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Abstract Introduction Sepsis and cancer are both leading causes of death worldwide, and they share several pathophysiological characteristics. Some studies have suggested a possible association between sepsis and cancer; however, few have investigated the core genes involved in both diseases. Methods Core genes common to both sepsis and cancer were identified using pediatric sepsis datasets (GEO: GSE26378, GSE4607, GSE8121 and GSE13904) and cancer databases (TCGA: BRCA, COADREAD, ESCA, KIRC, LIHC, LUAD, STAD). Gene Ontology (GO) and Reactome enrichment analyses, along with a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, were performed. Pharmacophore screening was applied to predict the targets of oxymatrine and ulinastatin, and potential target genes shared by both cancer and sepsis were identified. Survival analysis was performed. The association between the target genes and tumor size and number of positive lymph nodes was investigated by Pearson correlation analysis. The association between the target genes and tumor stage was investigated by Fisher’s exact test. Molecular docking analysis was performed to evaluate the affinity of the candidate drugs for their targets. Results A total of 641 common genes were identified. GO enrichment analysis showed that common genes were enriched in neutrophil degranulation, inflammatory response and innate immune response. Reactome enrichment analysis showed that common genes were enriched in neutrophil degranulation, interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling, transcriptional regulation of granulopoiesis and interleukin-10 signaling. The PPI network showed that the top 10 core genes were TLR4, IL1B, IL10, ITGAM, TLR2, PTPRC, CDK1, FOS, MMP9 and ITGB2. The survival analysis showed that the high expression of BCAT1, CSAD, G6PD, GM2A, MMP9, PYGL and TOP2A was associated with poorer prognosis in several cancers. Molecular docking showed that oxymatrine and ulinastatin can bind to protein targets with highly stable binding. Conclusions We identified genes with common effects on both childhood sepsis and cancer, which provides new insights into the association between sepsis and cancer. In addition, two drugs with potential clinical application value were identified. Further studies are required to validate the role of these common core genes in sepsis and cancer and to evaluate the potential utility of these drugs.

Abstract Color centers in silicon carbide (SiC) offer exciting possibilities for quantum information processing. However, the challenge of ionization during optical manipulation leads to charge variations, hampering the efficacy of spin-photon interfaces. Recent research predicted that modified divacancy color centers can stabilize their charge states, resisting photoionization. This study presents a method for precisely creating single divacancy arrays in 4H-SiC using a focused helium ion beam. Photoluminescence tests reveal consistent emission with minimal linewidth fluctuations (∼50 MHz over 3 h). By measuring the ionization rate for different polytypes of divacancies, we found that the modified divacancies are more robust against resonant excitation. Furthermore, angle-resolved photoluminescence excitation spectra unveil two resonant-transition lines with orthogonal polarizations. Enhanced optical and spin characteristics were notably observed in these color centers compared to those generated through carbon-ion and shallow implantation methods, positioning modified divacancies as promising contenders for advancing quantum networking.

Dynamic strain ageing (DSA) in an austenitic Ni-based alloy was investigated by symmetric/asymmetric low cycle fatigue tests with different strain amplitudes at 350 °C. A quantitative analysis of DSA activity was provided in terms of the characteristic parameters (DSA transient and serration length), and associated microstructural features were explored. Particular attention was paid to the comparison in the DSA domain between Ni- and Fe-based austenite with different strain ratios. Results showed that DSA existed throughout life and led to the continuous cyclic hardening in austenitic Ni-based alloy. The DSA activity first decreased and remained almost constant under symmetric loadings. A gradual increase in DSA activity was observed for the asymmetric loadings before the final failure. In addition, a physical model was presented to explore the DSA mechanisms of austenitic Ni-based alloys in different temperature ranges. Specifically, at 350 °C, DSA is caused by C diffusion in austenite, while at higher temperatures, it may be caused by Cr diffusion. Moreover, for a given mechanism, the DSA occurred at a higher temperature range in Ni-based alloy than in Fe-based alloy.

