Boosting internal quantum efficiency via ultrafast triplet transfer to 2H-MoTe2 film.

Organic systems often allow to create two triplet spin states (triplet excitons) by converting an initially excited singlet spin state (a singlet exciton). An ideally designed organic/inorganic heterostructure could reach the photovoltaic energy harvest over the Shockley-Queisser (S-Q) limit because of the efficient conversion of triplet excitons into charge carriers. Here, we demonstrate the molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe2)/pentacene heterostructure to boost the carrier density via efficient triplet transfer from pentacene to MoTe2 using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. We observe carrier multiplication by nearly four times by doubling carriers in MoTe2 via the inverse Auger process and subsequently doubling carriers via triplet extraction from pentacene. We also verify efficient energy conversion by doubling the photocurrent in the MoTe2/pentacene film. This puts a step forward to enhancing photovoltaic conversion efficiency beyond the S-Q limit in the organic/inorganic heterostructures.

In vitro investigation of the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of LED irradiation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the proper wavelengths for safe levels of light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation with bactericidal and photobiomodulation effects in vitro. METHODS: Cell viability tests of fibroblasts and osteoblasts after LED irradiation at 470, 525, 590, 630, and 850 nm were performed using the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide assay. The bactericidal effect of 470-nm LED irradiation was analyzed with Streptococcus gordonii, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythia. Levels of nitric oxide, a proinflammatory mediator, were measured to identify the anti-inflammatory effect of LED irradiation on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. RESULTS: LED irradiation at wavelengths of 470, 525, 590, 630, and 850 nm showed no cytotoxic effect on fibroblasts and osteoblasts. LED irradiation at 630 and 850 nm led to fibroblast proliferation compared to no LED irradiation. LED irradiation at 470 nm resulted in bactericidal effects on S. gordonii, A. actinomycetemcomitans, F. nucleatum, P. gingivalis, and T. forsythia. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 inflammation was reduced by irradiation with 525-nm LED before LPS treatment and irradiation with 630-nm LED after LPS treatment; however, the effects were limited. CONCLUSIONS: LED irradiation at 470 nm showed bactericidal effects, while LED irradiation at 525 and 630 nm showed preventive and treatment effects on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 inflammation. The application of LED irradiation has potential as an adjuvant in periodontal therapy, although further investigations should be performed in vivo.

Identifying the Correlation between Structural Parameters and Anisotropic Magnetic Properties in IMnV Semiconductors: A Possible Room-Temperature Magnetism.

Layer-structured materials are of central importance in a wide range of research fields owing to their unique properties originating from their two dimensionality and anisotropy. Herein, quasi-2D layer-structured IMnV (I: alkali metals and V: pnictogen elements) compounds are investigated, which are potential antiferromagnetic (AFM) semiconductors. Single crystals of IMnV compounds are successfully grown using the self-flux method and their electronic and magnetic properties are analyzed in correlation with structural parameters. Combined with theoretical calculations, the structural analysis indicates that the variation in the bonding angle between VMnV is responsible for the change in the orbital hybridization of Mn and V, predominantly affecting their anisotropic semiconducting properties. Anisotropy in the magnetic properties is also found, where AFM ordering is expected to occur in the in-plane direction, as supported by spin-structure calculations. Furthermore, a possible ferromagnetic (FM) transition is discussed in relation to the vacancy defects. This study provides a candidate material group for AFM and FM spintronics and a basis for exploring magnetic semiconductors in quasi-2D layer-structured systems.

Non-oxidized bare copper nanoparticles with surface excess electrons in air.

