A series of twisted D–π–A type emitters based on the acridine donor unit and CN‐substituted pyridine, pyrimidine, and benzene acceptor units are studied. They not only allow one to systematically ...probe the influence of different acceptor strengths, but also permit one to intriguingly probe the influence of tunable conformations (twist angles) within the acceptor moieties through controlling the orientation of asymmetric heteroaromatic ring relative to the donor component. Intramolecular charge‐transfer transitions are observed in all these compounds and emission wavelengths are widely tunable from deep blue to yellow not only by the general acceptor strength due to the characters of heteroarene and CN‐substitution pattern but also by the subtle control of in‐acceptor conformation (twist angles). Small triplet‐to‐singlet energy gaps (ΔEST) and significant thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) characteristics are obtained in a series of D–π–A compounds with sufficient acceptor strengths and tunable in‐acceptor conformation, yielding a series of efficient blue‐green to yellow TADF emitters with promisingly high photoluminescence quantum yields of 90%–100%. Highly efficient blue‐green to yellow TADF organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) having external quantum efficiencies of up to 23.1%–31.3% are achieved using these efficient TADF emitters, which are among the most efficient TADF OLEDs ever reported.
Efficient blue‐green to yellow thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters capable of generating 23%–31% electroluminescence external quantum efficiencies are developed adopting the acridine donor unit and cyano (CN)‐substituted pyridine and pyrimidine acceptor units. They permit systematic probing of influences of acceptor strengths and tunable conformations (twist angles) within the acceptor moieties through controlling the orientation of asymmetric heteroaromatic ring.
In this paper, we report a wearable magnetic-reluctance-based wireless pressure sensing module to measure intraoral pressure for clinical orthodontic treatment. The sensing module consists of two ...parts: first part is a transmitting/receiving electromagnet which is connected to a reference electromagnet); second part is a high-permeable sensing diaphragm embedded into a bi-layered wearable orthodontic aligner. These electromagnets are placed outside of the mouth, while the aligner (consisting of the sensing diaphragm) is placed inside of the mouth. An AC current is applied to the transmitting electromagnet to produce AC magnetic flux, consequently by the electromagnetic induction, an AC voltage is induced in the receiving electromagnet. When people use cheek muscle (i.e., stress the cheek muscle), pressure in the oral cavity is changed. Consequently, a pressure difference is formed to deflect the sensing diaphragm toward or backward the transmitting/receiving electromagnets. Due to this, the magnetic reluctance between the sensing diaphragm and the transmitting/receiving electromagnets is changed. Through the electromagnetic induction, voltage output is induced in the receiving electromagnet. By analyzing the voltage output, we can know the change of the pressure. Based on above principle, we fabricated above parts and conducted pressure sensing test. According to the test results, the sensing module successfully senses the pressure ranging from 0 to 30 kPa with the sensitivity of 3.52 μV/kPa to 0.82 μV/kPa, when the transmitting/receiving electromagnet is placed 7 mm to 13 mm away from the sensing module respectively. This achieves the wearable wireless intraoral pressure sensing and consequently provides useful monitoring information for clinical orthodontic treatment.
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a well-known family of pattern recognition receptors that play an important role in a host immune system. TLR triggering leads to the induction of pro-inflammatory ...cytokines and chemokines, driving the activation of both innate and adaptive immunity. Recently, an increasing number studies have shown the link between TLRs and cancer. Among them, the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling pathway is associated with inflammatory response and cancer progression. Dietary phytochemicals are potential modulators of immunological status with various pharmacological properties including anti-cancer, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. Curcumin, 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 1-dehydro-10-gingerdione, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), luteolin, quercetin, resveratrol, caffeic acid phenethyl ester, xanthohumol, genistein, berberine, and sulforaphane can inhibit TLR4 activation. The aim of the present review is to describe the role of the TLR4 signaling pathway between inflammatory response and cancer progression. We further introduce bioactive phytochemicals with potential anti-inflammation and chemoprevention by inhibiting TLR activation.
Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST‐OPVs) have great potential for use in renewable energy technologies. In bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) ST‐OPVs, a compromise is necessary between the visible ...light transmittance (VLT) and the power conversion efficiency (PCE). A sequential deposition (SD) strategy that involves individually depositing a polymer donor layer (D) and a small‐molecule acceptor layer (A) as the active layer is presented; where molecular diffusion occurring at the interfacial region results in a pseudo p–i–n structure. PBDB‐T‐2F(D)/Y6(A) ST‐OPVs are fabricated with different active layer thicknesses—at 115 nm, the SD (D:A/75:40 nm) and BHJ devices (D:A/1:1.2 w) provide the champion PCE of 12.91% (VLT of 14.5%) and 12.77% (VLT of 13.4%), respectively; at 85 nm, the SD (D:A/45:40 nm) and BHJ devices (D:A/1:1.2 w) provide a PCE of 12.22% (VLT of 22.2%) and 11.23% (VLT of 16.6%), respectively. This trend indicates SD devices have larger PCE and VLT values than the BHJ devices at a given active layer thickness, and the enhancements of PCE and VLT values by the SD structures against the BHJ structures become more pronounced as the active layer thickness reduced. The SD strategy provides a new approach for achieving ST‐OPVs with both high efficiency and high transparency.
In typical semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST‐OPVs) that incorporate bulk heterojunction (BHJ) active layers, a compromise is made between the visible light transmittance (VLT) and power conversion efficiency (PCE). A new strategy with a sequential‐deposition (SD) active layer involving pseudo p–i–n structures provides ST‐OPVs with simultaneously higher PCE and VLT than that of the BHJ devices at the same layer thickness.
During orthodontic treatments, orthodontists want to simultaneously measure different kinds of intraoral pressure of a patient to determine a suitable orthodontic treatment plan for the patient. To ...achieve this, an intraoral pressure sensors-array with a specific arrangement in the oral cavity is needed. Hence, in this paper, we design a smart magnetic thin-sheet structure based wireless sensors-array arrangement for intraoral-pressure sensing for orthodontics to determine the above suitable treatment plan. In general, the sensors-array consists of multiple sensing modules. Each module consists of two parts: the first part is a transmitting/receiving electromagnet which is connected to a reference electromagnet in a balanced inductance bridge configuration while the second part is a smart magnetic thin-sheet structure based high-permeable sensing diaphragm. A voltage input is applied to the reference electromagnet and transmitting/receiving electromagnet, while the voltage output is measured from the transmitting/receiving electromagnet, respectively (the transmitting/receiving electromagnet can transmit the magnetic flux as well as receive or sense the change of magnetic flux). When the sensing diaphragm (which is placed in proximity to the transmitting/receiving electromagnet) undergoes a displacement, the gap between the sensing diaphragm and transmitting/receiving electromagnet changes. This subsequently changes surrounding magnetic flux, and consequently results in a change in magnetic reluctance between the sensing diaphragm and transmitting/receiving electromagnet. Thus, the voltage output of the transmitting/receiving electromagnet is changed accordingly. Based on this operation principle, furthermore, we use multiple transmitting/receiving electromagnets to form a compact (specifically arranged) sensors-array. The results show that specifically arranged sensors-array can provide measurement results in multiple points in the oral cavity to the orthodontists, as a simplified decision-making reference for the orthodontists to determine the clinical treatment plan for patients.
