Search

The determination of the semiconducting materials performance heavily relies on the diffusion coefficient and length of the carrier. Recently, significant progress is made in enhancing solar cell efficiency through improved carrier diffusion in perovskite thin films. However, the spatial‐temporal mechanisms underlying carrier transport remain unclear. Recent advancements in utilizing transient absorption microscopy (TAM) offer promising opportunities to directly visualize the carrier transport dynamics within perovskite films. Here, the wide‐field imaging TAM combined with X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy is employed to investigate the spatial‐temporal carrier transport dynamics in FA1−xCsxPbI3 perovskites with varying Cs doping ratios. The experimental results indicate that the diffusion constant remains consistent regardless of the excitation power. Moreover, a decrease in the Cs doping ratio leads to an increase in the diffusion length within FA1−xCsxPbI3 perovskites. The measurements reveal a highest diffusion coefficient of up to 0.085 cm2 s−1 and a maximum diffusion length of ≈1.4 µm in FA0.97Cs0.03PbI3. Comparative analysis of short‐circuit current density, open‐circuit voltage, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency demonstrates that FA0.97Cs0.03PbI3 exhibits superior device efficiency. The TAM visualizes spatial/ temporal carrier diffusion dynamics, showing a significant correlation with device efficiency and thus providing valuable insights for further enhancing device performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A special "hard‐soft" MXene/Halloysite nanotube (HNTs)/ poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) structure was constructed to improve the interfacial and tribological performances of fabric liner (FL) materials. Thereinto, the MXene/HNTs coating were successfully grafted onto fabric surface by electrostatic self‐assembly strategy, and a novel PAMAM dendrimer polymer terminated by amino groups was prepared via condensation reaction. The mechanical and tribological performances of MXene/HNTs/PAMAM@FL as well as wear mechanism were systematically evaluated. Specifically, the incorporation of MXene/HNTs/PAMAM coating enhanced the bonding strength by 62.4%, and declined the wear rate by 27.7% in comparison with pure FL. The splendid performance was ascribed to the synergistic effect of "soft" toughening PAMAM polymer and "hard" lubricating MXene/HNTs hybrids. The introduction of MXene/HNTs hybrids could enhance mechanical interlocking and bearing capacity. Then PAMAM polymer ameliorated interfacial adhesion and compatibility with resin via forming chemical bonds, which further reducing stress concentration through increased crack deflections due to the steric hindrance. Highlights: MXene/HNTs/PAMAM coating was prepared via electrostatic self‐assembly and condensation reaction.Interfacial adhesion of fabric liner achieved effective promotion.High‐quality tribofilm was constructed by the synergistic enhancement effect between MXene/HNTs particles and PAMAM polymer.The tribo‐chemical reactions participate in improving the lubricity and durability of tribofilm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary central nervous system (PCNS) extranodal NK/T‐cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTCL), is an exceedingly rare tumor. To the best of our knowledge, only 27 cases and only one reported aberrant CD20 expression have been documented in the literature. Here we present a second case of PCNS ENKTCL with aberrant CD20 expression in a 43‐year‐old immunocompetent Chinese female. The patient presented with tremors, weakness in the right upper limb, and a slow reaction. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple brain lesions. A histological examination revealed a diffuse distribution of intermediate‐sized pleomorphic lymphocytes with angiocentric growth. The tumor cells expressed CD2, CD3, CD56, T‐cell intracellular antigen‐1, granzyme B, and Epstein–Barr virus‐encoded RNAs (EBERs), with additional partial and weak CD20 and CD30 expression. Despite a confirmatory pathological diagnosis, the patient refused treatment and was discharged, ultimately dying from the disease. In the literature review, the clinical, immunohistochemical, EBERs, treatment, and prognostic features of PCNS ENKTCL were summarized. Although PCNS ENKTCT is extremely rare, it does occur and should always be included in differential diagnoses. CD20 expression should be evaluated routinely with relevant markers. The accumulation of cases is crucial for developing an effective treatment strategy for this rare and aggressive malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite extensive efforts in designing and preparing switchable underwater adhesives, it is not easy to regulate the underwater adhesion strength locally and remotely. Here, we design and synthesize photoreversible copolymer of poly[dopamine methacrylamide‐co‐methoxyethyl‐acrylate‐co‐7‐(2‐methacryloyloxyethoxy)‐4‐methylcoumarin]. Due to the dynamic formation and breaking of chemical crosslinking networks within the smart adhesives, the material shows widely tunable adhesion strength from ∼150 to ∼450 kPa and long‐range reversible maneuverability under orthogonal 254 and 365 nm ultraviolet light stimulation via the coumarin dimerization and cycloreversion. Moreover, the adhesive exhibits good circulation performance and stability in an acid–base environment. It also demonstrated that the bolt can be coated with the smart adhesive material for on‐demand bonding. This design principle opens the door to the development of remotely controllable high‐performance smart underwater adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although tremendous advances have recently been achieved in perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs), development of the blue PeLEDs needed to achieve full‐color displays is far behind the red and green counterparts. Here, a simple and effective interface engineering strategy is reported to achieve efficient blue PeLEDs by modifying poly(3, 4‐ethylene dioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonic (PEDOT:PSS) substrate with an amphiprotic molecule glycine. As a multifunctional additive, glycine can not only modulate the pH of PEDOT:PSS, but also trigger strong interfacial effect. Cooperative coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions between glycine and