Copper (Cu) nanoparticles (NPs) have received extensive interest owing to their advantageous properties compared with their bulk counterparts. Although the natural oxidation of Cu NPs can be alleviated by passivating the surfaces with additional moieties, obtaining non-oxidized bare Cu NPs in air remains challenging. Here we report that bare Cu NPs with surface excess electrons retain their non-oxidized state over several months in ambient air. Cu NPs grown on an electride support with excellent electron transfer ability are encapsulated by the surface-accumulated excess electrons, exhibiting an ultralow work function of ~3.2 eV. Atomic-scale structural and chemical analyses confirm the absence of Cu oxide moiety at the outermost surface of air-exposed bare Cu NPs. Theoretical energetics clarify that the surface-accumulated excess electrons suppress the oxygen adsorption and consequently prohibit the infiltration of oxygen into the Cu lattice, provoking the endothermic reaction for oxidation process. Our results will further stimulate the practical use of metal NPs in versatile applications.

Binder-free TiO2 hydrophilic film covalently coated by microwave treatment.

A binder-free attachment method for TiO2 on a substrate has been sought to retain high active photocatalysis. Here, we report a binder-free covalent coating of phase-selectively disordered TiO2 on a hydroxylated silicon oxide (SiO2) substrate through rapid microwave treatment. We found that Ti-O-Si and Ti-O-Ti bonds were formed through a condensation reaction between the hydroxyl groups of the disordered TiO2 and Si substrate, and the disordered TiO2 nanoparticles themselves, respectively. This covalent coating approach can steadily hold the active photocatalytic materials on the substrates and provide long-term stability. The binder-free disordered TiO2 coating film can have a thickness (above 38 µm) with high surface integrity with a strong adhesion force (15.2 N) against the SiO2 substrate, which leads to the production of a rigid and stable TiO2 film. This microwave treated TiO2 coating film showed significant volatile organic compounds degradation abilities under visible light irradiation. The microwave coated selectively reduced TiO2 realized around 75% acetaldehyde degradation within 12 h and almost 90% toluene degradation after 9 h, also retains stable photodegradation performance during the cycling test. Thus, the microwave coating approach allowed the preparation of the binder-free TiO2 film as a scalable and cost-effective method to manufacture the TiO2 film that shows an excellent coating quality and strengthens the application as a photocatalyst under severe conditions.

Creation of two-dimensional layered Zintl phase by dimensional manipulation of crystal structure.

The discovery of new families, beyond graphene, of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials has always attracted great attention. However, it has been challenging to artificially develop layered materials with honeycomb atomic lattice structure composed of multicomponents such as hexagonal boron nitride. Here, through the dimensional manipulation of a crystal structure from sp3-hybridized 3D-ZnSb, we create an unprecedented layered structure of Zintl phase, which is constructed by the staking of sp2-hybridized honeycomb ZnSb layers. Using structural analysis combined with theoretical calculation, it is found that the 2D-ZnSb has a stable and robust layered structure. The bidimensional polymorphism is a previously unobserved phenomenon at ambient pressure in Zintl families and can be a common feature of transition metal pnictides. This dimensional manipulation of a crystal structure thus provides a rational design strategy to search for new 2D layered materials in various compounds, enabling unlimited expansion of 2D libraries and corresponding physical properties.

Changing prescribing practice in CAPD patients in Korea: increased utilization of low GDP solutions improves patient outcome.

BACKGROUND: Novel, biocompatible peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions have become available in recent years. In 2001, low glucose degradation products (GDP), neutral pH solutions became commercially available in Korea. To date, there are no reports regarding the large scale adoption of these solutions in clinical practice and regarding what, if any, impact these solutions have on patient outcomes. METHODS: Using a database of almost 4000 patients treated by PD in Korea, we conducted a prospective, longitudinal observational study documenting the patterns of use of one novel low GDP solution (balance, Fresenius Medical Care, St Wendel, Germany) in 1909 PD incident patients between 1 January 2002 and midyear 2005. Outcomes including patient and technique survival and peritonitis rates were analysed using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Prescription of low GDP solutions reached between 70 and 80% by the year 2003 and persisted at this level. Patients prescribed low GDP PD solution tended to be younger and were more likely to be treated in centres with larger enrollment in the database. Survival of diabetic patients treated with the new PD solution was identical to that of the non-diabetic patients treated with standard PD fluids (PDF) and treatment with low GDP PDF independently reduced the relative risk (RR) of death (RR = 0.613; CI 0.50-0.74; P < 0.00001) in a proportional hazards model which included age, diabetes and centre experience. In a univariate analysis, low GDP PD solution was associated with a longer technique survival (P = 0.049) but this effect was not significant in multivariate analysis. No significant differences in peritonitis-free interval or peritonitis rate could be attributed to the prescribed PDF. CONCLUSION: Prescription of low GDP, pH-neutral PD solutions has rapidly increased in Korea. This change has resulted in a significant improvement in patient and technique survival without any measurable change in peritonitis incidence or rate. Reasons for the improved patient survival cannot be determined from this analysis and require further study.

