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A reliable LC-MS/MS method for the determination of five bioactive constituents (bilobalide, BLL; ginkgolide A, GLA; ginkgolide B, GLB; ginkgolide C, GLC; rutin) of Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts (GBE) in rat plasma was established, fully validated and applied to an intragastric pharmacokinetic study of a preparation of GBE in rat. Samples were extracted with ethyl acetate. C18 column was selected as analytical column in this method. Mobile phase was water with 0.01% formic acid and acetonitrile. Quantification was performed in negative multiple-reaction monitoring mode. Matrix instability of terpene lactones was noticed and hydrochloric acid was used as a stabilizer. This method showed good precision and accuracy, recovery was reproducible and matrix effect was negligible. Among four terpene lactones, BLL had the highest exposure and the shortest terminal half-life, GLA and GLB had lower exposure and longer terminal half-life, the exposure of GLC was lowest and its terminal half-life was the maximum, and all of them showed rapid absorption. This study provides a reference for determination of terpene lactones and flavonol glycoside prototypes in GBE and offers pharmacokinetic data of flavonol glycoside prototype in GBE.

Background: The research and development of drugs for the treatment of central nervous system diseases faces many challenges at present. One of the most important questions to be answered is, how does the drug cross the blood-brain barrier to get to the target site for pharmacological action. Fluoxetine is widely used in clinical antidepressant therapy. However, the mechanism by which fluoxetine passes through the BBB also remains unclear. Under physiological pH conditions, fluoxetine is an organic cation with a relatively small molecular weight ( Methods: In vitro BBB model was developed using human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hCMEC/D3), and the cellular accumulation was tested in the presence or absence of transporter inhibitors. In addition, an in vivo trial was performed in rats to investigate the effect of OCTs on the distribution of fluoxetine in the brain tissue. Fluoxetine concentration was determined by a validated UPLC-MS/MS method. Results: The results showed that amantadine (an OCT1/2 inhibitor) and prazosin (an OCT1/3 inhibitor) significantly decreased the cellular accumulation of fluoxetine (P Conclusion: OCTs might play a significant role in the transport of fluoxetine across the BBB. In addition, P-gp, BCRP, and MRPs seemed not to mediate the efflux transport of fluoxetine.

The development of high-efficiency photocatalysts is the primary goal in the field of photocatalytic antibacterial research. In this work, the GaN:ZnO solid solution nanoparticles (NPs) photocatalyst with strong visible absorption and large specific surface area was synthesized via the sol-gel and nitridation reaction process. Also, we systematically investigated the removal efficiency of the organic pollutant and antibacterial activity on E. coli and S. aureus. Notably, methylene blue solution could be completely degraded after 100 min of visible light illumination using 2 mg/mL GaN:ZnO catalyst. Moreover, ~94% of the E. coli were inactivated within 120 min, whereas 100% antibacterial activity against S. aureus was achieved after 90 min of visible light illumination mediated by GaN:ZnO NPs. We further explore the potential mechanism of visible light photocatalytic antibacterial activity enhanced by GaN:ZnO NPs photocatalyst. The current work not only provides a new and efficient photocatalytic antibacterial nanomaterial but also demonstrates its promising applications in environmental and biological fields.

The Mn4+-doped Ca2MgTeO6 (CMTO) far-red emitting phosphors with double perovskite-type structure were successfully synthesized. Upon near-ultraviolet (n-UV, 300 nm) light excitation, the as-prepared phosphors showed far-red light at 700 nm attributed to the 2Eg→4A2g transition of Mn4+ ion. The doping concentration of the CMTO:xMn4+ samples was optimized to be 0.8 mol%. The relevant mechanism of concentration quenching was demonstrated as the dipole-dipole interaction. Furthermore, solid solution and impurity doping strategies were adopted to improve the far-red emission of the luminescence-ignorable CMTO:Mn4+ phosphor. Series of Ca2MgTe(1−y)WyO6:0.8 mol%Mn4+ (y = 0–100 mol%) solid solution and Ca2−zLnzMgTe0.6W0.4O6:Mn4+ (Ln = La, Y, and Gd, z = 10 mol%) phosphors were synthesized through the above two strategies. The luminescence intensity of the optimal Ca1.9Gd0.1MgTe0.6W0.4O6:Mn4+ phosphor was 13.7 times that of the CMTO:Mn4+ phosphor and 2.51 times that of red commercial phosphor K2SiF6:Mn4+. Notably, both CMTO:Mn4+ and Ca1.9Gd0.1MgTe0.6W0.4O6:Mn4+ phosphors exhibited remarkable thermal stability compared with most Mn4+-doped phosphors. Finally, the highly efficient Ca1.9Gd0.1MgTe0.6W0.4O6:Mn4+ phosphor was successfully applied in fabricating the warm white light diode (w-LED). This working along both lines strategy exhibited great potential for luminescence optimization of Mn4+-doped oxide phosphors.

