Nanjing University

About: Nanjing University is a education organization based out in Nanjing, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Population. The organization has 85961 authors who have published 105504 publications receiving 2289036 citations. The organization is also known as: NJU & Nanking University.

Encephalitis as a clinical manifestation of COVID-19.

Abstract: With great interest, we read the paper “Nervous system involvement after infection with COVID-19 and other coronaviruses”. The authors speculated that SARS-CoV-2 may cause neurological damages (Wu et al., 2020). Herein, we provided clinical evidence showing the central nervous system (CNS) involvement for SARS-CoV-2. A Wuhan male had fever, shortness of breath, and myalgia since Jan 28. On Feb 10, his disease deteriorated and his consciousness suddenly progressed to confusion. Laboratory test indicated low WBC count (3.3 × 10/L) and lymphopenia (0.8 × 10/L). Skull computer tomography (CT) was normal (Fig. 1A), while chest CT showed multiple subpleural ground glass opacities (GGOs) (Fig. 1B). The patient was positive for SARS-CoV-2 and sent to our institution. On physical examination, vital signs were stable without altered consciousness. Meningeal irritation signs (including nuchal rigidity, Kernig sign and Brudzinski sign) and extensor plantar response were present. Arterial blood gas analysis indicted PO2/FiO2 ratio of 240 mmHg. This COVID19 patient was treated with arbidol and oxygen therapy, whereas his consciousness was not improved. Lumbar puncture was performed on Feb 16, and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was 220 mmHg. Laboratory tests with CSF showed WBC (0.001 × 10/L), protein (0.27 g/L), ADA (0.17 U/L) and sugar (3.14 mmol/L) contents within normal limits. The CSF specimen was further tested for SARS-CoV-2 but the result was negative. This patient did not have evidence of bacterial or tuberculous infection of the CNS. After careful evaluation by neurologic experts, encephalitis associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection was concluded. Treatment at this moment was largely supportive, including mannitol infusion. Intriguingly, the patient’s consciousness generally ameliorated since Feb 20, and chest CT suggested a resolution of GGOs (Fig. 1B). His consciousness was completely clear on Feb 24. Two consecutive throat swab tests were negative for SARS-CoV-2. The patient was discharged from hospital on Feb 27. This letter describes a COVID-19 case who presented as encephalitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is an unusual manifestation of COVID-19. Fortunately, encephalitic associate with SARS-CoV-2 is selflimited. Although the definitive diagnosis of viral encephalitis largely depends on virus isolation, this is difficult for COVID-19 because SARSCoV-2 dissemination is transient and its CSF titer may be extremely low. Consistently, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG were not detectable in the patient’s CSF sample (unpublished data). Therefore, physical evaluation of neurological symptom is important to lead a presumptive diagnosis, as we have mentioned in this case. The pathophysiological characteristic of SARS-CoV-2 associated encephalitis is not fully understood. In agreement with Wu and colleagues (Wu et al., 2020), we speculate that SARS-CoV-2-induced immunologic response may cause inflammatory injury and edema, as a consequence, leading to alterations in consciousness. With the clearance of virus and the use of mannitol, the CSF pressure gradually reduces and the patient’s consciousness gradually improves. This might be a rational explanation for the self-limited property of SARS-CoV-2 associated encephalitis. Collectively, this report indicated that CNS may be involved in COVID-19 and highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to SARS-CoV-2 associated encephalitis.

