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Understanding how ions interact with electrodes in electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) is key to advancing energy storage, yet many fundamental aspects remain unclear. Here, we employ operando small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to investigate charge storage in metal-organic framework (MOF)-based supercapacitor electrodes as a model system. Using Ni 3 (2,3,6,7,10,11-hexaiminotriphenylene) 2 (Ni 3 (HITP) 2 ) MOF electrodes and 1 M aqueous sodium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (NaTFSI) as the electrolyte, we show that TFSI - anions are immobilised near MOF pore walls via fluorine-hydrogen interactions with N-H functional groups of the MOF. We quantify the concentration of pinned anions and demonstrate that their immobilization persists across different applied cell voltages, resulting in a cation-dominated charge storage mechanism governed solely by Na + adsorption and desorption. Charge balancing is unaffected by whether voltage is applied stepwise or gradually, with no dynamic differences between in-pore and out-of-pore environments and no ion intercalation taking place. Understanding charge storage in supercapacitors remains a challenge. Here, authors use operando X-ray scattering to show that selective anion immobilization in MOF-based electrodes leads to a cation-driven charge storage mechanism.

The increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions necessitates advancements in hydrogen storage technologies. This study investigates the hydrogen adsorption characteristics of graphene and a (8,0) carbon nanotube (CNT) decorated with adatoms of various elements. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the universal interatomic potential 'PreFerred Potential' (PFP) implemented in the Matlantis framework, we explore the hydrogen storage capabilities of these doped carbon structures at 77K. We analyze the adsorption efficiency based on the position of adatoms (top, bridge, and hollow sites) and find that the group II elements, such as calcium and strontium, exhibit significant hydrogen uptake. Additionally, light elements like lithium and sodium demonstrate enhanced gravimetric hydrogen storage due to their low atomic mass. Our findings provide insights into the potential of doped graphene and CNTs for efficient hydrogen storage applications.

The increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions necessitates advancements in hydrogen storage technologies. This study investigates the hydrogen adsorption characteristics of graphene and a (8,0) carbon nanotube (CNT) decorated with adatoms of various elements. Using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the universal interatomic potential 'PreFerred Potential' (PFP) implemented in the Matlantis framework, we explore the hydrogen storage capabilities of these doped carbon structures at 77K. We analyze the adsorption efficiency based on the position of adatoms (top, bridge, and hollow sites) and find that the group II elements, such as calcium and strontium, exhibit significant hydrogen uptake. Additionally, light elements like lithium and sodium demonstrate enhanced gravimetric hydrogen storage due to their low atomic mass. Our findings provide insights into the potential of doped graphene and CNTs for efficient hydrogen storage applications.

Transition metal diborides crystallise in the \\(\\alpha\\), \\(\\gamma\\), or \\(\\omega\\) type structure, in which pure transition metal layers alternate with pure boron layers stacked along the hexagonal [0001] axis. Here we view the prototypes as different stackings of the transition metal planes and suppose they can transform from one into another by a displacive transformation. Employing first-principles calculations, we simulate sliding of individual planes in the group IV-VII transition metal diborides along a transformation pathway connecting the \\(\\alpha\\), \\(\\gamma\\), and \\(\\omega\\) structure. Chemistry-related trends are predicted in terms of energetic and structural changes along a transformation pathway, together with the mechanical and dynamical stability of the different stackings. Our results suggest that MnB\\(_2\\) and MoB\\(_2\\) possess the overall lowest sliding barriers among the investigated TMB\\(_2\\)s. Furthermore, we discuss trends in strength and ductility indicators, including Young's modulus or Cauchy pressure, derived from elastic constants.

Intestinal commensal bacteria can inhibit dense colonization of the gut by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE), a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections 1 , 2 . A four-strained consortium of commensal bacteria that contains Blautia producta BP SCSK can reverse antibiotic-induced susceptibility to VRE infection 3 . Here we show that BP SCSK reduces growth of VRE by secreting a lantibiotic that is similar to the nisin-A produced by Lactococcus lactis . Although the growth of VRE is inhibited by BP SCSK and L. lactis in vitro, only BP SCSK colonizes the colon and reduces VRE density in vivo. In comparison to nisin-A, the BP SCSK lantibiotic has reduced activity against intestinal commensal bacteria. In patients at high risk of VRE infection, high abundance of the lantibiotic gene is associated with reduced density of E. faecium . In germ-free mice transplanted with patient-derived faeces, resistance to VRE colonization correlates with abundance of the lantibiotic gene. Lantibiotic-producing commensal strains of the gastrointestinal tract reduce colonization by VRE and represent potential probiotic agents to re-establish resistance to VRE. The gut commensal Blautia producta secretes a lantibiotic that reduces colonization of the gut by the major pathogen vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium , and transplantation of microbiota with high abundance of the lantibiotic gene enhances resistance to colonization in mice.

