Innovative hyper-thermophilic aerobic submerged membrane distillation bioreactor for wastewater reclamation.

For the first time, a hyper-thermophilic aerobic (>60 °C) bioreactor has been integrated with direct submerged membrane distillation (MD), highlighting its potential as an advanced wastewater treatment solution. The hyper-thermophilic aerobic bioreactor, operating up to 65 °C, is tailored for high organic removal, while MD efficiently produces clean water. Throughout the study, high removal rates of 99.5% for organic matter, 96.4% for ammonia, and 100% for phosphorus underscored the impressive adaptability of microorganisms to challenging hyper-thermophilic conditions and a successful combination with the MD process. Despite the extreme temperatures and substantial salinity accumulation reaching up to 12,532 µS/cm, the biomass of microorganisms increased by 1.6 times over a 92-day period, representing their remarkable resilience. The distillation flux ranged from 6.15 LMH to 8.25 LMH, benefiting from the temperature gradient in the hyper-thermophilic setting and the design of the tubular submerged MD membrane module. The system also excels in pH control, utilizing fewer alkali and nutritional resources than conventional systems. Meiothermus, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes, the three dominant species, played a crucial role, showcasing their significance in adapting to high salinity and decomposing organic matter.

Receptor Ligand-Free Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles: A Streamlined Strategy for Targeted Drug Delivery across the Blood-Brain Barrier.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) represent a promising avenue for targeted brain tumor therapy. However, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) often presents a formidable obstacle to efficient drug delivery. This study introduces a ligand-free PEGylated MSN variant (RMSN25-PEG-TA) with a 25 nm size and a slight positive charge, which exhibits superior BBB penetration. Utilizing two-photon imaging, RMSN25-PEG-TA particles remained in circulation for over 24 h, indicating significant traversal beyond the cerebrovascular realm. Importantly, DOX@RMSN25-PEG-TA, our MSN loaded with doxorubicin (DOX), harnessed the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect to achieve a 6-fold increase in brain accumulation compared to free DOX. In vivo evaluations confirmed the potent inhibition of orthotopic glioma growth by DOX@RMSN25-PEG-TA, extending survival rates in spontaneous brain tumor models by over 28% and offering an improved biosafety profile. Advanced LC-MS/MS investigations unveiled a distinctive protein corona surrounding RMSN25-PEG-TA, suggesting proteins such as apolipoprotein E and albumin could play pivotal roles in enabling its BBB penetration. Our results underscore the potential of ligand-free MSNs in treating brain tumors, which supports the development of future drug-nanoparticle design paradigms.

Multifaceted roles of cohesin in regulating transcriptional loops.

Cohesin is required for chromatin loop formation. However, its precise role in regulating gene transcription remains largely unknown. We investigated the relationship between cohesin and RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) using single-molecule mapping and live-cell imaging methods in human cells. Cohesin-mediated transcriptional loops were highly correlated with those of RNAPII and followed the direction of gene transcription. Depleting RAD21, a subunit of cohesin, resulted in the loss of long-range (>100 kb) loops between distal (super-)enhancers and promoters of cell-type-specific genes. By contrast, the short-range (<50 kb) loops were insensitive to RAD21 depletion and connected genes that are mostly housekeeping. This result explains why only a small fraction of genes are affected by the loss of long-range chromatin interactions due to cohesin depletion. Remarkably, RAD21 depletion appeared to up-regulate genes located in early initiation zones (EIZ) of DNA replication, and the EIZ signals were amplified drastically without RAD21. Our results revealed new mechanistic insights of cohesin's multifaceted roles in establishing transcriptional loops, preserving long-range chromatin interactions for cell-specific genes, and maintaining timely order of DNA replication.

Longitudinal association of social isolation and loneliness with physical function among in-patients living with schizophrenia.

