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Background: No research report has been conducted to investigate the impact of oxidation balance score (OBS) on the estimated pulse wave velocity(ePWV).We aimed to examine the association between OBS and ePWV. Method: We evaluated data for 13,073 patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The exposure variable was OBS. The outcome variables was combination of ePWV and arterial stiffness. Results: We observed a significant negative correlation between OBS (Per 1SD increase) and ePWV in the gradually adjusted models. Based on the aforementioned results, a two-piecewise logistic regression adjusted model was subsequently employed to establish the association between OBS and elevated ePWV, and the inflection point was determined as 5. The increased risk of elevated ePWV (OR:0.70; 95%CI:0.51–0.94) gradually decreases with the increase of OBS on the left side of the inflection point; however, when OBS exceeds 5, this decrease in risk of elevated ePWV(OR:1.00; 95%CI:0.96–1.04) is no longer observed (P for log likelihood ratio test = 0.028). Conclusions: There exists a significant association between OBS and ePWV in the context of American adults. Specifically, OBS exhibits a negative correlation with ePWV; however, when considering an elevated ePWV, a saturation effect is observed in relation to OBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oleogel is a special gel system, regarded as an effective alternative to plastic fats in the food industry.Different gelation factors lead to different structural properties of oleogels due to their specific crystallization behavior.Here, the effects of four different esterification degrees of stearic acid including stearic acid(SA),glyceryl monostearate(GMS),glyceryl distearate(GDS),and glycerol tristearate(GTS) on the crystallization behavior in oleogels were investigated.The effects of esterification degree and concentrations of gelation factors on the crystallization behavior were explored by using rheology, X-ray diffraction,and polarized light microscope methods.The oleogels with SA, GMS, GDS and GTS exhibited solid-like behavior and formed strong gels.The oleogels with GMS has high oil-binding capacity.Thermodynamic performance results indicated that the oleogels with GMS exhibited superior thermal stability.They also were observed the most stable β-polymorphic structure and small needle-like crystals.FTIR spectroscopy revealed hydrogen bonding was observed in the oleogels with GMS, while it was not observed in the oleogels with SA, GDS, and GTS.Overall, the formation of hydrogen bonds between the two additional free hydroxyl end groups of GMS and the fatty acid carbonyl groups promoted the formation of a denser network structure in the oleogels with GMS, which can be effectively immobilized liquid oil.These findings provide strong theoretical support for the application of oleogels as substitutes for plastic fats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While previous population studies have shown that higher triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index values are associated with an increased risk of congestive heart failure (CHF), the relationship between TyG and CHF in patients with abnormal glucose metabolism remains understudied. This study aimed to evaluate the association between TyG and CHF in individuals with diabetes and prediabetes. Methods: The study population was derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 1999 to 2018. The exposure variable, TyG, was calculated based on triglyceride and fasting blood glucose levels, while the outcome of interest was CHF. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association between TyG and CHF. Results: A total of 13,644 patients with diabetes and prediabetes were included in this study. The results from the fitting curve analysis demonstrated a non-linear U-shaped correlation between TyG and CHF. Additionally, linear logistic regression analysis showed that each additional unit of TyG was associated with a non-significant odds ratio (OR) of 1.03 (95%CI: 0.88–1.22, P = 0.697) for the prevalence of CHF. A two-piecewise logistic regression model was used to calculate the threshold effect of the TyG. The log likelihood ratio test (p < 0.05) indicated that the two-piecewise logistic regression model was superior to the single-line logistic regression model. The TyG tangent point was observed at 8.60, and on the left side of this point, there existed a negative correlation between TyG and CHF (OR: 0.54, 95%CI: 0.36–0.81). Conversely, on the right side of the inflection point, a significant 28% increase in the prevalence of CHF was observed per unit increment in TyG (OR: 1.28, 95%CI: 1.04–1.56). Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest a U-shaped correlation between TyG and CHF, indicating that both elevated and reduced levels of TyG are associated with an increased prevalence of CHF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synergistic utilization of low‐dimensional perovskites with 3D perovskite architectures represents a pervasive approach for fabrication of high‐performance and enduring perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this work, four distinct ionic liquids (ILs) with distinct cations, were introduced on the surface of 3D perovskite to induce the formation of 1D perovskite.Starting with the analysis of 1D/3D heterojunction structures, the assessment foucsed on the binding energies in four ILs‐induced 1D/3D heterojunctions, comparing electron cloud density within 1D/3D structures, and calculating the formation energies associated with iodine and lead defects within these four 1D/3D perovskite structures via DFT calculations. Furthermore, the time‐resolved grazing‐incidence wide‐angle X‐ray scattering technique, as employed in this study, offers real‐time insights into the phase‐transition occurring during the process of ILs coating and the formation of 1D/3D heterojunctions. The well‐designed and optimized 1D perovskite layer significantly reduces the residual lead iodide (PbI2), modulates the work function of the perovskite, and passivates defects in the 3D perovskite, thereby reducing non‐radiative recombination and enhancing charge transport. With the assistance of 1D/3D hybrid films, we achieved an exceptional power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 24.75% in the generated PSCs with remarkable stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper is relatively low cost and highly abundant compared with the well-studied noble metals such as gold and silver. However, the poor plasmonic and high susceptibility towards oxidation limit the study of its optical properties and applications as well. Herein, copper nanoparticles@polycarbonate (Cu@PC) composites were prepared by using a facile one-step solvothermal method. The Cu@PC composites have strong localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) due to that the PC shell can induce the particles to form many-particles system with different particle numbers, which not only lead to overlap and hybridize of the LSPR modes, but also shift the LSPR away from the interband transitions, and the PC layer also prevents the oxidation of Cu nanoparticles. The photothermal conversion efficiency of Cu@PC composites reaches 41.1% under 808 nm continuous wave (CW) laser irradiation which is higher than previously reported Cu nanomaterials that have been reported. Meanwhile, the composites also have high photothermal stability. Moreover, interfacial evaporator is prepared by assembling the Cu@PC composites on scouring sponge as light absorption layer which has > 92.8% absorption in entire solar spectrum range. Its seawater evaporation rate is 3.177 kg·m−2·h−1 with a Eevaporator/Ewater of 5.2. The high evaporation rate interfacial evaporator with low cost, simple, and scalable approach shows great application value in the field of photothermal evaporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero-dimension (0D) lead-free metal halide perovskites have attracted great attention because of their outstanding photophysical properties. However, the development of tunable-color-temperature white-light emission in single perovskite phosphors is still