Molybdenum oxide (MoOX) is a commonly used hole extraction material in organic photovoltaics. The MoOX interlayer is deposited typically via thermal evaporation in vacuum. To meet the need for roll-to-roll manufacturing, solution processing of MoOX without post-annealing treatment is essential. Herein, we demonstrate an effective approach to produce annealing-free, alcohol-processable MoOX anode interlayers, namely S-MoOX, by utilizing the bis(catecholato) diboron (B2Cat2) molecule to modify the surface oxygen sites in MoOX. The formation of surface diboron-oxygen complex enables the alcohol solubility of S-MoOX. An enhanced light utilization is realized in the S-MoOX-based organic photovoltaics. This affords a superior short-circuit current density (JSC) close to 26 mA cm−2 and ultimately a high power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 15.2% in the representative PM6:Y6 based inverted OPVs, which is one of the highest values in the inverted OPVs using an as-cast S-MoOX anode interlayer.

We have developed a facile strategy to fabricate model multicolor hydrogels via a straightforward mixing process of poly acrylonitrile-grafted methacrylamide (PANMAM), polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) and doped lanthanide (Eu/Tb) and zinc ions to form the interpenetrating dual-polymer gel networks. The hydrogels exhibit excellent tunability of multi-spectrum emission colors (including white light) by simply varying the stoichiometry of metal ions. Furthermore, taking the advantage of different metal ion response mechanisms, we have demonstrated the reversible acidity/alkalinity stimuli-responsive behaviors of white-light-emitting hydrogel (WLE gel). Meanwhile, the unique cross-linked network formed through hydrogen-bonding, metal-ligand coordination and ionic interaction is introduced to achieve favorable mechanical strength of hydrogels. These properties enable the possibility in obtaining fluorescent patterns on hydrogels, which are promising candidate for encrypted information with improved security.

Background and aims This study aimed to investigate the impact of fish oil-based lipid emulsion (FO) on enterohepatic injuries and intestinal microbiota in piglets of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Methods Newborn piglets were divided into three groups, including enteral diet (the controls), TPN with 100% FO and TPN with MCT/LCT-based lipid emulsion (MCT/LCT) for 14 days. Serum biochemical indicators, hepatic and intestinal histology, and expression of genes associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism were measured. The bile acid profiles in serum and the taxonomic composition of the gut microbiome in different intestinal segments were analyzed. Results Compared to MCT/LCT-piglets, FO reduced inflammation, promoted fatty acid oxidation and decreased oxidative stress in the liver. In the intestine, FO decreased intestinal inflammation and intestinal permeability, leading to reduce lipopolysaccharide entry into the blood circulation relative to MCT/LCT-piglets. TPN groups have dominant contents of Proteobacteria and Bacteroides, while the control group have Firmicutes at the phylum level. FO altered the taxonomic compositions of the gut microbiome in different segments, increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidaceae in ileum, and Rikenellaceae and Ruminococcaceae in the colon. FO treatment shifted bile acids (BAs) composition ratio in serum and had a lower ratio of secondary BAs to primary BAs. Conclusion FO alleviates PNLAD and intestinal injury by regulating the homeostasis of BAs' enterohepatic circulation and altering microbiota composition in different intestinal segments. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

A series of experimental techniques which contain casting thin slice observation, field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-pressure mercury injection, constant-velocity mercury injection, and NMR(nuclear magnetic resonance) were used to study the throat microstructure and microscopic occurrence of formation water in the Upper Paleozoic tight sandstone gas reservoir in northern Tianhuan Depression, Ordos Basin. The results show that intragranular dissolution pores, intercrystalline pores, and residual intergranular pores represent 33 %, 31 %, and 16 % of the pore types in the reservoir of the He8-Shan1 members in the northern Tianhuan Depression, respectively. Pore radii range from 80 μm to 300 μm, with an average of 154.18 μm, while throat radii range from 0.01 μm to 1.60 μm, with an average of 0.55 μm. Micron pores and nano throats control the seepage ability of the reservoirs, and the throat radius serves as the controlling factor. Formation water has four microscopic occurrences: bound water, capillary water, free water, and adsorbed water. At low charging pressure, a mixture of gas and water was found in the intergranular pores and dissolution pores controlled by macro throats, with a high gas content and existent free water; a small amount of membrane adsorption water was observed at high charging pressure. However, in the intergranular pores and dissolution pores controlled by medium-small throats, the mixture of gas and water at low charging pressure presents a low gas content and a large amount of capillary water, while at high charging pressure, the mixture of gas and water or pure gas presents a high gas content and a small amount of capillary water. Pure water controlled by tiny throats, on the other hand, was found at low charging pressure in the intergranular pores, whereas gas and water mixture was found at high charging pressure, but the gas content is low and bound water appears. In the intergranular micropores, pure water, which is bound water, is the primary composition at both low and high charging pressure. The throat radius cut-offs of the four kinds of formation water are 0.10 μm, 0.26 μm, and 0.28 μm, the permeability cutoffs are 0.21 × 10−3 μm2, 0.51 × 10−3 μm2, and 0.55 × 10−3 μm2, and the porosity cutoffs are 5.86 %, 7.99 %, and 8.18 %, respectively. The starting pressure gradient and throats less than 0.10 μm are controlling factors on the micro-occurrence and residual water saturation of formation water. As the amount of gas driving water increases in the natural gas accumulation process, the percentage of formation water controlled by large throats gradually decreases. Free water makes up 50 % of the research area, capillary water makes up 18 %, bound water compensates 30 %, adsorbed water is 2 %, and residual water saturation is about 32 %.

