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In the present study, we investigated the effect of the family-centered empowerment model (FCEM) in the home care of older adult patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The current study was a randomized controlled study. Two hundred eighty older adult patients who underwent TKA in our hospital from December 2020 to December 2022 were selected. They were divided into intervention and control groups using the random number table method, with 140 cases in each group. After follow-up and attrition, 133 patients were assigned to the intervention group and 130 to the control group. The control group received conventional care, and the intervention group received the care provided using the FCEM. The general characteristics of the study subjects were compiled using a general information questionnaire designed by the researcher. The chi-square test and t-test were used to compare the changes in self-care efficacy, knee function, and the occurrence of postoperative complications in the two groups before and after the intervention. The results suggest that the adoption of FCEM improved patient motivation and self-care efficacy, promoted the recovery of knee function in the short term after surgery, and reduced the likelihood of occurrence of complications. The present study highlights the importance of extending the FCEM to multiple domains to fill the gaps in the currently available medical care system for older adults. In addition, the study provides a reference basis for reducing the occurrence of complications and improving patient prognosis. The FCEM model is an effective strategy to improve the effectiveness of home nursing for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With 45# transformer oil as the base fluid, different concentrations of TiO2 nanomodified transformer oil were prepared via the thermal oscillation method. Nanomodified transformer oil with a concentration of 0.01 g/L was selected for evaluation via the breakdown test. Then, 0.01 g/L nanomodified transformer oil and ordinary 45# transformer oil were subjected to the variable control of different moisture contents and different temperatures, and breakdown tests under different types of electrodes were performed within the temperature range of −30 °C to 30 °C. The test results showed the following: Under severe cold conditions, the improvement effect of the breakdown voltage in different temperature ranges was different. Within the temperature range of −30 °C to −10 °C, the enhancement effect could reach 13% to 15%. Within the temperature range of −10 °C to 0 °C, the enhancement effect could reach 8% to 9%. Within the temperature range of 0 °C to 30 °C, the enhancement effect could reach 18% to 21%. Compared with the test results at high water contents, the improvement in the breakdown voltage amplitude of transformer oil by nanomaterials was more obvious at low water contents. In addition, nanomaterials could reduce the dispersion of the breakdown voltage to make the breakdown voltage more stable. Lastly, COMSOL was used to simulate the polarization process of nanoparticles under a uniform electric field and the influence of the trajectory of charged particles in the oil to further analyze the mechanism of the influence of nanoparticles in oil on the breakdown voltage of the oil gap. The simulation results showed that, when the particles were accelerated by the electric field, they moved irregularly. After adding nanoparticles, the charged particles were adsorbed by the nanoparticles when passing through the nanoparticles, which reduced the migration rate of charged particles in the oil. The breakdown voltage of the oil gap increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improper refractive correction can be harmful to eye health, aggravating the burden of vision impairment. During most optometry clinical consultations, practitioner-patient interactions play a key role. Maybe it is feasible for patients themselves to do something to get high-quality optometry. But the present empirical research on the quality improvement of eye care needs to be strengthened. The study aims to test the effect of the brief verbal intervention (BVI) through patients on the quality of optometry service. Methods: This study will take unannounced standardized patient (USP) with refractive error as the core research tool, both in measurement and intervention. The USP case and the checklist will be developed through a standard protocol and assessed for validity and reliability before its full use. USP will be trained to provide standardized responses during optical visits and receive baseline refraction by the skilled study optometrist who will be recruited within each site. A multi-arm parallel-group randomized trial will be used, with one common control and three intervention groups. The study will be performed in four cities, Guangzhou and three cities in Inner Mongolia, China. A total of 480 optometry service providers (OSPs) will be stratified and randomly selected and divided