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Transition metal carbides (TMCs) are a class of materialswith excellent dielectric properties and thermal stability, which exhibit enormous potential in high temperature electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA). However, the high dielectric constant and electrical conductivity of TMCs usually cause impedance mismatch, and their high density also prevents further practical applications. To solve these problems, the lightweight and impedance matching NbC nanowires (NbCnws) were prepared by using bamboo powder as a carbon source and subsequent carbothermal reduction reaction process. The as-synthesized NbCnws all exhibit a low density of 0.23 g/cm³ and superior EMA performance. It is worth noting that the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of the sample is -43.03 dB at 5.92 GHz and the corresponding matching thickness is only 3.7 mm when sintering temperature is 1500°C. The excellent electromagnetic wave absorption (EWA) performance is attributed to good impedance matching and strong dielectric loss. This research work provides a prospect for the development and utilization of one-dimensional TMC materials in the field of microwave absorption materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A holographic tensor metasurface (HTM) is proposed from the energy perspective to achieve flexible regulations of polarization and energy distributions for simultaneous transmissions of power and information. A dual‐polarization receiving metasurface with high isolation is also proposed to enable simultaneous receptions of power and information. Based on the two metasurfaces, a novel system for simultaneous wireless information and power transmissions (SWIPT) is established, which can transmit microwave powers and information signals by flexibly regulating the electromagnetic waves in different polarizations. The proposed HTM can generate non‐diffraction Bessel beams of two polarizations to keep high‐power transfer efficiency in an environment with obstacles. A rectifier circuit is designed with a wide dynamic range to integrate with the receiving metasurface to capture the strong powers and weak signals simultaneously. The effect of different modulations on the rectification efficiency of microwave‐to‐DC and the performance of the SWIPT system are analyzed. The SWIPT system is verified by experiments to realize simultaneous transmissions of information and powers by only using the metasurfaces, which is beneficial to integrate the wireless sensor networks, communication modules, and artificial intelligence algorithms to build up smart cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite undergoing an index ablation, some patients progress from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) to persistent AF (PersAF), and the mechanism behind this is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the predictors of progression to PersAF after catheter ablation in patients with PAF. Methods: This study included 400 PAF patients who underwent an index ablation between 2015 and 2019. The patients were classified into three groups based on their outcomes: Group 1 (PAF to sinus rhythm, n = 226), Group 2 (PAF to PAF, n = 146), and Group 3 (PAF to PersAF, n = 28). Baseline and procedural characteristics were collected, and predictors for AF recurrence and progression were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.4 ± 11.1 years, with 272 males. After 3 years of follow‐up, 7% of the PAF cases recurred and progressed to PersAF despite undergoing an index catheter ablation. In the multivariable analysis, a larger left atrial (LA) diameter and the presence of non‐pulmonary vein (PV) triggers during the index procedure independently predicted recurrence. Moreover, a larger LA diameter, the presence of non‐PV triggers, and a history of thyroid disease independently predicted AF progression. Conclusion: The progression from PAF to PersAF after catheter ablation is associated with a larger LA diameter, history of thyroid disease, and the presence of non‐PV triggers. Meticulous preprocedural evaluation, patient selection, and comprehensive provocation tests during catheter ablation are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Heparanase is the only confirmed endoglycosidase that cleaves heparan sulfate (HS), a ubiquitous glycosaminoglycan with various essential roles in multiple pathological processes. Thus, the development of heparanase inhibitors has become an attractive strategy for drug discovery, especially in tumour therapy, in which HS mimetics are the most promising compounds. The various biological effects of heparanase also suggest a role for HS mimetics in many non‐cancer indications, such as type 1 diabetes. However, the potential benefits of HS mimetics in obesity‐related type 2 diabetes have not been elucidated. Experimental Approach: In this study, we investigated muparfostat (PI‐88), a developed HS mimetic currently enrolled in Phase III clinical trials, in obese mouse models and in vitro cultured murine hepatocytes. Key Results: Daily administration of muparfostat for 4 weeks caused hyperlipidaemia and aggravated hepatic steatosis in obese mice models, but not in lean animals. In cultured hepatocytes, muparfostat did not alter lipid accumulation. Acute tests suggested that muparfostat binds to lipoprotein lipase in competition with HS on vascular endothelial cell surfaces, thereby reducing the degradation of circulating triglycerides by lipoprotein lipase and subsequent uptake of fatty acids into vascular endothelial cells and causing hyperlipidaemia. This hyperlipidaemia aggravates hepatic steatosis and causes liver injury in muparfostat‐treated