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The development of highly sensitive gas sensors for toxic industrial gases (TIGs) is paramount for environmental monitoring and public safety. Here, the first-principles calculations were employed to systematically investigate the potential of Pt- and Rh-decorated InS (Pt-InS and Rh-InS) monolayers as advanced gas sensing materials for the five TIGs (SO2, NH3, NO, CO, and NO2). The results reveal that Pt and Rh atoms can be stably anchored at the InS monolayer, inducing significant modulation of its electronic properties. The Pt-InS system exhibits strong chemisorption of NH3 and CO, while the other TIGs interact via physisorption. In contrast, the Rh-InS monolayer demonstrates strong chemisorption and distinct electronic responses to all five gases, driven by robust hybridization between the Rh-d and TIG-p orbitals. Based on comprehensive analyses of sensitivity and recovery time, Rh-InS is identified as a theoretically promising candidate for a reusable SO2 sensor at room temperature, boasting a calculated rapid theoretical recovery time of 2.20 s. The Pt-InS system, conversely, shows potential for high-temperature NH3 sensing. Our findings highlight the exceptional and tunable gas sensing capabilities of Pt- and Rh-decorated InS monolayers, offering a theoretical foundation for designing InS-based sensing devices.

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases, which in turn triggers mild inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, fibrosis, and even cancer. Accumulating evidence has suggested that Berberine (BBR) could significantly improve MAFLD progression. Clock and Bmal1 as heterodimer proteins highly participated in the development of MAFLD, but whether BBR targets Clock and Bmal1 in MAFLD remains poorly understood. The result suggested that the protein levels of Clock and Bmal1 were decreased in MAFLD mice, which was negatively correlated with elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, the H2O2 level, liver inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and insulin resistance. The mRNA and protein levels of Clock and Bmal1 were also decreased in glucosamine-induced HepG2 cells, which were are negatively related to glucose uptake, the ROS level, and the H2O2 level. More importantly, Bmal1 siRNA could mimic the effect of glucosamine in HepG2 cells. Interestingly, Berberine (BBR) could rescue metabolism disorder and redox homeostasis through enhancing Clock and Bmal1 expression in vivo and in vitro. Therefore, BBR might be an effective natural compound for alleviating redox homeostasis, metabolism disorder, and liver pathological changes in MAFLD by activating Clock and Bmal1 expression.

In this study, a lanthanide metal organic framework based on the ligand of terephthalic acid derived from waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles was designed and synthesized. The structure and morphology of the Tb-BDC was investigated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Tb-BDC displays a high selectivity and sensitivity towards picric acid (TNP). The luminescence intensities exhibit a linear relation, with a concentration of TNP over the range of 1 × 10−5–1 × 10−4 M, with a limit of detection of 1 × 10−5 M. The sensing mechanism is also discussed. This is the first time that waste PET materials have been used as the starting precursor of terephthalic acid (BDC) for the fabrication of lanthanide MOF (metal organic framework), which is applied in sensing TNP.

Biochar ceramsite was prepared from residual sludge at different temperatures. Specific surface area, compressive strength, and toxic leaching tests were used to compare the properties. Through tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was found that with the increase of preparation temperature, the ceramsite showed higher porosity, larger specific surface area, and better compressive strength. The leaching amount of toxic heavy metals is low when the temperature is higher than 650 °C. According to X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the main component of sludge is quartz. There were amounts of iron and aluminum in sludge, which were the main reason for its good adsorption efficiency. Through the adsorption experiment on Cr(VI), it was found that the adsorption efficiency of the ceramsite on Cr(VI) was better at low pH, and the adsorption isotherm fitted well with Langmuir and Freundlich types. The adsorption process had both monolayer adsorption and multilayer adsorption, and the adsorption process was in line with the pseudo-second-order kinetics.

