Solution-derived Ge-Sb-Se-Te phase-change chalcogenide films.

Ge-Sb-Se-Te chalcogenides, namely Se-substituted Ge-Sb-Te, have been developed as an alternative optical phase change material (PCM) with a high figure-of-merit. A need for the integration of such new PCMs onto a variety of photonic platforms has necessitated the development of fabrication processes compatible with diverse material compositions as well as substrates of varying material types, shapes, and sizes. This study explores the application of chemical solution deposition as a method capable of creating conformally coated layers and delves into the resulting modifications in the structural and optical properties of Ge-Sb-Se-Te PCMs. Specifically, we detail the solution-based deposition of Ge-Sb-Se-Te layers and present a comparative analysis with those deposited via thermal evaporation. We also discuss our ongoing endeavor to improve available choice of processing-material combinations and how to realize solution-derived high figure-of-merit optical PCM layers, which will enable a new era for the development of reconfigurable photonic devices.

The safety and efficacy of indobufen or aspirin combined with clopidogrel in patients with acute myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention.

Currently, the standard treatment for patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following acute myocardial infarction (MI) involves dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with a combination of aspirin and a potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitor. However, the potential benefits of aspirin were partially constrained by the intolerance of some patients. The safety and efficacy of indobufen, an alternative antiplatelet agents to aspirin, in patients with AMI after PCI are yet to be thoroughly investigated.This retrospective study was conducted at a single center and utilized propensity score matching. The enrollment spanned from January 2019 to June 2022, incorporating patients with AMI after PCI. The participants were categorized into two groups based on discharged prescriptions: the aspirin DAPT group and the indobufen DAPT group. The primary endpoint focused on net adverse clinical event (NACE), defined as a composite outcome, including cardiac death, recurrence of MI, definite or probable stent thrombosis (ST), target lesion revascularization (TLR), ischemic stroke and Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) criteria type 2, 3, or 5. All the patients underwent a one-year follow-up period.A total of 1451 patients were enrolled in this study, with 258 assigned to the indobufen DAPT group and 1193 to the aspirin DAPT group. Following 1:1 propensity score matching, 224 patients were retained in each group. In the indobufen DAPT group, 58 individuals (25.9%) experienced the primary endpoint within one year, compared to 52 individuals (23.2%) in the aspirin DAPT group (HR 1.128, 95% CI 0.776-1.639, p = .527). Specifically, no significant differences were observed in either the efficacy endpoint (MACCE, 20.1% vs. 14.7%, HR 1.392, 95% CI 0.893-2.170, p = .146) or the safety endpoint (BARC 2,3 or 5, 8.04% vs. 10.30%, HR 0.779, p = .427). These findings remained consistent at 1, 3, or 6 months. Additionally, the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms were significantly lower in indobufen DAPT group compared to the aspirin DAPT group (7.1% vs. 14.3%, p = .022).Our research reveals that the efficacy and safety of indobufen are comparable to aspirin in Chinese patients with AMI following PCI. Given the potential advantages of indobufen in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms, we propose it as a viable alternative for individuals intolerant to aspirin.

What is the context? Currently, the standard treatment for patients who have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention following acute myocardial infarction involves dual antiplatelet therapy with a combination of aspirin and a potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitor.However, the potential benefits of aspirin were partially constrained by the intolerance of some patients.The safety and efficacy of indobufen, an alternative antiplatelet agents to aspirin, in patients with AMI after PCI are yet to be thoroughly investigated.What is new? While both American and European clinical guidelines recommend the use of indobufen as an alternative treatment for patients who cannot tolerate aspirin, there exists a limited body of research on this subject.Our research is the first to address this gap by comparing the efficacy and safety of indobufen and aspirin in patients with AMI.Our research reveals that the efficacy and safety of indobufen are comparable to aspirin in Chinese patients with AMI following PCI. Given the potential advantages of indobufen in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms, we propose it as a viable alternative for individuals intolerant to aspirin.What is the impact? These findings might pave the way for further exploration of alternatives to aspirin in patients with AMI.

The Relationship Between Remnant Cholesterol and Visceral Adipose Tissue: A National Cross-Sectional Study.

