bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High Quantum Efficiency Zn2+ Doped Lead Manganese Halide @PET Film Used for Wide Color Gamut Backlit Display
Authors: Yang Fan , Yang Meiting , Liu Xiaoting , Yang Jiapeng , Wu Zhennan , Liang Xiaojuan , Lv Chunyan , Xiang Weidong
Published: May 2023

Organic–inorganic manganese halide with environmentally friendly properties has become a new candidate material for backlight display applications. In this article, tetraethylammonium bromide (C8H20N)2MnBr4 is synthesized by a simple room temperature evaporation method. The tetrahedral coordinated Mn2+ demonstrates a green emission peak at 523 nm and a commendable photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 81.7%. To improve its stability, different proportions of Zn2+ are incorporated, leading to the discovery of (C8H20N)2Mn0.95Zn0.05Br4 as the most stable variant with a high PLQY of 84.3%. Additionally, by utilizing a sandwich method and double‐layer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film encapsulation, the powder‐to‐binder ratio and thickness gradient are optimized, resulting in the ideal (C8H20N)2Mn0.95Zn0.05Br4@PET film with a powder‐to‐binder ratio of 1:2 and a thickness of 0.5 mm. Remarkably, the film exhibits superior stability against water, heat, and photo degradation. Finally, the light conversion film prepared from (C8H20N)2Mn0.95Zn0.05Br4@K2SiF6: Mn4+@PET composite material is applied to backlight display, and the color gamut covers 112% of NTSC 1953 and 83% of Rec. 2020. This study provides a feasible route for developing environmentally friendly, low‐cost, and high‐performance liquid crystal displays.
Suppression of Ionic and Electronic Conductivity by Multilayer Heterojunctions Passivation Toward Sensitive and Stable Perovskite X‐Ray Detectors
Authors: Han Mingyue , Xiao Yingrui , Zhou Chao , Xiao Zijie , Tan Wenyan , Yao Guowei , Wu Xiaoxue , Zhuang Renzhong , Deng Shiming , Hu Qi , Yang Yuxuan , Tang Zhaoheng , Zhou Xunsheng , Lin Haobo , Liang Huili , Lin Shenghuang , Mei Zengxia , Wang Cailin , Chen Qi , Zhang Wei , Jiang Yan
Published: May 2023

Organic‐inorganic hybrid perovskites are promising candidates for direct X‐ray detection and imaging. The relatively high dark current in perovskite single crystals (SCs) is a major limiting factor hindering the pursuit of performance and stability enhancement. In this study, the contribution of dark current is disentangled from electronic (σe) and ionic conductivity (σi) and shows that the high σi dominates the dark current of MAPbBr3 SCs. A multilayer heterojunctions passivation strategy is developed that suppresses not only the σi by two orders of magnitude but also σe by a factor of 1.6. The multilayer heterojunctions passivate the halide vacancy defects and increase the electron and hole injection barrier by inducing surface p‐type doping of MAPbBr3. This enables the MAPbBr3 SC X‐ray detectors to obtain a high sensitivity of 19 370 µC Gyair−1 cm−2 under a high electric field of 100 V cm−1, a record high sensitivity for bromine self‐powered devices, and a low detection limit of 42.3 nGyair s−1. The unencapsulated detectors demonstrate a stable baseline after storage for 210 days and outstanding operational stability upon irradiation with an accumulated dose of up to 1944 mGyair.
Laser Derived Electron Transport Layers with Embedded p–n Heterointerfaces Enabling Planar Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency over 25%
Authors: Zhao Wenhao , Guo Pengfei , Liu Chen , Jia Ning , Fang Zhiyu , Ye Linfeng , Ye Qian , Xu Yadong , Glotov Aleksandr P. , Novikov Andrei A. , Vinokurov Vladimir A. , Harvey Daniel , Shchukin Dmitry , Wang Hongqiang
Published: May 2023

Electron transport layers (ETLs) with pronounced electron conducting capability are essential for high performance planar perovskite photovoltaics, with the great challenge being that the most widely used metal oxide ETLs unfortunately have intrinsically low carrier mobility. Herein is demonstrated that by simply addressing the carrier loss at particle boundaries of TiO2 ETLs, through embedding in ETL p–n heterointerfaces, the electron mobility of the ETLs can be boosted by three orders of magnitude. Such embedding is encouragingly favorable for both inhibiting the formation of rutile phase TiO2 in ETL, and initiating the growth of high‐quality perovskite films with less defect states. By virtue of these merits, creation of formamidinium lead iodide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a champion efficiency of 25.05% is achieved, setting a new benchmark for planar PSCs employing TiO2 ETLs. Unencapsulated PSCs deliver much‐improved environmental stability, i.e., more than 80% of their initial efficiency after 9000 h of air storage under RH of 40%, and over 90% of their initial efficiency at maximum power point under continuous illumination for 500 h. Further work exploring other p‐type nanocrystals for embedding warrants the proposed strategy as a universal alternative for addressing the low‐carrier mobility of metal oxide based ETLs.
A Light‐Programmed Rewritable Lattice‐Mediated Multistate Memory for High‐Density Data Storage
Authors: Sun Qi , Yuan Meili , Wu Rongqi , Miao Yuan , Yuan Yahua , Jing Yumei , Qu Yuanyuan , Liu Xiaochi , Sun Jian
Published: May 2023

