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In situ cyclized polyacrylonitrile (CPAN) is developed to replace n‐type metal oxide semiconductors (TiO2 or SnO2) as an electron selective layer (ESL) for highly efficient and stable n‐i‐p perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The CPAN layer is fabricated via facile in situ cyclization reaction of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) coated on a conducting glass substrate. The CPAN layer is robust and insoluble in common solvents, and possesses n‐type semiconductor properties with a high electron mobility of 4.13×10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1. With the CPAN as an ESL, the PSC affords a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.12 %, which is the highest for the n‐i‐p PSCs with organic ESLs. Moreover, the device with the CPAN layer holds superior operational stability, maintaining over 90 % of their initial efficiency after 500 h continuous light soaking. These results confirm that the CPAN layer would be a desirable low‐cost and efficient ESL for n‐i‐p PSCs and other photoelectronic devices with high performance and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ cyclized polyacrylonitrile (CPAN) is developed to replace n‐type metal oxide semiconductors (TiO2 or SnO2) as an electron selective layer (ESL) for highly efficient and stable n‐i‐p perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The CPAN layer is fabricated via facile in situ cyclization reaction of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) coated on a conducting glass substrate. The CPAN layer is robust and insoluble in common solvents, and possesses n‐type semiconductor properties with a high electron mobility of 4.13×10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1. With the CPAN as an ESL, the PSC affords a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.12 %, which is the highest for the n‐i‐p PSCs with organic ESLs. Moreover, the device with the CPAN layer holds superior operational stability, maintaining over 90 % of their initial efficiency after 500 h continuous light soaking. These results confirm that the CPAN layer would be a desirable low‐cost and efficient ESL for n‐i‐p PSCs and other photoelectronic devices with high performance and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The non-vacuum deposited PEDOT film without external oxidant. • The dense and smooth PEDOT film using BEDOT as monomer. • The PEDOT film with high electrical conductivity and hole mobility. • The PEDOT-based PSC with enhanced performance and stability. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) is a well-known hole transport material, and widely used in inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, its high acidity and hydrophilicity from PSS can corrode the adjacent electrode and perovskite layer, seriously reducing the device performance and durability. Herein, a PEDOT film is fabricated by reactive vapor deposition method, where 5-bromo-2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxine as monomer is evaporated and self-polymerized on a substrate at ambient pressure and low temperatures without external oxidants. The resulting PEDOT film is uniform and smooth with high conductivity, and the corresponding inverted CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 (MAPbI 3) PSC exhibits superior device performance with a PCE of 21.34 %, which is one of the best efficiencies reported for the inverted PSCs with PEDOT:PSS as HTMs. Moreover, a general issue related to the acidic nature of PSS is successfully resolved, and the target device without encapsulation retained more than 80 % of the initial efficiency after 1000 h at ∼ 30 °C and 50 % RH, and kept about 80 % of the initial efficiency after 100 h in N 2 atmosphere at 80 °C. This report may provide a facile and effective method for the PEDOT fabrication applied for perovskite solar cells and other optoelectronic devices with high performance and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the matter from a companion star is accreted towards the central compact accretor, i.e. a black hole (BH) or a neutron star (NS), an accretion disc and a jet outflow will form, providing bight X-ray and radio emission, which is known as X-ray binaries (XRBs). In the low/hard state, there exist disc–jet couplings in XRBs, but it remains uncertain whether the jet power comes from the disc or the central accretor. Moreover, black hole X-ray binaries (BHXRBs) have different properties compared with neutron star X-ray binaries (NSXRBs): quiescent BHXRBs are typically two to three orders of magnitude less luminous than NSXRBs in X-ray, whereas BHXRBs are more radio loud than NSXRBs. In observations, an empirical correlation has been established between radio and X-ray luminosity, |$L_{\rm R} \propto L_{\rm X}^b$|⁠ , where b ∼ 0.7 for BHXRBs and b ∼ 1.4 for non-pulsating NSXRBs. However, there are some outliers of BHXRBs showing unusually steep correlation as NSXRBs at higher luminosities. In this work, under the assumption that the origin of jet power is related to the internal energy of the inner disc, we apply our magnetized, radiatively efficient thin disc model and the well-known radiatively inefficient accretion flow model to NSXRBs and BHXRBs. We find that the observed radio/X-ray correlations in XRBs can be well understood by the disc–jet