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For a ∈ C ⁎ there are two natural evaluation maps ev a and ev a from the affine Hecke algebra H ▵ (r) C to the Hecke algebra H (r) C. The maps ev a and ev a induce evaluation maps ev ˜ a and ev ˜ a from the affine quantum Schur algebra S ▵ (n , r) C to the quantum Schur algebra S (n , r) C , respectively. In this paper we prove that the evaluation map ev ˜ a (resp. ev ˜ a) is compatible with the evaluation map Ev a (resp. Ev (− 1) n a q n ) for quantum affine sl n. Furthermore we compute the Drinfeld polynomials associated with the simple S ▵ (n , r) C -modules which come from the simple S (n , r) C -modules via the evaluation maps ev ˜ a. Then we characterize finite-dimensional irreducible S ▵ (n , r) C -modules which are irreducible as S (n , r) C -modules for n > r. As an application, we characterize finite-dimensional irreducible modules for the affine Hecke algebra H ▵ (r) C which are irreducible as modules for the Hecke algebra H (r) C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of nano carbon containing magnesia graphite refractories to reduce the total carbon content is urgently required for application of low carbon steel smelting. In this work, a novel approach to prepare graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) by exfoliating flake graphite (FG) in the medium of phenolic resin (PF) via three-roll milling, and the as-prepared GNPs/PF mixtures were used in MgO-C bricks to develop a novel low carbon magnesia-carbon refractories (LCMCRs). The results show that with the increasing of exfoliation times, the FG was constantly thinned, and the production of GNPs had thicknesses of 10–20 nm after exfoliation for 16 times. As a carbon source for LCMCRs, the GNPs and/or GNPs/PF mixture with 2 wt. % carbon could improve the comprehensive performance of the LCMCRs, including the higher cold crushing strength and hot modules of rupture, the better oxidation resistance and slag corrosion resistance. The GNPs continue uniformly dispersed and wrapped with magnesia aggregate, playing an importance role and positive impaction on the corrosion resistance of refractories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that a strong owner has been identified as an important factor in the success of megaprojects, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of megaproject owner organizational capabilities. However, the questions of what organizational capabilities do owners need to foster successful megaprojects, and whether these capabilities are the stronger the better, have yet to be addressed. To answer these questions, this study identified the dimensions of owner organizational capabilities based on literature and interviews, and developed several sets of parallel hypotheses. Based on the 229 valid questionnaire data collected, the relationships between owner organizational capabilities and megaproject success were analyzed through hierarchical multiple regression, and the results were discussed through expert interviews. The findings show that owner coordination, dynamic, and system integration capabilities have positive impacts on megaproject success, with coordination capabilities being the most significant. While the impact of motivational capabilities on megaproject success is inverted U-shaped. This study provides an actionable dimensional framework for megaproject owner capabilities, moving the field of owner organizational capabilities beyond the conceptual level. This study provides empirical evidence for the importance of megaproject owner organizational capabilities and takes a more dialectical view of a strong owner. The empirical results can provide insights and guidance on the configuration and development of megaproject owner capabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The graphite–silicon composite (GSC) anode materials with high specific capacity and excellent conductivity hold intriguing promise for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, commercializing GSC is hindered by its poor cyclability and safety issues. Here, a fire‐resistant polymer crosslinked with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) to improve the electrochemical properties and enhance the safety of the GSC anode is designed. The crosslinked polymer not only forms a 3D network structure to strengthen the mechanical properties of the composite electrode but also uniformly covers the electrode surface to effectively minimize the side‐reaction between electrodes and electrolyte, thereby improving its rate capacity and cycling stability. As a result, the GSC/PAA anode crosslinked with 10 wt% APP (GSC/10APP‐PAA) delivers a high capacity of 315 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C and stably operates for 1000 cycles with 0.03% capacity decay cycle−1. More importantly, the peak heat release rate and the total heat release value of GSC/10APP‐PAA anode are significantly depressed from 0.35 to 0.1 J s−1, and from 1.6 to 0.6 J g−1, respectively, thereby reducing the self‐extinguishing time, which proves that the crosslinked polymer plays a fireproof role in the process of the thermal runaway of LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

External program manager involvement can provide professional and systematic management services to owners. It can help to manage and coordinate different subprojects and ensure the achievement of the overall strategic goals of large projects. The promotion of external program manager involvement is not only efficiency-driven, but the institutional environment also has a significant impact. This study developed a theoretical model to explain how external program manager involvement is influenced by external institutional forces (coercive, mimetic, and normative pressures) and internal top management support. Based on a questionnaire survey, this study tested the research model through partial least-squares structural equation modeling. The empirical results revealed that coercive pressures have no significant impact on external program manager involvement; owners' top management support acts as a complete mediator between the mimetic pressures and external program manager involvement; normative pressures have the greatest impact on top management support and external program manager involvement, and top management support plays a key but partially mediating role. A direct contribution of this study is to reveal how different types of isomorphic pressures can be better exercised to facilitate the involvement of external program managers. Going further, by incorporating both external institutional pressures and internal top management support into the research model, this study provides insight into how organizations are influenced by external institutions to apply tools or approaches internally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D Bi2O2Se has recently attracted widespread research interest due to its high electron mobility and good air stability with tunable bandgap. However, the direct and controllable growth of large‐size, high‐quality ultrathin Bi2O2Se with tunable electronic properties remains a great challenge. Here, an organic ion template‐guided solution growth method, is developed using water as a solvent to efficiently obtain high‐quality 2D Bi2O2Se. Significantly, the thicknesses and morphologies of 2D Bi2OxSe with various oxygen deficiencies; are also achieved. Optical spectroscopic results indicate that oxygen defects can dramatically tune the electronic properties of Bi2O2Se, such as work function, band gap, and energy‐band positions. As a result, the optimized Bi2O2Se devices exhibit a high photoresponsivity of 842.91 A W−1, photo‐detectivity of 8.18 × 1012 Jones under 532 nm laser, and electron mobility of 334.7 cm2 V−1 s−1. This work proposes a new green solution method to synthesize large‐sized, high‐quality Bi2O2Se with tunable electronic structures that can be extended for various applications and provides a new possibility of transfer‐free large‐scale device manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

