Can heat conditions affect the heart rate responses, perception of effort, and technical performance of young male football players during small-sided games? a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Soccer coaches often employ small-sided games (SSGs) to elicit both physiological and technical responses from players. However, numerous contextual factors can influence the outcomes of these games. This comparative study aimed to investigate how environmental temperature (< 21ºC and > 29ºC) impacts heart rate responses, perception of effort, and technical performance in young male football players during SSGs. METHODS: This study compares temperatures below 21ºC (∼ 20.4 ± 0.4ºC) with temperatures above 29ºC (∼ 29.7 ± 0.6ºC). This repeated measures study design involved 60 male football players at a trained/developmental level, selected from under-16 and under-19 teams. It aimed to assess the effects of the 3v3 format, conducted repeatedly under conditions of 21ºC and above 29ºC. Throughout the games, mean heart rate responses (HRmean), measured via heart rate sensors; rate of perceived exertion (RPE), assessed using the CR-10 Borg scale; and successful passes and lost balls, tracked through an ad hoc observational analysis tool, were monitored. RESULTS: No significant interactions were observed (time*age group) in meanHR (F = 0.159; p = 0.691; [Formula: see text]=0.003), RPE (F=0.646; p=0.425; [Formula: see text]=0.011), number of passes completed (F=0.204; p=0.654; [Formula: see text]=0.003), and number of lost balls (F = 0.157; p = 0.694; [Formula: see text]=0.003). Overall, significantly higher heart rate responses in mean HR (p<0.001) and RPE (p<0.001) were observed at temperatures above 29ºC, while significantly more passes were completed at temperatures below 21ºC (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Heat conditions significantly intensified the psychophysiological responses in players, concurrently leading to a significant impairment in the number of passes. Coaches should contemplate implementing mitigation strategies to avert performance declines during heat conditions when utilizing SSGs.

Blocking the interaction between circTNRC18 and LIN28A promotes trophoblast epithelial-mesenchymal transformation and alleviates preeclampsia.

Defects in migration and invasion caused by dysregulation of trophoblastic epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) play a vital role in preeclampsia (PE). We have previously shown that circTNRC18 inhibits the migration and EMT of trophoblasts; however, its role in PE remains unknown. Herein, we demonstrate that circTNRC18 interacts with an RNA-binding protein, lin-28 homolog A (LIN28A), and this interaction is enhanced in PE placental tissue. LIN28A overexpression suppresses circTNRC18-mediated inhibition of trophoblast migration, invasion, and EMT, whereas LIN28A knockdown promotes them. The intracellular distribution of LIN28A is regulated by circTNRC18, where it promotes the expression of insulin-like growth factor II by stabilizing its mRNA. circTNRC18 also promotes complex formation between GATA-binding factor 1 (GATA1) and sine oculis homeobox 1 (SIX1) by inhibiting LIN28A-GATA1 interaction. GATA1-SIX1 promotes transcription of grainyhead-like protein 2 homolog and circTNRC18-mediated regulation of cell migration and invasion. Moreover, blocking circTNRC18-LIN28A interaction with antisense nucleotides alleviates PE in a mouse model of reduced uterine perfusion pressure. Thus, targeting the circTNRC18-LIN28A regulatory axis may be a novel PE treatment method.

Competition of Carrier Kinetics Contributes to Amplified Spontaneous Emission in Quasi-2D/3D (PBA)2MAn-1PbnBr3n+1 Thin Films under Strip Light Mode.

Quasi-2D halide perovskites have potential in lasing due to their amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) properties. The ASE of (PBA)2MAn-1PbnBr3n+1 thin films has been confirmed by photoluminescence (PL) testing using stripe light excitation (SLE). The ASE threshold decreases with decreasing environmental temperature (TE) or increasing number of inorganic layers (n). Using the transient absorption technique, the Auger recombination and the cooling process of the high-activity carrier are accelerated with the decrease of n or TE. A new ASE mechanism is proposed where high-activity carriers directly emit photons under photon perturbation from adjacent sites, leading to the accumulation and amplification of emitted photons only in the SLE region for ASE to occur. In addition, the reduction of n promotes light scattering between nano-thin layers, which supports a rapid increase in the ASE signal after the ASE threshold is crossed.

