Xiamen University

About: Xiamen University is a education organization based out in Amoy, Fujian, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Population. The organization has 50472 authors who have published 54480 publications receiving 1058239 citations. The organization is also known as: Amoy University & Xiàmén Dàxué.

Chemical synthesis of lactic acid from cellulose catalysed by lead(II) ions in water

Abstract: The direct transformation of cellulose, which is the main component of lignocellulosic biomass, into building-block chemicals is the key to establishing biomass-based sustainable chemical processes. Only limited successes have been achieved for such transformations under mild conditions. Here we report the simple and efficient chemocatalytic conversion of cellulose in water in the presence of dilute lead(II) ions, into lactic acid, which is a high-value chemical used for the production of fine chemicals and biodegradable plastics. The lactic acid yield from microcrystalline cellulose and several lignocellulose-based raw biomasses is >60% at 463 K. Both theoretical and experimental studies suggest that lead(II) in combination with water catalyses a series of cascading steps for lactic acid formation, including the isomerization of glucose formed via the hydrolysis of cellulose into fructose, the selective cleavage of the C3-C4 bond of fructose to trioses and the selective conversion of trioses into lactic acid.

Octapod iron oxide nanoparticles as high-performance t2 contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract: Disclosed are nanoparticles comprising octapod iron oxide having eight trigonal bipyramidal arms and a method of preparing the same. The nanoparticles are prepared by heating a mixture of a ferric carboxylate, a carboxylic acid, a chloride salt, water, and a non-polar solvent, to a temperature above about 300° C. Also disclosed is a method of magnetic resonance imaging a tissue in a mammal, comprising use of the aforesaid nanoparticles.

Promoted Fixation of Molecular Nitrogen with Surface Oxygen Vacancies on Plasmon‐Enhanced TiO2 Photoelectrodes

Abstract: A hundred years on, the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process continues to turn the N2 in air into fertilizer, nourishing billions of people while causing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The urgency of mitigating climate change motivates society to progress toward a more sustainable method for fixing N2 that is based on clean energy. Surface oxygen vacancies (surface Ovac ) hold great potential for N2 adsorption and activation, but introducing Ovac on the very surface without affecting bulk properties remains a great challenge. Fine tuning of the surface Ovac by atomic layer deposition is described, forming a thin amorphous TiO2 layer on plasmon-enhanced rutile TiO2 /Au nanorods. Surface Ovac in the outer amorphous TiO2 thin layer promote the adsorption and activation of N2 , which facilitates N2 reduction to ammonia by excited electrons from ultraviolet-light-driven TiO2 and visible-light-driven Au surface plasmons. The findings offer a new approach to N2 photofixation under ambient conditions (that is, room temperature and atmospheric pressure).

Frontline Nurses’ Burnout, Anxiety, Depression, and Fear Statuses and Their Associated Factors During the COVID-19 Outbreak in Wuhan, China: A Big-Scale Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract: Background: During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, frontline nurses face enormous mental health challenges. Epidemiological data on the mental health statuses of frontline nurses remain unknown. The aim of this study was to examine mental health (burnout, anxiety, depression, and fear) and their associated factors among frontline nurses who were caring for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, China. Methods: A big-scale cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study design was used. A total of 2,014 eligible frontline nurses from two hospitals in Wuhan, China, participated in the study. Besides sociodemographic and background data, a set of valid and reliable instruments were used to measure outcomes of burnout, anxiety, depression, fear, skin lesion, self-efficacy, resilience, and social support via the online survey in February 2020. Findings: On average, the participants had a moderate level of burnout and a high level of fear. About half of the nurses reported moderate and high work burnout, as shown in emotional exhaustion (n=1,218, 60.5%), depersonalization (n=853, 42.3%), and personal accomplishment (n=1,219, 60.6%). The findings showed that 288 (14.3%), 217 (10.7%), and 1,837 (91.2%) nurses reported moderate and high levels of anxiety, depression, and fear, respectively. The majority of the nurses (n=1,910, 94.8%) had one or more skin lesions, and 1,950 (96.8%) nurses expressed their frontline work willingness. Mental health outcomes were statistically positively correlated with skin lesion and negatively correlated with self-efficacy, resilience, social support, and frontline work willingness. Interpretation: The frontline nurses experienced a variety of mental health challenges, especially burnout and fear, which warrant attention and support from policymakers. Future interventions at the national and organisational levels are needed to improve mental health during this pandemic by preventing and managing skin lesions, building self-efficacy and resilience, providing sufficient social support, and ensuring frontline work willingness. Funding Statement: 2020 COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Fund from XMU & HUST Declaration of Interests: None. Ethics Approval Statement: Ethical approval was obtained from the participating hospitals’ ethical review boards as well as the last author’s university. All nurses provided consent by ticking the “yes” box to indicate their willingness to participate in the online survey. Voluntary participation and data confidentiality were emphasized. A token of appreciation of 50 RMB (equivalent to 7 USD) was provided to each participant via the WeChat red packet on the completion of the online survey.