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The development of highly effective and durable catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) using abundant earth materials is crucial for advancing the hydrogen economy. In this work, we present an approach for synthesizing two-dimensional (2D) combined phase materials with tunable catalytic and magnetic properties. We successfully synthesized ferromagnetic pristine pyrite (FeS2) nanoparticles (NPs) and hybrid 2D troilite (FeS) nanosheets utilizing the hot-filament metal–chemical vapor deposition (HFMCVD) technique. The mixed phase of 2D FeS/FeS2 exhibited an exceptional HER catalytic performance, achieving a low overpotential of 40 mV at 10 mA·cm–2 current density. Additionally, the magnetic saturation and magnetic moments of the mixed phase 2D FeS/FeS2 materials were significantly higher compared to pristine FeS2 NPs. This increase is attributed to a higher density of unpaired electrons and spins in the mixed phase hybrid materials. These enhanced magnetic properties facilitate more efficient electron transfer, leading to superior catalytic performance with low overpotentials during HER. The ferromagnetic 2D FeS/FeS2 material holds promise as an electrocatalyst for next-generation water splitting as well as energy conversion applications. Moreover, our computational results based on DFT are consistent with the experimental findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in LN patients using tubulointerstitial lesion scores. Methods Clinical profiles and histopathological presentations of 151 biopsy-proven LN patients were retrospectively examined. Risk factors of ESKD based on characteristics and scoring of their tubulointerstitial lesions [e.g. interstitial inflammation (II), tubular atrophy (TA) and interstitial fibrosis (IF)] were analysed. Results The mean age of 151 LN patients was 36 years old, and 136 (90.1%) were female. The LN cases examined included: class I/II (n  = 3, 2%), class III/IV (n  = 119, 78.8%), class V (n  = 23, 15.2%) and class VI (n  = 6, 4.0%). The mean serum creatinine level was 1.4 mg/dl. Tubulointerstitial lesions were recorded in 120 (79.5%) patients. Prior to receiving renal biopsy, nine (6.0%) patients developed ESKD. During the follow-up period (mean, 58 months), an additional 47 patients (31.1%) progressed to ESKD. Multivariate analyses identified serum creatinine [hazard ratio (HR): 1.7, 95% CI: 1.42–2.03, P   <  0.001] and IF (HR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.58–6.49, P   =  0.001) as independent risk factors of ESKD. Kaplan–Meier analysis further confirmed a heightened risk of ESKD associated with IF. Conclusion Tubulointerstitial involvement is commonly observed in the histopathological presentation of LN. However, IF, rather than II or TA, was found to increase the risk of ESKD in our cohort. Therefore, to predict renal outcome in LN patients prior to adjusting immunosuppressive treatment, the degree of IF should be reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the link between the administration of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) and the risk of malignancy in human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27)-positive patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) experiencing sustained inflammation. Methods: Between 2006 and 2021, 1445 HLA-B27-positive patients with AS were retrospectively evaluated. Among them, 112 patients required bDMARD therapy. The study compared conventional therapy with bDMARDs and investigated the risk factors for developing malignancies. Results: During 8253 patient-years of follow-up, 38 (2.6%) patients developed various malignancies, including lung, liver, breast, and colon cancer. The risk of malignancy was significantly higher in the bDMARD-treated group compared to PS-matched groups receiving conventional synthetic DMARDs (csDMARD) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The cumulative risk of malignancies increased significantly after 6 years of follow-up. All patients who developed malignancy after bDMARD therapy received tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors. Requiring bDMARD therapy, requiring bDMARDs in combination with csDMARD therapy, and being diagnosed with AS after 30 years of age were independent risk factors for developing malignancy. Conclusions: HLA-B27-positive AS patients with sustained inflammation requiring biologic therapy, particularly if diagnosed after age 30, may have an increased risk of malignancy. Regular cancer screenings are advisable for these patients while undergoing biologic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the thermal-history dependence of physical properties in a quenched Fe5−xGeTe2 (x ∼ 0.16) single crystal by measuring magnetization (M), electrical resistivity (ρ), Seebeck coefficient (S), and thermal conductivity (κ) as a function of temperature (T). The results reveal anomalies in these physical quantities around various transition points: ferromagnetic (TC ∼ 310–300 K), helimagnetic (TH ∼ 275 K), charge ordering (TCO ∼ 165 K), spin-reorientation (T* ∼ 100–120 K), and a Fermi-liquid (FL) phase below TL ∼ 35 K. Using power-law fitting, the M(T) analysis near TC shows that Fe moments become primarily itinerant after thermal cycling. The ρ(T) results indicate inherent residual stresses in the crystal that alter with thermal cycling, influencing ferromagnetic domain formations within grain boundaries. The system exhibits a strongly correlated FL behavior at low temperatures, which ceases above TL due to spin fluctuations. In the T-range of T* ≤ T ≤ TCO, ρ(T) and S(T) analyses suggest significant electronic band structure modifications with multiband effects. The κ(T) data indicate phonon-dominated heat transport in the crystal, with a phonon behavior influenced by inherent lattice strains following initial thermal cycles, as evidenced by the decreased phonon peak height at low temperatures. In addition, there is evidence of phonon localization and electron–phonon coupling at higher temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the findings of a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan on the epidemiology and risk factors for cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs). The study used Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database to identify patients with AIIRDs and matched control subjects. The results showed that patients with AIIRDs had a higher rate of CMV disease compared to the control group, with patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis (DM/PM) exhibiting the highest risk. Comorbidities and certain medications, such as mycophenolate, cyclophosphamide, and cyclosporin, were associated with an increased risk of CMV disease. The study highlights the importance of early detection and differentiation of CMV disease in patients with AIIRDs. [Extracted from the article]

