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In chips with nanometer-sized channels, photothermal lens microscopy (TLM) suffers quite low detection sensitivity, due to the ultrashort optical path length and the heat loss to the substrate. For a given optical path length, one feasible way to enhance the sensitivity of TLM is to control the heat (i.e., the photothermal effect) in nanospace. In this article, I show that by introducing two coatings with favorable thermophysical properties into a chip, the detection sensitivity can be enhanced from a few times to over 100 times for different optical path lengths from ~10 nm to ~1 µm. A detailed theoretical investigation on the periodic heat transfer and related photothermal effect in such a chip structure was presented. This photothermal effect strengthening method was experimentally demonstrated on a TiO2-coated cell with an optical path length of, for example, 300 nm, on which a sensitivity enhancement of 18 times was achieved in comparison with a cell without coatings and an absorption detection limit down to 2.5 × 10–2 cm−1can be expected. This work illuminates the importance of heat control to the sensitivity enhancement of photothermal microscopy in nanospaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little q-Schur algebras were introduced as homomorphic images of the infinitesimal quantum groups by Du, Fu and Wang. In this paper, we obtain a presentation by generators and relations for little q-Schur algebras uk(2, r). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we obtain monomial bases for littleq-Schur algebras at even roots of unity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We determine the Cartan matrix ofuq(2,r) and prove that a nonsemisimple littleq-Schur algebrauq(2,r) is not cellular at odd roots of unity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carboxylated pillar[5]arene (CP5) macrocycles were modified onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) via covalent bonds to form new pillarene-functionalized RGO nanosheets, i.e., RGO-CP5. The obtained RGO-CP5 nanosheets capable of molecular recognition exhibited much better water-dispersibility and enhanced fluorescence-quenching property as compared with native RGO. This new sensing platform holds great potentials in the sensing and detection of analytes, such as organic dye molecules and pesticides, in aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon source precursors for high-grade, clean, and low-carbon refractories were obtained by in situ exfoliation of flake graphite (FG) and phenol–formaldehyde resin (PF) composites with three-roll milling (TRM) for the fabrication of graphite nanoplatelets. In addition, by using Ni(NO3)2·6H2O as a catalyst in the pyrolysis process, multidimensional carbon nanostructures were obtained with coexisting graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs), glassy carbon (GC), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The resulting GNPs (exfoliated 16 times) had sizes of 10–30 μm, thicknesses of 30–50 nm, and could be uniformly dispersed in GC from the PF pyrolysis. Moreover, Ni(NO3)2·6H2O played a key role in the formation and growth of CNTs from a catalytic pyrolysis of partial PF with the V–S/tip growth mechanisms. The resulting multidimensional carbon nanostructures with GNPs/GC/CNTs are attributed to the shear force of the TRM process, pyrolysis, and catalytic action of nitrates. This method reduced the production costs of carbon source precursors for low-carbon refractories, and the precursors exhibited excellent performances when fabricated on large scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-crystal MoO3 micrometer to millimeter even centimeter belts were prepared via a novel route of oxidizing a discarded molybdenum disilicide heating element at 1000 °C for 3 h. The morphology and structure features, and growth mechanism of the products were evidently investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the powdery and fibrous products were typical α-MoO3 belt-like structures which size could develop from micrometer to several millimeter even centimeter in length and up to 0.5 mm in width. It should be formed preferentially along the [001] direction via layer by layer growth to form 1-D single MoO3 belts by vapor-solid mechanism. Thermal and luminescence properties of the products were revealed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis and photoluminescence spectra that the resultant α-MoO3 belts had good thermal stability and characteristics of luminescence with a central peak at 481 nm. The MoO3 belts are of good potential being applied to luminescent and high temperature devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide and the strongest predictor of mortality in patients with diabetes. Despite its significance, the pathological mechanism underlying the onset and progression of DKD remains incompletely understood. In this study, we have shown that mitochondrial ribosomal protein L12 (MRPL12) plays a significant role in DKD by modulating mitochondrial function. We demonstrated that MRPL12 was mainly ubiquitinated at K150 in renal tubular epithelial cells. We have found that Cullin3 (CUL3), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, directly interacts with MRPL12 and induces the K63-linked ubiquitination of MRPL12, resulting in mitochondrial biosynthesis dysfunction. Moreover, under high-glucose (HG) conditions in renal tubular epithelial cells, we observed up-regulation of CUL3 expression, significant increase in CUL3-mediated ubiquitination of MRPL12 and dysregulation of mitochondrial biosynthesis. Notably, CUL3 knockdown stabilised the MRPL12 protein and protected mitochondrial biosynthesis under HG conditions. Our findings provide novel insight into how CUL3 affects mitochondrial biosynthesis in renal tubular epithelial cells through MRPL12 ubiquitination and suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for DKD in the future., (© 2023 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.)

