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Water is the only available fossil-free source of hydrogen. Splitting water electrochemically is among the most used techniques, however, it accounts for only 4% of global hydrogen production. One of the reasons is the high cost and low performance of catalysts promoting the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Here, we report a highly efficient catalyst in acid, that is, solid-solution Ru‒Ir nanosized-coral (RuIr-NC) consisting of 3 nm-thick sheets with only 6 at.% Ir. Among OER catalysts, RuIr-NC shows the highest intrinsic activity and stability. A home-made overall water splitting cell using RuIr-NC as both electrodes can reach 10 mA cm −2 geo at 1.485 V for 120 h without noticeable degradation, which outperforms known cells. Operando spectroscopy and atomic-resolution electron microscopy indicate that the high-performance results from the ability of the preferentially exposed {0001} facets to resist the formation of dissolvable metal oxides and to transform ephemeral Ru into a long-lived catalyst. Ru is one of the most active metals for oxygen evolution reaction, but it quickly dissolves in acidic electrolyte particularly in nanosized form. Here, the authors show that coral-like solid-solution Ru‒Ir consisting of 3 nm-thick sheets with only 6 at% Ir is a long-lived catalyst with high activity.

Techniques for chromium ion removal have been researched more and more because of the significant harm to human health posed by this hazardous contamination in water. The present work represents the preparation of poly[acrylamide(Acr)/styrenesulfonicacid sodium salt (Sty)] hydrogels by free radical cross-linking polymerization applying various Acr and Sty monomer molar ratios. To produce Cr-poly(Acr/Sty) chelates, the produced hydrogels were examined for adsorption and desorption tests towards Cr(III) ions. The resulting hydrogels displayed a significant capacity for Cr(III) ion adsorption. Notably, the amount of Sty monomer in the hydrogel has a substantial effect on the Cr(III) ion capturing capacity. Cr-poly(Acr/Sty) and poly(Acr/Sty) hydrogels were characterized by modern analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Furrier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Research on the impacts of time and starting concentration of Cr(III) ions showed that hydrogels had the highest adsorption capacity for Cr(III) ions, at 346.48 mg g-1 dry gel. Hydrogels exhibited an exceptionally high swelling ratio, with a maximum value of 10490.46%. According to their adsorption kinetics, the findings are aligned with the pseudo second-order approach, and their adsorption performance coincides with the Freundlich isotherm. Their potential for reuse in environmental applications is demonstrated by the high desorption recovery percentage (almost 100 weight%), which could be used for the treatment of wastewater. Adsorption using Cr(III) from tanning industrial wastewater was conducted on the prepared hydrogels with efficient capturing capacity.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML version of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

The properties of ceramic materials are strongly influenced by the presence of ultradilute impurities (dopants). Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) measurements using third-generation synchotron sources can be used to identify ultradilute dopants, provided that a good theoretical tool is available to interpret the spectra. Here, we use NEXAFS analysis and first-principles calculations to study the local environments of Ga dopants at levels of 10 p.p.m in otherwise high-purity MgO. This analysis suggests that the extra charge associated with substitutional Ga on a Mg site is compensated by the formation of a Mg vacancy. This defect model is then confirmed by positron lifetime measurements and plane-wave pseudopotential calculations. This powerful combination of techniques should provide a general method of identifying the defect states of ultradilute dopants in ceramics.