couplings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence rates of bright X-ray flares in z  < 1 gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with or without observed supernovae (SNe) association were compared. Our Sample I: the z  < 1 long GRBs (LGRBs) with SNe association (SN-GRBs) and with early Swift /X-Ray Telescope (XRT) observations, consists of 18 GRBs, among which only two GRBs have bright X-ray flares. Our Sample II: for comparison, all the z  < 1 LGRBs without observed SNe association and with early Swift /XRT observations, consists of 45 GRBs, among which 16 GRBs present bright X-ray flares. Thus, the study indicates a lower occurrence rate of bright X-ray flares in Sample I (11.1 per cent) than in Sample II (35.6 per cent). In addition, if dim X-ray fluctuations are included as flares, then 16.7 per cent of Sample I and 55.6 per cent of Sample II are found to have flares, again showing the discrepancy between these two samples. We examined the physical origin of these bright X-ray flares and found that most of them are probably related to the central engine reactivity. To understand the discrepancy, we propose that such a lower occurrence rate of flares in the SN-GRB sample may hint at an energy partition among the GRB, SNe, and X-ray flares under a saturated energy budget of massive star explosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrino-dominated accretion flows (NDAFs) around rotating stellar-mass black holes (BHs) are plausible candidates for the central engines of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). NDAFs are hyperaccretion disks with accretion rates in the range of around 0.001–10 M ⊙ s − 1 , which have high density and temperature and therefore are extremely optically thick and geometrically slim or even thick. We review the theoretical progresses in studying the properties of NDAFs as well as their applications to the GRB phenomenology. The topics include: the steady radial and vertical structure of NDAFs and the implications for calculating neutrino luminosity and annihilation luminosity, jet power due to neutrino-antineutrino annihilation and Blandford–Znajek mechanism and their dependences on parameters such as BH mass, spin, and accretion rate, time evolution of NDAFs, effect of magnetic fields, applications of NDAF theories to the GRB phenomenology such as lightcurve variability, extended emission, X-ray flares, kilonovae, etc., as well as probing NDAFs using multi-messenger signals such as MeV neutrinos and gravitational waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A single-crystal complex FA 4 Pb 3 I 6 Ac 4 is synthesized. • FAPbI 3 perovskite film has been fabricated from FA 4 Pb 3 I 6 Ac 4 via anion-exchange. • The FAPbI 3 film is dense and uniform with low trap-state density. • The PSC shows a PCE of 23.65% with enhanced stability. PbI 2 as precursor has been extensively employed for the fabrication of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite films for high-efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by using two-step solution deposition method. However, the resultant perovskite film suffers from the incomplete reaction of PbI 2 and the volumetric expansion of the film, affecting both the performance and stability of the PSCs. Here, a single-crystal complex FA 4 Pb 3 I 6 Ac 4 (Ac−: CH 3 COO−) is synthesized, and utilized to replace PbI 2 for the fabrication of FAPbI 3 -based perovskite film in ambient conditions. The solution-processed crystal complex has good film-forming ability, and can be directly converted into stable black-phase FAPbI 3 perovskite at room temperature through anion exchange reaction between Ac− and I− upon coating with iodide salt solution. By the strategy, a dense and uniform perovskite film is obtained with reduced trap-state density and prolonged charge lifetime. The champion device delivers a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.65% with high reproductivity. Importantly, the unencapsulated device exhibits a dramatically improved operational stability under temperature and humidity conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multifunctional interlayer for highly stable and efficient P3HT-based PSCs. • Simultaneously passivating the defects of perovskite and improving the interface contaction and charge extraction. • Inducing the oriented self-assembly of P3HT and promoting efficient charge transfer. • Enhancing the thermal and moisture resistance of the perovskite film. Poly (3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) has been recognized to be a potential hole-transport material (HTM) for stable and efficient perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to its low cost, high hole mobility, and solution processability. However, the uncontrolled configuration of the polymer chains and the poor contact on the perovskite film restrain the charge extraction and transport in the devices. Here, we demonstrate a simple and versatile strategy for the fabrication of stable and efficient P3HT-based PSCs, using 1-hexyl-2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxylic acid (HPCA) as interlayer between perovskite and P3HT layers. The carboxyl group in HPCA can effectively suppress anion-vacancy defects at the grain boundaries and surface of the perovskite film, reducing the trap state density and improving the carrier lifetimes. Moreover, the peripheral hexyl-pyrrole in HPCA can improve