External management consultants have been increasingly employed by owners of complex construction projects (CCPs) to foster management innovation and improve their organizational capability. However, the dynamics of the owner-consultant collaboration process in such projects are still unknown. To bridge this gap, this paper explores the roles of external consultant involvement in fostering management innovation and developing an organizational capability in CCPs. Based on survey data collected from 102 such projects across different types in China, the partial least square-structural equation modeling analysis results uncover the positive effect of external consultant involvement in creating management innovation and building organizational capability. In particular, the mediating role of management innovation is identified in the exploration and transformation learning processes with external consultants involved. The findings of this study provide a novel explanation for the creation of management innovation in CCPs through external consultant involvement and useful guidance to project owners to better identify and utilize external consultants in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile approach using SDT method under uniform temperature have been applied to synthesize high yield, high purity and high-quality BP crystals. In addition, uniform and controllable doping of various elements are also achieved with the same method. Black phosphorus (BP) has recently attracted significant interest due to its unique electronic and optical properties. Doping is an effective strategy to tune a material's electronic properties, however, the direct and controllable growth of BP with a high yield and its doping remain a great challenge. Here we report an efficient short-distance transport (SDT) growth approach and achieve the controlled growth of high quality BP with the highest yield so far, where 98% of the red phosphorus is converted to BP. The doping of BP by As, Sb, Bi, Se and Te are also achieved by this SDT growth approach. Spectroscopic results show that doping systematically changes BP's electronic structures including band gap, work function, and energy band position. As a result, we have found that the air-stability of doped BP samples (Sb and Te-doped BP) improves compared with pristine BP, due to the downshift of the conduction band minimum with doping. This work reports a new method to grow BP and doped BP with tunable electronic structures and improved stability, and should extend the uses of these class of materials in various areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous organic polymers (POPs) with high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area (S BET) and plentiful heteroatoms are promising for CO 2 capture and separation. Herein a series of melamine-based porous polyamides were synthesized from melamine and binary/ternary benzoic acid by one-pot polycondensation strategy. These polymers have considerably high S BET (up to 521 m2/g) and enriched nitrogen (13.8–44.9 wt%). Importantly, they possess noteworthy CO 2 uptake (0.53–2.9 mmol/g at 273 K and 1 bar), the synergistic effect of predominant microporosity and abundant nitrogen are beneficial. Moreover, they have moderate isosteric heats (Q st) (29.5–43.7 kJ/mol) and acceptable CO 2 /N 2 selectivity (IAST: 31.6–277.8), which are highly relevant to the micropore volume, micropore area, and nitrogen content. Image 1 • A series of melamine-based porous polyamides were facilely prepared by one-pot synthesis without catalyst. • These polyamides with abundant nitrogen content had much higher surface areas compared to previous polyamides. • Their porosity and nitrogen content were carefully controlled via a simple and effective approach. • The well-defined microporosity and abundant nitrogen give them outstanding CO 2 capture. • The CO 2 adsorption was highly dependent on the V micro /V total. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the work of Doty and Giaquinto [Int. Math. Res. Not. 36, 1907 (2002)] and Du and Parshall [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 355, 1593 (2003)], the presentations of q-Schur algebra as a quotient of quantum g l n are given. Doty and Giaquinto [Electron. Res. Announce. Am. Math. Soc. 7, 54 (2001)] obtained the presentation for the Schur algebra U(2, r) and q-Schur algebra U(2, r) as a quotient of classical, quantized enveloping algebra of s l 2 , respectively. They pointed out that the problem of presenting q-Schur algebra U(n, r) as a quotient of quantized enveloping algebra of s l n seems to be more difficult for n > 2. Inspired by this point of view, we obtain a presentation for the Schur algebra, both the classical and quantized case, as a quotient of classical, quantized enveloping algebra of s l n , respectively, in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For thermal lens spectrometry in micro space, temperature distributions in the sample under continuous-wave modulated excitations of either laser or incoherent light source (ILS) are for the first time deduced with respective considerations of different experimental parameters, such as flow of the sample, excitation beam divergence, effects of top/bottom layers adjacent to the sample, and sidewall effects. On the basis of the temperature distributions, thermal lens (TL) models are built based on the Fresnel diffraction theory. Numerical simulations of the influence of the above factors on the TL signal are made for different detection schemes in search of higher detection sensitivity. We were able to predict the optimum probe beam offset as a function of the flow of the sample, the optimum detection scheme to minimize the effects of fluctuation of the flow velocity and/or excitation beam radius, the optimum excitation beam radius for a given sample length, and propose a three-layer system in an ILS-excited thermal lens microscope for sensitivity enhancement of up to 10 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a bi-functional homogeneous redox mediator is employed to promote the rate capability of Li–O2 batteries. The addition of this redox mediator not only facilitates the formation of toroid-shaped Li2O2 at high current densities, but also significantly reduces the charging over-potential caused by the bulky Li2O2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Sensitivity of thermal lens microscopy doesn't necessarily show a 1/κ dependence. • Ratio of thermal diffusion length to excitation radius is key to κ-dependent signal. • Detection of ensemble sample shows a different κ-dependence from that of nanoparticle. • Volumetric heat capacity is also a key parameter impacting the photothermal signal. Abstract Thermal conductivity (κ) is a key factor influencing the sensitivity of photothermal techniques. In thermal lens spectroscopy (TLS), photothermal signal was previously regarded as being proportional to 1/ κ. Here, I show that the 1/ κ dependence of photothermal signal is only valid on condition that the thermal diffusion length (L D) exceeds quintuple the excitation beam radius (a e) for an ensemble sample or twice the probe beam radius (r ps) for a nanoparticle. When L D is smaller