Self-Assembled BiGaSeAs Composite Superlattice-Structured Nanowire for Broad-Band Photodetection.

Photodetectors with a broad-band response range are widely used in many fields and are regarded as pivotal components of the modern miniaturized electronics industry. However, commercial broad-band photodetectors composed of traditional bulk semiconductor materials are still limited by complex preparation techniques, high costs, and a lack of mechanical strength and flexibility, which are difficult to satisfy the increasing demand for flexible and wearable optoelectronics. Therefore, researchers have been devoted to finding new strategies to obtain flexible, stable, and high-performance broad-band photodetectors. In this work, a novel self-assembled BiGaSeAs composite superlattice-structured nanowire was developed with a simple chemical vapor deposition method for easy fabrication. After the device assembling, the photodetector showed outstanding performance in terms of obvious Ion/Ioff (13.9), broad-band photoresponse (365-940 nm), excellent responsivity (1007.67 A/W), high detectivity (9.38 × 109 Jones), and rapid response (21 and 23 ms). The formation of microheterojunctions among various materials inside the nanowires also contributed to their extended broad-spectrum response and outstanding detection ability. These results indicate that the BiGaSeAs nanowires have potential applications in the field of flexible and wearable electronics.

Rational Design of Three Dimensional Hollow Heterojunctions for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Applications.

The efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is currently limited by poor light adsorption, rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers, and ineffective surface reaction rate. Although heterojunctions with innovative morphologies and structures can strengthen built-in electric fields and maximize the separation of photogenerated charges. However, how to rational design of novel multidimensional structures to simultaneously improve the above three bottleneck problems is still a research imperative. Herein, a unique Cu2O─S@graphene oxide (GO)@Zn0.67Cd0.33S Three dimensional (3D) hollow heterostructure is designed and synthesized, which greatly extends the carrier lifetime and effectively promotes the separation of photogenerated charges. The H2 production rate reached 48.5 mmol g-1 h-1 under visible light after loading Ni2+ on the heterojunction surface, which is 97 times higher than that of pure Zn0.67Cd0.33S nanospheres. Furthermore, the H2 production rate can reach 77.3 mmol g-1 h-1 without cooling, verifying the effectiveness of the photothermal effect. Meanwhile, in situ characterization and density flooding theory calculations reveal the efficient charge transfer at the p-n 3D hollow heterojunction interface. This study not only reveals the detailed mechanism of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in depth but also rationalizes the construction of superior 3D hollow heterojunctions, thus providing a universal strategy for the materials-by-design of high-performance heterojunctions.

Blocked erythroid differentiation and delayed enucleation of erythroblasts may contribute to murine embryonic toxicity upon exposure to low dose of cadmium.

Epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated the association of spontaneous abortion or embryonic atrophy with heavy metals, including some well-known anemia inducers, such as cadmium (Cd). However, the direct adverse effect of Cd on embryos without inducing maternal anemia remains unclear. In this study, we treated mice with a low dose of Cd before and after mating to minimize Cd-induced maternal anemia. Although most embryos developed normally, embryonic atrophy was still observed in a small percentage of embryos from Cd-exposed pregnant mice. Compared to the embryos from the control pregnant mice, a complete blockage of erythroid differentiation was observed in the atrophic embryos but no obvious alteration of erythroid differentiation in the non-atrophic embryos, respectively. Moreover, our results suggested delayed enucleation of erythroblasts in these non-atrophic embryos. Mechanically, the inhibited iron transport from the placenta to the fetus together with the increased iron export in the fetal livers might contribute to embryonic atrophy and delayed enucleation of erythroblasts upon Cd exposure. Our data may provide new insights into the embryonic toxicity of low-dose Cd.

Endoscopy-assisted purely total outer wall excision for pediatric Sylvian arachnoid cysts.