obese mice. Conclusions and Implications: The binding activity of HS mimetics to lipoprotein lipase should be investigated as an additional pharmacological effect during heparanase inhibitor drug discovery. This study also provides novel evidence for an increased risk of drug‐induced liver injury in obese individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stretchable organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) are important components for flexible/wearable electronics. However, the efficiency of the existing stretchable OLEDs is still much lower as compared with their rigid counterparts, one of the main reasons being the lack of ideal flexible transparent electrodes. Herein, we propose and develop a printed embedded metal composite electrode (PEMCE) strategy that enables the fabrication of ultra‐thin, highly flexible transparent electrodes with robust mechanical properties. With the flexible transparent electrodes serves as the anodes, flexible/stretchable white OLEDs have been successfully constructed, achieving a current efficiency of up to 77.4 cd A−1 and a maximum luminance of 34 787 cd m−2. The current efficiency of the resulting stretchable OLEDs is the highest ever reported for flexible/stretchable white OLEDs, which is about 1.2 times higher than that of the reference rigid devices based on ITO/glass electrodes. The excellent optoelectronic properties of the printed embedded transparent electrodes and the light extraction effect of the Ag‐mesh account for the significant increase in current efficiency. Remarkably, the electroluminescence performance still retains ~83% of the original luminance even after bending the device 2000 cycles at a radii of ~0.5 mm. More importantly, the device can withstand tensile strains of up to ~100%, and even mechanical deformation of 90% tensile strain does not result in a significant loss of electroluminescence performance with current efficiency and luminance maintained at over 85%. The results confirm that the PEMCE strategy is effective for constructing ultra‐flexible transparent electrodes, showing great promise for use in a variety of flexible/stretchable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by acute pancreatitis (AP) exacerbates pancreatic injury and systemic inflammatory responses. The alleviation of gut microbiota dysbiosis through faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is considered a potential strategy to reduce tissue damage and inflammation in many clinical disorders. Here, we aim to investigate the effect of gut microbiota and microbiota‐derived metabolites on AP and further clarify the mechanisms associated with pancreatic damage and inflammation. Experimental Approach: AP rat and mouse models were established by administration of caerulein or sodium taurocholate in vivo. Pancreatic acinar cells were exposed to caerulein and lipopolysaccharide in vitro to simulate AP. Key Results: Normobiotic FMT alleviated AP‐induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and ameliorated the severity of AP, including mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage and inflammation. Normobiotic FMT induced higher levels of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)‐associated metabolites, particularly nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). NMN administration mitigated AP‐mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage and inflammation by increasing pancreatic NAD+ levels. Similarly, overexpression of the NAD+‐dependent mitochondrial deacetylase sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) alleviated the severity of AP. Furthermore, SIRT3 deacetylated peroxiredoxin 5 (PRDX5) and enhanced PRDX5 protein expression, thereby promoting its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities in AP. Importantly, normobiotic FMT‐mediated NMN metabolism induced SIRT3–PRDX5 pathway activation during AP. Conclusion and Implications: Gut microbiota‐derived NMN alleviates the severity of AP by activating the SIRT3–PRDX5 pathway. Normobiotic FMT could be served as a potential strategy for AP treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superenhancers drive abnormal gene expression in tumors and promote malignancy. However, the relationship between superenhancer‐associated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) and abnormal metabolism is unknown. This study identifies a novel lncRNA, fatty acid synthesis‐related lncRNA (FASRL), whose expression is driven by upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF1) through its superenhancer. FASRL promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, FASRL binds to acetyl‐CoA carboxylase 1 (ACACA), a fatty acid synthesis rate‐limiting enzyme, increasing fatty acid synthesis via the fatty acid metabolism pathway. Moreover, the expression of FASRL, USF1, and ACACA is increased, and their high expression indicates a worse prognosis in HCC patients. In summary, USF1 drives FASRL transcription via a superenhancer. FASRL binding to ACACA increases fatty acid synthesis and lipid accumulation to mechanistically exacerbate HCC. FASRL may serve as a novel prognostic marker and treatment target in HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A visible‐light‐induced acylation aromatization of para‐quinone methides to access α,α′‐diarylated ketones was realized with cheap and readily available carboxylic acids as acylating reagents via deoxygenation. The synthetic method avoids the tedious preparation of reactants or catalysts and shows a broad substrate scope (34 examples) under mild conditions. Notably, the late‐stage functionalization of some drug molecules could also be achieved via this protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight metal‐polymer composited foam has drawn considerable attention in fields of wearable electronics, acoustic and electromagnetic shielding, automotive and aerospace manufacturing, owing to its unique advantages like electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. Herein, a facile strategy is studied for one‐step fabrication of multifunctional liquid metal (LM) permeated expancel microspheres foam (EMLM foam) with controllable shape and size. Specifically, the formation process and mechanism of bicontinuous structure with polymer and liquid metal are explored by real‐time monitoring and finite element simulation. Both experimental and simulating results confirmed a stable 3D metal interconnected network that can be constructed with lower limit of LM (3 vol.