The aim of our study is to explore the relationship between remnant cholesterol (RC) levels and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in the US adult population. This cross-sectional study utilized data from 5301 participants aged 20 to 59 years gathered by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). RC was determined by deducting both high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) from total cholesterol (TC), and VAT was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Visceral obesity is defined as a VAT area ≥ 100 cm2. With increasing quartiles of RC levels, the prevalence of visceral obesity rises (16.51% vs. 36.11% vs. 55.66% vs. 74.48%, p<0.001). After adjusting for confounders, RC levels positively correlate with visceral obesity risk (OR=1.039, 95% CI 1.031-1.048, p<0.001). Additionally, individuals with low LDL-c/high RC and those with high LDL-c/low RC showed 2.908-fold (95% CI 1.995-4.241) and 1.310-fold (95% CI 1.022-1.680) higher risk of visceral obesity, respectively, compared to those with low LDL-c/low RC. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) and Decision Curve Analysis (DCA) show RC's superior predictive ability over other lipid markers. Subgroup analysis showed that the relationship between RC and visceral obesity was more ronounced in those with cardiovascular disease. Smooth curve fitting indicated a nonlinear relationship between RC levels and VAT area. Our study highlights that elevated levels of RC are associated with adverse accumulation of VAT. However, the causal relationship between RC and visceral obesity requires additional investigation.

The relationship between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) and hyperuricaemia.

PURPOSE: The ratio of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-c) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (NHHR) is a novel comprehensive lipid index. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the NHHR and the prevalence of hyperuricaemia (HUA) in the adult population of the U.S. METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2007-2018). HUA was defined as a serum uric acid (SUA) concentration ≥ 7 mg/dL in men and ≥ 6 mg/dL in women. Multivariate logistic regression models and the restricted cubic spline (RCS) method were applied to examine the relationship between the NHHR and the risk of developing HUA. Subgroup analyses and interaction tests were also performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of HUA increased with increasing NHHR values (9.01% vs. 13.38% vs. 17.31% vs. 25.79%, P < 0.001). The NHHR was independently correlated with the risk of developing HUA (OR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.16; P < 0.001). Furthermore, the risk of developing HUA was significantly greater among individuals with the highest NHHR quartile than among those with the lowest NHHR quartile (OR = 1.94, 95% CI: 1.62-2.33; P < 0.001). This relationship was consistent across subgroups. According to the RCS analysis, an inverted U-shaped relationship existed between the NHHR and the risk of developing HUA. CONCLUSIONS: The NHHR was closely associated with an increased risk of developing HUA. Further studies on the NHHR could be beneficial for preventing and treating HUA.

Association between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and kidney stone: insights from NHANES.

Purpose: The ratio of monocyte to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MHR) has surfaced as a novel biomarker indicative of inflammation and oxidative stress. The aim of our study was to evaluate the association between MHR and the risk of kidney stones. Methods: This study analyzed data from individuals aged 20-79 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2007 and 2018. The MHR was assessed as the exposure variable, while a self-reported history of kidney stones was used as the outcome variable. The independent relationship between MHR and the risk of kidney stones was thoroughly evaluated. Results: This study included 28,878 participants, and as the quartile range of the MHR increased, the proportion of kidney stones also rose progressively (7.20% to 8.89% to 10.88% to 12.05%, P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, MHR was independently associated with an increased risk of kidney stones (OR=1.31, 95%CI=1.11-1.54, P=0.001), also independent of some common inflammatory indices. Subgroup analysis suggested that the relationship between MHR and kidney stones was more pronounced in female and individuals aged 20-49. Further restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis indicated a nonlinear relationship between MHR and the risk of kidney stones. Conclusion: Our results indicate a positive correlation between MHR and an increased risk of kidney stones in US adults, underscoring the need for further large-scale prospective cohort studies to validate these findings.

Electrically Reconfigurable Phase-Change Transmissive Metasurface.

Programmable and reconfigurable optics hold significant potential for transforming a broad spectrum of applications, spanning space explorations to biomedical imaging, gas sensing, and optical cloaking. The ability to adjust the optical properties of components like filters, lenses, and beam steering devices could result in dramatic reductions in size, weight, and power consumption in future optoelectronic devices. Among the potential candidates for reconfigurable optics, chalcogenide-based phase change materials (PCMs) offer great promise due to their non-volatile and analogue switching characteristics. Although PCM have found widespread use in electronic data storage, these memory devices are deeply sub-micron-sized. To incorporate phase change materials into free-space optical components, it is essential to scale them up to beyond several hundreds of microns while maintaining reliable switching characteristics. This study demonstrated a non-mechanical, non-volatile transmissive filter based on low-loss PCMs with a 200 × 200 µm2 switching area. The device/metafilter can be consistently switched between low- and high-transmission states using electrical pulses with a switching contrast ratio of 5.5 dB. The device was reversibly switched for 1250 cycles before accelerated degradation took place. The work represents an important step toward realizing free-space reconfigurable optics based on PCMs.