the interface contact between the perovskite and P3HT, and regulate P3HT orientation and improve charge extraction and transport in the device. As a result, the PSC using the dopant-free P3HT HTM yields a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.8%, along with superior stability at a relative humidity of 60%, heat at 80 °C, or under continuous light illumination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In-Situ Polymerization of conducting polymer PEDOT in Perovskite Thin Films. • Simultaneously passivating the defects and improving carrier extraction efficiency. • Enhancing the thermal and moisture resistance of the perovskite film. • The PSCs with 22.58% PCE with enhanced stability. Solution-processed polycrystalline perovskite films have detrimental defects in the bulk and surfaces/grain boundaries, especially the uncoordinated lead ions (Pb2+) with low formation energy, limiting both the performance and stability of the photovoltaic devices. In this work, a conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) is incorporated into a bulk perovskite film by a facile in-situ polymerization method, where 5-bromo-2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxine (BEDOT) as monomer is directly added to a perovskite precursor solution and then in-situ polymerized within the perovskite film during the film formation. The PEDOT is chemically anchored at the surface and grain boundaries of the perovskite film via interaction of sulfur and oxygen atoms in PEDOT with uncoordinated lead ions in the perovskite, passivating the surface and bulk defects and also improving the charge extraction efficiency in the solar cell. Moreover, robust and hydrophobic properties of PEDOT can enhance the thermal and moisture resistance of the perovskite film. As a result, a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.58% is achieved, along with significantly enhanced environmental, thermal, and light-soaking stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In accretion systems, outflows may have significant influence on luminosity fluctuations. In this paper, following Lyubarskii's general scheme, we revisit the power spectral density of luminosity fluctuations by taking into account the role of outflows. Our analysis is based on the assumption that the coupling between the local outflow and inflow is weak for accretion-rate fluctuations. We find that, for inflow mass accretion rate , the power spectrum of the flicker-noise component will present a power-law distribution p( f) ∝ f−(1 + 4 s/3) for advection-dominated flows. We also obtain descriptions of p( f) for both standard thin discs and neutrino-cooled discs, which show that the power-law index of a neutrino-cooled disc is generally larger than that of a photon-cooled disc. Furthermore, the relationship obtained between p( f) and s indicates the possibility of evaluating the strength of outflows through the power spectrum in X-ray binaries and gamma-ray bursts. In addition, we discuss the possible influence of outflow-inflow coupling on our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We revisit the vertical structure of neutrino-dominated accretion flows (NDAFs) in spherical coordinates with a new boundary condition based on the mechanical equilibrium. The solutions show that NDAF is significantly thick. The Bernoulli parameter and neutrino trapping are determined by the mass accretion rate and the viscosity parameter. According to the distribution of the Bernoulli parameter, the possible outflow may appear in the outer region of the disk. The neutrino trapping can essentially affect the neutrino radiation luminosity. The vertical structure of NDAF is like a 'sandwich', and the multilayer accretion may account for the flares in gamma-ray bursts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The stress evolution process is taken into account in the linear stability analysis of standard thin accretion discs. We find that the growth rate of thermally unstable modes can decrease significantly owing to the stress delay, which may help to understand the quasi-periodic variability of GRS 1915+105. We also discuss the possible application of stress evolution to the stability of the Shapiro-Lightman-Eardley disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents global solutions of advection-dominated accretion flows (ADAFs) around black holes. The global solution passes through two critical points, the sonic point Rs and viscous point Rv and is thus naturally divided by these points into three radial zones: the subsonic, subviscous outer zone (R > Rv), the subsonic, superviscous middle zone (Rs < R < Rv), and the supersonic, superviscous inner zone (R < Rs). We have obtained a complete picture by means of the Rs — j parameter space which sums up the situation of ADAF solution at a glance. We find three classes of global solutions: the ADAF-thin disk solution, the ADAF-thick disk solution and the α — X type adiabatic shock-included solution. We also present the unique correspondences among Rs, Rv and Rout of the ADAF-thin disk solutions, where Rout is the outer boundary of ADAF. The adiabatic shock in the accretion flow connects the supersonic and superviscous zone of an X-type solution to the subsonic and superviscous zone of an α-type soultion. Because the shock occurs between two superviscous zones, it can exist for flows with either a low or a high