Optimal Control of Semi-Active Suspension for Agricultural Tractors Using Linear Quadratic Gaussian Control.

In this study, a semi-active suspension based on a hydro-pneumatic mechanism was designed to minimize the ride vibration using a suspension control algorithm. The performance of the algorithm was critical for controlling the characteristics of the target tractor. A linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) optimal control algorithm was designed as a semi-active suspension control algorithm. The plant model for developing this algorithm was based on the parameters of an actual tractor. The rear suspension deflection was represented by a Kalman-filter-based state observer feedback to estimate the state variables that were difficult to measure. The designed state observer of the LQG controller was validated in terms of an accuracy index. The estimated vertical velocity and acceleration accuracies of the cabin were 83% and 79%, respectively. The performance of the designed controller was validated in terms of a performance index by comparing the performance of a tractor equipped with a rear rubber mount with that of one equipped with a semi-active suspension. The peak and root-mean-square values of the vertical acceleration of the cabin were reduced by up to 48.97% and 47.06%, respectively. This study could serve as a basis for the application of the control algorithm to systems with similar characteristics, thereby reducing system costs.

Dendritic-Linear Copolymer and Dendron Lipid Nanoparticles for Drug and Gene Delivery.

Polymers constitute a diverse class of macromolecules that have demonstrated their unique advantages to be utilized for drug or gene delivery applications. In particular, polymers with a highly ordered, hyperbranched structure─"dendrons"─offer significant benefits to the design of such nanomedicines. The incorporation of dendrons into block copolymer micelles can endow various unique properties that are not typically observed from linear polymer counterparts. Specifically, the dendritic structure induces the conical shape of unimers that form micelles, thereby improving the thermodynamic stability and achieving a low critical micelle concentration (CMC). Furthermore, through a high density of highly ordered functional groups, dendrons can enhance gene complexation, drug loading, and stimuli-responsive behavior. In addition, outward-branching dendrons can support a high density of nonfouling polymers, such as poly(ethylene glycol), for serum stability and variable densities of multifunctional groups for multivalent cellular targeting and interactions. In this paper, we review the design considerations for dendron-lipid nanoparticles and dendron micelles formed from amphiphilic block copolymers intended for gene transfection and cancer drug delivery applications. These technologies are early in preclinical development and, as with other nanomedicines, face many obstacles on the way to clinical adoption. Nevertheless, the utility of dendron micelles for drug delivery remains relatively underexplored, and we believe there are significant and dramatic advancements to be made in tumor targeting with these platforms.

Detection of Testicular Torsion With Preserved Intratesticular Flow By Point of Care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography is an effective diagnostic tool for testicular torsion (TT), which is typically characterized by the absence of blood flow in the affected testicle on color Doppler mode. However, there are a few reported cases of TT with symmetrical preserved flow. We report a case of TT with the preserved intratesticular flow on color Doppler ultrasound. CASE REPORT: A 14-year-old boy was admitted due to sudden-onset right scrotal pain. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) revealed that the right testicle was larger than the left. The intratesticular flow in both testicles was preserved. Radiology-performed ultrasound confirmed the preserved intratesticular flow observed on POCUS, but also demonstrated a whirlpool sign of the right spermatic cord. TT was confirmed surgically. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Emergency physicians should investigate the presence of intratesticular blood flow and the whirlpool sign of the spermatic cord or other ultrasound features suggestive of TT, even if testicular blood flow is preserved. Suspicion of TT from POCUS findings warrants further evaluation to preserve the patient's fertility.

Cyan-Light-Emitting Chalcogenometallate Phosphor, KGaS2:Eu2+, for Phosphor-Converted White Light-Emitting Diodes.