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: People living with schizophrenia have reduced physical function and are more likely to experience loneliness than those without condition. Low physical function is associated with greater loneliness in people with psychosis. However, it is unclear whether social isolation and loneliness contribute to impaired physical function in this population. Loneliness is linked to an increased risk of physical function impairment among older individuals, but research on patients living with schizophrenia is limited. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This study is the first to evaluate the longitudinal association of social isolation and loneliness with physical function among inpatients living with schizophrenia. It showed that more than one third of the participants experienced a decline in physical function over a 2-year period. Loneliness, rather than social isolation, was associated with an increase in physical function impairment over 2 years among inpatients living with schizophrenia. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Healthcare professionals should recognize loneliness as a potential risk factor for impaired physical function among inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia. It is recommended that people living with schizophrenia are assessed for loneliness and that interventions are offered to alleviate their feelings of loneliness. Implementing interventions to reduce loneliness may help improve physical function and overall quality of life for individuals living with schizophrenia. ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Patients living with schizophrenia often experience low physical function, which is associated with negative health outcomes. Therefore, investigating the risk factors for physical function is crucial in this population. AIM: This study examined the longitudinal association of social isolation and loneliness with physical function among inpatients living with schizophrenia. METHODS: Physical function was assessed using measures of activities daily living (ADL), instrumental activities daily living (IADL) and the combination scores of ADL/IADL. Social isolation was indexed with five types of social connection and loneliness was measured using UCLA Loneliness Scale. RESULTS: Social isolation was not associated with the measures of physical function over 2 years. Loneliness exhibited an association with IADL and ADL/IADL at follow-up, after adjustment for baseline levels of the outcomes. These associations remained when both social isolation and loneliness were simultaneously entered into the model. DISCUSSION: Loneliness, rather than social isolation, was associated with increased physical function impairment over 2 years among inpatients living with schizophrenia. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Healthcare professionals should consider loneliness as a potential risk factor for impaired physical function. It would be beneficial to assess patients for loneliness and implement interventions to reduce feelings of loneliness.

Social isolation and cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia: A two years follow-up study.

Cognitive impairment is a core characteristic of schizophrenia. Social isolation has been linked to impaired cognitive function among the general population. In this longitudinal study, we examined the association between social isolation and cognitive function among inpatients with schizophrenia. Two waves of data (2019 and 2021) were collected from chronic psychiatric wards. A total of 166 inpatients completed all measurements at baseline and follow-up. Social isolation was measured by incorporating the frequency of social contact and participation, while cognitive functions were assessed by the Taiwan version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-T). We used multiple linear regression to evaluate the link between baseline social isolation and cognitive function. For the total sample, social isolation was significantly related to poor language abilities (ß = -0.17, p = 0.013) and delayed recall (ß = -0.15, p = 0.023). Sex-stratified analysis showed that social isolation was significantly related to poor global cognitive function (ß = -0.14, p = 0.021) and domain-specific cognitive functions including language abilities (ß = -0.26, p = 0.003) and delayed recall (ß = -0.19, p = 0.045) in male inpatients. No significant association was found between social isolation and global cognitive function or any cognitive domain (all ps > 0.05) for females. All associations were independent of loneliness and other covariates. These findings suggested that social isolation could predict poor subsequent cognitive function in inpatients with schizophrenia, especially in males. Interventions aimed at enhancing social connections could potentially improve cognitive function in this population.

Population-based analysis of the human development index and risk factors for head and neck cancer.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate global variations in incidence and mortality and their associations to possible risk factors for prompt cancer prevention and control. METHODS: Estimates of incidence and mortality rates for six types of head and neck cancer were extracted from the GLOBOCAN 2020 database. Summary exposure values for level-two risk factors were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease. Regression models adjusting for the human development index (HDI) were constructed to analyze correlations between age-standardized rates and risk factors. RESULTS: The incidence rates of multiple types of head and neck cancer were positively associated with HDI tiers. In addition to tobacco use and alcohol consumption, high systolic blood pressure was associated with the incidence and mortality of cancers of the salivary glands, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Dietary risks were linked to cancers of the oropharynx, nasopharynx, and hypopharynx. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights into possible risk factors for head and neck cancer.