Abstract The low alloy bainitic steel used in reactor pressure vessels deteriorates during thermal service while the macroscopic thermodynamic parameters that cause thermal aging remains unknown. In this work, a thermal aging restructuring scheme was proposed by step-up aging the steel from 350 °C to 490 °C, with a total duration of 7500 hours. Samples from varied thickness of the steel were characterized in terms of carbides evolution and Charpy impact toughness at 20 °C. The carbide size and its fraction were statistically analyzed showing partial coarsening and dissolution during aging, while the carbide fraction was found linearly correlated with the impact energy for the first time. The critical transition temperature parameter of the aging process was found to be 470 °C for the steel. The macroscopic thermodynamic parameters, including the thermal aging time and temperature, facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the material degradation mechanism and provide a basis for long-term safety of equipment.

Abstract Manipulation of confined water dynamics by voltage keeps great importance for diverse applications. However, limitations on the membrane functions, voltage-control range, and unclear dynamics need to be addressed. Herein, we report an anomalous electrically controlled gating phenomenon on cation-intercalated multi-layer Ti3C2 membranes and reveal the confined water dynamics. The water permeation rate was improved rapidly following the application and rise of voltage and finally reached a maximum rate at 0.9 V. The permeation rate starts to decrease from 0.9 V. Below 0.9 V, the electric field affects the charge and polarity of water molecules and then leads to ordered and denser rearrangement in the two-dimensional (2D) channel to accelerate the permeation rate. Above 0.9 V, with the assistance of metal cations, the surge in current induced aggregation of water molecules into clusters, thereby limiting the water mobility. Based on these findings, a high-performance humidity sensor was developed by simultaneously optimizing the response and recovery speeds through electric manipulation. This work provides flexible strategies in intelligent membrane design and nanofluidic sensing.

Abstract Two-dimensional (2D) transition metal nitrides and carbides (MXenes), represented by Ti3C2Tx, have broad applications in flexible electronics, electromechanical devices, and structural membranes due to their unique physical and chemical properties. Despite the Young’s modulus of 2D Ti3C2Tx has been theoretically predicted to be 0.502 TPa, which has not been experimentally confirmed so far due to the measurement is extremely restricted. Here, by optimizing the sample preparation, cutting, and transfer protocols, we perform the direct in-situ tensile tests on monolayer Ti3C2Tx nanosheets using nanomechanical push-to-pull equipment under a scanning electron microscope. The effective Young’s modulus is 0.484 ± 0.013 TPa, which is much closer to the theoretical value of 0.502 TPa than the previously reported 0.33 TPa by the disputed nanoindentation method, and the measured elastic stiffness is ~948 N/m. Moreover, during the process of tensile loading, the monolayer Ti3C2Tx shows an average elastic strain of ~3.2% and a tensile strength as large as ~15.4 GPa. This work corrects the previous reports by nanoindentation method and demonstrates that the Ti3C2Tx indeed keeps immense potential for broad range of applications.

Abstract Developing in situ/operando spectroscopic techniques with high sensitivity and reproducibility is of great importance for mechanistic investigations of surface-mediated electrochemical reactions. Herein, we report the fabrication of highly ordered rhombic gold nanocube superlattices (GNSs) as substrates for surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) with significantly enhanced SEIRA effect, which can be controlled by manipulating the randomness of GNSs. Finite difference time domain simulations reveal that the electromagnetic effect accounts for the significantly improved spectroscopic vibrations on the GNSs. In situ SEIRAS results show that the vibrations of CO on the Cu2O surfaces have been enhanced by 2.4 ± 0.5 and 18.0 ± 1.3 times using GNSs as substrates compared to those on traditional chemically deposited gold films in acidic and neutral electrolytes, respectively. Combined with isotopic labeling experiments, the reaction mechanisms for C-C coupling of CO electroreduction on Cu-based catalysts are revealed using the GNSs substrates.

Abstract Understanding the structure-stability relationship of catalysts is imperative for the development of high-performance electrocatalytic devices. Herein, we utilize operando attenuated total reflectance surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) to quantitatively monitor the evolution of Cu single-atom catalysts (SACs) during the electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR). Cu SACs are converted into 2-nm Cu nanoparticles through a reconstruction process during CO2RR. The evolution rate of Cu SACs is highly dependent on the substrates of the catalysts due to the coordination difference. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the stability of Cu SACs is highly dependent on their formation energy, which can be manipulated by controlling the affinity between Cu sites and substrates. This work highlights the use of operando ATR-SEIRAS to achieve mechanistic understanding of structure-stability relationship for long-term applications.

