Ceria nanocubes (NC) modified with increasing concentrations of praseodymium (5, 10, 15, and 20 mol %) have been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The as-synthesized Pr-modified ceria nanocubes exhibit an enhanced oxidase-like activity on the organic dye TMB within a wide range of concentrations and durations. The oxidase activity increases with increasing Pr amounts in Pr-modified ceria nanocubes within the investigated concentration range. Meanwhile, these Pr-modified ceria nanocubes also show higher reducibility than pure ceria nanocubes. The kinetics of their oxidase mimetic activity is fitted with the Michaelis-Menten equation. A mechanism has been proposed on how the Pr incorporation could affect the energy level of the bands in ceria and hence facilitate the TMB oxidation reaction. The presence of Pr species on the surface also contributes to the increasing activity of the Pr-modified ceria nanocubes present higher oxidase activity than pure ceria nanocubes.

Background The simulation is one of the basic methods of medical education, which is often used for procedural skills training. However, the existing simulator lacks internal anatomical landmarks. The study developed a mixed-reality stimulator and evaluated its usability and feasibility in lumbar puncture training. Methods The study recruited 40 subjects, including medical students, residents and faulty with varied levels of experience. Before training, participants completed the questionnaire about the basic information and watched a presentation about mixed reality. After practicing on mixed-reality stimulator, which provided internal anatomical structure, the examination was carried out and the results were documented. At the end of the training, trainees completed a survey of MR technology. Results In this study, participants generally believed that the MR technology was very realistic (90%), and that the presentation of internal anatomy could help the operation (95%). Moreover, 72.5% and 75%, respectively, strongly agreed that the MR technology promoted learning and should be used in medical training. After this training, the success rate of puncture and the puncture time were significantly improved in experienced and non-experienced participants. Conclusion The existing simulator was easy to be transformed into MR simulator. This study showed the usability and feasibility of MR simulator in lumbar puncture training. As a potentially good tool to simulated medical skills training, next, MR technology would be developed and evaluated in more clinical skills teaching scenarios.