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Abstract Actualizing efficient and sustainable environmental catalysis is essential in global water pollution control. The single-atom Fenton-like process, as a promising technique, suffers from reducing potential environmental impacts of single-atom catalysts (SACs) synthesis and modulating functionalized species beyond the first coordination shell. Herein, we devised a high-performance SAC possessing impressive Fenton-like reactivity and extended stability by constructing abundant intrinsic topological defects within carbon planes anchored with Fe−N4 sites. Coupling atomic Fe−N4 moieties and adjacent intrinsic defects provides potent synergistic interaction. Density functional theory calculations reveal that the intrinsic defects optimize the d-band electronic structure of neighboring Fe centers through long-range interactions, consequently boosting the intrinsic activity of Fe−N4 sites. Life cycle assessment and long-term steady operation at the device level indicate promising industrial-scale treatment capability for actual wastewater. This work emphasizes the feasibility of synergistic defect engineering for refining single-atom Fenton-like chemistry and inspires rational materials design toward sustainable environmental remediation.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted extensive attention due to their unique catalytic properties and wide range of applications. Advanced characterization techniques, such as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy, have been used to investigate the elemental compositions, structural morphologies, and chemical bonding states of SACs in detail, aiming at unraveling the catalytic mechanism. Meanwhile, theoretical calculations, such as quantum chemical calculations and kinetic simulations, were used to predict the catalytic reaction pathways, active sites, and reaction kinetic behaviors of SACs, providing theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of SACs. This review overviews advanced characterization techniques and theoretical calculations for SACs in Fenton-like chemistry. Moreover, this work highlights the importance of advanced characterization techniques and theoretical calculations in the study of SACs and provides perspectives on the potential applications of SACs in the field of environmental remediation and the challenges of practical engineering.

Fe/Cu bimetallic catalysts have a synergistic effect that can effectively enhance catalytic activity, so Fe/Cu bimetallic catalysts have been extensively studied. However, the efficacy and mechanisms of Fe/Cu bimetallic catalysts’ peroxidation activation have rarely been explored. In this study, Fe/Cu bimetallic materials were fabricated to catalyze different oxidizing agents, including peroxymonosulfate (PMS), peroxydisulfate (PDS), peroxyacetic acid (PAA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), for the degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The Fe/Cu/oxidant systems exhibited an excellent degradation efficiency of sulfamethoxazole (SMX). In the Fe/Cu/PMS, Fe/Cu/PDS, and Fe/Cu/PAA systems, the main reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for SMX degradation were hydroxyl radical (•OH) and singlet oxygen (1O2), while the main ROS was only •OH in the H2O2 system. The differences in the surface structure of the materials before and after oxidation were examined, revealing the presence of a large amount of flocculent material on the surface of the oxidized PMS material. Anion experiments and actual body experiments also revealed that the PMS system had a strong anti-interference ability. Finally, a comprehensive comparison concluded that the PMS system was the optimal system among the four oxidation systems. Overall, this work revealed that the PMS oxidant has a better catalytic degradation of SMX compared to other oxidizers for Fe/Cu, that PMS generates more ROS, and that the PMS system has a stronger resistance to interference.

In advanced oxidation processes with metal-containing catalysts, metal dissolution usually leads to reduced efficiency and biotoxicity. Therefore, it is very important to find efficient non-metallic materials. In this work, a metal-free mesoporous tubular g-C3N4 was fabricated using melamine and urea mixed according to the mass ratios of 1:12 (TPCN12) by a facile one-step thermal polymerization method. Mesoporous tubular TPCN12 was proved to be successfully synthesized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Then the degradation of carbamazepine (CBZ) by activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS) of TPCN12 under visible light was investigated. It was found that degradation rate constant of CBZ in TPCN12/Vis/PMS system (0.0939 min−1) exhibited great superiority over that in TPCN12/Vis system (0.0149 min−1) and in TPCN12/PMS system, which indicated TPCN12, Vis and PMS had a synergistic effect. The dominant role of the electron transfer and the primary contribution of the holes (h+) and •O2− reactive species were revealed in TPCN12/Vis/ PMS system. Furthermore, the system showed sufficient advantages over a wide pH range and high resistance to inorganic anions. In general, the TPCN12/Vis/PMS system was capable of high stability and recyclability. This metal-free mesoporous tubular catalyst was proposed to achieve efficient and green elimination of pharmaceutical organic pollutants.

