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The stellar optoelectronic properties of metal halide perovskites provide enormous promise for next-generation optical devices with excellent conversion efficiencies and lower manufacturing costs. However, there is a long-standing ambiguity as to whether the perovskite surface/interface (e.g. structure, charge transfer or source of off-target recombination) or bulk properties are the more determining factor in device performance. Here we fabricate an array of CsPbI3 crystal and hybrid glass composites by sintering and globally visualise the property-performance landscape. Our findings reveal that the interface is the primary determinant of the crystal phases, optoelectronic quality, and stability of CsPbI3. In particular, the presence of a diffusion alloying layer is discovered to be critical for passivating surface traps, and beneficially altering the energy landscape of crystal phases. However, high-temperature sintering results in the promotion of a non-stoichiometric perovskite and excess traps at the interface, despite the short-range structure of halide is retained within the alloying layer. By shedding light on functional hetero-interfaces, our research offers the key factors for engineering high-performance perovskite devices.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar diferentes doses de silício (Si), aplicados via foliar, no crescimento de plantas de alface. Para isso, mudas de alface, Lactuca sativa L., variedade crespa, cultivar “Vanda”, cresceram em vasos plásticos contendo 5 dm3 de substrato no interior da casa de vegetação do Instituto Federal Catarinense, Campus Videira. As plantas cresceram com o substrato mantido próxima a capacidade de campo até o final do experimento, com duração de 45 dias após o transplante (DAT) das mudas para os vasos. O controle da irrigação foi realizado pelo método gravimétrico (pesagem diária dos vasos), adicionando-se água até que a massa do vaso atingisse o valor prévio determinado, considerando-se a massa do solo e de água. A aplicação das doses de Si foi realizada através de um pulverizador manual com capacidade de 500 mL e um bico tipo leque para aplicação. Plantas controles onde não foram aplicadas o Si, foram pulverizadas com água destilada. Utilizou-se o fertilizante foliar mineral simples silicato de potássio (Flex Silício®) nas doses: 0 ml/L (Controle), 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 e 6,0 ml/L de silicato de potássio, aplicados a cada 10 DAT das mudas para os vasos. O experimento foi montado num delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro repetições, em cinco níveis de doses do silicato de potássio (0, 1,5; 3,0; 4,5 e 6,0 ml/L). Cada unidade experimental foi composta de um vaso plástico contendo uma planta. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, e os tratamentos comparados pelo teste de Tukey (5% de probabilidade), utilizando o programa o software R®, versão 4.3.2. As avaliações de crescimento foram realizadas no final do período experimental, aos 45 DAT das mudas para os vasos. Em cada coleta foram analisados por planta em cada tratamento as seguintes variáveis: número de folhas, diâmetro do coleto, altura, a matéria seca da folha, caule, raiz e total (folha, ramos e haste, e raiz). De acordo com os resultados obtidos foi observado que o fornecimento de Si beneficiou o crescimento das plantas, como foi evidenciado pelos aumentos significativos encontrados para o diâmetro caulinar e a altura. O Si contribuiu para o incrementos significativos da matéria seca da folha, do caule e da raiz, levando ao maior acúmulo de matéria seca total das plantas, principalmente na dose de 6 ml/L de silicato de potássio, favorecendo o crescimento.

Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing challenge in semen preservation of breeding animals, especially in the porcine species. Bacteria are a natural component of semen, and their growth should be inhibited to protect sperm fertilizing capacity and the female’s health. In pig breeding, where semen is routinely stored at 17°C in the liquid state, alternatives to conventional antibiotics are urgently needed. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of bacteria is a well-established tool in medicine and the food industry but this technology has not been widely adopted in semen preservation. The specific challenge in this setting is to selectively inactivate bacteria while maintaining sperm integrity and functionality. The aim of this study was to test the principle of PDI in liquid stored boar semen using the photosensitizer 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(N-methyl-4-pyridyl)-21H,23H-porphine (TMPyP) and a white light LED-setup. In the first step, photophysical experiments comprising singlet oxygen phosphorescence kinetics of TMPyP and determination of the photosensitizer triplet time revealed a sufficiently high production of reactive singlet oxygen in the Androstar Premium semen extender, whereas seminal plasma acted as strong quencher. In vitro experiments with extended boar semen showed that the established PDI protocol preserves sperm motility, membrane integrity, DNA integrity, and mitochondrial activity while efficiently reducing the bacteria below the detection limit. A proof-of-concept insemination study confirmed the in vivo fertility of semen after photodynamic treatment. In conclusion, using the PDI approach, an innovative tool was established that efficiently controls bacteria growth in extended boar and maintains sperm fertility. This could be a promising contribution to the One Health concept with the potential to reduce antimicrobial resistance in animal husbandry.

Nanostructured carbon materials with designer geometries are of great interest for a wide range of energy‐based and environmental applications due to their tunable microstructure, which allows for optimized properties and performance, as well as their ability to be shaped in complex three‐dimensional (3D) geometries suited for targeted applications. However, achieving a controllable way for preparing nanostructured carbon materials with precise macroscale control has proven to be challenging. Herein, a straightforward approach for 3D printing of nanostructured polyacrylonitrile (PAN)‐derived carbon materials controlled by employing self‐assembling resins in liquid crystal display printing is presented. The correlation between resin composition, printing parameters, and PAN thermal transformation conditions is identified using a combination of thermoanalytical and structural techniques. The nanostructured PAN materials are readily transformed into carbon with a voided microstructure while retaining the original macro‐architecture of the 3D printed polymer precursor objects. The resulting carbon materials are electrically conductive and feature nitrogen active sites controlled by pyrolysis temperature. This method offers a simple way to produce nanostructured carbon‐based materials with an arbitrary shape, presenting the possibility of advantageous characteristics for a range of potential applications in both the fields of energy and the environment.

Abstract The stellar optoelectronic properties of metal halide perovskites provide enormous promise for next-generation optical devices with excellent conversion efficiencies and lower manufacturing costs. However, there is a long-standing ambiguity as to whether the perovskite surface/interface (e.g. structure, charge transfer or source of off-target recombination) or bulk properties are the more determining factor in device performance. Here we fabricate an array of CsPbI3 crystal and hybrid glass composites by sintering and globally visualise the property-performance landscape. Our findings reveal that the interface is the primary determinant of the crystal phases, optoelectronic quality, and stability of CsPbI3. In particular, the presence of a diffusion “alloying” layer is discovered to be critical for passivating surface traps, and beneficially altering the energy landscape of crystal phases. However, high-temperature sintering results in the promotion of a non-stoichiometric perovskite and excess traps at the interface, despite the short-range structure of halide is retained within the alloying layer. By shedding light on functional hetero-interfaces, our research offers the key factors for engineering high-performance perovskite devices.

Quality assurance in research helps to ensure reliability and comparable results within a study. This includes reliable measurement equipment and data-processing. The Azure Kinect DK is a popular sensor used in studies with human subjects that tracks numerous joint positions with the Azure Kinect Body Tracking SDK. Prior experiments in literature indicate that light might influence the results of the body tracking. As similar light conditions are not always given in study protocols, the impact needs to be analyzed to ensure comparable results. We ran two experiments, one with four different light conditions and one with repeated measures of similar light conditions, and compared the results by calculating the random error of depth measurement, the mean distance error of the detected joint positions, and the distance between left and right ankle. The results showed that recordings with similar light conditions produce comparable results, with a maximum difference in the median value of mean distance error of 0.06 mm, while different light conditions result in inconsistent outcomes with a difference in the median value of mean distance error of up to 0.35 mm. Therefore, light might have an influence on the Azure Kinect and its body tracking. Especially additional infrared light appears to have a negative impact on the results. Therefore, we recommend recording various videos in a study under similar light conditions whenever possible, and avoiding additional sources of infrared light.

