Investigating the Corrosion Resistance of Different SiC Crystal Types: From Energy Sectors to Advanced Applications.

Silicon carbide, as a third-generation semiconductor material, plays a pivotal role in various advanced technological applications. Its exceptional stability under extreme conditions has garnered a significant amount of attention. These superior characteristics make silicon carbide an ideal candidate material for high-frequency, high-power electronic devices and applications in harsh environments. In particular, corrosion resistance in natural or artificially acidic and alkaline environments limits the practical application of many other materials. In fields such as chemical engineering, energy conversion, and environmental engineering, materials often face severe chemical erosion, necessitating materials with excellent chemical stability as foundational materials, carriers, or reaction media. Silicon carbide exhibits outstanding performance under these conditions, demonstrating significant resistance to corrosive substances such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and alkaline substances such as potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. Despite the well-known chemical stability of silicon carbide, the stability conditions of its different types (such as 3C-, 4H-, and 6H-SiC polycrystals) in acidic and alkaline environments, as well as the specific corrosion mechanisms and differences, warrant further investigation. This Review not only delves deeply into the detailed studies related to this topic but also highlights the current applications of different silicon carbide polycrystals in chemical reaction systems, energy conversion equipment, and recycling processes. Through a comprehensive analysis, this Review aims to bridge research gaps, offering a comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages between different polymorphs. It provides material scientists, engineers, and developers with a thorough understanding of silicon carbide's behavior in various chemical environments. This work will propel the research and development of silicon carbide materials under extreme conditions, especially in areas where chemical stability is crucial for device performance and durability. It lays a solid foundation for ultra-high-power, high-integration, high-reliability module architectures, supercomputing chips, and highly safe long-life batteries.

Design and numerical study of a bidirectional acoustic microfluidic pump enabled by microcantilever arrays.

Microfluidics offers a versatile and promising platform for various applications in biomedical and other fields, boasting cost-effectiveness, rapid analysis time, and a compact equipment footprint. However, achieving controlled and versatile microfluidic motion within implantable devices presents a significant challenge. In this study, we propose a novel bidirectional micro-pump design that leverages two sharp-edge microcantilever arrays, driven by ultrasound, to enable selective flow direction by manipulating the ultrasound frequency. Through systematic numerical simulation, we demonstrate the feasibility of this design and further optimize its performance through comprehensive parametric analysis. This work provides valuable guidance for the practical development of sharp-edge-based acoustic micro-pumps, particularly for potential implantable applications such as controlled drug release and in vivo sampling for advanced diagnostics.

Moving Beyond Cyanoarene Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Compounds as Photocatalysts: An Assessment of the Performance of a Pyrimidyl Sulfone Photocatalyst in Comparison to 4CzIPN.

Carbazolyl dicyanobenzene (CDCB) derivates exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) have shown themselves to be excellent photocatalysts over recent years, particularly 4CzIPN, although investigation into organic TADF compounds as photocatalysts outside of the CDCB group has been limited. Herein, we report an alternative donor-acceptor TADF structure, 9,9'-(sulfonylbis(pyrimidine-5,2-diyl))bis(3,6-di-tert-butyl-9H-carbazole), pDTCz-DPmS, for use as a photocatalyst (PC). A comparison of the electrochemical and photophysical properties of pDTCz-DPmS with 4CzIPN in a range of solvents identifies the former as a better ground state reducing agent and photoreductant, while both exhibit similar oxidation capabilities in the ground and excited state. The increased conjugation of pDTCz-DPmS relative to 4CzIPN presents a more intense CT band in the UV-vis absorption spectrum, aiding in the light absorption of this molecule. Prompt and delayed emission lifetimes are observed for pDTCz-DPmS, confirming the TADF nature, both of which are sufficiently long-lived to participate in productive photochemistry. These combined properties make pDTCz-DPmS useful in photocatalysis reactions, covering a range of photoredox oxidative and reductive quenching reactions, as well as those involving a dual Ni(II) cocatalyst, alongside energy transfer processes. The higher triplet energy and increased photostability of pDTCz-DPmS compared with 4CzIPN were found to be advantages of this organic PC.