Objective To determine the accuracy of iodine quantification with dual energy computed tomography (DECT) in two high-end CT systems with different spectral imaging techniques. Methods Five tubes with different iodine concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mg/ml) were analysed in an anthropomorphic thoracic phantom. Adding two phantom rings simulated increased patient size. For third-generation dual source CT (DSCT), tube voltage combinations of 150Sn and 70, 80, 90, 100 kVp were analysed. For dual layer CT (DLCT), 120 and 140 kVp were used. Scans were repeated three times. Median normalized values and interquartile ranges (IQRs) were calculated for all kVp settings and phantom sizes. Results Correlation between measured and known iodine concentrations was excellent for both systems ( R  = 0.999–1.000, p  < 0.0001). For DSCT, median measurement errors ranged from −0.5% (IQR −2.0, 2.0%) at 150Sn/70 kVp and −2.3% (IQR −4.0, −0.1%) at 150Sn/80 kVp to −4.0% (IQR −6.0, −2.8%) at 150Sn/90 kVp. For DLCT, median measurement errors ranged from −3.3% (IQR −4.9, −1.5%) at 140 kVp to −4.6% (IQR −6.0, −3.6%) at 120 kVp. Larger phantom sizes increased variability of iodine measurements ( p  < 0.05). Conclusion Iodine concentration can be accurately quantified with state-of-the-art DECT systems from two vendors. The lowest absolute errors were found for DSCT using the 150Sn/70 kVp or 150Sn/80 kVp combinations, which was slightly more accurate than 140 kVp in DLCT. Key Points • High - end CT scanners allow accurate iodine quantification using different DECT techniques . • Lowest measurement error was found in scans with largest photon energy separation . • Dual - source CT quantified iodine slightly more accurately than dual layer CT .

Introduction Re-irradiation is frequently performed in the era of precision oncology, but previous doses to organs-at-risk (OAR) must be assessed to avoid cumulative overdoses. Stereotactic magnetic resonance-guided online adaptive radiotherapy (SMART) enables highly precise ablation of tumors close to OAR. However, OAR doses may change considerably during adaptive treatment, which complicates potential re-irradiation. We aimed to compare the baseline plan with different dose accumulation techniques to inform re-irradiation. Patients & methods We analyzed 18 patients who received SMART to lung or liver tumors inside prospective databases. Cumulative doses were calculated inside the planning target volumes (PTV) and OAR for the adapted plans and theoretical non-adapted plans via (1) cumulative dose volume histograms (DVH sum plan) and (2) deformable image registration (DIR)-based dose accumulation to planning images (DIR sum plan). We compared cumulative dose parameters between the baseline plan, DVH sum plan and DIR sum plan using equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2). Results Individual patients presented relevant increases of near-maximum doses inside the proximal bronchial tree, spinal cord, heart and gastrointestinal OAR when comparing adaptive treatment to the baseline plans. The spinal cord near-maximum doses were significantly increased in the liver patients (D2% median: baseline 6.1 Gy, DIR sum 8.1 Gy, DVH sum 8.4 Gy, p = 0.04; D0.1 cm³ median: baseline 6.1 Gy, DIR sum 8.1 Gy, DVH sum 8.5 Gy, p = 0.04). Three OAR overdoses occurred during adaptive treatment (DIR sum: 1, DVH sum: 2), and four more intense OAR overdoses would have occurred during non-adaptive treatment (DIR sum: 4, DVH sum: 3). Adaptive treatment maintained similar PTV coverages to the baseline plans, while non-adaptive treatment yielded significantly worse PTV coverages in the lung (D95% median: baseline 86.4 Gy, DIR sum 82.4 Gy, DVH sum 82.2 Gy, p = 0.006) and liver patients (D95% median: baseline 87.4 Gy, DIR sum 82.1 Gy, DVH sum 81.1 Gy, p = 0.04). Conclusion OAR doses can increase during SMART, so that re-irradiation should be planned based on dose accumulations of the adapted plans instead of the baseline plan. Cumulative dose volume histograms represent a simple and conservative dose accumulation strategy.

