Exploiting Natural Diatom Shells as an Affordable Polar Host for Sulfur in Li-S Batteries

Given the high theoretical capacity (1,675 mAh g–1) and the inherent affordability and ubiquity of elemental sulfur, it stands out as a prominent cathode material for advanced lithium metal batteries. Traditionally, sulfur was sequestered within conductive porous carbons, rooted in the understanding that their inherent conductivity could offset sulfur’s non-conductive nature. This study, however, pivots toward a transformative approach by utilizing diatom shell (DS, diatomite)—a naturally abundant and economically viable siliceous mineral—as a sulfur host. This approach enabled the development of a sulfur-layered diatomite/S composite (DS/S) for cathodic applications. Even in the face of the insulating nature of both diatomite and sulfur, the DS/S composite displayed vigorous participation in the electrochemical conversion process. Furthermore, this composite substantially curbed the loss of soluble polysulfides and minimized structural wear during cycling. As a tes-tament to its efficacy, our Li-S battery, integrating this composite, exhibited an excellent cycling performance: a specific capacity of 732 mAh g–1 after 100 cycles and a robust 77% capacity retention. These findings challenge the erstwhile con-viction of requiring a conductive host for sulfur. Owing to diatomite’s hierarchical porous architecture, eco-friendliness, and accessibility, the DS/S electrode boasts optimal sulfur utilization, elevated specific capacity, enhanced rate capabilities at intensified C rates, and steadfast cycling stability that underscore its vast commercial promise. © 2024, Korean Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.TRUEsciescopu

Moderating Effect of Mindfulness on the Relationships Between Perceived Stress and Mental Health Outcomes Among Chinese Intensive Care Nurses

This study aimed to explore the potential moderating effect of mindfulness and its facets on the relationships among perceived stress and mental health outcomes (burnout, depression, anxiety, and subjective well-being) among Chinese intensive care nurses. A total of 500 Chinese intensive care nurses completed self-report measures of mindfulness, burnout syndromes, perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and subjective well-being. Correlation and hierarchical multiple regressions were applied for data analysis. Mindfulness moderated the effects of perceived stress on emotional exhaustion (the core component of burnout syndrome), depression, anxiety, positive affect, and negative affect but not on the other two dimensions of burnout and life satisfaction. Further analyses indicated that the ability to act with awareness was particularly crucial in improving the effects of perceived stress on depression. These results further broaden our understanding of the relationships between perceived stress and burnout, depression, anxiety, and subjective well-being by demonstrating that mindfulness may serve as a protective factor that alleviates or eliminates the negative effects of perceived stress on depression, anxiety, burnout syndrome, and subjective well-being and may instigate further research into targeted mindfulness interventions for Chinese intensive care nurses

Diagnostic accuracy of [99mTc]pertechnetate scintigraphy in pediatric patients with suspected Meckel’s diverticulum: a 12-year, monocentric, retrospective experience

ObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic accuracy of [99mTc]pertechnetate scintigraphy in pediatric patients with suspected Meckel’s diverticulum (MD).MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 94 pediatric patients who presented with symptoms suggestive of MD and underwent [99mTc]pertechnetate scintigraphy at Henan Provincial People’s Hospital between September 2012 and August 2024. For patients with high clinical suspicion and equivocal scintigraphy results, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT) or repeat scintigraphy was conducted. Hemoglobin levels were measured in all patients, and their correlation with MD was analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and overall diagnostic accuracy were calculated by comparing scintigraphic results with surgical and histopathological findings.ResultsAmong the 94 patients, 20 (21.3%) had positive [99mTc]pertechnetate scintigraphy, all confirmed as true positives through laparoscopic resection and histopathological examination. Of the 74 patients with negative scintigraphy results, 6 were found to be false negatives based on surgical findings, and 68 were confirmed as true negatives. Therefore, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV were 76.9% (20/26), 100.0% (68/68), 100.0% (20/20), and 91.9% (68/74), respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy was 93.6% (88/94). SPECT/CT was utilized in three cases, enhancing diagnostic precision in patients with equivocal planar imaging results. Repeat scintigraphy was performed in three patients with high clinical suspicion and negative initial scans, resulting in one additional positive diagnosis. MD patients exhibited significantly lower hemoglobin levels compared to non-MD patients (88.69 ± 20.39 g/L vs. 107.24 ± 29.28 g/L; p = 0.0009), with hemoglobin showing moderate predictive value (AUC = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.60–0.81).Conclusion[99mTc]pertechnetate scintigraphy is a highly specific and accurate tool for diagnosing MD in pediatric patients. However, due to the potential for false negatives, additional SPECT/CT imaging or repeat scintigraphy may be warranted in cases with high clinical suspicion