Implantable microfluidics: methods and applications.

Implantable microfluidics involves integrating microfluidic functionalities into implantable devices, such as medical implants or bioelectronic devices, revolutionizing healthcare by enabling personalized and precise diagnostics, targeted drug delivery, and regeneration of targeted tissues or organs. The impact of implantable microfluidics depends heavily on advancements in both methods and applications. Despite significant progress in the past two decades, continuous advancements are still required in fluidic control and manipulation, device miniaturization and integration, biosafety considerations, as well as the development of various application scenarios to address a wide range of healthcare issues. In this review, we discuss advancements in implantable microfluidics, focusing on methods and applications. Regarding methods, we discuss progress made in fluid manipulation, device fabrication, and biosafety considerations in implantable microfluidics. In terms of applications, we review advancements in using implantable microfluidics for drug delivery, diagnostics, tissue engineering, and energy harvesting. The purpose of this review is to expand research ideas for the development of novel implantable microfluidic devices for various healthcare applications.

Preparation of Sulfonated Poly(arylene ether)/SiO2 Composite Membranes with Enhanced Proton Selectivity for Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries.

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are an important type of vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) separator that play the key role of separating positive and negative electrolytes while transporting protons. In order to lower the vanadium ion permeability and improve the proton selectivity of PEMs for enhancing the Coulombic efficiency of VRFBs, herein, various amounts of nano-sized SiO2 particles were introduced into a previously optimized sulfonated poly(arylene ether) (SPAE) PEMs through the acid-catalyzed sol-gel reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). The successful incorporation of SiO2 was confirmed by FT-IR spectra. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the SiO2 particles were well distributed in the SPAE membrane. The ion exchange capacity, water uptake, and swelling ratio of the PEMs were decreased with the increasing amount of SiO2, while the mechanical properties and thermal stability were improved significantly. The proton conductivity was reduced gradually from 93.4 to 76.9 mS cm-1 at room temperature as the loading amount of SiO2 was increased from 0 to 16 wt.%; however, the VO2+ permeability was decreased dramatically after the incorporation of SiO2 and reached a minimum value of 2.57 × 10-12 m2 s-1 at 12 wt.% of SiO2. As a result, the H+/VO2+ selectivity achieved a maximum value of 51.82 S min cm-3 for the composite PEM containing 12 wt.% of SiO2. This study demonstrates that the properties of PEMs can be largely tuned by the introduction of SiO2 with low cost for VRFB applications.

[Research progress on the mechanism of pain related neural pathways above the spinal cord].

Pain is a multi-dimensional emotional experience, and pain sensation and pain emotion are the two main components. As for pain, previous studies only focused on a certain link of the pain transmission pathway or a certain key brain region, and there is a lack of evidence that connectivity of brain regions is involved in pain or pain regulation in the overall state. The establishment of new experimental tools and techniques has brought light to the study of neural pathways of pain sensation and pain emotion. In this paper, the structure and functional basis of the neural pathways involved in the formation of pain sensation and the regulation of pain emotion in the nervous system above the spinal cord level, including thalamus, amygdala, midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG), parabrachial nucleus (PB) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), are reviewed in recent years, providing clues for the in-depth study of pain.

Mesogenic Groups Control the Emitter Orientation in Multi-Resonance TADF Emitter Films.

The use of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters and emitters that show preferential horizontal orientation of their transition dipole moment (TDM) are two emerging strategies to enhance the efficiency of OLEDs. We present the first example of a liquid crystalline multi-resonance TADF (MR-TADF) emitter, DiKTa-LC. The compound possesses a nematic liquid crystalline phase between 80 °C and 110 °C. Importantly, the TDM of the spin-coated film shows preferential horizontal orientation, with an anisotropy factor, a, of 0.28, which is preserved in doped poly(vinylcarbazole) films. Green-emitting (λEL =492 nm) solution-processed OLEDs based on DiKTa-LC showed an EQEmax of 13.6 %. We thus demonstrate for the first time how self-assembly of a liquid crystalline TADF emitter can lead to the so-far elusive control of the orientation of the transition dipole in solution-processed films, which will be of relevance for high-performance solution-processed OLEDs.