Developing a green, low-carbon, and circular economic system is the key to achieving carbon neutrality. This study investigated the organics removal efficiency in a three-dimensional electrode reactor (3DER) constructed from repurposed industrial solid waste, i.e., Mn-loaded steel slag, as the catalytic particle electrodes (CPE). The CPE, a micron-grade material consisting primarily of transition metals, including Fe and Mn, exhibited excellent electric conductivity, catalytic ability, and recyclability. High rhodamine B (RhB) removal efficiency in the 3DER was observed through a physical modelling experiment. The optimal operating condition was determined through a single-factor experiment in which 5.0 g·L−1 CPE and 3 mM peroxymonosulfate (PMS) were added to a 200 mL solution of 10 mM RhB under a current intensity of 0.5 A and a 1.5 to 2.0 cm distance between the 2D electrodes. When the initial pH value of the simulated solution was 3 to 9, the RhB removal rate exceeded 96% after 20 min reaction. In addition, the main reactive oxidation species in the 3DER were determined. The results illustrated that HO• and SO4•− both existed, but that the contribution of SO4•− to RhB removal was much lower than that of HO• in the 3DER. In summary, this research provides information on the potential of the 3DER for removing refractory organics from water.

The effect of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activated by nanocrystalline CuCo2O4 (NPS) on removal of atrazine (ATZ) was studied. First, the main experimental parameters were studied, including CuCo2O4 dose, PMS dose, initial pH value, and co-existing ion. The removal of ATZ (>99%) was attained under the optimal conditions (i.e., 150 mg/L CuCo2O4, 0.2 mM PMS, 5 mg/L ATZ, initial pH value of 6.8, and reaction time of 30 min). However, the removal of ATZ only reached 20.9% in the PMS alone system and there was no significant ATZ removal when adding CuCo2O4 alone into the solution, proving the good performance of the CuCo2O4/PMS system. Furthermore, reusability of CuCo2O4 was tested through five consecutive runs. To confirm which main active radicals were responsible in the system, two radical quenching experiments were carried out and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) was tested. In addition, the characterization of fresh and reacted CuCo2O4 NPs was tested by SEM, TEM, EDS, XRD, and XPS. Subsequently, based on the characterization of CuCo2O4 NPs and identification of radicals, ≡Cu2+/ ≡ Cu+ and ≡Co3+/ ≡ Co2+ were considered to be the main catalytic species, while the synergistic effect of Cu and Co played a crucial role. Finally, the degradation pathway of ATZ was proposed. HIGHLIGHTS Nanoparticles CuCo2O4 was fabricated as peroxymonosulfate activator.; ATZ could be effectively degraded by CuCo2O4/PMS system.; Five degradation pathways of ATZ were proposed.; CuCo2O4 has excellent reusability.;

Herein, a highly efficient electro-peroxone (E-peroxone) process with graphite felt as ozone diffusion electrode (ODE) was developed for the synchronous removal of pharmaceutical contaminants and inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms in real hospital wastewater. Under optimal conditions, the total organic carbon (TOC) removal rate of real hospital wastewater could reach 93.9%. Importantly, 126 pharmaceutical compounds (antibiotics, antivirals, analgesics, antiepileptics, hormones, and others) were determined in hospital wastewater by using ultra performance liquid chromatography combined with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS). 110 pharmaceutical compounds could be efficiently degraded in E-peroxone system. Concurrently, the microbial community analysis through high-throughput sequencing showed that E-peroxone process exhibited an excellent disinfection effect in real hospital wastewater. Escherichia coli as a bacterial indicator could be completely inactivated in E-peroxone process·H2O2 and hydroxyl radical (·OH) were found in E-peroxone system based on the results of chemical probe experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis. The in-situ generation of H2O2 from cathodic oxygen reduction in ODE can react with ozone to produce ·OH, and realize high efficiencies for the elimination of pharmaceutical and sterilization. This work established a green and effective way without extra addition of chemical reagents for high-efficiency treatment of real hospital wastewater.