A novel KGaS2 phosphor host that emits a cyan light was discovered to fill the cyan gap in the visible spectrum of phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes (pc-wLEDs). KGaS2, belonging to the chalcogenometallates of the type ABQ2, was synthesized via a solid-state route with compositions optimized to achieve a phosphor host that would achieve the best photoluminescence (PL) properties. The activation with Eu2+ gave rise to PL in the cyan region of the spectrum with a PL maximum at ∼498 nm, as measured under the near-UV (420 nm) and blue (450 nm) excitations. The PL properties at the near-UV excitation are found to be much better, as compared to those obtained at the blue excitation. The Rietveld analysis, using high resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction calibrated at a wavelength of 1.522 Å and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern analysis of the composition optimized with the highest PL intensity, revealed a centrosymmetric monoclinic structure in the C2/c space group. The stoichiometry of the optimized composition, as estimated using Rietveld refinement, was revealed as KGa0.921S1.882:Eu2+. The decay curve measurement, using time-resolved spectroscopy, yielded a 10% decay time of 0.41 µs, which is much smaller compared with the decay time of the commercially available ß-SIALON phosphor that has a 10% decay time of 1.71 µs. The white pc-LED, fabricated with a cyan phosphor, had a higher value on the color rendering index and a lower value for color correlated temperatures, as compared with the version fabricated without a cyan phosphor, which makes this novel phosphor suitable for applications as a pc-wLED.

Exceptional Mechanical Properties of Phase-Separation-Free Mo3Se3--Chain-Reinforced Hydrogel Prepared by Polymer Wrapping Process.

As Mo3Se3- chain nanowires have dimensions comparable to those of natural hydrogel chains (molecular-level diameters of ∼0.6 nm and lengths of several micrometers) and excellent mechanical strength and flexibility, they have large potential to reinforce hydrogels and improve their mechanical properties. When a Mo3Se3--chain-nanowire-gelatin composite hydrogel is prepared simply by mixing Mo3Se3- nanowires with gelatin, phase separation of the Mo3Se3- nanowires from the gelatin matrix occurs in the micronetwork, providing only small improvements in their mechanical properties. In contrast, when the surface of the Mo3Se3- nanowire is wrapped with the gelatin polymer, the chemical compatibility of the Mo3Se3- nanowire with the gelatin matrix is significantly improved, which enables the fabrication of a phase-separation-free Mo3Se3--reinforced gelatin hydrogel. The composite gelatin hydrogel exhibits significantly improved mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 27.6 kPa, fracture toughness of 26.9 kJ/m3, and elastic modulus of 54.8 kPa, which are 367%, 868%, and 378% higher than those of the pure gelatin hydrogel, respectively. Furthermore, the amount of Mo3Se3- nanowires added in the composite hydrogel is as low as 0.01 wt %. The improvements in the mechanical properties are significantly larger than those for other reported composite hydrogels reinforced with one-dimensional materials.

Single-Chain Atomic Crystals as Extracellular Matrix-Mimicking Material with Exceptional Biocompatibility and Bioactivity.

In this study, Mo3Se3- single-chain atomic crystals (SCACs) with atomically small chain diameters of ∼0.6 nm, large surface areas, and mechanical flexibility were synthesized and investigated as an extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking scaffold material for tissue engineering applications. The proliferation of L-929 and MC3T3-E1 cell lines increased up to 268.4 ± 24.4% and 396.2 ± 8.1%, respectively, after 48 h of culturing with Mo3Se3- SCACs. More importantly, this extremely high proliferation was observed when the cells were treated with 200 µg mL-1 of Mo3Se3- SCACs, which is above the cytotoxic concentration of most nanomaterials reported earlier. An ECM-mimicking scaffold film prepared by coating Mo3Se3- SCACs on a glass substrate enabled the cells to adhere to the surface in a highly stretched manner at the initial stage of cell adhesion. Most cells cultured on the ECM-mimicking scaffold film remained alive; in contrast, a substantial number of cells cultured on glass substrates without the Mo3Se3- SCAC coating did not survive. This work not only proves the exceptional biocompatible and bioactive characteristics of the Mo3Se3- SCACs but also suggests that, as an ECM-mimicking scaffold material, Mo3Se3- SCACs can overcome several critical limitations of most other nanomaterials.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Cannulation of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Make it Simple.