Mainstream non‐volatile memory (NVM) devices based on floating gate structures or phase‐change/ferroelectric materials face inherent limitations that compromise their suitability for long‐term data storage. To address this challenge, a novel memory device based on light‐programmed lattice engineering of thin rhenium disulfide (ReS2 ) flakes is proposed. By inducing sulfur vacancies in the ReS2 channel through light illumination, the device's electrical conductivity is modified accordingly and multiple conductance states for data storage therefore are generated. The device exhibits more than 128 distinct states with linearly increasing conductance, corresponding to a sevenfold increase in storage density. Through further optimization to achieve atomic‐level precision in defect creation, it is possible to achieve even higher storage densities. These states are extremely stable in vacuum or inert ambient showing long retention of >10 years, while they can be erased upon exposure to the air. The ReS2 memory device can maintain its stability over multiple program‐erase operation cycles and shows superior wavelength discrimination capability for incident light in the range of 405–785 nm. This device represents a significant contribution to NVM technology by offering the ability to store information in multistate memory and enabling filter‐free color image recorder applications.
Intrinsic Descriptor Guided Noble Metal Cathode Design for Li‐CO2 Battery
Authors: Guo Chang , Zhang Fuli , Han Xiao , Zhang Lipeng , Hou Qian , Gong Lele , Wang Jincheng , Xia Zhenhai , Hao Jianhua , Xie Keyu
Published: May 2023

To date, the effect of noble metal (NM) electronic structures on CO2 reaction activity remains unknown, and explicit screening criteria are still lacking for designing highly efficient catalysts in CO2‐breathing batteries. Herein, by preferentially considering the decomposition of key intermediate Li2CO3, an intrinsic descriptor constituted of the orbital states and the electronegativity for predicting high‐performance cathode material are discovered. As a demonstration, a series of graphene‐supported noble metals (NM@G) as cathodes are fabricated via a fast laser scribing technique. Consistent with the preliminary prediction, Pd@G exhibits an ultralow overpotential (0.41 V), along with superior cycling performance up to 1400 h. Moreover, the overall thermodynamic reaction pathways on NM@G confirm the reliability of the established intrinsic descriptor. This basic finding of the relationship between the electronic properties of noble metal cathodes and the performance of Li‐CO2 batteries provides a novel avenue for designing remarkably efficient cathode materials for metal‐CO2 batteries.
Transitional Structures with Continuous Variations in Atomic Positions from Anatase to Rutile Improve Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Song Miao , Prange Micah P. , Ren Peng , Lu Zexi , Lee Jaewon , Zheng Jian , Engelhard Mark , De Yoreo James J. , Sushko Peter V. , Li Dongsheng
Published: May 2023

TiO2 polymorphs have distinct properties that are widely employed in various applications. However, mechanisms of transformations between these polymorphs are not fully understood, especially at atomic scale, inhibiting advancing the design and application of the transitional phases. Here, based on results from semi‐in situ transmission electron microscopy, density functional theory, and X‐ray photoemission experiments, a physical picture of transitional structures is discovered, in which continuous variations in atomic positions form along a previously unreported anatase‐to‐rutile phase transformation path of [010]A–to–[]R and (004)A–to– (011)R. These gradient structures give rise to continuous band bending, which promotes electron‐hole separation and inhibits their recombination across the bulk of the particles, leading to a large functionally active volume fraction and resulting in high photoactivity. These findings suggest that interphase matter based on extended gradient structures can be designed to advance new functions not achievable using abrupt interfaces.
Oxygen Assisted Lithium‐Iodine Batteries: Towards Practical Iodine Cathodes and Viable Lithium Metal Protection Strategies
Authors: Giammona Maxwell J. , Kim Jangwoo , Kim Yumi , Medina Phillip , Nguyen Khanh , Bui Holt , Jones Gavin O. , Tek Andy T. , Sundberg Linda , Fong Anthony , La Young‐Hye
Published: May 2023

Rechargeable batteries with iodine‐based cathodes have recently been the subject of significant interest due to the moderately high theoretical specific energy (≈600 Wh kg−1) and high‐rate capability (>5 C) of the iodine cathode. Progress however has been impeded by the relatively low iodine contents of reported iodine‐based cathodes. This is likely due to high rates of poly‐iodide shuttling and cell instability that takes place at higher cell loadings. To reinforce the lithium metal anode, oxygen gas is introduced in the cells, which leads to a more robust solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, improving cell stability. This oxygen‐assisted lithium‐iodine (OALI) battery overcomes many of the shortcomings of other reported lithium‐iodine batteries by utilizing a simple to fabricate lithium iodide (LiI) on activated carbon cathode with cell operating under an oxygen containing atmosphere to realize high‐rate capability (>50 mA cm−2) and high areal capacity (>12 mAh cm−2).
Nano Ultrasound Contrast Agent for Synergistic Chemo‐photothermal Therapy and Enhanced Immunotherapy Against Liver Cancer and Metastasis
Authors: Qiu Yijie , Wu Zhihua , Chen Yanling , Liao Jinghan , Zhang Qi , Wang Quan , Duan Yi , Gong Ke , Chen Sheng , Wang Liting , Fan Peili , Duan Yourong , Wang Wenping , Dong Yi
Published: May 2023

