Solid-state synthesis of cesium manganese halide nanocrystals in glass with bright and broad red emission for white LEDs.

Recently, lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted extensive attention due to their unique optical properties. However, the toxicity of lead and the instability to moisture obstruct their further commercial development. Herein, a series of lead-free CsMnX3 (X = Cl, Br, and I) NCs embedded in glasses were synthesized by a high temperature solid-state chemistry method. These NCs embedded in glass can remain stable after soaking in water for 90 days. It is found that increasing the amount of cesium carbonate in the synthesis process can not only prevent the oxidation of Mn2+ to Mn3+ and promote the transparency of glass in the 450-700 nm region, but also significantly increase its photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) from 2.9% to 65.1%, which is the highest reported value of the red CsMnX3 NCs so far. Using CsMnBr3 NCs with a red emission peak at 649 nm and full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) of 130 nm as the red light source, a white light-emitting diode (LED) device with International Commission on illumination (CIE) coordinates of (0.33, 0.36) and a color rendering index (CRI) of 94 was obtained. These findings, together with future research, are likely to yield stable and bright lead-free NCs for the next generation of solid-state lighting.

The prognostic value and immunological role of SULF2 in adrenocortical carcinoma.

Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) represents the rare urological epithelial cancer of urinary tract, which has a large mass and is usually diagnosed at the advanced stage, thus inducing the poor prognosis. As a result, early detection and diagnosis are more important for the prognosis rather than the treatment of ACC. There is evidence supporting the association of Sulfatase2 (SULF2) with bladder cancer. However, the relationships of SULF2 with the clinical features and immune infiltration of ACC remain unclear. Methods: This work comprehensively investigated the different expression levels of SULF2 within ACC and its prognostic significance through various databases including Gene Expression Profiling Interaction Analysis (GEPIA), Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER), The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), Kaplan-Meier (KM) plotter and UALCAN. Besides, SULF2 levels within different tumor and paraneoplastic tissues were examined based on Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and TIMER. Afterwards, this study identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in high-compared with low-SULF2-expression groups. To predict the possible interaction between SULF2 and its targets, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed based on relevant data collected in STRING database. Besides, the SULF2 functional annotation was carried out, including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and GSEA. In addition, gene mutation analysis was also performed based on the cBioPortal database. The relation of SULF2 with immune infiltration was analyzed from various aspects by using the resources of various databases including TIMER, TISIDB, and GEPIA, which was first reported in this work. Finally, R package was utilized to plot the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of diagnosis, time-dependent survival, and the association of SULF2 with cancer stage and the nomogram model. Finally, CellMiner dataset was adopted for SULF2 correlation as well as drug sensitivity analysis. Results: Relative to healthy people, SULF2 level markedly elevated within ACC tissues. Besides, SULF2 up-regulation significantly predicted the dismal prognostic outcome, which may be an important prognostic factor. Afterwards, the PPI network was constructed, and the possible link of SULF2 with the corresponding targets was predicted. Besides, up-regulated SULF2 expression was tightly related to immune regulation and tumor-infiltration immune cell (TIICs), including CD8+, CD4+ and mast cells. Finally, SULF2 expression was speculated to help determine the sensitivity of certain drugs. Conclusions: SULF2 may offer a new therapeutic target for ACC patients and become an important potential prognostic biomarker.

Luminescence Enhancement of CsMnBr3 Nanocrystals through Heterometallic Doping.

The absorption and photoluminescence (PL) of CsMnBr3 with Mn(II) in octahedral crystal fields are extremely weak due to a d-d forbidden transition. Herein, we introduce a facile and general synthetic procedure that can prepare undoped and heterometallic doped CsMnBr3 NCs at room temperature. Importantly, both PL and absorption of CsMnBr3 NCs were significantly improved after doping a small amount of Pb2+ (4.9%). The absolute photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) of Pb-doped CsMnBr3 NCs is up to 41.5%, 11-fold higher than undoped CsMnBr3 NCs (3.7%). The PL enhancement is attributed to the synergistic effects between [MnBr6]4- units and [PbBr6]4- units. Furthermore, we verified the similar synergistic effects between [MnBr6]4- units and [SbBr6]4- units in Sb-doped CsMnBr3 NCs. Our results highlight the potential of tailoring luminescence properties of manganese halides through heterometallic doping.