In order to elucidate the substantial effect and underlying mechanism of endogenous collagen on the texture development of fish balls, the structural and gelling properties of eel muscle collagen (EMC) under different heat treatments, as well as their effects on texture of eel ball, were investigated. EMC resulted in significant improvement of eel ball texture via gelling ability, filler effect, and interaction with starch. Under mild heating below 90°C for 30 min, the structural and physicochemical changes of EMC varied gradually, resulting in improved storage modulus of starch‐containing myofibrillar gel, a mimic of eel ball. However, overheating (100°C, 30 min) induced EMC degradation and significantly decreased the gel formation and the improvements in textural properties. Supplementation of EMC to eel balls significantly improved its gel strength, springiness, cohesiveness, and chewiness, as well as uniformity and tightness of the microstructure. These results suggest the texture development of eel ball can be regulated by heat‐induced structural changes, as well as structure–function relationship of collagen, compared with previous studies on myofibrillar proteins and exogenous gelatin; and they may provide texture‐related insights to the quality control of fish balls and diverse heat‐treated products of surimi containing collagen.

An organic compound melamine phenyl hypophosphite (MPHP), containing phosphorus and nitrogen, was synthesized and characterized. Its flame retardant properties and synergistic flame retardancy with silicon dioxide (SiO2) on polypropylene (PP) was investigated. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of PP/30%MPHP reached 31.3%, and UL 94V-0 rating was attained. The LOI value of PP/27%MPHP/3%SiO2 reached 28.7%, and the peak heat release rate (pk-HRR) of PP/27%MPHP/3%SiO2 was 42.3% lower than that of pure PP. In addition, the flame retardant mechanism was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (PY–GC–MS). MPHP/SiO2 had synergistic flame retardant effect, and simultaneously exerted gas phase and condensed phase flame retardant effect. Adding a small amount of SiO2 to PP/MPHP, not only reduced the heat release rate, but also improved the mechanical properties.

Biosafety of AZ31B magnesium (Mg) alloy and the effect of its degradation products on tissues, organs, and whole systems are highly needed to be evaluated before clinical application. This study serves a wide variety of safety evaluations of biodegradable AZ31B alloy on nerve cells. As a result of this in vitro study, the maximum aluminum (Al) ion and Mg ion concentrations in the medium were estimated to be 22 μmol/L and 2.75 mmol/L, respectively, during degradation. In addition, the corresponding cell mortality was observed to be 36% and lower than 5% according to the resistance curves of the cell to Mg and Al ions. Furthermore, the maximum Al ion and Mg ion concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid were detected to be 26.1 μmol/L and 1.2 mmol/L, respectively, for 5 months implantation. Combining the result of in vivo dialysis with the result of ion tolerance assay experiments, the actual death rate of nerve cells is estimated between 4 and 10% in vivo, which is lower than the result of in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation. Moreover, no psychomotor disability during clinical studies is observed. Consequently, stent made of AZ31B alloy with surface treatment is feasible for carotid artery stenosis, and it is safe in terms of cell viability on the nervous system.

Charge separation is crucial for an efficient artificial photosynthetic process, especially for narrow-bandgap metal sulfides/selenides. The present study demonstrates the application of a p-n junction to particulate metal selenides to enhance photocatalytic Z-scheme overall water splitting (OWS). The constructed p-n junction of CdS-(ZnSe)0.5(CuGa2.5Se4.25)0.5 significantly boosted charge separation. A thin TiO2 coating layer also was introduced to inhibit photocorrosion of CdS and suppress the backward reaction of water formation from hydrogen and oxygen. By employing Pt-loaded TiO2/CdS-(ZnSe)0.5(CuGa2.5Se4.25)0.5 as a hydrogen evolution photocatalyst (HEP), we assembled a Z-scheme OWS system, together with BiVO4:Mo and Au as an oxygen evolution photocatalyst and electron mediator, respectively. An apparent quantum yield of 1.5% at 420 nm was achieved, which is by far the highest among reported particulate photocatalytic Z-scheme OWS systems with metal sulfides/selenides as HEPs. The present work demonstrates that a well-tailored p-n junction structure is effective for promoting charge separation in photocatalysis and opens new pathways for the development of efficient artificial photosynthesis systems involving narrow bandgap photocatalysts.