than 0.5 a e for ensemble sample (or r ps /6 for nanoparticle), the signal reaches a plateau (or starts to decrease), totally deviating from the 1/ κ dependence. It was experimentally demonstrated that at high modulation frequencies, the signal enhancement induced by organic solvent can be twice smaller than that predicted previously. This work illuminates the impact of κ on TLS, and provides a guidance on selecting optimal TLS parameters for sensitive nonfluorescent target detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Based on ray-tracing technique and vectorial diffraction theory, focal-space intensity distribution of an incoherent light source (ILS) beam after a focusing lens is theoretically described. We investigated the influence of different parameters (the source size, wavelength, focusing lens type, etc.) on the focal-space intensity distribution. For a point source beam, a hyperbolic lens provides 50-fold better axial intensity concentration than a spherical lens of the same focal length (10 mm). Under a chromatic hyperbolic lens, broadening of the spectral bandwidth induces an elongation of the axial intensity distribution, which however is not obvious for spherical lens focusing since the spectral broadening-induced elongation is partly overlapped with that induced by the spherical aberration. Increasing the source size will broaden the lateral intensity distribution, which first looks like a Gaussian and then evolves into a hat top. The axial and/or lateral extension of focal-space intensity would be beneficial to applications where volume heating rather than point heating is required. For example, in an ILS-excited thermal lens microscopy, extension of the intensity distribution brings a quadratic increase of photothermal signal of an ensemble sample but a linear increase of the signal for a point-like target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let U ( gl ˆ n) be the universal enveloping algebra of gl ˆ n. A certain Z -form U Z ( gl ˆ n) of U ( gl ˆ n) was introduced in [15] such that the affine Schur algebra S ▵ (n , r) Z is a homomorphic image of U Z ( gl ˆ n). Let k be a field and let U k ( gl ˆ n) = U Z ( gl ˆ n) ⊗ k. Let S ▵ (n , r) k = S ▵ (n , r) Z ⊗ k. By tensoring with k , we have a surjective algebra homomorphism ξ r , k : = ξ r ⊗ i d : U k ( gl ˆ n) ↠ S ▵ (n , r) k. For h ⩾ 1 and r ∈ N let s ▵ (n , r) h = ξ r , k (s ▵ (n) h) , where s ▵ (n) h is a certain subalgebra of U k ( gl ˆ n). The algebra s ▵ (n , r) h is the affine analogue of infinitesimal Schur algebras introduced in [7]. In this paper we will give a presentation of s ▵ (n , r) 1 by generators and defining relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The O-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers were synthesized from phenol (2-naphthol) and formaldehyde dimethyl acetal by a simple one-step Friedel-Crafts reaction, they were subsequently carbonized using KOH as the activating agent, and their adsorption to CO 2 was carefully tested. The results indicated that these samples had a high Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area (up to 2241 m 2 /g), pore volume (up to 1.20 cm 3 /g), CO 2 uptake (up to 6.3 mmol/g at 273 K and 1.0 bar), and CO 2 /N 2 selectivity (up to 96 for the HCPs, and 22.5 for the porous carbon). In particular, the CO 2 adsorption was highly dependent on the ultramicropore volume (pore width<0.7 nm), while the CO 2 /N 2 selectivity mainly relied on the oxygen content and the ultramicropore structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal lens technique is proposed for the determination of total hemoglobin in the form of reversible hemichrome. The conditions were optimized (concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate, 2 mM) to attain the maximum sensitivity with the use of polyethylene glycols as signal enhancers. For polyethylene glycols with molecular weights 1500-35000 Da in a concentration range of 5-15% w/w (5-25 mM), the influence on thermal lens signal enhancement was estimated. It is shown that the use of 5% w/w polyethylene glycol 2000 provides the maximum increase in the thermal lens enhancement factor (by 40%) in comparison with unmodified aqueous solutions. The detection limit of iron(II) tris(1,10-phenanthrolinate) as a model system is 60 nM. Under these conditions, the thermal lens detection limit of hemichrome is 10 nM, which shows a 15-fold enhancement compared to spectrophotometry. Modification of the medium with polyethylene glycols decreases the limit of detection of hemichrome determination by 15% in comparison with unmodified aqueous solutions due to better reproducibility for the range of concentrations from 0.02 to 0.9 µM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The N-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers with different porosity and polarity were prepared from 4-vinylbenzyl chloride and 4-vinyl pyridine by the suspension polymerization and Friedel-Crafts reaction. A carbonization process by KOH chemical activation was carried out for the N-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers, and hence a series of N-doped porous carbons (NDPC) was easily fabricated. These porous materials were comparatively evaluated for CO 2 adsorption. The NDPC were much more efficient than the N-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers for the CO 2 capture and the CO 2 uptake had a linear correlation to the ultramicropore volume (d ≤ 0.8 nm) with R 2  = 0.9737. NDPC-10% possessed the highest CO 2 uptake around 270 mg/g, and had the sufficient CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of 20.2 at 273 K and 1.0 bar. The CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of the N-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers was much higher than the NDPC due to the higher nitrogen content. The isosteric heat of adsorption on the N-containing hyper-cross-linked polymers ranged 29.0–41.2 kJ/mol while that on the NDPC was much lower (24.6–29.2 kJ/mol). The NDPC developed in this study may provide promising candidates for the CO 2 capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In chips with nanometer-sized channels, photothermal lens microscopy (TLM) suffers quite low detection sensitivity, due to the ultrashort optical path length and the heat loss to the substrate. For a given optical path length, one feasible way to enhance the sensitivity of TLM is to control the heat (i.e., the photothermal effect) in nanospace. In this article, I show that by introducing two coatings with favorable thermophysical properties into a chip, the detection sensitivity can be enhanced from a few times to over 100 times for different optical path lengths from ~10 nm to ~1 µm. A detailed theoretical investigation on the periodic heat transfer and related photothermal effect in such a chip structure was presented. This photothermal effect strengthening method was experimentally demonstrated on a TiO2-coated cell with an optical path length of, for example, 300 nm, on which a sensitivity enhancement of 18 times was achieved in comparison with a cell without coatings and an absorption detection limit down to 2.5 × 10–2 cm−1can be expected. This work illuminates the importance of heat control to the sensitivity enhancement of photothermal microscopy in nanospaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little q-Schur algebras were introduced as homomorphic images of the infinitesimal quantum groups by Du, Fu and Wang. In this paper, we obtain a presentation by generators and relations for little q-Schur algebras uk(2, r). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the historical development of thermal lens spectrometry (TLS) is briefly reviewed as an introduction. In continuation, the emphasis is on the recent progresses of TLS for measurements in ensembled sample cells and in microfluidic flow injection systems. Novel theories, instrumentation and their applications for high sample throughput for environmental, chemical and biomedical analysis, as well as thermal characterization and imaging, particularly in microspace, are presented. Discussion is given on the limitations of present TLS systems that open new horizons for future progress of this technique, which has already found place among routine techniques for chemical analysis. In the final section, proposals for the future development of TLS towards advanced applications in new research fields are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combined microfluidic flow injection analysis-thermal lens microscopy ( $$\upmu $$ FIA-TLM) system was applied for determination of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)-a biomarker of acute kidney injury. NGAL was determined following a commercial ELISA assay and transfer of the resulting solution into the $$\upmu $$ FIA-TLM system with a 100 $$\upmu $$ m deep microchannel. At an excitation power of 100 mW, the $$\upmu $$ FIA-TLM provided about seven times lower limits of detection (1.5 pg $${\cdot }\mathrm{mL}^{-1})$$ as compared to a conventional ELISA test, and a sample throughput of six samples per minute, which compares favorably with sample throughput of the microtiter plate reader, which reads 96 wells in about 30 min. Comparison of results for NGAL in plasma samples from healthy individuals and for NGAL dynamics in patients undergoing coronary angiography measured with transmission mode spectrometry on a microtiter plate reader and with $$\upmu $$ FIA-TLM showed good agreement. In addition to improved LOD, the high sensitivity of $$\upmu $$ FIA-TLM offers possibilities of a further reduction of the total reaction time of the NGAL ELISA test by sacrificing some of the sensitivity while reducing the duration of individual incubation steps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal lens microscopy (TLM), due to its high temporal ( $${\sim }\mathrm{ms}$$ ) and spatial resolution ( $${\sim }\upmu \mathrm{m}$$ ), has been coupled to lab-on-chip chemistry for detection of a variety of compounds in chemical or biological fields. Due to the very short optical path length (usually below 100 $$\upmu \mathrm{m}$$ ) in a microchip, the sensitivity of TLM is unfortunately still 10 to 100 times lower than conventional TLS with 1 cm sample length. Optimization of the TLM optical configuration was made with respect to different pinhole aperture-to-beam size ratios for the best signal-to-noise ratio. In the static mode, the instrumental noise comes mainly from the shot noise of the probe beam when the chopper frequency is over 1 kHz or from the flicker noise of the probe beam at low frequencies. In the flowing mode, the flow-induced noise becomes dominant when the flow rate is high. At a given flow rate, fluids with a higher density and/or a higher viscosity will cause larger flow-induced noise. As an application, a combined microfluidic flow injection analysis ( $$\upmu \mathrm{FIA}$$ )-TLM device was developed for rapid determination of pollutants by colorimetric reactions. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] was measured as a model analyte. Analytical signals for 12 sample injections in 1 min have been recorded by the $${\upmu }$$ FIA-TLM. For injections of sub- $$\upmu $$ L samples into the microfluidic stream in a $$50\,\upmu \mathrm{m}$$ deep microchannel, a limit of detection of $$4\,\mathrm{ng}{\cdot }\mathrm{mL}^{-1}$$ was achieved for Cr(VI) in water at 60 mW excitation power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical configuration of a thermal lens microscope (TLM) was optimized for detection in a microfluidic chip with respect to the flow velocity, and the pump and probe beam parameters (beam waists, offsets, and mode mismatching degree). It was found that an appropriate pump-probe beam offset for a certain flow velocity would provide not only a higher sensitivity but also a better response linearity of TLM over three orders of magnitude of sample concentration. Diffraction-limited pump beam excitation is advantageous for space-resolved measurement, while a larger pump beam with 10 times lower power density is favorable for higher sensitivity at given experimental conditions. As an application, TLM was used to study the diffusion of azobenzene in a microfluidic chip. Diffusion profiles at different distances from the mixing point were recorded by scanning the TL signal along the cross section of the microchannel. By fitting the diffusion profiles to a theoretical model of mass transfer in a microchannel, diffusion coefficients of azobenzene in octane and methanol were determined to be $$5\times 10^{-10}\,\hbox {m}^{2}{\cdot }\,\hbox {s}^{-1}$$ and $$6\times 10^{-10}\,\hbox {m}^{2}{\cdot }\,\hbox {s}^{-1}$$ , respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of thermal lens spectrometry (TLS) as a micro space‐compatible photothermal technique and its applications for analysis of different chemical compounds in micro space and particularly in microfluidic systems are reviewed. Theoretical treatment of TLS in micro space has evolved from simply following conventional theory and predictions in macro space to employing a more accurate theory where impacts of the excitation source (Gaussian laser, top‐hat incoherent light source, beam divergence, power density), detection scheme (probe beam waist, mode‐mismatching degree), sample flow, and sample cell (top/bottom layers, side wall) on the TL signal are included. Noise sources (light sources, sample status, detector) in TLS systems have been analyzed, and optimum pinhole‐to‐beam radius ratio is suggested for the maximum signal‐to‐noise ratio. With different excitation light sources from ultraviolet, to visible, to near‐infrared regions and coupled with microfluidic devices, these TLS instruments with good temporal and spatial resolution have found many applications for highly sensitive and/or high‐throughput detection of chemical or biochemical analytes, for cell imaging or single particle/molecule detection, and for characterization of molecular diffusion in single‐ or two‐phase systems. Prospects and challenges of TLS for future applications in microchemical analysis are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare the survival prognosis of percutaneous transhepatic biliary stenting (PTBS) in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) at different horizontal sites. Methods: A total of 120 patients with MOJ who underwent biliary stenting were retrospectively included and analyzed and divided into the high-position group (36 patients), middle-position group (43 patients), and low-position group (41 patients) according to biliary obstruction plane by biliary anatomy. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to test for differences in the overall survival (OS), risk assessment of death and potential risk factors for 1-year survival were analyzed using multifactorial Cox regression. Results: The median survival of the high-, middle-, low-position groups were 16, 8.6, and 5.6 months, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.017). The 1-year survival rate was 67.6%, 41.9%, and 41.5% in the high-, middle-, low-position groups (P < 0.05), and the 1-year risk of death was 2.35 and 2.93 times higher in the medium- and low-position groups, respectively. The incidences of the main complications were 25%, 48.8%, and 65.9% in the high-, middle-, and low-position groups, respectively, (P = 0.002). While the differences in median stent patency were not statistically significant (P > 0.05) in the groups, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and total bilirubin levels decreased gradually in each group at 1 month and 3 months after interventional therapy (P < 0.001), while there was no significant difference in the decrease between the groups. Conclusions: Different levels of biliary obstruction in patients with MOJ affect survival, especially at 1 year, where high obstruction treated with PTBS has a low incidence of complications and a low risk of death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal lens spectrometry (TLS) under excitation of a divergent pump beam is discussed in both conventional and microscopic TLS instruments. A refined thermal lens (TL) model was proposed for calculating the TL signal of a 'finite TL element.' Experiments as well as comparison with numerical simulations demonstrated that the effective sample length for a certain pump beam profile was about six times the confocal distance of the pump beam for laser-excited case and 1.5 mm for incoherent light source-excited case. For laser-excited conventional TLS instrument or thermal lens microscope (TLM), an empirical formula of the optimum pump beam waist radius for maximum detection sensitivity was obtained at a given sample length. At larger pump beam waist radius of 7 μm, the TL signal was found 2.5 times lower compared to the diffraction limit; however, the resulting two orders of magnitude lower power density in the sample could be quite desirable for the detection of photolabile analytes. By investigating the influence of a finite TL element on the TL signal, we found that an optimal distance between the probe beam waist and the sample was needed to assure the maximum detection sensitivity and good response linearity. Under the optimal detection scheme, limit of detection of the laser-excited TLM at 4 mW power was evaluated to be 8.6 × 10 M for 100-μm-thick ferroin solution, corresponding to an absorbance of 9.5 × 10 absorbance units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc‐ion battery (AZB) is a promising candidate for next‐generation energy storage owing to inherent safety and low cost. However, AZBs are currently plagued by Zn dendrite growth and undesirable side‐reactions, leading to poor cycling stability and premature failure. To restrain the uncontrollable Zn growth, a unique separator is developed based on polyacrylonitrile/graphene oxide (abbreviated as PG) composite nanofibers, which contain abundance of zincophilicity functional groups to regulate the migration and distribution of Zn2+ ions in the separator. It is demonstrated that the cyano ligands on PG not only facilitate the dehydration of solvated Zn2+ ions prior to deposition, but also form fast lanes to enable homogenous scattering of deposition spots. Benefiting from these features, the PG separator offers a high ionic conductivity of 7.69 mS cm‐1 and a transference number of 0.74 for Zn2+. The Zn||Zn symmetrical cells with PG separators achieve an ultra‐stable cycle life over 13 000 h. Zn||Zn0.27V2O5 full batteries with PG separators retain 71.5% of the original capacity after 2800 cycles at a high current density of 2 A g‐1. This study offers future research directions toward the design of multifunctional separators to overcome the limits of Zn metal anode in AZBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents recent development and applications of thermal lens microscopy (TLM) and beam deflection spectrometry (BDS) for the analysis of water samples and sea ice. Coupling of TLM detection to a microfluidic system for flow injection analysis (μFIA) enables the detection of microcystin-LR in waters with a four samples/min throughput (in triplicate injections) and provides an LOD of 0.08 µg/L which is 12-times lower than the MCL for microcystin-LR in water. μFIA-TLM was also applied for the determination of total Fe and Fe(II) in 3 µL samples of synthetic cloudwater. The LODs were found to be 100 nM for Fe(II) and 70 nM for total Fe. The application of µFIA-TLM for the determination of ammonium in water resulted in an LOD of 2.3 µM for injection of a 5 µL sample and TLM detection in a 100 µm deep microfluidic channel. For the determination of iron species in sea ice, the BDS was coupled to a diffusive gradient in the thin film technique (DGT). The 2D distribution of Fe(II) and total Fe on DGT gels provided by the BDS (LOD of 50 nM) reflected the distribution of Fe species in sea ice put in contact with DGT gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a thermal lens microscope (TLM) based on an incoherent light source (ILS) excitation. By introducing a three-layer system into an optimized ILS-excited TLM, the sensitivity can be amplified up to 10 times for a 100-μm aqueous sample. The sensitivity enhancement originates from two additional thermal lenses formed by the heat transferred from the sample to the top and bottom layers with high temperature coefficient of refractive index. It is predicted that with a power of about 10 mW used for exciting a 100-μm sample, the limit of detection of the ILS-excited TLM can go down to 5.5 × 10-6 AU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) is one of the main bioactive substances of animals'' bile acid. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti-arthritic effects and potential mechanism of TCDCA on adjuvant arthritis (AA) in rats. Freund''s complete adjuvant (FCA) was used to induce AA in rats. Paw swelling, index of thymus and spleen and body weight growth rate were measured, and polyarthritis index and radiologic changes were observed. The production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 was detected by ELISA in serum and synoviocytes. mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 was determined by real-time RT-PCR in synovium tissue and synoviocytes. In both prophylactic and therapeutic treatment, TCDCA significantly suppressed paw swelling and polyarthritis index, increased the loss body weight and index of thymus and spleen, and amended radiologic changes in AA rats. The overproduction and mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 were remarkably suppressed in serum and synovium tissue of all TCDCA-treated rats, however, IL-10 was markedly increased in prophylactic treatment. In a definite concentration ranging from 300μg/mL to 500μg/mL, TCDCA showed marked inhibition in the overproduction and mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in synoviocytes in a concentration-dependent manner, but opposite action on IL-10. In conclusion, treatment with TCDCA confers a good anti-adjuvant arthritis activity in rats, which its reparative effects could be mediated via reduction of the protein and mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, and augment of IL-10 in rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Constructed indicator system combines emergy index with traditional economic-social index. • Reliability of the index evaluation system is verified through examples. • Introduced obstacle degree model to identify factors affecting healthy development. • Proposed ecological development paths to improve ecosystem health. Chinese resource-based cities are facing serious challenges in the aspect of ecosystem health development due to the development mode of "Treatment after pollution" and the negative effect caused by increased global competition. Research from the theory and methodology aspects must be urgently advanced. This study innovatively combines