Scalable and economical manufacturing of flexible transparent conducting films (TCF) is a key barrier to widespread adoption of low‐cost flexible electronics. Here, a simple, robust, and scalable ...method of flexible TCF formation using supersonic kinetic spraying is demonstrated. Silver nanowire (AgNW) suspensions are sprayed at supersonic speed to produce self‐sintered films of AgNWs on flexible substrates. These films display remarkably low sheet resistance, <10 Ω sq−1, combined with high transmittance, >90%. These electrically conducting, transparent, and flexible coatings can be deposited over a 100 cm2 area in ≈30 s. Theoretical analysis reveals the underlying physical mechanism behind self‐sintering, showing that self‐sintering is enabled by the high velocity of impact in supersonic spraying.
A schematic of supersonic spraying of a silver nanowire (AgNW) film is shown. AgNWs are shown in an optical microscope image. Superdeposited nanowires with a junction are highlighted as a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image.
Facile non‐alkaline n‐doping of Alq3with LiF is achieved by co‐evaporation. Optimal doping not only leads to enhanced device currents and conductivity, but also changes the very nature of carrier ...injection and transport. Using this scheme, efficient electron injection is achieved without using low‐work‐function cathodes. A doped transport layer (see figure) inOL EDs leads to balanced injection andtransport of charge carriers and resultsin excellent device performance.
We apply the method of Hamiltonian reduction without isometry as a way to find exact solutions to Einstein’s equations. To find exact solutions, we introduce two spatial Killing vector fields to the ...Einstein’s equations obtained through the Hamiltonian reduction, and derive the Ernst-like equation in the privileged coordinates. By solving the Ernst-like equation, we found a four-parameter family of exact solutions, one of which is interpreted as a deformation of the general Kasner spacetime. We extend our method to spacetimes where two independent gravitational degrees of freedom co-exist and interact with each other, and obtain a set of two partial differential equations satisfied by them. If we substitute a pre-fixed diagonal mode into these equations, and then the equations reduce to a single non-linear partial differential equation, which is interpreted as the equation of non-diagonal mode of gravitational waves propagating on the “background” spacetime determined by the diagonal mode. We choose three simplest “background” spacetimes, and discuss the corresponding non-diagonal modes in each case.
Rechargeable metal–air batteries have attracted a great interest in recent years because of their high energy density. The critical challenges facing these technologies include the sluggish kinetics ...of the oxygen reduction–evolution reactions on a cathode (air electrode). Here, we report doped lanthanum nickelates (La2NiO4) with a layered perovskite structure that serve as efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution in an aqueous alkaline electrolyte. Rechargeable lithium–air and zinc–air batteries assembled with these catalysts exhibit remarkably reduced discharge–charge voltage gaps (improved round-trip efficiency) as well as high stability during cycling.
Brain diseases, including both neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders, represent the third largest healthcare problem in developed countries, after cardiovascular disorders and cancer ...
The efficacy of prophylactic central compartment lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma remains controversial. We performed a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and ...safety of prophylactic central compartment lymph node dissection in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.
In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial, we assessed 101 patients aged 20 to 70 years with small/noninvasive papillary thyroid carcinoma and no clinical metastases or history of cervical surgery/radiation exposure. Randomization ran from April 2015 to November 2017. Data were collected between April 2015 and October 2020. Of the 101 enrolled patients, 50 underwent total thyroidectomy (TTx group) and 51 underwent total thyroidectomy as well as prophylactic central compartment lymph node dissection (TTx+pCND group). Surgical completeness, local recurrence, successful ablation, postoperative complication, and papillary thyroid carcinoma upstaging were compared between the 2 groups.
No patient showed structural recurrence after 46.6 ± 9.1 months of follow-up. Both groups had similar rates of surgical completeness and successful ablation. There was no difference in the incidence of complications. More patients were upstaged to pN1a in the TTx+pCND group compared to those in the TTx group (P < .05).
Prophylactic central compartment lymph node dissection detected more lymph node metastases but did not affect recurrence. The 2 groups showed similar outcomes with regard to surgical completeness, successful ablation, and complications. In conclusion, for small/noninvasive papillary thyroid carcinoma without clinical evidence of lymph node metastases, prophylactic central compartment lymph node dissection may not be required if total thyroidectomy is planned.
