Manipulating 2D Materials through Strain Engineering.

This review explores the growing interest in 2D layered materials, such as graphene, h-BN, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), and black phosphorus (BP), with a specific focus on recent advances in strain engineering. Both experimental and theoretical results are delved into, highlighting the potential of strain to modulate physical properties, thereby enhancing device performance. Various strain engineering methods are summarized, and the impact of strain on the electrical, optical, magnetic, thermal, and valleytronic properties of 2D materials is thoroughly examined. Finally, the review concludes by addressing potential applications and challenges in utilizing strain engineering for functional devices, offering valuable insights for further research and applications in optoelectronics, thermionics, and spintronics.

2D van der Waals Vertical Heterojunction Transistors for Ternary Neural Networks.

Compared with binary systems, ternary computing systems can utilize fewer devices to realize the same information density. However, most ternary computing systems based on binary CMOS circuits require additional devices to bridge binary processing and ternary computing. Exploring new device architectures for direct ternary processing and computing becomes the key to promoting ternary computing systems. Here, we demonstrated a 2D van der Waals vertical heterojunction transistor (V-HTR) with three flat conductance states, which can be the basic cell in ternary circuits to perform ternary processing and computing, without additional devices. A ternary neural network (TNN) and a ternary inverter were demonstrated based on the V-HTRs. The TNN can eliminate fuzzy data and output only clear data by building a ternary quantization function. By demonstrating both ternary logic and a TNN on the same device architecture, the 2D V-HTR shows potential as a basic hardware unit for future ternary computing systems.

Construction of Fe3O4/xSiO2/ySiO2 Nanoparticles for Pesticide Removal from Water: Improved Dispersion Stability and Adsorption Capacity.

Highly efficient and reusable adsorbents for pesticide removal from wastewater have received increasing attention. In this study, Fe3O4 was synthesized using the solvothermal method. Fe3O4/xSiO2 and Fe3O4/xSiO2/ySiO2 were obtained through layer-by-layer silica (SiO2) coating on the surface of Fe3O4. SiO2 coating improved the dispersibility of the adsorbent, which can be separated from water rapidly under the action of the external magnetic field. The adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was investigated through removing pyraclostrobin from synthetic wastewater. The adsorbent showed the highest adsorption effect at the adsorbent concentration of 1 mg mL-1, at a pH of 7, and the adsorbent time of 110 min. The fitting model of the adsorption process conformed to the second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity of Fe3O4/xSiO2/ySiO2 nanoparticles was 94.89 mg g-1, and the removal efficiency was about 96% at adsorption equilibrium. Acetone as the eluent can effectively desorb the adsorbent, and the desorbed adsorbent had high reusability. Particularly, the removal efficiency was still greater than 86% after 9 times of reuse. These results provide a reference for designing reusable nanoparticles to effectively absorb pesticides in wastewater.

Electrochemical Cyclization of Alkynyl Enaminones: Controllable Synthesis of Indeno[1,2-c]pyrroles or Indanones.

We report an electrochemical intramolecular [3 + 2] cyclization of alkynyl enaminones in a user-friendly undivided cell under constant current conditions without an oxidant and catalyst, and indeno[1,2-c]pyrrole derivatives could be obtained in good to excellent yields. Notably, preliminary substituent-controlled selective transformation is also achieved under electrocatalysis alone, and indeno[1,2-c]pyrrole (R4 ≠ H) or indanone derivatives (R4 = H) could be prepared directly under electrocatalysis without adding a base and heating process.

Effect of nonpharmacological interventions on poststroke depression: a network meta-analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of nonpharmacological interventions (NPIs) on poststroke depression (PSD) in stroke patients. Methods: Computer searches were conducted on the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), and Wanfang databases from their establishment to December 2023. The selection was made using the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 40 articles were included to compare the effects of the 17 NPIs on patients with PSD. Results: Forty studies involving seventeen interventions were included. The network findings indicated that compared with conventional therapy (COT), superior PSD improvement was observed for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) + acupoint acupuncture (CBTA) (mean difference [MD], -4.25; 95% CI, -5.85 to -2.65), team positive psychotherapy (MD, -4.05; 95% CI, -5.53 to -2.58), music therapy (MT) + positive psychological intervention (MD, -2.25; 95% CI, -3.65 to -0.85), CBT (MD, -1.52; 95% CI, -2.05 to -0.99), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MD, -1.14; 95% CI, -2.14 to -0.14), MT (MD, -0.95; 95% CI, -1.39 to -0.52), acupoint acupuncture + MT (AAMT) (MD, -0.69; 95% CI, -1.25 to -0.14). Furthermore, CBT (MD, -3.87; 95% CI, -4.57 to -3.17), AAMT (MD, -1.02; 95% CI, -1.41 to -0.62), acupressure + MT (MD, -0.91; 95% CI, -1.27 to -0.54), and narrative care + acupressure (MD, -0.74; 95% CI, -1.19 to -0.29) demonstrated superior Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) improvement compared with COT. Conclusion: Evidence from systematic reviews and meta-analyses suggests that CBTA improves depression in patients with PSD. Moreover, CBT improves sleep in these patients. Additional randomized controlled trials are required to further investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of these interventions.