BACKGROUND: Cannulation of the great vessels is required for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Currently, there is no guideline for optimal imaging modalities during percutaneous cannulation of ECMO. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe percutaneous cannulation guided by point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for ECMO and compare it with fluoroscopy and landmark guidance. METHODS: Three groups (POCUS-, fluoroscopy-, and landmark-guided) of percutaneous cannulation for ECMO were analyzed retrospectively in a tertiary academic hospital. In the POCUS-guided group, visual confirmation of guidewire and cannula by ultrasound in both the access and return cannula were essential for successful cannulation. Fluoroscopy- and landmark-guided groups were cannulated with the conventional technique. RESULTS: A total of 128 patients were treated by ECMO during the study period, of which 94 (73.4%) cases were venoarterial ECMO. This included 56 cases of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Also, there were 30 (23.4%) cases of venovenous ECMO and 4 (3.1%) cases of venoarteriovenous ECMO. A total of 71 (55.5%) patients were cannulated under POCUS guidance, and 43 (33.6%) patients were cannulated under fluoroscopy guidance and 14 (10.9%) patients were cannulated by landmark guidance. No surgical cut downs were required. Misplacement of cannula occurred in 3 (2.3%) cases. All three occurred in the landmark-guided group. CONCLUSIONS: POCUS-guided cannulation is comparable to fluoroscopy-guided cannulation in terms of avoiding cannula misplacement. In our experience, POCUS-guided cannulation is a useful strategy over fluoroscopy- and landmark-guided cannulation during peripheral ECMO.

Metaheuristics-Assisted Combinatorial Screening of Eu2+-Doped Ca-Sr-Ba-Li-Mg-Al-Si-Ge-N Compositional Space in Search of a Narrow-Band Green Emitting Phosphor and Density Functional Theory Calculations.

A metaheuristics-based design would be of great help in relieving the enormous experimental burdens faced during the combinatorial screening of a huge, multidimensional search space, while providing the same effect as total enumeration. In order to tackle the high-throughput powder processing complications and to secure practical phosphors, metaheuristics, an elitism-reinforced nondominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-II), was employed in this study. The NSGA-II iteration targeted two objective functions. The first was to search for a higher emission efficacy. The second was to search for narrow-band green color emissions. The NSGA-II iteration finally converged on BaLi2Al2Si2N6:Eu2+ phosphors in the Eu2+-doped Ca-Sr-Ba-Li-Mg-Al-Si-Ge-N compositional search space. The BaLi2Al2Si2N6:Eu2+ phosphor, which was synthesized with no human intervention via the assistance of NSGA-II, was a clear single phase and gave an acceptable luminescence. The BaLi2Al2Si2N6:Eu2+ phosphor as well as all other phosphors that appeared during the NSGA-II iterations were examined in detail by employing powder X-ray diffraction-based Rietveld refinement, X-ray absorption near edge structure, density functional theory calculation, and time-resolved photoluminescence. The thermodynamic stability and the band structure plausibility were confirmed, and more importantly a novel approach to the energy transfer analysis was also introduced for BaLi2Al2Si2N6:Eu2+ phosphors.

Extracorporeal CPR and intra-aortic balloon pumping in tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy complicating cardiac arrest.

Although tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (TIC) due to atrial fibrillation occurs frequently, it is under-recognized in clinical settings. TIC has a wide range of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic tachycardia to cardiomyopathy leading to end stage heart failure. We present a case of a 48year-old-woman who presented as cardiogenic shock, and rapidly progressed to cardiac arrest from recently diagnosed but undertreated atrial fibrillation, resulting TIC in the emergency department (ED). She was rescued by extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E-CPR) for refractory cardiac arrest in the ED, and received concomitant intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABP) support for severe left ventricular failure. Cardiogenic shock can present as an initial manifestation of TIC, and E-CPR and subsequent IABP support can be a valuable rescue therapy for severe TIC.

Usefulness of new method of central venous catheter securement using a continuous suture.

INTRODUCTION: To reduce the time required for suture closure for central venous catheterization, a new procedure was developed using a continuous suture technique. The present study was conducted to investigate the usefulness of this method. METHOD: The study was conducted with 90 volunteers among the doctors in the university hospital. Preliminary training (using video) on the two fixation methods was given to the participants prior to the experiment. After applying the central vein of the pig skin, a suture up to the butterfly seal was prepared, and the participant was allowed to fix the suture using the classic method and the new method. The time required for suturing was measured in seconds, and the tension was determined using a tension measuring device after suturing. RESULT: When using the new "one-time method," the time required was shortened by about 20.50s on average compared with the conventional method (P<0.001). The median and quartile of the tension of the thread for the one-time method was 1.10kg (1.00-1.20kg) and of the conventional method was 1.10kg (1.00-1.20kg), which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P=0.476). CONCLUSION: We found that the new one-time method provided faster and more convenient central catheterization and catheter securement than the conventional methods.