Ultra-small α-CsPbI3 perovskite quantum dots with stable, bright and pure red emission for Rec. 2020 display backlights.

The synthesis of α-CsPbI3 perovskite quantum dots (QDs) with pure red emission around 630 nm is in high demand for display backlight application. However, the phase transition of α-CsPbI3 to yellow non-emitting δ-CsPbI3 has been proven to be a great challenge for the classic colloidal synthesis route for perovskite QDs in octadecene (ODE). Herein, we report a novel colloidal synthesis route by replacing ODE with lauryl methacrylate (LMA) as the reaction solvent to improve the solubility of precursors, resulting in small sized α-CsPbI3 QDs with a diameter of only 4.2 nm, which are the smallest red PQDs reported so far. The corresponding CsPbI3 QD films exhibit a tunable photoluminescence (PL) emission peak in the bright pure red region of 627 to 638 nm. The CsPbI3 QD polymer composite films with PL emission at 630 nm exhibit a superior photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and photostability to mixed halide CsPbBrI2 films under intense illumination. Perovskite light emitting diodes (LED) with the color gamut reaching 96% of the Rec. 2020 standard are achieved using these films. This study provides a high-performance pure red fluorescent material with a robust, low-cost, and reproducible colloidal chemistry that will pave the way for the adoption of perovskite QDs in display backlight application.

Synthesis of Efficient and Stable Tetrabutylammonium Copper Halides with Dual Emissions for Warm White Light-Emitting Diodes.

In order to achieve a high color-rendering index (CRI) and low correlated color temperature (CCT) indoor lighting, single-component phosphors with broad-band dual emission are in high demand for white-light-emitting diodes (WLEDs). However, phosphors with such fluorescent properties are rare at present. Herein, we report a facile solid-state chemical method for the synthesis of single-component phosphor with broad-band emission and a large Stokes shift that can meet the requirements of future white-light sources. These new tetrabutylammonium copper halides phosphors have excellent warm white emission characteristics, and their luminescence peaks are located at 494 and 654 nm. The optimized photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield can reach 93.7 %. The typical CIE coordinate of the as-fabricated WLED is at (0.3620, 0.3731) with a CRI of 89 and low CCT of 4516 K.

Pressure Evolution of Ultrafast Photocarrier Dynamics and Electron-Phonon Coupling in FeTe0.5Se0.5.

Understanding the coupling between electrons and phonons in iron chalcogenides FeTexSe1-x has remained a critical but arduous project in recent decades. The direct observation of the electron-phonon coupling effect through electron dynamics and vibrational properties has been lacking. Here, we report the first pressure-dependent ultrafast photocarrier dynamics and Raman scattering studies on an iron chalcogenide FeTe0.5Se0.5 to explore the interaction between electrons and phonons in this unconventional superconductor. The lifetime of the excited electrons evidently decreases as the pressure increases from 0 to 2.2 GPa, and then increases with further compression. The vibrational properties of the A1g phonon mode exhibit similar behavior, with a pronounced frequency reduction appearing at approximately 2.3 GPa. The dual evidence reveals the enhanced electron-phonon coupling strength with pressure in FeTe0.5Se0.5. Our results give an insight into the role of the electron-phonon coupling effect in iron-based superconductors.