Hollow NiCoP Nanoprisms Derived from Prussian Blue Analogues as Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Urea-Assisted Hydrogen Production in Alkaline Media.

Integrating the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is an energy-saving approach for electrolytic H2 production. Here, hollow NiCoP nanoprisms are derived from Prussian blue analogues by a combined self-template coordination reaction and gas-phase phosphorization strategy. Benefiting from the strong electron interaction, unique hollow nanostructure, and enhanced mass/charge transfer, NiCoP nanoprisms display outstanding alkaline HER and UOR performance. Specifically, low potentials of -0.052, -0.115, and -0.159 V for HER and ultralow potentials of 1.30, 1.36, and 1.42 V for UOR at current densities of 10, 50, and 100 mA cm-2 are obtained. Moreover, in a urea-assisted water electrolysis system, NiCoP nanoprisms only require cell voltages of 1.36, 1.49, and 1.57 V to offer current densities of 10, 50, and 100 mA cm-2 , about 170, 180, and 200 mV less than the traditional water electrolysis. Theoretical calculations indicate the Co substitution in Ni2 P promotes the adsorption and dissociation of water molecules, optimizes the desorption energy of active hydrogen atoms, and enhances the adsorption of urea molecules, thus accelerating the kinetics of HER and UOR. This work facilitates the application of hollow bimetallic phosphides in electrochemical preparation of clean energy and provides a successful paradigm for urea-rich wastewater electrolysis.

Proteomic analysis identifies potential markers in small white and small yellow follicle development in chickens.

Extensive knowledge of follicular development is imperative for improving egg production in chickens. The functional role of follicles to produce oocytes (eggs) is well recognised; however, specific markers associated with follicle development have been poorly explored. Therefore, a tandem mass tag based proteomic technique was used to identify the status of the proteome of small white follicles (1-4mm) and small yellow follicles (6-8mm). Analysis of differentially expressed proteins (DEP, Fold Change>1.2, P -value<0.05) demonstrated a total of 92 proteins (n =92), of which 35 (n =35) were upregulated and 57 were downregulated. DEP were further used for gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. The GO analysis found that DEP were mainly associated with the RNA metabolic process, cellular component organisation, peptide biosynthetic process and protein folding, thereby suggesting a key role in the follicle development process. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment pathway analysis of the DEP substantiated the findings of GO analysis and described that DEP are involved in regulation of the cytoskeleton, carbon metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis. The validation of proteomic data through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction suggested HSPA8, HSPA2, SOD1 and FKPB3 as potential markers of small white and small yellow follicle development. This study demonstrates an understanding of proteome dynamics and represents the most comprehensive information on the entire Guangxi Ma chicken follicular proteome.

The changes of the calf-vein deformation and femoral vein peak velocity during ankle pump exercise with or without graduated compression stockings.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the changes of lower limb hemodynamics parameters before and after wearing graduated compression stockings (GCS) during ankle pump exercise in patients preparing for arthroplastic surgery. METHOD: The leg veins of 16 patients awaiting arthroplasty were analyzed using a Sonosite M-Turbo ultrasound system during ankle pump exercise with or without GCS. The age of them was 70 ± 7 years (mean ± SD) (range 56-82 years) and body mass index was 25.8 ± 3.0 kg/m2 (range 18.0-30.5 kg/m2). Measured data including the cross-sectional area (CSA), anteroposterior (AP) diameter and lateromedial (LM) diameter of the soleus vein (SV), posterior tibial vein (PTV) and great saphenous vein (GSV). Additionally, the peak velocities of femoral vein (FV) were also measured. RESULTS: GCS could significantly decrease the cross-sectional area of SV, PTV and GSV in supine position at rest and maximum ankle plantar flexion. But the compression effect of GCS to SV and GSV was not observed during maximum ankle dorsiflexion. It was found that GCS application reduced the peak flow velocity of the femoral vein from 61.85 cm/s (95% CI = 50.94-72.75 cm/s) to 38.01 cm/s (95% CI = 28.42-47.59 cm/s) (P < 0.001) during ankle plantar flexion and decreased the femoral vein in these patients from 80.65 cm/s (95% CI = 70.37-90.92 cm/s) to 51.15 cm/s (95% CI = 42.58-59.73 cm/s) (P < 0.001) during ankle dorsiflexion. But this effect was not significant in supine position at rest. CONCLUSIONS: GCS could significantly reduce the peak flow velocity of the femoral vein during ankle pump exercise in the patients preparing for arthroplastic surgery.

