Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Cr-Al Spinel phase formation in alumina dispersed 316 L stainless steel processed by spark plasma sintering
Abstract Phase transformation of oxide phase in oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) 316 L stainless steel alloys was observed during spark plasma sintering (SPS).The composites were prepared with two different compositions of 0.33 wt% Al2O3 and 1wt% Al2O3. The alumina particles were located at grain boundaries mixed with micrometer sized steel debris from milling after attrition milling. The alumina particles transformed to a Cr-Al spinel phase dominantly with Cr rich composition surrounded by an amorphous silica phase during SPS process in both sintered composites. Both Cr component of Cr-Al spinel phase and Si in silica could diffuse from the 316 L steel during the spark plasma sintering process. The lattice parameter of the spinel phase is 8.36Å independent of the local cation composition variation. The lattice parameter of the spinel phase is relatively large among synthetic Cr-Al spinels which implies that octahedral sites of spinel structure are mainly occupied by Cr3+ cations replacing a portion of Al. The finding that the transformation occurs in presence of amorphous silica is consistent with literature describing both geological occurrence of chromite and phases with spinel structure in annealed glass composites in the presence of silica phase. The phase transition may be also promoted by local temperature increase at the grain boundaries of steel during the spark plasma sintering.
Boosting Thermoelectric Performance of Semicrystalline Conducting Polymers by Simply Adding Nucleating Agent
Abstract Controlling the microstructure of semiconducting polymers is critical for optimizing thermoelectric performance, yet remains challenging, requiring complex processing techniques like alignment. In this study, a straightforward strategy is introduced to enhance the thermoelectric properties of semi‐crystalline polymer films by incorporating minimal amounts of nucleating agents, a method widely used in traditional polymer industries. By blending less than 1 wt% of N,N′‐(1,4‐phenyl)diisonicotinamide (PDA) into poly(2,5‐bis(3‐alkylthiophen‐2‐yl)thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene) (PBTTT‐C14), controlled modulation of crystallization behavior is achieved, resulting in reduced structural disorder and enhanced charge carrier mobility. Systematic investigations reveal that an optimal PDA loading of 0.9 wt% increases the crystallization degree by 45% compared to pristine PBTTT‐C14 films. Under these optimized conditions, the PDA‐modified PBTTT‐C14 films exhibit a maximum electrical conductivity of 1,894 S cm −1 and a maximum power factor of 176 µW m −1 K −2 , showing improvements of 96% and 433%, respectively, over doped pristine PBTTT‐C14 films. These gains are attributed to the synergistic effects of polymer chain extension and reduced grain boundary resistance, which collectively enhance charge transport efficiency. Additionally, ion exchange doping is found to maintain a high charge carrier concentration while preserving the crystallinity introduced by PDA, paving the way for advanced thermoelectric materials and next‐generation polymer‐based electronics.
Reply to: “Annual Versus Biennial Mammographic Screening” and “Breast Cancer Screening Interval: Effects of Proportions and Biases on Benefits”
Angle-dependent asymmetric transmission in gradient 3D photonic crystals
Asymmetric transmission (AT) materials allow light to pass through differently depending on its direction, which is important for optical devices like isolators, encryption, and solar cells. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an approach to achieve AT at optical frequencies by using three-dimensional gradient spiral photonic crystals (PCs). By analyzing the iso frequency surface's response of spiral photonic crystals, we predict the AT of light at certain incident angles. We fabricate dielectric spiral PCs with different gradients of 1%, 11%, and 28% in the z-direction using the femtosecond laser direct writing technique. The predicted AT of light and the dependence of AT on the structural gradient amplitude due to the complex dispersion relations in PCs have been revealed through experimental measurements. These results demonstrate the potential of gradient 3D PCs in the development of diverse (AT) optical devices.
