To systematically review and meta-analyze the impact of fluorescent versus conventional orthodontic adhesives on debonding efficiency, bond strength, and enamel integrity. This systematic review and meta-analysis, following the PRISMA guidelines, searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central (inception to November 2024) for studies comparing fluorescent versus conventional adhesives. Included were 19 studies (17 in vitro and 2 in vivo), with 11 meta-analyses for shear bond strength (SBS), adhesive remnant index (ARI), residual adhesive surface area, enamel damage index (EDI), and removal time using a random-effects model. The risk of bias was assessed with CRIS, RoB 2, and ROBINS-I. Of 798 records, 19 were included. Fluorescent adhesives reduced residual adhesive area (MD -0.57 mm2, 95% CI: -1.13, -0.02, p = 0.04) and removal time (MD -24.89 s, 95% CI: -50.29, 0.51, p = 0.05), but showed no significant differences in SBS (MD 1.07 MPa, 95% CI: -3.05, 5.19, p = 0.61), ARI (MD 0.18, 95% CI: -0.10, 0.46, p = 0.20), or EDI (MD -0.04, 95% CI: -0.28, 0.20, p = 0.73). Heterogeneity was high (e.g., I2 = 99.77% for removal time), and most studies had a moderate bias. Narratively, fluorescence improved remnant detection (e.g., 50 µm via QLF). Fluorescent adhesives enhance debonding efficiency by reducing residual adhesive area and removal time in laboratory settings, without affecting bond strength. Enamel protection is operator-dependent. Due to the predominance of in vitro studies (17/19) and limited clinical data (only 2 in vivo studies, one with a single patient), firm clinical recommendations cannot be made. High heterogeneity and moderate risk of bias further limit the strength of the findings. Further standardized clinical trials are needed.
Primary ovarian lymphoma (POL) is rare and often presents as an adnexal mass, creating diagnostic and management challenges. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 13 women diagnosed with POL between January 2018 and December 2023. Median age was 44 years (range 13-69), with 69.2% being premenopausal. LDH was elevated in 9/13 (69.2%) and CA-125 in 8/10 (80.0%) while CEA and CA19-9 were negative. Histology was heterogeneous: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL, 46.2%), extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (23.1%), Burkitt lymphoma (15.4%), marginal zone lymphoma (7.7%), and follicular lymphoma (7.7%). Median follow-up was 28 months (range 0.5-84). Three deaths occurred, all in patients without timely systemic therapy. Estimated 5-year OS was approximately 76.9% (95% CI, 57.1%-100%). In this contemporary POL series, clinicopathologic heterogeneity was prominent, and laboratory profiles frequently overlapped with ovarian malignancy work-up. Outcomes may be favorable among patients receiving timely, subtype-appropriate systemic treatment.
Imine-linked COFs are increasingly being used to recover palladium from aqueous waste streams, but the binding sites undergo protonation in acidic media, thereby losing palladium adsorption capacity. Herein, we report a new strategy that effectively suppresses imine protonation in COFs by tuning the local charge density, thereby allowing highly efficient recovery of Pd(II) from acidic solutions. By judicious placement of electron-donating hydroxyl substituents on aromatic units next to imine groups, the electron cloud density around imine N atoms increases, suppressing protonation and preserving a high density of accessible Pd(II) binding sites. Further incorporation of extended π-conjugated naphthalene units increases local charge density at the imine centers, strengthening the Pd(II) affinity and boosting adsorption capacity. As a result, the optimized adsorbent (COF-3) exhibits rapid adsorption kinetics, exceptional selectivity, and an unprecedented Pd(II) uptake of 942.02 ± 24.61 mg/g in 0.1 M HNO3, surpassing all reported crystalline adsorbents thus far. Subsequently, COF-3 demonstrates robust performance in dynamic recovery of Pd(II) from both acidic laboratory waste streams and simulated high-level radioactive liquid waste, while maintaining excellent adsorption efficiency across multiple adsorption-desorption cycles. Our rational strategy opens a new avenue for designing next-generation sorbents for precious metal recovery and other applications.