Advanced liver cancer is the most fatal malignant cancer, and the clinical outcomes of treatment are not very satisfactory due to the complexity and heterogeneity of the tumor. Combination therapy can efficiently enhance tumor treatment by stimulating multiple pathways and regulating the tumor immune microenvironment. Nanodrug delivery systems have become attractive candidates for combined strategies for liver cancer treatment. This study reports a nano ultrasound contrast agent (arsenic trioxide (ATO)/PFH NPs@Au‐cRGD) to integrate diagnosis and treatment for efficient ultrasound imaging and liver cancer therapy. This nanodrug delivery system promotes tumor‐associated antigens release through ATO‐induced ferroptosis and photothermal‐induced immunogenic cell death, enhancing the synergistic effects of ATO and photothermal therapy in human Huh7 and mouse Hepa1–6 cells. This drug delivery system successfully activates the antitumor immune response and promotes macrophage M1 polarization in tumor microenvironment with low side effects in subcutaneous and orthotopic liver cancer. Furthermore, tumor metastasis is inhibited and long‐term immunological memory is also established in orthotopic liver cancer when the nanodrug delivery system is combined with anti‐programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) immunotherapy. This safe nanodrug delivery system can enhance antitumor therapy, inhibit lung metastasis, and achieve visual assessment of therapeutic efficacy, providing substantial potential in clinic applications for liver cancer.
Chemical Profiles of the Oxides on Tantalum in State of the Art Superconducting Circuits
Authors: McLellan Russell A. , Dutta Aveek , Zhou Chenyu , Jia Yichen , Weiland Conan , Gui Xin , Place Alexander P. M. , Crowley Kevin D. , Le Xuan Hoang , Madhavan Trisha , Gang Youqi , Baker Lukas , Head Ashley R. , Waluyo Iradwikanari , Li Ruoshui , Kisslinger Kim , Hunt Adrian , Jarrige Ignace , Lyon Stephen A. , Barbour Andi M. , Cava Robert J. , Houck Andrew A. , Hulbert Steven L. , Liu Mingzhao , Walter Andrew L. , de Leon Nathalie P.
Published: May 2023

Over the past decades, superconducting qubits have emerged as one of the leading hardware platforms for realizing a quantum processor. Consequently, researchers have made significant effort to understand the loss channels that limit the coherence times of superconducting qubits. A major source of loss has been attributed to two level systems that are present at the material interfaces. It is recently shown that replacing the metal in the capacitor of a transmon with tantalum yields record relaxation and coherence times for superconducting qubits, motivating a detailed study of the tantalum surface. In this work, the chemical profile of the surface of tantalum films grown on c‐plane sapphire using variable energy X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (VEXPS) is studied. The different oxidation states of tantalum that are present in the native oxide resulting from exposure to air are identified, and their distribution through the depth of the film is measured. Furthermore, it is shown how the volume and depth distribution of these tantalum oxidation states can be altered by various chemical treatments. Correlating these measurements with detailed measurements of quantum devices may elucidate the underlying microscopic sources of loss.
Coexistence of Ferroelectricity and Ferromagnetism in Fullerene‐Based One‐Dimensional Chains
Authors: Zhao Yang , Guo Yu , Qi Yan , Jiang Xue , Su Yan , Zhao Jijun
Published: May 2023

One‐dimensional (1D) magnetoelectric multiferroics are promising multifunctional materials for miniaturized sensors, actuators, and memories. However, 1D materials with both ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism are quite rare. Herein, using first‐principles calculations, a series of fullerene‐based 1D chains, namely U2C@C80‐M (M = Cr, Mn, Mo, and Ru) 1D chains with both ferroelectric (FE) and ferromagnetic (FM) properties is designed. Compared to individual U2C@Ih(7)‐C80, the spontaneous polarization (Ps) in 1D chains is enhanced by about two to four times owing to the interaction between U2C@Ih(7)‐C80 fullerene and M (M = Cr, Mn, Mo, and Ru) atoms. Meanwhile, the introduction of transition metal atoms dopes electrons into U's 5f orbitals, leading to numerous intriguing magnetic properties, such as U2C@C80‐Cr and U2C@C80‐Mo as 1D ferromagnetic semiconductors, U2C@C80‐Ru as 1D ferrimagnetic (FiM) semiconductor, and U2C@C80‐Mn as 1D antiferromagnetic (AFM) semiconductor. Excitingly, it is found that magnetic ordering and electrical polarization can be modulated independently by linking different transition metal atoms. These findings not only broaden the range of 1D multiferroic materials, but also provide promising candidates for novel electronic and spintronic applications.
CRISPR Assays for Disease Diagnosis: Progress to and Barriers Remaining for Clinical Applications
Authors: Huang Zhen , Lyon Christopher J. , Wang Jin , Lu Shuihua , Hu Tony Y.
Published: May 2023

Numerous groups have employed the special properties of CRISPR/Cas systems to develop platforms that have broad potential applications for sensitive and specific detection of nucleic acid (NA) targets. However, few of these approaches have progressed to commercial or clinical applications. This review summarizes the properties of known CRISPR/Cas systems and their applications, challenges associated with the development of such assays, and opportunities to improve their performance or address unmet assay needs using nano‐/micro‐technology platforms. These include rapid and efficient sample preparation, integrated single‐tube, amplification‐free, quantifiable, multiplex, and non‐NA assays. Finally, this review discusses the current outlook for such assays, including remaining barriers for clinical or point‐of‐care applications and their commercial development.
Cathode Materials and Chemistries for Magnesium Batteries: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Li Zhenyou , Häcker Joachim , Fichtner Maximilian , Zhao‐Karger Zhirong
Published: May 2023

Rechargeable magnesium batteries hold promise for providing high energy density, material sustainability, and safety features, attracting increasing research interest as post‐lithium batteries. With the progressive development of Mg electrolytes with enhanced (electro‐)chemical stability, tremendous efforts have been devoted to the exploration of high‐energy cathode materials. In this review, recent findings related to Mg cathode chemistry are summarized, focusing on the strategies that promote Mg2+ diffusion by targeting its interaction with the cathode hosts. The critical role of the cathode–electrolyte interfaces is elaborated, which remains largely unexplored in Mg systems. The approaches to optimization of cathode–electrolyte combinations to unlock the kinetic limitations of Mg2+ diffusion, enabling fast electrochemical processes of the cathodes, are highlighted. Furthermore, representative conversion chemistries and coordination chemistries that bypass bulk Mg2+ diffusion are discussed, with particular attention given to their key challenges and prospects. Finally, the hybrid systems that combine the fast kinetics of the monovalent cathode chemistries and high‐capacity Mg anodes are revisited, calling for further practical evaluation of this promising strategy. All in all, the aim is to provide fundamental insights into the cathode chemistry, which promotes the material development and interfacial regulations toward practical high‐performance Mg batteries.
Radical‐Mediated Photocatalysis for Lignocellulosic Biomass Conversion into Value‐Added Chemicals and Hydrogen: Facts, Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Aboagye Dominic , Djellabi Ridha , Medina Francesc , Contreras Sandra
Published: May 2023

Photocatalytic biomass conversion into high‐value chemicals and fuels is considered one of the hottest ongoing research and industrial topics toward sustainable development. In short, this process can cleave Cβ−O/Cα−Cβ bonds in lignin to aromatic platform chemicals, and further conversion of the polysaccharides to other platform chemicals and H2. From the chemistry point of view, the optimization of the unique cooperative interplay of radical oxidation species (which are activated via molecular oxygen species, ROSs) and substrate‐derived radical intermediates by appropriate control of their type and/or yield is key to the selective production of desired products. Technically, several challenges have been raised that face successful real‐world applications. This review aims to discuss the recently reported mechanistic pathways toward selective biomass conversion through the optimization of ROSs behavior and materials/system design. On top of that, through a SWOT analysis, we critically discussed this technology from both chemistry and technological viewpoints to help the scientists and engineers bridge the gap between lab‐scale and large‐scale production.
Doubly Strapped Zwitterionic NIR‐I and NIR‐II Heptamethine Cyanine Dyes for Bioconjugation and Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Li Dong‐Hao , Gamage Rananjaya S. , Oliver Allen G. , Patel Nimit L. , Muhammad Usama Syed , Kalen Joseph D. , Schnermann Martin J. , Smith Bradley D.
Published: May 2023

Heptamethine cyanine dyes enable deep tissue fluorescence imaging in the near infrared (NIR) window. Small molecule conjugates of the benchmark dye ZW800‐1 have been tested in humans. However, long‐term imaging protocols using ZW800‐1 conjugates are limited by their instability, primarily because the chemically labile C4′‐O‐aryl linker is susceptible to cleavage by biological nucleophiles. Here, we report a modular synthetic method that produces novel doubly strapped zwitterionic heptamethine cyanine dyes, including a structural analogue of ZW800‐1, with greatly enhanced dye stability. NIR‐I and NIR‐II versions of these doubly strapped dyes can be conjugated to proteins, including monoclonal antibodies, without causing undesired fluorophore degradation or dye stacking on the protein surface. The fluorescent antibody conjugates show excellent tumor‐targeting specificity in a xenograft mouse tumor model. The enhanced stability provided by doubly strapped molecular design will enable new classes of in vivo NIR fluorescence imaging experiments with possible translation to humans.
Light Triggered Pore Size Tuning in Photoswitching Covalent Triazine Frameworks for Low Energy CO2 Capture
Authors: Huang Qi , Zhan Zhen , Sun Ruixue , Mu Junju , Tan Bien , Wu Chunfei
Published: May 2023

Recently, photo switching porous materials have been widely reported for low energy costed CO2 capture and release via simply remoted light controlling method. However, most reported photo responsive CO2 adsorbents relied on metal organic framework (MOFs) functionalisation with photochromic moieties, and MOF adsorbents still suffered from chemically and thermally unstable issues. Thus, further metal free and highly stable organic photoresponsive adsorbents are necessary to be developed. CTFs, because of their high porosity and stability, have attracted great attention for CO2 capture. Considering the high CO2 uptake capacity and structural tunability of CTFs, it suggests high potential to fabricate the photoswitching CTF materials by the same functionalisation method as MOFs. Herein, the first series of photo switching CTFs were developed for low energy CO2 capture and release. Apart from that, the CO2 switching efficiency could be doubled either through the azobenzene numbers adjusting method or through the previously reported structural alleviation strategy. Furthermore, the pore size distribution of azobenzene functionalised PCTFs also could be tuned under UV exposure, which may contribute to the UV light induced decrease of CO2 uptake capacity. These photoswitching CTFs represented a new kind of porous polymers for low energy costed CO2 capture.
Constructing a honeycomb‐inspired Ni‐Co LDHs@CFs enhanced polymer composites with high strength, aging resistance and excellent anti‐wear for tribological applications
Authors: Zhu Wenting , Zhang Shouyang , Fei Jie , Li Chang , Yang Hongtao , Liu Longqi
Published: May 2023