A novel rod-like MnO2@Fe loading on graphene giving excellent electromagnetic absorption properties

Abstract: Impedance matching and the attenuation constant, α, are two key parameters in determining electromagnetic absorption properties Although materials with single magnetic or dielectric loss properties have a high α value, they nonetheless suffer from poor impedance matching The design of magnetic and dielectric composites might possibly be an effective method of solving this problem, but unfortunately the introduction of magnetic material may give a poor value of α In order to obtain absorptive materials with high impedance matching and a high value of α, we have designed a novel ternary composite of MnO2@Fe–graphene A 30 nm wide rod-like strip of MnO2 was first obtained by a simple liquid process Liquid decomposition of Fe(CO)5 was then carried out to deposit iron on the surface of the rod-like structure, and the MnO2@Fe was finally loaded on graphene by a liquid deposition technique The resulting ternary composite exhibited attractive electromagnetic absorption properties, in which the optimal reflection loss of up to −175 dB obtained with a thin coating thickness of 15 mm was able to satisfy the requirements of lightness of weight and a high degree of absorption The effective bandwidth frequency of MnO2@Fe–GNS is broader than that of pure MnO2 or MnO2@Fe, possibly due to its moderate impedance matching and attenuation ability The possible attenuation mechanism will also be discussed

3D nanostructured conductive polymer hydrogels for high-performance electrochemical devices

Abstract: Conducting polymer hydrogels (CPHs) represent a unique class of materials that synergize the advantageous features of hydrogels and organic conductors and have been used in many applications such as bioelectronics and energy storage devices. This perspective provides a brief overview of current research activities in the field of three-dimensional (3D) nanostructured CPHs for high-performance electrochemical devices. The synthesis methods of conventional conductive polymers (CPs) and hydrogels are outlined with emphasis on newly developed methods for the preparation of 3D nanostructured CPs and CPHs. Following this discussion is an outline of the applications of 3D CPH nanostructures with particular focus on those applications in which nanostructured CPHs are clearly advantageous over their conventional counterparts. Other potential applications of nanostructured CPHs are also discussed in this perspective along with the main challenges and future research directions for this new class of conductive hydrogels.

In situ construction of hierarchical WO3/g-C3N4 composite hollow microspheres as a Z-scheme photocatalyst for the degradation of antibiotics

Abstract: Elegant Z-scheme WO3/g-C3N4 composite hollow microspheres (CHMs) were constructed through precisely controlled in situ hydrolysis and a polymerization process consecutively. The formation of intact and well-defined hollow microspheres can be realized through optimizing the ratio of precursors for WO3 and g-C3N4. The shell of these hollow microspheres consist of well-distributed WO3 and g-C3N4 nanoparticles, and excellent heterojunctions with numerous interfaces and highly exposed oxidation-reduction active sites have thus been built. By virtue of this special architecture, more incident photons are expected to be trapped in the hollow cavities, which contribute to more electrons and holes available for photocatalytic reactions. Moreover, these photoinduced hole-electron pairs could be effectively separated, and the lifetime of charge carriers reaches 2.23 ns, which is obviously prolonged compared with the WO3. WO3/g-C3N4 CHMs as an optimized Z-scheme system retains the original oxidation and reduction abilities for the components without change of the oxidation and reduction potential. Combined with the long survival time of holes and electrons, this photocatalyst showed enhanced degradation rates towards tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl) and ceftiofur sodium (CFS).

The iau 2000 resolutions for astrometry celestial mechanics and metrology in the relativistic framework: explanatory supplement

Abstract: We discuss the IAU resolutions B1.3, B1.4, B1.5, and B1.9 that were adopted during the 24th General Assembly in Manchester, 2000, and provides details on and explanations for these resolutions. It is explained why they present significant progress over the corresponding IAU 1991 resolutions and why they are necessary in the light of present accuracies in astrometry, celestial mechanics, and metrology. In fact, most of these resolutions are consistent with astronomical models and software already in use. The metric tensors and gravitational potentials of both the Barycentric Celestial Reference System and the Geocentric Celestial Reference System are defined and discussed. The necessity and relevance of the two celestial reference systems are explained. The transformations of coordinates and gravitational potentials are discussed. Potential coefficients parameterizing the post-Newtonian gravitational potentials are expounded. Simplified versions of the time transformations suitable for modern clock accuracies are elucidated. Various approximations used in the resolutions are explicated and justified. Some models (e.g., for higher spin moments) that serve the purpose of estimating orders of magnitude have actually never been published before.