The effectiveness and safety of three surgical procedures for the treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia: A network meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia using a network Meta-analysis. Methods: Randomized controlled trials of TURP, HoLEP and ThuLEP for benign prostatic hyperplasia were collected by computerized searches of databases including CNKI, WANFANG, VIP, PubMed, The Cochrane Library, the Web of Science and Embase, with a search time frame of build to January 2022. The literature was screened and data was extracted by two investigators separately, while the risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated before systematic evaluation and network meta-analysis using ADDIS 1.16.8 software and RevMan 5.3 software. Results: A total of 27 RCTs with a total of 3335 patients were involved. The results of the network meta-analysis showed that ThuLEP was better than the remaining two procedures in terms of enhancing patients' subjective perception and improving objective indicators, and the incidence of adverse events such as postoperative urethral stricture and urinary incontinence was lower compared with that of conventional TURP in both short- and long-term postoperative follow-ups. Conclusion: As ThuLEP is effective, safe, and featured with few postoperative complications, it can be the preferred surgical procedure for prostate enlargement. Nevertheless, because of the limited number of studies included, more-sample, multicenter, double-blind clinical randomized controlled trials are required in the future to further verify the findings of the present study.

A positive feedback loop between tryptophan hydroxylase 1 and ß-Catenin/ZBP-89 signaling promotes prostate cancer progression.

Alterations in tryptophan (Trp) metabolism facilitate the continuous modulation of tumor progression, including tumor growth, distant metastasis, and chemoresistance development. Although there is a high correlation between Trp metabolism and tumor progression, it is unknown whether and how Trp metabolism affects the development of prostate cancer. In this study, we reported that the overexpression of Trp hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) caused the upregulation of Trp hydroxylation and mediated the production of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), contributing to tumor growth and poor prognosis in patients with prostate cancer. An increase in 5-HT levels triggered the activation of the Axin 1/ß-catenin signaling pathway, thus enhancing cell proliferation and migration. Consequently, ß-catenin cooperated with the Krüppel-type zinc finger family transcription factor ZBP-89 to upregulate TPH1 expression, further promoting Trp hydroxylation and forming the TPH1/5-HT/ß-catenin/ZBP-89/THP1 positive feedback signaling loop. Interruption of the signaling loop by the THP1 inhibitor 4-chloro-dl-phenylalanine (PCPA) significantly improved anticancer effects and suppressed lung metastasis in prostate cancer-bearing mice. Our findings revealed a mechanism by which TPH1 promotes prostate cancer growth by inducing Trp hydroxylation and identified a novel THP1 target for an innovative prostate cancer therapeutic strategy.

Weyl-mediated helical magnetism in NdAlSi.

Emergent relativistic quasiparticles in Weyl semimetals are the source of exotic electronic properties such as surface Fermi arcs, the anomalous Hall effect and negative magnetoresistance, all observed in real materials. Whereas these phenomena highlight the effect of Weyl fermions on the electronic transport properties, less is known about what collective phenomena they may support. Here, we report a Weyl semimetal, NdAlSi, that offers an example. Using neutron diffraction, we found a long-wavelength helical magnetic order in NdAlSi, the periodicity of which is linked to the nesting vector between two topologically non-trivial Fermi pockets, which we characterize using density functional theory and quantum oscillation measurements. We further show the chiral transverse component of the spin structure is promoted by bond-oriented Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions associated with Weyl exchange processes. Our work provides a rare example of Weyl fermions driving collective magnetism.

Two-dimensional overdamped fluctuations of the soft perovskite lattice in CsPbBr3.

Lead halide perovskites exhibit structural instabilities and large atomic fluctuations thought to impact their optical and thermal properties, yet detailed structural and temporal correlations of their atomic motions remain poorly understood. Here, these correlations are resolved in CsPbBr3 crystals using momentum-resolved neutron and X-ray scattering measurements as a function of temperature, complemented with first-principles simulations. We uncover a striking network of diffuse scattering rods, arising from the liquid-like damping of low-energy Br-dominated phonons, reproduced in our simulations of the anharmonic phonon self-energy. These overdamped modes cover a continuum of wave vectors along the edges of the cubic Brillouin zone, corresponding to two-dimensional sheets of correlated rotations in real space, and could represent precursors to proposed two-dimensional polarons. Further, these motions directly impact the electronic gap edge states, linking soft anharmonic lattice dynamics and optoelectronic properties. These results provide insights into the highly unusual atomic dynamics of halide perovskites, relevant to further optimization of their optical and thermal properties.

