Remarkable purification of organic dyes by NiOOH-modified industrial waste residues

Extracting functional materials from industrial waste residues to absorb organic dyes can maximize waste reuse and minimize water pollution. However, the extraordinarily low purification efficiency still limits the practical application of this strategy. Herein, the lamellar NiOOH is in-situ anchored on the industrial waste red mud surface (ARM/NiOOH) as an adsorbent to purify organic dyes in wastewater. ARM/NiOOH adsorbent with high specific surface area and porosity provides considerable active sites for the congo red (CR), thereby significantly enhancing the removal efficiency of CR. Besides, we fit a reasonable adsorption model for ARM/NiOOH adsorbent and investigate its adsorption kinetics. Resultantly, ARM/NiOOH adsorbent can remarkably adsorb 348.0 mg g-1 CR within 5 min, which is 7.91 times that of raw RM. Our work provides a strategy for reusing industrial waste and purifying sewage pollution, which advances wastewater treatment engineering.

High-performance flexible p-type Ce-filled Fe3CoSb12 skutterudite thin film for medium-to-high-temperature applications

P-type Fe3CoSb12-based skutterudite thin films are successfully fabricated, exhibiting high thermoelectric performance, stability, and flexibility at medium-to-high temperatures, based on preparing custom target materials and employing advanced pulsed laser deposition techniques to address the bonding challenge between the thin films and high-temperature flexible polyimide substrates. Through the optimization of fabrication processing and nominal doping concentration of Ce, the thin films show a power factor of >100 μW m-1 K-2 and a ZT close to 0.6 at 653 K. After >2000 bending cycle tests at a radius of 4 mm, only a 6 % change in resistivity can be observed. Additionally, the assembled p-type Fe3CoSb12-based flexible device exhibits a power density of 135.7 µW cm-2 under a temperature difference of 100 K with the hot side at 623 K. This work fills a gap in the realization of flexible thermoelectric devices in the medium-to-high-temperature range and holds significant practical application value.

Zinc Doping Induces Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of Solvothermal SnTe

The creation of hierarchical nanostructures can effectively strengthen phonon scattering to reduce lattice thermal conductivity for improving thermoelectric properties in inorganic solids. Here, we use Zn doping to induce a remarkable reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity in SnTe, approaching the theoretical minimum limit. Microstructure analysis reveals that ZnTe nanoprecipitates can embed within SnTe grains beyond the solubility limit of Zn in the Zn alloyed SnTe. These nanoprecipitates result in a substantial decrease of the lattice thermal conductivity in SnTe, leading to an ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of 0.50 W m-1 K-1 at 773 K and a peak ZT of ~0.48 at 773 K, marking an approximately 45 % enhancement compared to pristine SnTe. This study underscores the effectiveness of incorporating ZnTe nanoprecipitates in boosting the thermoelectric performance of SnTe-based materials.

Exploring ALK fusion in colorectal cancer: a case series and comprehensive analysis

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion-positive colorectal cancer (CRC) is a rare and chemotherapy-refractory subtype that lacks established and effective treatment strategies. Additionally, the efficacy and safety of ALK inhibitors (ALKi) in CRC remain undetermined. Herein, we examined a series of ALK-positive CRC patients who underwent various lines of ALKi treatment. Notably, we detected an ALK 1196M resistance mutation in a CRC patient who received multiple lines of chemotherapy and ALKi treatment. Importantly, we found that Brigatinib and Lorlatinib demonstrated some efficacy in managing this patient, although the observed effectiveness was not as pronounced as in non-small cell lung cancer cases. Furthermore, based on our preliminary analyses, we surmise that ALK-positive CRC patients are likely to exhibit inner resistance to Cetuximab. Taken together, our findings have important implications for the treatment of ALK-positive CRC patients.

The efficacy of coaxial percutaneous iodine-125 seed implantation combined with arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of coaxial percutaneous Iodine-125 (125I) seed implantation in combination with arterial infusion chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer (PC) through a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

A total of 101 patients with advanced PC were randomized into two groups: control group treated with systemic intravenous chemotherapy and experimental group that received 125I seed implantation in combination with arterial infusion chemotherapy. Outcomes, including tumor control, abdominal pain relief, and survival time were compared between these two groups (Trial Registration No. KYKT2018-65).