BACKGROUND: To present a novel endoscopy-assisted surgical strategy of Sylvian arachnoid cysts (ACs). CASE PRESENTATION: Endoscopy-assisted surgery was performed on 9 children (May 2019-December 2021). All patients were evaluated with CT and/or MRI and had regular follow-up examinations. The procedure consisted of performing a small temporal craniotomy (2 cm) behind the hairline. After dural opening, the surgery was performed with the assistance of a rigid 30-degree transcranial endoscope, self-irrigating bipolar forceps, and other standard endoscopic instruments. Steps included total excision of the AC outer wall and dissection of arachnoid adhesion around the cystic edge to communicate the residual cyst cavity with subdural space. Compared with the microscopical procedure, a 30-degree transcranial endoscope provides a wider view, especially for the lateral part exposure of the outer wall. The average age of the patients was 27.7 months (range 13-44 months). The Sylvian AC was in the right hemisphere in three patients and six in the left, respectively. 1 patient suffered transient postoperative epilepsy. There was no mortality or additional postoperative neurological deficit in this series. All of the patients achieved significant clinical improvement after surgery. Radiological examination after the operation showed a significant reduction in all cases (100%, 9/9) and disappearance in one case (11.1%, 1/9). Postoperative subdural fluid collection occurred in six cases and completely resolved spontaneously in 9 months. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the minimally invasive, safety, and effectivity of the endoscopy-assisted purely total outer wall excision.

Efficient Doping Induced by Charge Transfer at the Hetero-Interface to Enhance Photocatalytic Performance.

The construction of heterojunction photocatalysts is an effective method to improve photocatalytic efficiency since the potential gradient and built-in electron field established at the junction could enhance the efficiency of charge separation and interfacial charge transfer. Nevertheless, heterojunction photocatalysts with strong built-in electron fields remain difficult to build since the two adjacent constitutes must be satisfied with an appropriate band alignment, redox potential, and carrier concentration gradient. Here, an efficient charge transfer-induced doping strategy is proposed to enhance the heterojunction built-in electron field for stable and efficient photocatalytic performance. Carrier transfer tests show that the rectification ratio of the n-TiO2-X/n-BiOI heterojunction is significantly enhanced after being coated with graphene oxide (GO). Consequently, both the hydrogen production and photodegradation performance of the GO composite heterojunction are considerably enhanced compared with pure TiO2-X, BiOI, and n-TiO2-X/n-BiOI. This work provides a facile method to prepare heterojunction photocatalysts with a high catalytic activity.

Synthesis and Enhanced Light Photocatalytic Activity of Modulating Band BiOBrXI1-X Nanosheets.

The photocatalysis technique has been proven to be a promising method to solve environmental pollution in situations of energy shortage, and has been intensively investigated in the field of pollutant degradation. In this work, a band structure-controlled solid solution of BiOBrXI1-X (x = 0.00, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 1.00) with highly efficient light-driven photocatalytic activities was successfully synthesized via simple solvothermal methods. The phase composition, crystal structure, morphology, internal molecular vibration, optical properties, and energy band structure were characterized and analyzed by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, XPS, Raman, and UV Vis DRS. To evaluate the photocatalytic activity of BiOBrXI1-X, rhodamine B was selected as an organic pollutant. In particular, BiOBr0.15I0.85 displayed significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity by virtue of modulating the energy band position, optimizing redox potentials, and accelerating carrier separation. Moreover, the enhancement mechanism was elucidated on the basis of band structure engineering, which provides ideas for the design of highly active photocatalysts for practical application in the fields of environmental issues and energy conservation.

Erratum: Wang, D., et al. Self-Assembly Synthesis of the MoS2/PtCo Alloy Counter Electrodes for High-Efficiency and Stable Low-Cost Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells. Nanomaterials 2020, 10, 1725.

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Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution over TiO2-X Mesoporous Spheres-ZnO Nanorods Heterojunction.

Photocatalytic water splitting into hydrogen is regarded as one of the key solutions to the deterioration of the global environment and energy. Due to the significantly reduced grain boundaries, ZnO nanorods facilitate a fast electron transfer through their smooth tunnels and are well suited as a photocatalyst. However, the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance of pristine ZnO nanorods is still low due to the high recombination rate of photogenerated electron-hole pairs and the less light absorption. Here, a novel structure about black ZnO nanorods (NRs)/TiO2-X mesoporous spheres (MSs) heterojunction has been prepared and the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance has been explored. The photocatalytic activity test results showed that ZnO NRs/TiO2-X MSs exhibited higher catalytic activity than ZnO NRs for hydrogen production. Compared to the pure ZnO NRs photoanode, the photocurrent of ZnO NRs/TiO2-X MSs heterojunction photoanode could reach 0.41 mA/cm2 in view of the expanding spectral response region and effective inhibition of e-/h+ recombination at the same condition. Using a relatively integrated experimental investigation and mechanism analysis, we scrutinized that after being treated with NaBH4, TiO2 MSs introduce oxygen vacancies expanding the photocatalytic activity of pure TiO2, and improving conductivity and charge transport capabilities through coating on ZnO NRs. More importantly, the results provide a promising approach in the NRs/MSs composite structure serving as photoanodes for photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Self-Assembly Synthesis of the MoS2/PtCo Alloy Counter Electrodes for High-Efficiency and Stable Low-Cost Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

