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Abstract Background Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LANSCLC) patients, but the treatment response and survival outcomes varied among these patients. We aimed to identify pretreatment computed tomography-based radiomics features extracted from tumor and tumor organismal environment (TOE) for long-term survival prediction in these patients treated with CCRT. Methods A total of 298 eligible patients were randomly assigned into the training cohort and validation cohort with a ratio 2:1. An integrated feature selection and model training approach using support vector machine combined with genetic algorithm was performed to predict 3-year overall survival (OS). Patients were stratified into the high-risk and low-risk group based on the predicted survival status. Pulmonary function test and blood gas analysis indicators were associated with radiomic features. Dynamic changes of peripheral blood lymphocytes counts before and after CCRT had been documented. Results Nine features including 5 tumor-related features and 4 pulmonary features were selected in the predictive model. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the training and validation cohort were 0.965 and 0.869, and were reduced by 0.179 and 0.223 when all pulmonary features were excluded. Based on radiomics-derived stratification, the low-risk group yielded better 3-year OS (68.4% vs. 3.3%, p

This study utilized ion implantation to modify the material properties of silicon carbide (SiC) to mitigate subsurface damage during SiC machining. The paper analyzed the mechanism of hydrogen ion implantation on the machining performance of SiC at the atomic scale. A molecular dynamics model of nanoscale cutting of an ion-implanted SiC workpiece using a non-rigid regular tetrakaidecahedral diamond abrasive grain was established. The study investigated the effects of ion implantation on crystal structure phase transformation, dislocation nucleation, and defect structure evolution. Results showed ion implantation modification decreased the extension depth of amorphous structures in the subsurface layer, thereby enhancing the surface and subsurface integrity of the SiC workpiece. Additionally, dislocation extension length and volume within the lattice structure were lower in the ion-implanted workpiece compared to non-implanted ones. Phase transformation, compressive pressure, and cutting stress of the lattice in the shear region per unit volume were lower in the ion-implanted workpiece than the non-implanted one. Taking the diamond abrasive grain as the research subject, the mechanism of grain wear under ion implantation was explored. Grain expansion, compression, and atomic volumetric strain wear rate were higher in the non-implanted workpiece versus implanted ones. Under shear extrusion of the SiC workpiece, dangling bonds of atoms in the diamond grain were unstable, resulting in graphitization of the diamond structure at elevated temperatures. This study established a solid theoretical and practical foundation for realizing non-destructive machining at the atomic scale, encompassing both theoretical principles and practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructing a dual-functional reaction platform combining photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and selective organic synthesis is an effective approach for utilizing both photogenerated electrons and holes to obtain clean, renewable fuels and high-value chemicals. Herein, we synthesized a composite photocatalyst of nickel phosphide (Ni2P) and graphene (GR) dual cocatalyst modified zinc indium sulfide (ZnIn2S4) for efficient photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BA) coupled with hydrogen production. In this dual co-catalyst system, GR as an electron relay station can accelerate electron transfer, and Ni2P can facilitate the separation of photogenerated carriers in the composite while providing the active site for proton reduction. As a result, the ZnIn2S4–GR–Ni2P composite exhibited significantly higher activity in the photocatalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol (BA) coupled with hydrogen production than blank ZnIn2S4, ZnIn2S4–GR, and ZnIn2S4–Ni2P. This study proposes a new method of combining dual cocatalysts with semiconductor photocatalysts to simultaneously utilize photo-induced electrons and holes for synergistic coupling of photocatalytic organic synthesis and hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis has the advantages of practical, sustainable and environmental protection, so it plays a significant role in energy transformation and environmental utilization. CeO2 has attracted widespread attention for its unique 4 f electrons, rich defect structures, high oxygen storage capacity and great chemical stability. In this paper, we review the structure of CeO2 and the common methods for the preparation of CeO2‐based composites in the first part. In particular, we highlight the co‐precipitation method, template method, and sol‐gel method methods. Then, in the second part, we