Self-evolving persistent luminescence nanoprobes for autofluorescence-free ratiometric imaging and on-demand enhanced chemodynamic therapy of pulmonary metastatic tumors.

Precise imaging-guided therapy of a pulmonary metastasis tumor is of great significance for tumor management and prognosis. Persistent luminescence nanoparticles (PLNPs) are promising probes due to their in situ excitation-free and low-background imaging characteristics. However, most of the PLNP-based probes cannot intelligently distinguish between normal and tumor tissues or balance the needs of targeted accumulation and rapid metabolism, resulting in false positive signals and potential side effects. Besides, the luminescence intensity of single-emissive PLNPs is affected by external factors. Herein, we report a self-evolving double-emissive PLNP-based nanoprobe ZGMC@ZGC-TAT for pulmonary metastatic tumor imaging and therapy. Acid-degradable green-emitting PLNPs (ZGMC) with good afterglow performance and therapeutic potential are synthesized by systematic optimization of dopants. Ultra-small red-emitting PLNPs (ZGC) are then prepared as imaging and reference probes. The two PLNPs are finally covalently coupled and further modified with a cell-penetrating peptide (TAT) to obtain ZGMC@ZGC-TAT. Dual emission ensures a stable luminescence ratio (I700/I537) independent of probe concentration, test voltage and time gate. ZGMC degrades and phosphorescence disappears in a tumor microenvironment (TME), resulting in an increase in I700/I537, thus enabling tumor-specific ratiometric imaging. Cu2+ and Mn2+ released by ZGMC degradation achieve GSH depletion and enhance CDT, effectively inhibiting tumor cell proliferation. Meanwhile, the size of ZGMC@ZGC-TAT decreases sharply, and the resulting ZGC-TAT further causes nuclear pyknosis and quickly clear metabolism. The developed ZGMC@ZGC-TAT turns non-targeted lung aggregation of nanomaterials into a unique advantage, and integrates TME-triggered phosphorescence and size self-evolution, and on-demand therapeutic functions, showing outstanding prospects in precise imaging and efficient treatment of pulmonary metastatic tumors.

Reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormones is associated with lung function in euthyroid individuals.

Background: The thyroid gland exhibits a subtle interconnection with the lungs. We further investigated the correlation between thyroid hormone sensitivity and lung function in euthyroid individuals. Methods: Data on spirometry and mortality for participants aged 19-79 years were extracted from the NHANES database. Obstructive lung function was defined as a forced expiratory volume in 1 s to forced vital capacity ratio (FEV1/FVC) < 0.70, while restrictive lung function was considered when FEV1/FVC ≥0.70 and baseline FVC <80 % predicted. Central and peripheral sensitivities to thyroid hormones were mainly evaluated by Thyroid Feedback Quantile-based Index (TFQI) and Free Triiodothyronine/Free thyroxine (FT3/FT4) ratio. Logistic regression and subgroup analysis were used to examine potential associations between thyroid hormone sensitivity and lung function. The association between TFQI and all-cause mortality risk was also investigated. Results: A total of 6539 participants were analyzed, 900 with obstructive lung function and 407 with restrictive lung function. The prevalence of impaired lung function, both obstructive and restrictive, increased with higher TFQI levels. Logistic regression analysis showed that increased TFQI and decreased FT3/FT4 levels were independent risk factors for obstructive and restrictive lung function (P < 0.05). After adjusting for the impact of lung function, TFQI (HR = 1.25, 95 % CI 1.00-1.56, P = 0.048) was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality. Conclusion: Reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormones has been linked to impaired lung function. TFQI and FT3/FT4 are potential epidemiological tools to quantify the role of central and peripheral thyroid resistance in lung function.