Effects of adiponectin, plasma D-dimer, inflammation and tumor markers on clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer.

Background: To investigate the effects of adiponectin (ADPN), plasma D-dimer (D-D), inflammation, and tumour markers on clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer. Methods: A total of 80 patients with ovarian cancer treated in our hospital from April 2017 to November 2019 were enrolled as study subjects and evenly divided into an observation group (patients with ovarian cancer) and a control group (patients with the benign ovarian tumour) based on the results of the postoperative pathological biopsy. The levels of ADPN, plasma D-D, inflammatory factors, and serum tumour markers carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), and risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) were compared between the two groups. The diagnostic value of serum tumour markers CA125, HE4, and ROMA in ovarian cancer was explored. The correlations of ROMA changes with the changes in the levels of ADPN, plasma D-D, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), CA125, and HE4 were analysed. Additionally, the related risk factors affecting the development of ovarian cancer were subjected to univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: In comparison with the control group, the observation group exhibited a lowered ADPN level (p<0.05), notably raised levels of plasma D-D, inflammatory factors hs-CRP and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serum tumour markers CA125 and HE4 and an evidently increased ROMA (p<0.05). Besides, the detection of serum ROMA showed the highest specificity and sensitivity and low false-positive rate and false-negative rate. The changes of ROMA were positively correlated with the changes in the levels of plasma D-D, hs-CRP, CA125, and HE4 (p<0.05) and negatively associated with the changes in ADPN level (p<0.05). The results of the univariate analysis showed that abnormal ADPN, D-D, hs-CRP, IL-6, CA125, and HE4 levels were related to risk factors affecting the development of ovarian cancer. It was found through multivariate logistic regression analysis that decreased ADPN level and increased D-D, hsCRP, IL-6, CA125, and HE4 levels were independent risk factors affecting the development of ovarian cancer. Conclusions: In the case of ovarian cancer, the ADPN level declines, while the levels of plasma D-D, inflammatory factors, and serum tumour markers CA125, HE4, and ROMA rise obviously. Besides, the ROMA level displays a positive relation to the content of CA125, HE4, plasma D-D, and inflammatory factors and a negative association with the ADPN level.

Efficient flexible quantum-dot light-emitting diodes with unipolar charge injection.

The exfoliation between the electrode film and the adjacent functional layer is still a big challenge for the flexible light emitting diodes, especially for the devices dependent on the direct charge injection from the electrodes. To address this issue, we design a flexible quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) with a charge-generation layer (CGL) on the bottom electrode as the electron supplier. The CGL consisting of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/ZnO can provide sufficient electron injection into the QDs, enabling a balanced charge injection. As a result, the CGL-based QLED exhibits a peak external quantum efficiency 18.6%, over 25% enhancement in comparison with the device with ZnO as the electron transport layer. Moreover, the residual electrons in the ZnO can be pulled back to the PEDOT:PSS/ZnO interface by the storage holes in the CGL, which are released and accelerates the electron injection during the next driving voltage pulse, hence improving the electroluminescence response speed of the QLEDs.

Elevated Circulating Levels of Glycoprotein Non-Metastatic Melanoma Protein B as a Predictor of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: The current study aims to investigate the differences of glycoprotein non-metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB) levels between gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) women and normal blood glucose women during pregnancy to provide the basis for early intervention and treatment of GDM. METHODS: The level of GPNMB was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pearson's correlation assay was performed to analyze the correlation between serum GPNMB and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was carried out to analyze the diagnostic value of serum GPNMB. RESULTS: Our data showed that the serum GPNMB level in GDM group was higher than that in normal blood glucose group at 5 - 12 weeks, 13 - 23 weeks, and 24 - 28 weeks of gestation, but there was no significant difference at 29 - 37 weeks of gestation. Meanwhile, the total level of serum GPNMB in GDM group was significantly higher than that in normal blood glucose group. Further study indicated that serum GPNMB positively correlated with FPG (r = 0.562, p < 0.0001) or HbA1c (r = 0.652, p < 0.0001). ROC analysis showed that serum GPNMB level at 13 - 23 weeks of gestation had a good predictive effect on predicting GDM at 24 weeks of gestation and beyond. When the cutoff value of serum GPNMB level was 2.46 µg/L, the sensitivity and specificity were 80% and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The serum GPNMB level at 13 - 23 weeks of gestation is an independent risk factor for GDM in 24 weeks and beyond, and early inhibition with GPNMB may provide a preventive measure in GDM women.