The single-molecule fluorescence microscopic method is used for studying lateral mobility change of HER2 on activation by imaging and tracking individual growth factor receptor (GFP)-tagged HER2 molecules on the membrane of living cells. The results have helped in understanding the HER2 activation and molecular mechanism of signal transduction through HER2/HER3 heterodimerization.

Introduction Osteoporotic fracture is one of the most common causes of disability and a major contributor to medical care costs in many regions of the world. The polymorphisms of genes related to vitamin D metabolism and transportation are associated with variation in bone mineral density and the risk of osteoporosis. Methods and analysis The China Community-based Cohort of Osteoporosis study is an observational, longitudinal, multicentre, prospective cohort study for middle-aged and older permanent residents of China, which has been ongoing in six cities since 2016. Female residents aged 45–80 years old and male residents aged 50–80 years old are identified through permanent resident lists. All the enrolled participants will complete questionnaires on their personal characteristics and histories. The bone mineral density of their lumbar vertebrae and left hip will be measured and serum bone metabolism parameters assessed. Polymorphisms of genes related to vitamin D metabolism and transportation will be detected, and their relationship with the risk of osteoporosis, and osteoporotic fracture, will be analysed. About 18 000 residents will be involved in the study. Ethics and dissemination The study was approved by Institutional Ethics Board of Longhua Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (2016LCSY065). Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. The results of this study are expected to improve the understanding of the association between polymorphisms of genes related to vitamin D metabolism and transportation and the risk of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture among middle-aged and older residents of China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Structural studies have reported anorexia nervosa (AN) patients with abnormal gray matter in several brain regions and dysfunction in some connected neural circuits. However, the role of white matter (WM) in AN patients has rarely been investigated. The present study aimed to assess alterations in WM microstructure of the entire brain in females with AN using a voxel-based method on diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data. Materials and methods: The study enrolled 8 female patients with AN and 14 age-matched females as controls (CW). The DTI data was collected from each subject to calculate the fractional anisotropy (FA) maps of the whole brain by the DTI-Studio software. Subsequently, a 2-sample t-test (P<0.05, corrected) was performed to detect the difference in FA maps of AN and CW group, and a Pearson's correlation analyzed the relationship between mean FA value of brain regions and body mass index (BMI). Results: Compared with CW, AN patients revealed a significant decrease in FA maps in the left superior frontal gyrus, medial frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, thalamus, and bilateral insula. Moreover, significantly positive correlations were established between the mean FA value of the left inferior frontal gyrus, insula as well as thalamus and BMI in AN patients. Conclusions: Our findings supported the presence of WM abnormality in patients with AN. The significant differences of FA maps, in patients with AN, were associated with their aberrant BMI. The results further improved our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying AN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ginsenoside Rg1 is the most abundant compound in ginseng. Recent studies showed that Rg1 had neuroprotective effects on neuronal cells. The present study was to prepare Rg1-loaded alginate-chitosan microspheres and research the effects of microspheres on human bone marrow (BM) stromal cells (hBMSC). The alginate-chitosan microspheres were prepared by mechanical emulsification technique in combination with ion (Ca2+) and chitosan solidification. Subsequently, the microspheres were employed to load Rg1 ginseng extracts. The microspheres had a smooth surface and were spherical in shape. The average diameter of the microspheres was 3.95 μm. The loading efficiency was approximately 2.12%. The purity of isolated hBMSC was over 98.8%. Rg1-loaded microspheres could promote hBMSC proliferation and differentiation. Meanwhile, Rg1-loaded microspheres could also suppress hBMSC apoptosis induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation. In conclusion, these loaded microspheres may be used in the