Clomiphene citrate (CC) is an established treatment for men with low testosterone, but predictors of treatment response remain poorly defined. To identify factors associated with clinically meaningful increases in serum testosterone levels during CC therapy. This retrospective study analyzed men diagnosed with low testosterone and treated with CC. Inclusion criteria were (1) a diagnosis of low testosterone (total testosterone (TT) ≤300 ng/dL with symptoms) or borderline low testosterone (TT 300-400 ng/dL with objective signs of low testosterone (low bone density or elevated HbA1c)), (2) laboratory follow-up within 12-weeks of initiation, and (4) no prior testosterone therapy. Initial CC dosing was 25 mg every other day (QOD), with escalation to 50 mg QOD if TT remained <400 ng/dL. Labs were redrawn every 4-weeks following dose changes until TT was at goal or until CC discontinuation. Discontinuation within 12-weeks without documented response constituted treatment failure. TT was assessed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Multivariable models were used to identify predictors of treatment response. The primary outcome was achievement of treatment response, defined as TT ≥400 ng/dL on treatment plus an increase in TT ≥200 ng/dL from baseline. The study included 292 men with median age of 60 (IQR 50, 66) years, median baseline TT (219, 314) 264 ng/dL, and median baseline luteinizing hormone (LH) of 3.5 (2.6, 5.1) mIU/mL. Comorbidities included diabetes (18%), hyperlipidemia (46%), hypertension (44%), prior radical prostatectomy (41%), prostate radiotherapy (12%), and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (4.5%). Treatment response was achieved in 136 of 292 (47%) patients; 156 (53%) failed to meet response criteria within 12-weeks. Multivariable analysis identified baseline LH (increase per mIU/mL) (OR 0.82, CI = 0.71-0.95, P = .008) as a significant negative predictor for achieving treatment response. Likewise, prior ADT was predictive for poor response (OR 0.11, CI = 0.01-0.6, P = .039). Baseline TT and age at start of CC treatment were not predictive. The study included 292 men with median age of 60 (IQR 50, 66) years, median baseline TT (219, 314) 264 ng/dL, and median baseline LH of 3.5 (2.6, 5.1) mIU/mL. Comorbidities included diabetes (18%), hyperlipidemia (46%), hypertension (44%), prior radical prostatectomy (41%), prostate radiotherapy (12%), and ADT (4.5%). Treatment response was achieved in 136 of 292 (47%) patients; 156 (53%) failed to meet response criteria within 12-weeks. Multivariable analysis identified baseline LH (increase per mIU/mL) (OR 0.82, CI = 0.71-0.95, P = .008) as a significant negative predictor for achieving treatment response. Likewise, prior ADT was predictive for poor response (OR 0.11, CI = 0.01-0.6, P = .039). Baseline TT and age at start of CC treatment were not predictive. Identification of predictors for CC treatment response enables individualized counseling, leading to better informed treatment decisions and avoidance of treatment failure. Strengths include cohort size, utilization of the gold-standard lab assessment for TT (LCMS), and standardized reproducible clinical pathways. Limitations include having a study population that is skewed older and less healthy than average, lack of long-term follow-up, and lack of quantifiable data on symptoms. In men with low testosterone, this study found that higher baseline LH and history of prior ADT predicted worse response to CC therapy.