Ga-doped La5Ti2Cu0.9Ag0.1O7S5 absorbs visible light up to 710 nm and can serve as a H2 evolution photocatalyst in Z-scheme water splitting systems. This material is typically obtained in the form of rod-like particles that exhibit one-dimensional conductivity along their long axis. However, these relatively long particles (10–20 µm) require charge carriers migrate over significant distances to participate in photocatalytic reactions, which limits reaction efficiency. In the present study, Ga-doped La5Ti2Cu0.9Ag0.1O7S5 particles approximately 2 µm in length were prepared by thermal sulfidation. The as-formed particles had rod-like morphology but contained a lot of burrs that could be eliminated by annealing in the presence of sulfur vapor. Rh cocatalyst particles could be deposited on the tips of these particles in a dense, widely dispersed manner by stepwise impregnation-reduction and post-photodeposition. These treatments enhanced the photocatalytic H2 evolution activity of the Ga-doped La5Ti2Cu0.9Ag0.1O7S5 particles in aqueous solutions containing electron donors by a factor of seven and increased the apparent quantum efficiency of the process to 3.1% at 420 nm. This work demonstrates that thermal sulfidation is an effective approach to reducing the particle size of an oxysulfide photocatalyst. With appropriate post-treatment and cocatalyst loading processes, such photocatalysts can efficiently evolve hydrogen from aqueous solutions.

Dasatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has a protective effect on experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study investigated the effect and mechanism of dasatinib in ARDS. C57BL/6 mice were administered with dasatinib (1 and 10 mg/kg) after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment to evaluate the effect of dasatinib on white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The levels and mRNA expressions of inflammation-related cytokines in lung tissues and RAW 264.7 cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively. The protein expressions of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO1) were determined by Western blot. MTT assay was performed to detect the viability of RAW 264.7 cell. Rescue experiments were used to assess the effect of Nrf2 silencing on the LPS- and dasatinib-treated mice. Under LPS treatment, levels of the WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes and macrophages in BALF and mRNA expressions of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10 as well as expression of iNOS were increased, but the expression of arginase-1 was inhibited, while no obvious changes of the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO1 were observed. Dasatinib partially reversed the effects of LPS above, and further promoted the mRNA expression of IL-10 and the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO1, while Nrf2 silencing counteracted the effect of dasatinib. Dasatinib induced the polarization of M2 subtype of macrophages and alleviated LPS-induced ARDS through activating Nrf2 signaling pathway, which may provide a new strategy for the treatment of ARDS.