perovskite at the interface can passivate the interfacial defects and manipulate upper perovskite crystallization. Therefore, high‐quality perovskite films with grade‐distributed phases are obtained, enabling efficient cascade energy transfer and suppression of leakage current. The resulting PeLED exhibits the electroluminescence (EL) peak at 473 nm with a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 7.2%, which is ≈5.5 times that of the unmodified device. Realizing the regulation of low‐dimensional phase distribution of quasi‐2D perovskites through interfacial effect provides a reliable way to fabricate efficient blue PeLEDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atmospheric moisture accelerates the triboelectric charge transport and dissipation in the triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). However, the output of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐based humidity‐resistant TENG is still limited under high humidity and suffers from the swelling problem in practical application. In this paper, a swelling‐ and humidity‐resistant high‐performance TENG using a polyacrylonitrile/polyvinyl alcohol‐calcium chloride (PAN/PVA‐CaCl2) composite film (PPCa‐TENG) is designed for seawater desalination. The PAN/PVA‐CaCl2 composite films exhibit superior water uptake speed, swelling resistance, and mechanical and tribological properties compared with other prepared membranes at high relative humidity (RH). The maximum short‐circuit current (Isc) and output voltage (Vo) of the PPCa‐TENG can reach 52.04 µA and 941 V at 75% RH, respectively, with increasing the power of PVA‐based TENG by about 17.39 times. The Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) results suggest that the PAN/PVA‐CaCl2 composite film demonstrates a higher tribopositivity. Furthermore, the PPCa‐TENG is applied as an effective, economical power source for seawater desalination, with an energy consumption of only 0.19 kWh m−3. This number is remarkably lower than that of desalination powered by conventional direct‐current power supplies reported in previous work. This paper provides a feasible, effective method for the design of the TENG with high performance under high‐humidity conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive Summary: With high water content, excellent biocompatibility and lubricating properties, and a microstructure similar to that of the extracellular matrix, hydrogel is becoming one of the most promising materials as a substitute for articular cartilage. However, it is a challenge for hydrogel materials to simultaneously satisfy high loading and low friction. Most hydrogels are brittle, with fracture energies of around 10 J·m−2, as compared with ∼1000 J·m−2 for cartilage. A great deal of effort has been devoted to the synthesis of hydrogels with improved mechanical properties, such as increasing the compactness of the polymer network, introducing dynamic non‐covalent bonds, and increasing the hydrophobicity of the polymer, all at the expense of the lubricating properties of the hydrogel. Herein, we develop a hydrogel material with anisotropic tubular structures where the compactness gradually decreases and eventually disappears from the surface to the subsurface, achieving a balance between lubrication and load‐bearing. The porous layer with hydrophilic carboxyl groups on the surface exhibits extremely low friction (coefficient of friction (COF) ∼0.003, 1 N; COF ∼0.08, 20 N) against the hard steel ball, while the bottom layer acts as an excellent load‐bearing function. What is more, the gradual transition of the tubular structures between the surface and the subsurface ensures the uniform distribution of friction stress between a lubricating and bearing layers, which endows the material with long‐lasting and smooth friction properties. The extraordinary lubricious performance of the hydrogels with anisotropic tubular structure has potential applications in tissue engineering and medical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of aqueous zinc‐ion capacitors (ZICs) is an effective approach to improve the safety and environmental friendliness of energy storage devices. In this paper, TiC/CNTs core‐shell array structures (TCT) were synthesized on titanium substrate through in‐situ simple chemical vapor deposition and carbon reduction and used as self‐supporting cathodes for aqueous ZICs. As expected, as‐prepared TCT electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical performance in aqueous electrolytes, demonstrating a high specific capacitance of 275.13 F g−1 at a current density of 1.0 A g−1 and maintaining 90.5 % of its initial capacity after 10000 charge‐discharge cycles. The assembled Zn//TCT ZIC displays excellent rate capability, delivering an excellent specific capacitance of 298.2 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and 193.5 F g−1 at a high current density of 10 A g−1. Zn//TCT device can provide an ultra‐high energy density of 24.8 Wh kg−1 at a power of 6984.1 W kg−1. DFT calculations further demonstrate that a large number of electrons are transferred at the TiC/CNT interface and stable TIC−C bonds can be formed. This work provides a new strategy for rationally designing transition metal carbide electrodes and constructing ZICs with high energy and power densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alcohol (ethanol) consumption has different influences on arterial disease, being protective or harmful depending on the amount and pattern of consumption. The mechanisms mediating these biphasic effects are unknown. Whereas endothelial cells play a critical role in maintaining arterial health, this study compared the effects of moderate and high alcohol concentrations on endothelial cell function. Methods: Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were treated with levels of ethanol associated with either low‐risk/moderate drinking (i.e., 25 mM) or high‐risk/heavy drinking (i.e., 50 mM) after which endothelial function was assessed. The effect of ethanol's primary metabolite acetaldehyde (10 and 25 μM) was also determined. Results: Moderate ethanol exposure (25 mM) improved HCAEC barrier integrity as determined by increased transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER), inhibited cell adhesion molecule (CAM) mRNA expression, decreased inflammatory cytokine (interferon‐γ and interleukin 6) production, inhibited monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 (MCP‐1) expression and monocyte adhesion, and increased homeostatic Notch signaling. In contrast, exposure to high‐level ethanol (50 mM) decreased TEER, increased CAM expression and inflammatory cytokine production, and stimulated MCP‐1 and monocyte adhesion, with no effect on Notch signaling. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity were increased by both alcohol treatments, and to a greater extent in the 50 mM ethanol group. Acetaldehyde‐elicited responses were generally the same as those of the high‐level ethanol group. Conclusions: Ethanol has biphasic effects on several endothelial functions such that a moderate level maintains the endothelium in a nonactivated state, whereas high‐level ethanol causes endothelial dysfunction, as does acetaldehyde. These data show the importance of dose when considering ethanol's effects on arterial endothelium, and could explain, in part, the J‐shaped relationship between alcohol concentration and atherosclerosis reported in some epidemiologic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Ginkgo biloba leaves contain beneficial flavonoids, bilobalide (BB), and ginkgolides. However, the toxic ginkgolic acid (GA) limit its application. In this study, various traditional processing methods were used to prepare G. biloba leaf tea (GBLT), including white tea, black tea, dark tea, green tea, and freeze‐dried as control, followed by investigations of their effects on quality, antioxidant capacity, bioactive components, and cytotoxicity of the tea products. RESULTS: Results showed that different processing methods significantly impact the tea products' quality indexes and the principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) corroborated it. White tea had the highest total sugar (TS) and GA content and the most potent cytotoxicity on HepG2 cells. However, TS and GA content and the cytotoxicity of GBLT markedly decreased during fermentation and fixation. Moreover, white tea possessed higher total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and more vigorous antioxidant activities than green tea, black tea, and dark tea. Terpene trilactones value was stable, but different catechins contents fluctuated according to the manufacturing process of different GBLTs. Among the four GBLTs, dark tea combining fixation and fermentation had the lowest GA content and cytotoxicity, less bioactive components reduction, appropriate quality, and stronger flavor. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate that fixation and fermentation help reduce GAs during the manufacturing of GBLT. However, their ability to retain bioactive substances needs further optimization in future studies. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is an enormous challenge to develop single‐phase ceramics with satisfactory self‐lubricity because of the strong chemical bonding and difficult to shearing. In this study, (Hf0.2X0.2Nb0.2Ta0.2Ti0.2)C (X is Zr, W, and V, respectively) single‐phase high‐entropy ceramics can in situ formed tribo‐film on the contact region during sliding process to achieve an excellent self‐lubricating property. The friction coefficient is as low as 0.34 at 400°C. This originates from the carbon‐rich tribo‐films which are generated under the effect of high‐temperature tribo‐induced. With the test temperature increasing, the wear mechanism changes from abrasive wear to oxidative wear. For the 900°C, the tribo‐oxidative film limits the direct contact between tribo‐couple and enhances the tribological performances. Moreover, the compositions of the tribo‐films also have an important effect on the tribological behaviors. This novel design concept—using own constituent elements to generate a lubricating tribo‐film will provide a new strategy for the study of the single‐phase self‐lubricating ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates the hybridization of polyelectrolyte brushes with anti‐inflammatory drug‐loaded nanoMOFs that can achieve highly efficient aqueous lubrication and sustained drug release for the synergistic therapy of osteoarthritis (OA). Poly(3‐sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt) (PSPMK) brushes are grown on the surface of the UiO‐66‐NH2 via one‐pot grafting polymerization, which served as a general surface modification method of NH2‐MOFs to grow the polymer brushes. The growth of the PSPMK brushes greatly enhance the stability, dispersity, and swollen property of the AS‐UiO‐66‐NH2@PSPMK in aqueous media. Using as lubricating additives, the UiO‐66‐NH2@PSPMK achieves not only reductions in both coefficient of friction and wear volume over 70% and 99% but also supports high load‐carrying capacity and long‐term durability. The PSPMK brushes can be served as an universal interfacial modification soft layer that can significantly improve the aqueous lubricating performance of other types of NH2‐MOFs. After encapsulating the anti‐inflammatory aspirin (AS), the AS‐UiO‐66‐NH2@PSPMK shows both sustained drug release and good biocompatibility toward the human normal chondrocytes. This work establishes anti‐inflammatory drug‐loaded UiO‐66‐NH2@PSPMK as a potential multifunctional joint lubricant for OA treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Special wettability fibrous materials have received a lot of attention because of their good connectivity, mechanical flexibility, large specific surface area, and ease of shape manipulation. Their outstanding performance paves the way toward efficient oil/water separation in a variety of environments and for separation requirements. This paper discusses the distinct advantages, challenges, and future research directions of various substrates for fibrous materials, such as nonwoven natural biomass fibers, fabrics, electrospinning fibers, metallic fibers, and inorganic nonmetallic fibers. The special wettability fibrous filter materials and fibrous adsorbents are summarized based on the different separation methods. The principles of preparation of various special wettabilities are introduced, and the unique advantages of fibrous adsorbents are emphasized. The preparation strategy of fibrous filter materials is discussed, as well as some representative work and research progress. The benefits, drawbacks, and research directions in terms of various materials are examined. This article emphasizes the pollution resistance of fibrous filter materials and the elasticity of fibrous adsorbents. Finally, the prospects in