The emission of toxic gases from industrial production has intensified issues related to atmospheric pollution and human health. Consequently, the effective real-time monitoring and removal of these harmful gases have emerged as significant challenges. In this work, the density functional theory (DFT) method was utilized to examine the adsorption behaviors and electronic properties of the Ni-decorated InSe (Ni-InSe) monolayer when interacting with twelve gases (CO, NO, NO2, NH3, SO2, H2S, H2O, CO2, CH4, H2, O2, and N2). A comparative assessment of adsorption strength and sensing properties was performed through analyses of the electronic structure, work function, and recovery time. The results show that Ni doping enhances the electrical conductivity of the InSe monolayer and improves the adsorption capabilities for six toxic gases (CO, NO, NO2, NH3, SO2, and H2S). Furthermore, the adsorption of these gases on the Ni-InSe surface is characterized as chemisorption, as indicated by the analysis of the adsorption energy, density of states, and charge density difference. Additionally, the adsorption of CO, NO, NO2, and SO2 results in significant alterations to the bandgap of Ni-InSe, with changes of 18.65%, 11.37%, 10.62%, and −31.77%, respectively, underscoring its exceptional sensitivity. Moreover, the Ni-InSe monolayer exhibits a moderate recovery time of 3.24 s at 298 K for the SO2. Consequently, the Ni-InSe is regarded as a promising gas sensor for detecting SO2 at room temperature. This research establishes a foundation for the development of an Ni-InSe-based gas sensor for detecting and mitigating harmful gas emissions.

Background Induction chemotherapy (IC) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is the standard of care for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA‐NPC). This intensive treatment regimen increases acute toxicities, which could negatively impact patients' nutritional status. We conducted this prospective, multicentre trial to investigate the effects of IC and CCRT on nutritional status in LA‐NPC patients, so as to provide evidence for further study of nutritional intervention, which was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02575547). Methods Patients with biopsy‐proven NPC and planned for IC + CCRT were recruited. IC entailed two cycles of 3‐weekly docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2; CCRT entailed two to three cycles of 3‐weekly cisplatin 100 mg/m2 depending on the duration of radiotherapy. Nutritional status and quality of life (QoL) were assessed pre‐IC, post‐cycles one and two of IC, W4 and W7 of CCRT. Primary endpoint was the cumulative proportion of ≥ 5.0% weight loss (WL5.0) by the end of treatment (W7‐CCRT). Secondary endpoints included body mass index, NRS2002 and PG‐SGA scores, QoL, hypoalbuminaemia, treatment compliance, acute and late toxicities and survivals. The associations between primary and secondary endpoints were also evaluated. Results One hundred and seventy‐one patients were enrolled. Median follow‐up was 67.4 (IQR: 64.1–71.2) months. 97.7% (167/171) patients completed two cycles of IC, and 87.7% (150/171) completed at least two cycles of concurrent chemotherapy; all, except one patient (0.6%), completed IMRT. WL was minimal during IC (median of 0.0%), but increased sharply at W4‐CCRT (median of 4.0% [IQR: 0.0–7.0%]) and peaked at W7‐CCRT (median of 8.5% [IQR: 4.1–11.7%]). 71.9% (123/171) of patients recorded a WL5.0 by W7‐CCRT, which was associated with a higher malnutrition risk (NRS2002 ≥ 3 points: 87.7% [WL ≥ 5.0%] vs 58.7% [WL < 5.0%], P < 0.001) and requirement of nutritional intervention (PG‐SGA ≥ 9 points: 82.0% [WL ≥ 5.0%] vs 66.7% [WL < 5.0%], P = 0.038). The median %WL at W7‐CCRT was higher in patients who suffered from ≥ G2 mucositis (9.0% vs 6.6%, P = 0.025) and xerostomia (9.1% vs 6.3%, P = 0.003). Besides, patients with cumulative WL5.0 also reported a higher detriment on QoL at W7‐CCRT compared with patients without, with a difference of −8.3 points (95% CI [−15.1, −1.4], P = 0.019). Conclusions We observed a high prevalence of WL among LA‐NPC patients who were treated with IC + CCRT, which peaked during CCRT, and had a detriment on patients' QoL. Our data support the need to monitor patient's nutritional status during the later phase of treatment with IC + CCRT and inform on nutritional intervention strategies.