Asparagine (Asn, N) -linked glycosylation within Nglyco -X-S/T; X ≠ P motif is a ubiquitously distributed post-translational modification that participates in diverse cellular processes. In this work, N-glycosylation inhibitor was shown to prevent Phytophthora sojae growth, suggesting that N-glycosylation is necessary for oomycete development. We conducted a glycoproteomic analysis of P. sojae to identify and map N-glycosylated proteins and to quantify differentially expressed glycoproteins associated with mycelia, asexual cyst, and sexual oospore developmental stages. A total of 355 N-glycosylated proteins was found, containing 496 glycosites, potentially involved in glycan degradation, carbon metabolism, glycolysis, or other metabolic pathways. Through PNGase F deglycosylation assays and site-directed mutagenesis of a GPI transamidase protein (GPI16) up-regulated in cysts and a heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) up-regulated in oospores, we demonstrated that both proteins were N-glycosylated and that the Nglyco -N motif is a target site for asparagine - oligosaccharide linkage. Glycosite mutations of Asn 94 Nglyco -X-S/T in the GPI16 led to impaired cyst germination and pathogenicity, while mutation of the previously unknown Asn 270 Nglyco -N motif in HSP70 led to decreased oospore production. In addition to providing a map of the oomycete N-glycoproteome, this work confirms that P. sojae has evolved multiple N-glycosylation motifs essential for growth. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Nanoporous materials are widely explored as efficient adsorbents for the storage of gases and liquids as well as for effective low-dielectric materials in large-scale integrated circuits. These applications require fast heat transfer, while most nanoporous substances are thermal insulators. Here, the oriented growth of micrometer-sized single-crystal covalent organic frameworks (COFs) ribbons with nanoporous structures at an air-water interface is presented. The obtained COFs ribbons are interconnected into a continuous and purely crystalline thin film. Due to the robust connectivity among the COFs ribbons, the entire film can be easily transferred and reliably contacted with target supports. The measured thermal conductivity amounts to ∼5.31 ± 0.37 W m-1 K-1 at 305 K, which is so far the highest value for nanoporous materials. These findings provide a methodology to grow and assemble single-crystal COFs into large area ensembles for the exploration of functional properties and potentially lead to new devices with COFs thin films where both porosity and thermal conductivity are desired.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver injury that leads to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Ring finger protein 20 (RNF20), also named as E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase BRE1A, has been reported to be involved in chronic liver diseases. However, the role of RNF20 in liver fibrosis remains unclear. To mimic liver fibrosis in vitro, LX-2 cells were treated with TGF-β. Gene and protein expressions were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot, respectively. The mechanism by which RNF20 mediated the progression of liver fibrosis was explored by bioinformatics analysis. Finally, in vivo mouse model of liver fibrosis was established to detect the function of RNF20. The results indicated that TGF-β-induced increase of cell viability and migration was significantly reversed by RNF20 overexpression. Consistently, overexpression of RNF20 significantly reversed TGF-β-induced activation of fibrotic proteins in LX-2 cells. Meanwhile, VEGFA, TNF-α and IL-6 were found to be the downstream targets of RNF20 in LX-2 cells. Moreover, RNF20 overexpression notably inhibited the progression of liver fibrosis via ubiquitination of H2B. Finally, RNF20 upregulation significantly attenuated the symptom of liver fibrosis in vivo. In summary, overexpression of RNF20 significantly inhibited the progression of liver fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, RNF20 might serve as a new target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Fingerprints are widely studied due to their unique shape and lifelong properties. The latent fingerprint (LFP) visualization is critical in identifying crime scenes and personal information. At present, the powder dusting method for LFP detection is favored due to its environmental friendliness and nontoxicity. However, this method has low resolution, low sensitivity, and large background interference. To address these shortcomings, the red-emitting Sr2MgMoO6:xEu3+ (x = 0–0.50) phosphors were synthesized using the solid-state reaction process. The products were systematically studied through the structural phase, luminescent property, decay curve, and color purity. Sr2MgMoO6:xEu3+ phosphors were monitored at 596 nm and exhibited a commendable broad excitation band between 250 and 475 nm. This result indicated that the disadvantage of the poor absorption of commercial red phosphors (Y2O2S:Eu3+) in the near-ultraviolet region was overcome. Under excitation at 393 nm, the synthesized Sr2MgMoO6:Eu3+ phosphor exhibited intense red light at 596 and 616 nm, due to the 5D0 → 7F1 and 5D0 → 7F2 transitions of Eu3+ ions. The optimal concentration for the Sr2MgMoO6:xEu3+ phosphor was x = 20 mol%, and the concentration quenching effect was ascribed to the dipole–dipole interaction. The Commission International del′Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates of Sr2MgMoO6:Eu3+ were (0.643, 0.356), and the color purity was 99.8%. Furthermore, the fluorescent LFP images developed by Sr2MgMoO6:0.20Eu3+ phosphors were well visualized, and level 1–3 details were well identified with high resolution, contrast, sensitivity, and selectivity. The obtained results suggested that the Sr2MgMoO6:Eu3+ phosphor can be applied for LFP detection.

Kirigami, with facile and automated fashion of three-dimensional (3D) transformations, offers an unconventional approach for realizing cutting-edge optical nano-electromechanical systems. Here, we demonstrate an on-chip and electromechanically reconfigurable nano-kirigami with optical functionalities. The nano-electromechanical system is built on an Au/SiO2/Si substrate and operated via attractive electrostatic forces between the top gold nanostructure and bottom silicon substrate. Large-range nano-kirigami like 3D deformations are clearly observed and reversibly engineered, with scalable pitch size down to 0.975 μm. Broadband nonresonant and narrowband resonant optical reconfigurations are achieved at visible and near-infrared wavelengths, respectively, with a high modulation contrast up to 494%. On-chip modulation of optical helicity is further demonstrated in submicron nano-kirigami at near-infrared wavelengths. Such small-size and high-contrast reconfigurable optical nano-kirigami provides advanced methodologies and platforms for versatile on-chip manipulation of light at nanoscale., The authors present on-chip and electromechanically reconfigurable nanokirigami with optical functionalities. 3D deformations are achieved via attractive electrostatic forces between a gold nanostructure layer and silicon substrate, resulting in optical reconfigurations with high modulation contrast and small unit size.

