Self-Competitive Growth of CsPbBr3 Planar Nanowire Array.

Semiconductor planar nanowire arrays (PNAs) are essential for achieving large-scale device integration. Direct heteroepitaxy of PNAs on a flat substrate is constrained by the mismatch in crystalline symmetry and lattice parameters between the substrate and epitaxial nanowires. This study presents a novel approach termed "self-competitive growth" for heteroepitaxy of CsPbBr3 PNAs on mica. The key to inducing the self-competitive growth of CsPbBr3 PNAs on mica involves restricting the nucleation of CsPbBr3 nanowires in a high-adsorption region, which is accomplished by overlaying graphite sheets on the mica surface. Theoretical calculations and experimental results demonstrate that CsPbBr3 nanowires oriented perpendicular to the boundary of the high-adsorption area exhibit greater competitiveness in intercepting the growth of nanowires in the other two directions, resulting in PNAs with a consistent orientation. Moreover, these PNAs exhibit low-threshold and stable amplified spontaneous emission under one-, two-, and three-photon excitation, indicating their potential for an integrated laser array.

Nucleophilic Reaction-Enabled Chloride Modification on CsPbI3 Quantum Dots for Pure Red Light-Emitting Diodes with Efficiency Exceeding 26 .

High-performance pure red perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with an emission wavelength shorter than 650 nm are ideal for wide-color-gamut displays, yet remain an unprecedented challenge to progress. Mixed-halide CsPb(Br/I)3 emitter-based PeLEDs suffer spectral stability induced by halide phase segregation and CsPbI3 quantum dots (QDs) suffer from a compromise between emission wavelength and electroluminescence efficiency. Here, we demonstrate efficient pure red PeLEDs with an emission centered at 638 nm based on PbClx -modified CsPbI3 QDs. A nucleophilic reaction that releases chloride ions and manipulates the ligand equilibrium of the colloidal system is developed to synthesize the pure red emission QDs. The comprehensive structural and spectroscopic characterizations evidence the formation of PbClx outside the CsPbI3 QDs, which regulates exciton recombination and prevents the exciton from dissociation induced by surface defects. In consequence, PeLEDs based on PbClx -modified CsPbI3 QDs with superior optoelectronic properties demonstrate stable electroluminescence spectra at high driving voltages, a record external quantum efficiency of 26.1 %, optimal efficiency roll-off of 16.0 % at 1000 cd m-2 , and a half lifetime of 7.5 hours at 100 cd m-2 , representing the state-of-the-art pure red PeLEDs. This work provides new insight into constructing the carrier-confined structure on perovskite QDs for high-performance PeLEDs.

Vacuum-Vapor-Deposited 0D/3D All-Inorganic Perovskite Composite Films toward Low-Threshold Amplified Spontaneous Emission and Lasing.

Vacuum vapor deposition (VVD) is a promising way to advancing the commercialization of perovskite light sources owing to its convenience for wafer-scale mass production and compatibility with silicon photonics manufacturing infrastructure. However, the light emission performance of VVD-grown perovskites still lags far behind that of the conventional solution-processed counterparts due to their inferior luminescence properties. Here, a 0D/3D cesium-lead-bromide perovskite composite film is prepared on Si/SiO2 substrates through composition modulation with the VVD method, which exhibits an ultralow amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) threshold down to 14.3 µJ cm-2 in the optimal films, which is on par with that of the solution-processed counterparts. Meanwhile, they also display intriguing operational stability with negligible emission intensity decay under continuous excitation above ASE threshold for 4 h in the air. The outstanding ASE performance mainly originates from the reduced trap density and weakened electron-phonon coupling in the 3D CsPbBr3 phase enabled by the incorporation of the 0D Cs4 PbBr6 phase. Finally, by integrating the composite film with the distributed feedback (DFB) cavity, DFB lasing is achieved with a low threshold of 18.2 µJ cm-2 under nanosecond-pulsed laser pumping, which highlights the potential of VVD-processed perovskites for developing high-performance lasers.

How does bivalve size influence microplastics accumulation?

