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Enhancement of magnon transport length in easy-plane antiferromagnets
Long-distance magnon transport in antiferromagnets is crucial for developing future magnon-based devices with high speed, density, and stability. However, the magnon decay length remains limited in easy-plane antiferromagnets due to the mismatch between injected magnon modes and eigen magnon modes, as well as the resulting dephasing process. Here, we improved the magnon decay length in easy-plane antiferromagnetic α-Fe2O3 (0001) single crystal by utilizing coherent magnons as carriers. The polarization and phase of coherent magnons maintain the single state during transport, effectively eliminating the dephasing effect. At room temperature, coherent magnons exhibit a magnon decay length of 3 μm, substantially longer than the 320 nm observed for incoherent magnons. Notably, the incoherent magnon transport displays temperature independence approaching the Morin temperature, highlighting the fundamental limitations of incoherent magnons. Our findings demonstrate the advantages of coherent magnons and suggest a promising pathway for long-distance magnon transport in easy-plane antiferromagnets.
A Photon‐Driven Unimolecular Immunostimulant for Self‐Amplified Pyroptosis and cGAS‐STING Pathway by Destroying the Pyroptosis Checkpoint
AbstractImmunotherapy is a groundbreaking approach for clinically treating tumors, but its effectiveness is hindered by the tumor's immunosuppressive environment and lack of immune cell infiltration, enabling tumors to evade the immune system. Although the activation of both innate and adaptive immunities is a promising strategy to counteract this bottleneck, their synergy remains challenging. Therefore, we developed Bio‐Cy, an unprecedented organic unimolecular photosensitive immunostimulant, which stimulates self‐amplifying pyroptosis and cGAS‐STING pathways by disrupting pyroptosis checkpoints to enhance adaptive and innate immunity activation. Mechanistic studies have shown that Bio‐Cy can target cancer cells and be transported to lysosomes via endocytosis, generating reactive oxygen species through a Type I photodynamic mechanism to destroy cancer cells, even under hypoxic conditions. Interestingly, this lysosomal disruption not only activates the caspase‐3/GSDME‐dependent pyroptosis of adaptive immunity through mitochondrial damage by releasing Ca2+, but also enhances the cGAS‐STING innate immune pathway by releasing mitochondrial DNA. More importantly, the initial lysosomal damage impairs protective cellular autophagy, destroying the pyroptosis checkpoint and thus preventing the clearance of damaged mitochondria and amplifying immune responses, ultimately boosting immunotherapy. This strategy effectively treats primary tumors and inhibits metastatic growth, offering a new paradigm for photoimmunotherapy.
Effect of sustained virologic response on liver-related mortality among individuals living with hepatitis C by treatment era: A population-based retrospective cohort study
Purpose Sustained virologic response (SVR) is a validated surrogate marker for successful hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. Historically, interferon-based therapies, the standard of care for decades, offered only limited efficacy with respect to SVR. The recent introduction of highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) revolutionised treatment, expanding treatment eligibility among individuals with advanced liver disease (ALD) and drug/alcohol-related substance use disorder. Given these clinical policy shifts, we assessed the real-world impact of SVR on liver-related death for these key clinical groups for whom treatment had previously been less feasible. Methods We conducted a population-based, cohort study of Ontario residents with HCV viremia between January 1st, 1999, and December 31st, 2018, with follow-up to May 31st, 2021 (N = 73,411) and used cause-specific hazard models to explore the association between SVR and liver-related death. Results SVR was associated with a significant reduction in liver-related deaths (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.22, 95%CI: 0.20–0.24). This benefit was consistent across all levels of liver disease severity, including individuals with (aHR: 0.11, 95%CI: 0.06–0.18) and without (aHR: 0.13, 95%CI: 0.10–0.17) cirrhosis, individuals with ALD (aHR: 0.24, 95%CI: 0.22–0.27) as well as among individuals with (aHR: 0.24, 95%CI: 0.21–0.27) and without (aHR: 0.21, 95%CI: 0.18–0.24) substance use disorder. Conclusions This study demonstrates the real-world impact of SVR on liver-related mortality and highlights the value of early treatment and continued support for populations who are marginalised.
