Progress in Promising Semiconductor Materials for Efficient Photoelectrocatalytic Hydrogen Production.

Photoelectrocatalytic (PEC) water decomposition provides a promising method for converting solar energy into green hydrogen energy. Indeed, significant advances and improvements have been made in various fundamental aspects for cutting-edge applications, such as water splitting and hydrogen production. However, the fairly low PEC efficiency of water decomposition by a semiconductor photoelectrode and photocorrosion seriously restrict the practical application of photoelectrochemistry. In this review, the mechanisms of PEC water decomposition are first introduced to provide a solid understanding of the PEC process and ensure that this review is accessible to a wide range of readers. Afterwards, notable achievements to date are outlined, and unique approaches involving promising semiconductor materials for efficient PEC hydrogen production, including metal oxide, sulfide, and graphite-phase carbon nitride, are described. Finally, four strategies which can effectively improve the hydrogen production rate-morphological control, doping, heterojunction, and surface modification-are discussed.

A high-performance metal halide perovskite-based laser-driven display.

Laser-driven liquid crystal displays (LCDs) comprising metal halide perovskites (MHPs) as the blue-to-green/red color converters are at the forefront of ongoing intense research on the development and improvement of display devices. However, the inferior high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of MHPs under the excitation of high-power blue light and photoluminescence deterioration at high temperatures remain major concerns. Herein, we design a kind of octylamine-modified MHP via binding energy engineering, and the synthesized materials show PLQY of 97.6% under the excitation of a blue laser at 450 nm. Meanwhile, this design endows a structural self-healing ability to achieve a high PLQY and luminescence stability under high temperature (90 °C) and high flux excitation (386 mW cm-2). The blue light-excitable MHPs with a near unity PLQY, strong stability, and low PLQY deterioration are further encapsulated into a laser-driven LCD device. This prototype demonstrates excellent color gamut (132% NTSC, 98% Rec. 2020), illuminance intensity (>10 000 lux), and energy consumption (47.5% of commercial consumption), and hence is expected to be beneficial for the reduction of energy consumption in backlight display devices, particularly in large-screen outdoor displays.

A practical framework RNMF for exploring the association between mutational signatures and genes using gene cumulative contribution abundance.

BACKGROUND: Mutational signatures are somatic mutation patterns enriching operational mutational processes, which can provide abundant information about the mechanism of cancer. However, understanding of the pathogenic biological processes is still limited, such as the association between mutational signatures and genes. METHODS: We developed a simple and practical R package called RNMF (https://github.com/zhenzhang-li/RNMF) for mutational signature analysis, including a key model of cumulative contribution abundance (CCA), which was designed to highlight the association between mutational signatures and genes and then applying it to a meta-analysis of 1073 individuals with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). RESULTS: We revealed a number of known and previously undescribed SBS or ID signatures, and we found that APOBEC signatures (SBS2* and SBS13*) were closely associated with PIK3CA mutation, especially the E545k mutation. Furthermore, we found that age signature is closely related to the frequent mutation of TP53, of which R342* is highlighted due to strongly linked to age signature. In addition, the CCA matrix image data of genes in the signatures New, SBS3*, and SBS17b* were helpful for the preliminary evaluation of shortened survival outcome. These results can be extended to estimate the distribution of mutations or features, and study the potential impact of clinical factors. CONCLUSIONS: In a word, RNMF can successfully achieve the correlation analysis of mutational signatures and genes, proving a strong theoretical basis for the study of mutational processes during tumor development.

Data of the constructivist practices in the learning environment survey from engineering undergraduates: An exploratory factor analysis.

This paper presents the dataset of a questionnaire on first-year engineering undergraduates' perceptions of constructivist practices in the learning environment. The questionnaire with a 5-Likert scale was adapted from previous research. The sample consisted of 293 first-year engineering undergraduates in the southwest region of the United States. The online questionnaire was sent to participants who completed it voluntarily at the end of Fall 2019. A total of 274 of 293 participants completed the questionnaire with a response rate of 93.515%. Exploratory factor analysis was conducted to test the underlying factor structure of the questionnaire, which serves as a good reference for future research.

Vitamin B6 as a novel risk biomarker of fractured ankles.

ABSTRACT: Ankle fractures are the most common intra-articular fractures. Osteoporosis is a common and frequent disease among the elderly with a poor prognosis and high risk of fractured ankles. However, the relationship between vitamin B6 and the incidence of fractured ankles in patients with osteoporosis is unclear.A total of 101 patients with osteoporosis were recruited. Clinical and followed-up information was recorded. And the vitamin B6, albumin, globulin, and hemoglobin in the blood were tested. Pearson's chi-squared and spearman test were performed to analyze the correlation between fractured ankles and relative parameters. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, and Kaplan-Meier method were also performed.There exist strong relation between the expression level of vitamin B6 and fractured ankle (P < .001). The expression of vitamin B6 [Odd ratio (OR) = 12.071, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.69-31.143, P < .001] has a clear correlation with whether the patients have fractured ankles via the univariate logistic regression analysis. In terms of multivariate logistic regression level, vitamin B6 (OR = 15.384, 95% CI:5.195-45.556, P < .001) was significantly associated with fractured ankle. In addition, expression level of vitamin B6 [hazard ratio (HR) = 11.684, 95% CI: 6.419-21.267, P < .001] was significantly associated with Maintenance time from recovery to recurrence (MRTT) of patients with osteoporosis.Enhanced vitamin B6 is significantly correlated with the poor prognosis of patients with osteoporosis and the increasing incidence of fractured ankles.

