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We herein report an optogenetically activatable CRISPR-Cas9 nanosystem for programmable genome editing in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) optical window. The nanosystem, termed nanoCRISPR, is composed of a cationic polymer-coated Au nanorod (APC) and Cas9 plasmid driven by a heat-inducible promoter. The APC not only serves as a carrier for intracellular plasmid delivery but also can harvest external NIR-II photonic energy and convert it into local heat to induce the gene expression of the Cas9 endonuclease. Due to high transfection activity, the APC shows strong ability to induce a significant level of disruption in different genomic loci upon optogenetic activation. Moreover, the precise control of genome-editing activity can be simply programmed by finely tuning exposure time and irradiation time in vitro and in vivo and also enables editing at multiple time points, thus proving the sensitivity and inducibility of such an editing modality. The NIR-II optical feature of nanoCRISPR enables therapeutic genome editing at deep tissue, by which treatment of deep tumor and rescue of fulminant hepatic failure are demonstrated as proof-of-concept therapeutic examples. Importantly, this modality of optogenetic genome editing can significantly minimize the off-target effect of CRISPR-Cas9 in most potential off-target sites. The optogenetically activatable CRISPR-Cas9 nanosystem we have developed offers a useful tool to expand the current applications of CRISPR-Cas9, and also defines a programmable genome-editing strategy toward high precision and spatial specificity.

All-inorganic CsPbI 3 perovskite quantum dots have received substantial research interest for photovoltaic applications because of higher efficiency compared to solar cells using other quantum dots materials and the various exciting properties that perovskites have to offer. These quantum dot devices also exhibit good mechanical stability amongst various thin-film photovoltaic technologies. We demonstrate higher mechanical endurance of quantum dot films compared to bulk thin film and highlight the importance of further research on high-performance and flexible optoelectronic devices using nanoscale grains as an advantage. Specifically, we develop a hybrid interfacial architecture consisting of CsPbI 3 quantum dot/PCBM heterojunction, enabling an energy cascade for efficient charge transfer and mechanical adhesion. The champion CsPbI 3 quantum dot solar cell has an efficiency of 15.1% (stabilized power output of 14.61%), which is among the highest report to date. Building on this strategy, we further demonstrate a highest efficiency of 12.3% in flexible quantum dot photovoltaics. Perovskite quantum dots film has better mechanical stability and structural integrity compared to bulk thin film. Here, the authors demonstrate higher endurance of quantum dot films and develop hybrid CsPbI3 QD/PCBM device with PCE of 15.1% and 12.3% on rigid and flexible substrates, respectively.

Platinum is the most efficient catalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic conditions, but its widespread use has been impeded by scarcity and high cost. Herein, Pt atomic clusters (Pt ACs) containing Pt-O-Pt units were prepared using Co/N co-doped carbon (CoNC) as support. Pt ACs are anchored to single Co atoms on CoNC by forming strong interactions. Pt-ACs/CoNC exhibits only 24 mV overpotential at 10 mA cm −2 and a high mass activity of 28.6 A mg −1 at 50 mV, which is more than 6 times higher than commercial Pt/C with any Pt loadings. Spectroscopic measurements and computational modeling reveal the enhanced hydrogen generation activity attributes to the charge redistribution between Pt and O atoms in Pt-O-Pt units, making Pt atoms the main active sites and O linkers the assistants, thus optimizing the proton adsorption and hydrogen desorption. This work opens an avenue to fabricate noble-metal-based ACs stabilized by single-atom catalysts with desired properties for electrocatalysis. Modulating single-metal sites at the atomic level can boost the intrinsic catalytic activity. Here, the authors describe the design of Pt atomic clusters containing Pt-O-Pt units supported on Co single atoms and N co-doped carbon for enhanced hydrogen evolution catalysis.

