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Thin-walled polystyrene (PS) spheres are needed for preparing the targets in the inertial confined fusion (ICF). To prevent the occurrence of craze and crack in the fabrication of the spheres, a noncovalent interaction route is developed to improve the mechanical properties of thin-walled polystyrene spheres based on a fullerene derivative, reducing the craze and crack yield. The introduction of phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) into PS spheres not only improves the thermal stability, but also reduces the craze and crack yield, probably to the [pi]-[pi] interaction between PCBM and PS and the hydrophobicity of PCBM. The sphericity and surface finishing of the spheres also increase at the same time. Mechanism of how the PCBM improve the quality of the spheres is also discussed. Highlights * A noncovalent interaction route to improve properties of PS spheres is proposed. * PS/PCBM spheres with good quality are successfully designed and fabricated. * Mechanisms of how the PCBM improve properties of PS spheres are also discussed. KEYWORDS fullerene, inertial confined fusion, microfluidic technique, noncovalent interactions, polymer spheres, [pi]-[pi] interaction, 1 | INTRODUCTION Hollow polymer spheres show numerous applications in various fields such as food, medicine, and energy. For example, hollow polymer spheres can used as the containers of the [...]

Objective To investigate the effects of clearing meibomian gland ducts prior to cataract surgery on the gland dysfunction and dry eye induced by surgery. Methods A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted on 110 patients (110 eyes) undergoing elective cataract surgery for senile cataract in our department from June 1, to December 31, 2021. The participants were randomly allocated into treatment (n=56) and control (n=54) groups. The patients from the treatment group were given eyelid compresses and cleaning to remove an obstructed meibum in 1 week prior to cataract surgery, while those from the control group received no such treatment. Ocular surface disease index (OSDI), indicators related to meibomian gland function, including tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT), meibomian glands yielding liquid secretion (MGYLS), meibomian glands yielding secretion score (MGYSS), and tear film break-up time (TBUT) before, and 1 and 3 months after surgery were employed to evaluate the efficacy of clearing meibomian gland ducts. Results The control group exhibited significantly decreased MGYLS (P

A new type of deuterated polymer microspheres with a much higher deuterium/carbon (D/C) atom ratio was designed and fabricated to produce high‐yield thermonuclear neutrons. Supramolecular deuterated polycyclooctene (D‐PCOE) with ~1.7 D/C atom ratio was synthesized, which well meets the requirements including higher D/C atom ratio, good solubility for processability, and excellent mechanical properties. Monodispersed D‐PCOE microspheres including shells and beads are fabricated by a microfluidic technique. The properties of the D‐PCOE materials and corresponding microspheres are analyzed and compared with those of the deuterated polystyrene microspheres (~1 D/C atom ratio), which have been widely used in laser‐driven spherically convergent plasma fusion experiments. This work expands the category of deuterated polymeric materials and provides a new type of deuterated polymer microspheres in the forthcoming high‐yield neutron experiments. Highlights: Supramolecular D‐PCOE with ~1.7 D/C atom ratio was successfully synthesized.Monodispersed D‐PCOE microspheres were successfully fabricated.The quality of D‐PCOE microspheres is also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is an undisputed fact that aging increases the risk of low-temperature cracking in asphalt pavement. Previous studies on aging have focused on oxidative aging, but few studies on thermoreversible aging have been reported. The existing literature has shown that thermoreversible aging has the same effect as oxidative aging on cracking of asphalt pavement in cold region, so it is obvious that the study of thermoreversible aging is of great practical significance to improve cracking of asphalt pavement. This paper introduces the current status of thermoreversible aging research from the concept, mechanisms, characterisation methods and effects, presents the problems of existing research and indicates the direction of further research, which is important for accurately characterising the mechanical properties of asphalt binders, controlling the waste addition ratio and improving the durability of asphalt pavement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromium is a common heavy metal element that is harmful to the ecosystem as well as human health, so sensitive detection of chromium ions in solution is important for life and health. In this paper, a series of Eu3+-doped KBi3F10 fluorescent powders were successfully synthesized by a one-step solvothermal method for the selective detection of Cr3+, CrO42− and Cr2O72− ions in an aqueous solution. When adjusting the pH value to 3 and adding PVP as an additive, the obtained KBi3F10:12%Eu3+ phosphor showed excellent red luminescence. Due to the competitive absorption and the inner filter effect of Cr3+, CrO42− and Cr2O72− ions, the red emission from Eu3+ ions produces fluorescence quenching, which can be used to detect them with good selectivity. And the detection limits are as low as 0.19 μM, 0.38 μM and 0.094 μM for Cr3+, CrO42− and Cr2O72− ions, respectively. Other metal ions and common anions showed little interference with chromium ion detection. The obtained fluorescent probe has good recyclability, accurate and reliable detection results, simple operation and low cost and is easy to promote, which make it an excellent three-in-one probe for chromium detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yb3+/Er3+-doped Bi2(MoO4)3−z(WO4)z phosphors were synthesized via a hydrothermal method combined with subsequent calcination. Under the excitation of a light source of 980 nm, Bi2(MoO4)3:Yb3+/Er3+ phosphors exhibited strong upconversion green light and weak red light emissions. By doping WO42− in Bi2(MoO4)3:Yb3+/Er3+ phosphors, the upconversion luminescence intensity of the phosphors significantly enhanced, which is 42 times higher than that of the undoped WO42− phosphor. With an increase in WO42− doping content, the final color coordinates of Bi2(MoO4)3−z(WO4)z:Yb3+/Er3+ phosphors were (0.2352, 0.7274), which is closer to the standard green CIE coordinates. The maximum CP of WO42−-doped phosphors is as high as 116.68%, which is 74.44% higher than that of the undoped WO42− phosphor. Based on the thermally coupled energy levels (TCLs) of Er3+ (2H11/2/4S3/2 → 4I15/2) in Bi2(MoO4)2.7(WO4)0.3:14%Yb3+,3%Er3+ phosphor, the SR value reached a maximum of 0.0081 K−1 at 323 K and the SA value reached a maximum of 0.0099 K−1 at 398 K. The obtained Bi2(MoO4)3−z(WO4)z:Yb3+/Er3+ phosphors are suitable for upconversion luminescent materials for green displays and have potential advantages in optical temperature measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common and severe complication of diabetes that can lead to end-stage renal disease with no cure. The first-line drugs recommended by clinical guidelines fail to achieve satisfactory effects for people with DKD. A Chinese herbal medicine Tangshen Qushi Formula (TQF) shows preliminary efficacy and safety in preserving renal function for people with DKD, but the effects on comprehensive renal outcomes remain unclear. We will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of TQF herbs and their compounds identified from ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-MS/MS in diabetic animal models with renal outcomes. Methods: This protocol complies with the guideline Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols. We will include studies investigating the effects of TQF herbs and compounds on diabetic rats or mice with renal outcomes. Six electronic databases will be searched from their inception to February 2023. Quality assessment will be conducted using SYRCLE's risk of bias tool. Standardized or weighted mean differences will be estimated for renal outcomes (creatinine, urea, proteinuria, histological changes, oxidative stress, inflammation, and kidney fibrosis). Data will be pooled using random-effects models. Heterogeneity across studies will be expressed as I2. Sensitivity analyses will explore treatment effects in adjusted models and within subgroups. Funnel plots and Egger's test will be used to explore publication bias. Discussion: The results of this review will provide valuable insights into the potential effects of TQF in managing DKD. The limitation is that the included studies will be animal studies from specific databases, and the interpretation of the findings must be cautious. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42023432895. Registered on 19 July 2023 (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/#recordDetails). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Correction for 'Construction of energy transfer channels from [SbCl6]3− to Ln3+ (Ln3+ = Ho3+, Er3+) in Cs2NaGdCl6 for advanced anti-counterfeiting materials' by Yanyang Li et al., J. Mater. Chem. C, 2024, 12, 12589–12597, https://doi.org/10.1039/D4TC02186J. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]