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Background:Intermediate end points are desirable to expedite the integration of neoadjuvant systemic therapy into the treatment strategy for high-risk localized prostate cancer. Endorectal magnetic resonance imaging at 1.5 Tesla (1.5T erMRI) response has been utilized as an end point in neoadjuvant trials but has not been correlated with clinical outcomes.Methods:Data were pooled from two trials exploring neoadjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk localized prostate cancer. Trial 1 explored docetaxel for 6 months and Trial 2 explored docetaxel plus bevacizumab for 4.5 months, both before radical prostatectomy. erMRI was done at baseline and end of chemotherapy. 1.5T erMRI response, based upon T2W sequences, was recorded. Multivariable Cox regression was undertaken to evaluate the association between clinical parameters and biochemical recurrence.Results:There were 53 evaluable patients in the combined analysis: 20 (33%) achieved a PSA response, 16 (27%) achieved an erMRI partial response and 24 (40%) achieved an erMRI minor response. Median follow-up was 4.2 years, and 33 of 53 evaluable (62%) patients developed biochemical recurrence. On multivariable analysis, PSA response did not correlate with biochemical recurrence (hazard ratio=0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-1.33) and paradoxically erMRI response was associated with a significantly shorter time to biochemical recurrence (hazard ratio=2.47, 95% CI 1.00-6.13).Conclusions:Response by 1.5T erMRI does not correlate with a decreased likelihood of biochemical recurrence in patients with high-risk localized prostate cancer treated with neoadjuvant docetaxel and may be associated with inferior outcomes. These data do not support the use of 1.5T erMRI response as a primary end point in neoadjuvant chemotherapy trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Plasma-based ion implantation (PBII) as a tool for polymer modification is studied. Polymeric films have good performances for flexible use, such as food packaging or electronic devices. Compared with inorganic rigid materials, polymers generally have large permeability for gases and moisture, which causes packaged contents and devices to degrade. In order to add a barrier function, surface of polymeric films are modified by PBII. One of the advantageous features of this method over deposition is that the modified surface does not have peeling problem. Besides, micro-cracks due to mechanical stress in the modified layer can be decreased. From the standpoint of mass production, conventional ion implantation that needs low-pressure environment of less than 10−3 Pa is not suitable for continuous large-area processing, while PBII works at rather higher pressure of several Pa. In terms of issues mentioned above, PBII is one of the most expected techniques for modification on flexible substrates. However, the mechanism how the barrier function appears by ion implantation is not well explained so far. In this study, various kinds of polymeric films, including polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), are modified by PBII and their barrier characteristics that depend on the ion dose are evaluated. In order to investigate correlations of the barrier function with implanted ions, modified surface is analyzed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is assumed that the diffusion and sorption coefficients are changed by ion implantation, resulting in higher barrier function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We applied Co20Fe60B20 layers with thicknesses from 1.2 to 1.5 nm to the sensing layers of MgO based magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) with spin-valve-type structures annealed at 350^\circC for magnetic field sensors. The CoFeB layer on MgO had in-plane magnetic anisotropy and also slight perpendicular magnetic anisotropy that originated at the MgO/CoFeB interface. MR characteristics of high reversibility and linearity were confirmed at a CoFeB thickness of 1.3 nm. We consider that the hysteresis-free properties of the sensing layer were obtained by the balance between in-plane magnetization and other components in magnetization including out-of-plane magnetization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines whether the antiasthmatic activity of pranlukast is associated with a reduction in bronchial eosinophilic inflammation. Level of serum eosinophilic cationic protein; Bronchial eosinophilic infiltration; Metacholine provocation test.

Understanding the origin and evolution of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) is an issue of scientific interest and practical importance because NEAs are potentially hazardous to the Earth. However, when and how NEAs formed and their evolutionary history remain enigmas. Here, we report the U-Pb systematics of Itokawa particles for the first time. Ion microprobe analyses of seven phosphate grains from a single particle provide an isochron age of 4.64 ± 0.18 billion years (1σ). This ancient phosphate age is thought to represent the thermal metamorphism of Itokawa’s parent body, which is identical to that of typical LL chondrites. In addition, the incorporation of other particles suggests that a significant shock event might have occurred 1.51 ± 0.85 billion years ago (1σ), which is significantly different from the shock ages of 4.2 billion years of the majority of shocked LL chondrites and similar to that of the Chelyabinsk meteorite. Combining these data with recent Ar-Ar studies on particles from a different landing site, we conclude that a globally intense impact, possibly a catastrophic event, occurred ca. 1.4 Ga ago. This conclusion enables us to establish constraints on the timescale of asteroid disruption frequency, the validity of the crater chronology and the mean lifetime of small NEAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented regarding the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) at cord blood banks (CBB) in Japan.

Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Herein, we investigated the impact of polymorphism vs. dimension control of titania nanocrystals towards hydrogen generation. Two different forms of titania nanoparticles have been synthesized following the solvothermal method, leading to the formation of two distinct physicochemical features. Detailed structural, morphological, and optical studies revealed that the formation of titania nanorods correspond to rutile while granular particles correspond to the anatase phase. Among various titania polymorphs, anatase is well known for its superior photocatalytic activity; however, to our surprise, the as-synthesized rutile nanorods exhibited higher catalytic activity in comparison to anatase spheres, and hydrogen evolution was considerably enhanced after the addition of a minute amount of Pt as the co-catalyst. Thus, despite the higher catalytic activity of anatase, the enhanced hydrogen evolution of rutile nanorods may be related to the creation of a 1D structure. Our study highlights the importance of considering not only TiO 2 polymorphism but also shape and dimension in optimizing photocatalytic H 2 production., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Some oxide-based particulate photocatalyst sheets exhibit excellent activity during the water-splitting reaction. The replacement of oxide photocatalysts with narrow-bandgap photocatalysts based on nonoxides could provide the higher solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiencies that are required for practical implementation. Unfortunately, the activity of nonoxide-based photocatalyst sheets is low in many cases, indicating the need for strategies to improve the quality of nonoxide photocatalysts and the charge transfer process. In this work, single-crystalline particulate SrTaO 2 N is studied as an oxygen evolution photocatalyst for photocatalyst sheets applied to Z-scheme water splitting, in combination with La 5 Ti 2 Cu 0.9 Ag 0.1 O 7 S 5 and Au as the hydrogen evolution photocatalyst and conductive layer, respectively. The loading of SrTaO 2 N with CoO x provided increases activity during photocatalytic water oxidation, giving an apparent quantum yield of 15.7% at 420 nm. A photocatalyst sheet incorporating CoO x -loaded SrTaO 2 N is also found to promote Z-scheme water splitting under visible light. Notably, the additional loading of nanoparticulate TiN on the CoO x -loaded SrTaO 2 N improves the water splitting activity by six times because the TiN promotes electron transfer from the SrTaO 2 N particles to the Au layer. This work demonstrates key concepts related to the improvement of nonoxide-based photocatalyst sheets based on facilitating the charge transfer process through appropriate surface modifications., (© 2024 The Authors. Small published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Using diffuse correlation spectroscopy, we assessed the renal blood flow and thigh muscle microvascular responses in a rat model of type 2 diabetes. The blood flow index at the renal surface decreased significantly with arterial clamping, cardiac extirpation, and the progression of diabetic endothelial dysfunction. Renal blood flow measured in diabetic and nondiabetic rats also showed a significant correlation with the reactive hyperemic response of the thigh muscle. These results suggest shared microcirculatory dysfunction in the kidney and skeletal muscle and support endothelial responses in the skeletal muscle as a potential noninvasive biomarker of renal hypoperfusion., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2024 Optica Publishing Group.)

Mixed oxides of Rh-Cr (RhCrO x ), containing Rh 3+ and Cr 3+ cations, are commonly used as cocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on particulate photocatalysts. The precise physicochemical mechanisms of the HER at the catalytic sites of these oxides are not well understood. In this study, model cocatalyst electrodes, composed of nanoparticulate RhCrO x , were fabricated to investigate the physicochemical mechanisms of the HER. Electroanalytical and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic measurements revealed that nanoparticulate RhCrO x produces reduced Rh (Rh 0 ) species by maintaining an electrode potential more negative than 0.03 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (V RHE ). This results in significant enhancement of the HER activity. The catalytic activity for the HER stems from the reduced Rh species, and the inclusion of Cr 3+ (CrO x ) aided in the electron transfer process at the solid/liquid interface, resulting in a higher current density during the HER. To achieve a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of over 3%, the conduction band minimum of the particulate photocatalyst should be positioned more negatively than -0.10 V RHE . Moreover, the formation of electron trap states at potentials more positive than 0.03 V RHE should be avoided. This study highlights the importance of understanding the catalytic sites on metal oxide cocatalysts. Moreover, it offers a design strategy for enhancing the efficiency of photocatalytic water splitting.