Discovery of a Red-Emitting Li3RbGe8O18:Mn4+ Phosphor in the Alkali-Germanate System: Structural Determination and Electronic Calculations.

A solid-state combinatorial chemistry approach, which used the A-Ge-O (A = Li, K, Rb) system doped with a small amount of Mn4+ as an activator, was adopted in a search for novel red-emitting phosphors. The A site may have been composed of either a single alkali metal ion or of a combination of them. This approach led to the discovery of a novel phosphor in the above system with the chemical formula Li3RbGe8O18:Mn4+. The crystal structure of this novel phosphor was solved via direct methods, and subsequent Rietveld refinement revealed a trigonal structure in the P3̅1m space group. The discovered phosphor is believed to be novel in the sense that neither the crystal structure nor the chemical formula matches any of the prototype structures available in the crystallographic information database (ICDD or ICSD). The measured photoluminescence intensity that peaked at a wavelength of 667 nm was found to be much higher than the best intensity obtained among all the existing A2Ge4O9 (A = Li, K, Rb) compounds in the alkali-germanate system. An ab initio calculation based on density function theory (DFT) was conducted to verify the crystal structure model and compare the calculated value of the optical band gap with the experimental results. The optical band gap obtained from diffuse reflectance measurement (5.26 eV) and DFT calculation (4.64 eV) results were in very good agreement. The emission wavelength of this phosphor that exists in the deep red region of the electromagnetic spectrum may be very useful for increasing the color gamut of LED-based display devices such as ultrahigh-definition television (UHDTV) as per the ITU-R BT.2020-2 recommendations and also for down-converter phosphors that are used in solar-cell applications.

Ultrastable-Stealth Large Gold Nanoparticles with DNA Directed Biological Functionality.

The stability of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in biological samples is very important for their biomedical applications. Although various molecules such as polystyrenesulfonate (PSS), phosphine, DNA, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) have been used to stabilize AuNPs, it is still very difficult to stabilize large AuNPs. As a result, biomedical applications of large (30-100 nm) AuNPs are limited, even though they possess more favorable optical properties and are easier to be taken up by cells than smaller AuNPs. To overcome this limitation, we herein report a novel method of preparing large (30-100 nm) AuNPs with a high colloidal stability and facile chemical or biological functionality, via surface passivation with an amphiphilic polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). This PVP passivation results in an extraordinary colloidal stability for 13, 30, 50, 70, and 100 nm AuNPs to be stabilized in PBS for at least 3 months. More importantly, the PVP capped AuNPs (AuNP-PVP) were also resistant to protein adsorption in the presence of serum containing media and exhibit a negligible cytotoxicity. The AuNP-PVPs functionalized with a DNA aptamer AS1411 remain biologically active, resulting in significant increase in the uptake of the AuNPs (∼12,200 AuNPs per cell) in comparison with AuNPs capped by a control DNA of the same length. The novel method developed in this study to stabilize large AuNPs with high colloidal stability and biological activity will allow much wider applications of these large AuNPs for biomedical applications, such as cellular imaging, molecular diagnosis, and targeted therapy.

Achromatic-chromatic colorimetric sensors for on-off type detection of analytes.

We report the development of achromatic colorimetric sensors; sensors changing their colors from achromatic black to other chromatic colors. An achromatic colorimetric sensor was prepared by mixing a general colorimetric indicator, whose color changes between chromatic colors, and a complementary colored dye with no reaction to the targeted analyte. As the color of an achromatic colorimetric sensor changes from black to a chromatic color, the color change could be much easily recognized than general colorimetric sensors with naked eyes. More importantly, the achromatic colorimetric sensors enable on-off type recognition of the presence of analytes, which have not been achieved from most colorimetric sensors. In addition, the color changes from some achromatic colorimetric sensors (achromatic Eriochrome Black T and achromatic Benedict's solution) could be recognized with naked eyes at much lower concentration ranges than normal chromatic colorimetric sensors. These results provide new opportunities in the use of colorimetric sensors for diverse applications, such as harsh industrial, environmental, and biological detection.