RESULTS

Pretreatment abdominal pain scores were comparable between the two groups, whereas the abdominal pain scores at 1- and 3-month post-treatment were significantly lower in the control group than those in the experimental group (1-month: 3.74 ± 1.54 vs. 4.48 ± 1.46, p = .015; 3-month: 3.64 ± 2.21 vs. 5.40 ± 1.56, p < .001). At 3-month post-treatment, computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a significantly higher disease control rate in the experimental group than that in the control group (94.0% vs. 74.5%, p = .007). The median survival time in the experimental group was significantly longer than that in the control group (15-month vs. 9-month, p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The combination of coaxial percutaneous 125I seed implantation with arterial infusion chemotherapy could significantly alleviate abdominal pain, improve tumor control rates, and prolong survival time in patients with advanced PC.

Boosting thermoelectric performance of single-walled carbon nanotubes-based films through rational triple treatments

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs)-based thermoelectric materials, valued for their flexibility, lightweight, and cost-effectiveness, show promise for wearable thermoelectric devices. However, their thermoelectric performance requires significant enhancement for practical applications. To achieve this goal, in this work, we introduce rational "triple treatments" to improve the overall performance of flexible SWCNT-based films, achieving a high power factor of 20.29 µW cm-1 K-2 at room temperature. Ultrasonic dispersion enhances the conductivity, NaBH4 treatment reduces defects and enhances the Seebeck coefficient, and cold pressing significantly densifies the SWCNT films while preserving the high Seebeck coefficient. Also, bending tests confirm structural stability and exceptional flexibility, and a six-legged flexible device demonstrates a maximum power density of 2996 μW cm-2 at a 40 K temperature difference, showing great application potential. This advancement positions SWCNT films as promising flexible thermoelectric materials, providing insights into high-performance carbon-based thermoelectrics.

Silver Copper Chalcogenide Thermoelectrics: Advance, Controversy, and Perspective

Thermoelectric technology, which enables a direct and pollution-free conversion of heat into electricity, provides a promising path to address the current global energy crisis. Among the broad range of thermoelectric materials, silver copper chalcogenides (AgCuQ, Q = S, Se, Te) have garnered significant attention in thermoelectric community in light of inherently ultralow lattice thermal conductivity, controllable electronic transport properties, excellent thermoelectric performance across various temperature ranges, and a degree of ductility. This review epitomizes the recent progress in AgCuQ-based thermoelectric materials, from the optimization of thermoelectric performance to the rational design of devices, encompassing the fundamental understanding of crystal structures, electronic band structures, mechanical properties, and quasi-liquid behaviors. The correlation between chemical composition, mechanical properties, and thermoelectric performance in this material system is also highlighted. Finally, several key issues and prospects are proposed for further optimizing AgCuQ-based thermoelectric materials.

Observation of WWγ Production and Search for Hγ Production in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The observation of WWγ production in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1} is presented. The observed (expected) significance is 5.6 (5.1) standard deviations. Events are selected by requiring exactly two leptons (one electron and one muon) of opposite charge, moderate missing transverse momentum, and a photon. The measured fiducial cross section for WWγ is 5.9±0.8(stat)±0.8(syst)±0.7(modeling)  fb, in agreement with the next-to-leading order quantum chromodynamics prediction. The analysis is extended with a search for the associated production of the Higgs boson and a photon, which is generated by a coupling of the Higgs boson to light quarks. The result is used to constrain the Higgs boson couplings to light quarks.

New Structures in the J/ψJ/ψ Mass Spectrum in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A search is reported for near-threshold structures in the J/ψJ/ψ invariant mass spectrum produced in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV from data collected by the CMS experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 135  fb^{-1}. Three structures are found, and a model with quantum interference among these structures provides a good description of the data. A new structure is observed with a local significance above 5 standard deviations at a mass of 6638_{-38}^{+43}(stat)_{-31}^{+16}(syst)  MeV. Another structure with even higher significance is found at a mass of 6847_{-28}^{+44}(stat)_{-20}^{+48}(syst)  MeV, which is consistent with the X(6900) resonance reported by the LHCb experiment and confirmed by the ATLAS experiment. Evidence for another new structure, with a local significance of 4.7 standard deviations, is found at a mass of 7134_{-25}^{+48}(stat)_{-15}^{+41}(syst)  MeV. Results are also reported for a model without interference, which does not fit the data as well and shows mass shifts up to 150 MeV relative to the model with interference.