Adverse drug reactions of non-statin antihyperlipidaemic drugs in China from 1989 to 2019: a national database analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to understand the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) for non-statin antihyperlipidaemic drugs included in the China Anti-hyperlipidemic Drug Database. DESIGN: An approach of Chinese national database analysis was employed to screen clinical trials involving non-statin antihyperlipidaemic drugs from 1989 to 2019. SETTING: The database was provided by the China National Medical Products Administration Information Centre. PARTICIPANTS: In total, 117 clinical studies with 8800 patients were selected from 2650 clinical trials of the Anti-hyperlipidemic Drug Database. INTERVENTIONS: The non-statin antihyperlipidaemic drugs were divided into three groups: (1) fibrates (fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, bezafibrate, etofylline clofibrate); (2) nicotinic acid and derivatives (niacin, acipimox) and (3) others (probucol, cholestyramine). RESULTS: The results of this study show that first, gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common reactions (6.975%), which account for approximately 50% of the reported cases with ADRs. Second, cholestyramine (16.418%) and gemfibrozil (13.158%) were the most common gastrointestinal side effect-causing non-statin antihyperlipidaemic drugs, which account for one-third of the population. Third, niacin (7.879%) and gemfibrozil (5.000%) were the most likely cause of liver disease symptoms. Finally, niacin (10.909%) and acipimox (18.847%) were the major non-statin antihyperlipidaemic drugs with skin symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that gastrointestinal symptoms were the most common ADRs of fibrates, probucol and cholestyramine in the Chinese population. For nicotinic acid and derivatives, the ADRs of skin symptoms were the most common in China.

Co-inhibition of Aurora A and Haspin kinases enhances survivin blockage and p53 induction for mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis in human colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause and mortality worldwide. Aurora A and haspin kinases act pivotal roles in mitotic progression. However, the blockage of Aurora A and Haspin for CRC therapy is still unclear. Here we show that the Haspin and p-H3T3 protein levels were highly expressed in CRC tumor tissues of clinical patients. Overexpression of Haspin increased the protein levels of p-H3T3 and survivin in human CRC cells; conversely, the protein levels of p-H3T3 and survivin were decreased by the Haspin gene knockdown. Moreover, the gene knockdown of Aurora A induced abnormal chromosome segregation, mitotic catastrophe, and cell growth inhibition. Combined targeted by co-treatment of CHR6494, a Haspin inhibitor, and MLN8237, an Aurora A inhibitor, enhanced apoptosis and CRC tumor inhibition. MLN8237 and CHR6494 induced abnormal chromosome segregation and mitotic catastrophe. Meanwhile, MLN8237 and CHR6494 inhibited survivin protein levels but conversely induced p53 protein expression. Ectopic survivin expression by transfection with a survivin-expressed vector resisted the cell death in the MLN8237- and CHR6494-treated cells. In contrast, the existence of functional p53 increased the apoptotic levels by treatment with MLN8237 and CHR6494. Co-treatment of CHR6494 and MLN8237 enhanced the blockage of human CRC xenograft tumors in nude mice. Taken together, co-inhibition of Aurora A and Haspin enhances survivin inhibition, p53 pathway induction, mitotic catastrophe, apoptosis and tumor inhibition that may provide a potential strategy for CRC therapy.

System-wide analyses reveal essential roles of N-terminal protein modification in bacterial membrane integrity.

The removal of the N-terminal formyl group on nascent proteins by peptide deformylase (PDF) is the most prevalent protein modification in bacteria. PDF is a critical target of antibiotic development; however, its role in bacterial physiology remains a long-standing question. This work used the time-resolved analyses of the Escherichia coli translatome and proteome to investigate the consequences of PDF inhibition. Loss of PDF activity rapidly induces cellular stress responses, especially those associated with protein misfolding and membrane defects, followed by a global down-regulation of metabolic pathways. Rapid membrane hyperpolarization and impaired membrane integrity were observed shortly after PDF inhibition, suggesting that the plasma membrane disruption is the most immediate and primary consequence of formyl group retention on nascent proteins. This work resolves the physiological function of a ubiquitous protein modification and uncovers its crucial role in maintaining the structure and function of the bacterial membrane.

Trends, correlates, and disease patterns of sedative-hypnotic use among elderly persons in Taiwan.

OBJECTIVE: The population-based National Health Insurance database was adopted to investigate the prevalence, correlates, and disease patterns of sedative-hypnotic use in elderly persons in Taiwan. METHODS: The National Health Research Institutes provided a database of 1,000,000 random subjects in the National Health Insurance program. We adopted this sample of subjects who were older than 65 years from 1997 to 2005 and examined the proportions of psychiatric and nonpsychiatric disorders with regard to sedative-hypnotic use. RESULTS: The 1-year prevalence of sedative-hypnotic use in elderly individuals increased from 1.7% in 1997 to 5.5% in 2005. The 1-year prevalence rates of benzodiazepine (BZD) and non-BZD hypnotics were 3.2 and 3.1%, respectively, in 2005. The overall hypnotic use was highest in ≥85-year-olds, males, those with lower amounts of insurance or higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores and those living in eastern Taiwan. Both BZD and non-BZD hypnotic use were most commonly used in nonpsychiatric disorders instead of psychiatric disorders. Among the psychiatric disorders, the disorders that accounted for higher BZD and non-BZD hypnotic use were senile and presenile organic psychotic conditions (3.4 and 3.4%, respectively). Higher BZD and non-BZD use was for diseases of the respiratory system (30.4 and 17.8%, respectively), the circulatory system (20.4 and 22.4%, respectively), and neoplasms (12.6 and 13.8%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The prevalence rates of both BZD and non-BZD sedative-hypnotic use increased from 1997 to 2005 in the elderly. The risk factors for sedative-hypnotic use were aging, male sex, lower insurance amount, and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores. Most BZD and non-BZD sedative-hypnotic users were persons with nonpsychiatric disorders.