Comparison of overlapping (OP) and adjacent thumb positions (AP) for cardiac compressions using the encircling method in infants.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this manikin study was to compare the efficiency between overlapping (OP) and adjacent thumb positions (AP) for cardiac compressions using the encircling method in infants. METHODS: The study conducted from December 2010 to August 2011 involved 48 volunteers who were students in the emergency medical technician course. The authors let volunteers practice OP and AP as a crossover design. The authors monitored the simulated mean arterial pressure (MAP) generated during a 5-min chest compression. The fatigue level of the volunteers after the chest compression was evaluated with the Likert scale. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in MAP between the dominant hand and the non-dominant hand as the lower thumb of OP. Significant differences were observed in simulated systolic blood pressure, MAP and simulated pulse pressure between OP and AP at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 min. There were no significant differences among the changes in heart rate, respiratory rate and end-tidal CO(2) during a 5-min chest compression by OP and AP. The Likert scale scores (1 no fatigue to 5 = extreme fatigue) during the 5-min chest compressions were higher in AP than in OP at 2, 3 and 5 min. CONCLUSION: Higher intrathoracic pressures were achieved by OP in this study. However, further studies are needed to validate these effects of overlapping thumbs technique in infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation, not manikin.

Bioessential Inorganic Molecular Wire-Reinforced 3D-Printed Hydrogel Scaffold for Enhanced Bone Regeneration.

Materials with physicochemical properties and biological activities similar to those of the natural extracellular matrix are in high demand in tissue engineering. In particular, Mo3 Se3 - inorganic molecular wire (IMW) is a promising material composed of bioessential minerals and possess nanometer-scale diameters, negatively charged surfaces, physical flexibility, and nanotopography characteristics, which are essential for interactions with cell membrane proteins. Here, an implantable 3D Mo3 Se3 - IMW enhanced gelatin-GMA/silk-GMA hydrogel (IMW-GS hydrogel) is developed for osteogenesis and bone formation, followed by biological evaluations. The mechanical properties of the 3D printed IMW-GS hydrogel are improved by noncovalent interactions between the Mo3 Se3 - IMWs and the positively charged residues of the gelatin molecules. Long-term biocompatibility with primary human osteoblast cells (HOBs) is confirmed using the IMW-GS hydrogel. The proliferation, osteogenic gene expression, collagen accumulation, and mineralization of HOBs improve remarkably with the IMW-GS hydrogel. In in vivo evaluations, the IMW-GS hydrogel implantation exhibits a significantly improved new bone regeneration of 87.8 ± 5.9% (p < 0.05) for 8 weeks, which is higher than that from the gelatin-GMA/silk-GMA hydrogel without Mo3 Se3 - IMW. These results support a new improved strategy with in vitro and in vivo performance of 3D IMW enhanced scaffolds in tissue engineering.

Fabrication of dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) using different particle sizes of TiO2 deposited via nano-particle deposition system (NPDS).

TiO2 layers were fabricated using a nano-particle deposition system (NPDS) on transparent conductive oxide (TCO) glass for dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Conventionally, TiO2 paste for working electrodes has been fabricated using paste type methods. The fabricated paste composed of a mixture of nano-sized TiO2 powders, binders and solutions is then painted on TCO glass. After drying, the TiO2 layer on TCO glass is sintered to make a path for electron transfer. TiO2 layers formed by this paste type method require numerous steps, which can be time consuming. In this study, TiO2 powders were sprayed directly on TCO glass using NPDS in order to simplify the fabrication steps. To improve porosity and produce scattering layers, commercial nanocrystalline TiO, powders with different sizes were alternately deposited. Moreover, powders with different sizes were mixed and deposited on the TCO glass. The results indicate that the DSSCs with a TiO2 layer composed of different particle sizes had better cell performance than the cells assembled with single-sized TiO2 particles. Therefore, this study shows that a dry TiO2 coating process is possible for DSSC fabrication to improve its cell efficiencies, and this method can easily be applied on flexible substrates since NPDS is a room-temperature deposition process.