Thwarted Belongingness Hindered Successful Aging in Chinese Older Adults: Roles of Positive Mental Health and Meaning in Life

Aging of population has brought great challenges to many regions throughout the world. It has been demonstrated that interpersonal relationship is closely related to the experiences of aging for older adults. However, it still remains unknown how and under what conditions thwarted belongingness links to successful aging. This study examined the relationship between thwarted belongingness and successful aging and tested the mediating role of positive mental health and the moderating role of meaning in life. Community-dwelling older adults (n = 339) aged 60–75 years recruited in Chongqing, China completed self-measures of thwarted belongingness, successful aging, meaning in life, and positive mental health. Correlation analyses showed that successful aging was associated with less thwarted belongingness, better positive mental health, and higher levels of meaning in life. Positive mental health was found to totally mediate the negative effect of thwarted belongingness on successful aging. Moderated mediation analyses further revealed that two components of meaning in life (present of meaning and search for meaning) attenuated the indirect effect of thwarted belongingness on successful aging via positive mental health. This study highlights the protective roles of positive mental health and meaning in life and addressed cultural aspects in the process of successful aging among Chinese older adults.</jats:p

Individual risky and protective factors influencing university new graduates’ career adaptability during COVID-19: A moderated mediation model

This study examined the characteristics of university new graduates’ career adaptability and the effects of individual internal factors during COVID-19. In January 2021, 1160 Chinese university new graduates completed self-report measures. Career adaptability was related to less intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity and higher levels of proactive personality and resilience. Resilience mediated the relationships between intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety sensitivity, and career adaptability. Proactive personality buffered the negative effect of anxiety sensitivity on career adaptability. Implications for promoting career adaptability and alleviating the effects of intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety sensitivity in the COVID-19 epidemic and beyond are discussed. </jats:p

COVID-19 among Chinese high school graduates: Psychological distress, growth, meaning in life and resilience

This study examined perceived impact of COVID-19 (PIC) on mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic growth) and roles of resilience and meaning in life. In October 2020, 430 Chinese high school graduates completed self-report measures. Results showed that 4.4% and 5.8% participants had anxiety and depression symptoms (⩾10), respectively, while 13.3% developed posttraumatic growth (⩾37.5). Resilience and meaning in life mediated the relationships between PIC and mental health outcomes. These findings underline psychological distress and growth coexisted in COVID-19, while resilience and meaning in life served as important protective factors of mental health. </jats:p

Coparenting Alleviated the Effect of Psychological Distress on Parental Psychological Flexibility

Parenting is full of challenges and responsibilities. It is particularly important for parents to be open to parental difficult experiences and adopt behaviors consistent with self-chosen values, which termed as parental psychological flexibility (PPF). However, few studies have focused on the effect of psychological distress (anxiety and depression) on different components of PPF. This study examined the effect of psychological distress on the three components of PPF (cognitive defusion, committed action, and acceptance) as well as the role of coparenting quality in Chinese parents. A total of 462 parents of children aged 1–18 years completed self-report measures of anxiety, depression, coparenting, and PPF. Our results revealed that higher level of PPF went along with less anxiety and depression, while it was also associated with better coparenting quality. Coparenting partially mediated the effect of anxiety on cognitive defusion and acceptance and fully mediated the effect of depression on cognitive defusion and acceptance. Moderation analyses showed that the link between anxiety and cognitive defusion, as well as the link between anxiety and acceptance were moderated by coparenting. We discussed the implications of coparenting as a protective factor in alleviating the negative effect of psychological distress on PPF.</jats:p