viscosity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Inorganic cesium lead iodide perovskite CsPbI3 is attracting great attention as a light absorber for single or multi‐junction photovoltaics due to its outstanding thermal stability and proper band gap. However, the device performance of CsPbI3‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is limited by the unsatisfactory crystal quality and thus severe non‐radiative recombination. Here, vacuum‐assisted thermal annealing (VATA) is demonstrated as an effective approach for controlling the morphology and crystallinity of the CsPbI3 perovskite films formed from the precursors of PbI2, CsI, and dimethylammonium iodide (DMAI). By this method, a large‐area and high‐quality CsPbI3 film is obtained, exhibiting a much reduced trap‐state density with prolonged charge lifetime. Consequently, the solar cell efficiency is raised from 17.26 to 20.06 %, along with enhanced stability. The VATA would be an effective approach for fabricating high‐performance thin‐film CsPbI3 perovskite optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic cesium lead iodide perovskite CsPbI3 is attracting great attention as a light absorber for single or multi‐junction photovoltaics due to its outstanding thermal stability and proper band gap. However, the device performance of CsPbI3‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is limited by the unsatisfactory crystal quality and thus severe non‐radiative recombination. Here, vacuum‐assisted thermal annealing (VATA) is demonstrated as an effective approach for controlling the morphology and crystallinity of the CsPbI3 perovskite films formed from the precursors of PbI2, CsI, and dimethylammonium iodide (DMAI). By this method, a large‐area and high‐quality CsPbI3 film is obtained, exhibiting a much reduced trap‐state density with prolonged charge lifetime. Consequently, the solar cell efficiency is raised from 17.26 to 20.06 %, along with enhanced stability. The VATA would be an effective approach for fabricating high‐performance thin‐film CsPbI3 perovskite optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the British Journal of Surgery, examines the importance of nodular number in predicting the prognosis of patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who undergo hepatectomy. The study, conducted at multiple hepatobiliary centers in China, Italy, and the USA, analyzed data from HCC patients who had undergone curative-intent hepatic resection between 2008 and 2018. The findings indicate that patients with three or more tumor nodules had lower overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates compared to those with two nodules. The study suggests that nodular number should be considered when predicting long-term prognosis after hepatic resection for intermediate-stage HCC. However, further research is needed to validate these findings. The study was supported by various funding sources and the authors have no conflicts of interest. [Extracted from the article]

We investigate the vertical structure of neutrino-dominated accretion flows in spherical coordinates. In our calculation, the empty funnel along the rotation axis can naturally explain the neutrino annihilable ejection. The outflow is possible due to the positive Bernoulli function, and the luminosity of neutrino annihilation is enhanced by one or two orders of magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GRB 170817A, detected by Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor 1.7 s after the merger of a neutron star (NS) binary, provides the first direct evidence for a link between such a merger and a short-duration gamma-ray burst. The X-ray observations after GRB 170817A indicate a possible X-ray flare with a peak luminosity |$L_{\rm peak} \sim 2\times 10^{39}\, {\rm erg\, s}^{-1}$| near day 156. Here we show that this X-ray flare may be understood based on a slim disc around a compact object. On the one hand, there exists the maximal accretion rate |$\dot{M}_{\rm max}$| for the slim disc, above which an optically thick outflow is significant and radiation from the disc is obscured. Based on the energy balance analysis, we find that |$\dot{M}_{\rm max}$| is in the range of |${\sim } 4\dot{M}_{\rm Edd}$| and |${\sim } 21\dot{M}_{\rm Edd}$| when the angular velocity of the slim disc is between |$\rm (1/5)^{1/2}\Omega _K$| and |$\rm \Omega _K$| (where |$\dot{M}_{\rm Edd}$| is the Eddington accretion rate and ΩK is the Keplerian angular velocity). With |$\dot{M}_{\rm max}$|⁠, the slim disc can provide a luminosity ∼ L peak for a compact object of |$2.5 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$|⁠. On the other hand, if the merger of two NSs forms a typical neutrino-dominated accretion disc whose accretion rate |$\dot{M}$| follows a power-law decline with an index −1.8, then the system must pass through the outflow regime and enter the slim disc in ∼11–355 d. These results imply that a post-merger slim accretion disc could account for the observed late-time L peak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose the thick-disc model of Gu et al. to interpret the transition between soft ultraluminous state (SUL) and supersoft ultraluminous (SSUL) state in NGC 247. As accretion rate increases, the inner disc will puff up and act as shield to block the innermost X-ray emission regions and absorb both soft and hard X-ray photons. The absorbed X-ray emission