Achieving high-performance in situ fabricated FAPbBr3 and electroluminescence.

Currently, metal halide perovskite films still encounter the issues of inferior film quality and interfacial electrical properties when they were constructed electroluminescence devices. Herein, efficient and pinhole-free perovskite emissive film was obtained on the poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer modified by an ultrathin LiF layer. Owing to the synergetic effect of the LiF interlayer, including better regulation of the perovskite film and a more balanced charge injection capability, an efficient green light-emitting diode based on the perovskite film was achieved with a maximum current efficiency of 25.6 cd/A, which is 58% higher than that of the control device with a plasma-treated PEDOT:PSS layer. Our results not only provide a facile strategy for acquiring efficient perovskite films but also circumvent the expensive and time-consuming plasma treatment process commonly used to improve the wetting properties of the underlying films.

Study of the Photoluminescence Characteristics of 4,4'-((1E,1'E)-Quinoxaline-2,3-diylbis(ethene-2,1-diyl))bis(N,N-dimethylaniline).

A comparative investigation on the photophysical properties of a quinoxaline derivative 4,4'-((1E,1'E)-quinoxaline-2,3-diylbis(ethene-2,1-diyl))bis(N,N-dimethylaniline) (QDMA2) was performed by employing many spectroscopies. Based on the pump-dump/push-probe measurement, it is found that a solvent-stabilized charge-transfer state can participate in the relaxation of excited QDMA2 with increasing solvent polarity. Meanwhile, the aggregated QDMA2 molecules were engineered into the organic light-emitting diode test, which showed a correlated color temperature value of 1875 K. With the help of a diamond anvil cell, the pressure-dependent photoluminescence of aggregated QDMA2 shows that the intermolecular interaction can affect the color and intensity of photoluminescence through adjusting the band gap and irradiative channel of the aggregated molecules. These results are important for understanding the structure-property relationships and the rational design of functional materials for optoelectronic applications.

Cooling and diffusion characteristics of a hot carrier in the monolayer WS2.

The characteristics of a hot carrier distributed in the C excitonic state of the monolayer WS2 is investigated by exploiting the transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. The hot carrier cooling lifetime gradually prolongs from 0.58 ps to 2.68 ps with the absorbed photon flux owing to the hot phonon bottleneck effect, as the excitation photon energy is 2.03 eV. Meanwhile, the normalized TA spectra shows that the spectral feature of hot carriers is different from that of normal carriers. Based on the modified Lennard-Jones model, the average distance among hot carriers can be estimated according to the peak shift of TA spectra and the diffusion velocity can also be calculated simultaneously. The hot carrier limits the diffusion of the photo-generated carrier at the initial several picoseconds. These results help people to elucidate the hot carrier dynamics in 2D TMDCs and give guidance on the designing and optimizing the TMDC-based electronic devices of high performance.

Investigation of Hot Carrier Cooling Dynamics in Monolayer MoS2.

The hot carrier cooling dynamics in the C-excitonic state of monolayer MoS2 is slowed down by the hot phonon bottleneck and Auger heating effects, as exploited by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. The hot carrier cooling process, determined by the hot phonon bottleneck, can be prolonged through rising the excitation photon energy or increasing the absorbed photon flux. By inducing the Auger heating effect under higher absorbed photon flux, the hot carrier lifetime also increases at the low excitation photon energy. When these two effects are combined under higher excitation photon energy and higher absorbed photon flux, the hot phonon bottleneck is gradually weakened because of Auger recombination. In addition, the similar hot carrier phenomenon can be observed in A/B excitonic states owing to the same physical mechanism. Our work establishes a solid photophysics foundation for 2D transition-metal dichalcogenide applications in advanced energy conversion, optical quantum communication, quantum technology, etc.