Emerging needs for the large-scale industrialization of organic solar cells require high performance cathode interlayers to facilitate the charge extraction from organic semiconductors. In addition to improving the efficiency, stability and processability issues are major challenges. Herein, we design block copolymers with well controlled chemical composition and molecular weight for cathode interlayer applications. The block copolymer coated cathodes display high optical transmittance and low work function. Conductivity studies reveal that the block copolymer thin film has abundant conductive channels and excellent longitudinal electron conductivity due to the interpenetrating networks formed by the polymer blocks. Applications of the cathode interlayers in organic solar cells provide higher power conversion efficiency and better stability compared to the most widely-applied ZnO counterparts. Furthermore, no post-treatment is needed which enables excellent processability of the block copolymer based cathode interlayer.

This study aimed to develop an organic/inorganic synergistic flame retardant on polyethylene (PE). Hexakis-(4-boronic acid-phenoxy)-cyclophosphazene (CP-6B) was used as organic flame retardant to improve the flame retardant efficiency of aluminum hydroxide (ATH) on PE. The limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of PE/20 %ATH/20 %CP-6B reached 27.0 %, and vertical burning (UL 94) V-0 rating was attained. The peak heat release rate (pk-HRR) of PE/20 %ATH/20 %CP-6B was 33.7 % and 75.5 % of pure PE and PE/40 %ATH, respectively. The flame retardant mechanism of PE composites was also investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), muffle furnace, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (PY-GC-MS). The results showed that ATH/CP-6B was an efficient flame retardant, which was effective in the gas phase and condensed phase simultaneously. CP-6B improved the flame retardant efficiency of PE/ATH and reduced the effect of ATH on the mechanical properties of PE.

The emerging energy crisis has focused significant worldwide attention on solar cells. Although crystalline silicon solar cells are currently widely used, their high cost limits the development of solar power generation. Consequently, hybrid solar cells are becoming increasingly important, especially organic-Si hybrid solar cells (HSCs). Organic-Si HSCs combine a mature technology and high efficiency with the low-temperature manufacturing process and tunable optoelectronic properties of organic solar cells. The organic material can be P3HT, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and PEDOT:PSS. Here we review the performance of PEDOT:PSS/Si HSCs and methods for improving their efficiency, such as PEDOT:PSS modification, optimization of the trapping effect, passivation of the silicon surface, addition of an interface layer, improvement of a back contact, and optimization of the metal top electrode. This Review should help fill the gap in this area and provide perspectives for the future development of the PEDOT:PSS/Si HSCs.

In organic photovoltaics (OPVs), the mechanical contact between charge transport layers and photoactive layer can influence the electrical contact that facilitates carrier collection. Unfortunately, the mechanical contact at the interface is rarely discussed in the OPV context. Herein, we report a distinct molecular locking effect that occurs between the donor molecules in the photoactive layer and the hole transport layer (HTL). This is achieved by doping chloroplatinic acid into poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate). The "molecular lock" at the interface leads to denser distribution and more ordered assembling of PM6 donor molecules close to the HTL. Consequently, the trap-assisted recombination in the cell is greatly suppressed, and the carrier lifetime is prolonged by more than 2 times. Together with the elevated charge carrier collection probability, a high fill factor of 77% and a power conversion efficiency of 16.5% are achieved in the PM6:Y6-based OPVs. This study provides a feasible way to boost the device performance by reinforcing the interfacial interaction between the HTL and photoactive layer.

Polythiophene (PTh) is an important conjugated polymer for its simple structure, high stability, and various optoelectronic properties. However, due to the high oxidation potential, it is challengi...

It is important to improve the apparent quantum yields (AQYs) of narrow bandgap photocatalysts to achieve efficient H2 production. The present work demonstrates a particulate solid solution of zinc selenide and copper gallium selenide (denoted as ZnSe:CGSe) that evolves H2 efficiently and is responsive to visible light up to 725 nm. This material was synthesized using a flux-assisted method and was found to comprise single-crystalline tetrahedral particles. The coloading of Ni and Rh, Pt, Pd or Ru as cocatalysts further improved the photocatalytic H2 evolution rate over this photocatalyst. With the optimal coloading of a Ni–Ru composite cocatalyst, an AQY of 13.7% was obtained at 420 nm during a sacrificial H2 evolution reaction, representing the highest value yet reported for a photocatalyst with an absorption edge longer than 700 nm. The present study demonstrates that the preparation of single-crystalline particles and the rational assembly of composite cocatalysts are effective strategies that allow the efficient utilization of long wavelengths by metal selenide photocatalysts for solar fuel production., Coloading of a Ni–Ru composite cocatalyst on a 700 nm-class single-crystalline particulate selenide photocatalyst improves its hydrogen evolution activity.

Molecular frontier orbital energy level and aggregation behavior regulation of polymer donors are feasible ways to improve the photovoltaic performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs). Here, we desig...

