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In order to explore the characteristics of intact loess soil water, the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) for undisturbed loess from Baoji, Qishan and Yangling were predicted by Soilvision software, which was compared with results from the pressure plate and reduce indoor humidity test. The results showed that methods like Arya & Pais, Scheinost and Tyler &. Wheatcraft were not suitable for prediction of undisturbed unsaturated of SWCC. Since Fredlund &. Wilson method was based on a huge database of soil test, it was determined to be suitable for the prediction of undisturbed unsaturated of SWCC. A new practical engineering approach was proposed to predict the SWCC prediction formula in the absence of test conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifunctional polymers have wide applications in smart materials. In this study, the multifunctional polymer (hydrophilic graphene‐Fe3O4‐PVA, GFP composite films) were synthesized by mixing with hydrophilic graphene (HG), ferrous ammonium sulfate, and ferric chloride in PVA solution through one‐pot coprecipitation method. GFP composite films were characterized by XRD, FT‐IR. Their morphology and particle size of Fe3O4 in GFP composite film were observed by TEM, SEM, and AFM. The results indicated that the morphology of Fe3O4 in GFP could be modulated from sphere shape to rod structure by the loading quantity of HG. Besides, many properties of GFP composite films were investigated. Firstly, GFP composite films demonstrated the fast magnetic response and high thermal stability. Secondly, the introduction of HG not only simultaneously enhanced the stiffness and ductility of GFP composite films, but also improved their flame retarding performance. Finally, HG regulating effect for the morphology of Fe3O4 in GFP and improvement mechanism of HG for mechanical performance of GFP composite films were illustrated. Both of them might be contributed to the hydrogen bonds effect among Fe3O4, PVA, and HG. Thus, these multifunctional GFP composite films can be applicable as the basis of fabricating smart materials in different fields. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48174. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Donation after circulatory death (DCD) heart transplantation potentially increases donor allografts, especially for patients with lower listing status. We assessed outcomes of DCD heart transplantation in patients bridged with durable left ventricular assist devices (LVAD)., Methods: The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database was queried for adult heart transplants utilizing DCD donors from 2019-2022. Patients were stratified between those with durable LVAD versus those with intra-aortic balloon pump, inotropic, or no bridging support (control group). Primary outcome was 1-year mortality. Secondary endpoints were hospital length of stay, stroke, pacemaker implantation, dialysis, and acute rejection before discharge., Results: 160 LVAD recipients and 311 control recipients met study inclusion criteria. Recipients bridged with LVAD were younger (55 vs. 58 years, p<0.001) with lower BMI (28.3 vs. 30.3, p<0.001), longer waitlist times (112 vs. 34 days, p<0.001), longer out of body times (5.7 vs 4.6 hours, p<0.001), and less frequent normothermic regional perfusion (31% vs 40%, p=0.049). LVAD patients were commonly transplanted at UNOS status 3-4 (92%), while control patients were transplanted at status 2 (27%), status 3 (10%), status 4 (30%), or status 6 (30%). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no difference in 1-year mortality between groups (p=0.34). However, acute rejection was higher in the unadjusted LVAD cohort (26% vs. 13%, p<0.001). On multivariable logistic regression, LVAD was an independent predictor of acute rejection (OR: 2.21, 95% CI:1.32-3.69, p=0.002)., Conclusions: Durable LVAD may be associated with higher risk of developing an early inflammatory response in DCD heart transplantation; however, 1-year survival was similar between groups., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: Institutions lack consensus on the management of patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) who are repaired on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Our study aimed to evaluate risk factors associated with bleeding complications in patients with CDH repaired on ECMO., Methods: A single-institution retrospective review evaluated all patients with CDH who underwent on-ECMO repair between January 2005 and December 2023. A significant bleeding complication post-repair was defined as bleeding necessitating re-operation. The association between preoperative factors and bleeding complications was evaluated., Results: Forty-six patients were included. Bleeding complications developed in 11/46 (24%) patients. Birthweight (2.5 vs. 3.2 kg, p = 0.02), platelet count <100/mm 3 (64% vs. 29%, p = 0.04), elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN; 24.5 vs. 17.5 mg/dL, p = 0.05), and older age at repair (8 vs. 5 days, p = 0.04) were associated with bleeding. In univariate analysis, patients with platelets under 100/mm 3 were more likely to develop a bleeding complication (OR = 4.4, p = 0.04). Patients who experienced a significant bleeding event experienced increased ECMO days (12 vs. 7 days, p < 0.01), ventilator days (31 vs. 18 days, p < 0.05), and lower survival to discharge (36% vs. 74%, p = 0.03)., Conclusion: Among CDH patients undergoing repair on ECMO, those with lower birth weight, platelet counts under 100/mm 3 , elevated BUN, and older age at repair had an increased risk of a significant bleeding complication, resulting in more ECMO and ventilator days and higher mortality. Patients undergoing on-ECMO repair should have platelet count transfused to greater than 100/mm 3 . Patients at high risk for bleeding may benefit from early repair on ECMO., Level of Evidence: Level III., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO x by NH 3 (NH 3 -SCR) for diminishing SO 2 poisoning remains an issue in flue gas denitrification (DeNO x ). Herein, A novel CNTs functionalized low temperature NH 3 -SCR catalyst CeO 2 /CNTs-GAC was prepared, which showed high NO conversion activity (100% at 150 °C) and SO 2 resistance. The addition of CNTs restrained SO 2 adsorption but improved the selective adsorption of NO, which restricted the deposition of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 and/or Ce 2 (SO 4 ) 3 , and resulted in high SO 2 resistance. The addition of CNTs facilitated the diffusion and transportation of NH 3 and NO, and the electron transfer on CeO 2 /CNTs-GAC, leading to higher content of Ce 3+ and adsorbed O species on the CeO 2 /CNTs-GAC surface and promoted formation of surface-adsorbed oxygen O A . Therefore, CeO 2 /CNTs-GAC provided abundant NO adsorption and activation sites, facilitating "fast SCR" reaction and enhancing the NH 3 -SCR reaction. The proposed CeO 2 /CNTs-GAC catalyst exhibited higher NH 3 -SCR activity, N 2 selectivity, catalytic durability and SO 2 resistance than CeO 2 /GAC., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ce-supported activated carbon-carbon nanotube composite (Ce/AC-CNTs) catalyst was prepared by in situ formation of CNTs on AC and then modified by Ce. This Ce/AC-CNTs catalyst was subsequently used for low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO x with NH 3 (NH 3 -SCR). The NO conversion of Ce/AC-CNTs was 1.41 times higher than that of Ce/AC at 150 °C with good SO 2 tolerance. The catalysts were analyzed by N 2 physisorption, SEM, XRD, NH 3 -TPD, XPS, and Raman technologies. The results showed that the introduction of CNTs could form new mesopores and increase the amount of surface chemisorbed oxygen and acid sites, which all contribute to the high NH 3 -SCR activity., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)