IntroductionSeroma development is a known complication following extremity and trunk soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) resection. The purpose of this study is to evaluate and characterize seroma outcomes and the development of associated complications.MethodsA retrospective review of 123 patients who developed postoperative seromas following STS resection at a single institution was performed. Various patient and surgical factors were analyzed to determine their effect on overall seroma outcomes.Results77/123 seromas (62.6%) were uncomplicated, 30/123 (24.4%) developed infection, and 16/123 (13.0%) were symptomatic and required aspiration or drainage for symptom relief at an average of 12.2 months postoperatively. 65/123 (52.8%) seromas resolved spontaneously at an average time of 12.41 months. Seromas in the lower extremity (p=0.028), surgical resection volume >864 cm3, (p=42 cm3 (p=864 cm3 and a large seroma volume >42 cm3 are risk factors for complications.

Lysosomal free sialic acid storage disorder (FSASD) is an extremely rare, autosomal recessive, neurodegenerative, multisystemic disorder caused by defects in the lysosomal sialic acid membrane exporter SLC17A5 (sialin). SLC17A5 defects cause free sialic acid and some other acidic hexoses to accumulate in lysosomes, resulting in enlarged lysosomes in some cell types and 10-100-fold increased urinary excretion of free sialic acid. Clinical features of FSASD include coarse facial features, organomegaly, and progressive neurodegenerative symptoms with cognitive impairment, cerebellar ataxia and muscular hypotonia. Central hypomyelination with cerebellar atrophy and thinning of the corpus callosum are also prominent disease features. Around 200 FSASD cases are reported worldwide, with the clinical spectrum ranging from a severe infantile onset form, often lethal in early childhood, to a mild, less severe form with subjects living into adulthood, also called Salla disease. The pathobiology of FSASD remains poorly understood and FSASD is likely underdiagnosed. Known patients have experienced a diagnostic delay due to the rarity of the disorder, absence of routine urine sialic acid testing, and non-specific clinical symptoms, including developmental delay, ataxia and infantile hypomyelination. There is no approved therapy for FSASD. We initiated a multidisciplinary collaborative effort involving worldwide academic clinical and scientific FSASD experts, the National Institutes of Health (USA), and the FSASD patient advocacy group (Salla Treatment and Research [S.T.A.R.] Foundation) to overcome the scientific, clinical and financial challenges facing the development of new treatments for FSASD. We aim to collect data that incentivize industry to further develop, obtain approval for, and commercialize FSASD treatments. This review summarizes current aspects of FSASD diagnosis, prevalence, etiology, and disease models, as well as challenges on the path to therapeutic approaches for FSASD.

The sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin is increasingly used in the treatment of diabetes and heart failure. Dapagliflozin has been associated with reduced incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in clinical trials. We hypothesized that the favorable antiarrhythmic outcome of dapagliflozin use may be caused in part by previously unrecognized effects on atrial repolarizing potassium (K+) channels. This study was designed to assess direct pharmacological effects of dapagliflozin on cloned ion channels Kv11.1, Kv1.5, Kv4.3, Kir2.1, K2P2.1, K2P3.1, and K2P17.1, contributing to IKur, Ito, IKr, IK1, and IK2P K+ currents. Human channels coded by KCNH2, KCNA5, KCND3, KCNJ2, KCNK2, KCNK3, and KCNK17 were heterologously expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes, and currents were recorded using the voltage clamp technique. Dapagliflozin (100 µM) reduced Kv11.1 and Kv1.5 currents, whereas Kir2.1, K2P2.1, and K2P17.1 currents were enhanced. The drug did not significantly affect peak current amplitudes of Kv4.3 or K2P3.1 K+ channels. Biophysical characterization did not reveal significant effects of dapagliflozin on current–voltage relationships of study channels. In conclusion, dapagliflozin exhibits direct functional interactions with human atrial K+ channels underlying IKur, IKr, IK1, and IK2P currents. Substantial activation of K2P2.1 and K2P17.1 currents could contribute to the beneficial antiarrhythmic outcome associated with the drug. Indirect or chronic effects remain to be investigated in vivo.