This work demonstrates a double-step method, a simple chemical bath deposition and an in situ polymerization process, to synthesize the stable structure of a composite of Polyaniline/BiVO4/cellulose aerogel (PBC) in wastewater treatment. The poor stability of the carrier catalyst was improved significantly by forming a dense film of polyaniline (PANI) through polymerization on BiVO4/cellulose aerogel (BC). The developed three-dimensional porous structure enhanced photocatalytic stability. For instance, photocatalytic degradation of a dye, methylene blue, reached to 91.67% under the eight times successive irradiation of the visible light. The resulted fine performance could be owed to the strong adsorption of cellulose aerogel, uniform spreading of BiVO4, and the speedy electron separation efficiency of PBC. Moreover, the photocatalytic mechanisms including the role of the free radicals (•OH and •O2−) of the developed PBC were also discussed. The novel structure may present a new insight into the development of the carrier catalyst.

Menopausal depression perplexes a great number of women in later life. Xiangfu-Zisu (Xiang-Su), a traditional Chinese herbal pair composed of rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus L. (Xiangfu) and leaves of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britt. (Zisu), is frequently reported with antidepressant-like effects. The volatile oil from Xiangfu and Zisu has shown good antidepressant action, but its mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological mechanism of Xiang-Su (XS) volatile oil against menopausal depression through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based network pharmacology and metabolomics. First, ADME screening was performed on actual detected components of XS volatile oil to obtain active constituents, and then duplicates of active constituent–related targets and menopausal depression–related targets were collected. These duplicates were considered as targets for XS volatile oil against menopausal depression, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. It showed that a total of 64 compounds were identified in XS volatile oil, and 38 active compounds were screened out. 42 overlapping genes between 144 compound-related genes and 780 menopausal depression–related genes were obtained. Results showed that targets of SLC6A4 and SLC6A3, regulation of serotonergic and dopaminergic synapses, were involved in the antidepressant mechanism of XS volatile oil. Next, antidepressant-like effect of XS volatile oil was validated in menopausal rats by ovariectomy (OVX) combined with chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Behavioral tests, biochemical analysis, and GC-MS–based non-targeted plasma metabolomics were employed to validate the antidepressant effect of XS volatile oil. Experimental evidence demonstrated that XS volatile oil reversed behavioral parameters in the sucrose preference test (SPT), open-field test (OFT), forced swim test (FST), and serum estradiol levels in OVX rats. Furthermore, results of metabolomics indicated that XS volatile oil mainly acts on regulating metabolic pathways of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism, which were corresponding with the above-predicted results. These data suggest that network pharmacology combined with metabolomics provides deep insight into the antidepressant effect of XS volatile oil, which includes regulating key targets like SLC6A4 and SLC6A3, and pathways of serotonergic and dopaminergic synapses.

Background: Present researches exploring the prognostic value of calcium concentration are undermined by sample size and study design. Our study investigated the association of both total calcium (tCa) and ionized Ca (iCa) to short- and long-term mortality and other outcomes in post-cardiovascular surgery (PCS) patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) from two large public data sets.Methods: The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III (MIMIC-III) database and the eICU Collaborative Research Database (eICU) were inspected to identify PCS patients. The primary outcome was 28-day mortality. Multivariate regression was used to elucidate the relationship between calcium concentration and outcomes. The propensity score estimation was performed to validate our findings.Results: A total of 6122 and 914 patients were included from the MIMIC III and eICU data sets, respectively. The groups with the most patients were the mild hypo-iCa and hypo-tCa groups. The mild hypo-iCa group showed significant association with worse short-term and long-term prognosis, less use of ventilation, longer ICU and hospital stay, and more incidence of 7-day acute kidney injury.Conclusions: The mild hypo-iCa (0.9–1.15 mmol/L) within the first day of admission to the ICU could serve as an independent prognosis factor for PCS patients.

A low-cost and high-performance bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cell comprising an emerging polymer donor, poly[(thiophene)-alt-(6,7-difluoro-2-(2-hexyldecyloxy)quinoxaline)] (PTQ10), shows an efficiency of 12.7%. To improve the performance of the solar cells, a better understanding of the structure-property relationships of the PTQ10-based devices is crucial. Here, we fabricate PTQ10/nonfullerene and fullerene BHJ devices, including PTQ10/IDIC, PTQ10/ITIC, and PTQ10/PC71BM, processed with or without thermal annealing and additive and provide detailed descriptions of the relationships between the morphology and performance. PTQ10 is found to be highly miscible with nonfullerene IDIC and ITIC acceptors and poorly miscible with fullerene PC71BM acceptors. Thermal annealing promotes the crystallization of PTQ10 and phase separation of all PTQ10/IDIC, PTQ10/ITIC, and PTQ10/PC71BM devices, leading to an increased power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of the PTQ10/IDIC and PTQ10/ITIC devices but a decreased PCE of PTQ10/PC71BM devices with 1,8-di-iodooctane (DIO) additive. Without thermal annealing, DIO greatly improves the morphology of PTQ10/PC71BM, leading to a higher PCE. The results show that the degree of phase separation and ordering in the PTQ10-based devices significantly influences device performance. The morphology-property correlations demonstrated will assist in the rational design of these low-cost polymer donor-based solar cells to achieve even higher performance.