A ultra-high-temperature free-piston thermoacoustic Stirling heat pump capable of achieving above 200 °C
This study proposes and develops a prototype of a double-acting free-piston thermoacoustic Stirling ultra-high-temperature heat pump with bidirectional power flow regulation. By adjusting the phase relationship between the pistons from leading to lagging, the prototype overcomes the limitation of compressor performance imposed by temperature, enabling a heating supply temperature exceeding 200 °C. Meanwhile, benefiting from the inherent configuration of the double-acting design, the four-cylinder arrangement further enhances the system's power density, thereby improving its suitability for industrial heating applications. Experimental results demonstrate that the system achieves a substantial temperature lift from 25 to 166 °C, and within a temperature difference of 74 °C (from 45 to 119 °C), it attains a maximum coefficient of performance (COP) of 1.68. When the ambient temperature rises to 67 °C, the system delivers a heating supply temperature of 214 °C, with the corresponding COP and relative Carnot efficiency reaching 1.5% and 45.2%, respectively. These findings verify the potential of this system for high-temperature heat pump applications and highlight its advantages under extreme operating conditions. This work thus provides a solution for industrial high-temperature heat pumps, offering unique benefits in achieving large temperature lifts and high-temperature heating.
Complement activation assessed by C3bc and C5b-9 terminal complex as diagnostic biomarkers for deep vein thrombosis
Background The overuse of compression ultrasound procedures on patients with suspected deep vein thrombosis compromise the cost-effectiveness of deep vein thrombosis management and emphasize room for improvement of the current diagnostic algorithm. As the complement system and hemostasis are comprehensively intertwined, we aimed to investigate complement activation products as diagnostic tests for acute deep vein thrombosis alone or together with D-dimer. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using consecutive sampling of outpatients referred to the emergency department with suspected first-time deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs, to investigate the diagnostic utility of the index tests C3bc and C5b-C9 terminal complex (TCC) with compression ultrasound as reference standard. For comparison of receiver operating characteristics, analyses were also performed for D-dimer and C-reactive protein in addition to analyses for the index tests on a D-dimer positive patient subgroup. Results Of the 366 included patients, 103 had deep vein thrombosis. The calculated effect sizes of differences between groups (Cohen’s d) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were 0.25 (95%CI 0.03–0.48) for C3bc, 0.33 (95%CI 0.09–0.57) for C5b-C9 terminal complex (TCC), 0.88 (95%CI 0.61–1.15) for C-reactive protein, and 1.64 (95%CI 1.37–1.91) for D-dimer. The areas under the curves derived from comparison receiver operating characteristics analyses with corresponding 95%CIs for C3bc, C5b-C9 terminal complex (TCC), C-reactive protein and D-dimer were 0.56 (95%CI 0.50–0.63), 0.64 (95%CI 0.58–0.69), 0.73 (95%CI 0.67–0.79) and 0.92 (95%CI 0.89–0.95), respectively. Conclusion The plasma levels of the complement activation products C3bc and C5b-C9 terminal complex (TCC) were elevated in patients with acute deep vein thrombosis but displayed low diagnostic performance for deep vein thrombosis alone or together with D-dimer.
Effects of high-temperature annealing on electrical properties of Si-doped <b> <i>β</i> </b>-Ga2O3 thin films grown by low-pressure hot-wall MOCVD
Electrical properties of Si-doped Ga2O3 (010) homoepitaxial thin films grown by low-pressure hot-wall metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and the effects of high-temperature post-deposition annealing (PDA) on them were studied through device characteristics of Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) fabricated on the epitaxial substrates. All the SBDs showed ideal n-type Schottky characteristics with excellent in-plane uniformity at room temperature. Temperature-dependent forward current density–voltage (J–V–T) characteristics showed nearly constant ideality factors of 1.02 ± 0.01 from room temperature to 200 °C. The reverse breakdown V of the SBDs with PDA was about 100 V larger than those of the ones without PDA. Furthermore, reverse J–V–T characteristics of the PDA SBDs were well reproduced by the thermionic field emission model for the whole temperature range up to 200 °C. These results indicate that the high-temperature PDA treatment is a useful and effective technique to further improve electrical properties of the MOCVD-grown Ga2O3 epitaxial films.