The physiological effects on blood flow and oxygen utilization in active muscles during and after involuntary contraction triggered by electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) remain unclear, particularly compared with those elicited by voluntary (VOL) contractions. Therefore, we used diffuse correlation and near-infrared spectroscopy (DCS-NIRS) to compare changes in local muscle blood flow and oxygen consumption during and after these two types of muscle contractions in humans. Overall, 24 healthy young adults participated in the study, and data were successfully obtained from 17 of them. Intermittent (2-s contraction, 2-s relaxation) isometric ankle dorsiflexion with a target tension of 20% of maximal VOL contraction was performed by EMS or VOL for 2 min, followed by a 6-min recovery period. DCS-NIRS probes were placed on the tibialis anterior muscle, and relative changes in local tissue blood flow index (rBFI), oxygen extraction fraction (rOEF), and metabolic rate of oxygen (rMRO 2 ) were continuously derived. EMS induced more significant increases in rOEF and rMRO 2 than VOL exercise but a comparable increase in rBFI. After EMS, rBFI and rMRO 2 decreased more slowly than after VOL and remained significantly higher until the end of the recovery period. We concluded that EMS augments oxygen consumption in contracting muscles by enhancing oxygen extraction while increasing oxygen delivery at a rate similar to the VOL exercise. Under the conditions examined in this study, EMS demonstrated a more pronounced and/or prolonged enhancement in local muscle perfusion and aerobic metabolism compared with VOL exercise in healthy participants. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to visualize continuous changes in blood flow and oxygen utilization within contracted muscles during and after electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) using combined diffuse correlation and near-infrared spectroscopy. We found that initiating EMS increases blood flow at a rate comparable to that during voluntary (VOL) exercise but enhances oxygen extraction, resulting in higher oxygen consumption. Furthermore, EMS increased postexercise muscle perfusion and oxygen consumption compared with that after VOL exercise.

A newly found leaf arrangement to reduce self-shading was observed in a Japanese warm-temperate forest. For monoaxial trees that deploy leaves directly on a single stem, leaf arrangements involving progressive elongation of the petiole and progressive increase in deflection angle (the angle between stem and petiole) from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves act to reduce self-shading. However, the progressive reduction in petiole length and deflection angle from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves should also result in the reduction of self-shading. Nevertheless, the latter leaf arrangement has not been reported previously for any tree species. Four Araliaceae species, namely, Gamblea innovans, Chengiopanax sciadophylloides, Dendropanax trifidus and Fatsia japonica, which are typical monoaxial tree species in Japan, were studied. We examined the crown structure of saplings growing in the light-limited understorey in a Japanese warm-temperate forest. Two evergreen species, Dendropanax trifidus and F. japonica showed progressive petiole elongation and progressive increase in the deflection angle from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves. In contrast, saplings of deciduous species, G. innovans and C. sciadophylloides had a leaf arrangement involving progressive reduction in petiole length and deflection angle from the uppermost to the lowermost leaves. The leaf arrangement has diversified among members of the same family, but all four studied species develop a crown with little self-shading that is adapted for growth in the light-limited understorey. Although trees are likely to be under the same selective pressure to reduce self-shading, this study revealed that there is flexibility in its morphological realisation, which has been poorly appreciated previously., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

So-called Z-scheme systems permit overall water splitting using narrow-bandgap photocatalysts. To boost the performance of such systems, it is necessary to enhance the intrinsic activities of the hydrogen evolution photocatalyst and oxygen evolution photocatalyst, promote electron transfer from the oxygen evolution photocatalyst to the hydrogen evolution photocatalyst, and suppress back reactions. The present work develop a high-performance oxysulfide photocatalyst, Sm 2 Ti 2 O 5 S 2 , as an hydrogen evolution photocatalyst for use in a Z-scheme overall water splitting system in combination with BiVO 4 as the oxygen evolution photocatalyst and reduced graphene oxide as the solid-state electron mediator. After surface modifications of the photocatalysts to promote charge separation and redox reactions, this system is able to split water into hydrogen and oxygen for more than 100 hours with a solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency of 0.22%. In contrast to many existing photocatalytic systems, the water splitting activity of the present system is only minimally reduced by increasing the background pressure to 90 kPa. These results suggest characteristics suitable for applications under practical operating conditions., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