into four groups. The common control group will receive USP usual visits (without intervention), and three intervention groups will separately receive USP visits with three kinds of BVI on the patient side. A detailed outcome evaluation will include the optometry accuracy, optometry process, patient satisfaction, cost information and service time. Descriptive analysis will be performed for the survey results, and the difference in outcomes between interventions and control providers will be compared and statistically tested using generalized linear models (GLMs). Discussion: This research will help policymakers understand the current situation and influencing factors of refractive error care quality, and then implement precise policies; at the same time, explore short and easy interventions for patients to improve the quality of optometry service. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200062819. Registered on August 19, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The upconversion (UC) luminescence in sol–gel synthesized Li+, Zn2+, or Li+–Zn2+ codoped Y2O3:Er3+ nanocrystals were investigated under the excitation of a 970nm diode laser. Compared to undoped Y2O3:Er3+ samples, proper doping of Li+–Zn2+ leads to an drastic increase of the UC luminescence centered at 560nm by a factor of 28. The UC luminescence enhancement is a result of the increased lifetime of the intermediate state 4 I 11/2 (Er). The intensity ratio of the green over red emissions (green/red) is also affected by the codoping of Zn2+, Li+ and Li+–Zn2+ ions. Our results demonstrated that the Li+–Zn2+ codoping in Y2O3:Er3+ phosphors produced remarkable enhancement of the UC luminescence and green/red ratio, making this nanocrystal a promising candidate for photonic and biological applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Non-invasive fluorescence imaging is an important technique in biology. However, detection of traditional biomarker emissions is accompanied by a high background signal. In this study we examined whether upconversion sodium yttrium fluoride (NaYF(4)) nanocrystals were suitable for autofluorescence-free multicolor fluorescence imaging in a living animal. Tissue autofluorescence was induced with a 405 nm light source, then rats were subjected to injection of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), cadmium selenide/zinc sulfide (CdSe/ZnS) quantum dots (QDs), or NaYF(4):ytterbium/thulium (Yb(3+)/Tm(3+)), NaYF(4):Yb(3+)/holmium (Ho(3+)), and NaYF(4):Yb(3+)/Ho(3+)/cerium (Ce(3+)) nanocrystals. Imaging with NaYF(4) nanocrystals (974 nm laser) completely removed the high tissue autofluorescence, in marked contrast to imaging with FITC and QDs (405 nm light). Optical imaging experiments demonstrated that multiple biological targets and organs could be imaged at the same time using multicolor NaYF(4) upconversion nanocrystals under a single excitation wavelength (974 nm). These data demonstrated the proof-of-principle that autofluorescence-free multicolor imaging using near-infrared to visible upconversion of NaYF(4) nanocrystals excited by laser can be performed in a living animal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Upconversion (UC) luminescence in monodisperse NaYF4:Yb3+/Tb3+ nanocrystals was observed under diode laser excitation of 970nm, which were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. UC emissions at 380, 413, 436nm and at 488, 542, 584, 620nm arise from transitions 5 D 3(5 G 6)→ 7 FJ (J =6, 5, 4) and 5 D 4 → 7 FJ (J =6, 5, 4, 3) of Tb3+ ions, respectively. UC mechanisms are proposed based on spectral, kinetic, decay time measurements, and pump power dependence analyses. Blue, green and red emissions originate from the same long-lived (milliseconds) upper 5 D 4 state, which promises the potential applications of these monodisperse Yb3+/Tb3+-codoped NaYF4 nanocrystals in the field of photonics, lasers and biomedicine. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) upconversion (UC) luminescence in Yb3+/Er3+-codoped yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanocrystals can be enhanced by orders of magnitude via tridoping further with Li+ ions under diode laser excitation of 970nm. Sensitized three-photon UC radiations at 390 and 409nm, corresponding to the 4 G 11/2→4 I 15/2 and 4 H 9/2→4 I 15/2 of Er3+ ions, respectively, present an enhancement time of about 33 times, which is larger than the 24 times enhancement for the UC green radiation. The UV UC radiation at 320nm that corresponds to the 2 P 3/2→4 I 15/2 of Er3+ ions has also been greatly enhanced. Theoretical calculations interpret that all the observed enhancement times of UV UC radiations arise from the prolonged lifetimes of their intermediate states. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A novel type of bifunctional water-soluble NaYF4:Yb3+/Ho3+@SiO2/Au nanocomposite is fabricated by a facile layer-by-layer technology in which the mercapto–silica shell is used as the functional layer coating on the central NaYF4:Yb3+/Ho3+ nanocrystals. Then by adjusting the mole ratio of the Au nanoparticles to the NaYF4:Yb3+/Ho3+@SiO2 nanoparticles, control of the gold loading on the upconversion nanocrystal surface is achieved. The fabricated nanocomposites inherit the excellent physical and chemical properties from their building blocks, simultaneously exhibiting upconversion luminescence and high X-ray attenuation and as well are easily modified with various molecules. These properties render the synthesized NaYF4:Yb3+/Ho3+@SiO2/Au nanocomposite not only useful as a multimodality contrast agent to increase the efficiency of molecular imaging but also has the potential of in situ curing of diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ultraviolet upconversion emissions at 262, 276, 308 and 320nm were observed from Er3+-doped Y2O3 with a 532nm continuous wave compact solid-state laser excitation. Power-dependence analysis demonstrates that two-photon upconversion process populates the 4D5/2, 2H9/2 and 2P3/2 states. The energy transfer upconversion (ETU) plays an important role in populating 4D5/2 and 2P3/2 states. It appears that 2P3/2 state population originates from ETU 2H11/2+2H11/2→4I13/2+2P3/2, moreover, a subsequent excited state absorption (ESA) from the 4I9/2 level. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: This study aims to evaluate primary care providers' adherence to the standard of measuring blood pressure for people aged 35 or above during their initial visit, as per Chinese guidelines, and to identify factors affecting their practices., Methods: We developed 11 standardized patients (SP) cases as tracer conditions to evaluate primary care, and deployed trained SPs for unannounced visits to randomly selected providers in seven provinces of China. The SPs used a checklist based on guidelines to record whether and how blood pressure was measured. Data were analyzed descriptively and regression analysis was performed to examine the association between outcomes and factors such as provider, patient, facility, and clinical case characteristics., Findings: The SPs conducted 1201 visits and found that less than one-third of USPs ≥35 had their blood pressure measured. Only 26.9% of migraine and 15.4% of diabetes cases received blood pressure measurements. Additionally, these measurements did not follow the proper guidelines and recommended steps. On average, 55.6% of the steps were followed with few providers considering influencing factors before measurement and only 6.0% of patients received both-arm measurements. The use of wrist sphygmomanometers was associated with poor blood pressure measurement., Interpretation: In China, primary care hypertension screening practices fall short of guidelines, with infrequent initiation of blood pressure measurements and inadequate adherence to proper measurement steps. To address this, priority should be placed on adopting, implementing, and upholding guidelines for hypertension screening and measurement., Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Doctoral Fund Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (© 2023 The Authors.)

Traditional sample entropy fails to quantify inherent long-range dependencies among real data. Multiscale sample entropy (MSE) can detect intrinsic correlations in data, but it is usually used in univariate data. To generalize this method for multichannel data, we introduced multivariate multiscale entropy into multiscale signals as a reflection of the nonlinear dynamic correlation. But traditional multivariate multiscale entropy has a large quantity of computation and costs a large period of time and space for more channel system, so that it can not reflect the correlation between variables timely and accurately. In this paper, therefore, an improved multivariate multiscale entropy embeds on all variables at the same time, instead of embedding on a single variable as in the traditional methods, to solve the memory overflow while the number of channels rise, and it is more suitable for the actual multivariate signal analysis. The method was tested in simulation data and Bonn epilepsy dataset. The simulation results showed that the proposed method had a good performance to distinguish correlation data. Bonn epilepsy dataset experiment also showed that the method had a better classification accuracy among the five data set, especially with an accuracy of 100% for data collection of Z and S.

Upconversion (UC) emission tuning from green to red in monodisperse NaYF(4):Yb(3+)/Ho(3+) nanocrystals was successfully achieved by tridoping with Ce(3+) ions under diode laser excitation of 970 nm. It is proposed that two efficient cross-relaxation processes, 5S2/5F4(Ho) + 2F(5/2)(Ce) --> 5F5(Ho) + 2F(7/2)(Ce) and 5I6(Ho) + 2F(5/2)(Ce) --> 5I7(Ho) + 2F(7/2)(Ce)between Ho(3+) and Ce(3+) ions, have been employed to select UC pathways to tune the UC radiation. Theoretical investigations based on steady-state equations demonstrate the proposed UC mechanisms and explain well the observed linear increase of the UC red-to-green intensity ratio with the increment of Ce(3+) ion concentrations.