A biodegradable oxidized starch/carboxymethyl chitosan film coated with pesticide-loaded ZIF-8 for tomato fusarium wilt control.

Film mulching is one of the most important methods to control soil-borne diseases. However, the traditional mulch may cause microplastic pollution and soil ecological damage. Herein, a biodegradable film was developed using oxidized starch and carboxymethyl chitosan and incorporated ZIF-8 carrying fludioxonil to sustainably control soil-borne disease. The microstructure, mechanical properties, optical properties, and water barrier properties of the composite films (Flu@ZIF-8-OS/CMCS) were investigated. The results show that Flu@ZIF-8-OS/CMCS had a smooth and uniform surface and excellent light transmittance. The excellent mechanical properties of the films were verified by tensile strength, elongation at break and Young's modulus. Higher contact angle and lower water vapor permeability indicate water retention capacity of the soil was improved through using Flu@ZIF-8-OS/CMCS. Furthermore, the release properties, biological activity, degradability and safety to soil organisms of Flu@ZIF-8-OS/CMCS was determined. The addition of ZIF-8 significantly improved the film's ability to retard the release of Flu, while the Flu@ZIF-8-OS/CMCS has good soil degradability. In vitro antifungal assays and pot experiments demonstrated excellent inhibitory activity against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Lycopersici. Flu@ZIF-8-OS/CMCS caused only 13.33 % mortality of earthworms within 7 d. This research provides a new approach to reducing microplastic pollution and effectively managing soil-borne diseases.

Preparation and Characterization of a Novel Artemisia Oil Packaging Film and Its Application in Mango Preservation.

In this work, a new food packaging film was synthesized via blending Artemisia oil (AO) into soybean protein isolate (SPI) and gelatin (Gel) for the postharvest storage of mango. The morphological architecture and mechanical properties of the films were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and other technologies. The results show that the prepared films had relatively flat surfaces with good mechanical properties. AO enhanced the light-blocking ability of the film, increased the hydrophobicity, and affected the moisture content and water solubility of the film to a certain extent. Furthermore, the antioxidant performance and antifungal (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides) capacity of the films increased with higher AO concentration due to the presence of the active components contained in AO. During mango storage applications, the films showed good freshness retention properties. The above results indicate that SPI-Gel films containing AO have excellent physicochemical and application properties and have great potential in the field of food packaging.

Construction and formulation optimization of prothioconazole nanoemulsions for the control of Fusarium graminearum: Enhancing activity and reducing toxicity.

In this study, the optimal emulsifier for prothioconazole nanoemulsions was initially screened based on appearance, microscopic observation, mean droplet size and polydispersity index (PDI). In addition, the BoxBehnken design method is adopted, and the optimal formula is screened with an emulsification time, emulsifier content, and solvent content as a single factor. On this basis, the nanoemulsion meets FAO standards for various indicators. The contact angle of droplets on wheat leaves was significantly reduced. This nanoemulsion also showed good inhibitory activity against Fusarium graminearum (EC50 =1.94 mg L-1), low acute toxicity to zebrafish (LC50 =26.35 mg L-1) and good biosafety to BEAS-2B cells. The nanoemulsion reduced the adverse effects of pesticide on wheat seed germination and growth. This study can help promote the design and manufacture of stable, efficient and safe agricultural nanoemulsions, and is expected to benefit the sustainable development of green plant protection.

Sodium alginate-carboxymethyl chitosan hydrogels loaded with difenoconazole for pH-responsive release to control wheat crown rot.

Increasing concern about environmental pollution has driven the development of controlled release formulations for agrochemicals. Due to the advantages of degradability and responsiveness to environmental stimuli, polysaccharide-based hydrogel is an ideal carrier for agrochemicals controlled release. In this study, a method-easy polysaccharide hydrogel for controlled release of difenoconazole (DZ) was prepared with sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). Due to its three-dimensional crosslinked mesh structure, the prepared hydrogels (CSDZ) showed an agrochemical load capacity of 9.03 % and an encapsulation efficiency of 68.64 %. The release rate is faster in alkaline solution, followed by neutral solution, and slowest in an acid environment, which is consistent with the swelling behavior. Furthermore, leaching studies showed that CSDZ hydrogels have excellent protective properties for encapsulated agrochemicals. Compared with technical DZ, the results of in vitro and pot antifungal testing showed that CSDZ had a better control effect against wheat crown rot (Fusarium pseudograminearum). Safety assessment studies indicated that CSDZ hydrogels exhibit good biocompatibility on nontargeted organisms (Daphnia magna, zebrafish and Eisenia fetida) and wheat. This study aims to provide a potentially promising approach for the preparation and application of biocompatible polysaccharide-based hydrogels for agrochemical-controlled release in sustainable disease management.