In recent years, there has been rapid development in bicycle-sharing systems (BSS) in China. Moreover, such schemes are considered promising solutions to the first/last mile problem. This study investigates the mode choice behaviors of travelers for first/last mile trips before and after the introduction of bicycle-sharing systems. Travel choice models for first/last mile trips are determined using a multinomial logit model. It also analyzes the differences in choice behavior between the young and other age groups. The findings show that shared bicycles become the preferred mode, while travelers preferred walking before bicycle-sharing systems were implemented. Gender, bicycle availability, and travel frequency were the most significant factors before the implementation of bicycle-sharing systems. However, after implementation, access distance dramatically affects mode choices for first/last mile trips. When shared bicycles are available, the mode choices of middle-aged group depend mainly on gender and access distance. All factors are not significant for the young and aged groups. More than 80% of public transport travelers take walking and shared bicycles as feeder modes. The proposed models and findings contribute to a better understanding of travelers’ choice behaviors and to the development of solutions for the first/last mile problem.

A major challenge in vaccine formulations is the stimulation of both the humoral and cellular immune response for well-defined antigens with high efficacy and safety. Adjuvant research has focused on developing particulate carriers to model the sizes, shapes and compositions of microbes or diseased cells, but not antigen fluidity and pliability. Here, we develop Pickering emulsions--that is, particle-stabilized emulsions that retain the force-dependent deformability and lateral mobility of presented antigens while displaying high biosafety and antigen-loading capabilities. Compared with solid particles and conventional surfactant-stabilized emulsions, the optimized Pickering emulsions enhance the recruitment, antigen uptake and activation of antigen-presenting cells, potently stimulating both humoral and cellular adaptive responses, and thus increasing the survival of mice upon lethal challenge. The pliability and lateral mobility of antigen-loaded Pickering emulsions may provide a facile, effective, safe and broadly applicable strategy to enhance adaptive immunity against infections and diseases.

Flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) has many advantages such as lightweight, low density and high specific strength and is widely used in furniture, automobile industry, construction and transportation. However, FPUF is extremely flammable in the air, and a large amount of toxic gas will be generated when it is burned. The fire protection technology of FPUF has attracted more and more attention. Generally, it is an effective method to improve fire protection of FPUF by introducing additive flame retardant. As a relatively new approach, layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technology is widely used in research fields such as biology, materials and nanoscience. In this work, the research and application of LBL self-assembly technology in the field of flame-retardant FPUF were described, and zero-dimensional, one-dimensional, two-dimensional nanomaterials, one- and two-dimensional nanocomposites systems and other self-assembly systems in flame-retardant FPUF were introduced in detail. The flame-retardant mechanism of flame-retardant FPUF systems was also systematically analyzed, and finally, the development of LBL self-assembly technology in flame-retardant FPUF was prospected.

Advanced elastomers are increasingly used in emerging areas, for example, flexible electronics and devices, and these real‐world applications often require elastomers to be stretchable, tough and fire safe. However, to date there are few successes in achieving such a performance portfolio due to their different governing mechanisms. Herein, a stretchable, supertough, and self‐extinguishing polyurethane elastomers by introducing dynamic π–π stacking motifs and phosphorus‐containing moieties are reported. The resultant elastomer shows a large break strain of ≈2260% and a record‐high toughness (ca. 460 MJ m−3), which arises from its dynamic microphase‐separated microstructure resulting in increased entropic elasticity, and strain‐hardening at large strains. The elastomer also exhibits a self‐extinguishing ability thanks to the presence of both phosphorus‐containing units and π–π stacking interactions. Its promising applications as a reliable yet recyclable substrate for strain sensors are demonstrated. The work will help to expedite next‐generation sustainable advanced elastomers for flexible electronics and devices applications. By introducing well‐designed dynamic π–π stacking motifs and phosphorus‐containing moieties, a mechanically strong, supertough and fire retardant polyurethane elastomer is developed, demonstrating a high tensile strength of ≈57 MPa, a large break strain of ≈2260%, a record‐high toughness (ca. 460 [±15] MJ m−3) and a self‐extinguishing ability, which hold great promise for flexible electronics and devices applications.