TGR5-mediated lateral hypothalamus-dCA3-dorsolateral septum circuit regulates depressive-like behavior in male mice

Although bile acids play a notable role in depression, the pathological significance of the bile acid TGR5 membrane-type receptor in this disorder remains elusive. Using depression models of chronic social defeat stress and chronic restraint stress in male mice, we found that TGR5 in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) predominantly decreased in GABAergic neurons, the excitability of which increased in depressive-like mice. Upregulation of TGR5 or inhibition of GABAergic excitability in LHA markedly alleviated depressive-like behavior, whereas down-regulation of TGR5 or enhancement of GABAergic excitability facilitated stress-induced depressive-like behavior. TGR5 also bidirectionally regulated excitability of LHA GABAergic neurons via extracellular regulated protein kinases-dependent Kv4.2 channels. Notably, LHA GABAergic neurons specifically innervated dorsal CA3 (dCA3) CaMKIIα neurons for mediation of depressive-like behavior. LHA GABAergic TGR5 exerted antidepressant-like effects by disinhibiting dCA3 CaMKIIα neurons projecting to the dorsolateral septum (DLS). These findings advance our understanding of TGR5 and the LHAGABA→dCA3CaMKIIα→DLSGABA circuit for the development of potential therapeutic strategies in depression.

Methylated ctDNA predicts early recurrence risk in patients undergoing resection of initially unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases

Background

Patients with initially unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastases (IU-CRLM) might benefit from using an effective systemic treatment followed by resection of liver metastases but the curative success rate is quite low. Indeed, nearly one-third of patients exhibit early recurrence within the first 6 months after surgery, and these individuals often have poor overall survival.

Objectives

This study aims to clarify the application value of serial circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis in predicting the clinical outcome of IU-CRLM patients following liver metastasectomy.

Design

A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of patients with IU-CRLM between February 2018 and April 2021.

Methods

Plasma samples at different time points during CRLM treatment [baseline (BL), preoperation (PRE), postoperation (POST), end-of-treatment (EOT), and progressive disease (PD)] were retrospectively collected from patients with initially unresectable CRLM enrolled at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Dynamic changes of SEPTIN 9 (SEPT9) and Neuropeptide Y (NPY) methylated circulating tumor DNA (MetctDNA) levels in serial plasma samples were detected using droplet-digital PCR (ddPCR).

Results

SEPT9 and NPY genes were hypermethylated in colon cancer cell lines and tissues while no difference was observed between primary and metastatic tumors. Patients with MetctDNA positive at POST or EOT had significantly lower recurrence-free survival (RFS) compared to patients with MetctDNA negative at these time points [POST: Hazard ratio (HR) 9.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.15-17.30, p < 0.001; EOT: HR 11.48, 95% CI 3.27-40.31, p < 0.001]. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that POST (OR 33.96, 95% CI 4.03-286.10, p = 0.001) and EOT (OR 18.36, 95% CI 1.14-295.71, p = 0.04) MetctDNA was an independent risk factor for early recurrence. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve (T-ROC) analysis revealed that area under the curve (AUC) value was greatest at the relapse time point of 6 months post-intervention, with POST-AUC and EOT-AUC values of 0.74 (95% CI 0.66-0.81) and 0.73 (95% CI 0.53-0.94), respectively. Serial MetctDNA analysis showed that RFS was significantly lower in patients with no MetctDNA clearance compared with those with MetctDNA clearance (HR 26.05, 95% CI 4.92-137.81, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Our study confirmed that serial ctDNA analysis of NPY and SEPT9 gene methylation could effectively predict early recurrence in IU-CRLM patients, especially at POST and EOT.

Search for Scalar Leptoquarks Produced via τ-Lepton-Quark Scattering in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The first search for scalar leptoquarks produced in τ-lepton-quark collisions is presented. It is based on a set of proton-proton collision data recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1}. The reconstructed final state consists of a jet, significant missing transverse momentum, and a τ lepton reconstructed through its hadronic or leptonic decays. Limits are set on the product of the leptoquark production cross section and branching fraction and interpreted as exclusions in the plane of the leptoquark mass and the leptoquark-τ-quark coupling strength.

Flexible power generators by Ag2Se thin films with record-high thermoelectric performance

Exploring new near-room-temperature thermoelectric materials is significant for replacing current high-cost Bi2Te3. This study highlights the potential of Ag2Se for wearable thermoelectric electronics, addressing the trade-off between performance and flexibility. A record-high ZT of 1.27 at 363 K is achieved in Ag2Se-based thin films with 3.2 at.% Te doping on Se sites, realized by a new concept of doping-induced orientation engineering. We reveal that Te-doping enhances film uniformity and (00l)-orientation and in turn carrier mobility by reducing the (00l) formation energy, confirmed by solid computational and experimental evidence. The doping simultaneously widens the bandgap, resulting in improved Seebeck coefficients and high power factors, and introduces TeSe point defects to effectively reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. A protective organic-polymer-based composite layer enhances film flexibility, and a rationally designed flexible thermoelectric device achieves an output power density of 1.5 mW cm-2 for wearable power generation under a 20 K temperature difference.