terms of the problems, challenges, and future development of special wettability fibrous materials used in oil/water separation are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomimicking organ phantoms with vivid biological structures and soft and slippery features are essential for in vitro biomedical applications yet remain hither to unmet challenges in their fabrication such as balancing between spatial structural complexity and matchable mechanical properties. Herein, 3D printable tissue‐mimicking elastomeric double network hydrogels with tailorable stiffness are evolved to idiosyncratically match diverse biological soft tissues by regulating the compositions of hydrogel matrix and the density of metal coordination bonds. Relying on digital light processing 3D printing, various mechanically tunable biomimetic volumetric hydrogel organ constructs with structural complexity and fidelity, including kidney, brain, heart, liver, stomach, lung, trachea, intestine, and even the intricate vascularized tissues, are fabricated faultlessly. Proof‐of‐concept 3D printed hydrogel heart and liver phantoms provide sophisticated internal channels and cavity structures and external realistic anatomical architectures that more closely mimic native organs. For the in vitro application demonstration, a 3D printed hydrogel brain phantom with tortuous cerebral arteries and slippery characters serves as an effective neurosurgical training platform for realistic simulation of endovascular interventions. This platform offers a means to construct mechanically precisely tunable hydrogel‐based biomimetic organ phantoms that are expected to be used in surgical training, medical device testing, and organs‐on‐chips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uniting photothermal therapy (PTT) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) holds great potential in nanotheranostics. However, the extensively utilized hydrophobicity‐driven assembling strategy not only restricts the intramolecular motion‐induced PTT, but also blocks the interactions between MR agents and water. Herein, we report an aggregation‐induced emission luminogen (AIEgen)‐mediated polyelectrolyte nanoassemblies (APN) strategy, which bestows a unique "soft" inner microenvironment with good water permeability. Femtosecond transient spectra verify that APN well activates intramolecular motion from the twisted intramolecular charge transfer process. This de novo APN strategy uniting synergistically three factors (rotational motion, local motion, and hydration number) brings out high MR relaxivity. For the first time, APN strategy has successfully modulated both intramolecular motion and magnetic relaxivity, achieving fluorescence lifetime imaging of tumor spheroids and spatio‐temporal MRI‐guided high‐efficient PTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the decrease in fresh water resources, fog collection has become a promising way to obtain fresh water. This paper presents an efficient fog collector that combines wettability and spokes geometry. Water droplets move along a fixed route on the mist collector and can easily overcome the pinning effect at the end of the structure to detach from the surface and then be collected. Its fog collecting efficiency can be 1.82 times that of a planar zinc sheet, which provides a new idea for the design of subsequent fog collectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large Stokes shift (LSS) red fluorescent proteins (RFPs) are highly desirable for bioimaging advances. The RFP mKeima, with coexisting cis‐ and trans‐isomers, holds significance as an archetypal system for LSS emission due to excited‐state proton transfer (ESPT), yet the mechanisms remain elusive. We implemented femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) and various time‐resolved electronic spectroscopies, aided by quantum calculations, to dissect the cis‐ and trans‐mKeima photocycle from ESPT, isomerization, to ground‐state proton transfer in solution. This work manifests the power of FSRS with global analysis to resolve Raman fingerprints of intermediate states. Importantly, the deprotonated trans‐isomer governs LSS emission at 620 nm, while the deprotonated cis‐isomer's 520 nm emission is weak due to an ultrafast cis‐to‐trans isomerization. Complementary spectroscopic techniques as a table‐top toolset are thus essential to study photochemistry in physiological environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, the development of biomimetic superhydrophobic surface structures has allowed several properties of superhydrophobic materials to be increasingly developed. This review addresses mainly three aspects. First, two kinds of structures with superhydrophobic properties: binary structures and unitary structures, are analyzed and compared. The binary structure, which includes micro‐ and nanostructures, is responsible for the development of superhydrophobicity in most natural creatures and artificial materials. And hierarchical binary structures, which combine micro‐ and nanoscale structures, actually perform better at superhydrophobic. Second, various properties of superhydrophobic materials achieved through binary structures, including self‐cleaning, antireflection, drag‐reduction, and mechanically robust and durable superhydrophobic surfaces are summarized. Each structure possesses both superiority and vulnerability. The combination of various structures can help develop adaptable and practical materials. Finally, the combinations of different properties in superhydrophobic via using a binary structure are enumerated. Materials with various properties can adapt to different working environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Notch is important to vessel homeostasis. We investigated the mechanistic role of caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1) in mediating the effects of alcohol (Ethanol/EtOH) on the γ‐secretase proteolytic activity necessary for Notch signaling in vascular cells. Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were treated with EtOH (0–50 mM), Notch ligand delta‐like ligand 4 (Dll4), and the γ‐secretase inhibitor DAPT. EtOH stimulated Notch signaling in HCAEC as evidenced by increased Notch receptor (N1, N4) and target gene (hrt2, hrt3) mRNA levels with the most robust response achieved at 25 mM EtOH. Ethanol (25 mM) stimulated γ‐secretase proteolytic activity, to the same extent as Dll4, in HCAEC membranes. Ethanol inhibited Cav‐1 mRNA and protein levels in HCAEC. Caveolin‐1 negatively regulated γ‐secretase activity in HCAEC as Cav‐1 knockdown stimulated it, while Cav‐1 overexpression inhibited it. Moreover, Cav‐1 overexpression blocked the stimulatory effect of EtOH on γ‐secretase activity in HCAEC. Although EtOH also inhibited Cav‐1 expression in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC), EtOH inhibited γ‐secretase activity in HCASMC in contrast to its effect in HCAEC. The inhibitory effect of EtOH on γ‐secretase in HCASMC was mimicked by Cav‐1 knockdown and prevented by Cav‐1 overexpression, suggesting that in these cells Cav‐1 positively regulates γ‐secretase activity. In conclusion, EtOH differentially regulates γ‐secretase activity in arterial EC and SMC, being stimulatory and inhibitory, respectively. These effects are both mediated by caveolin‐1 inhibition which itself has opposite effects on γ‐secretase in the two cell types. This mechanism may underlie, in part, the effects of moderate drinking on atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ovipositor comprises the external genitalia of female insects, which plays an important role in the mating and ovipositing process of insects. However, it remains rudimentary of regional gene expression and physiological function in the ovipositor during structural development. Here, we analysed the basic structure and characteristics of the ovipositor in the migratory locust Locusta migratoria. RNA‐seq analysis revealed the specialization of chitin metabolism, lipids synthesis and transport, tanning and cuticular protein genes in the ovipositor. Among them, two cuticle protein genes, LmCP8 and LmACP79, were identified, which are specifically expressed in the ovipositor. Functional analysis based on RNA interference showed that deficiency of LmCP8 affected the structural development of the ovipositor resulting in the retention of a large number of remaining unproduced oocysts in the ovary of the locusts. Our results provide a fundamental resource to investigate the structural development and physiological function of the ovipositor in L. migratoria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The ubiquitin‐proteasome system (UPS) is a highly conserved way of regulating intracellular protein balance. UPS mediates proteolysis and disruption of variation or misfolding, while finely regulating proteins involved in differentiation and other biological processes. Aims: The aim of this review is to systematically introduce UPS as a key regulator of melanin metabolism. Methods: Systematic search and retrospective review were performed on the published data. Results: Melanocyte‐inducing transcription factor (MITF) is a substrate of the ubiquitin ligase VCHL1 and acts as a transcription factor to regulate the expression of key enzymes in melanin synthesis such as tyrosinase (TYR). The rate‐limiting enzyme TYR is modified by the ubiquitin ligase Hrd1 during melanosynthesis. Melanin itself is also regulated by multiple ubiquitin ligases including Fbp1 and Vhl. By regulating the ubiquitination modification to target each link of melanin synthesis, it plays an important role in correcting the disorder of melanin metabolism. A number of chemical agents have been proven to inhibit the activity of ubiquitin ligase. Conclusions: Drugs targeting E3 ligase and deubiquitinating enzymes have great potential in the treatment of melanin metabolism disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the effect of addition of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma‐treated nano‐Al2O3 particles on electrical treeing characteristics of epoxy resin (EP) at 30, 60, and 90°C, respectively. The electrical treeing and simultaneous partial discharge measurements, surface potential decay, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectrograms and differential scanning calorimetry are adopted to analyze the influence of plasma‐treated nano‐Al2O3 particles on the different insulation properties of EP and its composites. The results show that the high temperature adversely affects the electrical tree initiation, growth rate, and discharge activities of the EP nanocomposites. The DBD‐treated nano‐Al2O3 particles increase the electrical tree initiation voltage of the EP nanocomposites compared to the nanocomposite with the untreated nano‐Al2O3 particles. In contrast, the electrical tree growth rate decreases in the EP nanocomposite with the DBD treated nano‐Al2O3 particles at high temperatures. It is found that DBD treated nanoparticles affect the trap density and energy level of the composites by generating new chemical bonds, and then change their electrical properties. A charge carrier transport model is proposed to explain the obtained experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Diabetes is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short single‐stranded non‐coding RNAs that regulate degradation and expression of messenger RNA (mRNA) and play a wide range of key roles in different biological processes. They mediate different stages of melanocyte differentiation, growth, and apoptosis through a variety of pathways and can mediate melanin production by targeting key enzymes. Aims: This article was aimed to review the role of miRNAs in melanin metabolism and to introduce the role and significance of miRNAs in melanin‐related diseases. Materials & Methods: Systematic search and retrospective review were performed on the published data. Results: This paper reviews the process of melanin synthesis and the regulatory mechanism, explores the miRNA expression profiles in different model organisms, and introduces the mechanisms of several key miRNAs participating in melanin metabolism through target genes. We also explore the potential role of miRNA as a new target for the treatment of melanin metabolism disease, including vitiligo, melanoma, and chloasma. Conclusion: miRNAs play a key role in melanin‐related diseases, and the miRNAs involved may be potential therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of comprehensive surface passivation and effective interface carriers transfer plays a critical role in high‐performance perovskite solar cells. A 2D structure is an important approach for surface passivation of perovskite film, however, its large band gap could compromise carrier transfer. Herein, we synthesize a new molecule 2‐thiopheneethylamine thiocyanate (TEASCN) for the construction of