%). In addition, based on the unique features of reversible rigidity control, lightweight, electrical conductivity, and mechanical stability, the EMLM foam can exhibit intelligent performance in tunable acoustic, energy absorption, and thermal driving repair. Combined with EMLM foam's facile preparation process and versatility, it can provide the remarkable opportunity to develop the lightweight intelligent devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing demands in flexible electronics, the development of plastic and organic materials has gained increased interest. In this focus review, the design concepts and recent advances of organic liquid crystalline materials in optoelectronic devices were introduced. Thermotropic liquid crystalline materials are categorized into three types: calamitic, discotic, and cholesteric types according to the structures of rod‐like, disk‐like, and chiral rod‐like molecules, respectively. Numerous liquid crystalline materials have been successfully incorporated in organic electronic devices. Notably, smectic liquid crystals hold great promise as semiconducting channel, floating gate electret, and charge transporting interlayer in field‐effect transistors, nonvolatile memory, and photovoltaics, respectively. This review sheds light on the great potential and importance of the organic liquid crystalline material for optoelectronic device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building blocks with multiple components are promising for the synthesis of complex molecular assemblies, but are rarely available. Herein, we report a modification procedure for a multi‐component building block [Ln3Ti(HSA)6(SA)4(H2O)]− ({Ln3Ti‐SA}, H2SA=salicylic acid, Ln=Eu/Gd) to form new building blocks {Ln3Tix‐MSA} (H2MSA=5‐methoxysalicylic acid, x=1, 2, 3) by constructing [Ti(MSA)3]2− units. The obtained {Ln3Tix‐MSA} can further assemble into a chiral Ln22Ti14 ring with the formulae [Eu22Ti14(MSA)48(HMSA)22(CH3COO)4(H2O)10(iPrOH)] and [Gd22Ti14(MSA)46(HMSA)26(CH3COO)4(H2O)8]. Parallel experiments without Ti4+ result in linear Ln chains. Detailed analysis shows that the [Ti(MSA)4]4− unit makes the originally variable Ln chains become available building blocks and the modified [Ti(MSA)3]2− further triggers interesting chiral‐sorting behavior. Finally, the electronic adsorption and magneto‐optic responses of these molecular rings are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rod‐like molecules with liquid crystalline phase transitions show highly ordered stacking and orientation, which is promising as the floating gate electret in high‐performance photonic field‐effect transistor (FET) memory. In this work, a series of rod‐like molecules, alkyl‐dinaphtho[2,3‐b:2′,3′‐f]thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (Cn‐DNTT), are investigated with a smectic liquid crystalline phase transition. The photonic FET memory featuring these rod‐like molecules is correlated with their morphology and crystallographic properties. A volatility transition from short−term to long−term memory behavior is found by utilizing the smectic liquid crystalline phase transitions (SmX, X = H, K, E) to orient the stacking in the floating gate. Accordingly, the annealed 2,9‐didecyldinaphtho[2,3‐b:2′,3′‐f]thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (C10‐DNTT) polycrystalline film with the optimized alkyl chain length achieved preferential end‐on orientation associated with the herringbone‐type stacking to store charges during photowriting, along with effective charge tunneling for the trapped charges during electrical erasing. Therefore, the resultant photonic FET memory provided a superior ON/OFF current ratio of up to 105 with retention of 104 after 104 s. The results demonstrate that rod‐like molecules with smectic liquid crystalline phase and highly ordered orientation have great potentials for developing high‐performance photonic FET memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important legume crop that is widely grown worldwide for human consumption and livestock feed. Despite extensive studies, the population genetic structure and classification of cultivated and wild pea (Pisum sp.) remain controversial. To characterize patterns of genetic and morphological variation and investigate the classification of Pisum, we conducted comprehensive population genetic analyses for 323 accessions from cultivated and wild pea, representing three species of Pisum and utilizing 34 morphological traits and 87 polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers. First, we identified three distinct genetic groups among all samples. Group I was primarily composed of Pisum fulvum, Pisum abyssinicum, and some wild P. sativum accessions, whereas Groups II and III consisted of the two genetic groups under P. sativum that represented different geographic distributions of cultivated pea. Analyses of morphological variation revealed significant