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Chunyan Li,1 Chunhong Shi2 1School of Nursing, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Nursing, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chunhong Shi, Tel +86 15907354840, Fax +86 735 2325007, Email shichunhong@xnu.edu.cnPurpose: Adverse events threaten residents’ safety. Risk management is important to provide proper care and maintain quality in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). However, there is little data on adverse events, risk management, and risk early warning in RACFs in the Chinese mainland. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the prevalence of the aforementioned aspects and related factors in China.Participants and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a field survey of 272 RACFs in Hunan Province was conducted from January 25 to June 1, 2020. Data were collected using four main tools on prevalence of nursing adverse events, risk management, risk early warning, and general information. Descriptive statistics were described by frequency (percentage) and median (interquartile range). Mann–Whitney U-test and Kruskal–Wallis H-test, and Spearman coefficient were used for statistical analysis.Results: RACFs experienced an average of five (15) adverse events in 2019, with falls and pressure ulcers being the most common. The total average score of risk management in RACFs was 4.72 (0.98) out of 5, with the environment and personnel management dimensions scoring the highest with 4.75 (1) and the service management dimension scoring the lowest with 4.60 (1). Only 72.79% had trained their staff on ethical and legal knowledge and 84.56% had utilized pre-hospital first aid. Further, 30% to 40% were unprepared for contingency plans of suicide, electric shock, gas poisoning, and drowning. There were significant risk management differences among the following variables: facilities’ locations, accreditation with the Practice Certificate of Social Welfare Facilities, bed-size, nursing hours per resident day, requirement for nursing staff with certificates, and payment for nursing staff (p < 0.05).Conclusion: RACFs are facing safety challenges with a high prevalence of nursing adverse events. These facilities need to improve risk early warning and management to ensure residents’ safety.Keywords: safety measures, quality of nursing care, nursing homes, geriatric care

Xiaoying Zhao,1 Chunhong Shi,2,3 Lihua Zhao1 1Handan First Hospital, Handan, 056000, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Nursing, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Affiliated Hospital of Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, 423000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chunhong Shi, School of Nursing, Xiangnan University, 889 Chenzhou Avenue, Suxian District, Chenzhou, 423000, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86 15907354840, Fax +86-735-2325007, Email shichunhong@xnu.edu.cnPurpose: This study explored nurses’ intentions, awareness and barriers in reporting adverse events in tertiary hospitals in China. We also analyzed its associated factors to increase the chance to evaluate preventable errors, enhance care delivery, and improve patient outcomes.Patients and Methods: A cluster sampling method was used to recruit 1382 nurses from two tertiary hospitals in Chenzhou and Handan City. An online structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which included general information questionnaire (eight questions), reporting awareness questionnaire (eight items with scores ranging from 0 to 8), reporting intention questionnaire (15 items with scores ranging from 0 to 15), and reporting barriers questionnaire (22 items with scores ranging from 22 to 110).Results: We received 1565 completed questionnaires from 1734 potential participants (a response rate of 90.25%), with 1382 valid questionnaires, yielding an effective rate of 88.31%. The scores of reporting awareness, reporting intention, and reporting barriers in adverse events for nurses in tertiary hospitals were 8 (1), 15 (0), and 83.04 (± 12.21) out of 110, respectively. Reporting awareness and barriers to adverse events were positively correlated with nurses’ intention to report adverse events (rs = 0.237 and 0.361, respectively; P < 0.001). Regression analyses showed that reporting awareness and barriers in adverse events and professional title influenced nurses’ intention to report adverse events (P < 0.05) in tertiary hospitals.Conclusion: Nurses in tertiary hospitals have a strong intention to report adverse events. The higher the reporting awareness of adverse events or the fewer perceived reporting barriers, the stronger the nurses’ intention to report. Hospital managers should deliver patient safety education and training for nurses, to increase their reporting awareness and decrease their perceived reporting barriers, improve their intention to report adverse events.Keywords: nurse, adverse events, patient safety, safety culture