Few studies have evaluated the influence of cannabis use and pain-related sleep disturbance on tobacco smoking outcomes despite a greater prevalence of smoking among people with pain and cannabis use to manage pain. This study examined cannabis use and pain-related sleep disturbance in relation to end of treatment (EOT) tobacco smoking abstinence. Participants (N = 175; 42.3% HIV+; 57.7% HIV-) were treatment-seeking adults who completed a pre-quit laboratory phase assessing smoking related factors, then an 8-week cessation treatment. Cannabis use was measured via urine drug screen. Pain was measured with a single item (pain interference with sleep). Logistic regression models were used to test whether pain-related sleep disturbance and cannabis co-use predicted abstinence. Covariates included baseline pain, baseline cannabis use, and HIV status. EOT pain-related sleep disturbance was associated with lower odds of abstinence (OR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.37-0.89, p = 0.012). The cannabis use by pain-related sleep disturbance interaction was significant (OR=1.72, 95%CI: 0.29-3.15, p = 0.018), suggesting that pain-related sleep disturbance was associated with lower odds of abstinence among those not using cannabis (p = 0.012). This relationship was not significant among those using cannabis (p = 0.6). Pain-related sleep disturbance and cannabis use may be risk factors for return to use as pain-related sleep disturbance during a quit attempt was related to abstinence, and the additive effect of EOT cannabis use and pain-related sleep disturbance was associated with the highest odds of abstinence. Further evaluations of pain-related sleep disturbance and cannabis use are needed to understand individual and additive influences on smoking abstinence.
Autoantibodies to extractable nuclear antigens (anti-ENA) play a crucial role in the diagnosis of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD). Analytical methods differ in antigen composition and diagnostic performance. We aimed to document the extent of variability amongst laboratories in how anti-ENA testing is conducted, controlled and verified. A survey was developed to collect information on anti-ENA methodology and quality assurance practices. The questionnaire was distributed amongst laboratories by Sciensano (Belgium), national EASI groups (Italy, Croatia, Portugal, Estonia, Greece) and ICAP (worldwide). A total of 427 laboratories participated (61 % European, 21 % American, 14 % Asian). More than half (52 %) use two or more anti-ENA methods. Turnaround time varied, but 71 % perform the analysis within 72 h. Urgent testing was offered in 42 % of laboratories. Internal quality control (IQC) was performed in 91 % of laboratories, predominantly with commercial materials. External quality assessment (EQA) participation was also high (87 %), with nearly half participating in more than three distributions annually. Reagent lot evaluation was less widely implemented (36 %). Forty-three percent tried to limit variability by limiting lot changes. Method verification was performed by 81 % of the laboratories, though sample type and numbers, as well as reproducibility replicates varied considerably. This survey highlights substantial heterogeneity in anti-ENA laboratory practice. While most laboratories apply IQC and EQA, significant variation remains in test method(s), turnaround times, lot variability evaluation and verification strategies. Development of more comprehensive recommendations on these topics are essential to improve reliability and comparability of results across laboratories.
The increasing presence of fentanyl in the illicit drug supply has been associated with rising overdose mortality in the United States, but the extent to which it is associated with nonfatal overdose morbidity remains unknown. We examined the association between the proportion of fentanyl reports in illicit drug seizures and state-level rates of nonfatal overdose emergency department (ED) visits. We conducted a longitudinal ecological analysis of 40 US states from 2021 to 2024. Outcomes were annual state-level rates of nonfatal overdose ED visits per 10,000 ED visits, obtained from Drug Overdose Surveillance and Epidemiology Syndromic Surveillance System. The proportion of fentanyl reports among all illicit drug seizure reports was obtained from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System. Annual state-level sociodemographic covariates were obtained from the American Community Survey. Adjusted associations and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated via linear regression using generalized estimating equations. After adjusting for covariates, a 10 percentage-point increase in fentanyl seizure proportion was significantly associated with higher nonfatal overdose ED visit rates: opioid-involved (2.18 increase, 95% CI: 0.89, 3.46), fentanyl-involved (0.73 increase, 95% CI: 0.27, 1.18), and cocaine-involved (0.08 increase, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.15). There was no evidence of statistically significant associations with heroin-, stimulant-, methamphetamine-, and benzodiazepine-involved overdose ED visit rates. Greater fentanyl penetration in illicit drug seizure reports was significantly associated with higher opioid-, fentanyl-, and cocaine-involved nonfatal overdose ED visit rates across states. These findings suggest that fentanyl saturation is not only a driver of overdose mortality but also contributes to nonfatal overdose burden, with important implications for health system demand and public health preparedness.
Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) represents a critical degradation process driven by complex physicochemical and biological interactions at the solid-liquid interface. While conventional chemical biocides are widely employed to mitigate MIC, their efficacy is fundamentally hindered by their inability to effectively penetrate the protective extracellular polymeric substance colloidal matrix. Furthermore, their deployment is increasingly constrained by three prominent drawbacks, which include insufficient targeting specificity leading to cross-resistance in pathogens, severe environmental toxicity because maintaining efficacy within the biofilm requires elevated dosages that threaten non-target aquatic organisms, and stringent regulatory limitations driving the urgent need for sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives. To overcome these interfacial barriers, engineered nanomaterials have emerged as a promising alternative. Leveraging their high specific surface area, tunable surface chemistries, and intrinsic size-dependent physicochemical properties, nanomaterials offer precise modulation of nano-bio interactions. Whether deployed as targeted nano-biocides or integrated into advanced functional coatings, they can disrupt initial bacterial adhesion and physically or chemically destabilize mature biofilm. Given that the rational design of nanomaterials for MIC mitigation is still evolving and comprehensive reviews from a surface science perspective remain scarce, this paper systematically synthesizes recent advancements in this field. This review aims to thoroughly elucidate the underlying physicochemical mechanisms of nanomaterial-mediated MIC inhibition, thereby establishing a conceptual framework that connects fundamental interface phenomena with the development of next-generation, environmentally benign anti-corrosion strategies.
The persistence of fungicides in agricultural soils poses a major threat to soil health, as these compounds disrupt microbial communities and compromise key ecosystem functions. Carbendazim, a commonly used systemic fungicide, is known for its ability to inhibit microbial activity and nutrient cycling. This study assessed the capacity of biogenic magnetite nanoparticles to mitigate carbendazim-induced disturbance and facilitate the recovery of soil microbial function. Citrate-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles were applied to an agricultural Andisol intentionally contaminated with carbendazim (10 mg kg⁻¹) under controlled microcosm conditions. Soil enzyme activities related to carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling (β-glucosidase, urease, acid phosphatase), microbial gene abundances (16S rRNA, amoA, amoB copy number), community structure, and pesticide dissipation kinetics were measured for a 30-day period. Magnetite nanoparticles significantly accelerated carbendazim dissipation, reducing their half-life by approximately 50% compared to pesticide-only treatments. Nanoparticle application partially mitigated the inhibitory effects of carbendazim on soil enzymes. It showed trends towards the recovery of bacterial and nitrifier abundances, with community composition and diversity patterns aligning more closely with those of untreated soils. Co-occurrence network and multivariate analyses of the soil bacterial community, assessed through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, revealed patterns indicative of a partial restoration of bacterial interaction structure, with Carb/FeNPs-EC treatments showing increased network connectivity and modularity compared to carbendazim-only soils, approaching the interaction patterns characteristic of undisturbed bacterial assemblages. These findings offer preliminary evidence that biogenic magnetite nanoparticles may reduce pesticide pressure in agricultural soils while supporting microbial functional trends indicative of recovery. The use of onion peel waste as an eco-friendly precursor further highlights the circular potential of this approach. Onion peel is a widely generated agro-industrial by-product particularly rich in polyphenolic compounds, especially quercetin and its derivatives, which act as natural reducing and stabilizing agents during nanoparticle biosynthesis, eliminating the need for toxic chemical reagents and contributing to a lower environmental footprint. This dual role as both a waste valorization strategy and a source of bioactive capping agents warrants further evaluation of this approach as a sustainable soil amendment strategy.
Developing efficient acidic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is crucial for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWE). By mining a dataset of 718 reported catalysts, we statistically identified that multi-metal Ru-based oxides significantly outperform monometallic counterparts (median overpotential: 210 vs. 283 mV). Guided by this insight, microkinetic modeling screened 20 metal dopants, pinpointing vanadium as a promising candidate. The synthesized V-doped RuO2 (RV) exhibits an ultralow overpotential of 193 ± 1 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and robust stability for 3000 h. In a practical PEMWE device, RV achieves an industrial current density of 1 A cm-2 at only 1.725 V and sustains operation for 140 h at 200 mA cm-2. Mechanistic studies reveal that V-doping plays a dual role in RuO2. It induces Lewis acidic Ru sites to accelerate deprotonation kinetics, while simultaneously acting as a dynamic redox buffer to prevent Ru over-oxidation. This work shows how data- and theory-guided screening, combined with mechanistic investigation, can accelerate the discovery and understanding of high-performance RuO2-based acidic OER catalysts.
