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A novel methodology harnessing the synergistic influence of bimetallic and non-metallic dual vacancies within a unified catalyst for enabling highly efficient bifunctional photocatalysis encompassing oxidation and reduction processes is presented. ZnIn2S4, engineered to possess concurrent zinc and sulfur dual vacancies (ZnIn2S4-VZn+S), underwent synthesis and rigorous characterization employing atomic-resolution HAADF-STEM. This tailored catalyst was subsequently employed for pivotal photocatalytic processes, including nitrogen reduction (pNRR) and the photooxidative degradation of hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Computational analyses using Density Functional Theory (DFT) unveiled site-specific activation facilitated by Zn and S dual vacancies, activating water molecules and nitrogen, culminating in a synergistic effect driving ammonia synthesis. Additionally, X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure (XANES) spectroscopy elucidated the role of photogenerated electrons confined within the sulfur vacancy, utilizing In3+ as an intermediary for electron migration, instigating a reaction with N2 to yield NH3 (In3+–N2 + H+ + VS(e−) → In2+ + NH3), further augmenting the collaborative effect of dual vacancies on nitrogen reduction. Furthermore, the Zn and S vacancies emerged as active sites for hydroxyl and superoxide radical generation, facilitating enhanced participation of photogenerated carriers in radical generation reactions. This distinctive electron aggregation pathway engendered significant synergy, markedly enhancing the photodegradation prowess. Thus, the observed synergistic effect of site activation between Zn and S vacancies yielded a cumulative effect surpassing individual contributions (1 + 1 ≫; 2), thereby facilitating efficient photoreduction and photooxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT) is preferred for non-invasive detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori); however, its accuracy drops when results fall between 2‰ and 6‰ (called the gray zone). This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of 13C-UBT (cut-off point 4‰) between 2‰ and 6‰, find a more appropriate gray zone, and identify the factors influencing 13C-UBT. Methods: Patients with 13C-UBT results 2‰–6‰, over an eight-year period, were studied. H. pylori infection was diagnosed if patients were positive for either Warthin–Starry staining or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), and excluded if both were negative. Accuracy of 13C-UBT under different cut-off points was calculated, and the factors affecting 13C-UBT were analyzed. Results: A total of 208 patients were included, of whom 129 were H. pylori–positive. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of 13C-UBT were 71.32%, 83.54%, 64.08%, and 87.62%, respectively. When the cut-off point was changed to 2.15‰, the NPV of 13C-UBT reached a maximum (76.47%); when the cut-off point was changed to 4.95‰, PPV reached its maximum (93.22%). Therefore, the original gray zone (2‰–6‰) was adjusted to 2‰–4.95‰. Gastric antral intestinal metaplasia (OR = 3.055, 95% CI: 1.003–9.309) was an independent risk factor for false-negative 13C-UBT. Conclusions: Accuracy of 13C-UBT over 2‰–6‰ was poor, and the gray zone was changed to 2‰–4.95‰. 13C-UBT results over 2‰–4.95‰ should be interpreted with caution during mass screening of H. pylori, especially for patients with gastric antral intestinal metaplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of intelligent media, human users and chatbots have established a deep dependency relationship through communication, making media dependence a behavioral foundation that widely permeates human social practice. This article investigates how media dependence affects human social interaction during emotional interactions between human users and chatbots. Based on the theory of media dependence, the existing mature scales of media dependence and interpersonal communication were adapted, and 496 Replika user questionnaires were collected. After screening the validity of the questionnaires, 428 valid questionnaires were obtained. Descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis, and mediation effect testing were used to analyze the impact of media dependence on human-computer emotional interaction. Results indicate a significant positive correlation between human-chatbot emotional interaction and human user social interaction. Media dependence significantly positively regulates emotional interactions between humans and chatbots. In addition, the social interactions of human users are partially influenced by factors such as user nature, age, education, and income., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Yuan, Cheng and Duan.)

Background: The 13 C-urea breath test ( 13 C-UBT) is preferred for non-invasive detection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori); however, its accuracy drops when results fall between 2‰ and 6‰ (called the gray zone). This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of 13 C-UBT (cut-off point 4‰) between 2‰ and 6‰, find a more appropriate gray zone, and identify the factors influencing 13 C-UBT., Methods: Patients with 13 C-UBT results 2‰-6‰, over an eight-year period, were studied. H. pylori infection was diagnosed if patients were positive for either Warthin-Starry staining or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), and excluded if both were negative. Accuracy of 13 C-UBT under different cut-off points was calculated, and the factors affecting 13 C-UBT were analyzed., Results: A total of 208 patients were included, of whom 129 were H. pylori-positive. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) of 13 C-UBT were 71.32%, 83.54%, 64.08%, and 87.62%, respectively. When the cut-off point was changed to 2.15‰, the NPV of 13 C-UBT reached a maximum (76.47%); when the cut-off point was changed to 4.95‰, PPV reached its maximum (93.22%). Therefore, the original gray zone (2‰-6‰) was adjusted to 2‰-4.95‰. Gastric antral intestinal metaplasia (OR = 3.055, 95% CI: 1.003-9.309) was an independent risk factor for false-negative 13 C-UBT., Conclusions: Accuracy of 13 C-UBT over 2‰-6‰ was poor, and the gray zone was changed to 2‰-4.95‰. 13 C-UBT results over 2‰-4.95‰ should be interpreted with caution during mass screening of H. pylori, especially for patients with gastric antral intestinal metaplasia., Competing Interests: None