The development of carbon fibers/polymer composites (CFPCs) has made a profound impact on varied application prospects in the transmission and braking fields, where interface engineering between fibers/matrix holds the key to co‐enhanced mechanical and tribological properties. Herein, we designed a honeycomb‐inspired Ni‐Co layered double hydroxides (Ni‐Co LDHs) modified CFPCs, in which Ni‐Co LDHs interconnected nanosheets were grown in‐situ onto the carbon fibers (CFs) surface via the oxidation‐assisted hydrothermal method, and then polymer matrix fully impregnate and filled with both the CFs and LDHs porous containers by capillary forces. Benefiting from the special interface, the Ni‐Co LDHs grafted CFs reinforced polymer composites (Ni‐Co LDHs@CFs composites) possessed the excellent mechanical strength and outstanding tribological properties. The LDHs@CFs composites had 32% improvement in the tensile strength, and 84.9% strength retention ratio after the hydrothermal aging process. Furthermore, the friction coefficient was increased by 24% and wear rate was dramatically decreased by 42% from 6.148 × 10−14 to 3.557 × 10−14 m3 (N m)−1, indicating better torque transmitting capacity and anti‐wear properties. This work could provide a valuable reference for the construction of biomimetic interface to simultaneously improve the mechanical and tribological properties of the CFPCs.
Characterization of a Musculoskeletal Syndrome of Enthesitis and Arthritis in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis Treated With Dupilumab, an Interleukin‐4/13 Inhibitor
Authors: Hughes Catherine D. , Nathan Joseph , Mathew Libin , Pink Andrew E. , Woolf Richard T. , Smith Catherine , Menon Bina , Kirkham Bruce
Published: May 2023

Objective

To characterize the presentation and outcomes of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) who developed musculoskeletal symptoms after treatment with dupilumab, a human IgG4 monoclonal antibody that blocks the functions of interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) and IL‐13, key pathologic pathways in AD.

Methods

This article reports an observational cohort of patients receiving dupilumab who developed new‐onset musculoskeletal symptoms after dupilumab therapy at our center. All patients had a comprehensive rheumatologic history and examination, with imaging by ultrasonography (US) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in most patients.

Results

Between October 2018 and February 2021, we recorded 470 patients with AD commencing dupilumab treatment from routine clinical care records. Of 36 patients referred for rheumatologic assessment, we identified 26 patients (14 male, 12 female) with a musculoskeletal syndrome of inflammatory enthesitis, arthritis, and/or tenosynovitis. Clinical findings were confirmed by US and MRI. All patients had very good response to dupilumab treatment, and no specific predictors of musculoskeletal syndrome were noted. Symptoms were mild in 16 patients, moderate in 6 patients, and severe in 4 patients. Receipt of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs or cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors, reduction of dupilumab dose/frequency, and cessation of dupilumab therapy led to improvement, but moderate or severe symptoms persisted for many months.

Conclusion

We report a new musculoskeletal syndrome of inflammatory enthesitis/arthritis/tenosynovitis in some patients receiving the IL‐4 receptor antagonist dupilumab. This response to a cytokine‐targeting therapy provides key insights into the pathogenesis of enthesitis.
White Light to Near‐IR Chargeable Single Component Photocapacitor Based on Donor‐chromophore‐Acceptor Dyes
Authors: Li Feng , Cuhadar Can , Zhang Zilong , Jindal Shanay , Huang Zehan , Zhang Ni , Tsao Hoi Nok , Gao Peng
Published: May 2023

Power sources that can be charged anytime and anywhere are highly desirable for mobile devices. The most suitable device for achieving such wireless charging is a photocapacitor, which utilizes light as a renewable energy source instead of electricity from the grid. Sunlight on Earth is intermittent and unstable, so photocapacitors that can be charged by the day or room light and near‐infrared (near‐IR) radiation are needed to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the equipment. We employ a single dye‐sensitized solar cell as a photocapacitor without adding any additional charge storage components to reduce the cost and complexity of device manufacturing. To realize such photocapacitors, this work presents a family of new isoindigo‐based D‐π‐A photoactive dyes with good visible and near‐IR absorption. Notably, LF15 has a higher molar absorbance coefficient and enhanced dye‐loading than LF23, which is consistent with the higher photocurrent of photocapacitors based on the former. Photocapacitors based on these three dyes achieve photovoltages up to 0.74 V, area‐specific capacitances of 2.87 mF cm−2, and excellent charge‐discharge stability. The devices can be charged in both visible and near‐IR conditions, exhibiting typical capacitor behavior.
Boosting Magnesium Ion Storage Behavior via Heteroelement Doping in a Porous Tunnel Framework Cathode for Aqueous Mg‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Zhuo , Chen Yuanyuan , Gong Zhe , Liu Yang , Wang Guiling , Gao Yinyi , Zhu Kai , Cao Dianxue
Published: May 2023