Microplastics (wasted plastic particles < 5 mm in diameter) are ubiquitously distributed in the marine environment. Filter-feeding and low trophic level bivalves are vulnerable to microplastics accumulation from the surrounding depositional environment, thereby threatening both ecological health and human food safety. Microplastics had been detected in lots of coastal Bivalvia species. However, the influence of biological morphology on the mechanism of microplastics accumulation is not clear. There is also a knowledge gap of which species are preferred for commercial consumption, which creates loopholes in risk identification for food safety. A survey on a commercial popular eaten but under-researched hard clam (Meretrix meretrix; Linnaeus, 1758) from a famous fishery port city in southern China was carried out to comprehensively analyze shell size influence on microplastics accumulation in bivalves and consequently, human intake risk via bivalve consumption. Detected microplastics count in per individual (MCI) was 24.64 ± 19.11 items · individual-1, and microplastics count per gram (MCG; wet weight with shell) was 0.66 ± 0.54 items · g-1. When the shell width grew by 1 mm, MCI increased by 1.01 times, but MCG decreased by 0.97 times. Dominant microplastics characteristics found in this study was fiber and fragment. Sizes ranged from 25 to 150 µm, and dark colors (black, red, and blue) were found. The mostly common polymers were polyethene (PE, 40%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 23%), and polypropylene (PP, 18%). Estimated annual intake (EAI) risk of microplastics via hard clam consumption by residents was 6652.26 ± 5327.28 items · year -1 · person -1. The microplastics in bivalves and EAI was relatively high. When shell width grew by 1 mm, EAI decreased by 0.97 times. Therefore, eating a fixed amount of larger hard clams with a relatively low amount of microplastics can reduce EAI risk for consumers. A systematic investigation of emission sources along main coast, where bivalve production is prominent will be useful for food safety control in this region.

Long-range transport and ultrafast interfacial charge transfer in perovskite/monolayer semiconductor heterostructure for enhanced light absorption and photocarrier lifetime.

Atomically thin two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have shown great potential for optoelectronic applications, including photodetectors, phototransistors, and spintronic devices. However, the applications of TMD-based optoelectronic devices are severely restricted by their weak light absorption and short exciton lifetime due to their atomically thin nature and strong excitonic effect. To simultaneously enhance the light absorption and photocarrier lifetime of monolayer semiconductors, here, we report 3D/2D perovskite/TMD type II heterostructures by coupling solution processed highly smooth and ligand free CsPbBr3 film with MoS2 and WS2 monolayers. By time-resolved spectroscopy, we show interfacial hole transfer from MoS2 (WS2) to the perovskite layer occurs in an ultrafast time scale (100 and 350 fs) and interfacial electron transfer from ultrathin CsPbBr3 to MoS2 (WS2) in ∼3 (9) ps, forming a long-lived charge separation with a lifetime of >20 ns. With increasing CsPbBr3 thickness, the electron transfer rate from CsPbBr3 to TMD is slower, but the efficiency remains to be near-unity due to coupled long-range diffusion and ultrafast interfacial electron transfer. This study indicates that coupling solution processed lead halide perovskites with strong light absorption and long carrier diffusion length to monolayer semiconductors to form a type II heterostructure is a promising strategy to simultaneously enhance the light harvesting capability and photocarrier lifetime of monolayer semiconductors.

Visible-Light-Induced, Graphene Oxide-Promoted C3-Chalcogenylation of Indoles Strategy under Transition-Metal-Free Conditions.

An efficient and general method for the synthesis of 3-sulfenylindoles and 3-selenylindoles employing visible-light irradiation with graphene oxide as a promoter at room temperature has been achieved. The reaction features are high yields, simple operation, metal-free and iodine-free conditions, an easy-to-handle oxidant, and gram-scalable synthesis. This simple protocol allows one to access a wide range of 3-arylthioindoles, 3-arylselenylindoles, and even 3-thiocyanatoindoles with good to excellent yields.

Photoinitiated Multicomponent Anti-Markovnikov Alkoxylation over Graphene Oxide.

The development of graphene oxide-based heterogeneous materials with an economical and environmentally-friendly manner has the potential to facilitate many important organic transformations but proves to have few relevant reported reactions. Herein, we explore the synergistic role of catalytic systems driven by graphene oxide and visible light that form nucleophilic alkoxyl radical intermediates, which enable an anti-Markovnikov addition exclusively to the terminal alkenes, and then the produced benzyl radicals are subsequently added with N-methylquinoxalones. This photoinduced cascade radical difunctionalization of olefins offers a concise and applicable protocol for constructing alkoxyl-substituted N-methylquinoxalones.