Postoperative quality of life in patients treated for thyroid cancer with transoral endoscopic and open surgery
Low‐Volatility Fused‐Ring Solid Additive Engineering for Synergistically Elongating Exciton Lifetime and Mitigating Trap Density Toward Organic Solar Cells of 20.5% Efficiency
Abstract Volatile solid additives (VSAs) with single or fused‐ring structures have attracted much attention for enhancing power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic solar cells (OSCs). While the working mechanisms of high‐volatility single‐ring additives have been well studied, the influence of low‐volatility fused‐ring VSAs on molecular aggregations and exciton/carrier dynamics remains still unclear. Herein, 3,6‐dibromothieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (3,6TTBr) is selected as a representative low‐volatility fused‐ring VSA to elucidate its working mechanism. Via the theoretical and experimental joint investigation, it is found that rigid and planar 3,6TTBr molecules adsorb onto the terminal units of L8‐BO (acceptor), inducing loose space for adjacent molecules. The low‐volatility 3,6TTBr thus favors the L8‐BO center‐terminal packing with a larger interfragment distance, which relieves the L8‐BO over‐aggregation and induces the ordered packing. Consequently, the 3,6TTBr treatment reduces aggregation‐caused quenching, enhancing the photoluminescence quantum yield and exciton lifetime of L8‐BO film. The combination of the above properties with the reduced trap density and improved carrier transport in the 3,6TTBr‐treated devices contributed to PCE of 20.1%. To validate the broad applicability of the findings, 1,5‐dibromonaphthalene (1,5‐BN), another low‐volatility fused‐ring solid, is explored. The devices with 1,5‐BN achieved an impressive PCE of 20.5%, verifying the validity of the low‐volatility fused‐ring VSA strategy for boosting OSC performances.
Fluorine Doping‐Assisted Reconstruction of Isolated Cu Sites for CO <sub>2</sub> Electroreduction Toward Multicarbon Products
Abstract The electrocatalytic synthesis of multicarbon compounds from CO 2 is a promising method for storing renewable electricity and addressing global CO 2 issues. Single‐atom catalysts are promising candidates for CO 2 reduction, but producing high‐value multicarbon (C 2+ ) products using a single‐atom structure remains a significant challenge. In this study, a fluorine doping strategy is proposed to facilitate the reconstruction of isolated Cu atoms, promoting multicarbon generation. The in situ formed Cu nanocrystals contain a substantial amount of stable Cu + species, demonstrating remarkable activity for CO 2 −to‐multicarbon conversion. Notably, they achieve the highest Cu utilization, with a C 2+ partial current density of −2.01 A mg per Cu −1 and a C 2+ formation rate of 7.03 mmol h −1 mg per Cu −1 at ≈−1 V versus RHE. In situ Raman spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations confirm the crucial role of fluorine atoms in structural evolution and electrolysis.
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in Platinum-Sensitive Recurrent Ovarian Cancer: A Randomized Trial on Survival Evaluation (HORSE; MITO-18)
PURPOSE To investigate whether the addition of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) to secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCS) without neoadjuvant chemotherapy has a benefit on progression-free survival (PFS), as opposed to SCS alone in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (platinum-free interval, >6 months). METHODS This was a multicenter randomized phase III study. Random assignment was performed at the time of surgery in cases with residual tumor ≤0.25 cm. HIPEC with cisplatin (CDDP) 75 mg/m 2 for 60 minutes at 41.5°C was administered at the end of surgery in the experimental arm. Both groups received postoperative platinum-based chemotherapy. The primary end point was PFS. The safety profile and postrecurrence survival (PRS) were the secondary end points. RESULTS A total of 167 patients underwent random assignment, 82 patients to SCS plus HIPEC (experimental arm) and 85 to SCS alone (control arm). The median follow-up was 83 months (IQR, 64-102). The median PFS was 23 months (95% CI, 17 to 29) in the group that underwent surgery alone and 25 months (95% CI, 18 to 32) in the group that underwent cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC. The probability of PRS at 5 years was 61.6% (95% CI, 50.8 to 72.4) in the SCS group and 75.9% (95% CI, 66.5 to 85.3) in the SCS plus HIPEC group. The incidence of postoperative adverse events of any grade was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSION The addition of HIPEC to complete or nearly complete primary SCS did not confer a benefit in terms of PFS in patients with platinum-sensitive peritoneal recurrence.
Electrohydrodynamic direct writing of high-resolution PVA hydrogels via thermally induced sol-gel transition
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based hydrogels have received a lot of attention due to their superior biocompatibility and versatile applications. However, the fabrication of structurally complex hydrogels at high resolutions (&lt;100 μm) remains challenging, mainly due to limitations in traditional methods such as casting and extrusion-based 3D printing. This work proposes sol-gel electrohydrodynamic direct writing (SGEHD), a facile and low-cost platform integrating thermally induced sol-gel transition with electrohydrodynamic printing for the fabrication of high-resolution PVA hydrogels. By optimizing jet stability and controlling phase transition velocity, we achieved resolutions finer than 70 μm, surpassing the limitations of traditional PVA hydrogel fabrication techniques. This study also develops a method for the quality evaluation of deposited lines, and finally provides some examples of complex patterned gel processing with SGEHD to demonstrate the pattern fidelity of this technique.