differences among the three species. Second, among pea germplasms representing eight taxa of Pisum, P. fulvum and P. abyssinicum possessed unique genetic backgrounds and morphological characteristics, corroborating their independent species status. The intraspecific subdivisions of P. sativum described by some authors were not supported in this study, with the exception of several genotypes of P. sativum subsp. elatius that clustered with P. fulvum and P. abyssinicum. Finally, we confirmed that the Chinese pea germplasm was genetically distinct and could be divided into two genetic groups, each of which included both spring‐sowing and autumn‐sowing ecotypes. These results provide a robust foundation for understanding pea domestication and the utilization of wild genetic resources of pea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing demands of light fidelity technology, photonic transistor memory has gained considerable attention for next‐generation optoelectronic devices. In this work, alkylated rylenediimides of 2,9‐diphenethylanthra[2,1,9‐def:6,5,10‐d"e"f]diisoquinoline‐1,3,8,10(2H,9H)‐tetraone (C8‐PDI) and 2,7‐dioctylbenzo[lmn][3,8]phenanthroline‐1,3,6,8(2H,7H)‐tetraone (C8‐NDI), and pyromellitic diimide of 2,6‐dioctylpyrrolo[3,4‐f]isoindole‐1,3,5,7(2H,6H)‐tetraone (C8‐PMDI) have been used as floating gate electrets in the photonic field‐effect transistor‐type memory. The structure‐optics‐performance relationship of these rod‐like molecules has been systematically studied, and the memory device exhibited a decent response to photowriting and electrical erasing processes, owing to the 3D ordered smectic layer structure and brickwork stacking. Therefore, an evenly distributed photogating moiety, efficient exciton dissociation associated with decent carrier tunneling and charge trapping can be obtained. Among them, the sought‐after C8‐NDI presents favorable energy level alignment, multiband photoresponding, and an optimal block ratio. The fabricated photonic memory with C8‐NDI electret presented a remarkable memory switchability with a memory ratio of 104 and a stable memory ratio of 105 over 10,000 s. To the best of knowledge, this is the first work to utilize rylenediimides based liquid crystals as an efficient charge blocking electret, and these findings open an avenue for designing rod‐like molecules with highly ordered liquid crystalline properties in the ultrafast photomemory devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Donor–acceptor type polymers and supramolecules are promising electrets in photonic field‐effect transistor (FET)‐type memory because of their diversified polymer‐structure design and favorable mechanical tolerance. Using intermolecular association, supramolecule electrets can surpass donor–acceptor type polymers with versatile facile combining processes. Currently, there has been no application of charge‐transfer (CT) supramolecules in electrets of photonic FET memory devices. Herein, a novel series of CT‐based supramolecular electrets comprising poly(1‐pyrenemethyl methacrylate) (PPyMA) and 7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) is used to elucidate the effect of CT on photonic FET memory. Accordingly, memory devices based on the supramolecular electret with an equimolar content of pyrene and TCNQ exhibit superior bistable memory switchability using electrical/photoprograming with UV (365 nm) and green light (525 nm). This shows a broad memory window of 34 V and favorable memory ratio of over 106 after 104 s. The memory performance can be attributed to the favorable molecular association and dispersion between pyrene and TCNQ in the solid state. The results provide evidence that CT‐based supramolecular electrets warrant applications in optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Metformin is an oral anti‐hyperglycemic recommended by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as a preferred initial pharmacologic agent for type 2 diabetes. Metabolic acidosis is a rare yet severe side effect of it. We examined the association of metformin use and dosage on the risk of metabolic acidosis in diabetic patients with different degrees of chronic hepatitis B (CHB)‐related cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Metabolic acidosis was defined by blood pH ≤7.35, together with lactate >5 mmol/L or arterial bicarbonate ≤18 mmol/L or venous bicarbonate ≤21 mmol/L, and/or diagnosis codes. Child‐Pugh class and CKD stage were included in the model as time‐dependent covariates. Age, gender, comorbidities, and use of relevant medications were adjusted as covariates. Maximum daily dose of metformin was classified into ≤1000 mg and >1000 mg. Results: We identified 4431 diabetic patients with CHB‐related cirrhosis between 2000 and 2017 from a territory‐wide database in Hong Kong. The risk of metabolic acidosis increased with Child‐Pugh class B and C cirrhosis regardless of CKD stage (adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio [aSHR] ranged from 3.50 to 86.16). Metformin use was associated with a higher risk in patients with Child‐Pugh class B or C cirrhosis and stage 3A CKD or above (aSHR ranged from 1.55 to 2.46). In stage 4/5 CKD, a daily dose of metformin ≤1000 mg was still associated with a higher risk of metabolic acidosis regardless of the severity of cirrhosis (aSHR ranged from 2.45 to 3.92). Conclusion: In conclusion, patients with Child‐Pugh class B cirrhosis or above were at a higher risk of metabolic acidosis. Metformin further increased the risk in patients with Child‐Pugh class B cirrhosis or above and stage 3A CKD or above. Dose adjustment in stage 4/5 CKD did not reduce the risk of metabolic acidosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]