Effects of nursing support workers participation on negative emotions, quality of life and life satisfaction of patients with cerebral hemorrhage: a quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Due to the high nursing pressure of patients with cerebral hemorrhage and the general shortage of clinical nurses, nursing support workers often participate in clinical nursing work, but the influence of nursing support workers' participation on the negative emotion, quality of life and life satisfaction of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage is unknown. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design. A total of 181 ICH patients admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to April 2022 were enrolled, including 81 patients receiving conventional care (CG control group) and 80 patients receiving nursing support worker participation (RG research group). All patients were recorded with self-perceived Burden Scale (SPBS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Quality of Life Scale (SF-36), Somatic Self rating Scale (SSS), Patient self-care ability assessment scale (Barthel) and Satisfaction with life scale (SWLS) scores. RESULTS: Patients with high negative emotion were more willing to participate in clinical nursing work (p < 0.05). Nursing support workers involved in cerebral hemorrhage patients can alleviate negative emotions, improve life quality, improve life satisfaction (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The participation of nursing support workers can alleviate the negative emotions of ICH patients, enhance their self-management ability, and improve their life quality.

Mixed Halide Perovskite Films by Vapor Anion Exchange for Spectrally Stable Blue Stimulated Emission.

Solution-processed all-inorganic CsPbX3 perovskites exhibit outstanding optoelectronic properties and are being considered as a promising optical gain medium, with impressive performance in the green and red region. However, the development of CsPbX3 for blue emission is still lagging far behind, owing to difficulties in thin films synthesis and spectral instability subject to light irradiation. Here, a facile vapor anion exchange (VAE) method that enables preparation of blue-emitting perovskite films with both excellent surface morphology and good photo-stability is reported. The mixed-Br/Cl quasi-2D perovskite films show spectrally stable pure blue emission (471 nm) under continuous-wave laser irradiation with power density as high as 81 W cm-2 . Furthermore, optically pumped blue amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) is realized based on the mixed-Br/Cl perovskite films. By changing the duration of VAE treatment, the ASE peak can be tuned from 537 nm down to 475 nm. This work not only presents a facile method to prepare high quality mixed halide Cs-based perovskite films, but also pave the way for further exploration of stable blue perovskite lasing.

MicroRNA-30a suppresses self-renewal and tumorigenicity of glioma stem cells by blocking the NT5E-dependent Akt signaling pathway.

Over the past decade, increasing researches have demonstrated the implication of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) in tumorigenicity of glioma stem cells (GSCs). The regulatory functions of miRNAs in GSCs have emerged as potential therapeutic candidates for glioma treatment. Herein, we aim to investigate the role of miR-30a in the proliferation and self-renewal of GSCs and the possible mechanism in relation to ecto-5'-nucleotidase (NT5E)-dependent Akt signaling pathway. RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis were performed to determine the expression of miR-30a and NT5E in glioma tissues and cell lines. GSCs were isolated from glioma cells and identified using flow cytometry. The relationship between miR-30a and NT5E was determined by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were performed to examine the effects of miR-30a and NT5E on sphere formation, colony formation, and proliferation of GSCs in vitro, as well as orthotopic tumor growth of GSCs in nude mice. Additionally, the Akt signaling pathway was blocked with an Akt inhibitor, LY294002, to investigate its involvement in the regulatory effect of miR30a. miR-30a was poorly expressed in glioma tissues and cell lines as well as GSCs. NT5E, highly expressed in GSCs, was identified as a target of miR-30a. In addition, miR-30a upregulation or NT5E silencing could reduce GSC sphere formation, clone formation, proliferation, and orthotopic tumor growth in nude mice. Moreover, miR-30a inhibited the activation of the Akt signaling pathway by targeting NT5E, and ultimately suppressing the self-renewal and orthotopic tumor growth of GSCs. Our results demonstrate that miR-30a targets NT5E to inhibit the Akt signaling pathway, by which could suppress the self-renewal and orthotopic tumor growth of GSCs. Those findings may provide theoretical basis of miR-30a as a therapeutic target to suppress the glioma progression.

Sodium Valproate Reduces Neuronal Apoptosis in Acute Pentylenetetrzole-Induced Seizures via Inhibiting ER Stress.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been indicated to be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Sodium valproate (VPA), one of the most commonly used antiepileptic drugs, is reported to regulate ER stress in many neurological diseases. However, the effect of VPA on ER stress in epilepsy remains unclear. The current study was performed to investigate the role of ER stress in the neuroprotection of VPA against seizure induced by pentylenetetrzole (PTZ). Our results showed that VPA treatment could inhibit the increased expressions of ER stress proteins (GRP78 and CHOP), and significantly reduce neuronal apoptosis in the PTZ-induced experimental seizure model. In addition, Salubrinal, an ER stress inhibitor, was used as a positive control, and exhibited neuroprotective effects via inhibiting excessive ER stress in the seizure model, which further supported that the inhibition in ER stress by VPA treatment could exert neuroprotection in seizures. In summary, our work demonstrated for the first time that ER stress was involved in the neuroprotective potential of VPA for seizures.