Bimetallic Pd 1− x Pt x solid-solution nanoparticles (NPs) display charging/discharging of hydrogen gas, which has relevance for fuel cell technologies; however, the constituent elements are immiscible in the bulk phase. We examined these material systems using high-energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption fine structure and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques. Recent studies have demonstrated the hydrogen storage properties and catalytic activities of Pd-Pt alloys; however, comprehensive details of their structural and electronic functionality at the atomic scale have yet to be reported. Three-dimensional atomic-scale structure results obtained from the pair distribution function (PDF) and reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) methods suggest the formation of a highly disordered structure with a high cavity-volume-fraction for low-Pt content NPs. The NP conduction band features, as extracted from X-ray absorption near-edge spectra at the Pd and Pt L III -edge, suggest that the Pd conduction band is filled by Pt valence electrons. This behaviour is consistent with observations of the hydrogen storage capacity of these NPs. The broadening of the valence band width and the down-shift of the d -band centre away from the Fermi level upon Pt substitution also provided evidence for enhanced stability of the hydride (Δ H ) features of the Pd 1− x Pt x solid-solution NPs with a Pt content of 8-21 atomic percent.

Acrylic acid (AAc) grafted polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films were prepared by γ irradiation. The graft films showed little metal ion adsorption due to compact structure of the graft chains as shown by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images which restricted the access of metal ions to the functional groups. Therefore, the graft films were modified with KOH treatment for expansion of the graft chains to facilitate the access of metal ions to the functional groups. The modified films were used to study the selective Cu2+ adsorption from aqueous solution containing Cu2+, Co2+, and Ni2+. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used for interpretation of selective equilibrium adsorption data and Langmuir model showed better fitting with experimental data. Again pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations were used for interpretation of selective kinetic adsorption data and pseudo-second-order equation showed better prediction of experimental data. The adsorbent film showed high selectivity towards Cu2+ in presence of Cu2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ in the pH range of 1.5 to 4.5. Desorption and reuse of the adsorbent film were also studied which indicated that the film can be used repeatedly for selective Cu2+ sorption from aqueous solution.

Considering the increasing number of identified driver oncogene alterations, additional genetic tests are required to determine the treatment for advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Next‐generation sequencing can detect multiple driver oncogenes simultaneously, enabling the analysis of limited amounts of biopsied tissue samples. In this retrospective, multicenter study (UMIN ID000039523), we evaluated real‐world clinical data using the Oncomine Dx Target Test Multi‐CDx System (Oncomine DxTT) as a companion diagnostic system. Patients with NSCLC who were tested for a panel of 46 genes using the Oncomine DxTT between June 2019 and January 2020 were eligible for enrollment. Patients from 19 institutions affiliated to the West Japan Oncology Group were recruited. The primary endpoint of the study was the success rate of genetic alteration testing in four driver genes (EGFR, ALK, ROS1, and BRAF) using the Oncomine DxTT. In total, 533 patients were enrolled in the study. The success rate of genetic alteration testing for all four genes was 80.1% (95% CI 76.5%‐83.4%). Surgical resection was associated with the highest success rate (88.0%), which was significantly higher than that for bronchoscopic biopsy (76.8%, P = .005). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant difference for surgical resection alone (P = .006, 95% CI 1.36‐6.18, odds ratio 2.90). Although the success rate of genetic alteration testing immediately after Oncomine DxTT induction was not sufficient in this study, optimizing specimen quantity and quality may improve the use of driver gene testing in clinical settings. The mutation identification success rate for all four genes was 80.1%. Surgical resection was associated with the highest success rate. Multivariate analysis showed a significant difference for surgical resection alone.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent lipid mediator with various biological functions mediated through six G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), LPA1-6. Previous studies have demonstrated that LPA-Gα12/Gα13 signaling plays an important role in embryonic vascular development. However, the responsible LPA receptors and underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we show a critical role of LPA4 and LPA6 in developmental angiogenesis. In mice, Lpa4;Lpa6 double knockout (DKO) embryos were lethal due to global vascular deficiencies, and endothelial cell (EC)-specific Lpa4;Lpa6 DKO retinas had impaired sprouting angiogenesis. Mechanistically, LPA activated the transcriptional regulators YAP and TAZ through LPA4/LPA6-mediated Gα12/Gα13-Rho-ROCK signaling in ECs. YAP/TAZ knockdown increased β-catenin- and Notch intracellular domain (NICD)-mediated endothelial expression of the Notch ligand delta-like 4 (DLL4). Fibrin gel sprouting assay revealed that LPA4/LPA6, Gα12/Gα13, or YAP/TAZ knockdown consistently blocked EC sprouting, which was rescued by a Notch inhibitor. Of note, the inhibition of Notch signaling also ameliorated impaired retinal angiogenesis in EC-specific Lpa4;Lpa6 DKO mice. Overall, these results suggest that the Gα12/Gα13-coupled receptors LPA4 and LPA6 synergistically regulate endothelial Dll4 expression through YAP/TAZ activation. This could in part account for the mechanism of YAP/TAZ-mediated developmental angiogenesis. Our findings provide a novel insight into the biology of GPCR-activated YAP/TAZ.