Aims: Endemic SARS-CoV-2 infections still burden the healthcare system and represent a considerable threat to vulnerable patient cohorts, in particular immunocompromised (IC) patients. This study aimed to analyze the in-hospital outcome of IC patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection in Germany. Methods: This retrospective, observational study, analyzed administrative data from inpatient cases (n = 146,324) in 84 German Helios hospitals between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022 with regard to in-hospital outcome and health care burden in IC patients during the first 12 months of Omicron dominance. As the primary objective, in-hospital outcomes of patients with COVID-19-related severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) were analyzed by comparing patients with (n = 2037) and without IC diagnoses (n = 14,772). Secondary analyses were conducted on IC patients with (n = 2037) and without COVID-19-related SARI (n = 129,515). A severe in-hospital outcome as a composite endpoint was defined per the WHO definition if one of the following criteria were met: intensive care unit (ICU) treatment, mechanical ventilation (MV), or in-hospital death. Results: In total, 12% of COVID-related SARI cases were IC patients, accounting for 15% of ICU admissions, 15% of MV use, and 16% of deaths, resulting in a higher prevalence of severe in-hospital courses in IC patients developing COVID-19-related SARI compared to non-IC patients (Odds Ratio, OR = 1.4, p < 0.001), based on higher in-hospital mortality (OR = 1.4, p < 0.001), increased need for ICU treatment (OR = 1.3, p < 0.001) and mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.2, p < 0.001). Among IC patients, COVID-19-related SARI profoundly increased the risk for severe courses (OR = 4.0, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings highlight the vulnerability of IC patients to severe COVID-19. The persistently high prevalence of severe outcomes in these patients in the Omicron era emphasizes the necessity for continuous in-hospital risk assessment and monitoring of IC patients.

Background: Cardiac manifestation of COVID-19 has been reported during the COVID pandemic. The role of cardiac arrhythmias in COVID-19 is insufficiently understood. This study assesses the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and their prognostic implications in hospitalized COVID-19-patients. Methods: A total of 166 patients from eight centers who were hospitalized for COVID-19 from 03/2020–06/2020 were included. Medical records were systematically analyzed for baseline characteristics, biomarkers, cardiac arrhythmias and clinical outcome parameters related to the index hospitalization. Predisposing risk factors for arrhythmias were identified. Furthermore, the influence of arrhythmia on the course of disease and related outcomes was assessed using univariate and multiple regression analyses. Results: Arrhythmias were detected in 20.5% of patients. Atrial fibrillation was the most common arrhythmia. Age and cardiovascular disease were predictors for new-onset arrhythmia. Arrhythmia was associated with a pronounced increase in cardiac biomarkers, prolonged hospitalization, and admission to intensive- or intermediate-care-units, mechanical ventilation and in-hospital mortality. In multiple regression analyses, incident arrhythmia was strongly associated with duration of hospitalization and mechanical ventilation. Cardiovascular disease was associated with increased mortality. Conclusions: Arrhythmia was the most common cardiac event in association with hospitalization for COVID-19. Older age and cardiovascular disease predisposed for arrhythmia during hospitalization. Whereas in-hospital mortality is affected by underlying cardiovascular conditions, arrhythmia during hospitalization for COVID-19 is independently associated with prolonged hospitalization and mechanical ventilation. Thus, incident arrhythmia may indicate a patient subgroup at risk for a severe course of disease.

This study tested the multi-society generalizability of an eight-syndrome assessment model derived from factor analyses of American adults’ self-ratings of 120 behavioral, emotional, and social problems. The Adult Self-Report (ASR; Achenbach and Rescorla 2003 ) was completed by 17,152 18–59-year-olds in 29 societies. Confirmatory factor analyses tested the fit of self-ratings in each sample to the eight-syndrome model. The primary model fit index (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation) showed good model fit for all samples, while secondary indices showed acceptable to good fit. Only 5 (0.06%) of the 8,598 estimated parameters were outside the admissible parameter space. Confidence intervals indicated that sampling fluctuations could account for the deviant parameters. Results thus supported the tested model in societies differing widely in social, political, and economic systems, languages, ethnicities, religions, and geographical regions. Although other items, societies, and analytic methods might yield different results, the findings indicate that adults in very diverse societies were willing and able to rate themselves on the same standardized set of 120 problem items. Moreover, their self-ratings fit an eight-syndrome model previously derived from self-ratings by American adults. The support for the statistically derived syndrome model is consistent with previous findings for parent, teacher, and self-ratings of 1½–18-year-olds in many societies. The ASR and its parallel collateral-report instrument, the Adult Behavior Checklist (ABCL), may offer mental health professionals practical tools for the multi-informant assessment of clinical constructs of adult psychopathology that appear to be meaningful across diverse societies.