Transcriptional levels of growth factors in skeletal muscle of maintenance hemodialysis patients.

This study was performed to assess the mRNA levels in skeletal muscle of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Fifty-one sedentary MHD patients and 21 sedentary normal adults of similar age, gender distribution, and racial/ethnic mix as the patients were examined. The subjects had needle muscle biopsy to measure mRNA levels. They were assessed in right vastus lateralis muscle for insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-IEa and IGF-IEc), IGF-II, the IGF-I receptor, the IGF-II receptor, and myostatin. mRNA was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification of reverse transcribed cDNA. The results showed that in the MHD patients, as compared with the normal control patients, skeletal muscle mRNA levels for IGF-IEa, IGF-II, and the IGF-I receptor were significantly reduced, whereas mRNA for IGF-IEc, IGF-II receptor, and myostatin were not different than normal. We conclude that sedentary MHD patients show reductions in mRNA levels in the right vastus lateralis muscle for certain growth factor proteins, notably IGF-IEa, IGF-II, and the IGF-I receptor. These abnormalities may contribute to the sarcopenia and impaired endurance capacity, strength, and physical performance that occur in MHD patients.

Superior patient survival for continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients treated with a peritoneal dialysis fluid with neutral pH and low glucose degradation product concentration (Balance).

BACKGROUND: In recent years, laboratory and clinical research has suggested the need for peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) that are more biocompatible than the conventional PDFs commonly used today. Bioincompatibility of PDF has been attributed to low pH, lactate, glucose, glucose degradation products (GDPs), and osmolality. PDFs with neutral pH and low GDPs are now available commercially. In vitro and early clinical studies suggest that these solutions are indeed more biocompatible but, as of now, there is no evidence that their use improves patient outcome. METHODS: Using a dedicated database of over 2000 patients treated with PD in Korea, we were able to conduct a retrospective observational study comparing outcomes for incident continuous ambulatory PD patients treated with a standard, conventional, heat-sterilized PDF to the outcomes for patients treated with a novel, low GDP, neutral-pH PDF prepared in a dual-compartment, double-bag PD system (Balance; Fresenius Medical Care, St. Wendel, Germany). In an intention-to-treat analysis, patient and technique survival, peritonitis-free survival, and peritonitis rates were compared in 611 patients treated with Balance for up to 30 months and 551 patients with a standard PDF (stay . safe; Fresenius Medical Care) treated in the same era and with equivalent follow-up. RESULTS: The patients were well matched for most relevant characteristics except older age distribution for the patients treated with the standard PDF. Patients treated with Balance had significantly superior survival compared to those treated with the standard PDF (74% vs 62% at 28 months, p = 0.0032). In a multivariate Cox regression model including age, diabetes, and gender, the survival advantage persisted (relative risk of death for Balance 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.56 - 0.99, p = 0.0465). Modality technique survival was similarin Kaplan-Meieranalysis for both PDFs. No differences were detected in peritonitis-free survival or in peritonitis rates between the two solutions. CONCLUSION: This study, for the first time, suggests that treatment with a novel biocompatible PDF with low GDP concentration and neutral pH confers a significant survival advantage. The exact mechanisms for such a survival advantage cannot be determined from this study. The usual criticisms of observational studies apply and the results reported here strongly warrant the undertaking of appropriately designed, randomized, controlled clinical trials.