emergy analysis indicators with traditional economic-social indicators and constructs the method for urban ecosystem health assessment and improvement path. Jining is selected as an example to verify the method effectively. Research results show that the urban ecosystem health level of Jining constantly improved during 2008–2017, which increased from unhealthy to sub healthy and then to healthy. The five urban ecosystem health factors, namely, vitality, organizational structure, resilience, ecosystem service functions, and public health conditions, all show a trend of continuous improvement. Through the model of obstacle degree, this study identifies the main obstacle factors that influence the urban ecosystem health development of Jining: environmental loading rate (D22), renewable emergy value rate (D7), and the proportion of environmental protection in fiscal expenditure (D19). Moreover, several ecological development paths are proposed to improve the urban ecosystem health level of Jining based on local conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen energy is one of the most promising sources of carbon neutrality from well to wheel. Among various applications of hydrogen energy, hydrogen internal combustion engines serve as the critical technical pathway. Nevertheless, several challenges persist, primarily related to abnormal combustion resulting from excessive flame propagation velocity. Of these challenges, backfire emerges as the most recurrent and pressing issue to be resolved in the port fuel-injected hydrogen internal combustion engine (PFI-H 2 ICE). In order to delve into the characteristics and mechanisms of backfire, this study concentrates on a critical internal parameter, namely the start of injection (SOI), and comprehensively assesses the backfire occurrences under varying lambda and engine speed conditions. Experimental findings reveal that SOI encompasses one of the pivotal factors influencing backfire. Backfire predominantly arises within two ranges of SOI conditions: the region before −430 degCA ATDC (Zone I) and the stretch between −360 degCA ATDC and − 280 degCA ATDC (Zone II). In the process of employing EGR to depress the effects of backfire on subsequent tests, it was incidentally found that the Universal Exhaust Gas Oxygen Sensor (UEGO) installed on the intake manifold for executing EGR rate calculations acted as a hotspot (with temperatures exceeding 100 °C). This not only intensified the backfire strength and the scope in Zone I but also caused the most severe backfire events to occur after −270 degCA ATDC (in Zone III). Despite this, the EGR strategy still demonstrated a significant backfire suppression effect, only exhibiting almost no influence on backfire caused by hotspots within the intake manifold. With an escalation in engine speed, the intensity of backfire diminishes, and the range of backfire occurrence decreases accordingly. By exercising control over SOI within the operating range from -430degCA to -360degCA ATDC (Zone A), the risk of backfire can be dramatically reduced, thereby achieving nearly backfire-free operation. Detailed analysis of cylinder pressure indicates that backfire may also give rise to other abnormal combustions, such as misfire, pre-ignition, and knock, in subsequent cycles. Moreover, this effect amplifies in tandem with an increase in mixture concentration. A certain degree of mutual promotion among diverse abnormal combustions is also observed. This study furnishes the most direct and practical foundation for internal and external strategies in the realm of backfire control. • The backfires are concentrated within two specific SOI operating conditions ranges. • SOI scheduling is critical in backfire control, with the safest position being in a specific range before IVO. • The hotspot within the intake manifold increases the backfire strength and leads to the strongest backfire. • A 12% EGR can reduce half of the backfire operating regions and decrease backfire strength. • Backfire may trigger other abnormal combustions, especially in relatively rich-burn conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification of little q -Schur algebras of finite representation type at the odd roots of unity case was given in [15]. In this paper, we give the complete classification of representation type of little q -Schur algebras in the any roots of unity case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon source precursors for high-grade, clean, and low-carbon refractories were obtained by in situ exfoliation of flake graphite (FG) and phenol–formaldehyde resin (PF) composites with three-roll milling (TRM) for the fabrication of graphite nanoplatelets. In addition, by using Ni(NO3)2·6H2O as a catalyst in the pyrolysis process, multidimensional carbon nanostructures were obtained with coexisting graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs), glassy carbon (GC), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The resulting GNPs (exfoliated 16 times) had sizes of 10–30 μm, thicknesses of 30–50 nm, and could be uniformly dispersed in GC from the PF pyrolysis. Moreover, Ni(NO3)2·6H2O played a key role in the formation and growth of CNTs from a catalytic pyrolysis of partial PF with the V–S/tip growth mechanisms. The resulting multidimensional carbon nanostructures with GNPs/GC/CNTs are attributed to the shear force of the TRM process, pyrolysis, and catalytic action of nitrates. This method reduced the production costs of carbon source precursors for low-carbon refractories, and the precursors exhibited excellent performances when fabricated on large scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) is a promising solid electrolyte material for solid‐state lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, but low intrinsic ionic conductivity, poor mechanical properties, and failure to hinder the polysulfide shuttle effect limits its application. Herein, a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM) is synthesized and applied as an organic framework to comprehensively enhance the performance of PEO by forming a composite electrolyte (PEO‐PIM). The unique structure of PIM‐1 not only enhances the mechanical strength and hardness over the PEO electrolyte by an order of magnitude, increasing stability toward the metallic lithium anode but also increases its ionic conductivity by lowering the degree of crystallinity. Furthermore, the PIM‐1 is shown to effectively trap lithium polysulfide species to mitigate against the detrimental polysulfide shuttle effect, as electrophilic 1,4‐dicyanooxanthrene functional groups possess higher binding energy to polysulfides. Benefiting from these properties, the use of PEO‐PIM composite electrolyte has achieved greatly improved rate performance, long‐cycling stability, and excellent safety features for solid‐state Li‐S batteries. This methodology offers a new direction for the optimization of solid polymer electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide and the strongest predictor of mortality in patients with diabetes. Despite its significance, the pathological mechanism underlying the onset and progression of DKD remains incompletely understood. In this study, we have shown that mitochondrial ribosomal protein L12 (MRPL12) plays a significant role in DKD by modulating mitochondrial function. We demonstrated that MRPL12 was mainly ubiquitinated at K150 in renal tubular epithelial cells. We have found that Cullin3 (CUL3), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, directly interacts with MRPL12 and induces the K63‐linked ubiquitination of MRPL12, resulting in mitochondrial biosynthesis dysfunction. Moreover, under