Pipettes are essential tools for biomedical and analytical laboratories, analogous to workstations for computer scientists. Variation in pipetting is a known unknown, as it is generally accepted that variations exist, but thus far, there have been limited studies on the extent of these variations in practice. In this mini-review, we highlight how manual pipetting is a key technique in the laboratory, and, although simple, inaccuracy and imprecision exist. If variations are not adequately addressed, errors can be compounded and consequently compromise data quality. Determination of the accuracy and precision of manual pipetting is straightforward, and here we review two common approaches that use gravimetry and spectrophotometry as readouts. We also provide detailed protocols for determination of accuracy and precision using manual single and multi-channel pipettes. These simple-to-use methods can be used by any laboratory for competency training and regular checks. Having a common protocol for evaluation of variation will also enable cross-laboratory comparison and potentially facilitate establishment of a reference value of acceptable ranges for operator error. Such a value could be of relevance to the scientific community for benchmarking and assuring good laboratory practice.

Abstract Low cycle fatigue often interacts with stress corrosion cracking behavior. In this work, the effect of low cycle fatigue on stress corrosion cracking susceptibility of a CrNiMoV steel was investigated by interrupted fatigue tests in air and slow strain rate tensile tests in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution at 180 °C. Microstructure evolution characterization verified cyclic softening and was found to improve stress corrosion cracking resistance with crack deflection along lath martensites due to a decrease of residual stress, phase transformation and increase of low-energy structures. As a semi-quantitative damage indicator, the microstructure evolution due to low cycle fatigue damage can be well described by the Kernel Average Misorientation (KAM) from the Electron Backscatter Diffraction technique. The effect of fatigue damage on stress corrosion sensitivity was found predictable based on the linear relationship between KAM and stress corrosion sensitivity factor of reduction of area.

Objective Acute respiratory infections are a major global public health concern. However, there are few epidemiological studies investigating pathogens associated with respiratory tract infections in Guizhou Province, China. Methods We collected 17,850 blood samples from Guizhou Provincial People’s Hospital between November 2018 and May 2023 to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory pathogens and their spread during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Guizhou Province. Results We identified influenza virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae as the predominant pathogens involved in acute respiratory infections in the study area. Immunoglobulin M positivity for respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, and M. pneumoniae showed a strong correlation with the clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. Seasonal epidemic patterns were observed for influenza A and B viruses. Following the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, there was a significant decrease in the positive rates for most respiratory pathogens, particularly influenza A and B, Legionella pneumophila , and respiratory syncytial virus. Conclusion This retrospective study contributes to the epidemiological evidence regarding respiratory pathogens in Guizhou Province, thereby enhancing the surveillance network for respiratory pathogens in China and providing valuable guidance for local hospitals.

Considering the electrochemical reaction and chemical reaction near the crack in the local corrosion environment, the stress corrosion cracking growth rate prediction model for nuclear power turbine rotor steel was established based on the slip dissolution mechanism and finite element method. The calculated parameters were defined based on the material and electrochemical properties of steam turbine rotor in the simulated environment, and the calculated results can agree well with the experiment results. Results revealed that the stress intensity factor has an important influence on the local corrosion environment at the crack tip, the electrode potential is decreased and the process of anodic dissolution is accelerated with the increase of the stress intensity factor. Furthermore, the prediction model can describe stage-I and stage-II of stress corrosion cracking propagation well, and provide a possible trend prediction for practical production practice.

The influence of stress-controlled fatigue (SCF) damage on the fracture location shifting of welded joints for NiCrMoV steels in the corrosive solution of 3.5wt.% NaCl is systematically investigated by electrochemical measurements, immersion tests, slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) tests, and fractural morphology observations in the present work. The results show that both the yield strength (YS) and the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of welded joints are increased after the SCF tests. The susceptibility of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and galvanic corrosion of the SCF damaged welded joints are higher than that of the as-received specimens. In addition, the fracture locations of welded joints after SSRT tests in the corrosive solution are shifted with the degree of SCF damage. Different degrees of fatigue damage are accumulated in the three zones of welded joints during the cyclic deformation, which could change the competitive relation of the most susceptive SCC zone between the fusion zone and the middle of WM.