To relieve the overwhelming pressure on fossil energy, aqueous magnesium ion batteries attracted tremendous attention owing to their low cost and high safety. However, the cathode materials are apt to occur lattice distortion because of the electrostatic interaction between magnesium ions and crystal. The 2×2 manganese octahedral molecular sieve with potassium ions and water located in the tunnels (K‐OMS‐2), utilized as a cathode material for chargeable magnesium ions batteries, is exposed to irreversible Mg2+ intercalation/deintercalation due to lattice distortion, which heavily damages the electrochemical properties and declines the capacity. Herein, we carry out an ion doping strategy to overcome the above issues, leading to an enhanced Mg Mg2+ storage behavior. The Nb or V cation is successfully doped into K‐OMS‐2 by a facile reflux method under room temperature. The specific surface area is enlarged by the addition of cations, which promise a large electrode‐electrolyte contact area. The Nb and V doped K‐OMS‐2 present a capacity of 252.6 and 265.9 mAh/g at 20 mA/g, respectively. This work demonstrates an ion doping approach toward exploiting the stable and high‐capacity Mg‐ion battery cathode and provides potential cathode materials for a large‐scale aqueous Mg‐ion‐based energy storage system.
Robust output regulation of a non‐uniform Euler‐Bernoulli beam
Authors: Meng Tingting , Huang Haifeng , Wu Xiaoyang , Fu Qiang
Published: May 2023

For an Euler‐Bernoulli beam with variable coefficients, all the disturbances and references are supposed to be from an exosystem. Two observer‐based controls are proposed to regulate two non‐collocated outputs to track prescribed references. First, we construct an uncertain disturbance‐free beam system, which is determined by the inputs, measurable outputs, and unknown initial conditions. New exosystems are then defined to address the undetectability of the original exosystem and the uncertainties of input disturbances. We then propose two observer‐based controls through an extended observer for the disturbance‐free beam and the new exosystems. For the closed‐loop system, the tracking errors are proved to be exponentially regulated toward zero. A simulation example is provided to describe the theoretical result.
Fouling of virus filtration membranes by monoclonal antibody feeds with low aggregate content
Authors: Kaufman Yair , Hunt KC , Hale Gabriel , McClure Matthew , Latulippe David , Sivan Madhavi , Wilson Jack , Dorin Rachel , Agroskin Yury , Siwak Marty , Gerion Daniele
Published: May 2023

Membrane fouling by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) is one of the main challenges in virus‐filtration processes. Previous publications attributed membrane fouling to the presence of mAb aggregates in the solution, which block the membrane pores. This fouling mechanism can be solved by a prefilter; however, it was shown that there are mAbs that severely foul the membranes (reduce permeability by 90% and more) even after prefiltering the aggregates, while other mAbs foul the membrane weakly (reduce permeability by ~10% and less). Unfortunately, the differences between the fouling‐ and the nonfouling mAbs have never been convincingly explained. To get a deeper insight on these differences, we measured the fouling of chemically modified Isoprene‐Styrene‐4‐vinylpyridine (ISV) membranes (TeraPore Technologies) by 8 mAbs exhibiting different hydrophobicity and charge. The results show that mAb solutions with low concentration of aggregates foul ISV membranes via an adsorptive mechanism, and the adsorption is driven mainly by hydrophobic forces between the mAb and the membrane. The charge of the mAbs plays a secondary role in fouling. We want to emphasize that the conclusions pertain to ISV membranes; the insights presented in this paper can potentially be used to engineer new surface chemistries to mitigate fouling of other virus‐filtration and/or ultrafiltration membranes.
Organizational improvisation and corporate green innovation: A dynamic capability perspective
Authors: Chen Lu , Yuan Ming , Lin Han , Han Yilong , Yu Youyou , Sun Caihui
Published: May 2023

The march toward fusing business with sustainability is articulated with the hope of offering solutions to global environmental degradation. Green innovation is often regarded as an effective strategy to induce double externality with positive innovation and environmental spillovers. Despite numerous research works on determinants of green innovation, the key question, however, whether and how organizational improvisation exerts its influence on innovatively being green is still unsolved. On this basis, the current study seeks to demonstrate a connection between organizational improvisation and corporate green innovation. According to the presented theoretical framework, organizational improvisation, which serves as a catalyst for improving learning processes, promotes green innovation. Furthermore, dynamic capabilities mediate this relationship, and top management risk aversion could weaken the successful transformation of substantive innovation and being green. Empirical evidence is found based on a sample of Chinese manufacturing firms with a moderated mediation analysis. These results extend the understanding of the role of improvisation in green achievements towards the fusion of unplanned change and order.
A case report of multimodal ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis of giant retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma
Authors: Feng Li , Wang Yong
Published: May 2023

Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma is a rare benign tumor that is challenging in terms of clinical diagnosis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are usually performed for diagnosis rather than convenient and inexpensive ultrasonography. Here, we present the case of a 21‐year‐old female patient who was diagnosed by multimodal ultrasound imaging and whose diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound‐guided core needle biopsy before surgery. We hope that this rare case will help clinicians and radiologists realize the advantages of multimodal ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis of retropeitoneal solid tumors, and reduce misdiagnosis.
Biomarkers and factors in small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Lin‐Lu , Yu Cheng‐Feng , Xie Hong‐Ting , Chen Zheng , Jia Bo‐Hui , Xie Fei‐Yu , Cai Ya‐Fang , Xue Peng , Zhu Shi‐Jie
Published: May 2023

Objective

The aim of this meta‐analysis was to summarize the available results of immunotherapy predictors for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and to provide evidence‐based information for their potential predictive value of efficacy.

Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials (from January 1, 1975 to November 1, 2021). The hazard ratios (HR) and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and tumor response rate of the included studies were extracted.