high‐glucose (HG) conditions in renal tubular epithelial cells, we observed up‐regulation of CUL3 expression, significant increase in CUL3‐mediated ubiquitination of MRPL12 and dysregulation of mitochondrial biosynthesis. Notably, CUL3 knockdown stabilised the MRPL12 protein and protected mitochondrial biosynthesis under HG conditions. Our findings provide novel insight into how CUL3 affects mitochondrial biosynthesis in renal tubular epithelial cells through MRPL12 ubiquitination and suggest a potential therapeutic strategy for DKD in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to verify the "Al 2 O 3 -template-formation" mechanism of magnesium aluminate (MA) spinel proposed previously using Al 2 O 3 and MgO micro-powders as raw materials, in this work, MA spinel was synthesized by nanograined, plate-like, and fibrous Al 2 O 3 in LiCl molten salt at 1150 °C for 3 h, respectively. The products were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and EDS techniques, and the grain size of the products and raw materials were analyzed. The results showed clearly that the MA spinel was initially nucleated and subsequently developed to octahedral crystal. When the reaction further took place, when using nanograined Al 2 O 3 , the newly formed MA spinel seeds initially moved and attached to the surface of the large octahedral MA spinel crystal, and they were subsequently engulfed by the large MA spinel crystal, which further grew via layer-by-layer to become micro-sized crystal. Using plate-like or fibrous Al 2 O 3 raw material, MgO diffused continuously into the interior of Al 2 O 3 to form MA spinel with a gradient growth from surface to depth. These revealed that whatever shape of Al 2 O 3 was used, the synthesis of MA spinel was governed by "Al 2 O 3 -template formation mechanism", i.e. , by the reaction of MgO diffusion into the Al 2 O 3 templet in the molten salt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel quaternary ammonium/magnetic graphene oxide composites (M-PAS-GO) that efficiently remove Cr(VI) ions were fabricated through the introduction of the (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane and Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the surface of GO, and then modified with n-butyl bromide. The fabricated M-PAS-GO was comprehensively characterized by SEM, TEM, EDX, XRD, Raman spectroscopy and FTIR, and the results manifest that the quaternary ammonium group was introduced onto the surface of GO. Under the reaction conditions of pH 3.20, temperature of 25 °C and M-PAS-GO dosage of 0.01 g/50 mL, 90% of 10 mg/L Cr(VI) ions were removed from the solution within 20 min. The kinetics study indicates that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order model and was surface reaction-controlled. The thermodynamic parameters calculated from temperature-dependent adsorption isotherms suggest that the adsorption process was an exothermic and spontaneous process. The maximum adsorption capacities of Cr(VI) ions on M-PAS-GO composites calculated by the Langmuir model were 46.48 mg/g. Moreover, the reusability and stability of M-PAS-GO demonstrates its economic sustainability. This study suggests that M-PAS-GO is a potential candidate adsorbent for the separation of Cr(VI) from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ BaSO4 coating, generated in the first discharging of Ba2+ pre-intercalated δ-MnO2, shortens the activation process by inducing fast proton intercalation and stabilizes the MnO2 crystal by suppressing Mn dissolution. The cathode delivers a decent electrochemical performance of 210 mA h g−1 at 1C with a 98% retention after 200 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N-doped porous carbons (NPCs) are promising adsorbents for carbon capture and sequestration. Herein we prepare a series of NPCs derived from triazine-based hyper-cross-linked polymers and tune the porosity and nitrogen content by carbonization temperature and activator. The NPCs prepared at 800 °C using KOH as the activator has the highest Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area (3542 m 2 /g) while the NPCs prepared at 700 °C using ZnCl 2 as the activator possesses the highest N content (7.27 wt%). The CO 2 adsorption indicates that the NPCs prepared at 700 °C with KOH holds the highest CO 2 uptake (240 mg/g) while the NPCs prepared at 700 °C with ZnCl 2 owns the highest CO 2 /N 2 selectivity (42.6). The CO 2 uptake at 1.0 bar depends linearly on the cumulative supermicropore volume (d < 1.2 nm) ( V super ), while nitrogen content plays an important role for CO 2 uptake at a low pressure (0.1 bar). CO 2 /N 2 selectivity is mainly related to V super versus the cumulative micropore volume (d < 2 nm) ( V micro ) and nitrogen content, especially pyridinic N and quaternary N. These porous carbons exhibit moderate isosteric heat of adsorption (19.3–28.3 kJ/mol), can be completely regenerated, and show excellent recycling performance. Our study provides promising porous carbons for CO 2 capture and affords effective guideline for designing porous materials with an improved CO 2 capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of modern technology, the functions of smart windows are expected to be more abundant apart from reducing energy consumption. A viable and popular solution is to develop a versatile product. Here a multi‐functional tandem device enabled by ionic gels to form a smart glass that can be applied in manifold scenarios, is reported. The ionic gels successfully fulfill the multiple tasks of simultaneously being electrolytes, ion storage medium, as well as transparent electrodes, and help heighten the overall transparency of the devices. The novel tandem configuration simply consists of five stacking functional layers and is universal for DC‐driven electrochromic and AC‐driven electroluminescent sub‐devices. The newly‐developed devices demonstrate magnificent characteristics of high and tunable transparency (0–77%), selective infrared shielding ability, diversified displaying and decoration, excellent stability (3000 cycles), and even flexibility. Multifarious application scenarios of the structure in diversified device forms are proposed and presented. The proposed device architecture provides a facile methodology to fabricate functional devices and will provoke infinite novel ideas for developing the next‐generation smart windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct a class of non-weight modules over the twisted N = 2 superconformal algebra L. Let h = C L 0 ⊕ C G 0 be the Cartan subalgebra of L , and let t = C L 0 be the Cartan subalgebra of even part L 0 ¯ . These modules over L when restricted to the h are free of rank 1 or when restricted to the t are free of rank 2. We provide the necessary and sufficient conditions for these modules to be simple, and give the necessary and sufficient conditions for two such L -modules to be isomorphic. We also compute the action of an automorphism on them. Moreover, based on the weighting functor introduced in [15] , a class of intermediate series modules A t (σ) are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a central nervous system trauma that can cause severe neurological impairment. A series of pathological and physiological changes after SCI (e.g., inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction) promotes further deterioration of the microenvironment at the site of injury, leading to aggravation of neurological function. The multifunctional transcription factor NF-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) has long been considered a key factor in antioxidant stress. Therefore, Nrf2 