Clinical comparison of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion for L4/5 and L5/S1 dual-level disc herniation
Withdrawn: Expression of Concern: Dissecting Therapeutic Resistance to RAF Inhibition in Melanoma by Tumor Genomic Profiling
(Ultra)wide-bandgap semiconductors for extreme environment electronics
Unraveling the role of neuregulin-mediated astrocytes-OPCs axis in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration and Parkinson’s disease
Flexible Neuromorphic Electronics for Wearable Near‐Sensor and In‐Sensor Computing Systems
Abstract Flexible neuromorphic architectures that emulate biological cognitive systems hold great promise for smart wearable electronics. To realize neuro‐inspired sensing and computing electronics, artificial sensory neurons that detect and process external stimuli must be integrated with central nervous systems capable of parallel computation. In near‐sensor computing, synaptic devices, and sensors are used to emulate sensory neurons and receptors, respectively. In contrast, in in‐sensor computing, a single multifunctional device serves as both the receptor and neuron. Bio‐inspired cognitive systems efficiently detect and process stimuli through data structuring techniques, significantly reducing data volume and enabling the extension of neuromorphic applications to smart wearable systems. To construct wearable near‐ and in‐sensor computing, it is crucial to develop artificial sensory neurons and central nervous synapses that replicate the biological functionalities. Additionally, the integrated systems must exhibit high mechanical flexibility and integration density. This review addresses research on flexible bio‐inspired cognitive systems, classified into near‐ and in‐sensor computing. It covers fundamental aspects, including biological cognitive processes, the required components, and the structures for each component, as well as applications for wearable smart systems. Finally, it offers perspectives on future research directions for flexible neuromorphic electronics in smart wearable systems connected to the next‐generation Internet of Things.
High Omega-3, Low Omega-6 Diet With Fish Oil for Men With Prostate Cancer on Active Surveillance: The CAPFISH-3 Randomized Clinical Trial
PURPOSE Men on active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer are extremely interested in dietary changes or supplements to prevent progression of their disease. We sought to determine whether a high omega-3, low omega-6 fatty acid diet with fish oil capsules (D + FO) decreases proliferation (Ki-67) in prostate biopsies in men with prostate cancer on AS over a 1-year time period. METHODS In this phase II, prospective randomized trial, men (N = 100) with grade group 1 or 2 prostate cancer who elected AS were randomly assigned to the D + FO or a control group. Same-site prostate biopsies were obtained at baseline and 1 year. The primary end point was the change in Ki-67 index from baseline to 1 year from same-site biopsies compared between the groups. RESULTS The Ki-67 index decreased in the D + FO group by approximately 15% from baseline to 1 year (1.34% at baseline, 1.14% at 1 year) and increased in the control group by approximately 24% from baseline to 1 year (1.23% at baseline, 1.52% at 1 year), resulting in a statistically significant difference in the change of Ki-67 index between the groups (95% CI, 2% to 52%, P = .043). There was no significant difference in the secondary outcomes grade group, tumor length, Decipher genomic score, or prostate-specific antigen between the two groups. Four patients in the D + FO group were withdrawn from the trial because of adverse events related to the FO. CONCLUSION A high omega-3, low omega-6 diet with FO for 1 year resulted in a significant reduction in Ki-67 index, a biomarker for prostate cancer progression, metastasis, and death. These findings support future phase III trials incorporating this intervention in men on AS.
Advancements in low-density crystalline silicon allotropes
While numerous crystalline Si allotropes have been predicted in recent years and, in several instances, synthesized under high pressure, the exploration of Si phases with a lower density than conventional diamond Si (d-Si) is still in its infancy. Theoretical calculations on the electronic properties of these expanded Si forms suggest that, unlike the most stable d-Si structure, many may possess direct or quasi-direct bandgaps and only exhibit slightly higher formation energies than d-Si. The few that have been synthesized already display exciting optical properties, making them promising candidates for optoelectronic and photovoltaic applications. Their unique open-framework, guest–host structures enable distinctive interactions between Si and interstitial guest/dopant atoms, offering exciting potentials in spintronics, energy storage, and bio/medical technologies. In this Perspective, we provide an introduction and overview of the latest theoretical and experimental advancements in low-density Si allotropes, emphasizing their potential in various electronic and energy-related applications. This work also highlights the critical challenges and future directions for the continued development of these Si allotropes for next-generation technological applications.