Knowledge of medication dispensing among community pharmacists in Brazil: A national cross-sectional survey
Brazilian community pharmacists’ knowledge of medication dispensing was assessed through a nationally representative cross-sectional survey conducted between October 2021 and May 2022. A total of 366 licensed pharmacists working in private community pharmacies—71.3% of whom were female, with an average age of 36.4 years (standard deviation 9.4)—completed a validated online questionnaire covering fundamental aspects of dispensing practice and reported on their undergraduate training and preferred information sources. The overall mean correct-response rate was 70.8%, with the Southeast and South regions scoring highest at 71.0% and 71.9%, respectively. Domains related to antimicrobial and over-the-counter medication dispensing exhibited the largest knowledge gaps across all regions. Graduates of public universities and pharmacists holding postgraduate qualifications demonstrated significantly greater proficiency, and higher knowledge scores correlated with more positive perceptions of the relevance of their training for patient counseling and community health promotion. Internet resources and medication package inserts were the most frequently consulted references for resolving dispensing questions, with 38% of respondents consulting them on a daily basis. These findings reveal a moderate overall level of dispensing competence, pinpoint critical areas for improvement, and underscore the influence of educational background on professional performance. Targeted continuing-education initiatives are therefore essential to reinforce pharmacists’ competencies, enhance the quality of services in community pharmacies, and ultimately improve patient care outcomes.
A dibenzothiophene-based cross-linked hole transport material for high-performance blue quantum dot light emitting diodes
Quantum dot light emitting diodes (QLEDs) have become a promising technology for next generation displays due to their outstanding photometric performance. Cross-linked hole transport materials (HTMs) have attracted wide attention in the field of QLED because of their high thermal stability and excellent solvent resistance. However, the low carrier mobility of cross-linked HTM hinders the charge injection balance of blue QLEDs, preventing their efficiency from meeting the requirements for full-color display applications. Here, to improve the carrier transport performance of cross-linked HTMs, dibenzothiophene with a large conjugated structure was selected as the central structure to develop a cross-linked HTM (V-KSP). Compared with the reported V-CBP, V-KSP with the central conjugate structure shows lower effective mass of electrons and holes, which significantly improves the carrier mobility of V-KSP by two orders of magnitude, from 6.54 × 10−5 to 2.72 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1. Benefiting from the remarkable improvement of charge transport properties, the external quantum efficiency (EQE) of blue QLED with V-KSP reaches 15.6%, with the deep blue emission of Commission International de I'Eclaialia (0.15, 0.03), which will be significantly higher than that of blue QLED with V-CBP (EQE = 11.5%). These results provide not only theoretical guidance for designing high-performance cross-linked HTMs but also more choices for fabricating high-performance blue QLED.
Laser-based pulse oximetry eliminates pigmentation effects on oxygen saturation measurements: A pilot study
Background Almost since its introduction, pulse oximetry has been plagued by inaccuracy associated with pigmentation, whether from fingernail polishes or melanin. The presence of melanin in the optical path of a pulse oximetry sensor has been shown to artifactually increase oxygen saturation measurements which can result, clinically, in occult hypoxemia and misdiagnoses. Methods This report describes the theoretical basis for this inaccuracy and presents results from both a benchtop study and a clinical study testing the effects of pigmentation on conventional LED-based pulse oximetry compared to laser-based pulse oximetry. The clinical portion of this study was performed on 18 consenting participants, nine darkly pigmented and nine lightly pigmented, to assess the ability of laser-based pulse oximetry to eliminate this dangerous pigmentation bias. The clinical study directly compared oxygen saturation readings on laser-based pulse oximeters to readings performed on two different LED-based pulse oximeters. All measurements were compared to invasive reference laboratory measurements performed on arterial blood samples. We hypothesized that monochromatic light sources used in laser-based pulse oximetry would make this new technology insensitive to pigmentation bias. Results The clinical portion of this study showed significantly greater (p < 0.001) measurement error (variance) for the two LED-based pulse oximeters (5.48 and 5.47) compared to laser-based pulse oximetry (3.54), when analyzed for all participants. The bias differences in oxygen saturation measurements by the LED-based pulse oximeters, when made on lightly versus darkly pigmented participants compared to invasive reference measurements, accounts for most of the increase in measurement error. Conclusions By combining theoretical development, experimental benchtop testing, and a clinical study, this research explains and demonstrates that the wide spectral bandwidth of LEDs is the root cause of pigmentation bias in commercially available LED-based pulse oximetry and validates the ability of narrow-band laser-based pulse oximetry to eliminate this pigmentation bias.