Aluminum nitride (AlN) powder, a cornerstone material for advanced ceramics. This study examines the low-temperature formation of AlN crystals as well as their phase transformation by employing amorphous aluminum oxalate (AAO) as a novel precursor for carbothermal reduction, contrasting it with conventional aluminum hydroxide (Al(OH)3). Through characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM), 27Al Magic-Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (27Al-MAS-NMR) energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), we unraveled the phase evolution pathways and the formation of AlN. Key findings reveal striking differences between the two precursors. When Al(OH)3 was used, no AlN phase was detected at 1350 °C, and even at 1500 °C, the AlN obtained with significant residual alumina impurities. In contrast, the AAO precursor demonstrated exceptional efficiency: nano-sized α-Al2O3 formed at 1050 °C, followed by the emergence of AlN phases at 1200 °C, ultimately gaining the pure AlN at 1500 °C. The phase transformation sequence—Al(OH)3 → γ-Al2O3 (950 °C) → (α-Al2O3 + δ-Al2O3) (1050 °C) → (AlN + α-Al2O3) (1200 °C~ 1350 °C) → AlN (≥1500 °C)—highlights the pivotal role of nano-sized α-Al2O3 in enabling low-temperature nano AlN synthesis. By leveraging the unique properties of AAO, we offer a transformative strategy for synthesizing nano-sized AlN powders, with profound implications for the ceramics industry.

A new Ni metal organic framework based on 2,2′-Biphenyldicarboxylic, 4,4′- bipyridine as linker is prepared by hydrothermal reaction and directly used as an electrode material for supercapacitor and the detection of sarcosine. [Ni3(BIPY)3(BPDA)2(HCOO)2(H2O)2]n (Ni-1; BIPY = 4,4′-bipyridine; BPDA = 2,2′-Biphenyldicarboxylate) displays the specific capacitance of the Ni-1 are 667 F/gat 1 A/g and retention is 82% of initial capacitance at 1 A/g. The excellent electrochemical property is ascribed to the intrinsic nature of Ni-1. Furthermore, the sarcosine sensing performance of the Ni-1 electrode is evaluated in 0.1 M of NaOH solution and the electrode showed a wider range of linear response 1 × 10−4 M to 1 × 10−3 M. Thus, the results show that the Ni-1 is a potential candidate for not only sensing of sarcosine but also supercapacitor application.

In this study, a series of well-crystallized Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+-tridoped Y2O3-ZnO ceramic nano-phosphors were prepared using sol–gel synthesis, and the phosphor structures were studied using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The phosphors were well crystallized and exhibited a sharp-edged angular crystal structure and mesoporous structure consisting of 270 nm nano-particles. All phosphors generated blue, green, and red emission bands attributed to Tm: 1G4→3H6, Er: 2H11/2 (4S3/2)→4I15/2, and Er: 4F9/2→4I15/2 radiative transitions, respectively. Increasing in luminescent centers, weakening of lattice symmetry, and releasing of dormant rare earth ions can enhance all emissions. Er3+ can obtain energy from Tm3+ to enhance green and red emission. These colors can be tuned by optimizing the doping concentrations of the Er3+ ion. The color coordinates were adjusted by tuning both the Er3+ concentration and excitation laser pump power to shift the color coordinates and correlated color temperature. The findings of this study will broaden the potential practical applications of phosphors.

Guidelines from the U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network have recommended use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), followed by a 3-cycles combination of platinum and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy as standard treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The benefits of CCRT for treatment of locally advanced NPC have been established. Whether platinum and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy should be routinely added to locally advanced NPC after CCRT is still open to debate. Whether adjuvant chemotherapy provides an additional survival benefit for the subgroup of patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma who have undergone CCRT is also unclear. This retrospective study was initiated to determine the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) in residual NPC patients who have undergone concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The retrospective study included 155 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who had local residual lesions after the platinum-based CCRT without or with AC. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test were used to estimate overall survival (OS), failure-free survival (FFS), local relapse-free survival (LRFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Median follow-up was 47 months. Adjuvant cisplatin or nedaplatin plus 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy did not significantly improve 3-year OS, LRFS, FFS, and DMFS for patients with residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma after undergoing CCRT. The 3-year OS rates for the no-AC group and AC group were 71.6% and 73.7%, respectively (P= 0.44). The 3-year FFS rates for no-AC group and AC group were 57.5% and 66.9%, respectively ((P= 0.19). The 3-year LRFS rates for no-AC group and AC group were 84.7% and 87.9%, respectively ((P= 0.51). The 3-year DMFS rates for no-AC group and AC group were 71.4% and 77.4%, respectively ((P= 0.23). Since we did not find sufficient data to support significant survival in 3-year OS, LRFS, FFS, and DMFS, whether Adjuvant cisplatin or nedaplatin and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy should be routinely added to residual nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after undergoing CCRT remain uncertain.