Abstract Introduction During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, worldwide restrictions in social life, including the closure of sport facilities, led to a reduction of physical activity and subjective well-being. The aim of this study is to describe physical training habits, and subjective well-being in relation to objective training data from a chip-controlled fitness circuit in the rural area of Oldenburg, Germany. Materials and methods Overall, 35 older adults (20 women 71 ± 6 y/o and 15 men, 72 ± 7 y/o), regularly exercising in a chip-controlled fitness circuit before the lockdown in March 2020, were interviewed. The training data from February to August 2020 from six strength and two endurance exercise devices were extracted and compared to data before and up to three months after the lockdown. Additionally, participants’ personal characteristics, physical activities and quality of life before, during, and after the first lockdown were assessed. Results The leg score (pre, postJune, postJuly, postAugust: 1207 ± 469 kg, 1248 ± 477 kg, 1254 ± 516 kg, 1283 ± 493 kg; p = 0.137) and endurance scores (ergometer: 0.93 ± 0.35 min− 1 · watt− 1, 0.86 ± 0.31 min− 1 · watt− 1, 0.86 ± 0.31 min− 1 · watt− 1, 0.85 ± 0.28 min− 1 · watt− 1 ; p = 0.442) were not significantly different, in contrast to the rowing score (1426 ± 582 kg, 1558 ± 704 kg, 1630 ± 757 kg, 1680 ± 837 kg; p

Abstract To date, the restricted capability to fabricate ceramics with independently tailored nano‐ and macroscopic features has hindered their implementation in a wide range of crucial technological areas, including aeronautics, defense, and microelectronics. In this study, a novel approach that combines self‐ and digital assembly to create polymer‐derived ceramics with highly controlled structures spanning from the nano‐ to macroscale is introduced. Polymerization‐induced microphase separation of a resin during digital light processing generates materials with nanoscale morphologies, with the distinct phases consisting of either a preceramic precursor or a sacrificial polymer. By precisely controlling the molecular weight of the sacrificial polymer, the domain size of the resulting material phases can be finely tuned. Pyrolysis of the printed objects yields ceramics with complex macroscale geometries and nanoscale porosity, which display excellent thermal and oxidation resistance, and morphology‐dependent thermal conduction properties. This method offers a valuable technological platform for the simplified fabrication of nanostructured ceramics with complex shapes.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar o levantamento quali-quantitativo da arborização do Instituto Federal Catarinense, Campus Videira. O método utilizado foi do tipo censo, também denominado inventário total. Durante o estudo foram identificadas as espécies arbóreas e famílias, assim como, a origem, além do uso principal. Avaliou-se o tipo de ramificação, a intervenção da poda, a fitossanidade, além do conflito das copas das árvores com a rede elétrica. As medidas dendométricas das espécies foram realizadas através da altura total e diâmetro na altura do peito. De acordo com os resultados obtidos foram identificadas 51 espécies arbóreas, pertencentes a 26 famílias, totalizando 344 indivíduos. As famílias Fabaceae, seguida da Myrtaceae, Rutaceae e Arecaceae, apresentaram o maior número de espécies botânicas, com 07, 05, 05 e 04. As demais famílias apresentaram de 01 a 02 espécies. Entre as espécies utilizadas para compor a arborização, houve predominância de Pinus taeda e Populus Nigra (24 indivíduos) seguida por Psidium cattleyanum (23 indivíduos). Considerando o número de indivíduos levantados, as espécies exóticas representaram a maioria absoluta, com 72,7% do total (250 indivíduos). A maioria das espécies apresentou ramificação simpodial (60,2%). Quanto à poda das espécies arbóreas, foi observado que a maioria dos indivíduos (81,4% do total) não foi realizada a intervenção. Notou-se, que 100% dos indivíduos arbóreos foram implantados em locais com ausência de rede elétrica, ou seja, distanciados das fiações aéreas. O porte observado revelou uma predominância de árvores jovens, com a altura dos indivíduos entre 5 a 10m e diâmetro na altura do peito entre 0,00 a 15,1cm. A distribuição populacional das espécies nas áreas verdes foi equilibrada, reforçando o bom planejamento adotado e a adequação dos indivíduos arbóreos nos espaços durante a implantação. O levantamento realizado evidenciou a necessidade de ações para o cuidado com a poda e com a fitossanidade das plantas. Neste sentido, faz necessário que medidas de gestão sejam contempladas e normas técnicas de manejo sejam estabelecidas de acordo com a necessidade de manutenção das espécies.