a challenge. Herein, a dual-band tunable multicolor emitters based on ns2 ions (Bi3+ and Te4+) codoped with a 0D hybrid perovskite derivative (C4H12N)2HfCl6 is reported. The prepared (C4H12N)2HfCl6:Bi3+/Te4+ samples exhibit broad dual-band emission originating from the dopant self-trapped excitons of [BiCl6]3– and [TeCl6]2–, respectively. By virtue of the energy transfer from blue-emitting (Bi3+) to yellow-emitting (Te4+), tunable dual-emission white-light emission covering the entire visible region is achieved. Meanwhile, Bi3+/Te4+-codoped perovskites exhibit unique excitation-dependent emission, and a wide color gamut can be obtained by precisely controlling the excitation wavelength, which corresponds to the color hue evolution from warm white to blue, then to white, and finally to orange. These findings provide fundamental insight into multicolor emission in the Bi3+/Te4+-codoped systems and open up more opportunities for multifunctional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stacking single layers of atoms on top of each other provides a fundamental way to achieve novel material systems and engineer their physical properties, which offers opportunities for exploring fundamental physics and realizing next-generation optoelectronic devices. Among the two-dimensional (2D)-stacked systems, transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) heterostructures are particularly attractive because they host tightly-bonded interlayer excitons which possess various novel and appealing properties. These interlayer excitons have drawn significant research attention and hold high potential for the application in unique optoelectronic devices, such as polarization- and wavelength-tunable single photon emitters, valley Hall transistors, and possible high-temperature superconductors. The development of these devices requires a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental properties of these interlayer excitons and the impact of electric fields on their behaviors. In this review, we summarize the recent advances on the understanding of interlayer exciton dynamics under electric fields in TMDC heterostructures. We put emphasis on the electrical modulation of interlayer excitons' emission, the valley Hall transport of charge carriers after the separation of interlayer excitons by an electric field, and the correlation physics of interlayer excitons and charges under electrical doping and tuning. Challenges and perspectives are finally discussed for the application of TMDC heterostructures in future optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rapid progressive interstitial lung disease (RP-ILD) is the leading cause of anti-melanoma differentiation associated protein 5 antibody positive dermatomyositis (anti-MDA5+DM) related death. Elevated serum B-cell activating factor (BAFF) levels have been implicated in connective tissue diseases associated ILD. Here, we evaluate whether BAFF could be a prognostic biomarker for predicting RP-ILD in anti-MDA5+DM patients. Methods: Serums were collected from 39 patients with anti-MDA5+DM (20 with RP-ILD and 19 with non-RP-ILD), 20 antisynthase syndrome (ASS) patients and 20 healthy controls (HC). BAFF concentration was measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Serum BAFF level was higher in anti-MDA5+DM patients than those in ASS patients and HC (3882.32 ± 1880.09 vs. 2540.89 ± 1403.04 and 2486.28 ± 767.97 pg/mL, p = 0.0056 and 0.0038, respectively). Within anti-MDA5+DM groups, RP-ILD patients exhibited higher BAFF concentration than non-RP-ILD group (4549.78 ± 1839.97 vs. 3297.28 ± 1794.69 pg/mL, p = 0.04). The BAFF concentration was positively correlated with levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), dehydrogenase (LDH) and cytokeratin (CK) in anti-MDA5+DM patients (r = 0.350, p = 0.035; r = 0.393, p = 0.016; r = 0.518, p = 0.001; respectively). The best cut-off value of BAFF concentration was 2971.5 pg/mL by ROC curve (AUC area = 0.690, p = 0.045) and BAFF > 2971.5 pg/mL was an independent risk factor for RP-ILD using multivariate analysis (OR = 9.389, 95% CI = 1.609—54.769; p = 0.013). Conclusions: Serum BAFF could be a useful prognostic biomarker for early detecting RP-ILD risk in anti-MDA5+DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor has opened up new avenues for the development of short-channel field-effect transistors (FETs) with desired electrical performance. Among them, orthorhombic tin-selenide (SnSe) has garnered increasing attention due to its potential applications in a variety of electronic, optoelectronic, and thermoelectric devices. However, the realization of high-performance SnSe FETs with low contact resistance (Rc) remains a challenge. Herein, we systematically investigate the contact of few-layer SnSe FETs through the modulation of native oxide on SnSe by using different metals. It is found that chromium (Cr)-contacted devices possess the best FET performance, such as electron mobility up to 606 cm2/(V·s) at 78 K, current on/off ratio exceeding 1010, and saturation current of ∼ 550 µA/µm, where a negligible Schottky barrier (SB) of ∼ 30 meV and a low contact resistance of ∼ 425 Ω µm are achieved. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and cross-sectional electron dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) results further reveal that the improved contact arises from the Cr-induced reduction of native oxide (SnOx) to Sn, which thins the tunneling barrier for efficient electron injection. Our findings provide a deep insight into the 2D-metal contact of SnSe and pave the way for its applications in future nanoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased plasma homocysteine (Hcy) has been identified as one of the important risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, the association between plasma Hcy and peripheral artery disease (PAD) is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association between plasma Hcy and PAD and the potential modifier factors in Chinese hypertensive adults. A total of 25 300 hypertensive patients aged 18 years or older were included in the analysis in this cross‐sectional study. The outcome was PAD, which defined as an ankle‐brachial index ≤0.90 in either limb. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between plasma Hcy and PAD. The median plasma Hcy was 14.00 (interquartile range: 11.60–17.80) μmol/L. There was a significant positive association between plasma Hcy and PAD (per SD increment; OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.06–1.19). Patients in the upper plasma Hcy tertile (≥16.16 μmol/L) were associated with a 53% increased risk of PAD compared with patients in the lower tertile (<12.33 μmol/L) after adjustment for multiple potential confounders. Subgroup analyses showed the association between Hcy and PAD was robust among various strata. Among Chinese adults with hypertension, plasma Hcy is an independent risk factor for PAD. This finding may improve the risk stratification of PAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) is one of the most frequently used herbs to treat ulcerative colitis (UC) and is often processed before usage. However, the composition changes and therapeutic effects of CR before and after processing in the treatment of UC are still unclear. Objective: The purpose of the study is to explore the chemical components and therapeutic effects of crude and processed CR. Material and methods: CR was processed according to the 2020 version of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) and multivariate statistical analysis were used to screen the different compounds before and after processing. The network pharmacological prediction was carried out. The mechanism and therapeutic effects between crude and processed CR were verified by using dextran sulphate sodium‐induced UC mice assay. Results: Ten compounds distinguish crude and processed CR based on multivariate statistical analysis. Network pharmacology predicts that the 10 compounds mainly play a role through TNF‐α and IL‐6 targets and PI3K/Akt and HIF‐1 signalling pathways, and these results are verified by molecular biology experiments. For IL‐6, IL‐10 and TNF‐α inflammatory factors, CR is not effective, while CR stir‐fried with Evodiae