Bilateral Production Shield Enabling Highly Efficient Perovskite Photovoltaics.

Enhancing the intrinsic stability of perovskite and through encapsulation to isolate water, oxygen, and UV-induced decomposition are currently common and most effective strategies in perovskite solar cells. Here, the atomic layer deposition process is employed to deposit a nanoscale (≈100 nm), uniform, and dense Al2O3 film on the front side of perovskite devices, effectively isolating them from the erosion caused by water and oxygen in the humid air. Simultaneously, nanoscale (≈100 nm) TiO2 films are also deposited on the glass surface to efficiently filter out the ultraviolet (UV) light in the light source, which induces degradation in perovskite. Ultimately, throughthe collaborative effects of both aspects, the stability of the devices is significantly improved under conditions of humid air and illumination. As a result, after storing the devices in ambient air for 1000 h, the efficiency only declines to 95%, and even after 662 h of UV exposure, the efficiency remains at 88%, far surpassing the performance of comparison devices. These results strongly indicate that the adopted Al2O3 and TiO2 thin films play a significant role in enhancing the stability of perovskite solar cells, demonstrating substantial potential for widespread industrial applications.

Electrical tuning of branched flow of light.

Branched flows occur ubiquitously in various wave systems, when the propagating waves encounter weak correlated scattering potentials. Here we report the experimental realization of electrical tuning of the branched flow of light using a nematic liquid crystal (NLC) system. We create the physical realization of the weakly correlated disordered potentials of light via the inhomogeneous orientations of the NLC. We demonstrate that the branched flow of light can be switched on and off as well as tuned continuously through the electro-optical properties of NLC film. We further show that the branched flow can be manipulated by the polarization of the incident light due to the optical anisotropy of the NLC film. The nature of the branched flow of light is revealed via the unconventional intensity statistics and the rapid fidelity decay along the light propagation. Our study unveils an excellent platform for the tuning of the branched flow of light which creates a testbed for fundamental physics and offers a new way for steering light.

Acute intermittent porphyria complicated with acute pancreatitis: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a rare genetic disorder that affects porphyrin metabolism in the blood. The disease causes defects in specific enzymes in the body, which in turn leads to the accumulation of porphyrin metabolites. Patients may experience abdominal pain, neurological symptoms, muscle pain, and nausea, but it does not directly cause pancreatitis. PATIENT CONCERNS: The patient is a young woman, 23 years old, who was admitted to our hospital with intermittent abdominal pain for 2 days, the pain was not fixed, episodic, with no obvious trigger, and 1 day before admission, the patient started to experience nausea and vomiting, with gastric contents as the vomitus, and similar symptoms had occurred many times in the past. Blood amylase 600 U/L, blood sodium 120.6 mmol/L, blood routine, and coagulation function results were normal; abdominal CT showed pancreatic swelling with unclear surrounding fat interstitial, acute pancreatitis was considered. The patient's urine was dark red, and the results of the qualitative urine porphyrin test were positive. DIAGNOSES: AIP complicated with acute pancreatitis. INTERVENTION: Relief of symptoms, control of pain, correction of electrolyte disturbances, and high-carbohydrate therapy. OUTCOMES: The patient was discharged with complete symptomatic relief after 10 days of high-carbohydrate therapy. LESSONS: AIP complicated with acute pancreatitis is very rare. Treatment of AIPs aims to control acute attacks and prevent potential triggers.

Simultaneous temperature and pressure sensing based on a single optical resonator.

We propose a dual-parameter sensor for the simultaneous detection of temperature and pressure based on a single packaged microbubble resonator (PMBR). The ultrahigh-quality (∼107) PMBR sensor exhibits long-term stability with the maximum wavelength shift about 0.2056 pm. Here, two resonant modes with different sensing performance are selected to implement the parallel detection of temperature and pressure. The temperature and pressure sensitivities of resonant Mode-1 are -10.59 pm/°C and 0.1059 pm/kPa, while the sensitivities of Mode-2 are -7.69 pm/°C and 0.1250 pm/kPa, respectively. By adopting a sensing matrix, the two parameters are precisely decoupled and the root mean square error of measurement are ∼ 0.12 °C and ∼ 6.48 kPa, respectively. This work promises the potential for the multi-parameters sensing in a single optical device.

Ambient air pollution and infant health: a narrative review.