Deficiency of INPP4A promotes M2 macrophage polarization in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment of eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (E-CRSwNP) remains a challenge due to its complex pathogenesis. Inositol polyphosphate-4-phosphatase type IA (INPP4A), a lipid phosphatase, has been implicated in allergic asthma. However, the expression and function of INPP4A in E-CRSwNP remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of INPP4A in macrophages in E-CRSwNP. METHODS: We assessed the expression of INPP4A in human and mouse nasal mucosal tissues via immunofluorescence staining. THP-1 cells were cultured and exposed to various cytokines to investigate the regulation of INPP4A expression and its functional role. Additionally, we established a murine nasal polyp (NP) model and administrated an INPP4A-overexpressing lentivirus evaluate its impact on NP. RESULTS: The percentage of INPP4A + CD68 + macrophages among total macrophages decreased in the E-CRSwNP group compared to the control and the non-eosinophilic CRSwNP (NE-CRSwNP) groups, exhibiting an inverse correlation with an increased percentage of CD206 + CD68 + M2 macrophages among total macrophages. Overexpression of INPP4A led to a reduced percentage of THP-1 cells polarizing towards the M2 phenotype, accompanied by decreased levels of associated chemotactic factors including CCL18, CCL22, CCL24, and CCL26. We also validated the involvement of the PI3K-AKT pathway in the function of INPP4A in vitro. Furthermore, INPP4A overexpression in the murine NP model resulted in the attenuation of eosinophilic inflammation in the nasal mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: INPP4A deficiency promotes macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype, leading to the secretion of chemokines that recruit eosinophils and Th2 cells, thereby amplifying eosinophilic inflammation in E-CRSwNP. INPP4A may exert a suppressive role in eosinophilic inflammation and could potentially serve as a novel therapeutic strategy.

Versatile spaceborne photonics with chalcogenide phase-change materials.

Recent growth in space systems has seen increasing capabilities packed into smaller and lighter Earth observation and deep space mission spacecraft. Phase-change materials (PCMs) are nonvolatile, reconfigurable, fast-switching, and have recently shown a high degree of space radiation tolerance, thereby making them an attractive materials platform for spaceborne photonics applications. They promise robust, lightweight, and energy-efficient reconfigurable optical systems whose functions can be dynamically defined on-demand and on-orbit to deliver enhanced science or mission support in harsh environments on lean power budgets. This comment aims to discuss the recent advances in rapidly growing PCM research and its potential to transition from conventional terrestrial optoelectronics materials platforms to versatile spaceborne photonic materials platforms for current and next-generation space and science missions. Materials International Space Station Experiment-14 (MISSE-14) mission-flown PCMs outside of the International Space Station (ISS) and key results and NASA examples are highlighted to provide strong evidence of the applicability of spaceborne photonics.

Survival outcomes of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) with and without neurofibromatosis type I (NF1): a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) are malignancies that demonstrate nerve sheath differentiation in the peripheral nervous system. They can occur sporadically or be associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), an autosomal dominant neurocutaneous disorder, with up to 13% of patients developing MPNSTs in their lifetimes. Previous studies have suggested conflicting findings regarding the prognosis of NF1 for patients with MPNSTs. The elucidation of NF1 as an independent prognostic factor on mortality has implications for clinical management. We aim to investigate the role of NF1 status as an independent prognostic factor of overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) in MPNSTs. METHODS: An electronic literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE was performed on studies reporting OS or DSS outcomes of MPNSTs with and without NF1. A grey literature search by reviewing bibliographies of included studies and review articles was performed to find pertinent studies. Data was extracted and assessed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) using a random-effects model. The primary and secondary outcomes were all-cause and disease-specific mortality, respectively, with NF1 as an independent prognostic factor of interest. RESULTS: A total of 59 retrospective studies involving 3602 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria for OS analysis, and 23 studies involving 704 MPNST patients were included to evaluate DSS outcomes. There was a significant increase in the hazard of all-cause mortality (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.45 to 1.84) and disease-specific mortality (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.24 to 1.88) among NF1 as compared to sporadic cases. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression showed that this result was consistent regardless of the quality of the study and year of publication. CONCLUSION: NF1 is associated with a substantially higher risk of all-cause and disease-specific mortality. This finding suggests that closer surveillance is required for NF1 patients at risk of developing MPNSTs.

Diversification of freshwater crabs on the sky islands in the Hengduan Mountains Region, China.