may be an ideal therapeutic target for SCI. A comprehensive understanding of the function and regulatory mechanism of Nrf2 in the pathophysiology of SCI will aid in the development of targeted therapeutic strategies for SCI. This review discusses the roles of Nrf2 in SCI, with the aim of aiding in further elucidation of SCI pathophysiology and in efforts to provide Nrf2-targeted strategies for the treatment of SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) is closely linked to degenerative spinal disease, resulting in disability, poor quality of life, and financial burden. Apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells (NPCs) is a key pathological basis of IVDD. Periostin (POSTN), an extracellular matrix protein, is expressed in many tissues, whereas its abnormal expression is associated with IVDD. The conventional Wnt/β‐catenin pathway is also involved in IVDD and contributes to NPCs apoptosis. However, research on the mechanisms of POSTN in IVDD is lacking. This study investigated the relationship between POSTN and β‐catenin expression in degenerated IVDs. We detected the expression of POSTN, β‐catenin, and cleaved‐caspase‐3 (C‐caspase3) in degenerated and non‐degenerated IVD tissues of different grades (n = 8) using RT‐qPCR, immunohistochemical staining, and western blotting analysis. Next, we explored the effects of recombinant periostin (rPOSTN) and isoquercitrin (Iso), an inhibitor of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, on NPCs apoptosis. Finally, we inhibited the expression of POSTN in degenerated NPCs in vivo and investigated the anti‐apoptotic effect. The expression of β‐catenin, POSTN, and C‐caspase3 in severe degenerative IVDs was significantly higher than that in mild degenerative IVDs. These findings were confirmed in rat and cell‐based degenerative models. When treated with rPOSTN, the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway activity and cell apoptosis were time‐ and dose‐dependent. However, rPOSTN‐induced NPCs apoptosis decreased after iso‐induced inhibition of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. POSTN inhibition reduced apoptosis but was restored by rPOSTN re‐addition. Lastly, POSTN inhibition ameliorated puncture‐induced IVDD in vivo. Overall, our study demonstrated that POSTN promotes NPCs apoptosis and aggravates degeneration by activating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Droplet-based liquid–liquid extraction in a microchannel was studied, both theoretically and experimentally. A full 3D mathematical model, incorporating convection and diffusion in all spatial directions along with the velocity profile, was developed to depict the governing transport characteristics of droplet-based microfluidics. The finite elements method, as the most common macroscale simulation technique, was used to solve the set of differential equations regarding conservation of moment, mass and solute concentration in a two-domain system coupled by interfacial surface of droplet-based flow pattern. The model was numerically verified and validated online by following the concentrations of a solute in two phases within the microchannel. The relative azobenzene concentration profiles in a methanol/n-octane two-phase system at different positions along the channel length were retrieved by means of a thermal lens microscopic (TLM) technique coupled to a microfluidic system, which gave results of high spatial and temporal resolution. Very good agreement between model calculations and online experimental data was achieved without applying any fitting procedure to the model parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carboxylated pillar[5]arene (CP5) macrocycles were modified onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) via covalent bonds to form new pillarene-functionalized RGO nanosheets, i.e., RGO-CP5. The obtained RGO-CP5 nanosheets capable of molecular recognition exhibited much better water-dispersibility and enhanced fluorescence-quenching property as compared with native RGO. This new sensing platform holds great potentials in the sensing and detection of analytes, such as organic dye molecules and pesticides, in aqueous solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This review summarized the recent intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) models and described their advantages and potential disadvantages, aiming to provide an overview for the current condition of IDD model establishment and new ideas for new strategies development of the treatment and prevention of IDD. Methods: The database of PubMed was searched up to May 2021 with the following search terms: nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, cartilage endplate, intervertebral disc(IVD), intervertebral disc degeneration, animal model, organ culture, bioreactor, inflammatory reaction, mechanical stress, pathophysiology, epidemiology. Any IDD model-related articles were collected and summarized. Results: The best IDD model should have the features of repeatability, measurability and controllability. There are a lot of aspects to be considered in the selection of animals. Mice, rats and rabbits are low-cost and easy to access. However, their IVD size and shape are more different from human anatomy than pigs, cattle, sheep and goats. Organ culture models and animal models are two options in model establishment for IDD. The IVD organ culture model can put the studying variables into the controllable system for transitional research. Unlike the animal model, the organ culture model can only be used to evaluate the short-term effects and it is not applicable in simulating the complex process of IDD. Similarly, the animal models induced by different methods also have their advantages and disadvantages. For studying the mechanism of IDD and the corresponding treatment and prevention strategies, the selection of model should be individualized based on the purpose of each study. Conclusions: Various models have different characteristics and scope of application due to their different rationales and methods of construction. Currently, there is no experimental model that can perfectly mimic the degenerative process of human IVD. Personalized selection of appropriate model based on study purpose and experimental designing can enhance the possibility to obtain reliable and real results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Heterostructures have various physical and chemical properties compared to single-layer two-dimensional materials (2DMs), providing an effective method for improving optoelectronic device's performance. ln this work, we systematically examined the electronic structures, contact types, and optical properties of the Graphene/H-diamane heterostructure (Gr/H-diamane HTS) made of Gr and 2D H-diamane by the first-principles method. This HTS displays a p-type Schottky contact with a Schottky barrier height (SBH) of 0.01 eV. The SBH can be effectively tuned by applying electric field (EF) and strain engineering, and the transition from Schottky contact to Ohmic contact can be realized under vertical strain or external EF, which contributes to the improvement of device performance. In addition, the Gr/H-diamane HTS has a work function difference of 0.61 eV and a strong absorption capacity for infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. Its peak absorption coefficient in the infrared region reaches 4 × 106 cm-1 and can be improved even further under EF. Therefore, the Gr/H-diamane HTS has enormous potential in applications including high-performance nanoelectronics and infrared photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]