bilayer quasi‐2D structure precisely on a tin‐lead mixed perovskite surface. This bilayer structure can passivate the perovskite surface and ensure effective carriers transfer simultaneously. As a result, the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of the device is increased without sacrificing short‐circuit current density (Jsc), giving rise to a high certified efficiency from a credible third‐party certification of narrow band gap perovskite solar cells. Furthermore, theoretical simulation indicates that the inclusion of TEASCN makes the bilayer structure thermodynamically more stable, which provides a strategy to tailor the number of layers of quasi‐2D perovskite structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports a Fabry−Pérot (F–P) cavity constructed by metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) encapsulated with TiO2 nanoparticles that can achieve selective sensing of chemicals. The MOFs‐based F–P cavity is fabricated by sequentially spray‐coating TiO2 in HKUST‐1 thin films through a layer‐by‐layer deposition strategy. The bandwidth of the cavity is tuned over a broad range by adjusting the thickness and refractive index of the HKUST‐1⊃TiO2 thin films with controllable TiO2 size and concentration. Selective sensing of chemical vapors is demonstrated on the HKUST‐1⊃TiO2 cavities which are attributed to enhanced interaction between hydroxyl groups on the surface of TiO2 and the specific oxygen‐containing analytes. In addition, molecule dynamics simulation and infrared absorption spectrum characterization are conducted to elucidate the mechanism of enhanced sensing properties. Homogeneous encapsulation of functional guest pieces with smaller sizes in MOF films contributes to specific physical–chemical properties that benefit their device applications in optical communication and chemical sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employment growth (EG) is related to liquidity fundamentals of investment opportunities, firm health, and information environment and quality. This, in turn, implies that liquidity risk may play a role in explaining the relation between EG and stock returns. We find strong empirical evidence supporting the link between EG and liquidity risk. Stocks of high‐EG firms are more liquid and exposed to lower liquidity risk than stocks of low‐EG firms. After adjusting for liquidity risk, EG loses its power to predict returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Arterial endothelium plays a critical role in maintaining vessel homeostasis and preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). Low‐to‐moderate alcohol (EtOH) consumption is associated with reduced atherosclerosis and stimulates Notch signaling in endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to determine whether EtOH protects the endothelium against serum amyloid A1 (SAA1)‐induced activation/injury, and to determine whether this protection is exclusively Notch‐dependent. Methods and Results: Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) were stimulated or not with "pro‐atherogenic" SAA1 (1 μM) in the absence or presence of EtOH (25 mM), the Notch ligand DLL4 (3 μg/ml), or the Notch inhibitor DAPT (20 μM). EtOH stimulated Notch signaling in HCAEC, as evidenced by increased expression of the Notch receptor and hrt target genes. Treatment with EtOH alone or stimulation of Notch signaling by DLL4 increased eNOS activity and enhanced HCAEC barrier function as assessed by trans‐endothelial electrical resistance. Moreover, EtOH and DLL4 both inhibited SAA1‐induced monolayer leakiness, cell adhesion molecule (ICAM, VCAM) expression, and monocyte adhesion. The effects of EtOH were Notch‐dependent, as they were blocked with DAPT and by Notch receptor (N1, N4) knockdown. In contrast, EtOH's inhibition of SAA1‐induced inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IFN‐γ) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) was Notch‐independent, as these effects were unaffected by DAPT or by N1 and/or N4 knockdown. Conclusions: EtOH at moderate levels protects against SAA1‐induced endothelial activation via both Notch‐dependent and Notch‐independent mechanisms. EtOH's maintenance of endothelium in a nonactivated state would be expected to preserve vessel homeostasis and protect against atherosclerosis development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrophobic photosensitizers greatly affect cell permeability and enrichment in tumors, but they cannot be used directly for clinical applications because they always aggregate in water, preventing their circulation in the blood and accumulation in tumor cells. As a result, amphiphilic photosensitizers are highly desirable. Although nanomaterial‐based photosensitizers can solve water solubility, they have the disadvantages of complicated operation, poor reproducibility, low drug loading, and poor stability. In this work, an efficient synthesis strategy is proposed that converts small molecules into nanoparticles in 100 % aqueous solution by molecular assembly without the addition of any foreign species. Three photosensitizers with triphenylphosphine units and ethylene glycol chains of different lengths, TPP−PPh3, TPP−PPh3−2PEG and TPP−PPh3−4PEG, were synthesized to improve amphiphilicity. Of the three photosensitizers, TPP−PPh3−4PEG is the most efficient (singlet oxygen yield: 0.89) for tumor photodynamic therapy not only because of its definite constituent, but also because its amphiphilic structure allows it to self‐assemble in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liner is affixed to the inner side of the ball mill cylinder to protect the cylinder. Through isothermal compression experiments, Arrhenius constitutive models, peak strain models, critical strain models, dynamic recrystallization dynamic models, and grain size models suitable for the forging process of Mn–Cr–Ni–Mo steel used in ball mill liners were established. By utilizing Deform software, a 3D thermo‐force‐structure coupling model for the hot forging process of ball mill liners was constructed, and the volume fraction of dynamic recrystallization and average grain size during forging was predicted. The response surface model was employed to investigate how process parameters interacted with each other and affected microstructure uniformity in ball mill liners. After optimization, the optimal parameters were determined: initial forging temperature at 1200 °C, forging speed at 30 