Search for Inelastic Dark Matter in Events with Two Displaced Muons and Missing Transverse Momentum in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A search for dark matter in events with a displaced nonresonant muon pair and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis is performed using an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1} of proton-proton (pp) collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV produced by the LHC in 2016-2018. No significant excess over the predicted backgrounds is observed. Upper limits are set on the product of the inelastic dark matter production cross section σ(pp→A^{'}→χ_{1}χ_{2}) and the decay branching fraction B(χ_{2}→χ_{1}μ^{+}μ^{-}), where A^{'} is a dark photon and χ_{1} and χ_{2} are states in the dark sector with near mass degeneracy. This is the first dedicated collider search for inelastic dark matter.

Decoupling Carrier-Phonon Scattering Boosts the Thermoelectric Performance of n-Type GeTe-Based Materials

The coupled relationship between carrier and phonon scattering severely limits the thermoelectric performance of n-type GeTe materials. Here, we provide an efficient strategy to enlarge grains and induce vacancy clusters for decoupling carrier-phonon scattering through the annealing optimization of n-type GeTe-based materials. Specifically, boundary migration is used to enlarge grains by optimizing the annealing time, while vacancy clusters are induced through the aggregation of Ge vacancies during annealing. Such enlarged grains can weaken carrier scattering, while vacancy clusters can strengthen phonon scattering, leading to decoupled carrier-phonon scattering. As a result, a ratio between carrier mobility and lattice thermal conductivity of ∼492.8 cm3 V-1 s-1 W-1 K and a peak ZT of ∼0.4 at 473 K are achieved in Ge0.67Pb0.13Bi0.2Te. This work reveals the critical roles of enlarged grains and induced vacancy clusters in decoupling carrier-phonon scattering and demonstrates the viability of fabricating high-performance n-type GeTe materials via annealing optimization.

Simultaneously Boosting Thermoelectric and Mechanical Properties of n-Type Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5-Based Zintls through Energy-Band and Defect Engineering

Incorporating donor doping into Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5 to achieve n-type conductivity is one of the crucial strategies for performance enhancement. In pursuit of higher thermoelectric performance, we herein report co-doping with Te and Y to optimize the thermoelectric properties of Mg3Sb1.5Bi0.5, achieving a peak ZT exceeding 1.7 at 703 K in Y0.01Mg3.19Sb1.5Bi0.47Te0.03. Guided by first-principles calculations for compositional design, we find that Te-doping shifts the Fermi level into the conduction band, resulting in n-type semiconductor behavior, while Y-doping further shifts the Fermi level into the conduction band and reduces the bandgap, leading to enhanced thermoelectric performance with a power factor as high as >20 μW cm-1 K-2. Additionally, through detailed micro/nanostructure characterizations, we discover that Te and Y co-doping induces dense crystal and lattice defects, including local lattice distortions and strains caused by point defects, and densely distributed grain boundaries between nanocrystalline domains. These defects efficiently scatter phonons of various wavelengths, resulting in a low thermal conductivity of 0.83 W m-1 K-1 and ultimately achieving a high ZT. Furthermore, the dense lattice defects induced by co-doping can further strengthen the mechanical performance, which is crucial for its service in devices. This work provides guidance for the composition and structure design of thermoelectric materials.

Clinical and molecular characteristics of RNF43 mutations as promising prognostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer

Background

Transmembrane E3 ubiquitin ligase (RNF43) mutations are present in approximately 6-18% of colorectal cancers (CRC) and could enhance Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which is emerging as a promising therapeutic target. This study aims to investigate the clinical and molecular characteristics and potential heterogeneity of RNF43-mutant CRC.