Distinct foliar fungal communities in Pinus contorta across native and introduced ranges: evidence for context dependency of pathogen release
Abstract Inter-continental study systems are crucial for testing ecological hypotheses, such as the widely cited Enemy Release Hypothesis (ERH), which seeks to explain the superior performance of plant species when they are introduced to new regions. Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine), native to North America, has been extensively introduced to Europe and the Southern Hemisphere, making it an ideal tree species for studying invasion hypotheses from a biogeographical perspective. We compared foliar fungal communities, especially pathogens, of P. contorta across two native–introduced region pairs (NIRPs): a northern NIRP (from Canada to Sweden) and a southern NIRP (from the USA to Patagonia), while also examining the differences between source plantations and invasion fronts within Patagonia. P. contorta underwent significant fungal community shifts and experienced pathogen release during its large-scale introduction from North America to Sweden and Patagonia. The fungal richness and relative abundance changes were more pronounced for the southern NIRP pair, where no closely related tree species to P. contorta are present in Patagonia. In Sweden, the presence of the phylogenetically related P. sylvestris and its associated local fungal community appears to play a role in influencing the foliar fungal communities associated with introduced P. contorta. In Patagonia, the incomplete co-invasion of fungal taxa from the USA emerges as a principal driver of the observed variability in fungal community composition and pathogen release following the introduction of P. contorta. In Patagonia, fungal community composition differences between source plantations and invasion fronts provided insufficient evidence that pathogen release occurs at this local scale. Integrating both biogeographical and phylogenetic perspectives, our study suggests that priority effects of local fungi appear to be a dominant community assembly process when introduction is done in a phylogenetically similar community; whereas, co-invasion of fungal communities is the dominant process in phylogenetically distant communities.
Chemical Tomography of Cancer Organoids and Cyto‐Proteo‐Genomic Development Stages Through Chemical Communication Signals
Abstract Organoids mimic human organ function, offering insights into development and disease. However, non‐destructive, real‐time monitoring is lacking, as traditional methods are often costly, destructive, and low‐throughput. In this article, a non‐destructive chemical tomographic strategy is presented for decoding cyto‐proteo‐genomics of organoid using volatile signaling molecules, hereby, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), to indicate metabolic activity and development of organoids. Combining a hierarchical design of graphene‐based sensor arrays with AI‐driven analysis, this method maps VOC spatiotemporal distribution and generate detailed digital profiles of organoid morphology and proteo‐genomic features. Lens‐ and label‐free, it avoids phototoxicity, distortion, and environmental disruption. Results from testing organoids with the reported chemical tomography approach demonstrate effective differentiation between cyto‐proteo‐genomic profiles of normal and diseased states, particularly during dynamic transitions such as epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, the reported approach identifies key VOC‐related biochemical pathways, metabolic markers, and pathways associated with cancerous transformations such as aromatic acid degradation and lipid metabolism. This real‐time, non‐destructive approach captures subtle genetic and structural variations with high sensitivity and specificity, providing a robust platform for multi‐omics integration and advancing cancer biomarker discovery.
Supramolecular Scale Hydrophilicity Regulation Enabling Efficient Dewatering and Assembly of Nanocellulose into Dense and Strong Bulk Materials as Sustainable Plastic Substitutes
Abstract Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are ideal building blocks for creating lightweight and strong bulk structural materials due to their unique supramolecular structure and exceptional mechanical properties within the crystalline regions. However, assembling CNFs into dense bulk structural materials with customizable shape and functionalities remains a great challenge, hindering their practical applications. Here, the dewatering issue of aqueous CNF dispersions is addressed by regulating supramolecular scale hydrophilicity using lactic acid, combined with hot‐press molding. This approach enables the fabrication of transparent CNF bulk structural materials with a density of up to 1.426 g cm −3 . The mechanical properties, including isotropic in‐plane tensile strength (75.5 ± 4.5 MPa), flexural strength (198 ± 20 MPa), and hardness (≈300 MPa), surpass most engineering plastics. Moreover, unlike conventional CNF based materials, the CNF bulk structural materials exhibit remarkable water stability and flame retardancy. These unique advantages open a new avenue to bottom‐up assembly of CNFs into high‐performance multifunctional eco‐friendly structural materials, dedicating to substitution of plastics and easing the consumption of petrochemical resources.