Smart windows nowadays undertake the esteemed obligation of reducing energy consumption as well as upgrading living experience. This project aims to devise a smart window that responds to both electricity and heat, with the intention of achieving energy efficiency, privacy preservation, and enhanced decorative attributes. Through the implementation of a novel electrochromic material design, coupled with the optimization of electrochromic devices (ECDs), a high-performance ECD is obtained, demonstrating coloring/bleaching time of 0.53/0.16 s, a transmittance modulation of 78% (from 99% to 21%), and superior performance in six dimensions. Furthermore, temperature-responsive units and an ionic liquid are incorporated into the electrolyte system to create a novel thermochromic gel electrolyte with transmittance modulation from 80% to 0%, and excellent thermal insulation (6.4 °C reduction). Ultimately, an electro- and thermochromic device is developed, featuring an ultrafast color-switching speed of 0.82/0.60 s and multiple working modes. Overall, this work showcases a prospective design pathway for the development of next-generation ultrafast-switching, and energy-efficient intelligent windows., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

In situ BaSO 4 coating, generated in the first discharging of Ba 2+ pre-intercalated δ-MnO 2 , shortens the activation process by inducing fast proton intercalation and stabilizes the MnO 2 crystal by suppressing Mn dissolution. The cathode delivers a decent electrochemical performance of 210 mA h g -1 at 1C with a 98% retention after 200 cycles.

Purpose: To compare the survival prognosis of percutaneous transhepatic biliary stenting (PTBS) in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) at different horizontal sites., Methods: A total of 120 patients with MOJ who underwent biliary stenting were retrospectively included and analyzed and divided into the high-position group (36 patients), middle-position group (43 patients), and low-position group (41 patients) according to biliary obstruction plane by biliary anatomy. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to test for differences in the overall survival (OS), risk assessment of death and potential risk factors for 1-year survival were analyzed using multifactorial Cox regression., Results: The median survival of the high-, middle-, low-position groups were 16, 8.6, and 5.6 months, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.017). The 1-year survival rate was 67.6%, 41.9%, and 41.5% in the high-, middle-, low-position groups (P < 0.05), and the 1-year risk of death was 2.35 and 2.93 times higher in the medium- and low-position groups, respectively. The incidences of the main complications were 25%, 48.8%, and 65.9% in the high-, middle-, and low-position groups, respectively, (P = 0.002). While the differences in median stent patency were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) in the groups, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and total bilirubin levels decreased gradually in each group at 1 month and 3 months after interventional therapy (P < 0.001), while there was no significant difference in the decrease between the groups., Conclusions: Different levels of biliary obstruction in patients with MOJ affect survival, especially at 1 year, where high obstruction treated with PTBS has a low incidence of complications and a low risk of death., Competing Interests: None