Application of Robot Positioning for Cannulated Screw Internal Fixation in the Treatment of Femoral Neck Fracture: Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Femoral neck fracture is a common type of hip fracture. Conventional surgical treatment aims at fixing the fracture site with screws and then gradually promoting bone healing. A robot-assisted orthopedic surgery system is computer technology applied to surgical treatment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and prognostic value of percutaneous cannulated screw internal fixation using robot-assisted positioning in patients with femoral neck fractures. METHODS: From July 2018 to September 2019, 42 cases of femoral neck fracture admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Luohe Medical College were randomly and averagely divided into control and study groups. The patients in the control group were treated with conventional percutaneous cannulated screw internal fixation, while the patients in the study group were treated with robot-assisted percutaneous cannulated screw fixation during surgical treatment. We compared the treatment conditions and results of the operation between the 2 groups. The Harris score was used to evaluate the treatment efficacy. The state of fracture healing was followed up and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The duration of the operation was shorter, there was less fluoroscopy use, and there were fewer drilled holes in the study group than in the control group (all, P<.001). There was no statistical difference in the amount of intraoperative bleeding between the 2 groups (P=.33). The Harris score (P=.045) and number of excellent and good ratings (P=.01) were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group. The difference in the fracture healing rate between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (P=.23). The fracture healing duration of the study group was shorter than that of the control group (P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: The use of robotic positioning aids in the treatment of femoral neck fractures with percutaneous cannulated screw fixation can effectively improve the efficiency of surgery, shorten the duration of surgery, and reduce the radiation damage to patients. Meanwhile, it improves postoperative treatment and recovery rates of the patients and shortens the fracture healing time.

Highly Thermotolerant Metal Halide Perovskite Solids.

By virtue of their narrow emission bands, near-unity quantum yield, and low fabrication cost, metal halide perovskites hold great promise in numerous aspects of optoelectronic applications, including solid-state lighting, lasing, and displays. Despite such promise, the poor temperature tolerance and suboptimal quantum yield of the existing metal halide perovskites in their solid state have severely limited their practical applications. Here, a straightforward heterogeneous interfacial method to develop superior thermotolerant and highly emissive solid-state metal halide perovskites is reported and their use as long-lasting high-temperature and high-input-power durable solid-state light-emitting diodes is illustrated. It is found that the resultant materials can well maintain their superior quantum efficiency after heating at a temperature over 150 °C for up to 22 h. A white light-emitting diode (w-LED) constructed from the metal halide perovskite solid exhibits superior temperature sustainable lifetime over 1100 h. The w-LED also displays a highly durable high-power-driving capability, and its working current can go up to 300 mA. It is believed that such highly thermotolerant metal halide perovskites will unleash the possibility of a wide variety of high-power and high-temperature solid-state lighting, lasing, and display devices that have been limited by existing methods.

A warm white emission of Bi3+-Eu3+ and Bi3+-Sm3+ codoping Lu2Ge2O7 phosphors by energy transfer of Bi3+-sensitized Eu3+/Sm3.

In the last few years, multicolor-tunable phosphors, especially single-composition white-light-emitting phosphors, have attracted increasing attention and interest for UV-converted white LEDs. In this paper, Lu2Ge2O7:Bi3+ phosphor presents a doublet emission ranging from UV to visible spectrum with a high QE of 76%. To obtain a warm white emission, we tried to codope Eu3+ or Sm3+ into Lu2Ge2O7 with Bi3+ ions. Multicolor-tunable emission colors of Bi3+-Eu3+ and Bi3+-Sm3+ codoped Lu2Ge2O7 samples are adjusted from cold white light, warm white light, light pink, pink, to red by changing the Eu3+ or Sm3+ doping concentration. Energy transfer process occurring from Bi3+ to Eu3+ or Sm3+ is discussed in detail and the corresponding ηETE of Bi3+-Eu3+ and Bi3+-Sm3+ can reach as high as 42% and 35%, respectively. This paper not only provides a novel UV-converted multicolor-tunable phosphor, but also discovery novel single-composition white-light-emitting phosphors for UV-converted white LEDs.

Curative effect and prognosis of 3D printing titanium alloy trabecular cup and pad in revision of acetabular defect of hip joint.