Scanning Ultrafast Spectral Dynamics of Triphenylamine-Modified Vinylbenzothiazole Derivative: Role of Solvent Polarity and Temperature.

The photophysical properties of a donor-acceptor compound based on triphenylamine-modified vinylbenzothiazole derivative (BTTM) are investigated by multispectral techniques. Based on the pump-probe and pump-dump/push-probe technique, it is found that the hybridized localized excited (LE) and charge transfer (CT) state (HLCT) participates in the relaxation process of excited BTTM. The excited state is the LE-dominated HLCT state in cyclohexane; then it evolves to the CT-dominated HLCT state in a high polarity solvent. Meanwhile, a new intermediate state named the HLCT' state also exists in a high polar solvent. When the temperature of BTTM film drops, the increasing photoluminescence (PL) lifetime and PL quantum yield are assigned to the nonradiative recombination inactivation. The pump-probe data show that exciton-exciton annihilation originating from exciton collision gradually increases owing to the weakening of phonon-exciton scattering at low temperature. Our results provide comprehensive insight into the optoelectronic properties of organic molecules.

Storage of Airy wavepackets based on electromagnetically induced transparency.

The research of Airy beams has attained much attention due to their unique characteristics. Coherent control of Airy beams is important for further light beam manipulation and information processing. In this paper, we experimentally investigate the storage and retrieval of 2D Airy wavepackets in a solid-state medium driven by electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). The transverse profile of the weak probe pulse is modulated by Airy wavepackets. Under EIT condition, the probe Airy wavepackets are stored into the experimental medium by manipulating the intensity of the control field, and later retrieved by the opposite process. The retrieved Airy wavepackets keep a high similarity compared with those before the storage. Furthermore, the self-healing property of the retrieved Airy wavepackets is investigated. This storage of Airy wavepackets develops the control method of Airy beams, which will be useful in further applications.

Study on photoelectric characteristics of monolayer WS2 films.

It is important to determine the time-dependent evolution of the excited monolayer WS2, which will provide a basis for the reasonable design of optoelectronic devices based on two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides. Here, we made a simple and large-area photodetector based on the monolayer WS2, with high light sensitivity and fast response, benefiting from the special dynamics of carrier involving the exciton, trion, and charge. Moreover, we tested the relaxation behavior of the excited monolayer WS2 by employing transient absorption (TA). It was found that the multi-body interaction among exciton would occur after the density of pump photon increases to 3.45 × 1014 photons per cm2. The exciton dissociation accompanying the generation of trion would appear in the photo-induced relaxation process, which would be a benefit for the operation of this photodetector. Increasing the energy of the exciton is good for the generation of carrier by comparing the relaxation behavior of WS2 excited to A and B exciton states. However, the bound exciton relaxation, originating from the capture process of the defect state, would exist and play an unfavorable role during the functioning of devices.

Correction: Study on photoelectric characteristics of monolayer WS2 films.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C9RA07924F.].

Intaglio-type random silver networks as the cathodes for efficient full-solution processed flexible quantum-dot light-emitting diodes.

Flexible quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (FQLEDs) hold great promise as a leading display and lighting technology due to their light weight, low-cost, and saturated emission color. However, there remain many challenges in the development of high quality electrodes on flexible substrates for device fabrication and operation. In this work, we present a robust flexible transparent conductive film with embedded random Ag networks in the PET substrate (named PRAN). The PRAN composite film exhibits an average transmittance of 85%, and the sheet resistance reaches near 5.3 Ω sq-1 without any obvious change after bending 3000 times, indicating excellent flexibility of this type of conductive film. A highly conductive poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) layer was employed to smooth the surface of the PRAN electrode. Consequently, FQLEDs based on these flexible electrodes are successfully fabricated and the peak power efficiencies of 42.3, 101.9, and 6.4 lm W-1 are achieved for the red, green and blue devices, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, these are the best efficiencies for the FQLEDs reported to date. These results lay the foundation of the realization of ITO-free, high-efficiency FQLEDs for use in flexible lighting and display applications.

