The human placenta is a dynamic and heterogeneous organ critical in the establishment of the fetomaternal interface and the maintenance of gestational well-being. It is also the major source of ...cell-free fetal nucleic acids in the maternal circulation. Placental dysfunction contributes to significant complications, such as preeclampsia, a potentially lethal hypertensive disorder during pregnancy. Previous studies have identified significant changes in the expression profiles of preeclamptic placentas using whole-tissue analysis. Moreover, studies have shown increased levels of targeted RNA transcripts, overall and placental contributions in maternal cell-free nucleic acids during pregnancy progression and gestational complications, but it remains infeasible to noninvasively delineate placental cellular dynamics and dysfunction at the cellular level using maternal cell-free nucleic acid analysis. In this study, we addressed this issue by first dissecting the cellular heterogeneity of the human placenta and defined individual cell-type–specific gene signatures by analyzing more than 24,000 nonmarker selected cells from full-term and early preeclamptic placentas using large-scale microfluidic single-cell transcriptomic technology. Our dataset identified diverse cellular subtypes in the human placenta and enabled reconstruction of the trophoblast differentiation trajectory. Through integrative analysis with maternal plasma cell-free RNA, we resolved the longitudinal cellular dynamics of hematopoietic and placental cells in pregnancy progression. Furthermore, we were able to noninvasively uncover the cellular dysfunction of extravillous trophoblasts in early preeclamptic placentas. Our work showed the potential of integrating transcriptomic information derived from single cells into the interpretation of cell-free plasma RNA, enabling the noninvasive elucidation of cellular dynamics in complex pathological conditions.
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BFBNIB, NMLJ, NUK, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Abstract
We report an unusual pressure-induced superconducting state that coexists with an antiferromagnetic ordering of Eu
2+
moments and shows a large upper critical field comparable to the Pauli ...paramagnetic limit in EuTe
2
. In concomitant with the emergence of superconductivity with
T
c
≈ 3–5 K above
P
c
≈ 6 GPa, the antiferromagnetic transition temperature
T
N
(
P
) experiences a quicker rise with the slope increased dramatically from d
T
N
/d
P
= 0.85(14) K/GPa for
P
≤
P
c
to 3.7(2) K/GPa for
P
≥
P
c
. Moreover, the superconducting state can survive in the spin-flop state with a net ferromagnetic component of the Eu
2+
sublattice under moderate magnetic fields
μ
0
H
≥ 2 T. Our findings establish the pressurized EuTe
2
as a rare magnetic superconductor possessing an intimated interplay between magnetism and superconductivity.
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► LSP can generate high-level compressive residual stresses and refine original grains. ► Massive LSP impacts can effectively prevent the SCC initiation of the U-bend sample. ► ...Mechanism of massive LSP impacts on SCC was also entirely revealed.
The effects of massive laser peening (LP) impacts on surface residual stress, micro-structure, and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behaviour of U-bend samples were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technology, optical microscope (OM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations. Two important factors to influence SCC initiation, residual stress and grain refinement, were discussed in detail by using different types of treatment processes. Results showed massive LP impacts can induce both deep compressive residual stress and refined grains in the surface layer of ANSI 304 stainless steel, and the corrosion mechanism of massive LP impacts on SCC was also analysed and revealed.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Objective
To evaluate the diagnostic performance of the BACs‐on‐Beads™ (BoBs™) assay for prenatal detection of chromosomal abnormalities.
Design
Retrospective study.
Setting
Tertiary prenatal ...diagnosis centre.
Population
Women referred for prenatal diagnosis.
Methods
We retrieved 2153 archived DNA samples collected between January 2010 and August 2011 for the BoBs™ assay. These samples had previously been tested by quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF‐PCR) and karyotyping. In the BoBs™ assay a sample was defined as normal disomic when the ratio of the fluorescence intensities in a chromosome locus lay within the threshold (mean ratio ± 2SD), and as deleted or duplicated when the ratio was below the lower threshold (0.6–0.8) or above the upper threshold (1.3–1.4), respectively. The BoBs™ results were further validated by microarray and compared in a blinded manner with the original QF‐PCR and karyotyping results.
Main outcome measures
Concordance of any numerical, structural, and submicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities between the methods.
Results
BACs‐on‐Beads™ was similar to karyotyping and QF‐PCR in detecting trisomy 13, trisomy 18, trisomy 21, and sex chromosomal aneuploidies, and superior to QF‐PCR in detecting major structural abnormalities (53.3 versus 13.3%) and mosaicism (28.6 versus 0%) involving chromosomal abnormalities other than the common aneuploidies. BoBs™ detected six microdeletion syndromes missed by karyotyping and QF‐PCR; however, BoBs™ missed two cases of triploidy identified by QF‐PCR. Therefore, the sensitivity of BoBs™ is 96.7% (95% CI 92.6–98.7%), and its specificity is 100% (95% CI 99.8–100%).