Modern buildings are large and complex, and as more time is spent inside them, the risk of indoor disasters such as fires and gas leaks increases. In the event of such a disaster, the success of the ...rescue operation depends on the ability of the rescue team to navigate and respond to the complex environment. To address this challenge, we designed a mixed reality (MR)-based system simulating indoor disaster rescue. This system uses augmented indoor maps and MR technology to help rescue teams quickly, and effectively respond to unexpected environmental variables and carry out rescue activities. To test the effectiveness of the system, we created a virtual disaster scenario and evaluated the rescue and escape performance within a shortened “golden time” of 2 min, as opposed to 5 min, given the virtual characteristics of the simulation. The results showed that the system is particularly effective at increasing the speed of rescue activities. Additionally, our results indicated the potential for further improvement through additional research. By applying this system for disaster rescue simulations and training, the safety of firefighters and rescuers can be improved by reducing the risk of injury during rescue operations.
The Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are divided in three major groups: polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The 2016 WHO ...classification incorporates also prefibrotic PMF (pre-PMF) and overt PMF. This study aimed to discriminate the clinical features, genetic alterations, and outcomes in patients with prefibrotic, overt PMF, and secondary MF (SMF). This study included 229 patients with diagnosed myelofibrosis (MF). Among 229 patients, 67 (29%), 122 (53%), and 40 (18%) were confirmed as SMF, overt PMF, and pre-PMF, respectively. The JAK2 V617F mutation was differentially distributed in SMF and PMF, contradictory to CALR and MPL mutations. Regarding nondriver mutations, the occurrence of ASXL1 mutations differed between PMF and SMF or pre-PMF. The three-year overall survival was 91.5%, 85.3%, and 94.8% in SMF, overt PMF, and pre-PMF groups. Various scoring systems could discriminate the overall survival in PMF but not in SMF and pre-PMF. Still, clinical features including anemia and thrombocytopenia were poor prognostic factors throughout the myelofibrosis, whereas mutations contributed differently. Molecular grouping by wild-type SF3B1 and SRSF2/RUNX1/U2AF1/ASXL1/TP53 mutations showed inferior progression-free survival (PFS) in PMF, SMF, and pre-PMF. We determined the clinical and genetic features related to poor prognosis in myelofibrosis.
Proteomics has become an important field in molecular sciences, as it provides valuable information on the identity, expression levels, and modification of proteins. For example, cancer proteomics ...unraveled key information in mechanistic studies on tumor growth and metastasis, which has contributed to the identification of clinically applicable biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets. Several cancer proteome databases have been established and are being shared worldwide. Importantly, the integration of proteomics studies with other omics is providing extensive data related to molecular mechanisms and target modulators. These data may be analyzed and processed through bioinformatic pipelines to obtain useful information. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of cancer proteomics and recent advances in proteomic techniques. In particular, we aim to offer insights into current proteomics studies of brain cancer, in which proteomic applications are in a relatively early stage. This review covers applications of proteomics from the discovery of biomarkers to the characterization of molecular mechanisms through advances in technology. Moreover, it addresses global trends in proteomics approaches for translational research. As a core method in translational research, the continued development of this field is expected to provide valuable information at a scale beyond that previously seen.
We demonstrate production of nanotextured p-type cupric oxide (CuO) films via a low-cost scalable supersonic cold spray method in open air conditions. Simply sweeping the spray nozzle across a ...substrate produced a large-scale CuO film. When used as hydrogen evolution photocathodes, these films produced photocurrent densities (PCD) of up to 3.1 mA/cm2 under AM1.5 illumination, without the use of a cocatalyst or any additional heterojunction layers. Cu2O particles were supersonically sprayed onto an indium tin oxide (ITO) coated soda lime glass (SLG) substrate, without any solvent or binder. Annealing in air converted the Cu2O films to CuO, with a corresponding decrease in the bandgap and increase in the fraction of the solar spectrum absorbed. Annealing at 600 °C maximized the PCD. Increasing the supersonic gas velocity from ∼450 to ∼700 m/s produced denser films with greater surface roughness, in turn producing higher PCD. The nanoscale texture of the films, which resembles the skin of a dinosaur, enhanced their performance, leading to one of the highest PCD values in the literature. We characterized the films by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to elucidate the origins of their outstanding performance. This supersonic cold spraying deposition has the potential to be used on a commercial scale for low cost mass production.
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