Over 800% efficiency enhancement of all-inorganic quantum-dot light emitting diodes with an ultrathin alumina passivating layer.

The use of robust, inorganic charge-transport materials is always desired in quantum-dot light emitting diodes (QLEDs) because they are expected to allow higher stability and lower cost than their organic counterparts. We achieve here an all-inorganic QLED with excellent efficiency by modifying the solution-processed NiO (s-NiO) surface with an ultrathin Al2O3 passivating layer. Both transient resolution photoluminescence and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements demonstrate that the Al2O3 layer can effectively passivate NiOOH on the s-NiO surface, thereby suppressing exciton quenching. This improves the highest efficiency of the QLED without an Al2O3 layer by over 800% to a current efficiency (external quantum efficiency) of 34.1 cd A-1 (8.1%), making it the best-performing all-inorganic QLED.

Influence of Shell Thickness on the Performance of NiO-Based All-Inorganic Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes.

The effect of shell thickness on the performance of all-inorganic quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) is explored by employing a series of green quantum dots (QDs) (Zn xCd1- xSe/ZnS core/shell QDs with different ZnS shell thicknesses) as the emitters. ZnO nanoparticles and sol-gel NiO are employed as the electron and hole transport materials, respectively. Time-resolved and steady-state photoluminescence results indicate that positive charging processes might occur for the QDs deposited on NiO, which results in emission quenching of QDs and poor device performance. The thick shell outside the core in QDs not only largely suppresses the QD emission quenching but also effectively preserves the excitons in QDs from dissociation of electron-hole pairs when they are subjected to an electric field. The peak efficiency of 4.2 cd/A and maximum luminance of 4205 cd/m2 are achieved for the device based on QDs with the thickest shells (∼4.2 nm). We anticipate that these results will spur progress toward the design and realization of efficient all-inorganic QLEDs as a platform for the QD-based full-colored displays.

Image routing via atomic spin coherence.

Coherent storage of optical image in a coherently-driven medium is a promising method with possible applications in many fields. In this work, we experimentally report a controllable spatial-frequency routing of image via atomic spin coherence in a solid-state medium driven by electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). Under the EIT-based light-storage regime, a transverse spatial image carried by the probe field is stored into atomic spin coherence. By manipulating the frequency and spatial propagation direction of the read control field, the stored image is transferred into a new spatial-frequency channel. When two read control fields are used to retrieve the stored information, the image information is converted into a superposition of two spatial-frequency modes. Through this technique, the image is manipulated coherently and all-optically in a controlled fashion.

Investigation on "Excimer" Formation Mechanism of Linear Oligofluorenes-Functionalized Anthracenes by Using Transient Absorption Spectroscopy.

We study the photophysical characters of two oligofluorenes-functionalized anthracenes molecules with different fluorine-vinylene (FV) units, which exhibits that "excimer" state appears in the solution after photoexcitation. The dynamic data shows that two mechanisms are responsible for the generation of "excimer". The fast one is controlled by the arene-arene interaction between molecules and the slow one is influenced by the diffusion motion of molecules. Increasing the number of FV units may suppress the DM-dependent "excimer" and enhance the yield of intrinsic fluorescence, which finally improves the fluorescence property of molecules in solution.

Investigation on Photophysical Properties of D-π-A-π-D-Type Fluorenone-Based Linear Conjugated Oligomers by Using Femtosecond Transient Absorption Spectroscopy.

The effects of π-spacer and electron donor groups on the photophysical behaviors of fluorenone-based linear conjugated oligomers have been systemically investigated. Solvent-dependent steady-state measurements exhibit that the fluorene vinylene (FV) spacer and the electron-donating ability of donor group are able to modulate the spectral features of oligomers and the fluorescence quantum yield could decrease with the increasing of the solvent polarity. Meanwhile, quantum chemical calculation simulates their absorption spectra, and analyzes their electron transition components simultaneously. The transient absorption measurements focus on the photoexcitation dynamics of these oligomers in the toluene solution, which show that an intramolecular charge transfer state exists in the relaxation process of excited states, and its generation process could accelerate with the introduction of FV spacer and the enhancement of donor strength.