introduce the application of CeO2‐based composites in photocatalysis, including photocatalytic CO2 reduction, hydrogen production, degradation, selective organic reaction, and photocatalytic nitrogen fixation. In addition, we discuss several modification techniques to improve the photocatalytic performance of CeO2‐based composites, such as elemental doping, defect engineering, constructing heterojunction and morphology regulation. Finally, the challenges faced by CeO2‐based composites are analyzed and their development prospects are prospected. This review provides a systematic summary of the recent advance of CeO2‐based composites in the field of photocatalysis, which can provide useful references for the rational design of efficient CeO2‐based composite photocatalysts for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The dominant artery blood supply is a characteristic of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, it is not known whether the blood supply can predict the post-hepatectomy prognosis of patients with HCC. This retrospective study investigated the prognostic value of the portal venous and arterial blood supply estimated on triphasic liver CT (as a portal venous coefficient, PVC, and hepatic arterial coefficient, HAC, respectively) in patients with HCC following hepatectomy. Methods: HCC patients who were tested by triphasic liver CT 2 weeks before hepatectomy and received R0 hepatectomy at the Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2020, were retrospectively screened. Their PVC and HAC, and other variables were analyzed for the prediction of overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and Cox proportional hazard regression models. Results: Four hundred and nineteen patients (53.2 ± 10.6 years of age and 370 men) were evaluated. A shorter OS was independently associated with higher blood albumin and total bilirubin grade [hazard ratio (HR) 2.020, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.534– 2.660], higher Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage (HR 1.514, 95% CI 1.290– 1.777), PVC ≤ 0.386 (HR 1.628, 95% CI 1.149– 2.305), and HAC > 0.029 (HR 1.969, 95% CI 1.380– 2.809). A shorter RFS was independently associated with male (HR 1.652, 95% CI 1.005– 2.716), higher serum α-fetoprotein ≥ 400 ng/mL (HR 1.672, 95% CI 1.236– 2.263), higher BCLC stage (HR 1.516, 95% CI 1.300– 1.768), tumor PVC ≤ 0.386 (HR 1.641, 95% CI 1.198– 2.249), and tumor HAC > 0.029 (HR 1.455, 95% CI 1.060– 1.997). Conclusion: Tumor PVC or HAC before hepatectomy is valuable for independently predicting postoperative survival of HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Emerging evidence suggests that fat cell-derived cytokine leptin, which is closely related to obesity, plays an important role in carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis. In this study, the effect of leptin on the invasion and migration abilities of GBC-SD and OCUG cells were observed in vitro, and its possible related mechanisms were explored. Methods: GBC-SD and OCUG cells were divided into control group and experimental group. In the experimental group, we used small interfering RNA (siRNA) to target and silence the expression of leptin in GBC-SD and OCUG cells. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RTFQ-PCR) was used to detect the transfection efficiency. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to detect the migration and invasion abilities of GBC-SD and OCUG cells. The immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry experiments were used to detect the expression of leptin protein in GBC-SD and OCUG cells after siRNA interference. The protein expressions of leptin and p-AKT in GBC-SD and OCUG cells after interference were detected by Western blot. Results: The results of wound healing assay showed that the migration abilities of GBC-SD and OCUG cells decreased after silencing leptin with siRNA interference (t=26.614, P ＜ 0.01; t=19.338, P ＜ 0.01). The results of transwell migration assay also showed that the migration abilities of GBC-SD and OCUG cells decreased after silencing leptin with siRNA interference (t=7.185, P=0.002; t=8.889, P=0.003). Transwell invasion assay results showed that the invasion abilities of GBC-SD and OCUG cells decreased after interference (t=10.183, P=0.001; t=9.697, P=0.001). Immunofluorescence and immunocytochemistry experiments showed decreased leptin protein expression in GBC-SD and OCUG cells after interference. Western blot showed that leptin and p-AKT protein expressions were down-regulated after targeted silencing in GBC-SD cells (t=26.463, P ＜ 0.01; t=13.904, P ＜ 0.01). Western blot showed that leptin and p-AKT protein expressions were also down-regulated after targeted silencing in OCUG cells (t=21.335, P ＜ 0.01; t=17.914, P ＜ 0.01). Conclusion: Down-regulation of leptin expression in GBC-SD and OCUG cells can inhibit cell invasion and metastasis, and may regulate gallbladder cancer invasion and migration through AKT signaling pathway. Leptin are expected to become an important target for gallbladder cancer treatment.

