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Electrical mobility demands an increase of battery energy density beyond current lithium-ion technology. A crucial bottleneck is the development of safe and reversible lithium-metal anodes, which is challenged by short circuits caused by lithium-metal dendrites and a short cycle life owing to the reactivity with electrolytes. The evolution of the lithium-metal-film morphology is relatively poorly understood because it is difficult to monitor lithium, in particular during battery operation. Here we employ operando neutron depth profiling as a noninvasive and versatile technique, complementary to microscopic techniques, providing the spatial distribution/density of lithium during plating and stripping. The evolution of the lithium-metal-density-profile is shown to depend on the current density, electrolyte composition and cycling history, and allows monitoring the amount and distribution of inactive lithium over cycling. A small amount of reversible lithium uptake in the copper current collector during plating and stripping is revealed, providing insights towards improved lithium-metal anodes. Rechargeable lithium metal batteries could offer a major leap in energy capacity but suffer from the electrolyte reactivity and dendrite growth. Here the authors apply neutron depth profiling to provide quantitative insight into the evolution of the Li-metal morphology during plating and stripping.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the most common complications of diabetes. It is reported that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived exosomes (MSCs-Exo) may have great clinical application potential for the treatment of DKD, but the underlying mechanism has not been illustrated. To clarify the effect of MSC-Exo on NOD2 signaling pathway in podocytes under high glucose (HG) and DKD, we conduct this study. We co-cultured podocytes and MSCs-Exo under 30 mM HG and injected MSCs-Exo into DKD mice, then we detected the NOD2 signaling pathway by western blot, qRT-PCT, immunofluorescence, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry both and . , HG lead to the apoptosis, increased the ROS level and activated the NOD2 signaling pathway in podocytes, while MSCs-Exo protected podocytes from injury reduced the expression of inflammatory factors including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 and alleviated the inflammatory response, inhibited the activation of NOD2 signaling pathway and the expression of it's downstream protein p-P65, p-RIP2, prevented apoptosis, increased cell viability in podocytes caused by HG. , MSCs-Exo alleviated renal injury in DKD mice, protected renal function, decreased urinary albumin excretion and inhibited the activation of NOD2 signaling pathway as well as the inflammation in renal tissue. MSCs-Exo protected the podocytes and DKD mice from inflammation by mediating NOD2 pathway, MSCs-Exo may provide a new target for the treatment of DKD.

Background The determination of HER2 expression status contributes significantly to HER2-targeted therapy in breast carcinoma. However, an economical, efficient, and non-invasive assessment of HER2 is lacking. We aimed to develop a clinicoradiomic nomogram based on radiomics scores extracted from multiparametric MRI (mpMRI, including ADC-map, T2W1, DCE-T1WI) and clinical risk factors to assess HER2 status. Methods We retrospectively collected 214 patients with pathologically confirmed invasive ductal carcinoma between January 2018 to March 2021 from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and randomly divided this cohort into training set ( n  = 128, 42 HER2-positive and 86 HER2-negative cases) and validation set ( n  = 86, 28 HER2-positive and 58 HER2-negative cases) at a ratio of 6:4. The original and transformed pretherapy mpMRI images were treated by semi-automated segmentation and manual modification on the DeepWise scientific research platform v1.6 ( http://keyan.deepwise.com/ ), then radiomics feature extraction was implemented with PyRadiomics library. Recursive feature elimination (RFE) based on logistic regression (LR) and LASSO regression were adpoted to identify optimal features before modeling. LR, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), naive Bayesian (NB) and XGBoost (XGB) algorithms were used to construct the radiomics signatures. Independent clinical predictors were identified through univariate logistic analysis (age, tumor location, ki-67 index, histological grade, and lymph node metastasis). Then, the radiomics signature with the best diagnostic performance (Rad score) was further combined with significant clinical risk factors to develop a clinicoradiomic model (nomogram) using multivariate logistic regression. The discriminative power of the constructed models were evaluated by AUC, DeLong test, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results 70 (32.71%) of the enrolled 214 cases were HER2-positive, while 144 (67.29%) were HER2-negative. Eleven best radiomics features were retained to develop 6 radiomcis classifiers in which RF classifier showed the highest AUC of 0.887 (95%CI: 0.827–0.947) in the training set and acheived the AUC of 0.840 (95%CI: 0.758–0.922) in the validation set. A nomogram that incorporated the Rad score with two selected clinical factors (Ki-67 index and histological grade) was constructed and yielded better discrimination compared with Rad score ( p  = 0.374, Delong test), with an AUC of 0.945 (95%CI: 0.904–0.987) in the training set and 0.868 (95%CI: 0.789–0.948; p  = 0.123) in the validation set. Moreover, calibration with the p -value of 0.732 using Hosmer–Lemeshow test demonstrated good agreement, and the DCA verified the benefits of the nomogram. Conclusion Post largescale validation, the clinicoradiomic nomogram may have the potential to be used as a non-invasive tool for determination of HER2 expression status in clinical HER2-targeted therapy prediction.