research of neuroprotective effects of Rg1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe/Cu bimetallic particles have been proposed as a viable technology for reduction of nitroaromatic pollutants from aqueous solution; however, little data are currently available on its applicability in actual ammunition wastewater. In this study, prepared microsized Fe/Cu bimetallic particles were used to pretreat toxic and refractory ammunition wastewater under oxic conditions. Four key operational parameters, including initial pH (2.0-7.5), aeration rate (0-2.0 L/min), Fe/Cu dosage (5-40 g/L), and reaction time (0-120 min), were optimized, respectively. Furthermore, a Fe0/air process as the control experiment of Fe/Cu/air process was set up under optimal conditions. According to results of COD removal, decoloration, and B/C ratio, the Fe/Cu/air process had a higher treatment efficiency for ammunition wastewater compared with Fe0/air process due to the high reactive Fe/Cu bimetallic particles. Finally, analysis of UV-vis, excitation and emission matrix, and fourier transform infrared reveals that the toxic and refractory pollutants in ammunition wastewater could be decomposed effectively by the Fe/Cu/air process, and they also confirmed the superiority of Fe/Cu/air process. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) suggests that all nitro-aromatic pollutants in ammunition wastewater were removed completely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NIMA-related kinase 2 (Nek2) is often upregulated in human cancer and is important in regulating the cell cycle and gene expression, and maintaining centrosomal structure and function. The present study aimed to investigate the expression pattern, clinical significance, and biological function of Nek2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). mRNA and protein levels of Nek2 were examined in HCC and corresponding normal liver tissues. The MTT and soft agar colony formation assays, and flow cytometry were employed to assess the roles of Nek2 in cell proliferation and growth. In addition, western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression of cell cycle- and proliferation-related proteins. The results revealed that Nek2 was upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. The clinical significance of Nek2 expression was also analyzed. Inhibiting Nek2 expression by siRNA suppressed cell proliferation, growth, and colony formation in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 cells, induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase by retarding the S-phase, and promoted apoptosis. Furthermore, Nek2 depletion downregulated β-catenin expression in HepG2 cells and diminished expression of Myc proto-oncogene protein (c-Myc), cyclins D1, B1, and E and cyclin-dependent kinase 1, whilst increasing protein levels of p27. This demonstrates that overexpression of Nek2 is associated with the malignant evolution of HCC. Targeting Nek2 may inhibit HCC cell growth and proliferation through the regulation of β-catenin by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and therefore may be developed as a novel therapeutic strategy to treat HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the biodegradabilityof delay explosive wastewater(DEW), a combined Fe0/air and Fenton oxidation process(i.e., first Fe0/air-Fenton-secondFe0/air) wasdeveloped to decompose the refractory organic pollutants and removeheavy metals (i.e., Pb and Cr) in this wastewater. Effect of the initialsolution pH, Fe0dosage, H2O2dosage,aeration rate, and treatment time on the treatment efficiency of thefirstFe0/air-Fenton-secondFe0/air process wereinvestigated, respectively. Meanwhile, two control experiments weresetup to confirm the synergistic reaction between Fe0/airand Fenton. The results show that the maximum COD removal efficiencywas approximately 50.0% under the optimal conditions. Also, Pb, Cr,and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) in the DEW could be completely removed.Therefore, its BOD5/COD ratio was enhanced from 0.20 to0.56. Finally, FTIR and EEM fluorescence spectroscopy were used toanalyze the decomposition and transformation of the refractory pollutants,which could further confirm the high efficiency of the firstFe0/air-Fenton-secondFe0/air process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To acquire range information for mobile robots, a TMS320DM642 DSP-based range finding system with binocular stereo vision is proposed. Firstly, paired images of the target are captured and a Gaussian filter, as well as improved Sobel kernels, are achieved. Secondly, a feature-based local stereo matching algorithm is performed so that the space location of the target can be determined. Finally, in order to