Simultaneous denitrification and phosphorus removal in MBfR with methane as the sole carbon source.

Aerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification (AME-D) employed in membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) is a promising strategy to reduce methane emission and enhance denitrification in wastewater treatment. However, focusing on enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency during AME-D has consistently overlooked the changes in phosphorus (P), and the underlying microbiome assembly mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, the MBfR was established to simultaneously enhance methane oxidation, denitrification, and P removal by the AME-D process under seasonal temperatures.

Core-Shell Catalysts with Superhydrophobicity for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Kinetics in Zinc-Air Batteries.

Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) operating in gas-solid-liquid three-phase systems suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics and low power output, which severely hinder their commercialization. To address these challenges, an integrated strategy is proposed combining core-shell heterophase catalytic species with superhydrophobic properties. The H─CoFe─CNT catalyst, featuring carbon nanotube-grown hollow cubic carbon cages, incorporates metal carbide@metal core-shell heterophase catalytic species and exhibits superhydrophobicity.

The platelet-to-albumin ratio and the lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio can serve as predictors of all-cause mortality in patients with sepsis.

Background: Sepsis is a severe condition in clinical practice. Although numerous studies have reported various prognostic markers associated with sepsis, the combination of the platelet-to-albumin ratio (PLT/ALB) and the lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio (LDH/ALB) has not been thoroughly examined.

Objectives: To study the associations of both the PLT/ALB ratio and the LDH/ALB ratio with all-cause mortality during the first hospitalization for sepsis.

CO drives ecological shifts through asymmetric selection in microalgae-bacteria granular for enhanced wastewater treatment and carbon fixation.

Microalgae-bacteria granular sludge (ABGS) systems show promising potential for simultaneous pollutant removal and CO fixation in wastewater treatment, aligning with carbon neutrality goals. However, the ecological mechanisms underlying CO-introduced ABGS system performance adaptations remain poorly understood, hindering biosystem optimization. Here, we systematically investigated multi-level ecological adaptation mechanisms in ABGS systems under external CO in low-carbon wastewater.

Atomic Spreading and Retraction of Supported Ultrasmall Alloy Nanoparticles under Reactive Oxygen at Elevated Temperatures.

The ability to control the morphology of supported alloy nanoparticles in an ultrasmall size range (≲5 nm) is challenging especially under reactive oxygen at elevated temperatures. The understanding of factors governing such nanoscale surface-dominated interfacial interactions and reactivities remains elusive since existing studies are mostly based on crystalline phases of larger-sized nanoparticles and the associated nanoparticle-support surface interactions. Here, we reveal a counterintuitive spreading and retraction phenomenon by in situ tracking of the spatiotemporal dynamics of alumina-supported ultrasmall ternary alloy nanoparticles under oxygen at different temperatures as a model system.

In Situ/Operando Probing of Dynamic Phase Structures of Alumina-Supported Ultrasmall Copper-Gold Alloy Nanoparticles Under Reaction Conditions.

The ability to control phase structures and surface sites of ultrasmall alloy nanoparticles under reaction conditions is essential for preparing catalysts by design. This is, however, challenging due to limited understanding of the atomic-scale phases and their correlation with the ensemble-averaged structures and activities of catalysts during catalytic reactions. We reveal here a dynamic structural stability of alumina-supported ultrasmall and equiatomic copper-gold alloy nanoparticles under reaction conditions as a model system in the in situ/operando study.

In Situ Templated Synthesis of Sponge-like Zn/Sb Dual-Atom Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Reduction in Zn-Air Batteries.

Developing efficient electrocatalysts that can improve the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and optimize mass transfer efficiency is crucial for advancing rechargeable Zn-air batteries (ZABs). Herein, we report an in situ template strategy utilizing in situ formed Zn nanoclusters to construct a sponge-like framework with atomically dispersed dual-atom Zn/Sb sites (Zn/Sb-NC-g). The sponge-like structure with well-defined mesopores (2-5 nm) enhances both the mass transport of oxygen intermediates and the exposure of Zn/Sb-N active sites, thereby optimizing ORR kinetics.

Multifunctional terahertz metamaterials device based on a dual-tunable structure incorporating graphene and vanadium oxide.

This paper presents a multifunctional terahertz device based on a dual-tunable structure incorporating graphene and vanadium oxide (VO). This device enables the switching between narrowband perfect absorption and ultra-broadband performance through the phase transition characteristics of VO and the adjustment of graphene Fermi level. Simulation results demonstrate that when VO is in its metallic state, the THz device exhibits ultra-broadband absorption, achieving a high absorption rate exceeding 0.

Diagnostic Utility of Pentraxin 3 Expression in Septic Cardiomyopathy: Findings from a Prospective Observational Study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the expression levels of Pentraxin 3, PTX3 in patients with septic cardiomyopathy, SCM and evaluate its diagnostic potential for predicting SCM.

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted involving 122 patients diagnosed with septic shock between February 2023 and August 2024. Demographic and clinical data, along with plasma PTX3 concentrations were recorded.

Probing Interfacial Nanostructures of Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems by In-Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy.

The ability to control the electrode interfaces in an electrochemical energy storage system is essential for achieving the desired electrochemical performance. However, achieving this ability requires an in-depth understanding of the detailed interfacial nanostructures of the electrode under electrochemical operating conditions. In-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is one of the most powerful techniques for revealing electrochemical energy storage mechanisms with high spatiotemporal resolution and high sensitivity in complex electrochemical environments.

Direct Recycling of Spent LiFePO Cathodes Through Photocatalytic Correction of Anti-Site Defects.

Fe-Li (Fe anti-site defects, commonly observed in degraded LiFePO cathodes, impede Li mobility and disrupt the electronic pathways, leading to significant performance degradation in LFP. However, addressing Fe anti-site defects to achieve direct recycling of LFP remains challenging due to Fe high migration energy barriers and the lattice distortions they induce. Here, a feasible strategy is proposed for LFP regeneration by utilizing photocatalysis to reduce the Fe migration barrier.

Full Electrical Manipulation of Perpendicular Magnetization in [111]-Orientated Pt/Co Heterostructure Enabled by Anisotropic Epitaxial Strain.

The effective manipulation of perpendicular magnetization through spin-orbit torque (SOT) holds great promise for magnetic memory and spin-logic device. However, field-free SOT switching of perpendicular magnetization remains a challenge for conventional materials with high symmetry. This study elucidates a full electrical manipulation of the perpendicular magnetization in an epitaxial [111]-orientated Pt/Co heterostructure.

Low-temperature electron-electron interaction correction to the anomalous Hall effect in FeGaTesingle crystals.

The electron-electron interaction (EEI), weak localization and Kondo effect are known to correct low-temperature (low-) resistivity in metals and semimetals. However, the impact of EEI on the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) by EEI remains a subject of debate. In this study, we investigate the EEI corrections to both the low-longitudinal and AH resistivities in van der Waals ferromagnetic FeGaTesingle crystals with a high Curie temperature.

Surface Engineering Enabling Efficient Upcycling of Highly Degraded Layered Cathodes.

Direct recycling of cathode materials has attracted phenomenal attention due to its economic and eco-friendly advantages. However, existing direct recycling technologies are difficult to apply to highly degraded layered materials as the accumulation of thick rock-salt phases on their surfaces not only blocks lithiation channels but also is thermodynamically difficult to transform into layered phases. Here, a surface engineering-assisted direct upcycling strategy that reactivates the lithium diffusion channels at the highly degraded cathode surfaces using acid etching explored.

Confining Magnetic Response by the Surface Reorganization of Buckling Permalloy Microspheres for Boosting Microwave Absorption.

Sharp corners and edges with high surface curvature provide low-dimensional nanosized materials with special static magnetic properties. However, the surface engineering of their high-frequency magnetic response remains challenging, and the underlying mechanism requires further clarification. In this study, we propose a template-aided surface reorganization strategy for integrating surfaces with different curvatures into one permalloy architecture.

FePc Coupled with FeNi/WxC Embeded in Leaf like Multistage Pore Carbon as Highly Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Long Life Zinc-air Battery.

The development of oxygen reduction/evolution reaction (ORR/OER) bifunctional electrocatalysts with excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability is critical for Zinc-air batteries (ZABs), but remains challenging. Herein, NiFe-WNC with abundant multistage pore structure was prepared by chemical bath deposition and pyrolysis. FePc@NiFe-WNC bifunctional electrocatalyst was obtained by coupling dispersed FePc on it at room temperature.

High-performance rechargeable zinc-air batteries enabled by cobalt iron anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon matrix as bifunctional electrocatalyst.