Aqueous Zn batteries (AZBs) are a promising energy storage technology, due to their high theoretical capacity, low redox potential, and safety. However, dendrite growth and parasitic reactions occurring at the surface of metallic Zn result in severe instability. Here we report a new method to achieve ultrafine Zn nanograin anodes by using ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGME) molecules to manipulate zinc nucleation and growth processes. It is demonstrated that EGME complexes with Zn 2+ to moderately increase the driving force for nucleation, as well as adsorbs on the Zn surface to prevent H-corrosion and dendritic protuberances by refining the grains. As a result, the nanoscale anode delivers high Coulombic efficiency (ca. 99.5%), long-term cycle life (over 366 days and 8800 cycles), and outstanding compatibility with state-of-the-art cathodes (ZnVO and AC) in full cells. This work offers a new route for interfacial engineering in aqueous metal-ion batteries, with significant implications for the commercial future of AZBs.

This paper presents recent development and applications of thermal lens microscopy (TLM) and beam deflection spectrometry (BDS) for the analysis of water samples and sea ice. Coupling of TLM detection to a microfluidic system for flow injection analysis (μFIA) enables the detection of microcystin-LR in waters with a four samples/min throughput (in triplicate injections) and provides an LOD of 0.08 µg/L which is 12-times lower than the MCL for microcystin-LR in water. μFIA-TLM was also applied for the determination of total Fe and Fe(II) in 3 µL samples of synthetic cloudwater. The LODs were found to be 100 nM for Fe(II) and 70 nM for total Fe. The application of µFIA-TLM for the determination of ammonium in water resulted in an LOD of 2.3 µM for injection of a 5 µL sample and TLM detection in a 100 µm deep microfluidic channel. For the determination of iron species in sea ice, the BDS was coupled to a diffusive gradient in the thin film technique (DGT). The 2D distribution of Fe(II) and total Fe on DGT gels provided by the BDS (LOD of 50 nM) reflected the distribution of Fe species in sea ice put in contact with DGT gels.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a central nervous system trauma that can cause severe neurological impairment. A series of pathological and physiological changes after SCI (e.g., inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction) promotes further deterioration of the microenvironment at the site of injury, leading to aggravation of neurological function. The multifunctional transcription factor NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) has long been considered a key factor in antioxidant stress. Therefore, Nrf2 may be an ideal therapeutic target for SCI. A comprehensive understanding of the function and regulatory mechanism of Nrf2 in the pathophysiology of SCI will aid in the development of targeted therapeutic strategies for SCI. This review discusses the roles of Nrf2 in SCI, with the aim of aiding in further elucidation of SCI pathophysiology and in efforts to provide Nrf2-targeted strategies for the treatment of SCI., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) is closely linked to degenerative spinal disease, resulting in disability, poor quality of life, and financial burden. Apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells (NPCs) is a key pathological basis of IVDD. Periostin (POSTN), an extracellular matrix protein, is expressed in many tissues, whereas its abnormal expression is associated with IVDD. The conventional Wnt/β-catenin pathway is also involved in IVDD and contributes to NPCs apoptosis. However, research on the mechanisms of POSTN in IVDD is lacking. This study investigated the relationship between POSTN and β-catenin expression in degenerated IVDs. We detected the expression of POSTN, β-catenin, and cleaved-caspase-3 (C-caspase3) in degenerated and non-degenerated IVD tissues of different grades (n = 8) using RT-qPCR, immunohistochemical staining, and western blotting analysis. Next, we explored the effects of recombinant periostin (rPOSTN) and isoquercitrin (Iso), an inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, on NPCs apoptosis. Finally, we inhibited the expression of POSTN in degenerated NPCs in vivo and investigated the anti-apoptotic effect. The expression of β-catenin, POSTN, and C-caspase3 in severe degenerative IVDs was significantly higher than that in mild degenerative IVDs. These findings were confirmed in rat and cell-based degenerative models. When treated with rPOSTN, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity and cell apoptosis were time- and dose-dependent. However, rPOSTN-induced NPCs apoptosis decreased after iso-induced inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. POSTN inhibition reduced apoptosis but was restored by rPOSTN re-addition. Lastly, POSTN inhibition ameliorated puncture-induced IVDD in vivo. Overall, our study demonstrated that POSTN promotes NPCs apoptosis and aggravates degeneration by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway., (© 2022 The Authors. The FASEB Journal published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.)