improve the reliability and robustness of the stereo matching algorithm under complex conditions, the confidence filter and the left-right consistency filter are investigated to eliminate the mismatching points. In addition, the range finding algorithm is implemented in the DSP/BIOS operating system to gain real-time control. Experimental results show that the average accuracy of range finding is more than 99% for measuring single-point distances equal to 120cm in the simple scenario and the algorithm takes about 39ms for ranging a time in a complex scenario. The effectivity, as well as the feasibility, of the proposed range finding system are verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The duct of a robot vacuum cleaner is the length of the flow channel between the inlet of the rolling brush blower and the outlet of the vacuum blower. To cope with the pressure drop problem of the duct flow field in a robot vacuum cleaner, a method based on Pressure Implicit with Splitting of Operators (PRISO) algorithm is introduced and the optimisation design of the duct flow field is implemented. Firstly, the duct structure in a robot vacuum cleaner is taken as a research object, with the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) theories adopted; a three-dimensional fluid model of the duct is established by means of the FLUENT solver of the CFD software. Secondly, with the k-ε turbulence model of threedimensional incompressible fluid considered and the PRISO pressure modification algorithm employed, the flow field numerical simulations inside the duct of the robot vacuum cleaner are carried out. Then, the velocity vector plots on the arbitrary plane of the duct flow field are obtained. Finally, an investigation of the dynamic characteristics of the duct flow field is done and defects of the original duct flow field are analysed, the optimisation of the original flow field has then been conducted. Experimental results show that the duct flow field after optimisation can effectively reduce pressure drop, the feasibility as well as the correctness of the theoretical modelling and optimisation approaches are validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of polygenetic polymorphisms, which play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, on the susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) of Chinese people. Methods: The subjects were selected from an epidemiological survey in the Guangdong province of southern China. In each polymorphism study, 50–117 subjects who met the diagnostic criteria of NAFLD and had typical clinical and ultrasonographic findings were placed into the case group. Using a nested case–control design, the same numbers of matched people without NAFLD were included as controls. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at nine positions in seven candidate genes were tested. These SNP were found to be associated with the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Genetic analyses were performed using genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism was applied to detect SNP. Results: Most candidate genes' SNP were associated with susceptibility to NAFLD. Some showed positive relationships (increased risk): tumor necrosis factor-α-238, adiponectin-45, leptin-2548, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-161 and phosphatidyletha-nolamine N-methyltransferase-175. Other SNP demonstrated a negative association (decreased risk): adiponectin-276 and hepatic lipase-514. Only two were not associated: tumor necrosis factor-α-380 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-γ co-activator-1α-482. Conclusion: Most candidate genes' SNP examined in metabolic syndrome patients were associated with susceptibility to NAFLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sertraline has been considered to be a relatively safe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor for adolescents for a long time. We report herein a case of a 16-year-old Chinese boy with depression who experienced extrapyramidal-like effects, for example, facial spasm, upper limb dystonia, akathisia, and other disturbed behaviors, while being treated with sertraline 200 mg per day. His movement symptoms were significantly alleviated after the discontinuation of sertraline and the administration of scopolamine. This finding indicates that albeit infrequent, sertraline may cause severe extrapyramidal symptoms in adolescent patients, suggesting that clinicians should be alert to the neurological side effects of sertraline in young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a catastrophic condition associated with spinal nerve damage, which can lead to complete or partial loss of sensory and motor functions. Chinese herbal compound