Fructus (CRFE) and ginger juice (CRGJ) are. For PI3K/p‐Akt, Cleaved caspase3, NF‐ κBp65 and HIF‐1α signalling pathways, CR has therapeutic effects, while CRFE and CRGJ are significant. Conclusion: Overall, CRFE and CRGJ show better effects in treating UC. The chemical changes of processing and the efficacy of processed CR are correlated, which provides a scientific basis for the clinical use of crude and processed CR. Ten compounds distinguish crude and processed Coptidis Rhizoma (CR), which mainly play a role through TNF‐α and IL‐6 targets and PI3K/Akt and HIF‐1 signaling pathways based on network pharmacology. The results are verified by molecular biology experiments. For IL‐6, IL‐10 and TNF‐α inflammatory factors, CR is not effective, while CR stir‐fried with Evodiae Fructus (CRFE) and ginger juice (CRGJ) are. For PI3K/p‐Akt, Cleaved caspase3, NF‐ κBp65 and HIF‐1α signaling pathways, CR has therapeutic effects, while CRFE and CRGJ are significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectopia lentis is a hallmark of Marfan syndrome (MFS), a genetic connective tissue disorder affecting 1/5000 to 1/10 000 individuals worldwide. Early detection in ophthalmology clinics and timely intervention of cardiovascular complications can be lifesaving. In this study, a modified proteomics workflow with liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS)‐based data‐independent acquisition (DIA) and field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) to profile the proteomes of aqueous humor (AH) and lens tissue from MFS children with ectopia lentis is utilized. Over 2300 and 2938 comparable proteins are identified in AH and the lens capsule, respectively. Functional enrichment analyses uncovered dysregulation of complement and coagulation‐related pathways, collagen binding, and cell adhesion in MFS. Through weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and machine learning, distinct modules associated with clinical traits are constructed and a unique biomarker panel (Q14376, Q99972, P02760, Q07507; gene names: GALE, MYOC, AMBP, DPT) is defined. These biomarkers are further validated using advanced parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) in an independent patient cohort. The results provide novel insights into the proteome characterization of ectopia lentis and offer a promising approach for developing a valuable biomarker panel to aid in the early diagnosis of Marfan syndrome via AH proteome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs) are extensively utilized for the manipulation of crystallization kinetics of perovskite, morphology optimization, and defect passivation for the fabrication of highly efficient and stable devices. However, comparing ILs with different chemical structures and selecting the appropriate ILs from the many types available to enhance perovskite device performance remains a challenge. In this study, a range of ILs containing different sizes of anions are introduced as additives for assisting in film formation in perovskite photovoltaics. Specifically, ILs with various sizes significantly affects the strength of chemical interaction between ILs and perovskite composition, inducing varying degrees of conversion of lead iodide to perovskite as well as the formation of perovskite films with markedly disparate grain sizes and morphology. Theoretical calculations in conjunction with experimental measurements revealed that small‐sized anion can more effectively reduce defect density by filling halide vacancies within perovskite bulk materials, resulting in suppression of charge‐carrier recombination, an extended photoluminescence lifetime, and significantly improved device performance. Boosted by ILs with appropriate size, the champion power conversion efficiency of 24.09% for the ILs‐treated device is obtained, and the unencapsulated devices retain 89.3% of its original efficiency under ambient conditions for 2000 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been investigated recently in perovskite photovoltaics owing to their potential to boost optoelectronic performance and device stability. However, the impact of variations in the MOF side chain on perovskite characteristics and the mechanism of MOF/perovskite film formation remains unclear. In this study, three nanoscale thiol‐functionalized UiO‐66‐type Zr‐based MOFs (UiO‐66‐(SH)2, UiO‐66‐MSA, and UiO‐66‐DMSA) are systematically employed and examined in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Among these MOFs, UiO‐66‐(SH)2, with its rigid organic ligands, exhibited a strong interaction with perovskite materials with more efficient suppression of perovskite vacancy defects. More importantly, A detailed and in‐depth discussion is provided on the formation mechanism of UiO‐66‐(SH)2‐assisted perovskite film upon in situ GIWAXS performed during the annealing process. The incorporation of UiO‐66‐(SH)2 additives substantially facilitates the conversion of PbI2 into the perovskite phase, prolongs the duration of stage I, and induces a delayed phase transformation pathway. Consequently, the UiO‐66‐(SH)2‐assisted device demonstrates reduced defect density and superior optoelectronic properties with optimized power conversion efficiency of 24.09% and enhanced long‐term stability under ambient environment and continuous light illumination conditions. This study acts as a helpful design guide for desired MOF/perovskite structures, enabling further advancements in MOF/perovskite optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Current evidence on the relationship between dietary carotenoids intake (DCI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are limited. Moreover, whether there is an association between DCI and prevalence of CKD and how this association might be impacted by sex is not clear. Methods and results: Overall, 4507 women and 4396 men were included for analysis. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a cross-sectional survey carried out in the USA. The exposure factor for this analysis was DCI. The outcome was CKD, defined as eGFR < 60mL/min/1.73 m2. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyzed the associations of DCI and prevalence of CKD both in men and women. There was a significant inverse association between higher DCI and prevalence of CKD only among females. Per LgDCI unit increment, the multivariable adjusted odd ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval) for prevalence of CKD was 0.72 (0.58, 0.90) in females and 0.95 (0.77, 1.18) in males. When compared with the lowest quartile, the ORs of the highest quartile of DCI for prevalence of CKD were 0.59 (0.40, 0.87) in females and 0.87 (0.60, 1.26) in males. The associations remained similar in the subgroup analyses. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a higher intake of dietary carotenoids is associated with a lower prevalence of CKD in women, but not in men. Highlights: The present study provides evidence that a higher DCI is specifically associated with a reduced prevalence of CKD in women, regardless of other potential confounding factors for CKD. In clinical practice, female patients can be encouraged to eat more foods rich in carotenoids to prevent the occurrence and development of CKD and related cardiovascular diseases, while for men, it is still the main risk factor for the control of CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic–inorganic hybrid halides and their analogs that exhibit efficient broadband emission from self-trapped excitons (STEs) offers an unique pathway towards realization of highly efficient white light sources for lighting applications. An appropriate dilution of ns2 ions into a halide host is essential to produce auxiliary emissions. However, the realization of ns2 cation-based halides phosphor that can be excited by blue light-emitting diode (LED) is still rarely reported. In this study, a zero-dimensional Te-based single crystal (C8H20N)2TeCl6 was synthesized, which exhibits a yellow-orange emission centered at 600 nm with a full width at half maximum of 130 nm upon excitation under 437 nm. Intense electron–phonon coupling was confirmed in the (C8H20N)2TeCl6 single crystal and the light emitting mechanism is comprehensively discussed. The results of this study