Subnaphthalocyanine triimides (SubNcTIs) as solution processable electron acceptors were designed and synthesized by introducing three electron-withdrawing imide groups to subnaphthalocyanines. Their solubility and crystallinity could be adjusted conveniently by substituents at imide terminals or boron atoms. Their absorption, electrochemistry, thermal properties, and applications as electron acceptors in bulk heterojunction organic solar cells (BHJOSCs) were investigated. SubNcTIs with strong absorption at 300–750 nm, maximum extinction coefficient of up to 16.8 × 104 M−1 cm−1, and deep lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels (−3.79 to −3.90 eV) are expected to be excellent electron acceptors. The four SubNcTIs exhibit good thermal stability, with 5% weight loss at a temperature higher than 350 °C. Blending with the donor polymer of PTQ10, BHJOSCs based on acceptor 9b gave the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.25%, which is the highest value among the solution processable cyanine family. Space-charge-limited current (SCLC), charge recombination, and charge collection ability measurements showed that PTQ10:9b devices have a high and balanced carrier mobility, less charge recombination, and better charge transport, which lead to high photovoltaic performance. Grazing incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering (GIWAXS) measurements revealed that relatively strong π–π stacking and large correlation lengths of PTQ10:9b films are favorable for charge transfer, which caused a high Jsc of corresponding solar cells. This study demonstrates that SubNcTIs as a promising chromophore could be used to construct potential electron acceptors.

Finding effective molecular design strategies to enable efficient charge generation and small energy loss is among the long-standing challenges in developing high performance non-fullerene organic solar cells (OSCs). Recently, we reported Y-series non-fullerene acceptors with an electron-deficient-core-based fused structure (typically Y6), opening a new door to achieve high external quantum efficiency (∼80%) while maintaining low energy loss (∼0.57 eV). On this basis, further reducing the energy losses and ultimately improving the performance of OSCs has become a research hotspot. In this paper, we design and synthesize a new member of the Y-series acceptor family, Y18, which adopts a fused benzotriazole segment with unique luminescence properties as its electron-deficient core. Compared to Y6, the benzotriazole-based acceptor Y18 exhibits extended optical absorption and higher voltage. Consequently, the device delivers a promising power conversion efficiency of 16.52% with a very low energy loss of 0.53 eV. Further device optimization by exploiting a ternary blend strategy allowed us to achieve a high efficiency of 17.11% (certified as 16.76% by NREL). Y18 may become one of the most important candidate materials for its broader absorption spectra and higher voltage of Y18 (compared to Y6) in the OSCs field.

Mobile divalent zinc, Zn(II), is an essential cofactor involved in mammalian biological processes. To understand the intrinsic action mechanism of mobile zinc, the development of a Zn2+-selective fluorescent probe that can detect mobile zinc via biological imaging is of great significance. We present here a novel Zn2+-selective fluorescent sensor based on poly(2-oxazoline) (POx) cylindrical molecular brushes with good water solubility and biocompatibility. The POx molecular brushes were end-capped by a Zn2+-responsive functionality, which can give efficient blue emission upon coordination with zinc ions. Fluorescence investigation indicates that the POx molecular brushes exhibit superior selectivity toward Zn2+ in comparison with most competitive heavy and transition metal ions. Due to the ease of cellular uptake that results from their unique molecular contour, POx molecular brushes are capable of detecting intracellular Zn2+ ions as demonstrated by living cell fluorescence studies.

The application of high-performance organic solar cells (OSCs) requires high efficiency, high stability and low-cost devices. Herein, we propose a low boiling-point and low-cost additive 1,4-difluorobenzene (DFB) with a boiling point of 88.8 °C to optimize the morphology of the active layer of the OSCs based on conjugated polymer J71 as a donor and n-type small molecule m-ITTC as an acceptor. The DFB additive treatment enhances intermolecular π–π stacking of the photovoltaic materials, which is conducive to charge carrier separation and transport. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the OSCs based on J71:m-ITTC with the DFB additive treatment increased to 12.38% from 11.01% for the device without the additive treatment. Furthermore, the OSCs with the additive treatment also showed higher stability. The results indicate that 1,4-difluorobenzene will be a promising low cost additive for commercial application of OSCs.