Abstract Introduction Conventional treatment of pulmonary metastatic sarcoma primarily involves surgery, with systemic therapy added in select patients. However, broader applications of radiation therapy techniques have prompted investigation into the use of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for treatment of metastatic sarcoma, an attractive non-invasive intervention with potential for lower rates of adverse events than surgery. Current data are limited to retrospective analyses. This study analyzed 2-year local control and overall survival and adverse events in patients prospectively treated with SBRT to pulmonary sarcoma metastases. Methods Patients prospectively treated with SBRT to the lung for biopsy-proven metastatic sarcoma at a single institution from 2010 to 2022 were included. SBRT dose/fractionation treatment regimens ranged from 34 to 54 Gy in 1–10 fractions using photons. Local recurrence, local progression-free survival (LPFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from the end of SBRT. Univariable analysis (UVA) was performed using the log-rank test. Multivariable analysis (MVA) was performed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Adverse events due to SBRT were graded based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4.0. Results Eighteen patients with metastatic sarcoma were treated to 26 pulmonary metastases. The median local progression-free survival was not met. The median overall survival was not met. The local control rate at 2 years was 96%. 2-year LPFS was 95.5% and OS was 74%. Three patients (16.7%) developed grade 1 adverse events from SBRT. There were no adverse events attributed to radiation that were grade 2 or higher. Conclusion We report prospective data demonstrating that SBRT for sarcoma pulmonary metastases affords a high rate of local control and low toxicity, consistent with prior sarcoma SBRT retrospective data. This study adds to the wealth of information on SBRT in a radioresistant tumor. Though largely limited to retrospective reviews, current data indicate high rates of local control with favorable toxicity profiles. Therefore, SBRT for pulmonary sarcoma metastases may be considered for properly selected patients.

Transgenic overexpression of αKlotho in hepatocytes results in protection against renal insults, possibly through modulation of the ER stress response by circulating αKlotho. In contrast, αKlotho overexpressed in podocytes is not renoprotective.

Background: Accidental falls are a major health issue in older people. One significant and potentially modifiable risk factor is reduced gait stability. Clinicians do not have sophisticated kinematic options to measure this risk factor with simple and affordable systems. Depth-imaging with AI-pose estimation can be used for gait analysis in young healthy adults. However, is it applicable for measuring gait in older adults at a risk of falling? Methods: In this methodological comparison 59 older adults with and without a history of falls walked on a treadmill while their gait pattern was recorded with multiple inertial measurement units and with an Azure Kinect depth-camera. Spatiotemporal gait parameters of both systems were compared for convergent validity and with a Bland-Altman plot. Results: Correlation between systems for stride length (r=.992, $\text{p} < 0.001$ ) and stride time (r=0.914, $\text{p} < 0.001$ ) was high. Bland-Altman plots revealed a moderate agreement in stride length (−0.74 ± 3.68 cm; [−7.96 cm to 6.47 cm]) and stride time (−3.7±54 ms; [−109 ms to 102 ms]). Conclusion: Gait parameters in older adults with and without a history of falls can be measured with inertial measurement units and Azure Kinect cameras. Affordable and small depth-cameras agree with IMUs for gait analysis in older adults with and without an increased risk of falling. However, tolerable accuracy is limited to the average over multiple steps of spatiotemporal parameters derived from the initial foot contact. Clinical Translation Statement— Gait parameters in older adults with and without a history of falls can be measured with inertial measurement units and Azure Kinect. Affordable and small depth-cameras, developed for various purposes in research and industry, agree with IMUs in clinical gait analysis in older adults with and without an increased risk of falling. However, tolerable accuracy to assess function or monitor changes in gait is limited to the average over multiple steps of spatiotemporal parameters derived from the initial foot contact.