A Novel High-Performance TiO2-x /TiO1-y Ny Coating Material for Silicon Anode in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Protective surface coatings on Si anodes are promising for improving the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Nevertheless, most coating materials have severe issues, including low initial coulombic efficiency, structural fracture, morphology control, and complicated synthetic processing. In this study, a multifunctional TiO2- x /TiO1- y Ny (TTN) formed via a facile and scalable synthetic process is applied as a coating material for Si anodes. A thin layer of amorphous TiO2 is uniformly coated onto Si nanoparticles by a simple sol-gel method and then converted into a two phase TiO2- x /TiO1- y Ny via nitridation. The lithiated TiO2-x provides high ionic and electrical conductivity, while TiO1-y Ny can improve mechanical strength that alleviates volume change of Si to address capacity fading issue. Owing to these synergetic advantages, TiO2- x /TiO1- y Ny -coated Si (Si@TTN) exhibits excellent electrochemical properties, including a high charge capacity of 1650 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1 and 84% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 1 A g-1 . Moreover, a significantly enhanced rate performance can be achieved at a high current density. This investigation presents a facile and effective coating material to use as the high-capacity silicon anode in the emerging Si anode technology in LIBs.

Argyrodite configuration determination for DFT and AIMD calculations using an integrated optimization strategy.

When constructing a partially occupied model structure for use in density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) calculations, the selection of appropriate configurations has been a vexing issue. Random sampling and the ensuing low-Coulomb-energy entry selection have been routine. Here, we report a more efficient way of selecting low-Coulomb-energy configurations for a representative solid electrolyte, Li6PS5Cl. Metaheuristics (genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization, cuckoo search, and harmony search), Bayesian optimization, and modified deep Q-learning are utilized to search the large configurational space. Ten configuration candidates that exhibit relatively low Coulomb energy values and thereby lead to more convincing DFT and AIMD calculation results are pinpointed along with computational cost savings by the assistance of the above-described optimization algorithms, which constitute an integrated optimization strategy. Consequently, the integrated optimization strategy outperforms the conventional random sampling-based selection strategy.

Natural bone-mimicking nanopore-incorporated hydroxyapatite scaffolds for enhanced bone tissue regeneration.

BACKGROUND: A considerable number of studies has been carried out to develop alloplastic bone graft materials such as hydroxyapatite (HAP) that mimic the hierarchical structure of natural bones with multiple levels of pores: macro-, micro-, and nanopores. Although nanopores are known to play many essential roles in natural bones, only a few studies have focused on HAPs containing them; none of those studies investigated the functions of nanopores in biological systems. METHOD: We developed a simple yet powerful method to introduce nanopores into alloplastic HAP bone graft materials in large quantities by simply pressing HAP nanoparticles and sintering them at a low temperature. RESULTS: The size of nanopores in HAP scaffolds can be controlled between 16.5 and 30.2 nm by changing the sintering temperature. When nanopores with a size of ~ 30.2 nm, similar to that of nanopores in natural bones, are introduced into HAP scaffolds, the mechanical strength and cell proliferation and differentiation rates are significantly increased. The developed HAP scaffolds containing nanopores (SNPs) are biocompatible, with negligible erythema and inflammatory reactions. In addition, they enhance the bone regeneration when are implanted into a rabbit model. Furthermore, the bone regeneration efficiency of the HAP-based SNP is better than that of a commercially available bone graft material. CONCLUSION: Nanopores of HAP scaffolds are very important for improving the bone regeneration efficiency and may be one of the key factors to consider in designing highly efficient next-generation alloplastic bone graft materials.

Unravelling the Nature of the Intrinsic Complex Structure of Binary-Phase Na-Layered Oxides.

The layered sodium transition metal oxide, NaTMO2 (TM = transition metal), with a binary or ternary phases has displayed outstanding electrochemical performance as a new class of strategy cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, an in-depth phase analysis of developed Na1-x TMO2 cathode materials, Na0.76 Ni0.20 Fe0.40 Mn0.40 O2 with P2- and O3-type phases (NFMO-P2/O3) is offered. Structural visualization on an atomic scale is also provided and the following findings are unveiled: i) the existence of a mixed-phase intergrowth layer distribution and unequal distribution of P2 and O3 phases along two different crystal plane indices and ii) a complete reversible charge/discharge process for the initial two cycles that displays a simple phase transformation, which is unprecedented. Moreover, first-principles calculations support the evidence of the formation of a binary NFMO-P2/O3 compound, over the proposed hypothetical monophasic structures (O3, P3, O'3, and P2 phases). As a result, the synergetic effect of the simultaneous existence of P- and O-type phases with their unique structures allows an extraordinary level of capacity retention in a wide range of voltage (1.5-4.5 V). It is believed that the insightful understanding of the proposed materials can introduce new perspectives for the development of high-voltage cathode materials for SIBs.