Optical phonon-driven modulation of interlayer thermal transport in stacked diamane
In this work, we systematically investigate the cross-plane thermal conductivity in stacked diamane via molecular dynamics simulations, focusing on the effects of stacking orientation, external pressure, interlayer coupling strength, and twist angle. By combining spectral heat current decomposition and spectral energy density analysis, we identify high-frequency optical phonons within 10–15 THz as the dominant heat carriers across interfaces—a selectivity arising from interfacial hydrogen termination that strengthens the coupling of these modes. Their lifetimes and coupling strengths are highly sensitive to structural configuration and mechanical modulation. Our results reveal that parallel stacking, increased pressure, and stronger interlayer coupling significantly enhance thermal conductivity by stabilizing optical modes and suppressing phonon scattering. In contrast, increasing the twist angle introduces structural incommensurability, which reduces phonon lifetimes and leads to substantial suppression of thermal transport. These findings underscore the pivotal role of optical phonons in governing interfacial thermal transport as well as establish an optimal strategy for engineering thermal conductivity in 2D vdW materials.
Subsurface geophysical profiling in Awash Melkesa: Insights into lithology and resource potential
Integrated geophysical investigations were conducted around Awash Melkesa, located 106 km southeast of Addis Ababa, utilizing electrical resistivity, magnetic, radiometric, and seismic refraction methods. The geo-electric profile revealed five layers, with a notable low resistivity zone (113 Ohm-m) beneath VES 2, indicating a highly fractured and weathered ignimbrite, which suggests good potential for aquifers. The residual magnetic anomaly map varied from −312–296 nT, pointing to alluvial and pyroclastic sediments, while the tilt derivative magnetic map identified several faults oriented in N-S and NE-SW directions, consistent with the Wonji fault belt. Additionally, high concentrations of uranium and thorium were found in areas with felsic and intermediate extrusive igneous rocks, whereas lower concentrations were associated with weathered felsic rocks. The seismic velocity model identified three layers: the top layer, 3 m thick, showed P-wave velocities of 0.3–0.7 km/s; the second layer, at depths of 3–9 m, had velocities of 0.75–1.2 km/s, likely representing unconsolidated pyroclastic ignimbrite; and the third layer, between 9–18 m, exhibited a P-wave velocity of 2 km/s, indicating somewhat weathered and fractured ignimbrite. These findings provide valuable insights into the subsurface geophysical characteristics and potential resources in the Awash Melkesa area.
Fast ionic conductivity by thermal treatment with ultralow electronic transport in solid-state electrolyte Na3YCl6
Improving the ionic and electronic conductivities of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) is urgently needed to develop commercially viable all-solid-state batteries. Here, we provide atomistic insights into the electronic transport properties and Na ionic conductivity of the halide-based SSE Na3YCl6 (NYC) with a trigonal structure and propose a way for improving ionic conductivity by amorphization. Our ab initio calculations, employing a highly accurate hybrid functional and many-body method, reveal high electric and thermal insulating behavior of crystalline NYC. Using machine learning interatomic potential-based molecular dynamics simulations, we demonstrate low ionic conductivity at room temperature in the crystalline phase, but a significantly higher value of 0.29 mS/cm in amorphous NYC simulated by thermal treatment, highlighting that amorphization is an effective way for improving ionic conductivity.