Gallium telluride (GaTe) is a two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor that has received considerable attention due to its potential applications in solid state optics and electronics, particularly as a sensing material in field-effect transistor (FET) photodetectors. However, there are limited reports that show its capability as a passive-type photodetector. In this work, high-quality van der Waals (vdW) layered GaTe single crystals were grown and used as the sensing material for small light power density photodetection. The vdW layered GaTe-based passive photodetector was evaluated over a wide range of power densities at various wavelengths. The measured response and decay times are ∼1.1 s and 2.6 s, which are better than those of previously reported two-terminal passive GaTe photodetectors, and the calculated responsivities are up to 15.15, 17.67, and 17.81 A W−1 under 630 nm, 530 nm, and 460 nm irradiation, respectively. The vdW layered GaTe-based photodetector was also tested at various bias voltages to determine its performance efficiency. Although operated at a small bias voltage of 0.2 V, it is nonetheless able to detect signals as low as 0.05 W m−2, demonstrating high efficiency photodetection capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: The International Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (IMAS) explores the physical, psychological, and social experiences of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). This initiative is now being expanded to Taiwan as the Taiwanese Map of Axial Spondyloarthritis (TMAS). We aim to provide rheumatologists with insights into the perspectives of Taiwanese patients, enabling physicians to better understand the unmet needs of these patients and optimize their management. Materials and Methods: The TMAS is a cross-sectional study gathering data through an online survey of axSpA patients, promoted by the Ankylosing Spondylitis Caring Society of R.O.C. (ASCARES), conducted from July 2017 to March 2018 by Ipsos, and analyzed by the Health & Territory Research (HTR) group of the University of Seville. The questionnaire includes 99 questions that cover domains such as patient profile, diagnosis, habits/lifestyle, employment status, physical/psychological health status, social support, use of healthcare services, and treatments. Results: A total of 112 axSpA patients were included in this survey. The mean age was 38.6 years and 75.0% were male. The average diagnostic delay was 3 years, and 19.6% reported extra-articular manifestations. Out of the 49 respondents who reported HLA-B27 information, 35 were HLA-B27-positive. The disease burden was high, with a mean BASDAI score of 4.9 and 75.9% having a mild to moderate degree of spinal stiffness. Furthermore, they were socially and psychologically burdened, with 88.4% experiencing work-related issues and 25.9% suffering from anxiety. Conclusions: The TMAS sheds light on the overall perspective of axSpA patients in Taiwan. The TMAS shows shorter diagnostic delay compared to patients from the EMAS. However, high disease activity and significant psychological distress still trouble the patients, causing functional impairments and even leading to career failures. Understanding the perspective of axSpA patients can help rheumatologists adjust treatment strategies to their unmet needs and improve their disease outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two–dimensional (2D) 4H‐polytype tin disulfide (SnS2) flakes are synthesized using the chemical vapor transport technique. The weak Van der Waals force between the 2D SnS2 layers offers an easy exfoliation of flakes down to a bilayer of thickness ≈2.02 (±0.1) nm using a mechanical exfoliation technique. The optical and field effect transistor (FET) characteristics of the exfoliated 2D 4H‐SnS2 layers are studied. The exfoliated layers are used to fabricate the ≈13‐layered SnS2 FET. The 4H‐SnS2 exhibits a high on/off ratio of ≈106 and mobility ≈1–4 cm2 V−1 s−1. The low mobility of the 4H‐SnS2 FET devices shows an insulating state concordant with the 2D Motts variable range hopping mechanism at varying temperatures. Moreover, it is found that the optical bandgap of the 2D SnS2 single‐crystal layers is largely widened for the bilayers and tri‐layers. The optical bandgap energies vary in the range of 2.56–1.99 eV. The significant alteration in bandgap energies of ≈0.57 eV offers downscaling of the 2D nanoscale semiconducting devices. Such layer‐sensitive changes in optical transmittance, absorbance, and bandgap energies are reflected in Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity, showing the distinct color of transmittance through various 2D 4H‐SnS2 layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-efficiency multimode Li-Ion battery charger with variable current source and controlling previous-stage supply voltage is presented in this paper. Using variable current source can achieve the goal of constant-current mode to charge the battery and control previous-stage supply voltage which could increase the efficiency of the multimode battery charger. Moreover, the charging mode adopted in this charger is applied by two types of dual-mode strategy decided by the value of the equivalent series resistance of the Li-Ion battery. This technique will reduce the damage of Li-Ion battery. The Li-Ion battery charger is designed with 0.35-[micro]m CMOS double-poly four-metal processes. The experimental results show that the charger works well and the theoretical analysis can be confirmed. The average power efficiency of the multimode Li-Ion battery charger can be up to 91.2% under the average power of 1.24 W, and the accuracy of the adaptive reference voltage is up to 97.3%. The chip area is only 1.32 X 0.95 [mm.sup.2]. Index Terms--Adaptive reference voltage, Li-Ion charger, variable current source.