRH plasmas the calculated ion temperature could be overestimated, so an increase of anomalous ion heat transport is required. To study this effect two scans are presented: over the EC resonance position and over the ECRH power. The EC resonance position varies from the high-field side to the low-field side by variation of the toroidal magnetic field. The scan over the heating power is presented with on-axis and mixed ECRH regimes. Discharges with high anomalous ion heat transport are obtained in all considered regimes. In these discharges the power balance ion heat conductivity exceeds the neoclassical level by up to 10 times. The high ion heat transport regimes are distinguished by three parameters: the ratio Te/Ti, the normalized electron density gradient R/■, and the ion–ion collisionality νii~*. The combination of high Te/Ti, high νii~*, and R/■=6-10 results in values of normalized anomalous ion heat fluxes up to 10 times higher than in the low transport scenario.

Morphological and biochemical characteristics associated with autophagy in gastrointestinal diseases

Autophagy is a cellular catabolic process characterized by the formation of double-membrane autophagosomes.Transmission electron microscopy is the most rigorous method to clearly visualize autophagic engulfment and degradation.A large number of studies have shown that autophagy is closely related to the digestion,secretion,and regeneration of gastrointestinal(GI)cells.However,the role of autophagy in GI diseases remains controversial.This article focuses on the morphological and biochemical characteristics of autophagy in GI diseases,in order to provide new ideas for their diagnosis and treatment.

Changes in renal function and morphological variations of kidney diseases in rheumatoid arthritis patients

Objective:Rheumatoid nephropathy is one of the most severe extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)associated with a very unfavorable prognosis.This study aimed to identify changes in renal function and morphological variations of kidney diseases in RA patients.Methods:The study enrolled patients(126 patients)between 18 and 55 years of age with a confirmed active RA of more than 12 months.Each patient underwent the following range of laboratory and instrumental research methods:general clinical analysis of blood and urine,performing urinalysis according to Nechiporenko method;determining daily proteinuria;determining the blood content of glucose,urea,creatinine,uric acid,total bilirubin,liver transaminase level,ionogram,lipidogram,and coagulogram;determining the blood content of rheumatoid factor,anti-streptolysin O,and C-reactive protein;and X-ray of the joints of hands and feet.Renal function was examined by estimating glomerular filtration rate,tubular reabsorption index,and renal functional reserve.For studying the morphological changes in the kidneys under ultrasound examination,renal biopsy was performed in 31 patients with RA with urinary syndrome(proteinuria more than 0.3 g per day and hematuria).Results:Nephropathy in RA is characterized by impaired renal function and manifested by an increased blood creatinine and a decrease in glomerular filtration rate and renal functional reserve.Among morphological variations of nephropathy at RA,mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis prevails,accounting for 48.4%of patients.Other disorders include the secondary amyloidosis(29.0%of patients),tubulointerstitial nephritis(16.1%),membranous glomerulonephritis(3.2%),and focal-segmental glomerulosclerosis(3.2%).Conclusion:Kidney damage is a common systemic manifestation of RA with a long and active course,a major nephropathy trigger.

Core needle biopsy for thyroid nodules assessment-a new horizon?

Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration is the standard for evaluating thyroid nodules with a high safety profile and a relatively low number of non-diagnostic cytological findings.Nevertheless,this diagnostic method traditionally has its weak points.Several diagnostic categories such as BethesdaⅠ,ⅢandⅣare not reliable for thyroid carcinoma risk assessment.Recent advancements in a core needle biopsy made it possible to use this tool as a new method for thyroid nodules evaluation.The main feature of this method is the use of thin needles(18-21G)and guns with an automatic trigger mechanism.The histological material collected with the use of a core needle biopsy is usually superior to cytological.Therefore,the core needle biopsy can be used as a complementary technique to a standard fine needle aspiration in difficult and dubious cases of thyroid neoplasia with uncertain malignant potential.

Distinct molecular targets of ProEGCG from EGCG and superior inhibition of angiogenesis signaling pathways for treatment of endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecological disease with endometrial cell implantation outside the uterus.Angiogenesis is a major pathophysiology in endometriosis.Our previous studies have demonstrated that the prodrug of epigallocatechin gallate(ProEGCG)exhibits superior anti-endometriotic and anti-angiogenic effects compared to epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG).However,their direct binding targets and underlying mechanisms for the differential effects remain unknown.In this study,we demonstrated that oral ProEGCG can be effective in preventing and treating endometriosis.Additionally,1D and 2D Proteome Integral Solubility Alteration assay-based chemical proteomics identified metadherin(MTDH)and PX domain containing serine/threonine kinase-like(PXK)as novel binding targets of EGCG and ProEGCG,respectively.Computational simulation and BioLayer interferometry were used to confirm their binding affinity.Our results showed that MTDH-EGCG inhibited protein kinase B(Akt)-mediated angiogenesis,while PXK-ProEGCG inhibited epidermal growth factor(EGF)-mediated angiogenesis via the EGF/hypoxia-inducible factor(HIF-1a)/vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.In vitro and in vivo knockdown assays and microvascular network imaging further confirmed the involvement of these signaling pathways.Moreover,our study demonstrated that ProEGCG has superior therapeutic effects than EGCG by targeting distinct signal transduction pathways and may act as a novel antiangiogenic therapy for endometriosis.