mm s−1, and friction coefficient at 0.3. Subsequently, a hot forging experiment on ball mill liners was conducted using these optimized parameters; samples were analyzed through backscattered electron diffraction device experiments and microscopic tissue observations. Results demonstrated that microstructural changes observed during actual forging processes aligned with numerical simulation results—thus verifying both the accuracy of the Mn–Cr–Ni–Mo steel material model and numerical simulation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface modification with polydopamine (PDA)‐based coating is widely used to obtain high performance and build special functions for modified surfaces. Herein, a mussel‐inspired nanohybrid coating (PDA/SiO2) was first co‐deposited onto the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/polyimide (PI) fabric surfaces via simultaneous polymerization of dopamine and hydrolysis of the tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in a simple one‐pot method. This nanohybrid coating could afford the hybrid‐fabric sufficient active groups, improved surface roughness, and wettability without compromising fiber intrinsic strength. As a result, the interfacial bonding strength between fabric and PI resin matrix presented a significant increase as measured by the peeling tests. In addition, aramid pulp and aramid fiber powder were incorporated into the fabric composites to construct synergistic enhancement effects with PI fibers on bearing capacity and wear resistance. Results showed that the fabric@PDA‐TEOS/micro‐powder composites presented the best high‐temperature anti‐wear property resulting from the improved interfacial adhesion strength and carrying capacity of lubricant films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DBT reconstructs high‐resolution tomographic images through multi‐angle scanning. We aimed at investigating the diagnostic value of DBT in breast microcalcifications of Asian women. The clinical characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of FFDM and DBT in 70 breast cancer patients were compared. 52 malignant lesions and 24 benign lesions were found in 76 breast microcalcifications. FFDM presented with high sensitivity and low specificity of 94.2% and 45.8%, while DBT presented with high sensitivity and medium specificity of 96.1% and 62.5%. The positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic coincidence rate of DBT were higher than those of FFDM (84.7%, 88.2%, 85.5% vs. 79.0%, 78.5%, 78.9%, respectively). The AUC of DBT was significantly higher than that of FFDM (Z = 2.322, P = 0.020), at 0.700 ± 0.055 [0.584‐0.800] and 0.793 ± 0.052 [0.685‐0.878], respectively. Thus, we concluded that DBT improves the diagnostic accuracy and detection rate of microcalcifications in Asian women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxalate CL as an energy source to excite photosensitizers has attracted tremendous attention in photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this work, peroxyoxalate CPPO and hypocrellin B (HB)‐based nanoparticles (CBNPs) for ultrasound (US)‐enhanced self‐exciting PDT were designed and prepared. CBNPs showed an excellent therapeutic effect against cancer cells with the assistance of US. This US‐enhanced‐chemiluminescence system avoids the dependence on external light and provides an example for inspiring more effective and precise strategies for cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive recent efforts have been put on the design of high‐performance organic near‐infrared (NIR) photothermal agents (PTAs), especially over NIR‐II bio‐window (1000–1350 nm). So far, the development is mainly limited by the rarity of molecules with good NIR‐II response. Here, we report organic nanoparticles of intermolecular charge‐transfer complexes (CTCs) with easily programmable optical absorption. By employing different common donor and acceptor molecules to form CTC nanoparticles (CT NPs), absorption peaks of CT NPs can be controllably tuned from the NIR‐I to NIR‐II region. Notably, CT NPs formed with perylene and TCNQ have a considerably red‐shifted absorption peak at 1040 nm and achieves a good photothermal conversion efficiency of 42 % under 1064 nm excitation. These nanoparticles were used for antibacterial application with effective activity towards both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. This work opens a new avenue into the development of efficient PTAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With frequent oil spill accidents and the large amount of oily wastewater produced in various industrial and domestic processes, the separation of emulsified oil/water mixtures has become an important topic in environmental protection. Janus membranes with asymmetric wettability stand out among many separation materials for their switchable separation, high separation efficiency, low energy consumption, good repeatability, and durability. In recent years, Janus membranes have developed rapidly, but their separation principles and advantages and disadvantages compared with other separation methods in oil/water emulsion are rarely reviewed. Here, the classification of Janus membranes based on special wettability is summarized. According to the different separation principles, this paper focuses on the research and application of Janus membranes in oil/water emulsions based on the size sieving effect, the charge‐screening effect, coalescence, and differential pressure. The advantages and disadvantages of Janus membrane application in oil/water emulsion are shown after comparing with the separation materials based on filtration, absorption, and electric demulsification. Finally, some challenges and prospects are presented for the future development of Janus membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of low‐cost water‐based products with environmentally friendly, flame‐retardant, and excellent cooling performance is of immense scientific interest in lubrication. For this purpose, a series of water‐based lubricant additives have been developed, but most of them lack practical application due to the problems of volatility and viscosity. Herein, a novel semisolid supramolecular hydrogel lubricating material of 2,4,6‐triamino‐1,3,5‐triazin‐1‐ium diisopentyl phosphate is reported. The functionalized two‐component gelator molecule can self‐assemble through intermolecular interaction to form 3D network structure effectively