are pertinent to the emissive mechanism of Te-based hybrid halides and can facilitate discovery of unidentified metal halides with broadband excitation features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a study on developing a chemical vapor deposition film thickness prediction model for semiconductor IC manufacturing. Traditional methods for measuring layer thickness are time-consuming and labor-intensive, prompting the exploration of machine-learning techniques for virtual measurement. These techniques estimate layer thickness directly from production process data, enabling real-time monitoring of product quality and maintaining process efficiency. This study used the Harris Hawks optimization algorithm (HHO) to perform feature selection on deposition process data and constructed a predictive model using the selected feature parameters. Four machine learning models, namely Random Forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), and Categorical Boosting (CatBoost), are evaluated using metrics such as mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and R-squared ( R 2 ) on a test set. Results demonstrate that the CatBoost model outperforms the others with an MSE of 353.55, MAPE of 0.246% and R 2 of 0.796, highlighting its superior prediction accuracy in estimating film thickness. However, the integrated tree model used in this study is complex, and its prediction results cannot be directly interpreted, making the model less credible. To address this issue, the SHAP method was introduced for interpretable analysis of the model. Overall, this study shows that the use of machine learning models, such as the CatBoost model, combined with SHAP analysis, significantly improves the credibility of prediction results on deposited film thickness in IC fabrication. Moreover, the timely adjustment of production equipment parameters can be achieved to reduce process deviations and improve IC yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Issue Addressed: More attention to the diet and nutritional status of international students in Australian universities is indicated. This qualitative research aimed to provide an in‐depth understanding of dietary changes among international students after they arrived in Australia. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with international students from China and India who were studying at a large urban Australian university. An approach of interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed for coding and data analysis. Results: A total of 14 interviews were included. International students were able to consume more international foods, dairy products and animal proteins in Australia as a result of increased exposure to a larger variety of these foods compared with their home countries. However, they experienced some difficulties in eating vegetables and authentic traditional foods due to limited availability and higher prices in Australia. It was challenging for these students to live independently and cook for themselves for the first time and with a limited food budget and time, but many students improved their cooking skills over time. Less frequent main meals with more snacking sessions were reported. Weight fluctuations were commonly experienced and craving for traditional foods no longer accessible may negatively impact mental health. Conclusions: International students adapted to the Australian food environment but believed the food choices available did not meet their food preferences or perhaps nutritional requirements. So What: Some intervention from universities and/or government may be needed to ease the barriers to consumption of affordable and desirable meals in a time‐saving manner for international students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited data exists on the association between Direct bilirubin (DBIL) and Indirect bilirubin (IBIL) with the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among patients with hypertension. This study aimed to assess the relationship between DBIL and IBIL with the risk of CKD in a cohort of Chinese adults diagnosed with hypertension. This study included 14 182 Chinese patients with hypertension between the ages of 27 and 96. CKD, the outcome variable, was defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. The study employed multivariate linear and multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the correlation between DBIL and IBIL with the risk of CKD. The prevalence of CKD in the study population was 9.77%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the increase in DBIL (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.71) and IBIL (OR: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.81) were independently and negatively correlated with CKD. Further analyses using a restricted cubic spline (smooth‐fitting curve) confirmed the linearly negative association between DBIL and IBIL with the risk of CKD. The subgroup analysis showed that the correlation between IBIL and CKD was stronger among men and populations <65 years of age (p for interaction <.05). DBIL and IBIL were independently and negatively associated with CKD. Furthermore, the correlation between DBIL and IBIL with CKD in the hypertensive population is more significant in those under 65 years of age. These findings may inform future strategies for the management of CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid lead-free halide perovskites have attracted substantial attention because of their superior optical properties. However, it is difficult for most metal perovskite materials with a single dopant to achieve multimode excitation and tunable or full-spectrum emission, leading to rare applications in white-light-emitting diodes and smart anticounterfeiting. Herein, a series of Sb3+-doped organic–inorganic halide hybrid (TMA)2ZrCl6 (TMA = C4H12N) microcrystals with intriguing excitation-dependent luminescence is reported. The prepared (TMA)2ZrCl6:Sb3+ perovskites exhibited three emission groups under variable excitation, corresponding to intrinsic host self-trapped excitons, dopant-induced extrinsic free excitons, and self-trapped excitons. The multiexcitonic emission modes in (TMA)2ZrCl6:Sb3+ enabled dynamic color transfer by controlling the excitation wavelength. Tunable emission, high-efficiency luminescence (photoluminescence quantum yield up to 94.31%), and excellent environmental stability provide unique advantages in anticounterfeiting and solid-state lighting. The results offer fundamental insights into the color kinetics of antimony-doped hybrid metal halides, facilitating opportunities for multifunctional applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructing nanostructures with high structural stability and ultrafast electrochemical reaction kinetics as anodes for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) is a big challenge. Herein, the robust 2D VS2/ Ti3C2Tx MXene nanostructures with the strong Ti─S covalent bond synthesized by a one‐pot self‐assembly approach are developed. The strong interfacial interaction renders the material of good structural durability and enhanced reaction kinetics. Meanwhile, the enlarged and few‐layered MXene nanosheets can be easily obtained according to this interaction, providing a conductive network for sufficient electrolyte penetration and rapid charge transfer. As predicted, the VS2/MXene nanostructures exhibit an extremely low sodium diffusion barrier confirmed by DFT calculations and small charge transfer impedance evidenced by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis. Therefore, the SIBs based on the VS2/MXene electrode present first‐class electrochemical performance with the ultrahigh average initial columbic efficiency of 95.08% and excellent sodium‐ion storage capacity of 424.6 mAh g−1 even at 10 A g−1. It also shows an outstanding sodium‐ion storage capacity of 514.2 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 with a capacity retention of nearly 100% within 500 times high‐rate cycling. Such impressive performance demonstrates the successful synthesis strategy and the great potential of interfacial interactions for high‐performance energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral nanostructures or chiral arrangements