Search

The present work introduces a new single cluster catalyst consisting of loop-like [6]cycloparaphenylene ([6]CPP) as the support and an exposed central hexagonal-shaped Cu7 cluster as the metal center. DFT calculations prove that, originating from the mixed charge state and resultant synergistic effect of Cu atoms, Cu7@[6]CPP can be utilized as a highly active and selective catalyst for the electro-reduction of CO to produce formaldehyde. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Clinical decision making in children with heart disease relies on detailed measurements of cardiac structures using two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiography. However, no echocardiographic reference values are available for the Chinese children. We aimed to establish z-score regression equations for left heart structures in a population-based cohort of healthy Chinese Han children.Method: Echocardiography was performed in 545 children with a normal heart. The dimensions of the aortic valve annulus (AVA), aortic sinuses of Valsalva (ASV), sinotubular junction (STJ), ascending aorta (AAO), left atrium (LA), mitral valve annulus (MVA), interventricular septal end-diastolic thickness (IVSd), interventricular septal end-systolic thickness (IVSs), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVIDd), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVIDs), left ventricular posterior wall end-diastolic thickness (LVPWd), left ventricular posterior wall end-systolic thickness (LVPWs) were measured. Regression analyses were conducted to relate the measurements of left heart structures to body surface area (BSA). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were calculated. Several models were used, and the adjusted R2 values were compared for each model.Results: AVA, ASV, STJ, AAO, LA, MVA, IVSd, IVSs, LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWd, and LVPWs had a cubic relationship with BSA. LVEF and LVFS fell within a narrow range.Conclusions: Our results provide reference values for z scores and regression equations for left heart structures in Han Chinese children. These data may help make a quick and accurate judgment of the routine clinical measurement of left heart structures in children with heart disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth mining can cause ecological problems as a result of soil erosion and water pollution in local areas. Thus assessing the development trends of ecological safety is crucial in formulating the environmental protection policies in rare earth area. Rare earth mining is a long and complicated process in which the state values of evaluation indicators for ecological safety are dynamic and continual interplay. Hence, conventionally measured indicators are inadequate in this context. An evaluation method based on the theory of quantitative scenario analysis was proposed in this study to analyze ecological safety development trends in rare earth mining areas. First, according to the PSR model framework, six indicators including "mining technology", "mining intensity", "water environment", "soil environment", "waste water, waste gas and waste residue management technologies" and "environmental protection policy", were selected to reveal the ecological safety in mining areas. Second, the crossover probability algorithm, Markov chain and nonlinear programming were utilized to construct a quantitative scenario analysis model for ecological safety development trends. Lastly, the model was verified using the data on Lingbei rare earth mining area located in Ganzhou City, China. Results showed that the quantitative scenario analysis model could be used to calculate the changes in various indicators, their cross impacts in the development process and the occurrence probability of scenario combinations for ecological safety development that were composed of the state changes of each indicator. These findings indicate that the proposed model can effectively and accurately forecast the ecological safety development trends in rare earth mining areas. The conclusions can provide a theoretical basis for environmental protection work in rare earth mining areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Paranosema locustae Canning, 1953 (Microsporidia) provides effective control of grasshoppers. Horizontal transmission of P. locustae is known to occur, and evidence for the mechanism of this transmission via predatory natural enemies has been found. We conducted a 3‐year laboratory and field study to assess the potential impact of feces from both grasshoppers Locusta migratoria L. and their natural enemies on the persistence of P. locustae. RESULTS: We found that P. locustae persisted among grasshopper populations in treated areas and in adjacent untreated areas for up to 2 years, and the density of grasshoppers decreased in both areas. We showed that healthy grasshoppers could be infected by eating food contaminated by feces from their natural enemies. Grasshopper predators retained a large number of spores acquired from eating grasshoppers infected with P. locustae. Spores in the feces of the main natural enemy, the beetle Pterostichus gebleri Dejean 1828, in the treated area showed clear viability. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that predatory natural enemies are important vectors for this microsporidian disease, and suggest that sustainable transmission and continuing population suppression might be achieved by horizontal transmission via natural enemies, which should be maximized to increase the effectiveness of P. locustae. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry We conducted a 3‐year laboratory and field study to assess the potential impact of feces from both grasshoppers Locusta migratoria L. and their natural enemies on the persistence of Paranosema locustae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]