Ribosome-nascent Chain Interaction Regulates N-terminal Protein Modification.

Numerous proteins initiate their folding, localization, and modifications early during translation, and emerging data show that the ribosome actively participates in diverse protein biogenesis pathways. Here we show that the ribosome imposes an additional layer of substrate selection during N-terminal methionine excision (NME), an essential protein modification in bacteria. Biochemical analyses show that cotranslational NME is exquisitely sensitive to a hydrophobic signal sequence or transmembrane domain near the N terminus of the nascent polypeptide. The ability of the nascent chain to access the active site of NME enzymes dictates NME efficiency, which is inhibited by confinement of the nascent chain on the ribosome surface and exacerbated by signal recognition particle. In vivo measurements corroborate the inhibition of NME by an N-terminal hydrophobic sequence, suggesting the retention of formylmethionine on a substantial fraction of the secretory and membrane proteome. Our work demonstrates how molecular features of a protein regulate its cotranslational modification and highlights the active participation of the ribosome in protein biogenesis pathways via interactions of the ribosome surface with the nascent protein.

Innovative Strategies to Fuel Organic Food Business Growth: A Qualitative Research.

This study aimed to identify the factors affecting consumer behavior and customer loyalty toward organic food. Whether consumers seek organic food for a healthy body or more as food for thought continues to be debated. However, since consumers' purchase habits are based on their honest life experiences, which shape the building of a brand, this study reviewed the extant literature to understand the factors influencing the purchasing behavior for organic food. The follow-up problems highlighted in the research are related to organic business marketing strategy. Based on our methodology, we conducted semi-structured interviews to gain themes for qualitative research. The study found that availability, variety, and taste were the top three factors affecting consumers' purchase decisions; surprisingly, neither price nor health-consciousness was the first concern. Using market-led innovation as an innovative lens to understand customer loyalty, this research highlights sustainable and advantageous business practices in the organic food market to enrich the literature on organic food purchasing behavior from multiple stakeholders.

Associations between daily steps and cognitive function among inpatients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Walking is the fundamental component of taking steps and is the main form of physical activity among individuals with schizophrenia; it also offers a range of health benefits. This study aimed to examine the associations between daily steps and cognitive function and further explored how many steps were related to better cognitive function among inpatients with schizophrenia. METHODS: Inpatients with schizophrenia were recruited from long-stay psychiatric wards across two hospitals (n=199 at site 1 and n=195 at site 2). Daily steps were collected with an accelerometer for 7 days. Four cognitive domains (attention, processing speed, reaction time, and motor speed) were tested at site 1, and two cognitive domains (attention and processing speed) were tested at site 2. The associations of daily steps and levels of steps/day with cognitive function were tested using multivariable linear regressions separated by site. Covariates included demographic variables, weight status, metabolic parameters, and clinical state. RESULTS: Participants took an average of 7445 (±3442) steps/day. More steps were related to better attention, processing speed, reaction time, and motor speed after multivariable adjustments. Compared with participants taking <5000 steps/day, those taking ≥5000 steps/day showed significantly better processing speed. Participants taking ≥7500 steps/day were associated with better attention, better reaction time, and better motor speed than those taking <5000 steps/day. CONCLUSION: Daily steps are associated with better cognitive function among inpatients with schizophrenia. The optimal benefit for cognitive function among this clinical population is achieving 7500 steps/day or more.

Water reclamation and microbial community investigation: Treatment of tetramethylammonium hydroxide wastewater through an anaerobic osmotic membrane bioreactor hybrid system.

Tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) is a toxic photoresist developer used in the photolithography process in thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) production, and it can be removed through anaerobic treatment. TMAH cannot be released into the environment because of its higher toxicity. A tight membrane, such as a forward osmosis (FO) membrane, together with an anaerobic biological process can ensure that no TMAH is released into the environment. Thus, for the first time, an anaerobic osmotic membrane bioreactor (AnOMBR) hybrid system was developed in this study to treat a low-strength TMAH wastewater and to simultaneously investigate its microbial community. Microfiltration extraction was used to mitigate the salinity accumulation, and a periodically physical water cleaning was utilized to mitigate the FO membrane fouling. The diluted draw solute (MgSO4) was reconcentrated and reused by a membrane distillation (MD) process in the AnOMBR to achieve 99.99% TMAH removal in this AnOMBR-MD hybrid system, thereby ensuring that no TMAH is released into the natural environment. Moreover, the membrane fouling in the feed and draw sides were analyzed through the fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (FEEM) spectrophotometry to confirm that the humic acid-like materials were the primary membrane fouling components in this AnOMBR. Additionally, 16S rRNA metagenomics analysis indicated that Methanosaeta was the predominant contributor to methanogenesis and proliferated during the long-term operation. The methane yield was increased from 0.2 to 0.26 L CH4/g COD when the methanogen species acclimatized to the saline system.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Trifluoroethyl-Based, Chiral 3-Benzyloxy-1- and -2-Phenyl-quinazolinones of Biomedicinal Interest by Radical Type Cross-Coupling to Olefins.

Several 2-substituted (H, Ph, and S-Me) and 1-substituted (H, Ph, and Bn), 3-hydroxy-1,3-quinazolin(di)ones were utilized for the first time as radical trapping agents in asymmetric 1,2-oxytrifluoromethylation of styrenes catalyzed by chiral vanadyl methoxide complexes bearing 3,5-disubstituted-N-salicylidene-t-leucinate templates. The effects of catalysts and solvents on the asymmetric induction were systematically examined. The best and complementary scenarios involved the use of vanadyl complexes V(O)-1 and V(O)-2, which bear 3-(2,5-dimethyl)phenyl-5-bromophenyl and 3-t-butyl-5-bromophenyl groups in an i-propanol solvent at ambient temperature. The corresponding (R)-cross-coupling products by V(O)-1 were obtained in 45-71% (for 2-substituted series) and 59-93% yields (for 1-substituted series) for p-/m-methylstyrenes and m-halo/CF3/CO2Me-styrenes in 38-63% ees (the best in 2-H case) and 60-84% ees (the best in 1-benzyl cases), respectively. The corresponding (S)-cross-coupling products by V(O)-2 were obtained in 28-55% (for 2-substituted series) and 45-72% yields (for 1-substituted series) for the same substrate class in 50-91% ees (85-91% ees in 2-phenyl cases) and 64-75% ees (up to 74-75% ees for each 1-H, Ph, and Bn cases), respectively. Theoretical calculations were carried out to explain the origin and extent of enantiocontrols. They both may serve as potential inhibitors of acetohydroxyacid synthase and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinases.

[The Reliability and Validity of the Chinese Version of the Experienced Level of Existential Emptiness].

BACKGROUND: Psychiatric patients are affected by diseases and mental symptoms that may worsen their ability to adjust emotionally. Being unable to respond to the emptiness, increases the risk of suicidal behaviors. PURPOSE: This study was designed to translate the Experienced Level of Existential Emptiness (ELEE) scale, developed by Hazell in 1984, from the original English into Chinese and then to test its reliability and validity. METHODS: This research adopted a cross-sectional design and collected data using convenience sampling and a structured questionnaire. The subjects of this study were psychiatric outpatients in the acute and chronic wards of a psychiatric hospital in Taiwan. The instruments used in this research included a demographic datasheet; the ELEE; the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, version 3; the Beck Depression Inventory-II; the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Y form; and the Oxford Happiness Inventory. After the data were obtained, the reliability and validity of the Chinese-version scale was tested. RESULTS: Three hundred subjects were surveyed. The content validity index value of the ELEE was between .88 and 1, and the retest reliability and intrinsic consistency were good. From the analysis of criterion-related validity, a higher degree of emptiness was shown to correlate with more-obvious feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety. Conversely, a higher sense of happiness was shown to correlate with less-obvious feelings of these three variables. After the construct validity test, which used confirmatory factor analysis and regarded the co-variation coefficient of association and model fit index as the basis of consideration, the scale was reduced to two sub-scales of seven questions each. After the deletion of items, the scale retained good retest reliability and intrinsic consistency, supporting the retention of the 14 questions in the scale. CONCLUSIONS / IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The findings of this study support using the Chinese version of the ELEE to measure emptiness in patients with mental illness and then providing appropriate medical assistance based on the measured results.