Classical Spin Liquid or Extended Critical Range in h-YMnO_{3}?

Neutron spectroscopy on the classical triangular-lattice frustrated antiferromagnet h-YMnO_{3} reveals diffuse, gapless magnetic excitations present both far below and above the ordering temperature. The correlation length of the excitations increases as the temperature approaches zero, bearing a strong resemblance to critical scattering. We model the dynamics in the ordered and correlated disordered phase as critical spin correlations in a two-dimensional magnetic state. We propose that our findings may provide a general framework to understand features often attributed to classical spin liquids.

Understanding Reentrance in Frustrated Magnets: The Case of the Er_{2}Sn_{2}O_{7} Pyrochlore.

Reentrance, the return of a system from an ordered phase to a previously encountered less-ordered one as a controlled parameter is continuously varied, is a recurring theme found in disparate physical systems, yet its microscopic cause is often not investigated thoroughly. Here, through detailed characterization and theoretical modeling, we uncover the microscopic mechanism behind reentrance in the strongly frustrated pyrochlore antiferromagnet Er_{2}Sn_{2}O_{7}. We use single crystal heat capacity measurements to expose that Er_{2}Sn_{2}O_{7} exhibits multiple instances of reentrance in its magnetic field B vs temperature T phase diagram for magnetic fields along three cubic high symmetry directions. Through classical Monte Carlo simulations, mean field theory, and classical linear spin-wave expansions, we argue that the origins of the multiple occurrences of reentrance observed in Er_{2}Sn_{2}O_{7} are linked to soft modes. These soft modes arise from phase competition and enhance thermal fluctuations that entropically stabilize a specific ordered phase, resulting in an increased transition temperature for certain field values and thus the reentrant behavior. Our work represents a detailed examination into the mechanisms responsible for reentrance in a frustrated magnet and may serve as a template for the interpretation of reentrant phenomena in other physical systems.

Materializing rival ground states in the barlowite family of kagome magnets: quantum spin liquid, spin ordered, and valence bond crystal states.

The spin- 1 2 kagome antiferromagnet is considered an ideal host for a quantum spin liquid (QSL) ground state. We find that when the bonds of the kagome lattice are modulated with a periodic pattern, new quantum ground states emerge. Newly synthesized crystalline barlowite (Cu4(OH)6FBr) and Zn-substituted barlowite demonstrate the delicate interplay between singlet states and spin order on the spin- 1 2 kagome lattice. Comprehensive structural measurements demonstrate that our new variant of barlowite maintains hexagonal symmetry at low temperatures with an arrangement of distorted and undistorted kagome triangles, for which numerical simulations predict a pinwheel valence bond crystal (VBC) state instead of a QSL. The presence of interlayer spins eventually leads to an interesting pinwheel q = 0 magnetic order. Partially Zn-substituted barlowite (Cu3.44Zn0.56(OH)6FBr) has an ideal kagome lattice and shows QSL behavior, indicating a surprising robustness of the QSL against interlayer impurities. The magnetic susceptibility is similar to that of herbertsmithite, even though the Cu2+ impurities are above the percolation threshold for the interlayer lattice and they couple more strongly to the nearest kagome moment. This system is a unique playground displaying QSL, VBC, and spin order, furthering our understanding of these highly competitive quantum states.

Influence of Kosmotrope and Chaotrope Salts on Water Structural Relaxation.

The structural relaxation in water solutions of kosmotrope (structure maker) and chaotrope (structure breaker) salts, namely sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and cesium chloride, were studied through quasielastic neutron scattering measurements. We found that the collective dynamics relaxation time at the structure factor peak obtained using heavy water solutions shows a distinctively different behavior in the kosmotrope as opposed to the chaotrope solutions, increasing with the salt concentration in the former and decreasing in the latter. In both cases the trends are proportional to the concentration dependence of the relative viscosity of the solutions. These results indicate that kosmotropes and chaotropes influence the solution's viscosity by impacting in opposite ways the hydrogen bond network of water, strengthening it in one case and softening it in the other.