In the sodium-cooled fast reactor, the main equipment involved in the refueling system are the loading and unloading elevators, which are tasked with transporting fuel components throughout the loading and unloading process. The friction pair of the guide rail plays an essential role in these elevators. Nitrided W18Cr4V steel, which exhibits high hardness and excellent wear resistance, presents a promising option for the friction pairs of the guideway. Nitrogen demonstrates low solubility in sodium at elevated temperatures. Nonetheless, earlier experiments revealed that a significant quantity of nitrogen atoms from the W18Cr4V steel consistently dissolved into the elevated-temperature sodium. To comprehend the behavior of nitrogen loss in sodium for nitrided W18Cr4V steel, a series of compatibility tests were carried out involving nitrided W18Cr4V steel, pure chromium, and carburized W18Cr4V steel. These tests indicated that following the compatibility assessment at a temperature of 700 °C, nitrogen atoms that escaped from the nitrided W18Cr4V steel were observed to migrate and diffuse towards the surface of the pure chromium sample. This movement resulted in the formation of Cr 2 N within the elevated-temperature sodium environment. The results suggest that, although nitrogen exhibits low solubility in elevated-temperature sodium, it is still capable of migration and diffusion to the surface of adjacent metals. This behavior implies that the nitrogen remains in an unsaturated state in the sodium, which allows for continuous dissolution of nitrogen from the nitrided W18Cr4V steel into the sodium medium. Furthermore, after conducting compatibility tests in sodium environments at temperatures of 600 °C and 650 °C, it was discovered that carbon atoms from the carburized layer also migrated into the sodium. This diffusion process resulted in a reduction of hardness within the carburized layer. It is noteworthy that the diffusion characteristics of interstitial nitrogen and carbon atoms in the high-temperature sodium environments were found to exhibit similarities. Both nitrogen and carbon atoms tended to diffuse into the high-temperature sodium, which consequently led to a decline in microhardness. This elucidates the significant impact of interstitial atom migration in elevated-temperature sodium environments on the mechanical properties of nitrided and carburized layers of W18Cr4V steel.

Security risks of flammability and explosion represent major problems with the use of conventional lithium rechargeable batteries using a liquid electrolyte. The application of solid‐state electrolytes could effectively help to avoid these safety concerns. However, integrating the solid‐state electrolytes into the all‐solid‐state lithium batteries is still a huge challenge mainly due to the high interfacial resistance present in the entire battery, especially at the interface between the cathode and the solid‐state electrolyte pellet and the interfaces inside the cathode. Herein, recent progress made from investigations of cathode/solid‐state electrolyte interfacial behaviors including the contact problem, the interlayer diffusion issue, the space‐charge layer effect, and electrochemical compatibility is presented according to the classification of oxide‐, sulfide‐, and polymer‐based solid‐state electrolytes. We also propose strategies for the construction of ideal next‐generation cathode/solid‐state electrolyte interfaces with high room‐temperature ionic conductivity, stable interfacial contact during long cycling, free formation of the space‐charge region, and good compatibility with high‐voltage cathodes. In this review, we present the state‐of‐the‐art development in terms of the cathode/solid‐state electrolyte interfacial issues and the corresponding solutions both at the cathode/solid‐state electrolyte pellet interface and inside the cathode. We summarize the major problems affecting the cathode/solid‐state electrolyte interfacial property (poor point‐to‐point solid–solid contact and harmful interfacial reactions) along with progressive solution strategies in terms of different solid‐state electrolyte types (oxide, sulfide, and polymer solid‐state electrolyte). We also outline the investigations of the mechanism underlying the cathode/solid‐state electrolyte interfacial behavior through modeling and advanced characterization methods.