Laboratory results and physical examination were unremarkable, except for decreased breath sounds over the right lung and multiple palpable nodular skin lesions over the chest, abdomen and limbs (figure 1). [...]we initiated corticosteroid therapy with intravenous betamethasone 1 mg to quickly control the inflammation. While symmetrical hilar lymphadenopathy is a common imaging finding in thoracic sarcoidosis patients, along with mediastinal adenopathy, particularly involving the right paratracheal and aortopulmonary window nodal stations, anterior mediastinal sarcoidosis without associated hilar lymphadenopathy is exceptionally rare.1 A literature review revealed only one case of histologically proven isolated anterior mediastinal adenopathy in sarcoidosis reported in 1985.2 Despite its rarity, sarcoidosis should be considered as a potential differential diagnosis for an anterior mediastinal mass, especially when concurrent skin lesions are present.

The praying mantis Creobroter nebulosa Zheng (Mantedea: Hymenopodidae) is an insect that has medicinal and esthetical importance, and being a natural enemy for many insects, the species is used as a biological control agent. In this publication, we used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to study the fine morphology of antennae of males and females of this species. The antennae of both sexes are filiform and consist of three parts: scape, pedicel, and flagellum (differing in the number of segments). Based on the external morphology and the sensilla distribution, the antennal flagellum is could be divided into five regions. Seven sensilla types and eleven subtypes of sensilla were observed: grooved peg sensillum (Sgp), Bohm bristles (Bb), basiconic sensillum (Sb), trichoid sensillum (StI, StII), campaniform sensillum (Sca), chaetic sensillum (ScI, ScII, ScIII), and coeloconic sensillum (ScoI, ScoII). In Mantodea, the ScoII is observed for the first time, and it is located on the tip of the flagellum. The external structure and distribution of these sensilla are compared to those of other insects and possible functions of the antennal sensilla are discussed. The males and females of the mantis could be distinguished by the length of antennae and number of Sgp. Males have antennae about 1.5 times longer and have significantly larger number of Sgp compared to females. The sexual difference in distribution of the Sgp suggests that this type of sensilla may play a role in sex-pheromones detection in mantis.

Research exploring the link between immune cell profiles and the development of endometritis remains scant. This gap necessitates further study to decode the complex interrelations influencing this condition. In this analysis, we leveraged two-sample Mendelian randomization to examine the causal ties between the phenotypes of immune cells and the incidence of endometritis. Our evaluation hinged on data from 3757 participants hailing from Sardinia, focusing on a diverse array of 731 immune phenotypes, and cross-referenced with endometritis data sourced from the UK Biobank. To ensure rigor, we performed sensitivity analyses, utilized MR-Egger and MR-Presso to check for pleiotropy, and applied Cochran’s Q test for assessing the heterogeneity of our findings. Our investigation identified numerous immune characteristics associated with endometritis. For certain immune traits, a lower risk of endometritis was observed, including: Absolute Counts of CD39 + CD4 + T cells, CD25 + CD39 + CD4 regulatory T cells, and CD25 + + CD8 + T cells; Absolute Counts of Switched Memory B cells; CD19 expression on IgD + CD38dim and Switched Memory B cells; CD20 expression on IgD + CD38− Unswitched Memory B cells; percentage of Switched Memory B cells among lymphocytes; CD16-CD56 expression on HLA DR + Natural Killer cells; percentage of CD11c + CD62L− monocytes; CD86 expression on monocytes; CCR2 expression on CD14 + CD16 + monocytes; and CD14 expression on Monocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells, with Odds Ratios (ORs) between 0.413 and 0.703. On the contrary, increased risks of endometritis were linked with: the percentage of Effector Memory CD4 + T cells within the CD4 + T cell population; percentages of HLA DR + T cells and HLA DR + CD8 + T cells among T cells; CD4 expression on CD28 + CD4 + T cells; CD20 expression on CD20- CD38- B cells; percentage of IgD + CD24 + B cells within the B cell population; CD62L expression on CD62L + myeloid Dendritic Cells; and Absolute Counts of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells, with ORs from 1.473 to 2.677, indicating these traits potentially elevate the risk of developing endometritis. Our research delineates distinct causal links between specific immune cell phenotypes and endometritis, offering new perspectives that could contribute to the pinpointing of new therapeutic avenues for this condition.