Conclusions
BACs‐on‐Beads™ can replace QF‐PCR for triaging in prenatal diagnosis, and gives a better diagnostic yield than current rapid aneuploidy tests.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Solid‐state lithium metal batteries built with composite polymer electrolytes using cubic garnets as active fillers are particularly attractive owing to their high energy density, easy manufacturing ...and inherent safety. However, the uncontrollable formation of intractable contaminant on garnet surface usually aggravates poor interfacial contact with polymer matrix and deteriorates Li+ pathways. Here we report a rational designed intermolecular interaction in composite electrolytes that utilizing contaminants as reaction initiator to generate Li+ conducting ether oligomers, which further emerge as molecular cross‐linkers between inorganic fillers and polymer matrix, creating dense and homogeneous interfacial Li+ immigration channels in the composite electrolytes. The delicate design results in a remarkable ionic conductivity of 1.43×10−3 S cm−1 and an unprecedented 1000 cycles with 90 % capacity retention at room temperature is achieved for the assembled solid‐state batteries.
The dense interfacial Li+ conduction pathways between garnet fillers and polymer matrix via the open‐ring reaction of ethylene carbonate initiated by LiOH/Li2CO3 contaminant on LLZTO is reported, which results in the superior ionic conductivity of composite electrolytes at room temperature and long lifespan of assembled solid‐state lithium batteries.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
A variety of dopant‐free hole‐transporting materials (HTMs) is effectively applied in perovskite solar cells (PSCs); however, HTMs with the additional function of HTM/perovskite interfacial ...optimization that is crucial to their photovoltaic performance are really limited. In this work, the design of an HTM bearing an intensive exposure of its functional aromatic rings to perovskite layer via side‐chain engineering is attempted. With an edge‐on orientation and a short distance to perovskite, this HTM was expected to display an excellent ability to extract holes from and passivate defects in the perovskite layer. To demonstrate this strategy, an alternating copolymer was constructed with a 2,5‐di‐2‐ethylhexyloxy‐1,4‐phenylene unit and a bithiophene unit, and the PSC based on this polymer showed an ultrahigh short‐circuit current density of 25.50 mA cm−2, which was the highest so far presented by dopant‐free organic HTMs. A comparable power conversion efficiency of 19.68% (certified: 19.5%) to that of a control 2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenylamine)‐9,9′‐spirobifluorene (spiro‐OMeTAD) device (19.81%) was thus obtained, which is the highest value ever reported for mesoporous PSCs based on dopant‐free polymeric HTMs.
A highly efficient hole‐transporting material (HTM) based on the copolymer of dialkoxybenzene and bithiophene is presented. A mesoporous perovskite solar cell with this dopant‐free HTM exhibits an ultrahigh short‐circuit current density of 25.50 mA cm−2 and a comparable power conversion efficiency of 19.68% (certified: 19.5%) to that of the control spiro‐OMeTAD device (19.81%).
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Currently, the performance improvement for inverted perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) is mainly limited by the high open circuit voltage (VOC) loss caused by detrimental non‐radiative recombination ...(NRR) processes. Herein, we report a simple and efficient way to simultaneously reduce the NRR processes inside perovskites and at the interface by rationally designing a new pyridine‐based polymer hole‐transporting material (HTM), PPY2, which exhibits suitable energy levels with perovskites, high hole mobility, effective passivation of the uncoordinated Pb2+ and iodide defects, as well as the capability of promoting the formation of high‐quality polycrystalline perovskite films. In absence of any dopants, the inverted PVSCs using PPY2 as the HTM deliver an encouraging PCE up to 22.41 % with a small VOC loss (0.40 V), among the best device performances for inverted PVSCs reported so far. Furthermore, PPY2‐based unencapsulated devices show an excellent long‐term photostability, and over 97 % of its initial PCE can be maintained after one sun constant illumination for 500 h.
A new pyridine‐based polymer semiconductor (PPY2) was introduced as the dopant‐free hole‐transporting material in inverted perovskite solar cells. It exhibits suitable energy levels, high hole mobility, effective passivation effects, and the capability of promoting the formation of a high‐quality polycrystalline perovskite film. The devices based on PPY2 delivered an encouraging power‐conversion efficiency up to 22.41 % with a high VOC of 1.16 V.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
We investigated the temporal progression of the clinical, radiological, and virological changes in a community outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
We followed up 75 patients for 3 ...weeks managed with a standard treatment protocol of ribavirin and corticosteroids, and assessed the pattern of clinical disease, viral load, risk factors for poor clinical outcome, and the usefulness of virological diagnostic methods.
Fever and pneumonia initially improved but 64 (85%) patients developed recurrent fever after a mean of 8.9 (SD 3.1) days, 55 (73%) had watery diarrhoea after 7.5 (2.3) days, 60 (80%) had radiological worsening after 7.4 (2.2) days, and respiratory symptoms worsened in 34 (45%) after 8.6 (3.0) days. In 34 (45%) patients, improvement of initial pulmonary lesions was associated with appearance of new radiological lesions at other sites. Nine (12%) patients developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum and 15 (20%) developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in week 3. Quantitative reverse-transcriptase (RT) PCR of nasopharyngeal aspirates in 14 patients (four with ARDS) showed peak viral load at day 10, and at day 15 a load lower than at admission. Age and chronic hepatitis B virus infection treated with lamivudine were independent significant risk factors for progression to ARDS (p=0.001). SARS-associated coronavirus in faeces was seen on RT-PCR in 65 (97%) of 67 patients at day 14. The mean time to seroconversion was 20 days.
The consistent clinical progression, shifting radiological infiltrates, and an inverted V viral-load profile suggest that worsening in week 2 is unrelated to uncontrolled viral replication but may be related to immunopathological damage.
Published online May 9, 2003 http://image.thelancet.com/extras/03art4432web.pdf
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DOBA, GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, VSZLJ
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