Aberrant expression of microRNA-146a (miR-146a) has been reported to be involved in the development and progression of various types of cancers. However, its role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of miR-146a to various aspects of the malignant phenotype of human NSCLCs. In functional experiments, miR-146a suppressed cell growth, induced cellular apoptosis and inhibited EGFR downstream signaling in five NSCLC cell lines (H358, H1650, H1975, HCC827 and H292). miR-146a also inhibited the migratory capacity of these NSCLC cells. On the other hand, miR-146a enhanced the inhibition of cell proliferation by drugs targeting EGFR, including both TKIs (gefitinib, erlotinib, and afatinib) and a monoclonal antibody (cetuximab). These effects were independent of the EGFR mutation status (wild type, sensitizing mutation or resistance mutation), but were less potent compared to the effects of siRNA targeting of EGFR. Our results suggest that these effects of miR-146a are due to its targeting of EGFR and NF-κB signaling. We also found, in clinical formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) lung cancer samples, that low expression of miR-146a was correlated with advanced clinical TNM stages and distant metastasis in NSCLC (P<0.05). The patients with high miR-146a expression in their tumors showed longer progression-free survival (25.6 weeks in miR-146a high patients vs. 4.8 weeks in miR-146a low patients, P<0.05). miR-146a is therefore a strong candidate prognostic biomarker in NSCLC. Thus inducing miR-146a might be a therapeutic strategy for NSCLC.

To investigate the in situ irradiation effects of gallium nitride at varying temperatures, we combined ion beam-induced luminescence spectroscopy with variable-temperature irradiation using a home-built IBIL system and a GIC4117 2 × 1.7 MV tandem accelerator. Unlike previous static studies—limited to post-irradiation or single-temperature luminescence—we in situ tracked dynamic luminescence changes throughout irradiation, directly capturing the real-time responses of luminescent centers to coupled temperature-dose variations—a rare capability in prior work. To clarify how irradiation and temperature affect the luminescent centers of GaN, we integrated density functional theory (DFT) calculations with literature analysis, then resolved the yellow luminescence band into three emission centers via Gaussian deconvolution: 1.78 eV associated with C/O impurities, 1.94 eV linked to VGa, and 2.2 eV corresponding to CN defects. Using a single-exponential decay model, we further quantified the temperature- and dose-dependent decay rates of these centers under dual-variable temperature and dose conditions. Experimental results show that low-temperature irradiation such as at 100 K suppresses the migration and recombination of VGa/CN point defects, significantly enhancing the radiation tolerance of the 1.94 eV and 2.2 eV emission centers; meanwhile, it reduces non-radiative recombination center density, stabilizing free excitons and donor-bound excitons, thereby improving near-band-edge emission center resistance. Notably, the 1.94 eV emission center linked to gallium vacancies exhibits superior cryogenic radiation tolerance due to slower defect migration and more stable free exciton/donor-bound exciton states. Collectively, these findings reveal a synergistic regulation mechanism of temperature and radiation fluence on defect stability, addressing a key gap in static studies, providing a basis for understanding degradation mechanisms of gallium nitride-based devices under actual operating conditions (coexisting temperature fluctuations and continuous radiation), and offering theoretical/experimental support for optimizing radiation-hardened gallium nitride devices for extreme environments such as space or nuclear applications.

