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Highly tunable localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonances in metal nanostructures are of great importance for manipulating light waves and enhancing light–matter interactions at the nanoscale. Here, a new type of plasmonic resonators based on hollow elliptical nanotubes, which can generate highly tunable LSP resonances in the visible frequencies, are reported. High‐quality hollow gold (Au) elliptical nanotubes with fine controllable size and morphology are experimentally fabricated. Dark‐field scattering measurements reveal the presence of multiple plasmon resonances including longitudinal Fabry–Pérot resonances and transverse hybridized LSP resonances due to rotational symmetry breaking. Upon varying the ellipticity, the hybridized LSP resonances exhibit continuously spectral evolution behaviors, such as the hybridized modes shifting and crossing. The experimental results show good agreement with the rigorous electromagnetic modeling and Raman spectroscopic measurements. The hollow anisotropic geometries provide highly tunable plasmonic responses together with homogeneous field distributions and high surface‐to‐volume ratio, which hold great potential for practical applications in sensing, nonlinear optics, surface‐enhanced spectroscopies, and bio‐medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main research in this paper is the state bounding problem of high‐order quaternion Hopfield neural networks (HOQHNNs) with time‐varying discrete delays, unbounded distributed delays, and bounded disturbances. In the research process, firstly, the considered HOQHNNs are decomposed into four equivalent real‐valued Hopfield neural networks (RHNNs) to solve the problem that quaternion multiplication is not commutative, and then, a sufficient condition related to time delays is given to ensure that the state trajectories that are contained in or globally exponentially convergent into a cuboid. Thereby, the corresponding reachable set estimation is obtained. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate validity of theoretical results. At present, the research on HOQHNNs with mixed time delays adopts Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) method, which needs to not only choose the appropriate LKF but also take into account both conservatism and computational complexity. Besides, there is no literature to study the state bounding of HOQHNNs with mixed delays. The method suggested in the present text has three merits: (1) According to the definition of state bounding straightway, it has no use any LKF, which avoids massive calculations and solutions of high‐dimensional matrix inequalities; (2) it is available not only to HOQHNNs but also to RHNNs and complex‐valued Hopfield neural networks (CHNNs); and (3) make up for the blank of state bounding research of HOQHNNs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local retroperitoneal recurrence (RPR) after radical nephrectomy (RN) is rare in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC); however, it is associated with poor prognosis and lacks standard treatment. Our study aimed to assess oncological outcomes and prognostic factors of patients that underwent targeted therapy for RPR after RN, and to evaluate the role of presurgical targeted therapy in this context. This was a retrospective multicenter study of 85 patients with RPR treated with targeted therapy for RPR after RN (July 2008‐October 2020). Clinical and pathological characteristics were reported using descriptive statistics. Cancer‐specific survival (CSS) was examined using the Cox proportional hazards model. The median follow‐up time was 50 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.3‐66.7) after the RPR diagnosis. The median CSS was 96 months in the presurgical targeted therapy followed by surgical resection group and 42 months (95% CI: 28.8‐55.2) in the targeted therapy alone group (P =.0011). In multivariate analysis, International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium classification intermediate/poor risk, number of recurrence lesions and surgical resection were independent predictors of CSS. Presurgical targeted therapy may increase the feasibility of tumor resection for RPR after RN. Patients who underwent surgical resection following presurgical targeted therapy had better CSS than those treated with targeted therapy alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of safe, efficient, and non‐noble‐metal electrocatalysts is a promising approach for hydrogen energy production. However, due to low electrical conductivity and weak stability, non‐noble metal catalysts for HER are significantly limited in practice. Here, a method for low‐cost catalysts was reported for synthesizing Mo‐CoP/Ti3C2Tx composites in which Mo‐doped CoP materials were facilely grown on the surface of Ti3C2Tx MXene. The introduction of MXene and the doping of Mo promoted electron transfer and increased the active sites compared with CoP. As HER electrocatalysts, the Mo‐CoP/Ti3C2Tx materials exhibited a good HER activity with a low overpotential of only 117 mV. What's more, these catalysts had shown excellent electron conductivity, fast catalytic dynamics, and a boosted electrochemical active surface. Suitable synthetic ratios were obtained by optimizing the MXene substrate and the Mo doping amount. This work provided a new guide for the design and exploration of MXene based electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic–inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a new class of photovoltaic devices, which have attracted increasing interests due to high efficiency, low cost, and simple fabrication process. Although a remarkable enhancement in power conversion efficiency (PCE) has been achieved in the last decade, the stability issue, including high water/heat sensitivity and UV light‐induced degradation, has become one of the main obstacles for practical applications of PSCs. Herein, hydrophobic butyl acrylate with CO and CC groups is reported as a new additive to enhance the PCE and moisture/thermal stability of CH3NH3PbI3‐based PSCs, which improves the quality of the perovskite film by promoting defect passivation, constructing a suitable energy‐level alignment, and increasing the charge carrier lifetime in PSCs. Such an additive is easily introduced into PSCs without the need for thermal treatment, which is typically required by other