Examination of the spatial-temporal evolution and level measurement of industrial green manufacturing development: A case study of the Yangtze River Economic Belt
With the increasingly serious problems of global climate change and resource tension, green manufacturing has become an important direction of industrial development. This paper constructs an evaluation index system for the development level of industrial green manufacturing based on the panel data of 11 provinces in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2018 to 2022, and utilizes the Entropy-GRA-TOPSIS method, the natural breakpoint classification method, Theil index, and Moran’s I to explore the development level, spatiotemporal characteristics, regional differences, and spatial correlation of industrial green manufacturing in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and puts forward the corresponding suggestions. The results show that: the development level of industrial green manufacturing in the Yangtze River Economic Belt shows an upward trend, with an average annual growth rate of 5%, but there are large regional differences, showing a development pattern of “strong in the east and weak in the west”; the regional spatial differences continue to expand, but shrink in 2022, and the overall differences among the three major regions mainly originate from the inter-regional differences, with the central region having the largest differences and contribution rate, and the central region having the largest differences and contribution rate, and the central region having the largest differences and contribution rate. The overall differences among the three regions mainly come from inter-regional differences, with the central region having the largest differences and contribution rate, and the intra-regional differences and contribution rate also showing a fluctuating growth trend; the green development of industry in the Yangtze River Economic Belt shows a significant positive spatial correlation in general, with the HH-type mostly in the eastern provinces and cities, and the LL-type mostly in the central and western provinces and cities.
MoSi2N4/MoGe2N4 heterojunction: A theoretical exploration for high-efficiency excitonic solar cell and visible-light photohydrolytic catalyst
Solar cells and photocatalytic water splitting are both viable, environmentally friendly strategies for producing sustainable energy. However, the utilization of freestanding monolayer is typically limited by their poor stability, limited light harvesting and rapid carrier recombination. Inspiringly, this issue can be effectively resolved by building heterojunctions with freestanding monolayers. In this work, we construct a van der Waals MoSi2N4/MoGe2N4 heterojunction and systematically investigate its stability, electronic traits, light absorption behavior, and carrier dynamics. Interestingly, the MoSi2N4/MoGe2N4 heterojunction is an indirect semiconductor with a bandgap of 1.39 eV and exhibits type-II band alignments. Moreover, it is an excitonic solar cell candidate with a high power conversion efficiency of 19.62%. Additionally, the MoSi2N4/MoGe2N4 heterojunction shows promise as a photocatalyst for water splitting, thanks to its favorable band edge positions and Gibbs free energy diagrams. Furthermore, the MoSi2N4/MoGe2N4 heterojunction exhibits strong visible-light absorption ability, and its carrier lifetime is evaluated to be 7.2 ns. Therefore, the MoSi2N4/MoGe2N4 heterojunction is a candidate for solar energy utilization in solar cells and photocatalysts.
Prognostic nomogram integrated with inflammatory marker ratios for assessing in-hospital mortality risk in patients with acute type A aortic dissection
Background Preoperative inflammatory biomarker ratios to predict adverse outcomes in patients with acute type A aortic dissection (AAD) were assessed in this study, and a prognostic nomogram to guide anti-inflammatory therapy was developed.. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 673 adult AAD patients who underwent surgery. Preoperative hematological parameters, including neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts; hemoglobin (Hb) and albumin levels; and composite indices including the neutrophil‒lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‒lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil‒platelet ratio, and platelet‒albumin ratio, were evaluated. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression identified in-hospital mortality predictors, and a nomogram was constructed. The internal validation included bootstrapping with discrimination assessed by the C-index and calibration by the Hosmer–Lemeshow test. Results The univariate analysis revealed Hb, D-dimer, blood urea nitrogen, and albumin levels; the NLR; the aortic root concomitant procedure; ventilation support time and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) as perioperative mortality predictors; after multivariate adjustment, decreased Hb level, elevated NLR, and the presence of MODS independently predicted in-hospital mortality. The nomogram that integrated these predictors achieved a corrected C-index of 0.846 and an area under the curve of 0.843, which demonstrated strong calibration and a Hosmer–Lemeshow P = 0.91. At the optimal probability cutoff of 0.124, the sensitivity was 77.2%, the specificity was 78.2%, and the accuracy was 78.1%. Conclusion The NLR and preoperative Hb level, combined with postoperative MODS, independently predict in-hospital death in patients with AAD. Additionally, a nomogram combining these factors accurately predicts short-term mortality and aids in the personalized risk assessment and may assist in improving the prognosis.