As future registered nurses, undergraduate students play a vital role in integrated care for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; hence, there is a need to examine factors that can increase their willingness to care for persons with such conditions.This study examined the relationship among nursing professional commitment, empathy, and willingness to care for people living with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome among undergraduate student nurses, and the mediating role of empathy in this relationship.Quantitative, cross-sectional design.Nursing schools from five provinces of China, including Hunan, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Henan, and Hebei.A total of 747 undergraduate student nurses were recruited via cluster sampling.Online survey was used to collect data. Nursing Willingness Questionnaire, Professional Commitment Scale, and Jefferson Scale of Empathy were the scales used to measure the variables. Structural equation modeling was used to determine significant relationships.Respondents' professional commitment and empathy demonstrated moderate positive associations with willingness to care. Empathy demonstrated a 21 % mediating effect on the effect of professional commitment and willingness to care (p 0.05).Findings highlight the enabling role of professional commitment and empathy in improving undergraduate student nurses' willingness to care for persons living with human deficiency virus. Nurse educators can help improve the impact of students' professional commitment on their willingness by using educational strategies that enhance their empathy.

The recovery of valuable metals from stainless steel pickling sludge(SSPS) has great economic and environmental benefits. In this study, a new method is proposed for selective recovery of nickel from SSPS by NH

Purpose Diabetes self-management behaviors are necessary to obtain optimum glycemic control, reduce the risk of complications, and improve health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic imposes an additional struggle for self-management by diabetes patients. Although previous studies have reported socio-demographic, behavioral, psychological, and cultural barriers to diabetes self-management, little is known about perceived barriers to diabetes self-management among patients during isolation following their recovery from COVID-19. The purpose of this study was to explore perceived barriers among type 2 diabetes patients during isolation following their recovery from COVID-19. Patients and methods A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive research design was utilized. Semi-structured telephonic interviews were conducted with 12 patients with diabetes who had been discharged from one COVID-19 designated hospital and underwent isolation in the designated facilities in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's seven steps. Results Barriers to diabetes self-management identified by patients with diabetes during isolation were categorized into five major themes: inadequate knowledge and behavioral beliefs, shortage of resources, suffering from health problems, negative emotions, and lack of support. Conclusion Perceived barriers to diabetes self-management described by diabetes patients indicated a lack of environmental resources and support strategies to meet their needs. Efforts to remove barriers are important in assisting patients with diabetes to improve their quality of life and health outcomes.

Purpose This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with adverse events in residential aged care facilities in China. Patients and methods After compiling a list of risk factors for adverse events generated from in-depth interviews with managers of residential aged care facilities, a three-round Delphi method was used to reach consensus. The synthesized risk factors were presented on a Likert scale to the expert panelists three times to validate their responses. Results The list identified 67 items as risk factors for adverse events, attached to four first-level indexes (ie, environmental facility, nursing staff, older adults' characteristics, and management factors). The experts' authority coefficient was 0.87. The positive coefficients were 82.76%, 91.67%, and 100%, and the coordination coefficients were 0.154, 0.297, and 0.313 in the first, second, and third rounds, respectively. Conclusion Using a Delphi method, this study established a consensus on risk factors contributing to adverse events and developed a risk assessment grade for use in future aged care practice and research. The resulting list is useful in prioritizing risk-reduction activities and assessing intervention or education strategies for preventing adverse events in residential aged care facilities. Impact This study fills the gap in risk identification in the Chinese residential aged care system to ensure provision of best-practice care to this vulnerable population. Nursing staff and management factors at the top of the list are not only the most common causes of adverse events but also the core elements in creating a secure and error-free environment. This list was intended to support predictive and prevention-oriented decision-making by managers and nursing supervisors to reduce preventable adverse events.