R-phycoerythrin proteins@ZIF-8 composite thin films for mercury ion detection.

Mercury, as one of the most prevalent toxic metals released by various natural and anthropogenic processes, causes severe pollution of soil and groundwater. In this work, R-phycoerythrin (R-PE) proteins encapsulated into ZIF-8 composite thin films were prepared via a solid-confinement conversion process and applied as fluorescent sensors for mercury ion detection. The R-PE proteins encapsulated into ZIF-8 exhibit dual color emissions including green (518 nm) and red (602, 650 nm) fluorescence, while the original orange emission (578 nm) of pure R-PE is significantly suppressed. R-PE@ZIF-8 presents excellent selectivity and sensitivity for mercury detection in a large pH range without buffer solution. Under the optimal conditions, there is a good linear relationship between the fluorescence quenching efficiencies of R-PE@ZIF-8 and logarithmic concentrations of mercury ions in the range of 0.001-50 µM with the detection limit (LOD) of 6.7 nM much lower than the guideline value given by the World Health Organization. Furthermore, multi-peak detection of R-PE@ZIF-8 improves the detection accuracy of Hg2+ concentration.

Achieving long carrier lifetime and high optical gain in all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite films via top and bottom surface modification.

Solution-processed all-inorganic CsPbX3(X = Br, I, and Cl) perovskites are proven to be promising materials for various optoelectronic applications. However, CsPbX3 films as optical gain media were confronted with unsatisfactory surface coverage and inferior photoluminescence performance when compared with their colloidal nanocrystal counterparts. Herein, we demonstrate a strategy for improving the optical properties via modification of both top and bottom surfaces of CsPbBr3 films. The treated perovskite films show ultra-smooth morphology and a carrier lifetime of 44 ns, more than one order of magnitude longer than the untreated one. Meanwhile, a mixed polymer layer on the top of the perovskite film could combine surface passivation with symmetric waveguide effects, leading to an outstanding net gain coefficient of 694 cm-1. These merits predict the great potential of all-inorganic perovskite films to support high efficiency charge transport or stimulated emission.

Enhanced internal quantum efficiency in non-polar ZnO/Zn0.81Mg0.19O multiple quantum wells by Pt surface plasmons coupling.

Non-polar-oriented ZnO/Zn0.81Mg0.19O multiple quantum wells (MQWs) were grown on r-plane sapphire substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The internal quantum efficiency (η(int)) of the non-polar MQWs was only 1.8%. The degraded quality of non-polar MQWs is the main factor for the low η(int). Besides improving the quality of non-polar MQWs, an effective way to enhance the UV emission of the non-polar MQWs by sputtering Pt nanoparticles has been used. Employing the resonant coupling between UV emission from the MQWs and Pt nanoparticle surface plasmons (SPs), a 20-fold enhancement of the UV emission has been achieved under the optimized sputtering time. Moreover, the η(int) value of the non-polar MQWs has been strongly improved with the help of Pt. 6.7-fold enhancement of η(int) has been achieved due to SPs coupling. It paves a new way in designing highly efficient non-polar LEDs.

60-fold photoluminescence enhancement in Pt nanoparticle-coated ZnO films: role of surface plasmon coupling and conversion of non-radiative recombination.

Giant 60-fold enhanced ultraviolet (UV) emission is obtained in Pt nanoparticle-assembled ZnO film. Besides surface plasmons coupling, the conversion of non-radiative recombination into UV emission makes great contributions to the enhancement. It paves a new way in designing high-efficiency UV optoelectronic devices without defect-related energy loss.

Enhanced photoluminescence of nonpolar p-type ZnO film by surface plasmon resonance and electron transfer.

Nonpolar oriented Na-doped ZnO films were grown on m-plane sapphire substrates by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. The films show repeatable p-type conductivity with a hole concentration of about 3.0×10(16) cm(-3) as identified by the Hall-effect measurements. 10-fold enhancement in the near-band-edge (NBE) emission of the nonpolar p-type ZnO by employing Pt nanoparticle surface plasmons has been observed. In addition, the deep level emission has been entirely suppressed. The underlying mechanism behind the enhancement of NBE emission and the quenching of defect emission is a combination of the electron transfer and the resonant coupling between NBE emission and Pt nanoparticle surface plasmons.