A long-standing trade-off exists between improving crystallinity and minimizing particle size in the synthesis of perovskite-type transition-metal oxynitride photocatalysts via the thermal nitridation of commonly used metal oxide and carbonate precursors. Here, we overcome this limitation to fabricate ATaO 2 N (A = Sr, Ca, Ba) single nanocrystals with particle sizes of several tens of nanometers, excellent crystallinity and tunable long-wavelength response via thermal nitridation of mixtures of tantalum disulfide, metal hydroxides (A(OH) 2 ), and molten-salt fluxes (e.g., SrCl 2 ) as precursors. The SrTaO 2 N nanocrystals modified with a tailored Ir-Pt alloy@Cr 2 O 3 cocatalyst evolved H 2 around two orders of magnitude more efficiently than the previously reported SrTaO 2 N photocatalysts, with a record solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion efficiency of 0.15% for SrTaO 2 N in Z-scheme water splitting. Our findings enable the synthesis of perovskite-type transition-metal oxynitride nanocrystals by thermal nitridation and pave the way for manufacturing advanced long-wavelength-responsive particulate photocatalysts for efficient solar energy conversion., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

To realize organic integrated optoelectronic circuits, there is a need for anisotropic optical waveguides at the micro/nanoscale. Anisotropic alignment of one-dimensional-ordered supramolecular structures composed of light-emissive π-conjugated molecules in a crystal may meet the requirements of such waveguides. Here, a bipyridyl-appended acrylonitrile-based π-conjugated molecule was designed, which produced a one-dimensional supramolecular polymer constructed through non-covalent bonding between a lone pair in bipyridyl and a σ-hole in 1,4-diiodo-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene. The one-dimensional copolymer of bipyridyl and 1,4-diiodo-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzene is aligned horizontally with the two-dimensional crystal surface because of the angle-controlled supramolecular synthons. As a result of control over the non-covalent bonding direction, anisotropic photoluminescence and photon transport (optical waveguiding) characteristics are realized by orienting the transition dipole moment horizontally with respect to the two-dimensional surface. Compared with the loss coefficient α L =52 dB cm -1 for the long-axis direction of the two-dimensional platelet cocrystal, a very large difference of α S =2111 dB cm -1 is present in the crystal short-axis direction. The anisotropic waveguiding ability, α L /α S , is estimated to be 41, which is more than an order of magnitude greater than previously reported two-dimensional platelet crystal waveguides. This supramolecular synthon provides an approach to designing anisotropic photon transporters and highly regulated optical logic circuits., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Photocatalytic water splitting is an ideal means of producing hydrogen in a sustainable manner, and developing highly efficient photocatalysts is a vital aspect of realizing this process. The photocatalyst Y 2 Ti 2 O 5 S 2 (YTOS) is capable of absorbing at wavelengths up to 650 nm and exhibits outstanding thermal and chemical durability compared with other oxysulfides. However, the photocatalytic performance of YTOS synthesized using the conventional solid-state reaction (SSR) process is limited owing to the large particle sizes and structural defects associated with this synthetic method. Herein, we report the synthesis of YTOS particles by a flux-assisted technique. The enhanced mass transfer efficiency in the flux significantly reduced the preparation time compared with the SSR method. In addition, the resulting YTOS showed improved photocatalytic H 2 and O 2 evolution activity when loaded with Rh and Co 3 O 4 co-catalysts, respectively. These improvements are attributed to the reduced particle size and enhanced crystallinity of the material as well as the slower decay of photogenerated carriers on a nanosecond to sub-microsecond time range. Further optimization of this flux-assisted method together with suitable surface modification is expected to produce high-quality YTOS crystals with superior photocatalytic activity., (© 2023 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Diffuse correlation spectroscopy faces challenges concerning the contamination of cutaneous and deep tissue blood flow. We propose a long short-term memory network to directly quantify the flow rates of shallow and deep-layer tissues. By exploiting the different contributions of shallow and deep-layer flow rates to auto-correlation functions, we accurately predict the shallow and deep-layer flow rates (RMSE = 0.047 and 0.034 ml/min/100 g of simulated tissue, R 2  = 0.99 and 0.99, respectively) in a two-layer flow phantom experiment. This approach is useful in evaluating the blood flow responses of active muscles, where both cutaneous and deep-muscle blood flow increase with exercise., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (© 2023 Optica Publishing Group under the terms of the Optica Open Access Publishing Agreement.)