Distinct behaviors of suppression to superconductivity in LaRu3Si2LaRu_3Si_2 induced by Fe and Co dopants

In the superconductor LaRu$_3$Si$_2$ with the Kagome lattice of Ru, we have successfully doped the Ru with Fe and Co atoms. Contrasting behaviors of suppression to superconductivity is discovered between the Fe and the Co dopants: Fe-impurities can suppress the superconductivity completely at a doping level of only 3%, while the superconductivity is suppressed slowly with the Co dopants. A systematic magnetization measurements indicate that the doped Fe impurities lead to spin-polarized electrons yielding magnetic moments with the magnitude of 1.6 $\mu_B$\ per Fe, while the electrons given by the Co dopants have the same density of states for spin-up and spin-down leading to much weaker magnetic moments. It is the strong local magnetic moments given by the Fe-dopants that suppress the superconductivity. The band structure calculation further supports this conclusion.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Performance of calcium sulfate-based root canal sealers for deciduous teeth

Objective To investigate the physicochemical and biological properties of a new calcium sulfate-based root canal sealer for deciduous teeth containing calcium sulfate hemihydrate, barium sulfate, chlorhexidine acetate, and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400). Methods This study was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee. The calcium sulfate hemihydrate and barium sulfate powders with different mass percentages were mixed with liquid PEG 400 at a powder-to-liquid ratio of 3∶1, and chlorhexidine acetate was added to a concentration of 0.2 mg/mL according to the volume of PEG 400. The above materials were mechanically ground at 250 r/min for 24 h to obtain a calcium sulfate-based root canal sealer for deciduous teeth. The sealer was classified into different groups according to mass percentages of components. The mass percentages of components were optimized by performing time, fluidity, and radiopacity experiments, and then the pH, mass loss in vitro, and microscopic morphology of the optimal sealer were evaluated. The antimicrobial properties of the sealer were evaluated by a bacterial-material cocultivation method. The cytocompatibility of the sealer was evaluated by a CCK-8 assay and cytomorphological staining, and its biocompatibility was evaluated by a subcutaneous tissue embedding assay. Results After optimization, mass percentage of calcium sulfate hemihydrate was 80 wt%, and the mass percentage of barium sulfate was 20 wt%. The flowability and radiopacity of the sealer were in accordance with international standards. The pH stabilized between 6-7. On the 7th and 14th days, the pH in the water group was significantly greater than that in the PBS group (P<0.001), although the pH in both groups gradually increased (P>0.05). In vitro degradation experiments, the mass loss of the sealer was approximately 15.17% during the preimmersion period, and rate of mass loss decreased after 3 weeks, reaching only approximately 8.33%. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the main component of the sealer after hydration was calcium sulfate dehydrate. In bacterial growth assays and cytological tests, the sealer showed significant inhibition of the growth of E. faecalis (P<0.001). After 1 and 4 days of culture, the cell viability in the 1∶10 and 1∶20 sealer extract dilution group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). On the 7th day, the 1∶20 sealer extract dilution had no significant effect on cell proliferation (P>0.05). Both the sealer group and the control group (Vitapex and zinc oxide eugenol) caused mild inflammatory reactions in tissue sections. Conclusion In this study, a new type of root canal sealer for deciduous teeth was designed based on calcium sulfate, which has good physicochemical properties and strong antibacterial properties and meets biocompatibility requirements. This study provides an idea for the development of a new type of root canal sealer for deciduous teeth

Positive spiritual climate supports transformational leadership as means to reduce nursing burnout and intent to leave

AimTo explore the relationship between spiritual climate and transformational leadership, and examine their impact on nurses perceived emotional exhaustion and intentions to quit.BackgroundTransformational leadership is known to have a significant positive effect on work environment and job satisfaction. Additionally, promoting spiritual climate amongst staff can benefit workers by increasing self‐worth. The relationship between the two is unknown.MethodsNurse clinicians from 2 sites in the Jiangsu Province of China completed self‐report questionnaires based on spiritual climate, emotional exhaustion, clinical leadership and Turnover Intention Scales. Mediation analysis was applied to evaluate impact of spiritual climate.ResultsPerceived positive spirituality amongst nurse clinicians reinforces transformational leadership to reduce emotional exhaustion (indirect effect of −0.089, p < .01). Burnout and intention to leave showed significantly positive correlation with lower levels of perceived spirituality (r = .545, p < .01).ConclusionTransformational leadership in the workplace can reduce nurses' burnout, and a positive spiritual climate increases meaningfulness in their work. This may help in nurse retention.Implications for Nursing ManagementHealth care leaders must look beyond transformational leadership to maintain a positive and supportive clinical climate, and this may involve acknowledgement of nurses' spiritual needs