Developing efficient bifunctional oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)/oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts is potential ways for achieving high rechargeable zinc-air (Zn-air) battery performance. Herein, we report an iron (II) acetate-assisted strategy to synthesize CoFe-NC-OAc catalyst with cobalt iron (CoFe) alloy anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) matrix, which can serve as efficient ORR/OER bifunctional electrocatalysts for rechargeable Zn-air batteries. Apart from alloying with Co to form ORR/OER active CoFe nanoparticles, the incorporation of iron (II) acetate has expanded the pore size inside the CoFe-NC-OAc catalyst to serve as gas transfer channels, and has induced synergetic electronic coupling between CoFe nanoparticles and NC matrix for boosting catalytic activity.

Customized Pore Creation Strategies for Hyperelastic, Robust, Insulating Multifunctional MXene Aerogels for Microwave Absorption.

The construction of heterogeneous microstructure and the selection of multicomponents have turned into a research hotspot in developing ultralight, multifunctional, high-efficiency electromagnetic wave absorbing (EMA) materials. Although aerogels are promising materials to fulfill the above requirements, the increase in functional fillers inevitably leads to the deterioration of intrinsic properties. Tuning the electromagnetic properties from the structural design point of view remains a difficult challenge.

Multidimensional Engineering Induced Interfacial Polarization by in-Situ Confined Growth of MoS Nanosheets for Enhanced Microwave Absorption.

Interface design has enormous potential for the enhancement of interfacial polarization and microwave absorption properties. However, the construction of interfaces is always limited in components of a single dimension. Developing systematic strategies to customize multidimensional interfaces and fully utilize advantages of low-dimensional materials remains challenging.

UFMylation: An integral post-translational modification for the regulation of proteostasis and cellular functions.

Ubiquitin-fold modifier 1 (UFM1) is covalently conjugated to protein substrates via a cascade of enzymatic reactions, a process known as UFMylation. UFMylation orchestrates an array of vital biological functions, including maintaining endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis, facilitating protein biogenesis, promoting cellular differentiation, regulating DNA damage response, and participating in cancer-associated signaling pathways. UFMylation has rapidly evolved into one of the forefront research areas within the last few years, yet much remains to be uncovered.

Synergistic Pore Structure and Active Site Modulation in Co-N-C Catalysts Enabling Stable Zinc-Air Batteries.

Development of cheap, highly active, and durable nonprecious metal-based oxygen electrocatalysts is essential for metal-air battery technology, but achieving the balance of oxygen evolution reaction (OER)/oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) bifunctional performance and long-term durability is still a great challenge. Using a typical Co-N-C catalyst as a model, herein, we introduced ammonium chloride into nitrogen-doped carbon materials containing metal elements during the pyrolysis process (Co-N-C/AC), which not only increases the active area but also realizes the accurate customization of the active site (pyridine nitrogen and cobalt oxide species) so as to achieve the balance of the OER/ORR bifunctional sites. The synthesized Co-N-C/AC bifunctional catalyst with a three-dimensional porous structure exhibits a smaller potential gap of 0.

PTX3 mediates PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling to downregulate apoptosis and autophagy to attenuate myocardial injury in sepsis.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanism of Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) on myocardial injury in sepsis.

Methods: Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to Groups A, B, or C. Mice in Groups A and B were injected with unloaded lentivirus, while mice in Group C were injected with lentivirus encoding PTX3 overexpression.

Fixed-Point Atomic Regulation Engineered Low-Thickness Wideband Microwave Absorption.

Atomic doping is widely employed to fine-tune crystal structures, energy band structures, and the corresponding electrical properties. However, due to the difficulty in precisely regulating doping sites and concentrations, establishing a relationship between electricity properties and doping becomes a huge challenge. In this work, a modulation strategy on A-site cation dopant into spinel-phase metal sulfide CoS lattice via Fe and Ni elements is developed to improve the microwave absorption (MA) properties.

In Situ Constructed Spinel Layer Stabilized Upcycled LiCoO for High Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

With ever-increasing requirements for cathodes in the lithium-ion batteries market, an efficiency and eco-friendly upcycling regeneration strategy is imperative to meet the demand for high-performance cathode materials. Herein, a facile, direct and upcycling regeneration strategy is proposed to restore the failed LiCoO and enhance the stability at 4.6 V.

Distinct skyrmion phases at room temperature in two-dimensional ferromagnet FeGaTe.

Distinct skyrmion phases at room temperature hosted by one material offer additional degree of freedom for the design of topology-based compact and energetically-efficient spintronic devices. The field has been extended to low-dimensional magnets with the discovery of magnetism in two-dimensional van der Waals magnets. However, creating multiple skyrmion phases in 2D magnets, especially above room temperature, remains a major challenge.