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Collagen (Col)-based composite hydrogels have attracted wide attention because of the additional properties that the second component brings to the hydrogel. Here we reported self-assembly of collagen and cross-linking of alginate with [Ca.sup.2+] to prepare a novel composite hydrogel with Tilapiaskin-derived collagen and alginate for efficient wound repairing as the wound dressing. The composite hydrogels exhibited higher water content, coupled with a significant increase in water retention rates upon the incorporation of alginate. As the concentration of alginate rose, the cross-linking network became tighter, thereby not only modifying the internal structure of the hydrogel but also enhancing its mechanical strength. Moreover, the collagen degradation rate in the composite hydrogels was greatly reduced through addition of alginate, and the collagen-alginate composite hydrogels exhibited low cytotoxicity, and improved wound healing efficacy, accelerating the maturation of skin attachments and the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). These results suggested that the composite hydrogel formed by fish-derived collagen and alginate held promising potential as a wound dressing for challenging and refractory wounds. KEYWORDS alginate, characterization, collagen, composite hydrogel, wound dressing Highlights * Tilapia-skin-derived collagen/alginate hydrogels was prepared by selfassembly and cross-linking method. * The introduction of alginate improves the mechanical strength of collagen hydrogel. * The addition of alginate can slow down the degradation of collagen. * The composite hydrogels retain high water content and low cytotoxicity. * The composite hydrogels can promote wound healing significantly., 1 | INTRODUCTION Refractory wounds, such as severe frostbite, burns and ulcers, can cause full-thickness skin damage and are difficult to repair, (1,2) which brings great pain to patients, and [...]

The market for plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) that primarily include battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) has been rapidly growing in California for the past few years. Given the targets for PEV penetration in the state, it is important to have a better understanding of the pattern of technology diffusion and the factors that are driving the process. Using spatial analysis and Poisson count models, the researchers identify the importance of a neighborhood effect (at home locations) and workplace effect (at commute destinations) in supporting the diffusion of PEV technology in California. In the case of new BEV sales, they found that exposure to one additional BEV or PHEV within a 1-mile radius of a block group centroid is associated with a 0.2% increase in BEV sales in the block group. Interestingly, for new PHEV sales, the neighborhood effect of BEV sales is negative, suggesting that enhanced exposure to this type of technology (which is differentiated in distinctive ways from PHEVs) may impact new PHEV sales through a substitution effect. Specifically, higher BEV concentration in an area can have an overall negative effect on new PHEV sales. While the neighborhood effect at residential locations is important, the workplace effect also has a notably important effect on new PEV sales. Both effects work in combination with socioeconomic, demographic, policy, and built environment factors in encouraging PEV adoption. These results suggest that policymakers should consider targeted programs and investments that can boost the impact of neighborhood and peer effects on PEV salesView the NCST Project Webpage

Sales of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), which include battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), have grown substantially in recent years. To encourage PEV adoption, policymakers have offered monetary incentives for new PEV purchases, invested in charging infrastructure, and provided use-based incentives like High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane access and parking benefits. But questions remain regarding where, for how long, and how much promotion and government support might be necessary to achieve the state’s targets. Existing research on technology diffusion indicates that exposure through neighbors, workplace peers, and other acquaintances can legitimize new technology for the mass market and accelerate its market penetration. Researchers from the University of California, Davis and Irvine examined the adoption of PEVs in California between 2014 and 2016, both spatially and temporally, to gain a better understanding of the technology diffusion process and the effect of technology exposure, while controlling for sociodemographic factors and the effect of PEV incentive programs on PEV adoption in the state. This policy brief summarizes the findings from that research and provides policy implications.View the NCST Project Webpage

Risk factors and prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) following abdominal surgery were investigated. Five hundred and thirty-two patients who underwent abdominal surgery in Dongyang People's Hospital from February 2006 to May 2016 were enrolled. Among them, 113 patients had ARDS after surgery and 45 patients died. Those patients were included in observation group. The 419 patients who did not develop ARDS were included in control group, and 11 patients died. General data of patients were statistically analyzed, and the factors with statistical significance were subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis to analyze the risk factors of ARDS. There was a significant difference in age, infection, trauma-to-surgery time, and prognosis between the two groups (P<0.05). Perioperative blood loss, blood transfusion volume, and fluid volume in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Heart rate, ratio of PaO2/FiO2, ratio of high (low) blood glucose, levels of procalcitonin (PCT) and albumin (ALB) were significantly different between the two groups. Heart rate, PCT, long-term health assessment (APACHE) II scores were higher in observation group than those in control group (P<0.05). Percentage of hyperglycemic patients, PaO2/FiO2, and ALB were lower in observation group than those in control group (P<0.05). Occurrence of ARDS after abdominal surgery was related to age, infection, heart rate, PaO2/FiO2, and PCT levels (P<0.05). Age, infection, heart rate, PaO2/FiO2, ALB and APACHE II scores were related to the prognosis of patients with ARDS after abdominal surgery (P<0.05). Age, infection, heart rate, PaO2/FiO2, PCT levels, blood loss, blood transfusion volume, and infusion volume may be risk factors for ARDS after abdominal surgery. Age, infection, heart rate, PaO2/FiO2, ALB, and APACHE II scores may be related to prognosis of patients with ARDS after abdominal surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]