The structural integrity of nuclear graphite is paramount for the lifespan of High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactors. The nuclear graphite components operate under extreme conditions involving high temperature, pressure, and intense neutron irradiation, leading to complex service behavior that is difficult to characterize only by experimental methods. This study employs the finite element method (FEM) to assess component stress and failure risk. The ManUMAT simulation method was first validated against irradiation data for Gilsocarbon graphite from an Advanced Gas-Cooled Reactor and was subsequently applied to stress–strain analysis of the nuclear graphite bricks in the HTR-PM side reflector layer. The 3D micropore structure of nuclear graphite was obtained via X-μCT and reconstructed in Avizo to establish an FEM model based on the actual pore geometry. Simulations of nuclear graphite over a 30 full-power-year service period predicted a significant contraction on the core-side and minimal thermal expansion on the out-side driven by the neutron doses. This research establishes a finite element framework that extends the ManUMAT approach by integrating a realistic pore structure model, thereby providing a foundation for quantifying the microstructural effects on macroscopic performance.

Herein, we report the mitochondrial genomic characteristics of three insect pests, Notobitus meleagris, Macropes harringtonae, and Homoeocerus bipunctatus, collected from bamboo plants in Guizhou Province, China. For the first time, the damaged conditions and life histories of M. harringtonae and H. bipunctatus are described in detail and digital photographs of all their life stages are provided. Simultaneously, the mitochondrial genome sequences of three bamboo pests were sequenced and analyzed. Idiocerus laurifoliae and Nilaparvata lugens were used as outgroups, and the phylogenetic trees were constructed. The mitochondrial genomes of the three bamboo pests contained 37 classical genes, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs), 22 transfer RNAs (tRNAs), and a control region, with a total length of 16,199 bp, 15,314 bp, and 16,706 bp, respectively. The A+T values of the three bamboo pests were similar, and trnS1 was a cloverleaf structure with missing arms. The phylogenetic analyses, using the Bayesian inference (BI) and Maximum likelihood (ML), supported that N. meleagris and H. bipunctatus belonged to the Coreoidea family, whereas M. harringtonae belonged to the Lygaeoidea family with high support values. This study involves the first complete sequencing of the mitochondrial genomes of two bamboo pests. By adding these newly sequenced mitochondrial genome data and detailed descriptions of life histories, the database of bamboo pests is improved. These data also provide information for the development of bamboo pest control methods by quick identification techniques and the use of detailed photographs.

Cr2AlB2 and Cr4AlB4 are members of the MAB phases that exhibit unique properties of both metals and ceramics. However, despite these unique characteristics, Cr2AlB2 and Cr4AlB4 phase coatings have not been widely investigated. In this study, Cr2AlB2 and Cr4AlB4 MAB phase coatings were fabricated by magnetron sputtering at room temperature and post-annealing. A composite target, consisting of a phase-pure disc-shaped CrB target overlapped by uniformly dispersed fan-shaped Al slices, was placed parallel to the substrates. The Al content of the coatings was adjusted by altering the areal proportion of the Al slices. MAB phases have crystallized upon post-annealing the as-deposited coatings on Al2O3(0001) substrates in Ar. The phase compositions and morphologies of the crystalline coatings were found to be dependent on the Al content and the annealing temperature. As-deposited coatings with a Cr:Al:B ratio close to 2:1:2 could crystallize as pure and dense Cr2AlB2 phases within the temperature range of 650–800 °C; higher annealing temperatures resulted in the decomposition of Cr2AlB2, while crystallization at lower temperatures was not evident from X-ray diffraction. As-deposited coatings with a Cr:Al:B ratio close to 3:1:3, despite containing a relatively higher Al content than required by the stoichiometry of Cr4AlB4, exhibited insufficient crystallization of Cr4AlB4 with unknown phases below 840 °C. Higher annealing temperatures resulted in the coexistence of Cr4AlB4 and CrB, indicating that achieving phase-pure and well-crystallized Cr4AlB4 coatings proved challenging, possibly due to the inevitable loss of Al during annealing. The configuration of the composite target and the substrates provides a promising strategy for fabricating phase-pure and dense Cr2AlB2 coatings.