prescriptions (CHCP) have shown varying degrees of therapeutic effects on spinal cord injuries. However, there is a significant lack of clinical evidence-based research to substantiate these effects. Purpose: This study aims to thoroughly assess the viability of CHCPs in postoperative SCI through network meta-analysis. Methods: Computer searches were conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM, from their inception until May 2024. The meta-analysis adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023462686). A network meta-analysis was performed using the BUGSnet software package via R. Study design: A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Results: A total of 26 RCTs involving 1848 patients were ultimately included. The network meta-analysis revealed the effectiveness in improving ASIA motor score as follows: “HQGZD” > “Other Decoctions” > “BYHWD” > “TDHXD” > “THCQD” > “Surgery”. For ASIA sensory score, the effectiveness ranking was: “HQGZD” > “Other Decoctions” > “BYHWD” > “TDHXD” > “THCQD” > “Surgery”. Additionally, the experimental group had a higher ADL score compared to the control group, with a statistically difference [SMD = 1.08, 95 % CI = (0.88, 1.27), p

Introduction: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is essential in diagnosing cervical spondylosis, providing detailed visualization of osseous and soft tissue structures in the cervical spine. However, manual measurements hinder the assessment of cervical spine sagittal balance, leading to time-consuming and error-prone processes. This study presents the Pyramid DBSCAN Simple Linear Iterative Cluster (PDB-SLIC), an automated segmentation algorithm for vertebral bodies in T2-weighted MR images, aiming to streamline sagittal balance assessment for spinal surgeons.Method: PDB-SLIC combines the SLIC superpixel segmentation algorithm with DBSCAN clustering and underwent rigorous testing using an extensive dataset of T2-weighted mid-sagittal MR images from 4,258 patients across ten hospitals in China. The efficacy of PDB-SLIC was compared against other algorithms and networks in terms of superpixel segmentation quality and vertebral body segmentation accuracy. Validation included a comparative analysis of manual and automated measurements of cervical sagittal parameters and scrutiny of PDB-SLIC’s measurement stability across diverse hospital settings and MR scanning machines.Result: PDB-SLIC outperforms other algorithms in vertebral body segmentation quality, with high accuracy, recall, and Jaccard index. Minimal error deviation was observed compared to manual measurements, with correlation coefficients exceeding 95%. PDB-SLIC demonstrated commendable performance in processing cervical spine T2-weighted MR images from various hospital settings, MRI machines, and patient demographics.Discussion: The PDB-SLIC algorithm emerges as an accurate, objective, and efficient tool for evaluating cervical spine sagittal balance, providing valuable assistance to spinal surgeons in preoperative assessment, surgical strategy formulation, and prognostic inference. Additionally, it facilitates comprehensive measurement of sagittal balance parameters across diverse patient cohorts, contributing to the establishment of normative standards for cervical spine MR imaging.

Purpose: To determine whether using robots in spine surgery results in more clinical advantages and fewer adverse consequences. Methods: Between October 1990 and October 2022, a computer-based search was conducted through the databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine, VIP databases, and WAN FANG. The study only included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the clinical efficacy and safety of robot-assisted surgery with those of conventional spine surgery. The review was conducted following PRISMA 2020, and AMSTAR-2 was used to evaluate the methodological quality. R version 4.2.1 was used in the meta-analysis. The Cochrane Collaboration Tool was used for evaluating the risk of bias. Results: This study analyzed 954 participants from 20 RCTs involving cervical spondylosis, lumbar degenerative disease, scoliosis, etc. The robot-assisted group outperformed the freehand group in terms of intraoperative blood loss, number of screws in grade A position, grade A + B position, radiation dose, and hospital stay. Operation duration, visual analog scale scores of low back pain, Oswestry disability index, and radiation exposure time did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusions: Although robotic spine surgery is more accurate in pedicle screw placement than conventional methods, the robot group did not demonstrate an advantage in terms of clinical efficacy. Studies of complications and cost-effectiveness are still very rare.