traps the diethylene glycol or water‐glycol, thereby improving its viscosity and reducing water's volatile. The hydrogel forms an effective protective film on the steel surface during the running‐in process that endows unique characters of extreme‐pressure and abrasion resistance behaviors. Therefore, the hydrogel always maintains a low coefficient of friction in the load (from 100 to 1200 N) and frequency (from 10 to 40 Hz, at 400 N) conversion tests. This allows to generate potential applications in the field of lubrication, especially as a high water‐based lubricant applied in high load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypocrellin B (HB) derived from naturally produced hypocrellins has attracted considerable attention in photodynamic therapy (PDT) because of its excellent photosensitive properties. However, the weak absorption within a "phototherapy window" (600–900 nm) and poor water solubility of HB have limited its clinical application. In this study, two HB derivatives (i. e., HE and HF) were designed and synthesized for the first time by introducing two different substituent groups into the HB structure. The obtained derivatives showed a broad absorption band covering the near‐infrared (NIR) region, NIR emission (peaked at 805 nm), and singlet oxygen quantum yields of 0.27/0.31. HE‐PEG‐NPs were also prepared using 2‐distearoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphoethanolamine‐N‐[methoxy(polyethyleneglycol)‐2000] (DSPE‐mPEG2000) to achieve excellent dispersion in water and further explored their practical applications. HE‐PEG‐NPs not only retained their 1O2‐generating ability, but also exhibited a photothermal conversion efficiency of 25.9%. In vitro and in vivo therapeutic results revealed that the synergetic effect of HE‐PEG‐NPs on PDT and photothermal therapy (PTT) could achieve a good performance. Therefore, HE‐PEG‐NPs could be regarded as a promising phototheranostic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐performance materials for 3D printing are increasingly desired to meet more and more requirements from various fields including aerospace and high‐tech equipment. In this study, 3D printing of isocyanate ester thermosets with high performances, such as excellent mechanical properties and thermal resistance, is realized with a facile method. A precursor of acrylate isocyanate ester with good photocuring capability is first synthesized with the reaction of tolylene‐2,4‐diisocyanate and hydroxypropyl acrylate. Then, mixed with diluent NeoRad U‐6282 and photoinitiator Irgacure 819, it forms ultraviolet curable resins for 3D printing. The digital light processing 3D printing of the resins results in high‐precision 3D structures, which finally turn out high‐performance thermoset materials after the cross‐linking of isocyanate groups at elevated temperature. 3D printing of isocyanate ester thermosets with high printing accuracy, excellent mechanical properties, and good heat resistance will expand the applications of 3D printing by meeting the high demands from many industries on both mechanical and thermal performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thick diamond‐like carbon (DLC) coatings with different silicon (Si) transition layer thickness are deposited by hollow cathode plasma immersion coating technology. The results show that the internal stress of the coating can be tuned by changing the deposition time of Si transition layer, thereby obtaining good adhesion strength. Friction and wear results show that all coatings have good tribological properties. The coating with 8 min Si transition layer (Si‐8) demonstrates the lowest friction coefficient (μ ≈ 0.03), even achieves ultralow friction (μ ≈ 0.008) for a short time. However, the wear rate of Si‐8 coating is found to be the largest (2.1 × 10−16 m3 (N m)−1. The low friction coefficient of Si‐8 coating is related to its high degree of graphitization, complete transfer film and fine wear debris. In contrast, the Si‐16 coating has the lowest wear rate of about 5.6 × 10−17 m3 (N m)−1 with a relatively high friction coefficient (μ ≈ 0.1). This is due to its high hardness and the formation of a nano‐twisted double helix carbon debris during the friction process. This nano‐twisted double helix structure can consume additional plastic deformation energy, while reducing the interface contact area and increasing the interface bearing capacity, thereby improving the wear resistance of the thick DLC coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stem cells present in the vessel wall may be triggered in response to injurious stimuli to undergo differentiation and contribute to vascular disease development. Our aim was to determine the effect of moderate alcohol (EtOH) exposure on the expansion and differentiation of S100 calcium‐binding protein B positive (S100β+) resident vascular stem cells and their contribution to pathologic vessel remodeling in a mouse model of arteriosclerosis. Methods and Results: Lineage tracing analysis of S100β+ cells was performed in male and female S100β‐eGFP/Cre/ERT2–dTomato transgenic mice treated daily with or without EtOH by oral gavage (peak BAC: 15 mM or 0.07%) following left common carotid artery ligation for 14 days. Carotid arteries (ligated or sham‐operated) were harvested for morphological analysis and confocal assessment of fluorescent‐tagged S100 β + cells in FFPE carotid cross sections. Ligation‐induced carotid remodeling was more robust in males than in females. EtOH‐gavaged mice had less adventitial thickening and markedly reduced neointimal formation compared to controls, with a more pronounced inhibitory effect in males compared to females. There was significant expansion of S100β+‐marked cells in vessels postligation, primarily in the neointimal compartment. EtOH treatment reduced the fraction of S100β+ cells in carotid cross sections, concomitant with attenuated remodeling. In vitro, EtOH attenuated Sonic Hedgehog‐stimulated myogenic differentiation (as evidenced by reduced calponin and myosin heavy chain expression) of isolated murine S100β+ vascular stem cells. Conclusions: These data highlight resident vascular S100β+ stem cells as a novel target population for alcohol and suggest that regulation of these progenitors in adult arteries, particularly in males, may be an important mechanism contributing to the antiatherogenic effects of moderate alcohol consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]