Effective hepatic enhancement and high kinetic inertness are pivotal driving forces for developing gadolinium-based hepatobiliary MRI contrast agents (CAs). Although lipophilic modifications have dominated efforts to promote hepatic uptake, the vital role of hydrophilicity has been overlooked. Herein, we investigated the structure-activity relationship by fine-tuning of an amphiphilic macrocyclic complex through hydrophilicity engineering. The water-soluble Gd-HE(BnOPh)-DO3A exhibited exceptional kinetic inertness with a dissociation half-life of 8.3 h at pH 1.2, nearly 5-fold longer than the 1.7 h observed for the non-hydroxyl Gd-BnOBn-DO3A. More importantly, Gd-HE(BnOPh)-DO3A achieved rapid and pronounced hepatic enhancement, with a 3.1-fold increase in signal intensity observed as early as 2 min post-injection, while the amphiphilic Gd-BnOBn-DO3A displayed delayed hepatic enhancement, peaking at 30 min. These markedly different pharmacokinetic profiles might arise from altered molecular assembly behavior. Hydroxyl incorporation in Gd-HE(BnOPh)-DO3A disrupted amphiphilic equilibrium and prevented nanoparticle self-assembly, enabling rapid hepatic enhancement in the form of small molecules. Conversely, Gd-BnOBn-DO3A dynamically formed nanoparticles with hydrodynamic size over 200 nm, leading to slower hepatic uptake. In summary, this work established strategic hydrophilicity engineering as an effective, previously underappreciated approach to optimizing hepatic targeting of CAs, offering unique insights into MRI agent design.
Electro-Fenton (EF) is an important advanced oxidation technology because it enables efficient and controllable in situ generation of highly reactive radicals for the effective degradation of refractory organic pollutants in wastewater. Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have emerged as a frontier class of materials for heterogeneous EF processes due to their unique atomic dispersion, maximized metal utilization, and precisely tunable electronic structures. Building on recent progresses in SACs and their catalytic behavior in EF systems, this review centers on strategies for improving SAC performance through rational component engineering and enhanced stability. Key challenges associated with SAC-based EF processes are analyzed, together with the essential requirements for their practical implementation. Design approaches are summarized for tailoring coordination environments in SACs using carbon materials, carbon nitride, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as supports, enabling the construction of both monometallic and bimetallic SACs. The motivation in stabilizing SACs through high-coordination configurations and spatial confinement effects is also discussed. In addition, the applications of SACs in EF processes are summarized, including antibiotic removal, textile dyeing wastewater treatment, and the degradation of endocrine-disrupting compounds. Finally, current limitations and the future research focus on practical deployment of SACs in EF technologies are outlined.
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem granulomatous syndrome with a wide range of clinical features. Tofacitinib, a JAK inhibitor, may become a new treatment for sarcoidosis. The study aimed to elucidate how tofacitinib modulates immune responses and reduces granuloma formation in SodA-induced sarcoidosis. To evaluate the effects of tofacitinib on granuloma formation, sarcoidosis was induced using SodA peptide, and tofacitinib was administered. The activation of JAK/STAT signaling, pyroptosis, and Th1/Th17/regulatory T cells (Treg) immune profile were detected. Macrophages and Treg were isolated and co-cultured to verify Treg's influence on macrophage polarization. Tofacitinib reduced granulomas in SodA-induced sarcoidosis. It suppressed the activation of JAK3/STAT5 signaling and induced pyroptosis, as evidenced by increased cleaved-Gasdermin D (P = 0.006). Tofacitinib increased the proportions of both M1 and M2-like macrophages, with a predominant shift toward M2-like polarization (P = 0.0014). Notably, tofacitinib restored the ability of Treg cells to induce M2 anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization, leading to reduced IL-1β secretion (P = 0.0183). In addition, tofacitinib reduced the proportions of both Th17 and Treg cells (Th17: P = 0.0022; Treg: P = 0.0021). It did not significantly affect STAT1 or AKT activation. Tofacitinib treatment holds potential for mitigating granulomas, likely mediated through the JAK3/STAT5 signaling pathway and the induction of pyroptosis. Furthermore, tofacitinib therapy re-establishes equilibrium within the Th1/Th2/Treg/Th17 immune cell profile, restores the functional capacity of Tregs, and promotes a tendency towards M2 macrophage polarization. These insights contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the immunomodulatory effects of tofacitinib in the context of sarcoidosis treatment.