This study aimed to assess student nurses' competence and attitude toward spiritual care and analysed the associated factors.Cross-sectional study using an online survey.From April 14 to June 14, 2018, a convenience sample of 938 student nurses were recruited from six schools of Nursing in Hunan Province, China. Data were collected by using the Chinese versions of the Spiritual Care Competence Scale (C-SCCS) and the Spiritual Care Attitude Scale (C-SCAS).The average total score on the C-SCCS was 21.42 (±4.27) out of 30 and the C-SCAS was 58.03 (±9.90) out of 75. Factors such as liking the nursing profession, attending a spiritual care course, participation in classroom learning or expert lecture, and supporting continuous and systematic training were the strongest predictors of higher spiritual care competence and attitude. A better attitude about spiritual care was a relatively moderate and significant predictor of higher spiritual care competence.

The recovery of valuable metals from stainless steel pickling sludge(SSPS) has great economic and environmental benefits. In this study, a new method is proposed for selective recovery of nickel from SSPS by NH3-(NH4)2CO3 ammonia leaching system. The Eh-pH diagram was used to analyze Ni, Fe, Cr leaching behavior during the ammonia leaching process. Nickel can be leached as the complex [Ni(NH3)n]2+, whereas Fe and Cr remain as precipitates in the leaching slag. The effects of NH3·H2O concentration, liquid–solid ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the leaching efficiency of nickel in the ammonia leaching system were analyzed and optimized by single-factor study and response surface analysis, and the kinetics were analyzed. The optimal conditions for Ni leaching were found to be 28.28 min, 54.07 °C, a liquid–solid ratio of 23.7:1, and NH3·H2O concentration of 5.10 mol/L. Each factor had a greater effect on the rate of Ni leaching in the following order: liquid–solid ratio > NH3·H2O concentration > leaching time > leaching temperature. The ammonia leaching recovery system was controlled by chemical reaction and the activation energy was 58.17 KJ/mol. The results of scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersion spectrum (SEM-EDS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) show that the leaching slag was in granular form with agglomerated particles and particle size of approximately 2.8 μm The major components of the leaching slag were Fe(OH)3, Fe2O3, Fe(OH)2, Cr(OH)3, and Cr2O3. Therefore, this study provides a new and effective way of using the resources of SSPS.

Background With adverse events and injuries recurring in residential aged care facilities (RACFs), older adults’ safety in residential age care settings has attracted extensive attention from governments, researchers, and healthcare providers. Risk management is of utmost importance in reducing risks and improving the quality of care for older adults in long-term care. Although previous studies have made great efforts to explore risk management methods and technologies in RACFs, little is known about how managers identify and respond to risks in practice. Purpose This qualitative study aimed to elucidate the perceptions and experiences of managers involved in risk management in RACFs in China. Participants and methods This study used a phenomenological research design. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 managers across 11 RACFs in Changsha City, Hunan Province, China. Data were analysed using Colaizzi’s seven steps and NVivo 12 plus software. Results “Facilitation of an error-free culture” emerged as a central theme of managers’ perceptions of risk management. Four sub-themes were revealed, namely “creating an age-friendly physical environment,” “paying close attention to frail older adults,” “improving the competence of nursing staff,” and “building effective management programs.” Conclusion Facilitation of an error-free culture was of prime importance in risk management. Managers’ experiences can help RACFs to better manage risks, as well as provide new perspectives and approaches for RACFs to improve the quality and outcomes of care. This study developed initiatives for improving resident safety in RACFs and may foster interest in the developing these initiatives.

Amine acid transformation is an important chemical process in biological systems. As a well-developed and acknowledged tool, chiral aldehyde catalysis provides good catalytic activation and stereoselective control abilities in the asymmetric reaction of N-unprotected amino acid esters and amino acid esters analogs, in which the key to success is the design of the catalysts derived from chiral BINOL aldehyde, which is based on the face control of enolate intermediates. In this review, one of the co-catalytic systems that combined with a transition metal to form a multiplex catalytic system and the well-established multiplex stereocenters of chiral aldehyde catalysis have been reviewed. Finally, a novel organocatalysis is prospected.