The efficacy of surgical resection in metastatic renal cell carcinoma is an active and important research field in the postcytokine era. Bone metastases, especially in the spine, compromise patient performance status. Metastasectomy is indicated, if feasible, because it helps to achieve the best clinical outcomes possible compared with other treatments. This study examined the postoperative survival and prognostic factors in patients who underwent metastasectomy of spinal lesions. The retrospective study included 65 consecutive patients with metastatic renal cell carcinomas who were operated on by spinal metastasectomy between 1995 and 2017 at our institution. The cancer‐specific survival times from the first spinal metastasectomy to death or the last follow‐up (≥3 years) were determined using Kaplan‐Meier analysis. Potential factors influencing survival were analyzed using Cox proportional hazard models. Planned surgical resection of all the spine tumors was achieved in all patients. Of these, 38 had complete metastasectomy of all visible metastases, including extraspinal lesions. In all patients, the estimated median cancer‐specific survival time was 100 months. The 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year cancer‐specific survival rates were 77%, 62%, and 48%, respectively. The survival times after spinal metastasectomy were similar in both cytokine and postcytokine groups. In multivariate analyses, postoperative disability, the coexistence of liver metastases, multiple spinal metastases, and incomplete metastasectomy were significant risk factors associated with short‐term survival. Complete metastasectomy, including extraspinal metastases, was associated with improved cancer‐specific survival. Proper patient selection and complete metastasectomy provide a better prognosis in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients. This study examined the postoperative survival and prognostic factors in 65 metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients who underwent metastasectomy of spinal lesions. In all patients, the 3‐ and 5‐year cancer‐specific survival rates were 77% and 62%, respectively. Postoperative disability, the coexistence of liver metastases, multiple spinal metastases, and incomplete surgical resection with other existing metastases were significant risk factors associated with short‐term survival.

PurposeFor ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the thoracic spine, anterior decompression is the most effective method for relieving spinal cord compression. The purpose of this study was to prospectively analyze the surgical outcomes based on our strategy in the treatment of thoracic OPLL.MethodsThis study included 23 patients who underwent surgery for thoracic OPLL based on the following strategy between 2011 and 2017. For patients with a beak-type OPLL in the kyphotic curve with a ≥ 50% canal occupying ratio, circumferential decompression via a posterolateral approach and fusion (CDF) was indicated. For other types of OPLL, posterior decompression and fusion (PDF) was commonly indicated. Posterior fusion without decompression (PF) was applied when the spinal cord was separated from the posterior spinal elements. Clinical and radiological outcomes were compared among the CDF, PDF, and PF groups with a minimum of 20-month follow-up.ResultsTen, eleven, and two patients underwent CDF, PDF, and PF, respectively. The preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score in the CDF group was significantly lower than that in the PDF group. The average recovery rate, according to JOA score, was 63%, 56%, and 25% in the CDF, PDF, and PF groups, respectively. The result in the CDF group was better than that in the PF group.ConclusionsAnterior decompression was appropriate for patients with localized spinal cord compression by a large OPLL in the kyphotic curve, and CDF via a posterolateral approach appears to be safe and effective.Graphic abstractThese slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.