Characteristics of ambient volatile organic compounds during spring O3 pollution episode in Chengdu, China.

Surface ozone (O3) has become a critical pollutant impeding air quality improvement in many Chinese megacities. Chengdu is a megacity located in Sichuan Basin in southwest China, where O3 pollution occurs frequently in both spring and summer. In order to understand the elevated O3 during spring in Chengdu, we conducted sampling campaign at three sites during O3 pollution episodes in April. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) compositions at each site were similar, and oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) concentrations accounted for the highest proportion (35%-45%), followed by alkanes, alkens (including acetylene), halohydrocarbons, and aromatics. The sensitivity of O3 to its precursors was analyzed using an observation based box model. The relative incremental reactivity of OVOCs was larger than other precursors, suggesting that they also played the dominant role in O3 formation. Furthermore, the positive matrix factorization model was used to identify the dominant emission sources and to evaluate their contribution to VOCs in the city. The main sources of VOCs in spring were from combustion (27.75%), industrial manufacturing (24.17%), vehicle exhaust (20.35%), and solvent utilization (18.35%). Discussions on VOCs and NOx reduction schemes suggested that Chengdu was typical in the VOC-limited regime, and VOC emission reduction would help to prevent and control O3. The analysis of emission reduction scenarios based on VOCs sources showed that the emission reduction ratio of VOCs to NO2 needs to reach more than 3 in order to achieve O3 prevention. Emission reduction from vehicular exhaust source and solvent utilization source may be more effective.

Biogenic volatile organic compound emission patterns and secondary pollutant formation potentials of dominant greening trees in Chengdu, southwest China.

Integral to the urban ecosystem, greening trees provide many ecological benefits, but the active biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) they release contribute to the production of ozone and secondary organic aerosols, which harm ambient air quality. It is, therefore, necessary to understand the BVOC emission characteristics of dominant greening tree species and their relative contribution to secondary pollutants in various urban contexts. Consequently, this study utilized a dynamic enclosure system to collect BVOC samples of seven dominant greening tree species in urban Chengdu, Southwest China. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to analyze the BVOC components and standardized BVOC emission rates of each tree species were then calculated to assess their relative potential to form secondary pollutants. We found obvious differences in the composition of BVOCs emitted by each species. Ficus virens displayed a high isoprene emission rate at 31.472 µgC/(gdw (g dry weight)•hr), while Cinnamomum camphora emitted high volumes of D-Limonene at 93.574 µgC/(gdw•hr). In terms of the BVOC emission rates by leaf area, C. camphora had the highest emission rate of total BVOCs at 13,782.59 µgC/(m2•hr), followed by Cedrus deodara with 5466.86 µgC/(m2•hr). Ginkgo biloba and Osmanthus fragrans mainly emitted oxygenated VOCs with lower overall emission rates. The high BVOC emitters like F. virens, C. camphora, and Magnolia grandiflora have high potential for significantly contributing to environmental secondary pollutants, so should be cautiously considered for future planting. This study provides important implications for improving urban greening efforts for subtropical Chinese urban contexts, like Chengdu.

Multichromophore Molecular Design for Thermally Activated Delayed-Fluorescence Emitters with Near-Unity Photoluminescence Quantum Yields.