The extensive evidence regarding the effects of ambient air pollution on child health is well documented, but limited review summarized their health effects during infancy. Symptoms or health conditions attributed to ambient air pollution in infancy could result in the progression of severe diseases during childhood. Here, we reviewed previous empirical epidemiological studies and/or reviews for evaluating the linkages between ambient air pollution and various infant outcomes including adverse birth outcomes, infant morbidity and mortality, early respiratory health, early allergic symptoms, early neurodevelopment, early infant growth and other relevant outcomes. Patterns of the associations varied by different pollutants (i.e., particles and gaseous pollutants), exposure periods (i.e., pregnancy and postpartum) and exposure lengths (i.e., long-term and short-term). Protection of infant health requires that paediatricians, researchers, and policy makers understand to what extent infants are affected by ambient air pollution, and a call for action is still necessary to reduce ambient air pollution.

Effects of field soil warming on the growth and physiology of Juglans mandshurica seedlings.

Global climate change will increase surface soil temperature, with consequences on plant seedling growth and population dynamics. In this study, we carried out a field experiment to investigate the effects of 2 ℃ soil warming on the growth and physiological characteristics of 1- and 2-year-old seedlings of a dominant tree species in broadleaved Korean pine forest, Juglans mandshurica. The results showed that soil warming significantly increased basal diameter, root length, total leaf area, leaf dry weight, root dry weight, total biomass, apparent photosynthetic electron transfer rate (ETR), PSⅡ actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPSⅡ), and apparent photosynthetic electrophotochemical quenching coefficient (qP) of 1-year-old seedlings by 18.3%, 66.7%, 94.4%, 105.9%, 95.8%, 37.8%, 89.5%, 100.0%, and 71.4%, respectively. Soil warming significantly increased basal diameter, total leaf area, leaf dry weight, total biomass, leaf superoxide dismutase activity, peroxidase activity, catalase activity and free proline content, ETR, ΦPSⅡ, and qP of 2-year-old seedlings by 12.5%, 180.5%, 97.3%, 42.5%, 23.9%, 20.4%, 14.9%, 20.7%, 66.7%, 283.3% and 284.6%, respectively. There was an interaction between seedling age and soil warming on the root-shoot ratio and the ΦPSⅡ and qP in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, in that soil warming significantly reduced the root-shoot ratio of 2-year-old seedlings and that the increase of chlorophyll fluorescence parameters of 2-year-old seedlings (4.1-4.6 times) was much higher than that of 1-year-old seedlings (1.5-1.8 times). Soil warming of 2 ℃ was beneficial to the growth of 1- and 2-year-old J. mandshurica seedlings and increased their regeneration potential. In particular, 2-year-old J. mandshurica seedlings responded to soil warming by increasing leaf area, improving leaf photochemical efficiency, and enhancing protective enzyme activity to increase resistance.

Programmable VO2 metasurface for terahertz wave beam steering.

Programmable vanadium dioxide (VO2) metasurface is proposed at THz frequencies. The insulating and metallic states of VO2 can be switched via external electrical stimulation, resulting in the dynamical modulation of electromagnetic response. The voltages of different columns of the metasurface can be controlled by the field-programmable gate array, and thus the phase gradients are realized for THz beam steering. In 1-bit coding, we design periodic and nonperiodic 24 × 24 coding sequences, and achieve wide-angle beam scanning with the deflection angles from -60° to +60°. In 2-bit coding, we use two different meta-atoms to design 18 × 18 coding sequences. Compared with 1-bit coding, 2-bit coding has more degree of freedom to control the optical phase, and 3 dB diffraction efficiency is improved by generating a single deflection angle. The proposed programmable metasurfaces provide a promising platform for manipulating electromagnetic wave in 6G wireless communication.

Electron Microscopy Probing Electron-Photon Interactions in SiC Nanowires with Ultrawide Energy and Momentum Match.

Light-matter interactions are commonly probed by optical spectroscopy, which, however, has some fundamental limitations such as diffraction-limited spatial resolution, tiny momentum transfer, and noncontinuous excitation/detection. In this work, through the use of scanning transmission electron microscopy-electron energy loss spectroscopy (STEM-EELS) with ultrawide energy and momentum match and subnanometer spatial resolution, the longitudinal Fabry-Perot (FP) resonating modes and the transverse whispering-gallery modes (WGMs) in individual SiC nanowires are simultaneously excited and detected, which span from near-infrared (∼1.2 µm) to ultraviolet (∼0.2 µm) spectral regime, and the momentum transfer can range up to 108 cm-1. The size effects on the resonant spectra of nanowires are also revealed. This work provides an alternative technique to optical resonating spectroscopy and light-matter interactions in dielectric nanostructures, which is promising for modulating free electrons via photonic structures.