Curative effect and prognosis of 3D printing titanium alloy trabecular cup and pad in revision of acetabular defect of hip joint were investigated. Forty-two patients who underwent acetabular revision in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Luohe Medical College were divided into observation and control groups according to different methods of acetabular revision and revision materials. 3D printed titanium alloy trabecular cups and pads were used in the observation group, and non-3D printed titanium trabecular cups and pads were used in the control group. Preoperative and postoperative pain visual analog scale (VAS score), hip Harris scores and quality of life Health Survey Scale (SF-36) scores were compared between the groups. At 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, Harris score and SF-36 score of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group, and VAS score was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). Stability and bone ingrowth of prosthesis in the observation group were better than those in the control group. Revision of the hip prosthesis with 3D printed titanium trabecular metal cups and pads resulted in satisfactory outcomes. Short-term prognosis is satisfactory but the long-term prognosis remains to be further investigated.

Highly bright multicolor-tunable KSrLu(PO4)2:Ce3+, Tb3+, Mn2+ phosphors via efficient energy transfer.

Research hotspots about Ce3+-Tb3+ and Ce3+-Mn2+ codoped multicolor-tunable materials, has grown rapidly and is still growing. However, few feasible strategies can be employed to achieve the multicolor-tunable luminescence under the premise of maintaining high QE. In this paper, KSrLu(PO4)2:0.25Ce presents a high luminescence efficiency with approximately 78% quantum efficiency. Furthermore, Ce3+-Tb3+ and Ce3+-Mn2+ codoped optimal samples give a green and red luminescence, which corresponds to a high 61% and 55% quantum efficiency due to a high energy transfer efficiency of Ce3+→Tb3+ and Ce3+→Mn2+. Besides, we achieved the precise adjustment of blue, green, orange and pink emissions of KSrLu(PO4)2:Ce3+, Tb3+, Mn2+ samples. Meanwhile, KSrLu(PO4)2:Ce3+, Tb3+ and KSrLu(PO4)2:Ce3+, Mn2+ phosphors present a weak thermal quenching: their integrated emission intensity at 500K still keep more than 80% of their initial intensity at room temperature. Therefore, the results might provide a novel multicolor-tunable phosphor for backlight display application.

Clinical feasibility and application value of computer virtual reduction combined with 3D printing technique in complex acetabular fractures.

This study investigated the clinical feasibility and application value of computer virtual reduction combined with three-dimensional (3D) printing technique in patients with complex acetabular fracture. Ninety-six patients diagnosed with complex acetabular fracture in the Orthopedics Department in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Luohe Medical College from January 2016 to June 2017 were selected and randomly divided into the routine operation group (n=48) and the 3D model group (n=48) according to the admission number of the patients. In the 3D model group, computed tomography (CT) scan was performed preoperatively, and the model was made using the virtual technique and 3D printing technique. The surgical scheme was designed according to the model. Patients in the routine operation group were diagnosed with the conventional CT scan without using the computer virtual technique and 3D printing technique. During operation, the operation time, amount of intraoperative bleeding and times of intraoperative fluoroscopy were recorded in both groups. After operation, the incidence rate of such complications as inflammatory response, iatrogenic neurological symptoms and loss of reduction were recorded in both groups. Moreover, the reduction quality of acetabular fracture was evaluated according to the Matta imaging score at 3 days after operation, and the hip joint function was evaluated based on the Hariss score at 6 months after operation. In the 3D model group, the operation time was significantly shorter than that in the control group, the amount of intraoperative bleeding and times of intraoperative fluoroscopy were significantly less than those in the routine operation group, and the incidence rate of postoperative complications was obviously lower than that in the routine operation group (P<0.05). In conclusion, computer virtual reduction combined with the 3D printing technique can significantly reduce the operation time, amount of intraoperative bleeding, times of intraoperative fluoroscopy and incidence rate of postoperative complications without adverse effects on the reduction quality of acetabular fracture and hip joint function of patients, which has a higher clinical application value and greater social significance.

Adjusting the structure and luminescence properties of Sr2-x Bax MgAl22 O36 :Eu2+ phosphors by Sr:Ba ratio.

Europium ion (Eu2+ )-doped phosphors exhibit adjustable photoluminescence due to the sensitivity of their luminescence to the local environment. It is of great significance to adjust the luminescence of Eu2+ by changing their local environment in the host. In this work, we investigated the effect of strontium/barium (Sr:Ba) ratio on the structure and luminescence properties of Sr2-x Bax MgAl22 O36 :Eu2+ phosphors. Our investigation indicates that with the decrease of Sr:Ba ratio, the matrix lattice gradually expands and the peak wavelength for the luminescence of Eu2+ presents an obvious blue shift. The occupancy of Eu2+ was analyzed and the reason for the blue shift was explained. Thermal stability for the luminescence of Eu2+ can also be adjusted by changing the Sr:Ba ratio. This work has a positive effect on the regulation of the emission of phosphors and the improvement of thermal stability, which will promote the application of Sr2-x Bax MgAl22 O36 :Eu2+ phosphors in the field of white light emitting diodes.

Correction: Luminescence properties of the pink emitting persistent phosphor Pr3+-doped La3GaGe5O16.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C5RA05116A.].