The association between diabetes-related distress and fear of hypoglycaemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A cross-sectional descriptive study

Aim: The study aimed to explore the association between diabetes-related distress as a dependent variable and fear of hypoglycaemia as a independent variable in Chinese individuals with type 2 diabetes, which can provide a basis for the development of effective nursing interventions. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Methods: Pre-piloted scales were used to determine whether they experienced fear of hypoglycaemia and whether this impacted upon their management of the disease. From June–October 2019, participants were asked to complete the “hypoglycaemia fear survey” and “diabetes distress scales” to assess levels of fear and distress. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis was applied to reveal relationship between distress as a dependent variable and fear as a independent variable. Covariates included demographic, clinical or lifestyle factors. Results: A total of 258 participants were recruited for the survey, and they were characterized by little or no distress (39.53%), moderate distress (45.35%) and high distress (15.12%). The prevalence of moderate to severe distress in patients was 60.47%. Increased diabetes-related distress was strongly correlated with increased fear of hypoglycaemia and closely associated with the scores of the worry and behaviour subscales. These results indicated that 62.3% of diabetes-related distress may be explained by fear of hypoglycaemia. Conclusion: Increased diabetes-related distress is associated with increased fear of hypoglycaemia in individuals with type 2 diabetes

Relationship between burnout and intention to leave amongst clinical nurses: the role of spiritual climate

Aim: This study aims to identify the role that spiritual climate has in reducing burnout and intentions to leave amongst clinical nurses. Background: Both shortages and the high turnover of nurses are challenging problems worldwide. Enhancing the spiritual climate amongst nurses can enhance teamwork, organisational commitment and job satisfaction and can play a role in reducing burnout and turnover intention. Methods: A total of 207 clinical nurses working at a tertiary university hospital were included in this cross-sectional, single-site study. Independent-samples t test and ANOVA, Pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical regression analysis were used to explore the relationships amongst related factors. Results: Most clinical departments showed a moderate spiritual climate (60.24±0.82) with high job burnout (33.62±0.28) and turnover intention (2.37±0.57). A good spiritual climate was correlated with high job satisfaction (r=0.412, p < 0.01), low burnout and turnover intention (r = −0.423, p < 0.01 and r = −0.292, p < 0.01, respectively). Spiritual climate could also indirectly influence nurses' job burnout and turnover intention (R2 = 10.31%).ConclusionsDifferent departments have different spiritual climates. The findings from this study indicate that spiritual climate may impact nursing burnout and turnover.Implications for nursing managementUsing a spiritual climate scale provides health care decision-makers with clear information about staff spirituality well-being. Interventions to improve spiritual climate can benefit teamwork in clinical departments

Magnesium-Rich Calcium Phosphate Derived from Tilapia Bone Has Superior Osteogenic Potential

We extracted magnesium-rich calcium phosphate bioceramics from tilapia bone using a gradient thermal treatment approach and investigated their chemical and physicochemical properties. X-ray diffraction showed that tilapia fish bone-derived hydroxyapatite (FHA) was generated through the first stage of thermal processing at 600–800 °C. Using FHA as a precursor, fish bone biphasic calcium phosphate (FBCP) was produced after the second stage of thermal processing at 900–1200 °C. The beta-tricalcium phosphate content in the FBCP increased with an increasing calcination temperature. The fact that the lattice spacing of the FHA and FBCP was smaller than that of commercial hydroxyapatite (CHA) suggests that Mg-substituted calcium phosphate was produced via the gradient thermal treatment. Both the FHA and FBCP contained considerable quantities of magnesium, with the FHA having a higher concentration. In addition, the FHA and FBCP, particularly the FBCP, degraded faster than the CHA. After one day of degradation, both the FHA and FBCP released Mg2+, with cumulative amounts of 4.38 mg/L and 0.58 mg/L, respectively. Furthermore, the FHA and FBCP demonstrated superior bone-like apatite formation; they are non-toxic and exhibit better osteoconductive activity than the CHA. In light of our findings, bioceramics originating from tilapia bone appear to be promising in biomedical applications such as fabricating tissue engineering scaffolds

Multi-Band Exotic Superconductivity in the New Superconductor Bi4O4S3

Resistivity, Hall effect and magnetization have been investigated on the new superconductor Bi4O4S3. A weak insulating behavior has been induced in the normal state when the superconductivity is suppressed. Hall effect measurements illustrate clearly a multiband feature dominated by electron charge carriers, which is further supported by the magnetoresistance data. Interestingly, a kink appears on the temperature dependence of resistivity at about 4 K at all high magnetic fields when the bulk superconductivity is completely suppressed. This kink can be well traced back to the upper critical field Hc2(T) in the low field region, and is explained as the possible evidence of residual Cooper pairs on the one dimensional chains.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure