Validation of the JAMR upper-arm pressure monitor B23 according to the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060- 2:2018/AMD 1:2020).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the JAMR upper-arm blood pressure monitor B23 in the general population according to the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2 : 2018/AMD 1 : 2020). The study recruited participants who met the criteria of the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard in terms of their number, sex, age, limb size, and blood pressure (BP) distribution. The study involved measuring BP, including both SBP and DBP, using both the test device and a standard mercury sphygmomanometer in sequential measurements. Of 90 participants, 85 qualified participants were analyzed. A total of 255 sets of comparison data (three sets for each subject) were obtained and analyzed. For the validation criterion 1, the mean ±â€…SD of the differences between the JAMR B23 and mercury sphygmomanometer BP readings was -0.24 ±â€…6.52/-2.67 ±â€…5.6 mmHg (SBP/DBP). For criterion 2, the SD of the averaged BP (SBP/DBP) differences between the JAMR B23 and reference BP (SBP/DBP) per participant was 5.61/5.13 mmHg (the requirement was ≤6.95/6.43 mmHg by calculation). The JAMR B23 passed all the requirements of the AAMI/ESH/ISO Universal Standard (ISO 81060-2 : 2018/AMD 1 : 2020) and can be recommended for clinical and self/home use in the general population.

Palladium-Catalyzed Decarbonylative Michaelis-Arbuzov Reaction of Carboxylic Acids and Triaryl Phosphites.

A Pd-catalyzed decarbonylative Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction of carboxylic acids and triaryl phosphites for preparing aryl phosphonates under anhydride-free conditions has been reported. In this context, triaryl phosphites serve as both reagents for activating the carboxylic acids and substrates for the reaction. There have been no reports to date of efficient and direct methods for the in situ activation of carboxylic acids using triaryl phosphites. In comparison to known methods, this reaction avoids the use of organohalides and has an excellent functional group tolerance for the synthesis of various aryl phosphonates from triaryl phosphites and carboxylic acids. This reaction is scalable and applicable to the synthesis of aryl phosphonates featuring bioactive fragments.

Hypermethylation of the glutathione peroxidase 4 promoter predicts poor prognosis in patients with hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure.

Background: Hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is a syn-drome with a high short-term mortality rate, and its prognosis is critical in clinical management. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) in the occurrence and development of HBV-ACLF and its prognostic value for 90-day mortality. Methods: The expression levels of GPX4, oxidative stress-related molecules and inflammatory cytokines in serum or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 289 participants were determined by RT-qPCR or ELISA, and the methylation level of GPX4 promoter in PBMCs was determined by MethyLight. Results: The expression levels of GPX4 in the PBMCs and serum of HBV-ACLF patients were lower than those in non-HBV-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure (non-HBV ACLF) patients, patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and healthy control (HC) individuals, while the methylation level of the GPX4 promoter was greater. In HBV-ACLF patients, the methylation level of the GPX4 promoter is correlated with oxidative stress, inflammation-related molecules, and some clinicopathological indicators. The methylation level of the GPX4 promoter was identified as an independent risk factor for 90-day mortality in HBV-ACLF patients and yielded a larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) than the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score in predicting 90-day mortality. Conclusion: The GPX4 promoter methylation level has promising potential as a predictor of 90-day mortality in patients with HBV-ACLF.

Three novel woody litter inhabiting fungi in Didymosphaeriaceae, Phaeoseptaceae and Synnemasporellaceae from Zhujiangyuan Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, P.R. China.

Zhujiangyuan Nature Reserve, located in Qujing City, Yunnan Province, China, is reported with high fauna and floral diversity, while the fungal diversity of the region is poorly documented. During the summer season in 2023, decaying wood-inhabiting microfungi were collected from different microhabitats. The novel species were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses (based on combined datasets of ITS, LSU, SSU, tef1-α, and rpb2 regions). Two species belong to Dothideomycetes (viz., Spegazziniazhujiangyuanensis sp. nov. and Phaeoseptumzhujiangyuanense sp. nov. in Pleosporales) while the other one resides in Sordariomycetes (Synnemasporellafanii sp. nov. in Diaporthales). The results are in conformity with the earlier studies that predicted higher fungal diversity in this region.

ImageDTA: A Simple Model for Drug-Target Binding Affinity Prediction.

Predicting the drug-target binding affinity (DTA) is crucial in drug discovery, and an increasing number of researchers are using artificial intelligence techniques to make such predictions. Many effective deep neural network prediction models have been proposed. However, current methods need improvement in accuracy, complexity, and efficiency. In this study, we propose a method based on a multiscale 2-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN), namely ImageDTA. Many studies have shown that CNN achieves good learning effects with limited data. Therefore, we take a unique perspective by treating the word vector encoded with a simplified molecular input line entry system (SMILES) string as an "image" and processing it like handling images, fully leveraging the efficient processing capabilities of CNN for image data. Furthermore, we show that ImageDTA has higher training and inference efficiency than pretrained large models and outperforms attention-based graph neural network models in accuracy and interpretability. We also use visualization techniques to select appropriate convolutional kernel sizes, thereby increasing the network's interpretability.

Impact of atropisomerism on a non-steroidal glucocorticoid receptor agonist.

To investigate atropisomers of non-steroidal glucocorticoid receptor modulator GSK866, a virtual library of substituted benzoic acid analogues was enumerated. Compounds from this library were subjected to a torsion angle scan using Spartan'20 to calculate the torsion rotation energy barrier which identified compounds predicted to be stable as atropisomers. After synthesis of the library, analysis showed that compounds 13 and 14 existed as stable atropisomers 13a, 13b, 14a and 14b, in agreement with the earlier calculations. Screening in a glucocorticoid receptor cellular assay showed that one compound from each atropisomer pair was significantly more potent than the other. Docking in a public structure of the glucocorticoid receptor (PBD code 3E7C) enabled the stereochemistry of the two most potent compounds 13a and 14b to be assigned as (R a) and (S a), respectively.

Delineation of the complete reaction cycle of a natural Diels-Alderase.

The Diels-Alder reaction is one of the most effective methods for the synthesis of substituted cyclohexenes. The development of protein catalysts for this reaction remains a major priority, affording new sustainable routes to high value target molecules. Whilst a small number of natural enzymes have been shown capable of catalysing [4 + 2] cycloadditions, there is a need for significant mechanistic understanding of how these prospective Diels-Alderases promote catalysis to underpin their development as biocatalysts for use in synthesis. Here we present a molecular description of the complete reaction cycle of the bona fide natural Diels-Alderase AbyU, which catalyses formation of the spirotetronate skeleton of the antibiotic abyssomicin C. This description is derived from X-ray crystallographic studies of AbyU in complex with a non-transformable synthetic substrate analogue, together with transient kinetic analyses of the AbyU catalysed reaction and computational reaction simulations. These studies reveal the mechanistic intricacies of this enzyme system and establish a foundation for the informed reengineering of AbyU and related biocatalysts.

[Evolution of Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Atmospheric Precipitation and Its Significant Impacts on the Environment in Beijing].

Atmospheric precipitation samples were collected in 2018, 2019, and 2021 in Beijing to study the concentrations and changes of the main metal elements and water-soluble ions； the wet deposition fluxes of heavy metals, water-soluble ions, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, and sulfur in the atmospheric precipitation and their impacts on the ecological environment； and the scavenging mechanisms of the typical precipitation to atmospheric pollutants during the study period. The results showed that the precipitation in Beijing during the study period was mostly neutral or alkaline, and the frequency of acid rain occurrence was very low, only accounting for 3.06%. The total concentrations of major metal elements in 2018, 2019, and 2021 were （4 787.46 ±4 704.31）, （7 663.07 ±8 395.05）, and （2 629.13 ±2 369.51） µg·L-1, respectively. The total equivalent concentrations of ions in 2018, 2019, and 2021 were （851.68 ±649.16）, （973.98 ±850.94）, and （644.31 ±531.16） µeq·L-1, respectively. The interannual changes in major metal elements and ions followed the order of 2019 > 2018 > 2021. The seasonal average total concentrations of major metal elements in spring, summer, autumn, and winter were （9 624.25 ±7 327.92）, （4 088.67 ±5 710.14）, （3 357.68 ±3 995.64）, and （6 203.19 ±3 857.43） µg·L-1, respectively, and the seasonal average total equivalent concentrations of ions in spring, summer, autumn, and winter were （1 014.71 ±512.21）, （729.83 ±589.90）, （724.35 ±681.40）, and （1 014.03 ±359.67） µeq·L-1, respectively, all presenting the order of spring > winter > summer > autumn. NO3- and SO42- were the main acid-causing ions in precipitation, whereas NH4+ and Ca2+ were the main acid-neutralizing ions. The wet deposition fluxes of the heavy metal Cd were very low [（0.05 ±0.01） mg·ï¼ˆm2·a）-1], only accounting for （0.13 ±0.04）% of the total wet deposition fluxes of main metal elements； however, its soil safety years were 291 years, significantly lower than those of other heavy metals, displaying that its ecological risk was relatively the highest. The total wet precipitation flux of water-soluble ions NH4+, Ca2+, NO3-, and SO42- accounted for （85.72 ±2.18）% of the wet precipitation flux of total ions, suggesting that their comprehensive impact on the ecological environment might have been higher. DIN wet deposition flux was mainly characterized by NH4+-N, which had a positive impact on the ecological environment in summer. SO42--S wet deposition flux was higher in summer, so its positive impact on the ecological environment was also greater. The scavenging effects of atmospheric precipitations to pollutants from the air were impacted by various factors, and the synergism effects of these factors could directly influence the scavenging mechanisms of precipitation to pollutants.

[Plankton Community Stability and Drive Factor Identification Guizhou Plateau Reservoir].

In order to understand the stability of the zooplankton and phytoplankton communities in the Guizhou plateau reservoir environment, the process of reservoir water quality change affecting the stability of plankton was studied. The changes in the plankton community and water quality in three different nutrient reservoirs （Huaxi Reservoir, Goupitan Reservoir, and Hailong Reservoir） were studied from October 2020 to August 2021. The stability of the zooplankton and phytoplankton communities was studied using time-lag analysis （TLA）. Variance decomposition analysis （VPA） was used to explore the response of the two communities to environmental changes. The driving factors of plankton community changes in reservoirs were also revealed. The results showed that Huaxi Reservoir and Goupitan Reservoir were mesotrophic reservoirs, and Hailong Reservoir was a eutrophic reservoir. The average comprehensive nutrition indices of the three reservoirs were 44.07, 44.68, and 50.25. A total of 51 species of zooplankton rotifers, 39 species of rotifers, three species of copepods, and nine species of cladocera were identified. Among them, the abundance of rotifers was the highest, accounting for 85.96%. A total of seven phyla and 73 species of phytoplankton were identified, including 16 species in the phylum Cyanophyta, 32 species in the phylum Chlorophyta, 16 species in the phylum Diatoma, three species in the phylum Chlorophyta, four species in the phylum Euglenophyta, and one species each in the phyla Cryptophyta and Chrysophyta. Among them, the abundance of cyanobacteria and diatoms was the highest, accounting for 66.2% and 27.35%, respectively. The median absolute deviation （MAD） of the Bray-Curtis distance of zooplankton and phytoplankton community in the three reservoirs were 0.67 and 0.65 in Huaxi Reservoir, 0.80 and 0.69 in Goupitan Reservoir, and 0.85 and 0.47 in Hailong Reservoir, respectively. The larger the value, the greater the variation in the community. The absolute value of the slope of zooplankton was greater than that of phytoplankton in the TLA results, and the absolute values of the slopes were 0.018 and 0.004, respectively. The larger the absolute value of the slope, the faster the community variability. The zooplankton community in the three reservoirs was less stable than the phytoplankton community and more sensitive to environmental changes, and the degree of variation was greater. The higher the degree of eutrophication of the reservoir, the more obvious this phenomenon. VPA showed that the changes in plankton communities in Huaxi Reservoir and Hailong Reservoir were mainly influenced by water temperature and eutrophication factors. The changes in planktonic community in Goupitan Reservoir were mainly influenced by water temperature and chemical factors. The driving factors of Huaxi Reservoir were water temperature, TP, permanganate index, and SD. The driving factors of Goupitan Reservoir were water temperature, NO3-- N, and pH. The driving factors of Hailong Reservoir were water temperature and TP. Nutrients and water temperature were the main factors affecting the stability of plankton communities in reservoirs.

The activity of hyaD contributed to the virulence of avian Pasteurella multocida.

Fowl cholera is an infectious disease that affects both poultry and wild birds, characterized by hemorrhagic and septicemic symptoms, caused by Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida), and leading to substantial economic losses in the poultry sector. The development of genetic engineering vaccines against avian P. multocida encountered early-stage challenges due to the limited availability of effective gene editing tools. Presently, NgAgoDM-enhanced homologous recombination stands as a potent technique for achieving efficient gene knockout in avian P. multocida. Hence, this study employed NgAgoDM-enhanced homologous recombination to target and knockout hyaE (239-359aa), hyaD, hexABC, and hexD, denoted as ΔhyaE (239-359aa), ΔhyaD, ΔhexABC, and ΔhexD, respectively. Additionally, we generated a hyaD recovery strain with two point mutations, designated as mhyaD. Thus, this study systematically examined the impact of capsular synthetic gene clusters on the pathogenicity of P. multocida. Moreover, the study demonstrated the critical role of hyaD activity in the virulence of avian P. multocida. This study offers novel insights for enhancing attenuated vaccines further.

Analysis of infrared radiation emitted by moxibustion devices made of different materials using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Moxibustion has a long history of use as a traditional Chinese medicine therapy. Infrared radiation is an important and effective factor in moxibustion. Instead of the time-consuming and laborious process of holding moxa sticks in the hand, moxibustion devices are commonly used as moxibustion methods and tools in modern times. With the publication of the international standard of moxibustion devices (ISO18666:2021, Traditional Chinese Medicine - General requirements of moxibustion devices) published, moxibustion devices of various materials are now sold in the pharmacies and online stores. However, the influence of moxibustion devices on the therapeutic effect of moxibustion has not been studied. Therefore, this research was aimed to evaluate the infrared radiation of moxibustion devices, in order to select the moxibustion device that delivered infrared radiation closest to that of moxa stick combustion. The combination of combustion stability and infrared radiation intensity showed that cardboard tubes and silicone were better materials for moxibustion devices. In the mid-far infrared wave band, the moxibustion devices made from cardboard tubes and silica gels can better maintain the thermal effect generated by moxibustion and enable it to be more easily absorbed by the human body. The infrared radiation intensity of the cardboard moxibustion devices increased rapidly and steadily and could be maintained for the longest time. In conclusion, cardboard tubes are the better material for moxibustion devices with respect to infrared radiation.

The actin motor protein OsMYA1 associates with OsExo70H1 and contributes to rice secretory defense by modulating OsSyp121 distribution.

Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae) is a devastating hemibiotrophic pathogen. Its biotrophic invasive hyphae (IH) are enclosed in the extrainvasive hyphal membrane produced by plant cells, thus generating a front line of the battlefield between the pathogen and the host plants. In plants, defense-related complexes such as proteins, callose-rich materials and vesicles, are directionally secreted to this interface to confer defense responses, but the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. In this study, we found that a Myosin gene, Myosin A1 (OsMYA1), contributed to rice defense. The OsMYA1 knockout mutant exhibited decreased resistance to M. oryzae infection. OsMYA1 localizes to the actin cytoskeleton and surrounds the IH of M. oryzae. OsMYA1 interacts with an exocyst subunit, OsExo70H1, and regulates its accumulation at the plasma membrane (PM) and pathogen-plant interface. Furthermore, OsExo70H1 interacted with the rice syntaxin of the plants121 protein (OsSyp121), and the distribution of OsSyp121 to the PM or the pathogen-plant interface was disrupted in both the OsMYA1 and OsExo70H1 mutants. Overall, these results not only reveal a new function of OsMYA1 in rice blast resistance, but also uncover a molecular mechanism by which plants regulate defense against M. oryzae by OsMYA1-initiated vesicle secretory pathway, which originates from the actin cytoskeleton to the PM.

Zero-Dimensional Copper(I) Halide Microcrystals as Highly Efficient Scintillators for Flexible X-ray Imaging.

Commercially available rare-earth-doped inorganic oxide materials have been widely applied as X-ray scintillators, but the fragile characteristics, high detection limit, and harsh preparation condition seriously restrict their wide applications. Furthermore, it remains a huge challenge to realize X-ray flexible imaging technology for real-time monitoring of the curving interface of complex devices. To address these issues, we herein report two isostructural cuprous halides of zero-dimensional (0D) [AEPipz]CuX3·X·H2O (AEPipz = N-aminoethylpiperazine, X = Br and I) with controllable size to nanosize crystal as highly efficient scintillators toward flexible X-ray imaging. These cuprous halides exhibit highly efficient cyan photoluminescence and radioluminescence emissions with the highest quantum yield of 92.1% and light yield of 62,400 photons MeV-1, respectively, surpassing most of the commercially available inorganic scintillators. Meanwhile, the ultralow detection limit of 95.7 nGyair s-1 was far below the X-ray dose required for diagnosis (5.5 µGyair s-1). More significantly, the flexible film is facilely assembled with excellent foldability and high crack resistance, which further acts as a scintillation screen achieving a high spatial resolution of 17.4 lp mm-1 in X-ray imaging, demonstrating the potential application in wearable radiation radiography. The combined advantages of high light yield, low detection limit, and excellent flexibility promote these 0D cuprous halides as the most promising X-ray scintillators.

The association between vitamin E intake and hepatic steatosis in general and obese populations.

PURPOSE: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and employing Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) measures, this study explores the correlation between vitamin E (VE) intake and hepatic steatosis and its impact on different subsets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We selected 5757 participants with CAP data from the 2017-2020 NHANES dataset. Daily VE intake was assessed by a 24-hour dietary recall. Hepatic fat content was quantified using transient elastography to measure CAP. Stratified multivariable regression analysis investigated relationships in different subsets, and a generalized additive model identified nonlinear relationships and thresholds. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, higher VE intake correlated with lower CAP levels. Subgroup analyses and tests for interaction revealed a significantly stronger negative correlation between VE intake and CAP in obese individuals. Further analysis indicated a curvilinear relationship between VE intake and the severity of liver fat degeneration in both the general study population and the obese subgroup, demonstrating a threshold effect. In the general population, VE intake below the threshold (6.58 mg/day) is positively correlated with CAP levels, whereas intake above this threshold shows a negative correlation. For obese individuals, the threshold is set at 7.37 mg/day, above which the negative correlation with CAP is even more pronounced. CONCLUSION: Our study revealed a negative correlation between VE intake and hepatic fat content, highlighting the potentially crucial role VE plays in obese fatty liver patients. Importantly, we identified threshold effects of VE intake in both general and obese populations. Our results support clinical nutritional interventions, personalized dietary guidance, and the development of drugs to combat fatty liver.

Development of a TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time PCR for the simultaneous detection of four clinically important filamentous fungi.

Filamentous fungi present significant health hazards to immunocompromised individuals globally; however, the prompt and precise identification of them during infection remains challenging. In this study, a TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time PCR (M-qPCR) assay was developed to detect simultaneously the target genes of four important pathogenic filamentous fungi: ANXC4 gene of Aspergillus fumigatus, EF1-α gene of Fusarium spp., mitochondrial rnl gene of Mucorales, and hcp100 gene of Histoplasma capsulatum. In this M-qPCR assay, the limit of detection (LoD) to all four kinds of fungi was 100 copies and the correlation coefficients (R2) were above 0.99. The specificity of this assay is 100%, and the minimum detection limit is 100 copies/reaction. In conclusion, an M-qPCR detection assay was well established with high specificity and sensitivity for rapid and simultaneous detection on four important filamentous fungi in the clinic. IMPORTANCE: World Health Organization developed the first fungal priority pathogens list (WHO FPPL) in 2022. Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucorales, Fusarium spp., and Histoplasma spp. are the four types of pathogenic fungi with filamentous morphology in the critical priority group and high priority group of WHO FPPL. These four filamentous fungal infections have become more common and severe in immunocompromised patients with the increase in susceptible populations in recent decades, which resulted in a substantial burden on the public health system. However, prompt and precise identification of them during infection remains challenging. Our study established successfully a TaqMan probe-based multiplex real-time qPCR assay for four clinically important filamentous fungi, A. fumigatus, Fusarium spp., Mucorales, and Histoplasma capsulatum, with high sensitivity and specificity, which shows promising potential for prompt and precise diagnosis against fungal infection.

Unveiling the causal link between metabolic factors and ovarian cancer risk using Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Metabolic abnormalities are closely tied to the development of ovarian cancer (OC), yet the relationship between anthropometric indicators as risk indicators for metabolic abnormalities and OC lacks consistency. Method: The Mendelian randomization (MR) approach is a widely used methodology for determining causal relationships. Our study employed summary statistics from the genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and we used inverse variance weighting (IVW) together with MR-Egger and weighted median (WM) supplementary analyses to assess causal relationships between exposure and outcome. Furthermore, additional sensitivity studies, such as leave-one-out analyses and MR-PRESSO were used to assess the stability of the associations. Result: The IVW findings demonstrated a causal associations between 10 metabolic factors and an increased risk of OC. Including "Basal metabolic rate" (OR= 1.24, P= 6.86×10-4); "Body fat percentage" (OR= 1.22, P= 8.20×10-3); "Hip circumference" (OR= 1.20, P= 5.92×10-4); "Trunk fat mass" (OR= 1.15, P= 1.03×10-2); "Trunk fat percentage" (OR= 1.25, P= 8.55×10-4); "Waist circumference" (OR= 1.23, P= 3.28×10-3); "Weight" (OR= 1.21, P= 9.82×10-4); "Whole body fat mass" (OR= 1.21, P= 4.90×10-4); "Whole body fat-free mass" (OR= 1.19, P= 4.11×10-3) and "Whole body water mass" (OR= 1.21, P= 1.85×10-3). Conclusion: Several metabolic markers linked to altered fat accumulation and distribution are significantly associated with an increased risk of OC.

Spatiotemporal cell landscape of human embryonic tooth development.

Understanding the cellular composition and trajectory of human tooth development is valuable for dentistry and stem cell engineering research. Previous single-cell studies have focused on mature human teeth and developing mouse teeth, but the cell landscape of human embryonic dental development is still unknown. In this study, tooth germ tissues were collected from aborted foetus (17-24 weeks) for single-cell RNA sequence and spatial transcriptome analysis. The cells were classified into seven subclusters of epithelium, and seven clusters of mesenchyme, as well as other cell types such as Schwann cell precursor and pericyte. For epithelium, the stratum intermedium branch and the ameloblast branch diverged from the same set of outer enamel-inner enamel-ALCAM+ epithelial cell lineage, but their spatial distribution of two branches was not clearly distinct. This trajectory received spatially adjacent regulation signals from mesenchyme and pericyte, including JAG1 and APP. The differentiation of pulp cell and pre-odontoblast showed four waves of temporally distinct gene expression, which involved regulation networks of LHX9, DLX5 and SP7, and these genes were regulated by upstream ligands such as the BMP family. This provides a reference landscape for the research on early human tooth development, covering different spatial structures and developmental periods.

Room-Temperature Band-Aligned Infrared Heterostructures for Integrable Sensing and Communication.

The demand for miniaturized and integrated multifunctional devices drives the progression of high-performance infrared photodetectors for diverse applications, including remote sensing, air defense, and communications, among others. Nonetheless, infrared photodetectors that rely solely on single low-dimensional materials often face challenges due to the limited absorption cross-section and suboptimal carrier mobility, which can impair sensitivity and prolong response times. Here, through experimental validation is demonstrated, precise control over energy band alignment in a type-II van der Waals heterojunction, comprising vertically stacked 2D Ta2NiSe5 and the topological insulator Bi2Se3, where the configuration enables polarization-sensitive, wide-spectral-range photodetection. Experimental evaluations at room temperature reveal that the device exhibits a self-powered responsivity of 0.48 A·W-1, a specific directivity of 3.8 × 1011 cm·Hz1/2·W-1, a response time of 151 µs, and a polarization ratio of 2.83. The stable and rapid photoresponse of the device underpins the utility in infrared-coded communication and dual-channel imaging, showing the substantial potential of the detector. These findings articulate a systematic approach to developing miniaturized, multifunctional room-temperature infrared detectors with superior performance metrics and enhanced capabilities for multi-information acquisition.

Chiral α-Aminophosphonates as Ligands in Copper-Catalyzed Asymmetric Oxidative Coupling of 2-Naphthols.

Chiral α-aminophosphonates with adjacent carbon and phosphonate stereogenic centers have been employed as ligands in the copper-catalyzed oxidative coupling of 2-naphthols, resulting in the production of chiral BINOLs in favorable yields and moderate to good enantiomeric excess. This represents the first application of chiral P-based ligands to enable such a transformation. The synthesis of these chiral α-aminophosphonate ligands offers a significant advantage over approaches that typically necessitate elaborate synthetic processes for chiral ligand production.

Design of a monocapillary with an inner Al2O3/HfO2 multilayer to obtain focused monochromatic hard X-rays.

An X-ray monocapillary with an inner multilayer can be a promising optical device to obtain focused monochromatic X-rays. A focused beam is acquired via controlling the shape of the monocapillary meanwhile monochromatic X-rays are screened out by the inside multilayer. For hard X-rays such as C u-k α line 8.04 keV and M o-k α line 17.44 keV, A l 2 O 3/H f O 2 is an effective material pair for the X-ray multilayer that can reflect the X-rays at an acceptable efficiency. In this work, four tapered-monocapillaries with inner A l 2 O 3/H f O 2 multilayers are designed to focus and monochromatize X-rays (8.04 keV and17.44 keV, respectively) from the point source and collimated beam. The theoretical transmission performance, including the beam size, reflectivity, and monochromaticity of the device, is also calculated. The results show that the ideal optics can focus desired X-rays with efficiency of about 60%. It provides a reference for fabricating this optics in the future, especially via the atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique, which represents great potential to coat uniform film on a curved surface.