The numerous naturally-fragmented sky islands (SIs) in the Hengduan Mountains Region (HMR) of southwestern China constitute discontinuous landscapes where montane habitats are isolated by dry-hot valleys which have fostered exceptional species diversification and endemicity. However, studies documenting the crucial role of SI on the speciation dynamics of native freshwater organisms are scarce. Here we used a novel set of comprehensive genetic markers (24 nuclear DNA sequences and complete mitogenomes), morphological characters, and biogeographical information to reveal the evolutionary history and speciation mechanisms of a group of small-bodied montane potamids in the genus Tenuipotamon. Our results provide a robustly supported phylogeny, and suggest that the vicariance events of these montane crabs correlate well with the emergence of SIs due to the uplift of the HMR during the Late Oligocene. Furthermore, ancestrally, mountain ridges provided corridors for the dispersal of these montane crabs that led to the colonization of moist montane-specific habitats, aided by past climatic conditions that were the crucial determinants of their evolutionary history. The present results illustrated that the mechanisms isolating SIs are reinforced by the harsh-dry isolating climatic features of dry-hot valleys separating SIs and continue to affect local diversification. This offers insights into the causes of the high biodiversity and endemism shown by the freshwater crabs of the HMR-SIs in southwestern China.

Porphyrin-anthracene covalent organic frameworks for sustainable photosterilization.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have promising applications in enhanced phototherapy. However, COFs that can sustainably play a role in phototherapy without continuous irradiation are extremely scarce. Herein, we report the fabrication of porphyrin-anthracene multifunctional COFs (Por-DPA) for sustainable photosterilization and bacterial-infected wound healing. A porphyrin photosensitizer, as one of the monomers, was used to provide photothermal and photodynamic activities under irradiation. An anthracene derivative, a good chemical source of singlet oxygen (1O2), was selected as another monomer to capture 1O2 and release it continuously via cycloreversion in the dark. The prepared Por-DPA COF prevents the self-aggregation quenching of the photosensitizer and thermal damage caused by continuous exposure to external light sources. Besides, Por-DPA exhibits good photothermal conversion performance and efficient 1O2 production capacity through dual pathways of photosensitization and cycloreversion. The developed sustainable photosterilization platform not only has good bactericidal effects on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, but also promotes wound healing without obvious side effects, and is expected to be a novel efficient bactericide.

Characterization of genes involved in micronutrients and toxic metals detoxification in Brassica napus by genome-wide cDNA library screening.

Stresses caused by deficiency/excess of mineral nutrients or of pollution of toxic metals have already become a primary factor in limiting crop production worldwide. Genes involved in minerals and toxic metals accumulation/tolerance could be potential candidates for improving crop plants with enhanced nutritional efficiency and environmental adaptability. In this study, we first generated a high-quality yeast expression cDNA library of Brassica napus (Westar), and 46 genes mediating excess micronutrients and toxic metals detoxification were screened using the yeast genetic complementation system, including 11, 5, 6, 14, 6, and 5 genes involved in cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), boron (B), and copper (Cu) tolerance, respectively. Characterization of genes mediating excess ions stress resistance in this study is beneficial for us to further understand ions homeostasis in B. napus.

Erratum: Roadmap for phase change materials in photonics and beyond.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107946.].

Roadmap for phase change materials in photonics and beyond.

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have demonstrated tremendous potential as a platform for achieving diverse functionalities in active and reconfigurable micro-nanophotonic devices across the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from terahertz to visible frequencies. This comprehensive roadmap reviews the material and device aspects of PCMs, and their diverse applications in active and reconfigurable micro-nanophotonic devices across the electromagnetic spectrum. It discusses various device configurations and optimization techniques, including deep learning-based metasurface design. The integration of PCMs with Photonic Integrated Circuits and advanced electric-driven PCMs are explored. PCMs hold great promise for multifunctional device development, including applications in non-volatile memory, optical data storage, photonics, energy harvesting, biomedical technology, neuromorphic computing, thermal management, and flexible electronics.

The relationship between triglyceride-glucose index and albuminuria in United States adults.

