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External ventricular drainage (EVD) is the most common neurosurgical procedure that allows drainage of cerebrospinal fluid and intraventricular blood. A specific time threshold for insertion of an EVD catheter in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage has not been established. This study aimed to evaluate the association of early EVD with functional outcome in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage. Propensity score matching was used to account for baseline imbalances. Modified Rankin Scale score at 3 and 6 months, mortality rates at 3 and 6 months, postoperative complications, time course of edema evolution, and peak perihemorrhagic edema (PHE) were compared in patients who received early EVD versus routine EVD. The rate of favorable outcome at 3 months was higher in the early EVD group compared with the routine EVD group. There were no differences between groups in modified Rankin Scale score at 6 months or mortality rates at 3 and 6 months. Absolute peak PHE and relative PHE volumes were significantly less in the early EVD group compared with the routine EVD group. The incidence of postoperative infections was lower in the early EVD group compared with the routine EVD group. Early EVD was associated with improved functional outcome at 3 months, reduced PHE, and lower rate of infection in intracerebral hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage. However, survival at 3 and 6 months and functional outcome at 6 months were not improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermoelectric (TE) performance of single-layer ABN (A = Zr, Hf; B Br, I) was systematically investigated by first-principles approach and Boltzmann transport theory. The results show that four monolayers possess high stability, as well as low cleavage energies of 0.30–0.41 J/m2, which provide a reliable approach to obtain the monolayers by mechanical exfoliation. Owing to strong optical-acoustic phonon coupling and low frequency (2.31–2.78 THz) of low-lying phonons, they exhibit low lattice thermal conductivities of 2.14–2.77 W/mK. Besides, monolayer ABN are indirect semiconductors with band-gaps of 1.52–2.97 eV, and their optimal power factor (PF) reaches 15.96 − 19.47 mW/K2m. As a result, monolayer ABN deliver TE figure of merit (ZT) of 0.25–0.31 at 300 K, and increase further to 1.15–1.80 at 700 K, demonstrating that they are promising candidates as low-medium temperature TE materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are attracting much attention as emerging photocatalytic water splitting candidates in green and clean energy applications. In this work, we designed four 2D materials, ZnPS 3 , ZnPSe 3 , CdPS 3 and CdPSe 3 , which possess high stability, moderate band-gaps (2.24–3.29 eV), and anisotropic carrier mobilities of 192.26 ─ 676.04 cm2/Vs. Besides, they also have suitable band edges of REDOX at PH = 0, which can simultaneously drive photocatalytic water splitting to produce H 2 and O 2 , and show acceptable free energy for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of 0.89–1.20 eV. Moreover, monolayer ZnPSe 3 and CdPSe 3 can deliver strong absorption coefficients (∼105 cm−1) from visible to ultraviolet light. As a result, they have excellent solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 18.39% and 19.70%, suggesting they are promising photocatalytic candidates for overall water splitting. • 2D ZnPS 3 , ZnPSe 3 , CdPS 3 and CdZnSe 3 have high stability, as well as low cleavage energies of 0.21–0.25 J/m2. • They are indirect semiconductors with band-gaps of 2.24–3.29 eV, and show mobilities of 192.26–676.04 cm2/Vs at 300 K. • They also have suitable REDOX band-edges, which can drive photocatalytic water splitting to produce H 2 and O 2. • Monolayer ZnPSe 3 and CdPSe 3 have excellent solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of 18.39% and 19.70%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kagome lattices have attracted much attention because of their potential in superconductivity and topological applications. In this work, we proposed three two-dimensional Janus breathing-Kagome lattices, Nb 3 TeCl 7 , Nb 3 TeBr 7 and Nb 3 TeI 7 , and further investigated their stability, electronic and thermoelectric (TE) transport performance. We illustrated that the three materials all possess high stability, and low cleavage energy of 0.21–0.22 J/m2. Besides, they exhibit common features of Kagome lattices, such as fat bands and van Hove singularities near band-edges, which lead to high Seebeck coefficient (0.37–0.57 mV/K) and TE power factor of (2.79 − 3.71 mW/K2m). Further, owing to their asymmetric Janus structures, the strong coupling between acoustic and optical phonons, as well as low frequency for lying-phonons, the three lattices also possess low lattice thermal conductivity of 1.06–2.76 W/mK. Ultimately, they deliver promising TE figure of merit of {0.28, 0.39, 0.43} at 300 K, and increase further to {1.09, 1.39, 1.40} at 700 K, demonstrating breathing-Kagome lattice Nb 3 TeX 7 are suitable candidates in TE application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoelectric technology is attractive for waste heat recovery and clean energy; it is highly desired as a potential power supply. In this paper, we investigated the stability, elastic, electronic structures and thermoelectric properties of unexplored 2D materials, GeSb 2 Te 4 and GeBi 2 Te 4 , which deliver high stability, acceptable cleavage energies (0.32–0.33 J/m2), and narrow band gaps of 0.80 and 0.69 eV. We also revealed that the septuple layers possess anisotropic electron and hole mobilities of about 1593.71/791.50 and 522.04/240.52 cm2/Vs, which result in high conductivities of 107–108 S/m, as well as desirable thermoelectric power factors of 28.08–70.382 mW/Km2. Besides, owing to the low group velocities and strong dissipative scattering for low-lying phonons, the materials inherit the low lattice thermal conductivities of 1.51 and 0.41 W/mK. As a result, their thermoelectric figure of merit reaches 1.60 and 1.70 at 300 K, and rises further to 3.80 and 4.16 at 700 K. Together, 2D GeSb 2 Te 4 and GeBi 2 Te 4 are suitable candidates for low-medium temperature thermoelectric application. • 2D GeSb 2 Te 4 and GeBi 2 Te 4 have high stability, and acceptable cleavage energies of 0.32–0.33 J/m2. • They possess band gaps of 0.80 and 0.69 eV, and show carrier mobility of 102−103 cm2/Vs. • They exhibit low lattice thermal conductivities of 1.51 and 0.41 W/mK, high ZT of 1.60 and 1.70 at 300 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with an inverse problem of identifying the source coefficient in degenerate parabolic equations. On the basis of extremum principle, the uniqueness of the proposed problem is obtained. The difference scheme for the direct problem is got by using the finite volume method and the corresponding stability is also proved. An iteration scheme of the Landweber type is applied to handle the numerical solution. In the end, several numerical experiments are performed to test the validity of the scheme. The numerical results show that the method is stable and the unknown function is recovered very well when iterative parameter α and iterative times are matching appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Monolayer NiP 2 , PdP 2 and PtP 2 are direct band-gap semiconductors with energy gaps of 0.66 eV, 0.68 eV and 0.40 eV, respectively. • The monolayers simultaneously show ultra-high electron and hole mobilities, up to ∼105 cm2·V−1·s−1. • They exhibit high electrical transport performance with the thermoelectric power factors of 102–103 mW·K−2·m−1 at room temperature. Based on state-of-the-art first principles calculations, we proposed three plana-pentagon monolayers, namely, NiP 2 , PdP 2 and PtP 2. The monolayers are direct band-gap semiconductors with band gaps of 0.66 eV, 0.68 eV and 0.40 eV. In addition, XP 2 (X = Ni, Pd, Pt) simultaneously showed ultrahigh electron and hole mobilities, up to ∼105 cm2·V−1·s−1, resulting in high electrical transport performance with thermoelectric power factors of 102–103 mW·K−2·m−1. Additionally, due to the high group velocities and phonon lifetimes, monolayer XP 2 has thermal conductivities of 21.73, 10.43 and 25.13 Wm−1 K−1 for NiP 2 , PdP 2 and PtP 2 , respectively. As results, the monolayers exhibit favourable ZT values, ranging from 0.08–0.45 at temperatures of 300–700 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Purpose Using gradient ionic detergent, we optimized the preparation procedure for the decellularized liver biologic scaffold, and analyzed its immunogenicity and biocompatibility. Methods EDTA, hypotonic alkaline solution, Triton X-100, and gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate (1%, 0.5%, and 0.1%, respectively) were prepared for continuous perfusion through the hepatic vascular system. The decellularization of the liver tissue was performed with the optimized reagent buffer and washing protocol. In addition, the preservation of the original extracellular matrix was observed. To analyze its biocompatibility, the scaffold was embedded in a heterologous animal and the inflammation features, including the surrounding cell infiltration and changes of the scaffold architecture, were detected. The cell-attachment ability was also validated by the perfusion culture of HepG2 cells with the scaffold. Results By using gradient ionic detergent, we completed the decellularization process in approximately 5 h, which was shorter than >10 hours in previous experiments ( p < 0.001). The extracellular matrix was kept relatively intact, with no obvious inflammatory cellular infiltration or structural damage in the grafted tissue. The engraftment efficiencies of HepG2 were 86 ± 5% ( n = 8). The levels of albumin and urea synthesis were significantly superior to the ones in traditional two-dimensional culture. Conclusion The current new method can be used efficiently for the decellularization of the liver biologic scaffold with satisfying biocomparability for application both in vivo and in vitro . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated the impact of long-term paternal presence (cohabitation) on several physiological parameters such as body weight, adrenal weight, cortisol of parents, and the survival of pups compared with brief daily encounters (isolation) of male–female pairs in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). We showed that females were affected more by cohabitation as evidenced by increased body and adrenal weights, elevated cortisol concentrations, and heavier uteri and spleens as compared with cohabiting male and isolated females. Furthermore, we found that tetradecanoic and hexadecanoic acids of the flank glands were sexually dimorphic, for which they were putative female pheromones. These two compounds were suppressed in females and elevated in males by cohabitation, suggesting that cohabitation impaired sex chemosignals. Overall, we concluded that housing females and males together had deleterious effects on adults and the survival of their pups in the golden hamster. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An adaptive-feedback control scheme for identical synchronizing two linearly coupled chaotic systems and identifying uncertain parameters is proposed. In comparison with the previous methods it inherited, the present scheme is more flexible and accessible. This is because that the prerequisites on the given chaotic systems are much looser, and the adaptive-feedback controllers involved are relatively independent. Moreover, the present scheme is a thoroughly amendatory one by which the uncertain parameters can be identified. Three concrete chaotic systems are employed to show the effectiveness of the presented scheme. In addition, how the coefficient in the adaptive law affects the convergence rate and the final strength is studied numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Field and experiment data were used to detect the hub traits of submerged macrophytes. • Organ P, starch, and total nonstructural carbohydrate contents were hub traits. • Ecosystems dominated by more homeostatic and C-rich communities were more productive. • High litter quality induced by eutrophication implied faster nutrient cycling rates. Eutrophication strongly influences plant stoichiometric characteristics and physiological status by altering nutrient and light availability in the water column. However, the mechanisms linking plant functional traits with ecosystem structure and functioning to clarify the decline of submerged macrophytes have not been fully elucidated to date. Therefore, based on a field investigation of 26 macrophytic shallow lakes on the Yangtze Plain, we first constructed a plant trait network at the whole-plant level to determine the hub traits of submerged macrophytes that play central regulatory roles in plant phenotype. Our results suggested that organ (leaf, stem, and root) phosphorus (P), starch, and total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) contents were hub traits. Organ starch and TNC were consistent with those in the experiment-based network obtained from a three-month manipulation experiment. Next, the mechanisms underlying the relationships between the hub traits and vital aspects of ecological performance were carefully investigated using field investigation data. Specifically, stoichiometric homeostasis of P (H P), starch, and TNC were positively associated with dominance and biomass at the species level, and community biomass at the community level. Additionally, structural equation modeling clarified not only a hypothesized pathway from eutrophication to water clarity and community TNC, but also combined effects of community TNC and H P on community biomass. That is, ecosystems dominated by more homeostatic communities tended to have more carbon (C)-rich compounds in relatively oligotrophic conditions, which promoted the primary production of macrophytes. Eutrophication was determined to affect community structure by inhibiting the predominance of more homeostatic species and the production of carbohydrates. Finally, reduced community biomass and increased nutrient contents and nutrient:C ratios in plants induced by eutrophication implied a decrease in the C sink in biomass and may potentially lead to an enhancement of litter decomposition rates and nutrient cycling rates. By adjusting plant responses to eutrophication, stoichiometric and physiological mechanisms linking plant traits with ecosystem structure have important implications for understanding ecosystem processes, and these results may contribute to practical management to achieve the restoration of submerged macrophytes and ecosystem services. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]