DNA metabarcoding for dietary analysis of Holland's carp (Spinibarbus hollandi) to evaluate the threat to native fishes in Taiwan.

DNA metabarcoding analysis for gut contents has been shown to compensate the disadvantage of traditionally morphological identification and offer higher resolution of prey items in an efficient way. Holland's carp (Spinibarbus hollandi) is a freshwater fish native to southern and eastern Taiwan. In the past two decades, this species has been introduced as a sport fish into the river basins of northern and western Taiwan. The large body size and active predation make it a potential threat for native fishes, but which native species are preyed by Holland's carp remains unknown. In this study, the diet from the gut contents of Holland's carp from the Zhonggang River, an invaded basin, was examined using DNA metabarcoding from 51 individuals and by morphological examinations on 140 samples. Detritus of plants were found in 83.6% samples (117 individuals). Twenty fish species of seven families were identified by DNA metabarcoding, including species of all water layers. Taiwan torrent carp (Acrossocheilus paradoxus) and Rhinogobius spp. are the most common prey items. Based on the results of this study, Holland's carp is considered an opportunistic omnivore because of its diverse diet items, which is an important trait for successful invasive fish species. The population decline of Opsariichthys pachycephalus may not result from the invasion of Holland's carps. Nonetheless, the time lag between successful invasion and the samplings of this study may be a concern because the population size of O. pachycephalus may have declined and become difficult to prey. The Holland's carps consumed the least species in winter; nonetheless, the occurrence frequencies of preys among seasons were not significantly different probably because of limited temperature fluctuation. The smallest Holland's carps consumed the least prey species compared to other size categories, similar to the relationship of prey species number to size of invasive largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides).

Strain engineering of optical properties in transparent VO2/muscovite heterostructures.

Transparent VO2/muscovite heterostructures have attracted considerable attention because of their unique chemical and physical properties and potential practical applications. In this paper, we investigated the influence of uniaxial mechanical strain on the optical properties of VO2/muscovite heterostructures through Raman scattering and optical transmittance measurements. Under applied strain, linear shifts in peak positions of Raman-active phonon modes at approximately 340, 309, and 391 cm-1 were observed. The extracted Grüneisen parameter values were approximately between 0.44 and 0.57. Furthermore, a pronounced strain-induced change in the metal-insulator transition (MIT) temperature was observed, which decreased under compressive strain and increased under tensile strain. The rates of MIT temperature variation reached 4.5 °C per % and 7.1 °C per % at a wavelength of 1200 nm during heating and cooling processes, respectively. These results demonstrate that the modulation of the optical properties of VO2/muscovite heterostructures is controllable and reversible through strain engineering, opening up new opportunities for applications in flexible and tunable photonic devices.

Kinetic and deuterium isotope analyses of ammonia electrochemical synthesis.

The mechanism of electrochemical promotion of ammonia formation was investigated by kinetic and deuterium isotope analyses using a cell with a Pt (anode)|BaCe0.9Y0.1O3 (BCY)|Fe (cathode) configuration on the introduction of a gaseous mixture of H2(D2)-N2 to the cathode at 550 °C. To clarify the mechanism of electrochemical ammonia synthesis, the reaction orders for hydrogen, α, and nitrogen, ß, were investigated. The values of α and ß did not change after applying a negative voltage, which indicates that the reaction mechanism at rest potential is the same as that with cathodic polarization. Furthermore, deuterium isotope analysis was conducted to investigate the mechanism of electrochemical promotion. The isotopic composition of ammonia (i.e., NH3-x D x ) formed in the cathode was determined using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results show that the ammonia products with cathodic polarization correspond to the species of H2 (or D2) in the cathode, that is, NH3 (or ND3) was mainly formed when H2 (or D2) was introduced to the cathode. Isotopic analysis revealed that the ammonia formation rate via the electrochemical promotion of catalysis (EPOC) is faster than that via the charge-transfer reaction, suggesting that a significant increase in the ammonia formation rate will be caused by the EPOC.