Results

Eleven studies were eventually included and the pooled results showed that programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) positive: objective response rate (ORR) (relative risk [RR] = 1.39, 95% CI [0.48, 4.03], p = 0.54), with high heterogeneity (p = 0.05, I2 = 56%); disease control rate [DCR] (RR = 1.31, 95% CI [0.04, 38.57], p = 0.88), with high heterogeneity (p = 0.04, I2 = 75%); overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.74, 1.07], p = 0.22); and progression‐free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.59, 1.16], p = 0.27), with high heterogeneity (p = 0.005, I2 = 73.1%). TMB‐High (TMB‐H): OS (HR = 0.86, 95% CI [0.74, 1.00], p = 0.05); PFS (HR = 0.71, 95% CI [0.6, 0.85], p < 0.001). Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) >upper limit of normal (ULN): OS (HR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.81, 1.11], p = 0.511). Asian patients: OS (HR = 0.87, 95% CI [0.72, 1.04], p = 0.135); White/Non‐Asian patients: OS (HR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.76, 0.90], p < 0.001). Liver metastasis patients: OS (HR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.83, 1.05], p = 0.229); PFS (HR = 0.84, 95% CI [0.67, 1.06], p = 0.141). Central nervous system (CNS) metastasis patients: OS (HR = 0.91, 95% CI [0.71, 1.17], p = 0.474); PFS (HR = 1.03, 95% CI [0.66, 1.60], p = 0.903).

Conclusion

The available research results do not support the recommendation of PD‐L1 positive and TMB‐H as predictors for the application of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in SCLC patients. LDH, baseline liver metastasis and CNS metastasis may be used as markers/influencing factors for predicting the efficacy of ICIs in SCLC patients. Non‐Asian SCLC patients had better efficacy with ICIs in our results.
Efficacy and toxicity of CLAG combined with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in the treatment of refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Yao Han , Zhang Cheng , Tan Xu , Li Jieping , Yin Xiaolin , Deng Xiaojuan , Chen Ting , Rao Jun , Gao Lei , Kong Peiyan , Zhang Xi
Published: May 2023

Background

Refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (r/rAML) is associated with a difficult prognosis; clinical trials are typically suggested despite lack of a recognized standard of care. Combinatorial chemotherapy regimens utilized for r/rAML salvage play a crucial role in battling this invasive phase. Although it is characterized by a low response rate, CLAG is a traditional regimen used in r/rAML. We aimed to compare the efficacy and toxicity of CLAG+PLD to explore whether there was any improvement with the addition of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) to CLAG

Methods

A total of 110 r/rAML patients were retrospectively analyzed from February 2017 to June 2020 at the Medical Center of Hematology, XinQiao Hospital, the 303rd Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and Central Hospital of Chang Sha, Hunan Province. The response, overall survival (OS), disease‐free survival (DFS), and side effects in 110 r/rAML patients were evaluated retrospectively. Of these, 55 patients were administered CLAG+PLD, while 55 patients received CLAG alone as salvage therapy.

Results

In the CLAG+PLD group, there were 27 (49.1%) cases of complete response (CR) with no measurable residual disease (MRD−), 12 (21.8%) cases of CR with positive MRD (MRD+), 5 (9.1%) cases of partial response (PR), 11 (20%) cases of no response (NR), and no cases of death during the cycles. The response rates in the CLAG group were lower: CR was reached in 24 (46.6%) patients with MRD−, 6 (10.9%) patients with MRD+, 10 (18.2%) patients with PR, 13 (23.6%) patients with NR, and 2 (3.6%) patients who passed away, one from infection and the other from cerebral hemorrhage. The median OS and DFS were not attained in the CLAG+PLD group during the 2‐year OS and DFS follow‐up, while both values were 10 months in the CLAG group (p = 0.023 and p = 0.045, respectively). The results of the Cox regression analysis for the CLAG+PLD group were strongly illustrative of the importance of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) following salvage therapy. No increased toxicity was observed in the CLAG+PLD group.

Conclusion

CLAG+PLD is a potential salvage regimen for r/r AML that has a similar toxicity profile to CLAG and that improves response rates, 2‐year OS, and DFS relative to CLAG.
Primary malignant melanoma of the cervix: A comprehensive analysis of case reports in the Chinese population
Authors: Ye Yuan , Fu Aizhen , Cai Jiayi , Ma Zhen , Chen Yumei , Zou Xinxin , Li Huiyi , Chen Yongfeng , Zhao Shibo , Chen Caiyun
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Malignant melanoma is a tumor generated from the basal melanocytes of human epidermis. Primary malignant melanoma of the cervix (PMMC) is derived from cervical melanocytes. It is an uncommon disease, mostly occurring in perimenopausal women. PMMC has a bad prognosis and lacks a defined protocol or treatment standards. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of different surgical procedures and different adjuvant treatment modalities on their prognosis and to find risk factors for their prognosis by integrating published case report data based on the Chinese population.

Methods and Results

This study included 165 patients with PMMC in the Chinese population. We used the Kaplan‐Meier method to build the survival curve, and the log‐rank test to examine the variations among the subgroups. Prognostic factors were examined utilizing the Cox proportional hazards regression model. We found that patients who underwent radical hysterectomy‐based surgery, those who underwent lymphadenectomy, and those who underwent other treatments in addition to surgery had significantly better survival rates. The overall analysis, showed that age, and FIGO Stage II, III, and IV, increased the risk of death. Moreover, radical hysterectomy (RH), total hysterectomy (TAH), lymphadenectomy, and adjuvant therapy were correlated with a decreased mortality risk.