Improved photoluminescence and sensing stability of porous silicon nanowires by surface passivation.

Core-shell structured silicon nanowires (Si NWs) were obtained by coating Si NWs with an HfO2 layer. Enhanced photoluminescence (PL) and a slightly decreased PL lifetime are achieved by HfO2 coating. Furthermore, the sensing stability is strongly improved. The improvement of PL properties is interpreted in terms of surface passivation and the Purcell effect.

Epitaxial Growth of CsPbBr3 Pyramids/CdS Nanobelt Heterostructures for High-Performance Photodetectors.

Perovskites have great potential for optoelectronic applications due to their high photoluminescence quantum yield, large absorption coefficient, great defect tolerance, and adjustable band gap. Perovskite heterostructures may further enhance the performance of optoelectronic devices. So far, however, most of perovskite heterostructures are fabricated by mechanical stacking or spin coating, which could introduce a large number of defects or impurities at the heterointerface owing to the random stacking process. Herein, we report the epitaxial growth of CsPbBr3 pyramids/CdS nanobelt heterostructures via a 2-step vapor deposition route. The CsPbBr3 triangular pyramids are well aligned on the surface of CdS nanobelts with the epitaxial relationships of (0-22)CsPbBr3||(1-20)CdS and (-211)CsPbBr3||(002)CdS. Time-resolved photoluminescence results reveal that effective charge transfer occurred at the heterointerface, which can be attributed to the type-II band arrangement. Theoretical simulations reveal that the unique CsPbBr3 pyramids/CdS nanobelt structure facilitates diminishing the reflection losses and enhancing the light absorption. The photodetector based on these CsPbBr3 pyramids/CdS nanobelt heterostructures exhibited an ultrahigh photoswitching ratio of 2.14 × 105, a high responsivity up to 4.07 × 104 A/W, a high detectivity reaching 1.36 × 1013 Jones, fast photoresponses (τrise = 472 µs and τdecay = 894 µs), low dark current, and suppressed hysteresis.

Causal analysis of radiotherapy safety incidents based on a hybrid model of HFACS and Bayesian network.

Objective: This research investigates the role of human factors of all hierarchical levels in radiotherapy safety incidents and examines their interconnections. Methods: Utilizing the human factor analysis and classification system (HFACS) and Bayesian network (BN) methodologies, we created a BN-HFACS model to comprehensively analyze human factors, integrating the hierarchical structure. We examined 81 radiotherapy incidents from the radiation oncology incident learning system (RO-ILS), conducting a qualitative analysis using HFACS. Subsequently, parametric learning was applied to the derived data, and the prior probabilities of human factors were calculated at each BN-HFACS model level. Finally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify the human factors with the greatest influence on unsafe acts. Results: The majority of safety incidents reported on RO-ILS were traced back to the treatment planning phase, with skill errors and habitual violations being the primary unsafe acts causing these incidents. The sensitivity analysis highlighted that the condition of the operators, personnel factors, and environmental factors significantly influenced the occurrence of incidents. Additionally, it underscored the importance of organizational climate and organizational process in triggering unsafe acts. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a strong association between upper-level human factors and unsafe acts among radiotherapy incidents in RO-ILS. To enhance radiation therapy safety and reduce incidents, interventions targeting these key factors are recommended.

Efficient and bright broadband electroluminescence based on environment-friendly metal halide nanoclusters.

Broadband electroluminescence based on environment-friendly emitters is promising for healthy lighting yet remains an unprecedented challenge to progress. The copper halide-based emitters are competitive candidates for broadband emission, but their high-performance electroluminescence shows inadequate broad emission bandwidth of less than 90 nm. Here, we demonstrate efficient ultra-broadband electroluminescence from a copper halide (CuI) nanocluster single emitter prepared by a one-step solution synthesis-deposition process, through dedicated design of ligands and subtle selection of solvents. The CuI nanocluster exhibits high rigidity in the excitation state as well as dual-emissive modes of phosphorescence and temperature-activated delayed fluorescence, enabling the uniform cluster-composed film to show excellent stability and high photoluminescent efficiency. In consequence, ultra-broadband light-emitting diodes (LEDs) present nearly identical performance in an inert or air atmosphere without encapsulation and outstanding high-temperature operation performance, reaching an emission full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ~120 nm, a peak external quantum efficiency of 13%, a record maximum luminance of ~50,000 cd m-2, and an operating half-lifetime of 137 h at 100 cd m-2. The results highlight the potential of copper halide nanoclusters for next-generation healthy lighting.