Three multichromophore thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecules, p-di2CzPN, m-di2CzPN, and 1,3,5-tri2CzPN, were synthesized and characterized. These molecules were designed by connecting the TADF moiety 4,5-di(9H-carbazol-9-yl)phthalonitrile (2CzPN) to different positions of a central benzene ring scaffold. Three highly soluble emitters all exhibited near-quantitative photoluminescence quantum yields (ΦPL) in toluene. High ΦPLs were also achieved in doped films, 59 and 70% for p-di2CzPN and m-di2CzPN in 10 wt % DPEPO doped film, respectively, and 54% for 1,3,5-tri2CzPN in 20 wt % doped CBP films. The rate constant of reverse intersystem crossing (kRISC) for p-di2CzPN and m-di2CzPN in DPEPO films reached 1.1 × 105 and 0.7 × 105 s-1, respectively, and kRISC for 1,3,5-tri2CzPN in the CBP film reached 1.7 × 105 s-1. A solution-processed organic light-emitting diode based on 1,3,5-tri2CzPN exhibited a sky-blue emission with CIE coordinates of (0.22, 0.44) and achieved a maximum external quantum efficiency of 7.1%.

The predictive factors that are associated with the number of sutures used during meniscal repair.

PURPOSE: To investigate factors associated with the consumption of a large number of sutures during arthroscopic meniscus repair procedures. METHODS: All patients who received meniscal repair, with or without concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2019 were included in the current study. Demographic data (sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and injury-to-surgery interval) and surgical data (the site of the tear, side of the meniscus, presence of an ACL rupture or not and the number of sutures) were retrospectively collected from our medical records. The number of sutures was divided into two groups (1-2 sutures versus > 2 sutures). The stitching process was implemented through an all-inside technique using a meniscal repair device (Fast-Fix; Smith & Nephew). According to the length and stability of the meniscal tear, one to seven sutures were used. Univariate analysis consisted of chi-square tests. Multivariate logistic regression was then performed to adjust for confounding factors. RESULTS: A total of 242 patients, including 168 males and 57 females, was finally included. In the univariate analysis, we found that those patients who underwent meniscus repair within one month after meniscus tear were more likely to need fewer sutures than those who underwent surgery more than one month after injury (70/110 versus 59/115, p=0.062). In total, 75/109 (68.8%) lateral meniscal tears were repaired with fewer sutures than medial (34/72, 47.2%) and bilateral meniscus injuries (20/44, 45.4%; p=0.003). In the multivariate analysis, we found that the duration of injury (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.16-3.64, p=0.013), presence of an ACL injury (OR, 3.76; 95% CI, 1.97-7.21, p< 0.001) and the side of the meniscus (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.14-0.65, p=0.002) were associated with the number of sutures used during meniscal repair procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent meniscal repair within one month after meniscus tear, especially lateral menisci tears, were more likely to need fewer sutures. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; level of evidence, 3.

Which factors are associated with the prevalence of meniscal repair?

Purpose To investigate the potential factors associated with the prevalence of meniscal repair Methods Patients who received partial meniscectomy or meniscal repair in our institution from Jan 2015 to Dec 2019 were included in current study. The inclusion criteria were (1) meniscus tear treated using meniscectomy or repair, (2) with or without concomitant anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, (3) not multiligamentous injury. Demographic data, including sex, age, body mass index (BMI), injury-to-surgery interval and intra-articular factors such as the location of injury, medial or lateral, ACL rupture or not and the option of procedure (partial meniscectomy or repair) were documented from medical records. Univariate analysis consisted of chi-square. Multivariate logistic regression was then performed to adjust for confounding factors. Results 592 patients including 399 males and 193 females with a mean age of 28.7 years (range from 10 to 75 years) were included in current study. In the univariate analysis, male (p = 0.002), patients aged 40 years or younger (p < 0.001), increased weight (p = 0.010), Posterior meniscus torn (0.011), concurrent ACL ruputure (p < 0.001), lateral meniscus (p = 0.039) and early surgery (p < 0.001) were all associated with the prevalence of meniscal repair. However, After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that age (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.17 - 0.68, p = 0.002), ACL injury (OR, 3.76; 95% CI, 1.97 - 7.21, p < 0.001), side of menisci (OR, 3.29; 95% CI, 1.43 - 7.55, p = 0.005), site of tear (OR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.07 - 0.32, p < 0.001), and duration of injury (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.28 - 0.82, p = 0.008) were associated with the prevalence of meniscus repair. Conclusions Meniscal tear in aged patients especially those with concomitant ACL injury is likely to be repaired. Additionally, in order to increase the prevalence of repair and slow down progression of OA, the surgical procedure should be performed within two weeks after meniscus tear especially when the tear is located at lateral meniscal posterior. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; level of evidence, 3.