of plasmonic nanoparticles can strongly interact with circularly polarized light, giving rise to chiroptical effects such as circular dichroism and optical rotation. In parallel, enhanced optical fields around metallic nanostructures have been shown to be capable of enhancement of both linear and nonlinear optical processes. Sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy, a nonlinear process, has shown chiral transitions where s- and p-polarizations mix to generate so-called chiral SFG. Here we combine chiral plasmonic nanostructures with chiral SFG to explore chiral nonlinear optical responses. We use chiral gold hooks (chiral), which are compared to disks (achiral) in their ability to generate chiral SFG signals and enable chiral SFG transitions. The plasmonic characteristics of the nanostructures measured by SFG and calculated by finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) reveal multiple polarization-dependent plasmon modes. Here we show, for the first time, that chiral gold nanoparticles can generate chiral SF electronic resonances. This optical metasurface with chiral cells and its enhancement mechanism are expected to be applied in sensing and detection to chiral macromolecules or the signal processing in optical communications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: High-quality Sn2+/Mn2+-co-doped Rb4CdCl6 single crystals and powders were prepared and showed high-performance dual-emission white light with near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield. Short-range and extremely strong interactions between Sn2+ and Mn2+ were observed that lead to an intriguing ultra-high-efficiency Dexter energy transfer process from adjacent Sn2+ ions to Mn2+ ions. The dual-emission intensities were tuned flexibly by varying the fractions of Sn2+ and Sn–Mn pairs to balance their emission proportions for cold/warm white-light generation. Single materials that exhibit efficient and stable white-light emission are highly desirable for lighting applications. This paper reports a novel zero-dimensional perovskite, Rb4CdCl6:Sn2+, Mn2+, which demonstrates exceptional white-light properties including adjustable correlated color temperature, high color rendering index of up to 85, and near-unity photoluminescence quantum yield of 99%. Using a co-doping strategy involving Sn2+ and Mn2+, cyan-orange dual-band emission with complementary spectral ranges is activated by the self-trapped excitons and d-d transitions of the Sn2+ and Mn2+ centers in the Rb4CdCl6 host, respectively. Intriguingly, although Mn2+ ions doped in Rb4CdCl6 are difficult to excite, efficient Mn2+ emission can be realized through an ultra-high-efficient energy transfer between Sn2+ and Mn2+ via the formation of adjacent exchange-coupled Sn–Mn pairs. Benefiting from this efficient Dexter energy transfer process, the dual emission shares the same optimal excitation wavelengths of the Sn2+ centers and suppresses the non-radiative vibration relaxation significantly. Moreover, the relative intensities of the dual-emission components can be modulated flexibly by adjusting the fraction of the Sn2+ ions to the Sn–Mn pairs. This co-doping approach involving short-range energy transfer represents a promising avenue for achieving high-quality white light within a single material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often accompanied by a common extra-articular manifestation known as RA-related usual interstitial pneumonia (RA-UIP), which is associated with a poor prognosis. However, the mechanism remains unclear. To identify potential mechanisms, we conducted bioinformatics analysis based on high-throughput sequencing of the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Results: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) analysis identified 2 RA-positive related modules and 4 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)-positive related modules. A total of 553 overlapped differentially expressed genes (DEG) were obtained, of which 144 in the above modules were further analyzed. The biological process of "oxidative phosphorylation" was found to be the most relevant with both RA and IPF. Additionally, 498 up-regulated genes in lung tissues of RA-UIP were screened out and enriched by 7 clusters, of which 3 were closely related to immune regulation. The analysis of immune infiltration showed a characteristic distribution of peripheral immune cells in RA-UIP, compared with IPF-UIP in lung tissues. Conclusions: These results describe the complex molecular and functional landscape of RA-UIP, which will help illustrate the molecular pathological mechanism of RA-UIP and identify new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for RA-UIP in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed‐dimensional engineering of perovskite material has been demonstrated as a facile and promising strategy to improve both photovoltaic performance and long‐term stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this study, we report an in‐plane preferred orientation of 1D perovskite induced by an ionic liquid (IL) of 1‐(3‐cyanopropyl)‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (CPMIMCl) for the first time via sequential deposition approach, leading to a mixed dimensional perovskite thin films. The generated one‐dimensional (1D) CPMIMPbI3 with in‐plane orientation resides at the grain boundaries of three‐dimensional (3D) perovskite can be appreciably observed from the morphology level, leading to creation of high‐quality films with large grain size with more efficient defect passivation. Moreover, the dispersion of IL in the bulk phase of perovskite material allows for the formation of 1D perovskite for multiple level passivation to inhibit non‐radiative recombination and optimize carrier transport. This IL engineering strategy not only yields a mixed‐dimensional perovskite heterostructure with in‐plane orientation 1D perovskite nano‐rods but also significantly improves the opto‐electronic property with suppressed trap states. As a result, the CPMIMCl‐treated PSCs show an enhanced photovoltaic performance with a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 24.13%. More importantly, benefiting from the hydrophobicity of formed 1D perovskite and defects suppression, the corresponding PSC demonstrates an excellent long‐term stability and maintain 97.1% of its pristine PCE at 25°C under 50% RH condition over 1000 h. This research provides an innovative perspective for employing the low dimensional engineering to optimize the performance and stability of photovoltaic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current understanding of the interplay between blood selenium, cadmium and lead levels, and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited. Our objective was to investigate whether elevated blood selenium levels can mitigate the nephrotoxic effects of lead and cadmium. The exposure variables examined in this study include blood selenium, cadmium, and lead levels measured by ICP-MS. The outcome of interest was CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. In total, 10630 participants (mean (SD) age:48.9 ± 18.4; 48.3% male) were included in this analysis. The median (IQR) of blood selenium, cadmium, and lead levels was 191 (177–207) μg/L, 0.300 (0.180–0.540) μg/L, and 0.940 (0.570–1.510) μg/dL, respectively. We observed a significant positive association between cadmium and lead levels and CKD (OR; 1.86; 95%CI: 1.31- 2.64; OR:2.23; 95%CI:1.54–3.24). However, selenium had a negative association with CKD (OR:0.096; 95%CI:0.020–0.457). Based on a reference group with a selenium concentration of ≤ 191 μg/L and cadmium level of > 0.300 μg/L, a significant protective factor in the CKD was seen in subjects with high plasma selenium and lower cadmium concentrations (OR:0.685; 95%CI:0.515–0.912). Then selenium concentration of ≤ 191 μg/L and lead level of > 0.940 μg/dL were set as a reference group, and the OR for CKD decreased among the other group (OR:0.564; 95%CI;0.417- 0.762). The subgroup analysis indicated that there were no effect modifiers. Blood selenium has the potential to mitigate the nephrotoxic effects of lead and cadmium in the general population of the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A