Yuan Ge,1 Chunhong Shi,2 Bin Wu,1 Yannan Liu,3 Ling Chen,1 Yuegui Deng4 1School of Nursing, Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530200, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Nursing, Xiangnan University, Chenzhou, 423000, People’s Republic of China; 3Nursing School, Hunan University of Medicine, Huaihua, 418000, People’s Republic of China; 4Nursing Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning, 530022, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Chunhong ShiSchool of Nursing, Xiangnan University, 889 Chenzhou Avenue, Suxian District, Chenzhou, 423000, Hunan, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 15907354840Fax +86-735-2325007Email shichunhong@xnu.edu.cnPurpose: This study explored the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health and adaptation of behavior of Zhuang women in China to provide more specific guidance for the social and medical practice of pregnant women during public health emergencies.Participants and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 446 pregnant Zhuang women from obstetric outpatient clinics in four tertiary hospitals and online maternity schools in Nanning, Guangxi, between February 24 and March 1, 2020. Self-designed questionnaires and the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale were used.Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence rate of anxiety among women was 36.77%, and some adaptation of behavior was observed. Logistic regression analysis showed that pregnant women who had an annual household income of less than $7,000, were primiparous, went out for prenatal examination, wanted to self-monitor during pregnancy but did not know how to do it, believed that they should be strictly isolated at home and cancel prenatal examinations, and expected to receive pregnancy healthcare through teleconsultation services showed a higher risk of anxiety. Nevertheless, pregnant Zhuang women who were 22– 35 years old, undergraduate-educated, and in their second trimester were less likely to suffer from anxiety.Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant psychological impact on pregnant women from ethnic minorities. Factors related to quarantine and social isolation policies appear to drive changes in behaviors and anxiety disorders. Multidisciplinary mental health services and culturally sensitive interventions are necessary for minority pregnant women, especially for low-income primiparous women in the first or third trimester.Keywords: pregnant women, minority, psychological, behavior, coronavirus disease 2019

Purpose This study aimed to assess the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among the general public in Hunan Province, China, which could help develop psychological interventions and mental health programs. Participants and Methods This online cross-sectional study recruited 571 participants through snowball sampling between February 2 and February 5, 2020. Data were collected through a general information questionnaire, the Public Emergency Psychological State Questionnaire, the Simple Coping Style Questionnaire, and the Public Disease Awareness on COVID-19 Scale. Results The total mean score of the public emergency psychological state of the sample was 0.27 (0.31) points, with only 5.78% of participants (n = 33) developing psychological distress. Avoidant coping style and disease awareness were weakly positively correlated (rs = 0.257, p < 0.01) and weakly negatively correlated (rs = −0.124, p, Video abstract Point your SmartPhone at the code above. If you have a QR code reader the video abstract will appear. Or use: https://youtu.be/KxrNDv4m4vo

This study aims to investigated the effect of aeration mode on membrane bioreactors (MBRs) using a self-designed integrated hollow fiber MBR and flat sheet organic MBR for rural greywater treatment. The pollutant removal efficiency, characteristics of activated sludge and mixed liquor, and mechanisms of membrane fouling were systematically analyzed under intermittent aeration and continuous modes. The results indicate that the permeability of MBRs in intermittent aeration mode is higher than that in the continuous aeration mode when operating at the same aeration rate. Due to the higher extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and soluble microbial product (SMP) concentrations. The removal rates of TN and TP by both MBRs at the intermittent aeration mode were higher than those in the continuous aeration mode due to the difference in the aeration environment. Compared to the flat-sheet organic membrane, the hollow-fiber membrane surface was more likely to form biofilms, which cause biological fouling.The relative abundance of Thermomonas showed a positive correlation with the EPS concentration, indicating that Thermomonas participates in EPS synthesis. This study provides a theoretical basis for evaluating the influence of aeration modes on MBRs,and would be a useful guide for the better control of membrane fouling and treatment of rural greywater.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the association between the rs2975760 and rs3792267 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the calpain 10 (CAPN10) gene and gestational diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study included 138 patients with gestational diabetes mellitus and 152 healthy pregnant women. Venous blood was separated, and the DNA was extracted. The rs2975760 and rs3792267SNP polymorphisms of CAPN10 were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The frequencies of different genotypes in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus and healthy pregnant women were determined, and the relationship between different SNP genotypes and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus was analyzed. RESULTS There were no significant differences in the frequencies of the TT, CT and CC genotypes of rs2975760 and the frequencies of the GG, AG and AA genotypes of rs3792267 between the women with gestational diabetes and the controls. Expression of rs2975760 and rs3792267 were not associated with the risk of gestational diabetes in the dominant model, recessive model, and additive model. However, grade B and grade D diabetes in the CC and TC genotypes of rs2975760 were significantly different from those in the TT genotype (P