This paper discusses a series of triphenylamine dibenzofulvene–based hole transporting materials (HTMs) featuring different numbers of MeO groups (none for YC‐1, four for YC‐2, and six for YC‐3) and ...their use in p‐i‐n perovskite solar cells (PSCs). We investigated the optoelectronic properties of these HTMs and found that the PSC devices incorporating YC‐1 as HTMs exhibited power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 15.78 ± 0.61%, which outperformed the corresponding PEDOT:PSS‐based device (12.80 ± 1.31%) under similar testing conditions. We then employed YC‐1 for the interfacial modified layer of a NiOx‐derived PSC having the structure ITO/NiOx/YC‐1/CH3NH3PbI3/PC61BM/bathocuproine/Ag. The presence of YC‐1 promoted the growth of micrometer‐sized grains of perovskite and induced a lower content of grain boundary defects, both of which improved the carrier extraction. Thereby, compared with conventional NiOx device, we observed a great increase in the PCE, from 17.16 ± 0.68% to 18.81 ± 0.42%, with a champion cell displaying a PCE of 19.37% (with negligible hysteresis). The corresponded device exhibited a stabilized efficiency of approximately 19% after storage in the dark at 25°C under argon for over 1000 hours. This study suggests a new approach for designing the high‐performance stable p‐i‐n PSCs.
New triphenylamine dibenzofulvene‐derived HTMs were synthesized for p‐i‐n dopant‐free PSCs. The best device performance featured a PCE of 19.37%, with negligible hysteresis and approximately 19% after storage in the dark for over 1000 hours.
Thanks to the nature of molecular orbitals, the absorption spectra of organic semiconductors are not continuous like those in traditional inorganic semiconductors, which offers a unique application ...of organic photovoltaics (OPVs): semitransparent OPVs. Recently, the exciting progress of materials design has promoted the development of semitransparent OPVs. However, in the perspective of device engineering, almost all reported works reduce the thickness of back/reflected electrode to obtain high average visible transmittance (AVT), which is a trade‐off between power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the transmittance of the whole solar spectrum (visible and infrared), and therefore limit the further development. Herein, a unique strategy of “transparent hole‐transporting frameworks” is proposed. A hole‐transporting large‐bandgap polymer (polybis(4‐phenyl)(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)amine (PTAA)) is employed to partially replace polymer donors in the active layer of PBDB‐T/Y1. PTAA is a p‐type polymer with a large bandgap of 2.9 eV; the partial substitution of PBDB‐T by PTAA reduces the absorption of the active layer only in the visible region, keeping the hole‐transporting pathways as well as the optimized film morphology. As a result, semitransparent OPVs with PCEs of 12% and AVTs of 20% are achieved, both on rigid and flexible substrates. To demonstrate the generality, this strategy is also used in three different active layers.
A unique strategy of “transparent hole‐transporting frameworks” is proposed. A hole‐transporting large‐bandgap polymer, PTAA, is employed to partially replace the polymer donors in the active layer. As a result, semitransparent organic photovoltaic devices with power conversion efficiencies ≈12% and average visible transmittances ≈20% are achieved both on rigid and flexible substrates.
Although exposure to cigarette smoking and air pollution is common, the current prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is unknown in the Chinese adult population. We conducted the ...China Pulmonary Health (CPH) study to assess the prevalence and risk factors of COPD in China.
The CPH study is a cross-sectional study in a nationally representative sample of adults aged 20 years or older from ten provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in mainland China. All participants underwent a post-bronchodilator pulmonary function test. COPD was diagnosed according to 2017 Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria.
Between June, 2012, and May, 2015, 57 779 individuals were invited to participate, of whom 50 991 (21 446 men and 29 545 women) had reliable post-bronchodilator results and were included in the final analysis. The overall prevalence of spirometry-defined COPD was 8·6% (95% CI 7·5–9·9), accounting for 99·9 (95% CI 76·3–135·7) million people with COPD in China. Prevalence was higher in men (11·9%, 95% CI 10·2–13·8) than in women (5·4%, 4·6–6·2; p<0·0001 for sex difference) and in people aged 40 years or older (13·7%, 12·1–15·5) than in those aged 20–39 years (2·1%, 1·4–3·2; p<0·0001 for age difference). Only 12·0% (95% CI 8·1–17·4) of people with COPD reported a previous pulmonary function test. Risk factors for COPD included smoking exposure of 20 pack-years or more (odds ratio OR 1·95, 95% CI 1·53–2·47), exposure to annual mean particulate matter with a diameter less than 2·5 μm of 50–74 μg/m3 (1·85, 1·23–2·77) or 75 μg/m3 or higher (2·00, 1·36–2·92), underweight (body-mass index <18·5 kg/m2; 1·43, 1·03–1·97), sometimes childhood chronic cough (1·48, 1·14–1·93) or frequent cough (2·57, 2·01–3·29), and parental history of respiratory diseases (1·40, 1·23–1·60). A lower risk of COPD was associated with middle or high school education (OR 0·76, 95% CI 0·64–0·90) and college or higher education (0·47, 0·33–0·66).