lead-free double perovskite (Cs2AgBiBr6) has recently attracted intense interest for optoelectronic applications owing to its non-toxicity, high stability, and high detection sensitivity. The current goal for the commercial application of perovskite optoelectronic devices is to achieve their large-scale production, while maintaining high performance similar to those produced on a small-scale. Photoluminescence (PL) mapping and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) mapping measurements have shown that grain boundaries are the dominant non-radiative recombination sites. By reducing the grain boundaries, thin films of Cs2AgBiBr6 with larger grain sizes can effectively suppress non-radiative recombination, which shows promise for good performance in photodetector applications. In this study, high-quality, large-area (∼10 cm2) Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskite crystal thin films were synthesized via a one-step blade-coating method under ambient conditions. As a result, photoconductors, based on high-quality Cs2AgBiBr6 films, exhibited a specific responsivity, R, of 14.47 A W−1 and a high detectivity (D*) of 5.25 × 1013 Jones. In addition, the unpackaged devices retained 92% of their initial photoresponsivity after exposure to ambient conditions (humidity ≈ 65%, temperature ≈ 25 °C) for four weeks. The results show that the low-cost blade-coating technique under ambient conditions is an effective approach for the fabrication of large-area Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskite thin films, thus paving the way toward the development of environmentally friendly and high-performance optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is one of the key mechanisms of vascular dysfunction and contributes to the initiation and progression of ischemic stroke (IS). Our previous study demonstrated that ACE2 priming enhanced the protective effects of exosomes derived from endothelial progenitor cells (EPC-EXs) on hypoxia-induced injury in aging endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we aimed to investigate whether ACE2-enriched EPC-EXs (ACE2-EPC-EXs) could attenuate brain ischemic injury by inhibiting cerebral EC damage through their carried miR-17-5p and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The enriched miRs in ACE2-EPC-EXs were screened using the miR sequencing method. EPC-EXs, ACE2-EPC-EXs, and ACE2-EPC-EXs with miR-17-5p deficiency (ACE2-EPC-EXsantagomiR-17-5p) were administered to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)-operated aged mice or coincubated with hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-treated aging ECs. The results showed that (1) the level of brain EPC-EXs and their carried ACE2 were significantly decreased in aged mice compared to in young mice, and (2) after tMCAO, aged mice displayed increases in brain cell senescence, infarct volume, and neurological deficit score (NDS) and a decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF). (3) Compared with EPC-EXs, ACE2-EPC-EXs were enriched with miR-17-5p and more effective in increasing ACE2 and miR-17-5p expression in cerebral microvessels, accompanied by obvious increases in cerebral microvascular density (cMVD) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) and decreases in brain cell senescence, infarct volume, neurological deficit score (NDS), cerebral EC ROS production, and apoptosis in tMCAO-operated aged mice. Moreover, silencing of miR-17-5p partially abolished the beneficial effects of ACE2-EPC-EXs. (4) In H/R-treated aging ECs, ACE2-EPC-EXs were more effective than EPC-EXs in decreasing cell senescence, ROS production, and apoptosis and increasing cell viability and tube formation. In a mechanistic study, ACE2-EPC-EXs more effectively inhibited PTEN protein expression and increased the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt, which were partially abolished by miR-17-5p knockdown. Altogether, our data suggest that ACE-EPC-EXs have better protective effects on ameliorating aged IS mouse brain neurovascular injury by inhibiting cell senescence, EC oxidative stress, apoptosis, and dysfunction by activating the miR-17-5p/PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low‐dimensional Cu‐based halides exhibit considerable potential as luminescent materials owing to their efficient exciton emissions originating from strongly localized charge carriers. However, the luminescence processes of multiple self‐trapped excitons (STEs) in Cu‐based halides with mixed halogens have not been systematically studied. In this study, a novel single crystal, MACuBrI (MA = methylammonium), with mixed anions and a 1D chain structure is successfully synthesized. MACuBrI displays two different STE luminescences at room and low temperatures, which forms different STE structures through breaking CuBr or CuI bonds. Therefore, MACuBrI is adopted as an ink in an anticounterfeiting strategy to realize multiple encryption effects, which may clearly identify and authenticate the substrate under ultraviolet light irradiation and even after low‐temperature treatment. This discovery may deepen the understanding of the STE emission mechanism and provide a novel pathway for the development of Pb‐free metal halides with remarkable luminescence performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal halide perovskites can be readily synthesized, they exhibit tunable physical properties and excellent performance, and they are heavily studied optoelectronic materials. Compared to the typical three-dimensional perovskites, morphological-level one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures enable charge transport and photon propagation with low exciton binding energies and long charge-carrier diffusion lengths, while molecular-level 1D nanostructures exhibit good compositional and structural flexibilities, highly tunable bandgaps, strong quantum confinement effects, and excellent ambient stabilities. The 1D natures of these emerging halide perovskites enhance the performance of optoelectronic devices. Herein, we highlight recent progress realized in the syntheses and characterizations of both morphological- and molecular-level 1D halide perovskites with tunable structures, compositions, and properties, as well as their photovoltaic, light-emission, and photodetection applications. In addition, current challenges, future prospects, and promising research directions are discussed to provide guidance in advancing the field of 1D perovskites. The recent advances realized in the syntheses and characterizations of both morphological- and molecular-level one-dimensional (1D) metal-halide perovskites with tunable structures, compositions, and properties, as well as optoelectronic applications are comprehensively reviewed. Furthermore, the challenges, prospects, and promising research directions are discussed, which we believe will help to accelerate the explorations of 1D metal-halide perovskites in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wearing masks has become the norm during the Coronavirus disease pandemic. Masks can reportedly interface with air pollutants and release microplastics and plastic additives such as phthalates. In this study, an experimental device was set up to simulate the impact of five kinds of masks (activated-carbon, N95, surgical, cotton, and fashion masks) on the risk of humans inhaling microplastics and phthalates during wearing. The residual concentrations of seven major phthalates ranged from 296 to 72,049 ng/g (median: 1242 ng/g), with the lowest and the highest concentrations detected in surgical (median: 367 ng/g) and fashion masks (median: 37,386 ng/g), respectively. During the whole inhalation simulation process, fragmented and 20–100 μm microplastics accounted for the largest, with a rapid release during the first six hours. After one day's wearing, that of 6 h, while wearing different masks, 25–135 and 65–298 microplastics were inhaled indoors and outdoors, respectively. The total estimated daily intake of phthalates with indoor and outdoor conditions by inhalation and skin exposure ranged from 1.2 to 13 and 0.43 to 14 ng/kg bw/d, respectively. Overall, surgical masks yield a protective effect, while cotton and fashion masks increase