Two-dimensional GeSe-based photodetector with ultra-broadband and polarized light detection
Two-dimensional materials (2D) with internal structural anisotropy have shown great promise in polarized light detection. The typical 2D anisotropy materials, e.g., black phosphorus (BP), is unstable in air, hindering practical application. It is urgent to develop chemically stable and polarization-sensitive materials for photodetectors. Herein, high-quality 2D germanium selenide (GeSe) was synthesized by using a chemical vapor transport and mechanical exfoliation approach. The 2D GeSe exhibits a BP-like structure with in-plane anisotropy, as imaged by scanning tunneling microscopy. This anisotropic property enables it to detect polarized light, since it demonstrated polarization-dependent Raman intensity. Furthermore, photodetectors based on GeSe achieved ultra-broadband spectrum detection ranging from 254 to 1380 nm due to its small bandgap of ∼0.63 eV. This study demonstrates that GeSe is a promising 2D material for stable, broadband, and polarization-sensitive optoelectronic devices.
A machine learning model guided by physical principles for biofilter performance prediction
Abstract Despite the critical role of biofilters in water quality and sustainability, predicting their performance remains challenging due to the complexity of microbial interactions and limitations of sparse, high-dimensional datasets. Here, we introduce EnviroPiNet, a novel physics-guided AI framework designed to predict biofilter performance by accurately modeling carbon concentration dynamics. EnviroPiNet incorporates a physics-inspired backbone that enables the model to learn the physical properties of complex environments, ensuring predictions are grounded in system behavior. Additionally, we implement an ensemble hybrid approach to identify and extract key parameters essential for accurate carbon concentration predictions. We benchmark EnviroPiNet against conventional methods that lack physics-guided variable selection, demonstrating its superiority in identifying variables critical to biofilter performance evaluation. Trained on biofilter datasets, EnviroPiNet achieves a high coefficient of determination ( $$\text {R}^{2}$$ = 0.9) on test sets, highlighting its predictive accuracy and robustness.
Effects of word length, contextual support, and prior second language proficiency on the learning of technical words in a second language
Second language (L2) learners often struggle with learning technical words in a new discipline. Previous studies suggested that word length and context may differentially affect orthographic and semantic acquisition during initial L2 word learning. This study investigated how (1) target word length, (2) contextual support, and (3) learners’ L2 vocabulary and spelling abilities influence orthographic and semantic recognition in initial acquisition of L2 technical words. Eighty-eight Chinese-English university students read sentences with high- and low-constraint contexts about sixteen L2 English technical words and then performed orthographic and semantic recognition tasks. Recognition accuracy was examined through multiple-choice questions with fully and partially correct answer choices and analyzed with generalized linear mixed-effects models. Results showed that longer word length impaired orthographic recognition but facilitated partial semantic recognition, while contextual support enhanced semantic but not orthographic learning of L2 technical words. Skilled spellers performed better on orthographic recognition than poorer spellers, while those with larger L2 vocabulary size also showed better orthographic learning, especially for shorter word forms. Hence, word length, contextual support, and learners’ L2 vocabulary and spelling abilities differentially affected orthographic and semantic learning of L2 technical words, and measurement of partial recognition facilitated a nuanced understanding of learning outcomes. The findings highlight the importance of adopting targeted pedagogical approaches to enhance L2 technical word learning.
Remarkable thermal hysteresis of thermal conductivity in nearly freestanding VO2 nanowire across the phase transition
The thermal conductivity of a nearly freestanding VO2 nanowire was measured in the vicinity of phase transition temperature using thermal bridge method. It was discovered that the thermal conductivity measured during cooling can be significantly greater than during heating in the temperature range of 315–355 K. The pronounced hysteresis results from a large phase transition temperature range during cooling as confirmed by optical imaging and Raman studies. However, this behavior was absent in clamped VO2 nanowires, suggesting that even small thermal stress can change the thermal behavior of VO2 nanowires during phase transition.