A new species of Crocodile Newt, genus Tylototriton(Amphibia, Caudata, Salamandridae) from the mountains of Kachin State, northern Myanmar

We describe a new species of the genus Tylototriton from Ingyin Taung Mt.,Mohnyin Township,Kachin State,Myanmar,based on morphological and molecular evidence.The new species is assigned to the subgenus Tylototriton s.str.and is clearly distinct from all known congeners by the following characters:medium body size;thin,long tail,lacking lateral grooves;rough skin;truncate snout;wide,protruding supratemporal bony ridges on head,beginning at anterior corner of orbit;weak,almost indistinct sagittal ridge;long,thin limbs,broadly overlapping when adpressed along body;distinct,wide,non-segmented vertebral ridge;13 or 14 rib nodules;brown to darkbrown background coloration with dull orange-brown to yellowish-brown markings on labial regions,parotoids,rib nodules,whole limbs,vent,and ventral tail ridge.We also briefly discuss biogeography and species diversity of the genus Tylototriton in Myanmar.

Unrelaxed State in Epitaxial Heterostructures Based on Lead Selenide

The work deals with the epitaxial PbSe layers grown on the KCl substrates by the method of “hot-wall” molecular epitaxy over the range of layer thicknesses of 20 - 2000 nm. Special emphasis is put on the values of elastic deformations that could be generated and frozen in epitaxial layers with the aim of influencing their energy spectra and optical properties. The maximum deformation at layers tension made up 57% of the initial mismatch between the layer and the substrate (ε = Δa/a = 0.015). In such a solid-state structure effective “negative” pressure is realized, which is justified by increase in the tangential lattice constant and the forbidden gap width. This width correlates with the tangential lattice constant (deformation) and corresponds to certain values of definite frequencies of direct electron transitions across the forbidden gap.

Image potential states mediated STM imaging of cobalt phthalocyanine on NaCl/Cu(100)

The adsorption and electronic properties of isolated cobalt phthalocyanine （CoPc） molecule on an ultrathin layer of NaC1 have been investigated. High-resolution STM images give a detailed picture of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital （LUMO） of an isolated CoPc. It is shown that the NaC1 ultrathin layer efficiently decouples the interaction of the molecules from the underneath metal substrate, which makes it an ideal substrate for studying the properties of single molecules. Moreover, strong dependence of the appearance of the molecules on the sample bias in the region of relatively high bias （〉 3.1 V） is ascribed to the image potential states （IPSs） of NaCI/Cu（100）, which may provide us with a possible method to fabricate quantum storage devices.

Algae and Cyanobacteria in Soils of Moscow

Algal-cyanobacterial communities, soil nano- and microfauna, and mycelium of micromycetes were studied in soils of an administrative district of Moscow. To characterize the habitat conditions of microbiota in the soils of different functional zones of the city, the acid-base conditions and the contents of exchangeable and water-soluble nitrogen, mobile heavy metals, and soluble salts were determined. The diversity of species of algal-cyanobacterial communities, the composition of the dominant species, the proportions of different ecological groups of diatom algae, the diversity of soil nano- and microfauna, and the abundance of colorless and colored mycelium in the urban soils were characterized. The analysis of these parameters showed that the degree of technogenic impact on soil microbiota decreases in the following sequence of functional zones of the city: industrial > traffic > residential > recreation.

State of Organic Matter and Particularities of Physicochemical Properties of Soils in the Endogenous Hydrogen Seepage Zones

In the territory of the Voronezh region of Russia in ordinary middle loam chernozem the elevated concentration of endogenous hydrogen streams up to 0.65% at the depth of 100 - 120 cm was detected. This phenomenon is observed in the center of depressions. The soils differ in morphological, chemical and physical properties. The top humus horizon is markedly bleached comparing to the soil outside the depression: The lightness L readings increase for 16% - 30%. The soil acidity (up to pH 4.5 - 5.0) and organic carbon content are elevated comparing to the sample for reference. The proportion of fulvic acids increases on average thrice as compared with the soils outside the hydrogen fluids influence zone. Despite the high humus content the mechanical strength of aggregates decreases 3 - 4 times. Under conditions of hydrogen fluids, changes occur at the aggregate structural level in the direction of decreasing their mechanical strength. In the center of the depressions strength of aggregates is reduced by 2 - 3 times in comparison with the control. The opposite regularity was observed in the absence of hydrogen flows, where the strength of aggregates was 3 times higher than in comparison with the control.

Quick and Simple Spectrophotometric Method of Identification of the Thermal State of Meat on the Basis of Composition and Content of Free Nucleotides

At present, there is no method for identifying meat frozen in a thermal state acceptable for production control. The role of free nucleotides in the processes of refrigeration and storage of meat, affecting the structural and mechanical properties of muscle tissue, the formation of taste and its biological value is known. In this article we compared methods for identifying the thermal state of meat based on the determination of the composition and content of free nucleotides by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and spectrophotometry [SF]. High-purity reference substances were used: free nucleotides—ATP, ADP, AMP, IMP and nucleosides-inosine and hypoxanthine. It has been experimentally established that the characteristic peaks of the absorption spectra for extracts of free nucleotides of meat frozen depended from thermal state of meat. The content of ATP is 21.8 times higher in meat frozen in a fresh state, and the amount of IMF is 12.3 times lower than in meat frozen after cooling. The results of studies of meat frozen using the HPLC method and the developed SF method show the adequacy of the data obtained by both methods. SF-method based on the determination of the optical density of the extracts of free nucleotides is recommended to justify the choice of technological process meat defrost modes.