Abstract Ferroelectrets (also called piezoelectrets) are relatively young members in the family of piezo‐, pyro‐ and ferroelectric materials. They exhibit ferroic behaviour phenomenologically undistinguishable from that of traditional ferroelectrics, although the materials per se are essentially non‐polar space‐charge electrets with artificial macroscopic dipoles (i.e. internally charged cavities). Since ferroelectrets not only represent a scientific curiosity but also have great application potential, they have attracted tremendous attention from science and industry. The research and development of ferroelectrets has witnessed significant progress in the past few years. New ferroelectrets with large transverse piezoelectric activity, biodegradable ferroelectrets as well as 3‐D printed ferroelectrets are reported. Charging methods of high efficiency are proposed based on better understanding of the physico‐chemical processes during charging. New insights into the piezoelectricity of ferroelectrets are provided. The development of ferroelectret‐based piezoelectric‐magnetic multimodal transducer films opens up new avenues for the research of ferroelectrets. Particularly, more and more novel applications of ferroelectrets in flexible pressure sensors, health monitoring, energy harvesting, air‐coupled ultrasonic non‐destructive testing etc. are reported. Here, these exciting recent advancements in the field of ferroelectret research are reviewed and discussed.

Topology is being widely adopted to understand and to categorize quantum matter in modern physics. The nexus of topology orders, which engenders distinct quantum phases with benefits to both fundamental research and practical applications for future quantum devices, can be driven by topological phase transition through modulating intrinsic or extrinsic ordering parameters. The conjoined topology, however, is still elusive in experiments due to the lack of suitable material platforms. Here we use scanning tunneling microscopy, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations to investigate the doping-driven band structure evolution of a quasi-one-dimensional material system, bismuth halide, which contains rare multiple band inversions in two time-reversal-invariant momenta. According to the unique bulk-boundary correspondence in topological matter, we unveil a composite topological phase, the coexistence of a strong topological phase and a high-order topological phase, evoked by the band inversion associated with topological phase transition in this system. Moreover, we reveal multiple-stage topological phase transitions by varying the halide element ratio: from high-order topology to weak topology, the unusual dual topology, and trivial/weak topology subsequently. Our results not only realize an ideal material platform with composite topology, but also provide an insightful pathway to establish abundant topological phases in the framework of band inversion theory. The authors find multiple topological transitions and a composite topological phase by two mutually exclusive topological orders, strong topological order and high-order topological order, in a quasi-1D system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate energy data from noncovalent interactions are essential for constructing force fields for molecular dynamics simulations of bio-macromolecular systems. There are two important practical issues in the construction of a reliable force field with the hope of balancing the desired chemical accuracy and working efficiency. One is to determine a suitable quantum chemistry level of theory for calculating interaction energies. The other is to use a suitable continuous energy function to model the quantum chemical energy data. For the first issue, we have recently calculated the intermolecular interaction energies using the SAPT0 level of theory, and we have systematically organized these energies into the ab initio SOFG-31 (homodimer) and SOFG-31-heterodimer datasets. In this work, we re-calculate these interaction energies by using the more advanced SAPT2 level of theory with a wider series of basis sets. Our purpose is to determine the SAPT level of theory proper for interaction energies with respect to the CCSD(T)/CBS benchmark chemical accuracy. Next, to utilize these energy datasets, we employ one of the well-developed machine learning techniques, called the CLIFF scheme, to construct a general-purpose force field for biomolecular dynamics simulations. Here we use the SOFG-31 dataset and the SOFG-31-heterodimer dataset as the training and test sets, respectively. Our results demonstrate that using the CLIFF scheme can reproduce a diverse range of dimeric interaction energy patterns with only a small training set. The overall errors for each SAPT energy component, as well as the SAPT total energy, are all well below the desired chemical accuracy of ~1 kcal/mol.