will be re-radiated as a much softer blackbody X-ray spectrum. Hence NGC 247 shows flux dips in the hard X-ray band and transits from the SUL state to the SSUL state. The ∼200 s transition time-scale can be explained by the viscous time-scale. According to our model, the inner disc in the supersoft state is thicker and has smaller viscous time-scale than in the soft state. X-ray flux variability, which is assumed to be driven by accretion rate fluctuations, might be viscous time-scale invariant. Therefore, in the SSUL state, NGC 247 is more variable. The bolometric luminosity is saturated in the thick disc; the observed radius–temperature relation can therefore be naturally explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By taking into account photon absorption, we investigate the vertical structure of accretion flows with comparable radiation and gas pressures. We consider two separate energy equations for matter and radiation in the diffusion limit. In order to solve the set of radiation hydrodynamic equations in steady state and axisymmetric configuration, we employ self-similar technique in the radial direction. We need the reflection symmetry about the mid-plane to find gas density at the equator. For a typical solution, we assume that the gas pressure has 10–50 per cent portion of the total pressure. In this paper, since the radiation energy is involved directly, we are able to estimate how much energy of viscous heating is transported in the radial direction and advected towards the central object. Our results show that although the mass accretion rate does not approach the Eddington limit, the energy advection is rather high. Moreover, in a disc with greater accretion rate and less portion of gas pressure at the total pressure, more energy is advected to its centre. In addition, as we expect the accretion flow becomes thicker with greater values of gas pressure. Based on Solberg–Høiland conditions, we notice that the flow is convectively stable in all parts of such a disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eastern Staging System, which was specially developed for patients undergoing surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has been proposed for more than ten years. To prospectively validate the predictive accuracy of the Eastern staging on long-term survival after HCC resection. Patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC from 2011 to 2020 at 10 Chinese hospitals were identified from a prospectively collected database. The survival predictive accuracy was evaluated and compared between the Eastern Staging with six other staging systems, including the JIS, BCLC, Okuda, CLIP, 8th AJCC TNM, and HKLC staging. Among 2365 patients, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 84.2%, 64.5%, and 52.6%, respectively. Among these seven staging systems, the Eastern staging was associated with the best monotonicity of gradients (linear trend χ2: 408.5) and homogeneity (likelihood ratio χ2: 447.3), and the highest discriminatory ability (the areas under curves for 1-, 3-, and 5-year mortality: 0.776, 0.787, and 0.768, respectively). In addition, the Eastern staging was the most informative staging system in predicting survival (Akaike information criterion: 2982.33). Using a large multicenter prospectively collected database, the Eastern Staging was found to show the best predictive accuracy on long-term overall survival in patients with resectable HCC than the other 6 commonly-used staging systems. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double gamma-ray bursts (DGRBs) have two well-separated sub-bursts in the main prompt emission and the typical time interval between them is in the hundreds of seconds. Among DGRBs, gamma-ray bursts (DGRBs) 110801A and 120716A are the ones with known redshifts. However, unlike GRB 110801A, we show that the two sub-bursts of GRB 120716A is severally similar to the short- and long-duration GRBs, thus it is difficult to explain the origin of GRB 120716A by the popular models on the central engine of GRBs. We suggest that some mechanisms of x-ray flares in GRBs, i.e., a post-merger millisecond pulsars or the jet precession in a black hole hyperaccretion system may produce the DGRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D tin-based halide perovskites are promising light absorbers for perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to their non-toxicity, suitable optical band gaps, and excellent optoelectronic properties. However, the inherent rapid crystallization and easy oxidation of Sn2+ to Sn4+ in 3D perovskites result in a low power conversion efficiency (PCE) and poor stability of tin perovskite solar cells compared with the lead counterparts. In this report, quasi-2D hybrid tin-based perovskite films are fabricated by using 2-thiopheneethylammonium (TEA+) as the spacer cation in MASnI3 (MA: CH3NH3+), leading to the formation of quasi-2D perovskite films with high orientation and a low content of Sn4+. As a result, the perovskite solar cells show a considerable power-conversion efficiency of 6.8%, which is among the highest values reported for MASnI3-based solar cells. Moreover, the devices exhibited excellent stability compared with the device without TEAI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Although adjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for resected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may