Spirometry-defined COPD is highly prevalent in the Chinese adult population. Cigarette smoking, ambient air pollution, underweight, childhood chronic cough, parental history of respiratory diseases, and low education are major risk factors for COPD. Prevention and early detection of COPD using spirometry should be a public health priority in China to reduce COPD-related morbidity and mortality.
Ministry of Health and Ministry of Science and Technology of China.
Growing evidence suggests the link between gut microbiota and mood regulation. The current study aimed to identify microbiota targets for major depressive disorder (MDD) and mood-related traits in ...Taiwanese samples, while taking into account the influence of dietary patterns. We recruited 36 MDD patients and 37 healthy controls for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We assessed nutrient content using food frequency questionnaire, and mood related phenotypes, including depressive severity, anxiety, and perceived stress. Analysis of composition of microbiomes (ANCOM) models were performed to evaluate microbiota compositions between patients and controls, while adjusted for fat intake% and sequencing platforms. We found 23 taxa (4 phyla, 7 families and 12 genera) to be associated with depression and beta diversity was differed between groups. Phylum Actinobacteria and Firmicutes were overrepresented in MDD patients. At genus level, Bifidobacterium (7%) and Blautia (8%) had relatively high abundance among MDD patients, while Prevotella (16%) had high abundance in controls. Holdemania exhibited moderate correlation with anxiety (r = 0.65) and perceived stress level (r = 0.49) mainly in MDD patients but not controls. Pathway analyses revealed that pentose phosphate and starch and sucrose metabolism processes were important pathways for depression via microbiota functions. In conclusion, our results revealed microbiota targets for depression that are independent of fat intake. It is worthwhile to conduct further studies to replicate the current findings and to integrate with biochemistry and metabolomics data to better understand the functions of identified targets.
Allopurinol, a commonly prescribed medication for gout and hyperuricemia, is a frequent cause of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCAR), which include the drug hypersensitivity syndrome, ...Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The adverse events are unpredictable and carry significant morbidity and mortality. To identify genetic markers for allopurinol-SCAR, we carried out a case-control association study. We enrolled 51 patients with allopurinol-SCAR and 228 control individuals (135 allopurinol-tolerant subjects and 93 healthy subjects from the general population), and genotyped for 823 SNPs in genes related to drug metabolism and immune response. The initial screen revealed strong association between allopurinol-SCAR and SNPs in the MHC region, including BAT3 (encoding HLA-B associated transcript 3), MSH5 (mutS homolog 5), and MICB (MHC class I polypeptide-related sequence B) ($P<10^{-7}$). We then determined the alleles of HLA loci A, B, C, and DRB1. The HLA-B*5801 allele was present in all (100%) 51 patients with allopurinol-SCAR, but only in 20 (15%) of 135 tolerant patients odds ratio 580.3 (95% confidence interval, 34.4-9780.9); corrected P value=4.7× 10-24 and in 19 (20%) of 93 of healthy subjects 393.51 (23.23-6665.26); corrected P value=8.1× 10-18. HLA alleles A*3303, Cw*0302, and DRB1*0301 were in linkage disequilibrium and formed an extended haplotype with HLA-B*5801. Our results indicated that allopurinol-SCAR is strongly associated with a genetic predisposition in Han Chinese. In particular, HLA-B*5801 allele is an important genetic risk factor for this life-threatening condition.
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