The impact of graduated compression stockings on calf-vein deformation and blood velocity in patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to explore venous deformation of the lower extremities and the changes in venous hemodynamics in supine position before and after wearing graduated elastic stockings in patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHOD: The leg veins of 21 elderly patients awaiting TKA were imaged in the supine position with and without knee-length graduated compression stockings (GCS) according to a fixed protocol. Measured parameters including the lateromedial (LM) diameter, anteroposterior (AP) diameter, and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV), gastrocnemius vein (GV), soleus vein (SV), posterior tibial vein (PTV), fibular vein (FV), and anterior tibial vein (ATV). In addition, the mean and maximum velocities of the popliteal vein (PV) and superficial femoral vein (FSV) were measured. RESULTS: GCS-related compression was observed for all the measured veins. Maximal reduction was observed for the GV and SV, whereas the GSV exhibited the lowest degree of GCS-related compression. The mean cross-sectional area reduction values associated with GCS were 33.1 ± 41.2 % for the GSV, 94.8 ± 11.1 % for the GV, and 85.6 ± 20.3 % for the SV, while the mean reduction of anteroposterior diameter was 18.1 ± 34.5 % for the GSV, 89.0 ± 22.5 % for the GV, and 72.9 ± 35.1 % for the SV, and the mean reduction of the lateromedial diameter was 25.9 ± 36.4 % for the GSV, 89.6 ± 19.6 % for the GV, 78.2 ± 28.3 % for the SV. No significant GCS-related changes in blood velocity in the superficial femoral veins or popliteal veins were detected. CONCLUSIONS: For elderly patients awaiting TKA, knee-length GCS can significantly reduce calf vein dilation while at rest in the supine position, with the greatest reductions being observed for the soleus and gastrocnemius veins. These data might help provide a theoretical basis for the GCS in reducing incidence of deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing TKA.

Exploring the possibility of using fluorine-involved non-conjugated electron-withdrawing groups for thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters by TD-DFT calculation.

The trifluoromethyl group has been previously explored as a non-conjugated electron-withdrawing group in donor-acceptor thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters. In the present study, we investigate computationally the potential of other fluorine-containing acceptors, trifluoromethoxy (OCF3), trifluoromethylthio (SCF3), and pentafluorosulfanyl (SF5), within two families of donor-acceptor TADF emitters. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations indicate that when only two ortho-disposed carbazole donors are used (Type I molecules), the lowest-lying triplet state possesses locally excited (LE) character while the lowest-lying singlet state possesses charge-transfer character. When five carbazole donors are present in the emitter design (Type II molecules), now both S1 and T1 states possess CT character. For molecules 2CzOCF 3 and 5CzOCF 3 , the singlet energies are predicted to be 3.92 eV and 3.45 eV; however, the singlet-triplet energy gaps, ΔE STs, are predicted to be large at 0.46 eV and 0.37 eV, respectively. The compounds 2CzCF 3 , 2CzSCF 3 , and 2CzSF 5 , from Type I molecules, show significant promise as deep blue TADF emitters, possessing high calculated singlet energies in the gas phase (3.62 eV, 3.66 eV, and 3.51 eV, respectively) and small, ΔE STs, of 0.17 eV, 0.22 eV, and 0.07 eV, respectively. For compounds 5CzSCF 3 and 5CzSF 5 , from Type II molecules, the singlet energies are stabilized to 3.24 eV and 3.00 eV, respectively, while ΔE STs are 0.27 eV and 0.12 eV, respectively, thus both show promise as blue or sky-blue TADF emitters. All these six molecules possess a dense number of intermediate excited states between S1 and T1, thus likely leading to a very efficient reverse intersystem crossing in these compounds.