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin compared with voglibose added to combined metformin and insulin in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM). METHODS: In this 12-week prospective, randomized, parallel trial, 70 newly diagnosed T2DM patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) ≥9% and/or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥11.1 mmol/L were randomized (1:1) to receive sitagliptin 100 mg per day + metformin + insulin glargine or voglibose 0.2 mg three times daily + metformin + insulin glargine. Change in HbA1c at week 12 was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: The mean baseline HbA1c was 11.0% in the patients. The changes in HbA1c from baseline were -6.00% in the sitagliptin group and -3.58% in the voglibose group, and the between-group difference was -2.42% (95% CI -1.91 to -2.93, p=0.02). The differences in FPG and homeostatic model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) and the change in body weight between groups from baseline were -2.95 mmol/L (p=0.04), 43.91 (p=0.01) and -2.23 kg (p=0.01), respectively. One patient (2.9%) in the sitagliptin group and three patients (8.6%) in the voglibose group exhibited hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Sitagliptin added to combined metformin and insulin therapy showed greater efficacy and good safety regarding hypoglycemia in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM compared with voglibose.

To investigate the effect of multifactorial intervention on the urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in short-duration type 2 diabetes.A total of 150 type 2 diabetes patients, with disease duration1 year and with no evidence of atherosclerosis were randomized to either the intensive intervention group (IG, n = 75), or the conventional group (CG, n = 75) for 7 years. The predefined endpoint of microvascular complications was the progression of renal impairments (the development of albuminuria and the change of eGFR).The incidence of progression to albuminuria (UACR ≥30 mg/g) was 12% in IG and 28% in CG (HR 0.37, 95% CI: 0.19-0.70, P = .0025). eGFR was significantly lower in IG than that in CG in the year 2 (P = .043) and 3 (P = .032) follow-up. Sex, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HbA1c, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were independently associated with the UACR (β = -5.112, P = .015; β = 0.908, P = .045; β = 2.087, P = .038; and β = 2.787, P = .002, respectively); aging was independently associated with eGFR (β = -0.447, P = .000).Intensive multifactorial intervention delayed the progression to albuminuria, and reduced eGFR rapidly in early stage of intervention in short-duration type 2 diabetes. FPG, HbA1c, and SBP were risk factors for UACR increase; aging was a risk factor for eGFR decline.

To compare the efficacy and safety of a twice daily injection of insulin aspart (BIAsp) 30 and BIAsp50 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poorly controlled with oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs).In this 12 week prospective, randomized, parallel trial, a total of 80 T2DM patients, 59 ± 10 years old with a disease duration of 9.3 ± 6.6 years and HbA1c7% despite large doses of metformin and sulfonylurea administration, were randomized to receive BIAsp30 (n = 40) or BIAsp50 (n = 40). The primary endpoint was a change in HbA1c at week 12.The changes in HbA1c from baseline were -2.5% ± 1.0% in the BIAsp50 group and -2.5% ± 1.2% in the BIAsp30 group (p = .897). No difference was observed in the rate of HbA1c target achievement (7.0%) between BIAsp50 (42.5%) and BIAsp30 (32.5%) (p = .495). The change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in the BIAsp50 group was lower than that in the BIAsp30 group (p .001), while the change in two-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPBG) was higher and blood glucose excursion was lower in the BIAsp50 group than that in the BIAsp30 group (p .001, p .001). A significant improvement in HbA1c was observed with BIAsp50 in subgroups with baseline blood glucose excursion7.8 mmol/L or 2hPBG17.6 mmol/L compared with BIAsp30. There were no differences in hypoglycemia or body weight between groups.Compared with BIAsp30, BIAsp50 showed greater efficacy in patients with baseline BG excursion7.8 mmol/L or 2hPBG17.6 mmol/L as well as good safety for hypoglycemia.ChiCTR-IIR-16008958.

Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), acrylamide, and methacryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride were used as co-monomers to produce a sludge dewatering agent carboxymethyl chitosan-graft-poly(acrylamide-methacryloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride) (CCPAD) by UV-induced graft polymerization. Single-factor experiments and response surface methodology were employed to investigate and optimize the grafting rate, grafting efficiency, and intrinsic viscosity influenced by the total monomer concentration, CMCS concentration, cationic degree, pH value, and illumination time. The structure, surface morphology, and thermal stability of CCPAD were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and differential thermal-thermogravimetry. The raw sludge with 97.9% water content was sourced from the concentrated tank of a sewage treatment plant and used in the sludge condition experiments. In addition, CCPAD was applied as the sludge conditioner to investigate the effects of cationic degree, intrinsic viscosity, and pH on the supernatant turbidity, moisture content, specific resistance to filtration, and sludge settling ratio. Moreover, the mechanism of sludge conditioning by CCPAD was discussed by examining the zeta potential and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content of the supernatant. The sludge dewatering results confirmed that CCPAD had excellent performance for improving sludge dewaterability.

Vanadium and chromium co-exist commonly with elevated levels in groundwater at vanadium smelting sites. While bioremediation has been recognized promising for this co-contamination treatment in aquifer, interactions during vanadium (V) [V(V)] and chromium (VI) [Cr(VI)] bio-reductions under autotrophic condition remain largely unknown. In this study, efficient reductions of V(V) and Cr(VI) from synthetic groundwater were realized simultaneously in a continuous flow autotrophic sulfur-based biosystem, with more than 85% overall removals under hydrochemical and hydrodynamic fluctuations during 276-d operation. Soluble Cr(VI) was reduced to insoluble Cr(III) preferentially, while reduction of soluble V(V) to insoluble V(IV) was easily inhibited. Elemental sulfur [S(0)] was bio-oxidized to sulfate. Analyses of carbon isotope, microbial community and metabolic pathway revealed the synergetic mechanisms. Autotrophs (e.g., Sulfuricurvum) utilized energy released from S(0) oxidation to synthesize volatile fatty acids (VFAs), which were consumed by heterotrophic V(V) and/or Cr(VI) reducers (e.g., Geobacter). Functional genes responsible for S(0) oxidation and reduction of V(V) and Cr(VI) were detected. V(V) and Cr(VI) reductions were catalyzed by both cytochrome c and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. VFAs were also transformed to glycogen in cells to store energy. Robust remediation strategy is thereby proposed for aquifer co-contaminated by V(V) and Cr(VI).

Silicalite-1 (S-1) zeolite membrane synthesized by seed method with superior features attracts intensive attentions, while the influences of key parameters during synthesis process and its applications for organics removal require further investigation. This study revealed the morphology and the structure of the prepared membranes under different crystallization temperatures and seed concentrations by using a suite of characterization methods. The as-prepared membrane under optimal condition (crystallization temperature of 175 °C and seed concentration of 1.0 wt. %) possessed high membrane integrity, with ideal separation factor of 4.0. It also exhibited outstanding performance for organics removal, with dyes retention of 99.9% and 99.2% for 500 mg L−1 neutral red and 500 mg L−1 methyl blue, respectively. Excellent antifouling property of the synthesized membrane was also proved. Results of this work can guide the characteristic improvement of the S-1 zeolite membrane by adjusting key parameters and broaden its applications in dye wastewater treatment.