Purpose: Triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a simple and reliable indicator of metabolic dysfunction. We aimed to investigate a possible relationship between TyG index and albuminuria in the United States adult population. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adults with complete TyG index and urinary albumin/urinary creatinine (UACR) from 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The independent relationship between TyG index and albuminuria (UACR>30mg/g) was evaluated. TyG index was compared with insulin resistance represented by homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and metabolic syndrome. Subgroup analysis was also performed. Results: A total of 9872 participants were included in this study, and the average TyG index was 8.53 ± 0.01. The proportion of albuminuria gradually increased with the increase of TyG index quartile interval. Elevated TyG index was independently associated with albuminuria, and this association persisted after additional adjustments for HOMA-IR or dichotomous metabolic syndrome. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of TyG index was larger than that of log (HOMA-IR). Subgroup analysis suggested that the relationship between TyG index and albuminuria is of greater concern in age<60, overweight/obese, diabetic, and metabolic syndrome patients. Conclusion: The TyG index may be a potential epidemiological tool to quantify the role of metabolic dysfunction, rather than just insulin resistance, in albuminuria in the United States adult population. Further large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Toward Accurate Thermal Modeling of Phase Change Material-Based Photonic Devices.

Reconfigurable or programmable photonic devices are rapidly growing and have become an integral part of many optical systems. The ability to selectively modulate electromagnetic waves through electrical stimuli is crucial in the advancement of a variety of applications from data communication and computing devices to environmental science and space explorations. Chalcogenide-based phase-change materials (PCMs) are one of the most promising material candidates for reconfigurable photonics due to their large optical contrast between their different solid-state structural phases. Although significant efforts have been devoted to accurate simulation of PCM-based devices, in this paper, three important aspects which have often evaded prior models yet having significant impacts on the thermal and phase transition behavior of these devices are highlighted: the enthalpy of fusion, the heat capacity change upon glass transition, as well as the thermal conductivity of liquid-phase PCMs. The important topic of switching energy scaling in PCM devices, which also helps explain why the three above-mentioned effects have long been overlooked in electronic PCM memories but only become important in photonics, is further investigated. These findings offer insight to facilitate accurate modeling of PCM-based photonic devices and can inform the development of more efficient reconfigurable optics.

[Characteristics of VOCs and Assessment of Emission Reduction Effect During the Epidemic Lockdown Period in Shenzhen Urban Area].

To prevent disease spreading during the COVID-19 epidemic, Shenzhen adopted lockdown measures in March of 2022. This provided an opportunity to study the response of changes in anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (AVOCs) in Shenzhen to emission reduction and to evaluate the effectiveness of current emission reduction measures. This study analyzed the variety of AVOCs before, during, and after the epidemic lockdown based on the online observation data of pollutants at Lianhua Station in Shenzhen from March 7, 2022 to March 27, 2022. Additionally, the sensitivity of ozone formation and the assessment of the reduction effect of precursors was conducted by an observation based model(OBM). The results showed that:affected by regional influences and the interference of meteorological conditions, the average value of AVOCs in Shenzhen urban areas did not drop significantly during the lockdown period compared to that before the lockdown. However, the peak of AVOCs at the morning peak time under the influence of "sea and land wind" during the epidemic lockdown period dropped by 46% on average compared with that during the non-lockdown period, and the aromatic hydrocarbon component dropped the most by 59%. Additionally, under the influence of continuous easterly wind, or during the accumulation and increase of AVOCs affected by regional transmission, aromatic components also decreased by an average of 25% and 21%, respectively. During the lockdown period of the epidemic in Shenzhen, the O3 formation in urban areas was still AVOCs-limited. Increasing the emission reduction ratio of AVOCs was the most effective measure to reduce O3 in the short term. In order to ensure the effectiveness of emission reduction, it was recommended that the coordinated emission reduction ratio of AVOCs and NOx should be greater than 1:2. It was only possible to enter the downward channel of O3 if the deep emission reduction was more than 60%. This study revealed that the emission reduction of AVOCs during the morning traffic peak during the epidemic lockdown period was conducive to inhibiting the formation of O3, whereas the control of NOx would promote it. Strengthening the control of local aromatic hydrocarbon components during the regional impact process could also significantly reduce O3 production. At this stage, Shenzhen should strengthen the management and control of industrial solvents, especially to reduce the aromatic hydrocarbon components in the solvent source that have a greater impact on the generation of O3. Further, Shenzhen should continue to promote the reform of the energy structure of motor vehicles to reduce the emission of VOCs in fuel combustion.