Photocatalysis, as an inexpensive and safe technology to convert solar energy, is essential for the efficient utilization of sustainable renewable energy sources. Earth-abundant cobalt sulfide-based composites have generated great interest in the field of solar fuel conversion because of their cheap, diverse structures and facile preparation. Over the past 10 years, the number of reports on cobalt sulfide-based photocatalysts has increased year by year, and more than 500 publications on the application of cobalt sulfide groups in photocatalysis can be found in the last three years. In this review, we initially summarize the four common strategies for preparing cobalt sulfide-based composite materials. Then, the multiple roles of cobalt sulfide-based cocatalysts in photocatalysis have been discussed. After that, we present the latest progress of cobalt sulfide in four fields of photocatalysis application, including photocatalytic hydrogen production, carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen fixation, and photocatalytic degradation of pollutants. Finally, the development prospects and challenges of cobalt sulfide-based photocatalysts are discussed. This review is expected to provide useful reference for the construction of high-performance cobalt sulfide-based composite photocatalytic materials for sustainable solar-chemical energy conversion.

Organic semiconductors are promising materials for the photocatalytic treatment of pollutants and organic synthesis. Herein, MIL-53(Fe)@perylene diimide (PDI) organic heterojunctions were constructed by ultrasonic assembly using PDI as the co-catalyst, and PDI organic supramolecular material was uniformly distributed on the surfaces of MIL-53(Fe). The most effective M53@PDI-20 organic heterojunctions achieved 72.7% photodegradation of rhodamine B (10 mg/L) within 50 min and a 99.9% reduction in Cr(VI) (10 mg/L) for 150 min, and the corresponding apparent degradation rate constants were higher than a single component. Meanwhile, the conversion rate of benzyl alcohol over M53@PDI-20 achieved 91.5% for 5 h with a selectivity of above 90% under visible light exposure, which was more than double that of PDI. The well-matched band structures and the strong π–π bonding interactions between MIL-53(Fe) and PDI can increase the electron delocalization effect to facilitate the transfer and separation of photogenerated carriers. Lots of oxidative reactive species (h+, •O2− and •OH) also played a great contribution to the strong oxidation capacity over the heterojunctions system. This work suggests that MIL-53(Fe)@PDI organic heterojunctions may be a promising material for pollutant removal and organic synthesis.

Shale oil is mainly stored in the nano-micro-pores of shale in the form of adsorption or in a free state. Among them, only free-state oil is the main contributor to shale oil production under natural elastic energy. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the movability of crude oil effectively. In this paper, focusing on the Jurassic shale oil reservoir core in the middle-eastern Sichuan region of China, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technology is used to analyze the basic characteristics of shale oil core samples. Experiments on the low-field NMR one-dimensional and two-dimensional spectrum characteristics of the original core, heat-treated core, and thermogravimetric-treated shale core are carried out. The effects of theTG-MS method, T2 method, and the volatilization of light oil components on the movability of shale oil reservoirs are analyzed, and the movability characteristics of shale oil reservoirs in the middle-eastern Sichuan region are preliminarily clarified. The results show that under thermal treatment, the distribution range of the two-dimensional spectrum of the core oil occurrence area is significantly reduced, and the Ti and T2 distribution ranges are reduced by 10.9% and 60.7%, respectively. According to the TG-MS method, the mobile oil, bound oil, and adsorbed oil account for 74.7%, 8.1%, and 17.2%, respectively. The quantitative calculation of movable oil saturation by NMR combined with heat treatment is 65.6%, which is lower than that calculated using the thermogravimetric method. In order to calculate the movability more accurately, the scale effect between different samples should be considered. This study could provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent shale oil development program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional Archie formula struggles with the interpretation of water saturation from resistivity well log data due to the increasing complexity of exploration targets. This challenge has prompted researchers to explore alternative physical parameters, such as acoustic characteristics, for breakthroughs. Clarifying the influencing factors of porous media acoustic characteristics is one of the most important approaches to help understanding the mechanism of acoustic characteristics of carbonate reservoirs. The article uses digital rock technology to characterize the pore structure, quantitatively identify fractures and pore structures in carbonate rocks, and establish digital models. Through conventional acoustic testing, the pressure wave (P-wave) and shear wave (S-wave) velocities of rock samples at different water saturations are obtained, and the dynamic elastic modulus is calculated. A finite element calculation model is established using the digital rock computational model to provide a basis for fluid saturation calculation methods. Based on real digital rock models, different combinations of virtual fractures are constructed, and factors affecting acoustic parameters are analyzed. The study finds that as porosity increases, the velocity difference between porous cores and fractured cores also increases. These findings provide important technical support and a theoretical basis for interpreting acoustic well logging data and evaluating carbonate reservoirs with different pore and fracture types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of effective, earth-abundant cocatalysts is critical for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Here, authors report the assembly of transition metal hydroxides on graphene to act as cocatalyst ensembles for efficient CO2 photoreduction.

Constructing organic-inorganic semiconductor heterojunctions is an efficient way to inhibit the recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and enhance photocatalytic performance of semiconductor. Herein, a novel heterojunction antimony sulfide-perylene diimides (Sb2S3-PDI) heterojunction has been fabricated through a facile hydrothermal method. Compared with bare Sb2S3 and PDI, the Sb2S3-PDI hybrid has showed significantly superior activity in photocatalytic reduction of Cr (VI). The superior photocatalytic performance of Sb2S3-PDI hybrid is due to the formation of type-I heterojunction, which leads to a more efficient separation and migration of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. This work is expected to promote continued interest in the construction of organic-inorganic semiconductor composites with enhanced photocatalytic performance.

Earth-abundant nickel hydroxide (Ni(OH)2)-based cocatalysts, by virtue of its bargain price, simple synthesis and diverse structure, have attracted increasing research interest in the field of solar-to-fuels conversion. Herein, we intend to afford a concise review on the recent progress regarding the promising applications of nickel hydroxide-based cocatalyst for photocatalytic H2 production and CO2 reduction. In particular, the roles of nickel hydroxide-based cocatalysts for promoting photocatalytic activities are systematically discussed. Furthermore, the future prospects and current challenges on constructing high-performance Ni(OH)2-based cocatalysts are proposed, which are expected to stimulate ongoing studies to unlock the potential of Ni(OH)2-based cocatalysts in various photocatalytic application.