Reducing tumescent anesthetic injection pain by topical anesthesia pretreatment among patients undergoing endovenous radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Tumescent anesthesia frequently causes the intraoperative and postoperative pain during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of varicose veins. We have to find a way to reduce pain caused by these injections. This randomized controlled trial investigated the effectiveness of topical anesthesia pretreatment (TAP) on relieving needle puncture pain during administration of tumescent anesthesia among patients undergoing RFA of varicose veins. METHODS: Eligible patients treated with RFA were recruited and randomized to either application of TAP with lidocaine-prilocaine cream (EMLA) or water-based cream (placebo). The primary outcome was patient described pain scores on the visual analogue scale (VAS) at different time points during the procedure. Secondary outcomes were technical success rate, complications, satisfaction level, expense, and extra analgesia use. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were randomized: 32 to EMLA and 30 to placebo. Both groups had comparable baseline demographics, CEAP classification, and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS). Less tumescent anesthetic needle puncture pain was found in the EMLA group (22 ± 7 vs 42 ± 8, p < .01). Pain scores of other time points were equivalent. There was less pain in EMLA pretreated area compared to non-pretreated area in the same patient during needle puncture (22 ± 7 vs 45 ± 7, p < .01), and similar phenomena did not appear in the placebo group. There was no statistical difference in complications, satisfaction level, expense, and technical success between the two groups. And no extra analgesia was used in all patients. CONCLUSION: We recommend the routine use of TAP to reduce the needle puncture pain during tumescent anesthesia in RFA of lower extremity varicose veins.

An Ultrahigh-Power Mesocarbon Microbeads|Na+ -Diglyme|Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 Sodium-Ion Battery.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) show practical applications in large-scale energy storage systems. But, their power density is limited by the sluggish Na+ diffusion into the cathode and anode materials. Herein, the authors demonstrate a prototype of ultrahigh power SIB, consisting of the high-rate Na3 V2 (PO4 )3 (NVP) cathode, graphite-type mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) anode, and Na+ -diglyme electrolyte. It is found that the overpotential of the NVP cathode obeys the Ohmic rule. Thus, the as-synthesized NVP@C@carbon nanotubes (CNTs) cathode with the high conductive CNTs networks displays high electronic conductivity, reducing the overpotential and charge transfer resistances and leading to the remarkable rate capability over 1000C. For the MCMB anode, the initial [Na-diglyme]+ co-intercalation step is pseudocapacitive dominated, and then the expanded graphite's layers ensure the subsequent fast ions diffusion. The rapid (de)intercalation kinetics in between the cathode and anode are well-matched. Thus, the assembled MCMB|1 m NaPF6 in diglyme|NVP@C@CNTs full-cell SIB delivers the energy density of 88 Wh kg-1 at the high power density of ≈10 kW kg-1 . Even at the ultrahigh power density of 23 kW kg-1 , an energy density of 58 Wh kg-1 is obtained. The encouraging results of the full cell will promote the development of high-power SIB for large-scale applications in the future.

Surface Plasmonic Sensors: Sensing Mechanism and Recent Applications.

Surface plasmonic sensors have been widely used in biology, chemistry, and environment monitoring. These sensors exhibit extraordinary sensitivity based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) or localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects, and they have found commercial applications. In this review, we present recent progress in the field of surface plasmonic sensors, mainly in the configurations of planar metastructures and optical-fiber waveguides. In the metastructure platform, the optical sensors based on LSPR, hyperbolic dispersion, Fano resonance, and two-dimensional (2D) materials integration are introduced. The optical-fiber sensors integrated with LSPR/SPR structures and 2D materials are summarized. We also introduce the recent advances in quantum plasmonic sensing beyond the classical shot noise limit. The challenges and opportunities in this field are discussed.

Ultra-compact reconfigurable device for mode conversion and dual-mode DPSK demodulation via inverse design.