Molybdenum disulfide, as an electronic highly-adjustable catalysts material, tuning its electronic structure is crucial to enhance its intrinsic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity. Nevertheless, there are yet huge challenges to the understanding and regulation of the surface electronic structure of molybdenum disulfide-based catalysts. Here we address these challenges by tuning its electronic structure of phase modulation synergistic with interfacial chemistry and defects from phosphorus or sulfur implantation, and we then successfully design and synthesize electrocatalysts with the multi-heterojunction interfaces (e.g., 1T 0.81 -MoS 2 @Ni 2 P), demonstrating superior HER activities and good stabilities with a small overpotentials of 38.9 and 95 mV at 10 mA/cm 2 , a low Tafel slopes of 41 and 42 mV/dec in acidic as well as alkaline surroundings, outperforming commercial Pt/C catalyst and other reported Mo-based catalysts. Theoretical calculation verified that the incorporation of metallic-phase and intrinsic HER-active Ni-based materials into molybdenum disulfide could effectively regulate its electronic structure for making the bandgap narrower. Additionally, X-ray absorption spectroscopy indicate that reduced nickel possesses empty orbitals, which is helpful for additional H binding ability. All these factors can decrease Mo-H bond strength, greatly improving the HER catalytic activity of these materials., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Periostin, an extracellular matrix protein, is widely expressed in a variety of tissues and cells. It has many biological functions and is related to many diseases: for example, it promotes cell proliferation and differentiation in osteoblasts, which are closely related to osteoporosis, and mediates cell senescence and apoptosis in chondrocytes, which are involved in osteoarthritis. Furthermore, it also plays an important role in mediating inflammation and reconstruction during bronchial asthma, as well as in promoting bone development, reconstruction, repair, and strength. Therefore, periostin has been explored as a potential biomarker for various diseases. Recently, periostin has also been found to be expressed in intervertebral disc cells as a component of the intervertebral extracellular matrix, and to play a crucial role in the maintenance and degeneration of intervertebral discs. This article reviews the biological role of periostin in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, chondrocytes, and annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus cells, which are closely related to spinal degenerative diseases. The study of its pathophysiological effects is of great significance for the diagnosis and treatment of spinal degeneration, although additional studies are needed., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Zhu, Zhou, Wang, Wang, Liu, Zhang, Guo and Kang.)

As new 2D layered nanomaterials, Bi 2 O 2 Se nanoplates have unique semiconducting properties that can benefit biomedical applications. Herein, a facile top-down approach for the synthesis of Bi 2 O 2 Se quantum dots (QDs) in a solution is described. The Bi 2 O 2 Se QDs with a size of 3.8 nm and thickness of 1.9 nm exhibit a high photothermal conversion coefficient of 35.7% and good photothermal stability. In vitro and in vivo assessments demonstrate that the Bi 2 O 2 Se QDs possess excellent photoacoustic (PA) performance and photothermal therapy (PTT) efficiency. After systemic administration, the Bi 2 O 2 Se QDs accumulate passively in tumors enabling efficient PA imaging of the entire tumors to facilitate imaging-guided PTT without obvious toxicity. Furthermore, the Bi 2 O 2 Se QDs which exhibit degradability in aqueous media not only have sufficient stability during in vivo circulation to perform the designed therapeutic functions, but also can be discharged harmlessly from the body afterward. The results reveal the great potential of Bi 2 O 2 Se QDs as a biodegradable multifunctional agent in medical applications., (© 2019 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Herein, a bi-functional homogeneous redox mediator is employed to promote the rate capability of Li-O2 batteries. The addition of this redox mediator not only facilitates the formation of toroid-shaped Li2O2 at high current densities, but also significantly reduces the charging over-potential caused by the bulky Li2O2.