improve survival for some patients, identifying which patients can benefit remains challenging. The present study aimed to construct a survival prediction calculator for individualized estimating the net survival benefit of adjuvant TACE for patients with resected HCC. Methods: From a multicenter database, consecutive patients undergoing curative resection for HCC were enrolled and divided into the developing and validation cohorts. Using the independent survival predictors in the developing cohort, two nomogram models were constructed for patients with and without adjuvant TACE, respectively, which predictive performance was validated internally and externally by measuring concordance index (C-index) and calibration. The difference between two estimates of the prediction models was the expected survival benefit of adjuvant TACE. Results: A total of 2514 patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. The nomogram prediction models for patients with and without adjuvant TACE were, respectively, built by incorporating the same eight independent survival predictors, including portal hypertension, Child–Pugh score, alpha-fetoprotein level, tumor size and number, macrovascular and microvascular invasion, and resection margin. These two prediction models demonstrated good calibration and discrimination, with all the C-indexes of greater than 0.75 in the developing and validation cohorts. A browser-based calculator was generated for individualized estimating the net survival benefit of adjuvant TACE. Conclusions: Based on large-scale real-world data, an easy-to-use online calculator can be adopted as a decision aid to predict which patients with resected HCC can benefit from adjuvant TACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the mechanism of transition from a Shakura-Sunyaev disk to an advection-dominated accretion flow in more details, taking into consideration two-temperature plasma accretion flows with bremsstrahlung and synchrotron radiation and Comptonization. The results further show that such a transition is realizable for a quite wide range of physical conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aging of the population and prolonged life expectancy have significantly increased the number of elderly patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, potential benefits, especially long-term oncologic outcomes of hepatectomy for elderly patients with HCC remain unclear. Patients treated with curative-intent hepatectomy for HCC in 8 Chinese hospitals were enrolled. Patients were divided into the elderly (≥70 years old) and younger (<70 years old) groups. Overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and time-to-recurrence (TTR) were compared. Risk factors of CSS and TTR were evaluated by univariable and multivariable competing-risk regression analyses. Of 2134 patients, 259 (12.1%) and 1875 (87.9%) were elderly and younger aged, respectively. Postoperative 30-day and 90-day mortality was comparable among elderly and younger patients. Compared with younger patients, the elderly had a worse 5-year OS (49.4% vs. 55.3%, P = 0.032), yet a better 5-year CCS (74.5% vs. 61.0%, P = 0.005) and a lower 5-year TTR (33.7% vs. 44.9%, P < 0.001), respectively. Multivariable analyses identified that elder age was independently associated with more favorable CSS (HR 0.74, 95%CI 0.58–0.90, P = 0.011) and TTR (0.69, 0.53–0.88, P < 0.001) but was not associated with OS (P = 0.136). Age by itself is not a contraindication to surgery, and selected elderly patients with HCC can benefit from hepatectomy. Compared with younger patients, elderly patients have noninferior oncologic outcomes following hepatectomy for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A total of 5 eligible studies with 474 cases and 805 controls were included. • There were statistically significant for rs361525 in allelic model (A vs. G). • There were statistically significant for rs1800750 in dominant model (AA + GA vs. GG). • Caucasian with A site mutation of rs361525 was more susceptible to influenza A (H1N1). The aim of the study was to comprehensively evaluate the associations between tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene polymorphism and influenza A (H1N1) susceptibility. The relevant studies were identified through a search of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library database until February 29, 2020, without language restrictions. Two independent reviewers extracted the data, and any discrepancies were resolved by consensus. The quality of the eligible article was evaluated by Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). Egger's test was applied to evaluate publication bias. All these analyses were performed using Stata15.1 software. A total of 5 studies with 474 cases and 805 controls were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that there were statistically significant for rs361525 in allelic model (A vs. G) [OR = 2.46 (1.10, 5.52)] and for rs1800750 in dominant model (AA + GA vs. GG) [OR = 2.42 (1.24, 4.71)] in cases vs. controls. Furthermore, subgroup analysis for race showed that for rs361525 in allelic model (A vs. G), there were significant differences for Caucasian [OR = 3.64 (1.18, 11.23)] and no significant difference for Mexican [OR = 2.25 (0.82, 6.13)] in cases vs. controls. There was publication bias for rs361525 in dominant model (AA + GA vs. GG, p = 