The mode multiplexing/de-multiplexing devices are key components for mode-division multiplexing (MDM) technology. Here, we propose an ultra-compact and reconfigurable mode-conversion device via inverse design, which can selectively implement multichannel mode conversion controlled by input phase shifts (Δφ). The device can transform input TE0 (TE1) mode to TE4 (TE3) mode at Δφ=0, or from TE0 (TE1) to TE1 (TE2) at Δφ=π spanning the wavelength range of 1525-1565 nm. We further demonstrate an integrated monolithic module based on the mode conversions to directly demodulate the dual-mode difference phase shift keying (DPSK) signal which significantly reduces the device size and benefits for future dense integrations in MDM systems.

Operando monitoring transition dynamics of responsive polymer using optofluidic microcavities.

Optical microcavities have become an attractive platform for precision measurement with merits of ultrahigh sensitivity, miniature footprint and fast response. Despite the achievements of ultrasensitive detection, optical microcavities still face significant challenges in the measurement of biochemical and physical processes with complex dynamics, especially when multiple effects are present. Here we demonstrate operando monitoring of the transition dynamics of a phase-change material via a self-referencing optofluidic microcavity. We use a pair of cavity modes to precisely decouple the refractive index and temperature information of the analyte during the phase-transition process. Through real-time measurements, we reveal the detailed hysteresis behaviors of refractive index during the irreversible phase transitions between hydrophilic and hydrophobic states. We further extract the phase-transition threshold by analyzing the steady-state refractive index change at various power levels. Our technology could be further extended to other materials and provide great opportunities for exploring on-demand dynamic biochemical processes.

Hub biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma based on microarray technology.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common clinical intracranial malignancy worldwide, and the most common supratentorial tumor in adults. GBM mainly causes damage to the brain tissue, which can be fatal. This research explored potential gene targets for the diagnosis and treatment of GBM using bioinformatic technology. METHODS: Public data from patients with GBM and controls were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and Gene Expression Omnibus 2R (GEO2R). Construction of the protein-protein interaction network and the identification of a significant module were performed. Subsequently, hub genes were identified, and their expression was examined and compared by real-time quantitative (RT-q)PCR between patients with GBM and controls. RESULTS: GSE122498 (GPL570 platform), GSE104291 (GPL570 platform), GSE78703_DMSO (GPL15207 platform), and GSE78703_LXR (GPL15207 platform) datasets were obtained from the GEO. A total of 130 DEGs and 10 hub genes were identified by GEPIA and GEO2R between patients with GBM and controls. Of these, strong connections were identified in correlation analysis between CCNB1, CDC6, KIF23, and KIF20A. RT-qPCR showed that all 4 of these genes were expressed at significantly higher levels in patients with GBM compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS: The hub genes CCNB1, CDC6, KIF23, and KIF20A are potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of GBM.

Silica optical fiber integrated with two-dimensional materials: towards opto-electro-mechanical technology.

In recent years, the integration of graphene and related two-dimensional (2D) materials in optical fibers have stimulated significant advances in all-fiber photonics and optoelectronics. The conventional passive silica fiber devices with 2D materials are empowered for enhancing light-matter interactions and are applied for manipulating light beams in respect of their polarization, phase, intensity and frequency, and even realizing the active photo-electric conversion and electro-optic modulation, which paves a new route to the integrated multifunctional all-fiber optoelectronic system. This article reviews the fast-progress field of hybrid 2D-materials-optical-fiber for the opto-electro-mechanical devices. The challenges and opportunities in this field for future development are discussed.

1/f-noise-free optical sensing with an integrated heterodyne interferometer.

Optical evanescent sensors can non-invasively detect unlabeled nanoscale objects in real time with unprecedented sensitivity, enabling a variety of advances in fundamental physics and biological applications. However, the intrinsic low-frequency noise therein with an approximately 1/f-shaped spectral density imposes an ultimate detection limit for monitoring many paramount processes, such as antigen-antibody reactions, cell motions and DNA hybridizations. Here, we propose and demonstrate a 1/f-noise-free optical sensor through an up-converted detection system. Experimentally, in a CMOS-compatible heterodyne interferometer, the sampling noise amplitude is suppressed by two orders of magnitude. It pushes the label-free single-nanoparticle detection limit down to the attogram level without exploiting cavity resonances, plasmonic effects, or surface charges on the analytes. Single polystyrene nanobeads and HIV-1 virus-like particles are detected as a proof-of-concept demonstration for airborne biosensing. Based on integrated waveguide arrays, our devices hold great potentials for multiplexed and rapid sensing of diverse viruses or molecules.