human exposure to microplastics and phthalates both indoors and outdoors compared to no mask wearing. This study observed possible risks from common facemasks and provided suggestions to consumers for selecting suitable masks to reduce exposure risks from microplastics and phthalate acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although a great deal of scientific evidence on the epidemiological risk factors for diabetes and prediabetes has been accumulated, there is still insufficient evidence to explore sex-related differences. The aim of this study was to examine sex-specific differences in the effect of the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) on prediabetes and diabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study included data from 10099 American adults. The exposure variable was the AIP, which was defined as log10 (triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol). The outcome variables included prediabetes and diabetes defined by the 2013 American Diabetes Association guidelines. Results: The median age (mean ± SD) was 48.51 ± 18.42 years, and the average value (SD) of the AIP was − 0.09 (0.34). The prevalence of prediabetes was 40.24%, and that of diabetes was 21.32%. Overall, there was a significant positive association between the AIP and prediabetes and diabetes (per 1-unit increment in the AIP: OR, 2.49; 95% CI 1.75, 3.54). The multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that for each unit increment in the AIP, the prediabetes and diabetes prevalence increased 4.96-fold among female participants (OR 4.96, 95% CI 2.68, 9.18) but not among male participants. We found that the AIP was not related to the prevalence of prediabetes or diabetes (OR 1.41; 95% CI 0.87, 2.29) among males. There was an interaction between sex and the AIP (P for interaction < 0.0001). Conclusions: This study showed that a higher AIP was significantly associated with an increased prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes, and the above relationships occurred only among women and not men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoelectric synaptic devices have been considered as one of the key components in artificial neuromorphic systems due to their excellent capability to emulate the functions of visual neurons, such as light perception and image processing. Herein, we demonstrate an optically-stimulated artificial synapse with a clear photoresponse from ultraviolet to visible light, which is established on a novel heterostructure consisting of monocrystalline Cs2AgBiBr6 perovskite and indium-gallium-zinc oxide (IGZO) thin film. As compared with pure IGZO, the heterostructure significantly enhances the photoresponse and corresponding synaptic plasticity of the devices, which originate from the superior visible absorption of single-crystal Cs2AgBiBr6 and effective interfacial charge transfer from Cs2AgBiBr6 to IGZO. A variety of synaptic behaviors are realized on the fabricated thin-film transistors, including excitatory postsynaptic current, paired pulse facilitation, short-term, and long-term plasticity. Furthermore, an artificial neural network is simulated based on the photonic potentiation and electrical depression effects of synaptic devices, and an accuracy rate up to 83.8% ± 1.2% for pattern recognition is achieved. This finding promises a simple and efficient way to construct photoelectric synaptic devices with tunable spectrum for future neuromorphic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the widespread significance of vicinal diamine units in organic synthesis, pharmaceuticals and functional materials, as well as in privileged molecular catalysts, an efficient and practical strategy that avoids the use of stoichiometric strong oxidants is highly desirable. We herein report the application of ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) excitation to 1,2-diazidation reactions from alkenes and TMSN3 via a coordination-LMCT-homolysis process with more abundant and greener iron salt as the catalyst. Such a LMCT-homolysis mode allows the generation of electrophilic azidyl radical intermediate from Fe–N3 complexes poised for subsequent radical addition into carbon–carbon double bond. The generated carbon radical intermediate is further captured by iron-mediated azidyl radical transfer, enabling dual carbon–nitrogen bond formation. This protocol provides a versatile platform to access structurally diverse diazides with high functional group compatibility from readily available alkenes without the need of chemical oxidants.Alkene diazidations represent a promising strategy for the synthesis of 1,2-diamines. Here, the authors report a protocol that enables alkene diazidation via iron-mediated ligand-to-metal charge transfer, providing a versatile platform to access structurally diverse diazides without using external oxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor diet quality is commonly reported in young adults. This study aimed to measure the diet quality of students attending a large Australian university (including domestic and international students), and to examine the effect of food security status and other key factors likely to impact their diet quality. Using the Automated Self-Administered 24-h recall Australian version, a cross-sectional survey collected dietary recalls from domestic and international students in one university in Sydney. Diet quality was assessed using the validated Healthy Eating Index for Australian Adults (HEIFA-2013) which gives a score out of 100. Food security status was measured by the 18-item Household Food Security Survey Module. Differences in the mean HEIFA-2013 scores by student characteristics were determined by analysis of covariance. A total of 141 students completed one dietary recall. The mean HEIFA-2013 score for students was low (mean 52.4, 95% CI 50.0–54.8). Food-insecure students had a poorer diet quality (mean 43.7, 95% CI 35.7–51.8) than their food-secure peers (mean 53.2, 95% CI 50.8–55.7, p = 0.027). The mean HEIFA-2013 score was similar in domestic (mean 52.5, 95% CI 49.9–55.2) and international students (mean 51.9, 95% CI 46.3–57.5, p = 0.845). Those reporting self-perceived excellent cooking skills and higher cooking frequency had better diet quality. Interventions to improve food and nutrition knowledge and skills and address food insecurity may help tertiary education students cook more frequently and achieve better diet quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Multicellular crosstalk within the brain tissue has been suggested to play a critical role in maintaining cerebral vascular homeostasis. Exosomes (EXs) mediated cell–cell communication, but its role in cerebral ischemic injury is largely unknown. Rab27a is one of the major genes controlling EX release. Here, we explored the role of Rab27a in regulating brain EXs secretion, and the effects of Rab27a‐mediated EXs on ischemia evoked cerebral vascular disruption and brain injury. Methods: Cerebral ischemia was induced in Rab27a knockout (Rab27a−/−) and wide type (WT) mice by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Differential gene expression analysis was performed in ischemic brain tissue by using mRNA sequencing. EXs isolated from brain tissue of Rab27a−/− and WT mice (EXWT or EXRab27a−/−) were pre‐administrated into tMCAO operated Rab27a−/− mice or oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) treated primary brain vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Results: We demonstrated that Rab27a expression in the peri‐infarct area of brain was significantly elevated, which was associated with local elevation in EXs secretion. Rab27a deficiency dramatically decreased the level of EXs in brain tissue of normal and tMCAO‐treated mice, and Rab27a−/− mice displayed an increase in infarct volume and NDS, and a decrease in cMVD and CBF following tMCAO. Pre‐infusion of EXWT increased the brain EXs levels in the tMCAO operated Rab27a−/− mice, accompanied with an increase in cMVD and CBF, and a decrease in infarct volume, NDS, ROS production, and apoptosis. The effects of EXRab27a−/− infusion were much diminished although in a dose‐dependent manner. In OGD‐treated ECs, EXRab27a−/− showed less effectivity than EXWT in decreasing ROS overproduction and apoptosis, paralleling with down‐regulated expression of NOX2 and cleaved caspase‐3. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that Rab27a controls brain EXs secretion and functions, contributing to cerebral vascular protection from ischemic insult by preventing oxidative stress and apoptosis via down‐regulating NOX2 and cleaved caspase‐3 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on the association between urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) and diabetes are limited. We aimed to examine the association between uACR and diabetes among adults in the United States, with particular interest in sex differences. Methods: Overall, 5307 participants were included in this study. The exposure variable was uACR, where uACR = urine albumin/urine creatinine. The primary outcome of this study was diabetes, defined as self-reported physician diagnosis of diabetes, fasting plasma glucose concentration ≥ 7.0 mmol/L, or use of glucose-lowering drugs. Results: The average age of the participants in this study was 46.37 ± 17.38 years, 818 (15.41%) had diabetes and the median uACR was 7 mg/g (interquartile range, 4–12 mg/g). There was a significant positive association between uACR and diabetes (per natural log [uACR] increment: OR, 1.81; 95% CI 1.39–2.34). A multivariate logistic regression model demonstrated that per unit increment in LguACR, the diabetes prevalence increased 2.26-fold among male participants (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.59–3.21). However, in female participants, we observed that uACR was not related to the prevalence of diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 1.28; 95% CI 0.82–2.01). Our findings showed that there was an interaction between sex and uACR (P for interaction = 0.049). Conclusions: A higher uACR is significantly associated with an increased prevalence of diabetes, and sex can modify the relationship between them. Highlights: This study evaluated the relationship between urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) and diabetes among adults in the United States of American for the first time, and found that a positive correlation between uACR and diabetes only existed among male participants but not in female participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Broken-gap (type-III) two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) offer an ideal platform for interband tunneling devices due to their broken-gap band offset and sharp band edge. Here, we demonstrate an efficient control of energy band alignment in a typical type-III vdWH, which is composed of vertically-stacked molybdenum telluride (MoTe2) and tin diselenide (SnSe2), via both electrostatic and optical modulation. By a single electrostatic gating with hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as the dielectric, a variety of electrical transport characteristics including forward rectifying, Zener tunneling, and backward rectifying are realized on the same heterojunction at low gate voltages of ±1 V. In particular, the heterostructure can function as an Esaki tunnel diode with a room-temperature negative differential resistance. This great tunability originates from the atomically-flat and inert surface of h-BN that significantly suppresses the interfacial trap scattering and strain effects. Upon the illumination of an 885 nm laser, the band alignment of heterojunction can be further tuned to facilitate the direct tunneling of photogenerated charge carriers, which leads to a high photocurrent on/off ratio of > 105 and a competitive photodetectivity of 1.03 × 1012 Jones at zero bias. Moreover, the open-circuit voltage of irradiated heterojunction can be switched from positive to negative at opposite gate voltages, revealing a transition from accumulation mode to depletion mode. Our findings not only promise a simple strategy to tailor the bands of type-III vdWHs but also provide an in-depth understanding of interlayer tunneling for future low-power electronic and optoelectronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures—in which layered materials are purposely selected to assemble with each other—allow unusual properties and different phenomena to be combined and multifunctional electronics to be created, opening a new chapter for the spread of internet‐of‐things applications. Here, an O2‐ultrasensitive MoTe2 material and an O2‐insensitive SnS2 material are integrated to form a vdW heterostructure, allowing the realization of charge‐polarity control for multioperation‐mode transistors through a simple and effective rapid thermal annealing strategy under dry‐air and vacuum conditions. The charge‐polarity control (i.e., doping and de‐doping processes), which arises owing to the interaction between O2 adsorption/desorption and tellurium defects at the MoTe2 surface, means that the MoTe2/SnS2 heterostructure transistors can reversibly change between unipolar, ambipolar, and anti‐ambipolar transfer characteristics. Based on the dynamic control of the charge‐polarity properties, an inverter, output polarity controllable amplifier, p‐n diode, and ternary‐state logics (NMIN and NMAX gates) are demonstrated, which inspire the development of reversibly multifunctional devices and indicates the potential of 2D materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal halide perovskites are promising optoelectronic materials due to their unique luminescent properties. However, their practical application is limited by their poor chemical stability, especially in humid environments. Moisture can cause phase changes or chemical decomposition, resulting in significant fluorescence quenching. In this study, a copper‐based organic–inorganic hybrid metal halide (t‐BA)3Cu6I9 is synthesized (t‐BA+ is the tert‐butyl‐ammonium ion (C(CH3)3NH3+)). This material exhibits water‐induced luminescence, and its chemical stability in humid environments is being investigated. Tetragonal t‐BA3Cu6I9 is not luminescent, but it reacts quickly with water in the air. The resultant (t‐BA)2Cu2I4·H2O has a broad green emission peak at 520 nm, high photoluminescence quantum yield of 59.4%. Remarkably, (t‐BA)2Cu2I4·H2O is converted back to t‐BA3Cu6I9 at temperatures above 40 °C. This phase conversion is highly repeatable, and the luminescent intensity can be fully recovered after 50 transformation cycles. The mechanism of luminescence is investigated through temperature‐dependent photoluminescence spectra and theoretical calculation, which suggests that (t‐BA)2Cu2I4·H2O has a more localized charge distribution and sufficient polyhedral distortion, resulting in a bright and efficient emission from self‐trapped excitons. This is the first report of water‐induced luminescence in copper‐based metal halides, and it paves the way for stable luminescent materials that are responsive to humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting monolayers such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising channel materials to extend Moore's Law in advanced electronics. Synthetic TMD layers from chemical vapor deposition (CVD) are scalable for fabrication but notorious for their high defect densities. Therefore, innovative endeavors on growth reaction to enhance their quality are urgently needed. Here, we report that the hydroxide W species, an extremely pure vapor phase metal precursor form, is very efficient for sulfurization, leading to about one order of magnitude lower defect density compared to those from conventional CVD methods. The field-effect transistor (FET) devices based on the proposed growth reach a peak electron mobility ~200 cm2/Vs (~800 cm2/Vs) at room temperature (15 K), comparable to those from exfoliated flakes. The FET device with a channel length of 100 nm displays a high on-state current of ~400 µA/µm, encouraging the industrialization of 2D materials. Chemical vapor deposition enables the scalable production of 2D semiconductors, but the grown materials are usually affected by high defect densities. Here, the authors report a hydroxide vapour phase deposition method to synthesize wafer-scale monolayer WS2 with reduced defect density and electrical properties comparable to those of exfoliated flakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]