A Propensity Score-Matched Comparison Between Sutureless and Suture Techniques in Laparoscopic Nephron-Sparing Surgery: A Retrospective Non-Randomized Observational Study.

Objective: To compare the surgical feasibility, oncological and functional results between sutureless and suture techniques in retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery (LNSS). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study collected consecutive patients with a renal mass who underwent retroperitoneal LNSS in two high-volume centers. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted to select two baseline homogeneous cohorts. Descriptive statistics was performed both before and after PSM. Moreover, univariate and multivariate logistic analyses were carried out to identify the risk factors of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI), whereas Kaplan-Meier analysis for functional deterioration (new-onset stage 3 chronic kidney disease [CKD], estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, or CKD upstaging after surgery) was utilized to compare the two cohorts. Results: After PSM at a ratio of 1:3, the sutureless group (n = 65) was compared with the suture group (n = 152) with no remaining statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics. With regard to patient outcomes, differences in warm ischemia time (WIT) (P < .001), estimated blood loss (P < .001), AKI (P = .002), length of hospital stay (P = .020), and eGFR at discharge (P < .001) were statistically significant. Meanwhile, the postoperative complication rates (9.2% versus 13.8%, P = .378) and positive surgical margins (0% versus 2.0%, P = .556) were not statistically different. At the last follow-up, the eGFR decline percent was the same (-1.5% versus -2.2%, P = .192). No difference was detected on Kaplan-Meier analysis for functional deterioration (log-rank test, P = .304). Conclusions: Sutureless technique in LNSS is safe and feasible, compared with the traditional suture method, with shorter WIT, lower AKI rate, and comparable long-term oncological and functional outcomes.

Broadband critical dynamics in disordered lead-based perovskites.

Materials based on the cubic perovskite unit cell continue to provide the basis for technologically important materials with two notable recent examples being lead-based relaxor piezoelectrics and lead-based organic-inorganic halide photovoltaics. These materials carry considerable disorder, arising from site substitution in relaxors and molecular vibrations in the organic-inorganics, yet much of our understanding of these systems derives from the initial classic work of Prof. Roger A Cowley, who applied both theory and neutron scattering methods while at Chalk River Laboratories to the study of lattice vibrations in SrTiO3. Neutron scattering continues to play a vital role in characterizing lattice vibrations in perovskites owing to the simple cross section and the wide range of energy resolutions achievable with current neutron instrumentation. We discuss the dynamics that drive the phase transitions in the relaxors and organic-inorganic lead-halides in terms of neutron scattering and compare them to those in phase transitions associated with a 'central peak' and also a soft mode. We review some of the past experimental work on these materials and present new data from high-resolution time-of-flight backscattering spectroscopy taken on organic-inorganic perovskites. We will show that the structural transitions in disordered lead-based perovskites are driven by a broad frequency band of excitations.

Crystal structures and rotational dynamics of a two-dimensional metal halide perovskite (OA)2PbI4.

The extended charge carrier lifetime in metal halide perovskites is responsible for their excellent optoelectronic properties. Recent studies indicate that the superb device performance in these materials is intimately related to the organic cation dynamics. Here, we focus on the investigation of the two-dimensional hybrid perovskite, (C8H17NH3)2PbI4 (henceforth, OA+ = C8H17NH3 +). Using elastic and quasielastic neutron scattering techniques and group theoretical analysis, we studied the structural phase transitions and rotational modes of the C8H17NH3 + cation in (OA)2PbI4. Our results show that, in the high-temperature orthorhombic (T > 310 K) phase, the OA+ cation exhibits a combination of a twofold rotation of the NH3-CH2 head group about the crystal c-axis with a characteristic relaxation time of ∼6.2 ps, threefold rotations (C3) of NH3 and CH3 terminal groups, and slow librations of the other atoms. Contrastingly, only the C3 rotation is present in the intermediate-temperature orthorhombic (238 K < T < 310 K) and low-temperature monoclinic (T < 238 K) phases.