Single-crystal MoO 3 micrometer to millimeter even centimeter belts were prepared via a novel route of oxidizing a discarded molybdenum disilicide heating element at 1000 °C for 3 h. The morphology and structure features, and growth mechanism of the products were evidently investigated by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the powdery and fibrous products were typical α-MoO 3 belt-like structures which size could develop from micrometer to several millimeter even centimeter in length and up to 0.5 mm in width. It should be formed preferentially along the [001] direction via layer by layer growth to form 1-D single MoO 3 belts by vapor-solid mechanism. Thermal and luminescence properties of the products were revealed by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis and photoluminescence spectra that the resultant α-MoO 3 belts had good thermal stability and characteristics of luminescence with a central peak at 481 nm. The MoO 3 belts are of good potential being applied to luminescent and high temperature devices.

The N-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers with different porosity and polarity were prepared from 4-vinylbenzyl chloride and 4-vinyl pyridine by the suspension polymerization and Friedel-Crafts reaction. A carbonization process by KOH chemical activation was carried out for the N-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers, and hence a series of N-doped porous carbons (NDPC) was easily fabricated. These porous materials were comparatively evaluated for CO 2 adsorption. The NDPC were much more efficient than the N-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers for the CO 2 capture and the CO 2 uptake had a linear correlation to the ultramicropore volume (d ≤ 0.8 nm) with R 2  = 0.9737. NDPC-10% possessed the highest CO 2 uptake around 270 mg/g, and had the sufficient CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of 20.2 at 273 K and 1.0 bar. The CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of the N-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers was much higher than the NDPC due to the higher nitrogen content. The isosteric heat of adsorption on the N-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers ranged 29.0-41.2 kJ/mol while that on the NDPC was much lower (24.6-29.2 kJ/mol). The NDPC developed in this study may provide promising candidates for the CO 2 capture., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The optimum reaction parameters for the interaction of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] with diphenylcarbazide in microfluidic chips (μFIA) with thermal-lens microscopic detection were selected. The characteristic feature of the applied flow scheme is the injection of the reagent into the stream containing the test metal, which enables in-field and real-time monitoring of Cr(VI) simply by flowing the sample continuously through the microchip. The limit of detection of Cr(VI) under the selected conditions (signal generating wavelength, 514.5 nm; excitation power, 100 mW; detection position, 10 cm downstream from the mixing zone of the microchip; flow rate 10 μL min-1; injection volume, 1.4 μL) is 15 ng mL-1 (2.9 × 10-7 mol L-1). The linear range is 40 ng mL-1 - 10 μg mL-1 with a relative standard deviation no higher than 10% in the concentration range 0.1-1 μg mL-1. The online monitoring by this scheme provides the possibility of up to 360 analyses per hour.

Efficient environment protection and human safety require high-throughput analysis techniques for pollutants or toxicants for large sample sets. State-of-the-art HPLC and GC coupled to various detecting strategies offer excellent sensitivity and selectivity, though they are quite time-extensive (2 - 3 samples/h or less when sample preparation is involved). Efforts are made towards screening techniques with high sample throughputs simultaneously providing detection limits below the maximum contaminant levels for the analyte. However, such approaches frequently sacrifice the selectivity or sensitivity (or just give a yes/no response). In this review, we demonstrate thermal-lens spectrometry and microscopy as highly sensitive spectrometric techniques in combination with flow-injection analysis (FIA) and microfluidic FIA along with lab-on-a-chip chemistry for fast screening (several samples/h and up to 20 samples/min) exemplified by organophosphates and carbamates as neurotoxigenic compounds. Various approaches to determining other topical toxicants, like microcystin and cyanopigments as its indicators, allergens, and carcinogenic chromate, are also discussed.