Efficacy and safety of DOACs in patients with peripheral arterial disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with peripheral arterial disease are not completely understood. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the effects of DOACs in this population. METHODS: We systematically searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science till April 2020 for relevant randomized controlled trials and observational studies, with no linguistic restrictions. The efficacy outcomes were cardiovascular death, stroke, myocardial infraction, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute limb ischemia, amputation, and target lesion revascularization. The safety outcome was major bleeding events. Random effects risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. RESULTS: A total four randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. Among peripheral arterial disease patients, DOACs did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular death (RR = 1.02 95%CI 0.75-1.37, P = 0.92), stroke (RR = 0.73 95%CI 0.46-1.14, P = 0.16), myocardial infraction (RR = 0.85 95%CI 0.70-1.03, P = 0.10), MACE (RR = 0.73 95%CI 0.46-1.14, P = 0.16), or amputation (RR = 0.73 95%CI 0.46-1.14, P = 0.16) compared with control. However, DOACs were associated with reduction in acute limb ischemia (RR = 0.67 95%CI 0.55-0.80, P < 0.01) and target lesion revascularization (RR = 0.89 95%CI 0.81-0.99, P = 0.02) at the expense of major bleeding events (RR = 1.43 95%CI 1.16-1.77, P < 0.01) compared with control. CONCLUSIONS: Based on current evidence, no significant difference in cardiovascular death, stroke, myocardial infraction, MACE, and amputation was found when DOACs were compared to antiplatelet monotherapy. The benefits of preventing target lesion revascularization and acute limb ischemia were balanced by amplified risk of major bleeding. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to figure out the uncertainty around efficacy and safety of medications for peripheral arterial disease.

Effects of alternate-day fasting on body weight and dyslipidaemia in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Alternate-day fasting (ADF) is a novel diet therapy that may achieve reduction in body weight and improvement of dyslipidaemia, but the impact of this diet on patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ADF on the body weight and lipid profile of individuals with NAFLD. METHODS: NAFLD patients (n = 271) were randomised to the ADF group, time-restricted feeding (TRF) group, or the control group and subjected to the respective diet for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements (body weight, fat mass/fat-free mass) were performed, and plasma lipids were analysed enzymatically. RESULTS: Within 4 weeks, the body weight decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in the ADF group by 4.56 ± 0.41 kg (6.1 ± 0.5%) and the TRF group by 3.62 ± 0.65 kg (4.83 ± 0.9%) compared to the control group, and it decreased even more after 12 weeks in both groups (ADF: - 4.04 ± 0.54 kg, 5.4 ± 0.7%; TRF: - 3.25 ± 0.67 kg, 4.3 ± 0.9%). Fat mass was significantly reduced by ADF (- 3.49 ± 0.37 kg; 11 ± 1.2%) and TRF (- 2.91 ± 0.41 kg; 9.6 ± 1.3%), with ADF leading to a further reduction in fat mass after 12 weeks (- 3.48 ± 0.38 kg; 11 ± 1.2%). Total cholesterol was significantly decreased at both time points in the ADF group (- 0.91 ± 0.07 mmol/L; 18.5 ± 1.5%) compared to the control and TRF groups. Both ADF (- 0.64 ± 0.06 mmol/L; 25 ± 1.9%) and TRF (0.58 ± 0.07 mmol/L; 20 ± 1.7%) achieved a significant reduction in serum triglycerides (P < 0.001) after 12 weeks. Changes in fat free mass, HDL, LDL, fasting insulin, glucose, liver stiffness, and systolic or diastolic blood pressure did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: ADF appears to be an effective diet therapy for individuals with NAFLD that can achieve weight loss and improvement of dyslipidaemia within a relatively short period of time (4 to 12 weeks). Potential preventive effects of ADF on cardiovascular disease need to be confirmed by future investigations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1900024411, this trial was retrospectively registered on July 10, 2019.

Microcavity Nonlinear Optics with an Organically Functionalized Surface.

We report enhanced optical nonlinear effects at the surface of an ultrahigh-Q silica microcavity functionalized by a thin layer of organic molecules. The maximal conversion efficiency of third harmonic generation reaches ∼1680%/W^{2} and an absolute efficiency of 0.0144% at pump power of ∼2.90 mW, which is approximately 4 orders of magnitude higher than that in a reported silica microcavity. Further analysis clarifies the elusive dependence of the third harmonic signal on the pump power in previous literature. Molecule-functionalized microcavities may find promising applications in high-efficiency broadband optical frequency conversion and offer potential in sensitive surface analysis.