Adsorption is recognized as one of the most efficient approaches for antibiotics removal from water. Inspired by the enzyme-substrate interaction model, we proposed induced-fit adsorption (IFA) model, and rationally designed and fabricated diol-based porous organic polymers (POPs) as adsorbents for tetracycline (TC) removal. For 2,3-naphthalenediol-based POP (NTdiol-POP), the preferable geometry of diol-groups contributed to the high binding energy with TC species and flexible methylene linkages between neighboring rigid naphthalene rings gave rise to precisely matching between TC species and adsorbents, that is, the induced-fit conformation change. As a result, NTdiol-POP exhibited a high saturated adsorption capacity of 155.8 mg g−1. More importantly, NTdiol-POP exhibited excellent TC removal efficiencies in both concentrated solution (96% for 4 p.p.m) and trace level solution (97% for 250 p.p.b).

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of a twice-daily injection of insulin aspart (BIAsp) 30 and BIAsp50 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) poorly controlled with oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHAs). Methods: In this 12-week prospective, randomized, parallel trial, a total of 80 T2DM patients, 59 ± 10 years old with a disease duration of 9.3 ± 6.6 years and HbA1c > 7% despite large doses of metformin and sulfonylurea administration, were randomized to receive BIAsp30 (n = 40) or BIAsp50 (n = 40). The primary endpoint was a change in HbA1c at week 12. Results: The changes in HbA1c from baseline were [-(2.5 ± 1.0)%] in the BIAsp50 group and [-(2.5 ± 1.2)%] in the BIAsp30 group (P = 0.897). No difference was observed in the rate of HbA1c target achievement (< 7.0%) between BIAsp50 (42.5%) and BIAsp30 (32.5%) (P = 0.495). The change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in the BIAsp50 group was lower than that in the BIAsp30 group (P = 0.000), while the change in two-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPBG) was higher and blood glucose excursion was lower in the BIAsp50 group than that in the BIAsp30 group (P = 0.000, P = 0.000). A significant improvement in HbA1c was observed with BIAsp50 in subgroups with baseline blood glucose excursion >7.8 mmol/L or 2hPBG >17.6 mmol/L compared with BIAsp30 . There were no differences in hypoglycaemia and body weight between groups. Conclusions: Compared with BIAsp30, BIAsp50 showed greater efficacy in patients with baseline BG excursion >7.8 mmol/L or 2hPBG >17.6 mmol/L as well as good safety for hypoglycaemia. Clinical trial registration: ChiCTR-IIR-16008958

Bioelectricity generated from the microbial fuel cell (MFC) is applied to the bioelectrical reactor (BER) directly to enhance microbial reduction of vanadium (V) (V(V)) in groundwater. With the maximum power density of 543.4 mW m −2 from the MFC, V(V) removal is accelerated with efficiency of 93.6% during 12 h operation. Higher applied voltage can facilitate this process. V(V) removals decrease with the increase of initial V(V) concentration, while extra addition of chemical oxygen demand (COD) has little effect on performance improvement. Microbial V(V) reduction is enhanced and then suppressed with the increase of conductivity. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing analysis implies the accumulated Enterobacter and Lactococcus reduce V(V) with products from fermentative microorganisms such as Macellibacteroides . The presentation of electrochemically active bacteria as Enterobacter promotes electron transfers. This study indicates that application of bioelectricity from MFCs is a promising strategy to improve the efficiency of in-situ bioremediation of V(V) polluted groundwater.

By coupling the intermittent characteristics of rural sewage discharge and solar energy density, the performance responses of lab-scale tidal flow constructed wetland (TF) and conventional vertical flow constructed wetland (VF) to different organic loading rates (OLRs) (166.3, 300.9, 451.2, 602.4, and 751.2 g/m2 d) in synthetic domestic sewage treatment were investigated to study its feasibility to replace conventional aeration and reduce the dependence of wastewater treatment plants on the grid in this study. Artificial aeration was conducted based on simulating photovoltaic aeration. The increase in OLR promoted the removal performances for the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia–nitrogen (-N) in TF, which could be up to 95.7 and 97.2%, respectively, under OLR of 751.2 g/m2 d. Excess organic carbons inhibited -N removal through competition for oxygen available in VF, where the COD removal efficiency could be 89.6% while low -N removal (40%) was obtained under OLR 751.2 g/m2 d. With the incr...