Quantum devices based on InSb nanowires (NWs) are a prime candidate system for realizing and exploring topologically-protected quantum states and for electrically-controlled spin-based qubits. The influence of disorder on achieving reliable quantum transport regimes has been studied theoretically, highlighting the importance of optimizing both growth and nanofabrication. In this work, we consider both aspects. We developed InSb NW with thin diameters, as well as a novel gating approach, involving few-layer graphene and atomic layer deposition-grown AlO _x . Low-temperature electronic transport measurements of these devices reveal conductance plateaus and Fabry–Pérot interference, evidencing phase-coherent transport in the regime of few quantum modes. The approaches developed in this work could help mitigate the role of material and fabrication-induced disorder in semiconductor-based quantum devices.

IntroductionEnchondromas and grade 1 chondrosarcomas are commonly encountered low-grade chondroid tumors in the proximal humerus. While there is a concern for malignant transformation, few studies have evaluated the natural history of these lesions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the natural history of proximal humerus low-grade chondroid lesions managed both conservatively and surgically, and to define management criteria using clinical and radiographic findings for these low-grade chondroid lesions.MethodsThe patient population included 90 patients intended for conservative treatment and 22 patients proceeding directly to surgery. Data collection was based on a combination of chart review and patient imaging and descriptive statistics were calculated for each group.ResultsNo malignant transformations were noted amongst any group. In the conservative treatment group, 7 of 64 (11%) progressed to surgery after an average of 20.3 months of conservative treatment due to persistent pain unexplained by other shoulder pathology. Importantly, 71% experienced continued pain at a mean of 53.1 months post-operatively. The group that went directly to surgery also demonstrated pain in 41% at an average follow-up of 57.3 months.DiscussionLow-grade cartilaginous lesions of the proximal humerus without concerning imaging findings can be managed with conservative treatment and the risk of malignant transformation is very low. Patients with a clear source of their shoulder pain unrelated to their tumor and without concerning characteristics on imaging can be managed with serial annual radiographic imaging. Patients undergoing surgery for these indolent tumors are likely to experience persistent pain even after surgery.

Admati, Demarzo, Hellwig, and Pfleiderer (ADHP, 2018) note that static models of optimal leverage have assumed firms have no prior debt. In this case, the leverage that maximizes firm value also maximizes value to the initial equity owners. However, using a simple two-period model with zero coupon debt and default possible only at maturity, ADHP prove two startling results: (i) when prior debt is extant, it will never benefit equity holders to retire debt, no matter how high the current leverage; and (ii) it will be in the equity owners' interest to issue sequential rounds of additional debt, until all the tax advantages of debt are exhausted: the “Leverage Ratcheting Effect” (LRE). An immediate conclusion is that one-round (static) models of optimal debt issuance with no prior debt provide poor guidance as to a firm's optimal leverage. We examine these contentions using an alternative model of debt, with rollover at a proportional rate m and average maturity = 1/m, introduced in Leland (1994a). We show that when the average maturity of debt is substantially longer than 5 years, considerable further debt will indeed be issued, although issuance ceases well before tax benefits are exhausted. With 5-year average maturity, very little additional debt is issued under reasonable calibrations. With 3-year average maturity, no additional debt is issued and it may actually be optimal for the firm to buy back debt, in contradiction to the LRE. We explain why our model gives differing results.