additives, causing a negative effect on the efficiency. The CH3NH3PbI3‐based PSC with butyl acrylate additive shows a superior PCE of 20.0%, 19% higher than that of the unmodified device (16.8%), as well as much improved moisture/thermal stability. Herein, a facile way is provided to enhance the PCE and stability of CH3NH3PbI3‐based PSCs simultaneously, which facilitates the commercialization of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are highly promising next‐generation photovoltaic devices because of the cheap raw materials, ideal band gap of ≈1.5 eV, broad absorption range, and high absorption coefficient. Although lead‐based inorganic‐organic PSC has achieved the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 25.2%, the toxic nature of lead and poor stability strongly limits the commercialization. Lead‐free inorganic PSCs are potential alternatives to toxic and unstable organic‐inorganic PSCs. Particularly, double‐perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6‐based PSC has received interests for its all inorganic and lead‐free features. However, the PCE is limited by the inherent and extrinsic defects of Cs2AgBiBr6 films. Herein, an effective and facile strategy is reported for improving the PCE and stability by introducing an N719 dye interlayer, which plays multifunctional roles such as broadening the absorption spectrum, suppressing the charge carrier recombination, accelerating the hole extraction, and constructing an appropriate energy level alignment. Consequently, the optimizing cell delivers an outstanding PCE of 2.84%, much improved as compared with other Cs2AgBiBr6‐based PSCs reported so far in the literature. Moreover, the N719 interlayer greatly enhances the stability of PSCs under ambient conditions. This work highlights a useful strategy to boost the PCE and stability of lead‐free Cs2AgBiBr6‐based PSCs simultaneously, accelerating the commercialization of PSC technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer susceptibility candidate 9 (CASC9) is a recently identified lncRNA that acted as a tumor promotor in diversified cancer types. However, its role in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains unknown. The expression of CASC9 was measured in 52 human PTC tissues and PTC cell lines as well as their controls. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of PTC cells were determined after knockdown or overexpression of CASC9 to evaluate the effect of CASC9 on PTC cells. Also, the role of PTC tumorigenesis was confirmed in mice xenograft models. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms of CASC9 were further researched. We found that CASC9 expression was augmented in human PTC tissues and cells. Higher CASC9 expression was associated with large tumor size, advanced stage, or lymph node metastasis. Downregulation of CASC9 significantly attenuated the proliferative, migrative, and invasive abilities of PTC cells, and suppressed tumorigenesis in vivo. While overexpression of CASC9 elevated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of PTC cells. miR‐488‐3p expression was decreased, and ADAM9 level was increased in PTC tissues and cells. CASC9 expression was negatively related to miR‐488‐3p, but positively associated with ADAM9 expression in PTC tissues. Molecular mechanism analysis revealed that CASC9 functioned via sponging miR‐488‐3p to regulate ADAM9 expression, followed by activation of EGFR‐Akt signaling. In conclusion, lncRNA CASC9 promoted the malignant phenotypes of PTC via modulating miR‐488‐3p/ADAM9 pathway. This study may provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of PTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aberrant expression of microRNA (miRNA) emerges as an important role in a wide range of human malignances, and further identification as well as validation of the change of these endogenous non-protein-coding transcripts is warranted. Here, we identify a novel epigenetic regulation of miR-766-3p and investigate its biological function as well as clinical significance in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Bisulfate analysis elucidates that the promoter of miR-766-3p is highly methylated in RCC tissues compared to non-tumorous tissues. Notably, the downregulation of miR-766-3p is obviously associated with clinical stage and worse prognosis in RCC patients. Upregulated miR-766-3p attenuates cell-cycle progression via targeting SF2 expression and additional SF2/P-AKT/P-ERK signaling pathway. Moreover, high level of SF2, as a novel oncoprotein in RCC, was significantly associated with poor survival in a large cohort of RCC specimens. Taken together, our study presents a road map for the prediction and validation of miR-766-3p/SF2 axis and thus imparts a therapeutic way for further RCC progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To estimate the percent functional volume preservation from preoperative images using a novel method, the spherical cap surface model, and to investigate whether this model can preoperatively predict renal function after partial nephrectomy. Methods A total of 233 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy between January 2011 and December 2013 were included in the present study. The spherical cap surface model was used to calculate the estimated percent functional volume preservation on preoperative computed tomography, and the estimated percent functional volume preservation was multiplied by the preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate to predict the postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate. The occurrence of acute kidney injury also served as an outcome. Univariate and multivariate linear regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were used to test the model. Results The estimated percent functional volume preservation calculated by the novel model was significantly associated with both nadir percent estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation and late percent estimated glomerular filtration rate preservation in the multivariate analysis (the P-values were 0.021 and 0.043, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for predicting acute kidney injury after partial nephrectomy showed that volume preservation ( P < 0.001) and warm ischemia time ( P = 0.040) were both significant. Regarding the ability to predict a significant decrease in late renal function after partial nephrectomy, only volume preservation ( P = 0.044) was significant. Conclusions Preservation of functional volume is the primary determinant of functional outcomes after partial nephrectomy. The spherical cap surface model seems to represent a promising tool to predict nadir and late postoperative renal function in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gold nanowire arrays with different diameter and length were successfully prepared in etched ion-track template assisted with electrochemical deposition method and the nanowire's crystal structure and morphology were characterized by transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM) and scanning electron spectroscopy (SEM). The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyse the electronic states of gold nanowire arrays embodied in the template. It was found that the 4f core level binding energy of gold nanowire shifted toward higher binding energy when comparing with bulk gold. The positive binding energy shift increased significantly with decreasing nanowire's length or diameter. The enhanced final-state effect was considered to explain the 4f binding energy shift of gold nanowire arrays embodied in template finally. (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate whether remote ischaemic preconditioning ( RIPC) reduces renal injury in patients undergoing laparoscopic partial nephrectomy ( LPN)., Patients and methods In all, 82 patients undergoing LPN were randomly assigned to either the RIPC or control group, with 40 and 38 patients, respectively completing 6-months follow-up., RIPC was conducted after induction of anaesthesia, which consisted of three 5-min cycles of right lower limb ischaemia and 5 min of reperfusion during each cycle., The primary outcome was the absolute change in glomerular filtration rate ( GFR) of the affected kidney by renal scintigraphy from baseline to 6 months., The secondary outcomes included urinary retinol-binding protein ( RBP) levels measured at 24 and 48 h, serum creatinine, and estimated GFR ( eGFR) at 1 and 6 months, and changes in GFR by renal scintigraphy., Results There were no differences in the change of GFR of the affected kidney at 6 months, while it was significantly decreased by 15.0% in the control group vs 8.8% in the RIPC group at 1 month ( P = 0.034)., The urinary RBP levels increased 8.4-fold at 24 h in the control group compared with a lower increase of 3.9-fold in the RIPC group ( P < 0.001)., There were no differences in the serum creatinine level or eGFR at 1 and 6 months between the two groups., Conclusions In patients undergoing LPN, RIPC using transient lower limb ischaemia may reduce renal impairment in the short term, but failed in the longer term despite a non-significant trend in favour of RIPC., These novel data support the need for a larger study of RIPC during LPN surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical classification is a standardized system to assess the anatomical complexity of renal tumors and its impact on perioperative outcomes of partial nephrectomy. The objective is to apply the preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical classification in a series of Chinese patients undergoing open or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. Methods: A total of 195 consecutive renal tumors treated with open partial nephrectomy or laparoscopic partial nephrectomy between June 2008 and May 2011 were included in this analysis. All the preoperative images and clinical records were retrospectively evaluated. Complication rate, warm ischemia time, operation time and degree of blood loss were compared among different risk groups (low risk: preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical score 6-7; intermediate risk: preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical score 8-9; high risk: preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical score ≥10). The original preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical score system was modified by replacing rim location with hilar vasculature involvement and tested for prediction of overall complications. Results: The median preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical score was 8. Overall complication rate was 17.9%. Preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical score was an independent predictor for perioperative complications. Intermediate and high-risk patients had a four- and 37-fold higher risk of complications respectively ( P = 0.012, P < 0.001). Higher preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical score predicted longer operation time ( P = 0.007), warm ischemia time ( P < 0.001) and higher degree of blood loss ( P = 0.003) in open partial nephrectomy patients. In laparoscopic partial nephrectomy patients, preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical score was also a predictor for warm ischemia time ( P = 0.033); however, it was not significant for operation time and degree of blood loss ( P = 0.325, P = 0.302). The modified preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical score was an independent predictor for overall complications ( P < 0.001); however, its superiority could not be verified ( P = 0.847). Conclusions: The preoperative aspects and dimensions used for an anatomical classification predicts the risk of overall complications in Chinese patients undergoing nephron-sparing surgery. Replacing the rim location with hilar vasculature involvement might be a promising modification of this scoring system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the failure mechanism of Ti60 titanium alloy in the high cycle fatigue (HCF) and very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) at 500°C. Ti60 specimens were characterized before and after the 500°C VHCF test, and the fracture surfaces were observed. The results show that there are three different fatigue failure mechanisms at 500°C: (i) equiaxed primary α phase (αp) cleavage, forming small unsmooth facets and rough fracture area (RA), and fusion of non‐adjacent facets to grow into the main crack. (ii) αp grains gather into large grain with triple junction, and large grain slip to form large fusion facet. (iii) Oxide shedding and then cracks form. A dynamic recurrent neural network model is used to predict the fatigue life of Ti60 alloy, 91% of the overall predictions were within the scatter band of 3.0, and 100% were within the scatter band of 5.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]