Conclusion

After summarizing the current data, we recommend radical hysterectomy, and lymphadenectomy treatment for patients with PMMC. For patients who had already undergone surgery, other treatment options had a positive effect on prognosis. For patients who had already undergone surgery, other treatment options had a positive effect on prognosis; therefore patient‐specific treatment options need to be further discussed.
Aberrant expression of NPPB through YAP1 and TAZ activation in mesothelioma with Hippo pathway gene alterations
Authors: Sato Tatsuhiro , Akao Ken , Sato Ayuko , Tsujimura Tohru , Mukai Satomi , Sekido Yoshitaka
Published: May 2023

Background

Mesothelioma is a neoplastic disease associated with asbestos exposure. It is highly malignant and has a poor prognosis; thus, early detection is desirable. Recent whole‐genome analysis has revealed that mesothelioma is characterized by a high frequency of mutations in a set of genes involved in the Hippo pathway, such as NF2 and LATS2. However, a rapid, simple, and precise method for finding mesothelioma with these mutations has not yet been established.

Methods

Clustering of Hippo pathway gene alteration groups and the differential expression of each gene in mesothelioma patients were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Gene expression levels in various tumors and normal tissues were analyzed using public databases. Knockdown or transient expression of YAP1 or TAZ was performed to evaluate the regulation of gene expression by these genes. NT‐proBNP was measured in the pleural effusions of 18 patients and was compared with NF2 expression in five cases where cell lines had been successfully established.

Results

NPPB mRNA expression was markedly higher in the group of mesothelioma patients with Hippo pathway gene mutations than in the group without them. NPPB expression was low in all normal tissues except heart, and was highest in mesothelioma. Mesothelioma patients in the high NPPB expression group had a significantly worse prognosis than those in the low NPPB expression group. NPPB expression was suppressed by knockdown of YAP1 or TAZ. NT‐proBNP was abundant in the effusions of mesothelioma patients and was particularly high in those with impaired NF2 expression.

Conclusions

NPPB, whose levels can be measured in pleural effusions of mesothelioma patients, has the potential to act as a biomarker to detect NF2‐Hippo pathway gene alterations and/or predict patient prognosis. Additionally, it may provide useful molecular insights for a better understanding of mesothelioma pathogenesis and for the development of novel therapies.
Use of high‐flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy for patients with terminal cancer at the end of life
Authors: Kim Jung Sun , Shin Jeongmi , Kim Nam Hee , Lee Sun Young , Yoo Shin Hye , Keam Bhumsuk , Heo Dae Seog
Published: May 2023

Background

Few studies have focused on high‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) usage in the last few weeks of life. The aim of this study was to identify the status of HFNC use in patients with cancer at the end of life and the relevant clinical factors.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study in a tertiary hospital in the Republic of Korea. Among patients with cancer who died between 2018 and 2020, those who initiated HFNC within 14 days before death were included. Patients were categorized based on the time from HFNC initiation to death as imminent (<4 days) and non‐imminent (≥4 days).

Results

Among the 2191 deceased patients with terminal cancer, 329 (15.0%) were analyzed. The median age of the patients was 66 years, and 62.9% were male. The leading cause of respiratory failure was pneumonia (70.2%), followed by pleural effusion (30.7%) and aggravation of lung neoplasms (18.8%). Most patients were conscious (79.3%) and had resting dyspnea (76.3%) at HFNC initiation. Patients received HFNC therapy for a mean of 3.4 days in the last 2 weeks of life, and 62.6% initiated it within 4 days before death. Furthermore, female sex, no palliative care consultation, no advance statements in person on life‐sustaining treatment, and no resting dyspnea were independently associated with the imminent use of HFNC.

Conclusions

Many patients with cancer started HFNC therapy at the point of imminent death. However, efforts toward goal‐directed use of HFNC at the end‐of‐life stage are required.
A qualitative study of the perspectives of designated safeguarding leads responding to child protection concerns in fee‐paying schools
Authors: Bernard Claudia , Greenwood Tom , Henri Tom
Published: May 2023

This article explores the experiences and perspectives of designated safeguarding leads (DSL) in fee‐paying schools to better understand how they engage affluent parents when there are safeguarding and child protection concerns. The research employed a roundtable data gathering methodology, with 33 DSLs from a range of fee‐paying schools in southern England participating in the study. A primary objective of the research was to understand the factors that influence how DSLs in fee‐paying schools engage parents from affluent backgrounds. The findings showed that a major concern is that affluent parents are adept at using their power and privilege to avoid statutory interventions, which meant that the DSLs' safeguarding role was often fraught with difficulties. This article addresses factors that enable or hinder DSLs' conversations with affluent parents and offers some critical reflections on the challenges posed for their duty to safeguard the children in their care. For the purpose of this article, three key themes will be addressed: the interpretation of harm thresholds; communication issues; and mental health issues. Overall, the analysis contributes to a greater understanding of how DSLs in fee‐paying schools navigate their engagement with parents when familial risks are identified.
Persistent oral mucosal lesions preceding diagnosis of Crohn's disease and primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Nylund Karita , Helenius‐Hietala Jaana , Åberg Fredrik , Hagström Jaana , Ruokonen Hellevi
Published: May 2023

Oral mucosal lesions may persist years before symptoms or diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and subsequent primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Since a dental practitioner may be the first clinician to suspect IBD with extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs), early referral, and close collaboration with a gastroenterologist are recommended.