In this work, MoS2 microspheres/PtCo-alloy nanoparticles (MoS2/PtCo-alloy NPs) were composited via a novel and facile process which MoS2 is functionalized by poly (N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) and self-assembled with PtCo-alloy NPs. This new composite shows excellent electrocatalytic activity and great potential for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) as a counter electrode (CE) material. Benefiting from heterostructure and synergistic effects, the MoS2/PtCo-alloy NPs exhibit high electrocatalytic activity, low charge-transfer resistance and stability in the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test. Meanwhile, a high power-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 8.46% is achieved in DSSCs with MoS2/PtCo-alloy NP CEs, which are comparable to traditional Pt CEs (8.45%). This novel composite provides a new high-performance, stable and cheap choice for CEs in DSSCs.

Hydrocephalus due to aqueductal stenosis presenting with acute bilateral ptosis: case report.

Hydrocephalus may cause Parinaud's syndrome which consists of vertical gaze palsy, convergence palsy, lid retraction and pupil light-near dissociation. We are aware of only two prior reports of hydrocephalus presenting with bilateral ptosis. Both were cured by ventriculoperitoneal shunts. We report a 28-month-old girl who presented acute bilateral ptosis but full eye movements both sides. Neuroimages revealed chronic hydrocephalus and aqueductal stenosis. The bilateral ptosis resolved quickly after endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV).

Shunt surgery for early-onset severe hydrocephalus in methylmalonic acidemia: report on two cases and review of the literature.

OBJECT: Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) with early-onset severe hydrocephalus is rare. In this paper, we described two cases of MMA with hydrocephalus and review the literature to elucidate the clinical features of the disease, treatment options, and follow-up results. METHODS: The PubMed and Embase databases were searched for clinical reports on MMA with severe hydrocephalus, and two unreported cases were presented to illustrate the clinical spectrum. RESULTS: Six cases of MMA with severe hydrocephalus were observed in the previous literature. Our two patients with severe hydrocephalus but not bulging fontanelle received a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, and intracranial hypertension was confirmed in both cases during the operation. These patients' clinical symptoms significantly improved after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Intracranial hypertension can exist in early-onset severe hydrocephalus in MMA, even if the bulging anterior fontanelle is not apparent. These patients could benefit from a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt.

Intradiploic hematoma in an infant: case report and literature review.

Intradiploic hematoma is extremely rare, especially in infant patients. Less than 15 cases were reported in English literature up to now. Here, we presented another intradiploic hematoma in an infant boy without coagulopathy. A left parietal craniotomy was performed. Post-operative CT showed well-reconstructed skull.

[Preservation of pituitary stalk in the microsurgery of giant pituitary adenoma and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate and elucidate how to preserve the pituitary stalk in the microsurgery of giant pituitary adenoma (GPA) and its clinical significance. METHODS: 45 GPA patients, 23 males and 22 female; aged 40.8, including 12 cases of invasive pituitary adenoma (IPA) underwent craniotomy based on the respective preoperative neuroradiological imaging characteristics. The anatomical relationship between the pituitary stalk and tumor was recorded. The methods to protect the pituitary stalk were summarized. RESULTS: Total tumor excision was achieved in 25 patients (55.5%), near-total resection was done in 12 (26.7%), and subtotal resection in 8 (17.8%). During the surgical proceeding, the pituitary stalk was distinguished from the tumor and preserved well in all 33 cases with non-invasive giant pituitary adenoma. On the contrary, in the 12 cases of invasive giant pituitary adenoma (IPA) the pituitary stalk was visualized in only 7 cases. In the patients with visualized pituitary stalks 4 pituitary stalks were not identified very well. In most cases (91%) the pituitary stalks were located laterally (on the left or right side) or supero-posterior to the tumor, only a few were located anteriorly. In all 12 IPA patients 2 cases of postoperative hemorrhage occurred associated with remnant tumor and immediate hematoma evacuation was performed, however, one patient died due to hypothalamus injury. CONCLUSION: Pituitary stalk has various anatomical relationships to the entity of GPA; most are located lateral or supero-posterior to the tumor. However, the relationship between the stalk and tumor is not clear in IPA. Identifying and preserving the pituitary stalk well during surgical manipulation will be beneficial to get an excellent outcome.