CO2 Transient Promotion Function Enabled the Selective Electrochemical Transformation of Imines.

An unprecedented transient promotion function (TPF) of CO2 in the electrochemical hydrogenation/deuteration of imines (especially α-iminonitriles) is reported. The TPF influence of CO2 results from the introduction of CO2 that disperses the negative charges of the imine radical anion intermediate. The resulting redistribution of electrons leads to a lower reduction potential of the CO2-substituted imine radical anion and thus facilitates the succeeding one-electron reduction. CO2 is finally released via spontaneous decarboxylation to complete the transient promotion process.

The map of bone metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A real-world study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the metastatic patterns of synchronous bone metastasis (SBM) and metachronous bone metastasis (MBM) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: This study included bone metastases in NPC patients from 2005 to 2016 in a Chinese hospital. Cohort 1 was collected from 2005 to 2010 for discovery, and Cohort 2 from 2011 to 2016 for validation. The chi-squared test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Kaplan-Meier technique were used to compare site, time, and survival between cohorts 1 and 2. Prognostic factors were analyzed using univariate or multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS: Cohort 1 had 112 individuals with SBM and 394 with MBM, and cohort 2 had 328 with SBM and 307 with MBM. The thoracic vertebra was the most frequently affected site of metastasis. Patients with SBM more often had metastasis to the cervical vertebrae compared with patients with MBM (34.5% vs. 22.3%, p < 0.05). Patients with SBM had better overall survival (42.2 months, 95% CI: 33.9-50.7) than patients with MBM (24.9 months, 95% CI: 22.2-28.7). Age at bone metastasis detection, metastasis to other organs, and more bone metastasis locations were associated with worse prognosis. The majority of MBMs occurred at 7 to 18 months after NPC diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy does not modify the metastatic patterns of NPC bone metastases. Patients with SBM tend to have metastasis to the cervical vertebra, which is close to the nasopharynx. Paying more attention to bone metastases during follow-up in the first 2 years after an NPC diagnosis.

Construction of Prochloraz-Loaded Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Coated with Metal-Phenolic Networks for Precise Release and Improved Biosafety of Pesticides.

Currently, environmental-responsive pesticide delivery systems have become an essential way to improve the effective utilization of pesticides. In this paper, by using hollow mesoporous silica (HMS) as a nanocarrier and TA-Cu metal-phenolic networks as a capping agent, a pH-responsive controlled release nano-formulation loaded with prochloraz (Pro@HMS-TA-Cu) was constructed. The structure and properties of Pro@HMS-TA-Cu were adequately characterised and analysed. The results showed that the loading content of Pro@HMS-TA-Cu nanoparticles was about 17.7% and the Pro@HMS-TA-Cu nanoparticles exhibited significant pH-responsive properties. After a coating of the TA-Cu metal-phenolic network, the contact angle and adhesion work of Pro@HMS-TA-Cu nanoparticles on the surface of oilseed rape leaves after 360 s were 59.6° and 107.2 mJ·m-2, respectively, indicating that the prepared nanoparticles possessed excellent adhesion. In addition, the Pro@HMS-TA-Cu nanoparticles demonstrated better antifungal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and lower toxicity to zebrafish compared to prochloraz technical. Hence, the pH-responsive nanoparticles prepared with a TA-Cu metal-phenolic network as a capping agent are highly efficient and environmentally friendly, providing a new approach for the development of new pesticide delivery systems.

Prognostic Value of Serum Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies and Their Correlation with TNM Classification in Patients with Locoregionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the correlation between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) biomarkers and the eighth American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system and the prognostic values of IgG antibodies against replication and transcription activator (Rta-IgG), IgA antibodies against Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1, and BamH1 Z transactivator (Zta-IgA) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum EBV antibody levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 435 newly diagnosed stage III-IVA NPC patients administered intensity-modulated radiation therapy±chemotherapy. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Rta-IgG and Zta-IgA levels were positively correlated with the N category and clinical stage. Patients with high Rta-IgG levels (> 29.07 U/mL) showed a significantly inferior prognosis as indicated by PFS (77% vs. 89.8%, p=0.004), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (88.3% vs. 95.8%, p=0.021), and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (91.2% vs. 98.3%, p=0.009). High Rta-IgG levels were also significantly associated with inferior PFS and LRFS in multivariable analyses. In the low-level EBV DNA group (≤ 1,500 copies/mL), patients with high Rta-IgG levels had significantly inferior PFS and DMFS (both p < 0.05). However, in the high-level EBV DNA group, Rta-IgG levels were not significantly associated with PFS, DMFS, and LRFS. In the advanced T category (T3-4) subgroup, high Rta-IgG levels were also significantly associated with inferior PFS, DMFS, and LRFS (both p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Rta-IgG and Zta-IgA levels were strongly correlated with the TNM classification. Rta-IgG level was a negative prognostic factor in locoregionally advanced NPC patients, especially those with advanced T category or low EBV DNA level.