0.042) and rs1800629 in recessive model (AA vs. GG + GA, p < 0.001). Caucasian with A site mutation of -238TNF G/A (rs361525) was more susceptible to influenza A (H1N1).The -376 dominant model AA + GA of TNF genes was associated with the susceptibility to influenza A (H1N1). However, more studies with large sample size are needed to confirm the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A clear definition of "early recurrence" after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resection is still lacking. This study aimed to determine the optimal cutoff between early and late HCC recurrence, and develop nomograms for pre- and postoperative prediction of early recurrence. Patients undergoing HCC resection were identified from a multi-institutional Chinese database. Minimum P -value approach was adopted to calculate optimal cut-off to define early recurrence. Pre- and postoperative risk factors for early recurrence were identified and further used for nomogram construction. The results were externally validated by a Western cohort. Among 1501 patients identified, 539 (35.9%) were recurrence-free. The optimal length to distinguish between early (n = 340, 35.3%) and late recurrence (n = 622, 64.7%) was 8 months. Multivariable logistic regression analyses identified 5 preoperative and 8 postoperative factors for early recurrence, which were further incorporated into preoperative and postoperative nomograms (C-index: 0.785 and 0.834). The calibration plots for the probability of early recurrence fitted well. The nomogram performance was maintained using the validation dataset (C-index: 0.777 for preoperative prediction and 0.842 for postoperative prediction). An interval of 8 months was the optimal threshold for defining early HCC recurrence. The two web-based nomograms have been published to allow accurate pre- and postoperative prediction of early recurrence. These may offer useful guidance for individual treatment or follow up for patients with resectable HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing worldwide. Higher perioperative risks may be anticipated due to underlying steatohepatitis, while long-term outcomes after liver resection are unknown. We sought to investigate outcomes after liver resection for NAFLD-HCC versus hepatitis B virus (HBV)-HCC using propensity score matching (PSM).Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent liver resection for HCC between 2003 and 2014 were identified from a multicenter database. Patients with NAFLD-HCC were matched one-to-one to patients with HBV-HCC.Results: Among 1483 patients identified, 96 (6.5%) had NAFLD-HCC and 1387 (93.5%) had HBV-HCC. Patients with NAFLD-HCC were older (median age 57 vs. 50 years), more often overweight (50.0% vs. 37.5%), less often to have cirrhosis (30.2% vs. 72.5%) and liver dysfunction (Child-Pugh B: 4.2% vs. 10.7%), had larger tumor size (median 7.2 vs. 6.2 cm) yet had better tumor differentiation (27.1% vs. 17.6%) compared with patients with HBV-HCC (all P < 0.05). Perioperative mortality and morbidity were comparable between the two groups (1.0% vs. 1.4% and 20.8% vs. 23.2%, both P > 0.05). No differences were noted in median OS and RFS among patient with NAFLD-HCC versus HBV-HCC before or after PSM.Conclusion: While patients with NAFLD-HCC had different clinical characteristics than patients with HBV-HCC, liver resection resulted in similar perioperative outcomes and comparable OS and RFS among patients with NAFLD-HCC and HBV-HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resection margin (RM) status and microscopic vascular invasion (MVI) are known prognostic factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). An enhanced understanding of their impact on long-term prognosis is required to improve oncological outcomes. Using multi-institutional data, the different impact of the RM status (narrow, <1 cm, or wide, ≥1 cm) and MVI (positive or negative) on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after curative liver resection of solitary HCC without macrovascular invasion was analyzed. In 801 patients, 306 (38%) had a narrow RM and 352 (44%) had positive MVI. The median OS and RFS were 109.8 and 74.8 months in patients with wide RM & negative MVI, 93.5 and 53.1 months with wide RM & positive MVI, 79.2 and 41.6 months with narrow RM & negative MVI, and 69.2 and 37.5 months with narrow RM & positive MVI (both P < 0.01). On multivariable analyses, narrow RM & positive MVI had the highest hazard ratio with reduced OS and RFS (HR 2.96, 95% CI 2.11–4.17, and HR 3.15, 95% CI, 2.09–4.67, respectively). Concomitant having narrow RM and positive MVI increases the risks of postoperative death and recurrence by about 2-fold in patients with solitary HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the leading cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. The aim of the study was to identify the incidence and predictive factors of actual 10-year survival following liver resection of HBV-related HCC.Methods: A Chinese multicenter database of patients undergoing curative hepatectomy of HBV-related HCC was reviewed. Patients who survived ≥ 10 years and patients who died < 10 years after surgery were compared and analyzed. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify predictive factors associated with 10-year survival.Results: Among all enrolled 1016 patients, the actuarial 10-year survival rate was 24.1%, while the actual 10-year survival rate was 16.6%. There were 169 patients who survived at least 10 years after surgery and 688 who died within 10 years from surgery. These patients constituted the study population of this study. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that cirrhosis, preoperative HBV viral load > 104 copies/mL, maximum tumor size > 5 cm, multiple tumors, macroscopic and microscopic vascular invasion, postoperative HBV reactivation, and early recurrence (< 2 years after surgery) were independent risk factors associated with actual 10-year survival, while postoperative antiviral therapy, regular recurrence surveillance, and curative treatments for initial recurrence were independent protective factors.Conclusions: The actual 10-year survival after curative resection of HBV-related HCC was calculated to be 16.6%. Postoperative antiviral therapy and regular recurrence surveillance were independent protective factors associated with actual 10-year survival after liver resection of HBV-related HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Serum prealbumin is a sensitive and stable marker for nutritional status and liver function. Whether preoperative prealbumin level is associated with long-term prognosis in patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. Methods Patients who underwent liver resection for HCC between 2001 and 2014 at six institutions were enrolled. These patients were divided into the low and normal prealbumin groups using a cut-off value of 170 mg/L for preoperative prealbumin level. The overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were compared between them. Results In 1483 patients, 437 (29%) had a low prealbumin level. The 3- and 5-year OS and RFS rates of patients in the low-prealbumin group were 57 and 31%, and 40 and 20%, respectively, which were significantly poorer than those in the normal-prealbumin group (76 and 43%, and 56 and 28%, respectively, both p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox-regression analyses revealed that preoperative prealbumin level was an independent predictor of OS (HR, 1.45, 95% CI: 1.24–1.70, p <0.001) and RFS (HR, 1.28, 95% CI: 1.10–1.48, p <0.001). Conclusions Preoperative prealbumin level could be used in predicting long-term prognosis for patients undergoing liver resection for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standard thin disk model predicts that when the accretion rate is moderately high, the disk is radiation-pressure-dominated and thermally unstable. However, observations indicate the opposite, namely the disk is quite stable. We present an explanation in this work by taking into account the role of the magnetic field which was ignored in the previous analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The giant X-ray bump of GRB 121027A observed by Swift is different from the typical X-ray flares in gamma-ray bursts. The observed structural variability in the rise and decay phases of the bump has four components. Of these four components, only the data in the bump from about 5300 to about 6100 s is of good enough quality to be analysed using the stepwise filter correlation method. A $86^{+5.9}_{-9.4} \rm s$ periodic oscillation is postulated, which is confirmed by the Lomb–Scargle method. A jet precession model is proposed to account for this variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hybrid films of polyaniline (PANI) and manganese oxide (MnO x ) were obtained through potentiodynamic deposition from solutions of aniline and MnSO4 at pH 5.6. The hybrid films demonstrated characteristic redox behaviors of PANI in acidic aqueous solution. Characterization of the hybrid films by XRD indicated the amorphous nature of MnO x in the films in which manganese existed in oxidation states of +2, +3 and +4, based on XPS measurement. Hybrid film of PANI and MnO x , PM120 obtained from the solution of 0.1M aniline and 120mM Mn2+ displayed a well opened nanofibrous structure which showed an 44% increase in specific capacitance from that of PANI (408Fg−1) to 588Fg−1, measured at 1.0mAcm−2 in 1M NaNO3 (pH 1). The hybrid film kept more than 90% of its capacitance after 1000 charging-discharging cycles, with a coulombic efficiency of 98%. The specific capacitance of a symmetric capacitor using PM120 as the electrodes is 112Fg−1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

B Introduction: b The long-term prognosis after liver resection for multinodular (>= 3 nodules) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is generally considered to be unfavorable. B Method: b From a multicenter database, consecutive patients who underwent curative-intent liver resection for HCC with 2 tumor nodules and without macrovascular invasion were retrospectively reviewed. B Conclusion: b Liver resection was safe and feasible in patients having HCC with 2 tumor nodules, with acceptable perioperative and long-term outcomes. [Extracted from the article]

B Introduction: b Surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is potentially curative, but long-term survival remains unsatisfactory. B Result: b Of the 377 patients in this study, 88 (23.3%) received preoperative TACE followed by surgical resection. B Conclusion: b Preoperative TACE did not increase peri-operative morbidity or mortality, yet was associated with an improve OS and RFS after liver resection of huge HCC (>= 10 cm). [Extracted from the article]