Optical properties of D and S defects induced by Si+/Ni+ ions co-implanting into Si films on insulator.

In the article, we report the photoluminescence (PL) properties of D and S defects induced by Si+/Ni+ ions co-implanting into the top Si film of the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer. Variable-temperature PL spectra of these co-implanted SOI samples indicate that the light emitting from the D defects can be observed as high as 273 K. In comparison with the other ion-implantation, the Si+/Ni+ ion-co-implantation optimizes luminescent temperature stability of the both D and S defects and purifies the S defect type in silicon then effectively restrains the spectral broadening of the S-line in PL spectra. The depth distribution of the D and S defects along the normal direction of SOI surface at the corresponding ion-implantation energy has been well depicted by detecting the PL signals of the layer-by-layer etched SOI surface, respectively. These results provide valuable information to fabricate SOI-based infrared light sources for optical fiber communications.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Preoperative Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients with End-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and the risk factors of DVT in end-stage OA patients. METHODS: From March 2015 to June 2017, 521 patients with knee degenerative osteoarthritis undergoing knee arthroplasty were enrolled; 458 patients (87.9%) were admitted for primary total knee arthroplasty and 63 patients (12.1%) were admitted for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Parameters were compared using χ2 or t-test for both the groups. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to determine risk factors. RESULTS: The incidence of preoperative DVT was 6.7% (n = 35). Age in preoperative DVT group was significantly more than the non-DVT group (72.54 ± 6.53 vs. 68.65 ± 7.35, P = 0.002). Preoperative D-dimer >0.5 µg/mL (P < 0.001) was also associated with preoperative DVT in knee osteoarthritis patients. The incidence increased with age significantly (2.17% in <65 years, 6.86% in ≥65 <75 years, and 12.26% in ≥75 years) (P = 0.008). Thus, age (P = 0.041, OR 1.075, 95% CI [1.002-1.110]) and D-dimer >0.5 µg/mL (P < 0.001, OR 4.441, 95% CI [1.942-10.153]) were the independent risk factors for preoperative DVT in knee osteoarthritis patients. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of DVT in end-stage osteoarthritis was 6.7%. The results suggest that older people aged over 75 and D-dimer > 0.5 µg/mL were risk factors for DVT among patients admitted to the hospital for total knee arthroplasty. Instrumental screening should be encouraged, especially in subgroups at higher risk for preoperative DVT.

Perioperative predictors of prolonged length of hospital stay following total knee arthroplasty: a retrospective study from a single center in China.

BACKGROUND: Decreasing the length of hospital stay is an ideal course of action to appropriately allocate medical resources. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify perioperative factors that may decrease the length of hospital stay (LOS). METHODS: In this study, we collected the data on 1112 patients who underwent primary total knee arthroplasty surgery (TKAs) at our institution from Jan 1, 2011 to Nov 31, 2017. Based on the published literature, 16 potential factors (12 preoperative variables, 1 intraoperative variable, and 3 postoperative variables) were investigated. The patients requiring a hospital stay longer than the mean LOS (8 days) were defined as patients with a prolonged LOS. The factors with a P value less than 0.1 in the univariate analysis were further analysed in a multivariate model. An ordinal regression was used to determine independent risk factors for a prolonged LOS. RESULTS: The mean LOS was 8.3 days (±4.3), with a range of 2 to 30 days. Sixteen variables were analysed by univariate analysis, and 11 of them had p < 0.1 and were included in the multivariable model. Finally, 9 factors were found to be associated with a prolonged LOS. Among the 9 variables, 2 were surgery-related factors (operative time and intraoperative blood loss), and 3 were patient-related factors (age, ASA classification and neurological comorbidities). CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that the clinical protocol, complications, the patient's age, the ASA classification, neurological comorbidities, the operative time, the ward, intraoperative blood loss and the surgeon were all factors contributing to a prolonged LOS. In clinical practice, these factors provide important information for the surgeon and are useful for identifying patients with a high risk of a prolonged LOS.