Narrow-bandgap (NBG) Sn-Pb perovskites are indispensable for achieving high-efficiency all-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs). However, the pronounced disparity in the Lewis acidity of Sn2+ and Pb2+ often causes asynchronous nucleation and uncontrolled crystallization, severely limiting the device performance. Here, we propose a hybrid heterogeneous seeding and growth-template strategy that integrates CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) with porous UiO-66 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) through grafted poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) to achieve homogenous Sn-Pb perovskite films. Specifically, the embedded CsPbBr3 QDs act as abundant nucleation centers, lowering the energy barrier and providing an epitaxial growth template, while the carbonyl (C═O) groups of UiO-66 ligands and the imine (C═N) moieties of P4VP coordinate with Sn2+/Pb2+ to finely regulate crystallization kinetics. Moreover, the UiO-66-P4VP framework functions as a scaffold to promote uniform film growth, resulting in Sn-Pb perovskite films with homogeneous composition and reduced defect density. As a result, the optimized single-junction NBG perovskite solar cell achieves a fill factor exceeding 81% and a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.32%. Furthermore, the two-terminal all-perovskite tandem device delivers a PCE of 29.18% and retains 80% of its initial efficiency after 500 h of continuous maximum power point tracking under simulated sunlight, demonstrating remarkable operational stability.
Facial palsy is one of many manifestations of Lyme borreliosis. Data from our 3- year retrospective descriptive cohort quality improvement study suggests an opportunity for improvement between testing practices for Lyme borreliosis-associated facial palsy and Ohio's rising Lyme borreliosis incidence. Provider education regarding Ohio's Lyme borreliosis endemicity is crucial, particularly during peak summer months.
Daratumumab-based regimens have become first-line therapy for immunoglobulin light-chain (AL) amyloidosis, but real-world evidence remains limited. In this retrospective study of 265 newly diagnosed patients, daratumumab-based regimens induced rapid hematologic responses, progressive organ responses, and favorable survival outcomes. Survival improved even in stage IIIb disease, with a median overall survival (OS) of 26.2 months, whereas prognostic discrimination among Mayo stage I-IIIa patients was attenuated. Landmark analyses showed that hematologic ≥ very good partial response and cardiac ≥ partial response at 3 months were associated with superior OS. Hematologic complete response predicted improved hematologic event-free survival across all landmark time points, and minimal residual disease negativity at 12 months provided additional prognostic stratification, including among patients who had already achieved hematologic complete response. Patients with t(11;14) showed delayed deep hematologic responses. These findings support the real-world efficacy of daratumumab-based regimens in newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis.
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 has posed a substantial threat to global health and safety. While the virus's entry into human cells via the interaction of its spike protein with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor is well-established, emerging studies suggest that the transferrin receptor protein (TfR) may also serve as an entry receptor. However, the precise binding mechanism between SARS-CoV-2 and TfR remains elusive, and how various SARS-CoV-2 variants interact with TfR warrants further exploration. In this study, we utilized molecular docking to model the interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and TfR, discovering that T478K and N481K mutations on the Spike RBD exhibit tight binding to TfR through salt bridges. Steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations were also conducted to uncover the dynamic and mechanical properties of this interaction, confirming that the overall binding affinity of LB.1 and KP.3.1.1 to TfR is enhanced. Our findings provide essential insights into the binding characteristics of both wild-type and variant SARS-CoV-2 forms, offering valuable knowledge that may inform future research on viral mutation trajectories, infection mechanisms, and therapeutic development against COVID-19.