The temperature dependence of crystallization kinetics of phase-change materials raises a series of reliability issues, while phase-change memory cells work at high temperature or thermal-disturbance condition. These issues hinder the development of ultrahigh-density storage devices. We investigate the evolution of SET switching characteristics of phase-change memory cells at high operating temperature. We show that the high temperature strongly impacts the SET state resistance. As a result, SET failure has been observed with elevated ambient temperature. Our SPICE simulations indicate that transient amorphization behavior during a complete SET pulse period is considered as the potential mechanism of SET failure. By modifying the SET pulse intensity and width linearly, we successfully reduce the SET failure in the experiments. The results illustrate that the demonstrated linear properties may optimize SET pulse performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel (001)-orientated Mn3O4 thin films on Nb-doped SrTiO3 (001) substrates are fabricated via the pulsed laser deposition method. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy indicate that the as-prepared epitaxial film is well crystallized. In the film plane the orientation relationship between the film and the substrate is [100]Mn3O4‖[110] Nb-doped SrTiO3. After an electroforming process, the film shows bipolar nonvolatile resistance switching behavior. The positive voltage bias drives the sample into a low resistance state, while the negative voltage switches it back to a high resistance state. The switching polarity is different from the previous studies. The complex impedance measurement suggests that the resistance switching behavior is of filament type. Due to the performance reproducibility and state stability, Mn3O4 might be a promising candidate for the resistive random access memory devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a scheme for generating a genuine four-particle polarisation entangled state |kh00) that has many interesting entanglement properties and potential applications in quantum information processing. In our scheme, we use the weak cross-Kerr nonlinear interaction between field-modes and the non-demolition measurement method based on highly efficient homodyne detection, which is feasible under the current experiment conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Military psychiatry, a new subcategory of psychiatry, has become an invaluable, intangible effect of the war. In this review, we begin by examining related military research, summarizing the related epidemiological data, neuropathology, and the research achievements of diagnosis and treatment technology, and discussing its comorbidity and sequelae. To date, advances in neuroimaging and molecular biology have greatly boosted the studies on military traumatic brain injury (TBI). In particular, in terms of pathophysiological mechanisms, several preclinical studies have identified abnormal protein accumulation, blood–brain barrier damage, and brain metabolism abnormalities involved in the development of TBI. As an important concept in the field of psychiatry, TBI is based on organic injury, which is largely different from many other mental disorders. Therefore, military TBI is both neuropathic and psychopathic, and is an emerging challenge at the intersection of neurology and psychiatry.

BackgroundOsteoporosis has already been a growing health concern worldwide. The influence of living area, lifestyle, socioeconomic, and medical conditions on the occurrence of osteoporosis in the middle-aged and elderly people in China has not been fully addressed.MethodsThe study was a multicenter cross-sectional study on the middle-aged and elderly permanent residents, which gathered information of 22,081 residents from June 2015 to August 2021 in seven representative regions of China. The bone mineral density of lumbar vertebrae and hip were determined using the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry densitometer instruments. Serum levels of bone metabolism markers were also measured. Information about education, smoking, and chronic diseases were also collected through face-to-face interviews. Age-standardized prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of osteopenia and osteoporosis by various criteria were estimated by subgroups and overall based on the data of China 2010 census. The relationships between the osteoporosis or osteopenia and sociodemographic variables or other factors were examined using univariate linear models and multivariable multinomial logit analyses.ResultsAfter screening, 19,848 participants (90%) were enrolled for the final analysis. The age-standardized prevalence of osteoporosis was estimated to be 33.49%(95%CI, 32.80–34.18%) in the middle-aged and elderly Chinese permanent residents, for men and women was 20.73% (95% CI, 19.58–21.87%) and 38.05% (95% CI, 37.22–38.89%), respectively. The serum concentrations of bone metabolic markers, and calcium and phosphorus metabolism were influenced by age, body mass index (BMI), gender, education level, regions, and bone mass status. Women, aged 60 or above, BMI lower than 18.5 kg/m2, low education level including middle school, primary school and no formal education as well as current regular smoking, a history of fracture were all significantly associated with a higher risk of osteoporosis and osteopenia in the middle-aged and elderly people.ConclusionsThis study revealed dramatic regional differences in osteoporosis prevalence in China, and female, aged 60 or older, low BMI, low education level, current regular smoking, and a history of fracture were associated with a high risk of osteoporosis. More prevention and treatment resources should be invested into particular population exposed to these risk factors.