Targeted metabolomics reveals that 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran exposure induces hepatic steatosis in male mice.

Environmental exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzofuran (TCDF), one of typical persistent organic pollutants (POPs) produced from municipal waste combustion, exerts toxic effects on human healthy. In the current study, we mainly used targeted metabolomics combined with untargeted 1H NMR-based metabolomics to investigate the effects of TCDF exposure on lipid homeostasis in mice. We found that TCDF exposure induced hepatic lipogenesis, the early-stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, manifested by excessive lipids including triglycerides, fatty acids and lipotoxic ceramides accumulated in the liver together with elevated serum very low-density lipoprotein by activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and its target genes such as Cyp1a1 and Cd36. We also found that TCDF exposure induced alteration of phospholipids and choline metabolites and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) markers in the liver of mice, indicating that disruption of host cell membrane structural integrity and ER stress leading to hepatic steatosis. In addition, complementary information was also obtained from histopathologic assessments and biological assays, strongly supporting toxic effects of TCDF. These results provide new evidence of TCDF toxicity associated with fatty liver disease and further our understanding of health effects of environmental pollutants exposure.

A Combination of the Mayo Adhesive Probability Score and the RENAL Score to Predict Intraoperative Complications in Small Renal Masses.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the potential predictive value of the Mayo Adhesive Probability (MAP) score combined with the RENAL score for intraoperative outcomes in retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in an Eastern Asian population. METHODS: An initial of 388 patients undergoing retroperitoneal laparoscopic NSS were identified. MAP and RENAL scores were calculated according to CT and a logistic regression model was adopted as a combination of the RENAL score and the MAP score. RESULTS: A total of 293 patients were included. The overall intraoperative complication rate was 7.5% (21 cases). The MAP score was found to correlate with operation time (OT; r = 0.169), estimated blood loss (EBL; r = 0.318), and intraoperative complications (r = 0.242). The RENAL score was correlated with warm is-chemia time (r = 0.503), OT (r = 0.334), intraoperative complications (r = 0.178), and EBL (r = 0.218). The MAP score and the RENAL score were reliable predictors of overall intraoperative complications, with areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.728 and 0.759, respectively. After combination of these 2 scores, the AUC of overall intra-operative complications was improved with statistical significance (AUC = 0.847, combination vs. RENAL score: p = 0.044 < 0.05; combination vs. MAP score: p = 0.005 < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The MAP score is an important predictor of EBL, OT, and intraoperative complications in retroperitoneal laparoscopic NSS and its combination with the RENAL score showed a superior predictive value compared to a single score in overall intraoperative complications. The MAP score might be considered in preoperative radiologic aspects as regularly as the RENAL score.

Dose-Dependent Effects of Triclocarban Exposure on Lipid Homeostasis in Rats.

Environmental exposure to triclocarban (TCC), a common antibacterial agent widely used in thousands of personal care products, poses a potential risk for human health. Previous in vitro studies about biological effects of TCC have yielded a variety of inconsistent results and apparently not been verified in vivo. In the current study, dose-dependent effects of TCC exposure on lipid homeostasis in rats were investigated using a combination of untargeted 1H NMR metabolomics, targeted metabolite profiling (LC/GC-MS), histopathological assessments, and biological assays. Our results revealed that TCC dose-dependently activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and its transcriptional targets such as Cyp1a1 and Cyp1b1 in the liver of rats, suggesting that TCC may be a potent AHR agonist. Although TCC exhibited dose-dependent toxicity, oral exposure with relatively low dose TCC caused more significant hepatic lipogenesis of rats than relatively high and moderate doses of TCC. It was mainly manifested by histopathological observations and promotion of de novo fatty acid, phospholipid, and ceramide biosynthesis and gut microbiota fermentation. Our findings provide new insights into health effects of TCC exposure with different dosages in vivo, especially on the induction and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and further our understanding in the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases induced by environmental pollutants.