Membrane bioreactor (MBR) has attracted widespread attention owing to its unique membrane separation technology and high treatment efficiency. However, conventional MBRs struggle to remove pollutants with different oxygen requirements (e.g. nitrogen removal) in a single bioreactor, and the cost of membrane fouling control remains high. To address these challenges, this study devised an integrated gas-lift cross-flow Membrane Bioreactor (GL-CF-MBR), that possesses unique oxygen supply conditions and a cross-flow circulation pattern. Chemical analysis, 16S rRNA sequencing and transmembrane pressure (TMP) monitoring were employed to systematically evaluate the performance in terms of pollutant removal efficiency, microbial community composition and metabolic pathways, and membrane fouling behaviour. Results showed that the effluent concentrations of COD, NH₄⁺-N, and TN reached 25.58, 0.50, and 14.31 mg/L, respectively, meeting the Class 1A discharge standards of China's "Discharge standard of pollutants for municipal wastewater treatment plants' (GB 18918-2002). Molecular biological analysis confirmed that, compared with the inoculated sludge, the Chao1 index and Observed species index increased by 37.32% and 30.94%, respectively. Moreover, denitrifying genera such as Rhodobacter and SC-I-84 were enriched in the system, and key functional genes involved in carbon and nitrogen metabolism were predicted. Owing to the unique flow field of the reactor, the time to reach a critical TMP surge for membrane modules installed in the scouring zone was delayed by 65.4% compared with those installed in the turbulent zone. The reactor promotes simultaneous pollutant removal and fouling mitigation, and its promising low operating cost provides a theoretical reference for practical engineering applications.
The direct regeneration of spent LiFePO4 (LFP) is primarily constrained by the high energy barriers for concurrent Li+ and electron transport, which has rarely been systematically addressed. Herein, an ion-electron coupling (IEC) strategy is proposed, driven by an interfacial electric field (IEF), to achieve coordinated Li+ and electron flow, thereby overcoming these transport barriers. The strategy of constructing localized boron-carbon (B-C) dipoles clothing on the LFP surface establishes a work function (WF) gradient with the exterior lower than the interior. This unique gradient drives spontaneous electron flow from the C@B to the LFP to form a directional IEF that simultaneously establishes efficient Li+ transport pathways. This synergistic process significantly lowers the energy barriers for both carriers, ensuring ample Li+ and electron supply for effective regeneration. Moreover, the IEF is maintained in the regenerated LFP, which also ensures rapid Li+ and electron transport and leads to the excellent electrochemical performance of the regenerated LFP, with an outstanding rate capacity of 111.4 mAh g- 1 at 10 C, a capacity retention of 86.6% after 1000 cycles at 1 C. This work provides a novel and universal strategy to upgrade the LFP cathode from spent lithium-ion batteries.
Overcoming the activation barrier of water dissociation remains a key bottleneck in hydrogen energy conversion. Here we report our experimental discovery of an interfacial conductance clamp effect that markedly enhances catalytic performance. By constructing a Ru-Ni single-atom alloy on VO2, we engineer the metal-semiconductor interface and promote directional electron transfer from VO2 to Ru. The resultant charge redistribution leads to localized electron accumulation at the interface, forming a conductance clamp that facilitates activation of water molecules. Electrical measurements provide direct evidence of this interfacial phenomenon and reveal a strong correlation between the conductance clamp and enhanced catalytic activity. As a result, the catalyst with Ru2Ni8-VO2 interfaces achieves a record-high turnover frequency of 1543 min-1 in ammonia borane hydrolysis, highlighting the role of the conductance clamp in accelerating water dissociation. This work unveils a previously unrecognized interfacial mechanism, offering a powerful strategy for designing high-performance catalysts in energy conversion systems.