Methods

A total of 78 patients with RNF43-mutant CRC were enrolled from July 2013 to November 2022. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, treatment regimens used, and survival outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Results

Our study uncovered that patients with RNF43 mutations in the N-terminal domain (NTD; n = 50) exhibited shorter overall survival (OS; median months, 50.80 versus not reached; p = 0.043) compared to those in the C-terminal domain (CTD; n = 17). Most RNF43 mutations in NTD had positive primary lymph node status, low tumor mutation burden (TMB-L), and correlated with proficient mismatch repair (pMMR)/microsatellite stable (MSS) status. By contrast, RNF43 mutations in CTD were significantly enriched in deficient MMR (dMMR)/microsatellite instability (MSI-H) tumors with high TMB (TMB-H). N-terminal RNF43-mutated tumors harbored a hotspot variant (RNF43 R117fs), which independently predicted a significantly worse outcome in pMMR/MSS CRC with a median OS of 18.9 months. Patients with RNF43 mutations and the BRAF V600E alterations demonstrated sensitivity to BRAF/EGFR inhibitors. Moreover, we observed that pMMR/MSS patients with RNF43 R117fs mutation had a higher incidence of stage IV, ⩾2 metastatic sites, low TMB, and none of them received PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor therapy.

Conclusion

Our findings provide the first evidence that RNF43 mutations in NTD and the R117fs variant correlate with a poorer prognosis in CRC patients, providing strategies for Wnt-targeted therapy to improve clinical efficacy.

[Preliminary insights into the practice of hypoallergenic home visiting program]

Allergic diseases affect about 40% of the world's population. Environmental factors are important in the occurrence and development of allergic diseases. Dust mites are one of the most important allergens in the indoor environment. The World Health Organization proposes the "four-in-one, combination of prevention and treatment" treatment principle for allergic diseases, in which environmental control to avoid or reduce allergens is the first choice for treatment. Modern people spend much more time at home (including sleeping) than outdoors, and the control of the home environment is particularly critical. This practice introduces the hypoallergenic home visit program, which including home environment assessment, environmental and behavioral intervention guidance, and common household hypoallergenic supplies and service guidance for the patient's home environment. The real-time semi-quantitative testing of dust mite allergens, qualitative assessments of other indoor allergens, record of patients' household items and lifestyle, and precise, individualized patient prevention and control education will be conducted. The hypoallergenic home visit program improves the doctors' diagnosis and treatment data dimension, and becomes a patient management tool for doctors outside the hospital. It also helps patients continue to scientifically avoid allergens and irritants in the environment, effectively build a hypoallergenic home environment, reduce exposure to allergens in the home environment, and achieve the goal of combining the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases.

Flexible, recoverable, and efficient photocatalysts: MoS2/TiO2 heterojunctions grown on amorphous carbon-coated carbon textiles

Most traditional powder photocatalysts are not easily recovered. Herein, we report a flexible and recoverable photocatalyst with superior photocatalytic activity, in which MoS2/TiO2 heterojunctions are grown on amorphous carbon-coated carbon textiles (CT@C-MoS2/TiO2). Recoverable CT@C-MoS2/TiO2 textile was used to degrade 10 mg L-1 rhodamine B, leading to a degradation rate of up to 98.8 % within 30 min. Such a degradation rate is much higher than that of most of the reported studies. A density functional theory (DFT) calculation results illustrate charge transfer mechanism inside TiO2-C, MoS2-C, and MoS2/TiO2 heterojunctions, which shows that CT@C-MoS2/TiO2 textile with three electron separation channels has a high photogenerated carrier separation rate, which remarkably enhances the photocatalytic activity. Our work provides a novel strategy to design an efficient and recoverable photocatalyst with high activity.

[Correlation analysis of serum MMP-1 and MMP-2 levels with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis after operation for lower limb fracture]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between serum matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) and the formation of deep venous thrombosis(LDVT) in lower extremity patients after surgery for lower extremity fracture, and to analyze the value of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in predicting the occurrence of LDVT after lower extremity fracture.

METHODS

From June 2018 to December 2021, 352 patients who planned to receive surgical treatment of lower limb fracture in our hospital were selected as the research objects. Venous blood was collected at 1, 2 and 3 days after surgery, respectively, and serum MMP-1 and MMP-2 levels were detected. The incidence of LDVT during hospitalization was analyzed, and the risk factors of postoperative LDVT in patients with lower limb fracture surgery and the predictive value of MMP-1 and MMP-2 for LDVT were analyzed.

RESULTS

LDVT occurred in 40 patients (LDVT group), the incidence of LDVT was 11.36%, and 312 patients did not occurred(no occurred group). The serum levels of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in LDVT group increased gradually after surgery; the serum levels of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in the no occurred group increased slightly after surgery at 2 days and then decreased at 3 days after surgery (P<0.01);the serum levels of MMP-1 and MMP-2 in LDVT group were higher than those in the no occurred group at 2 days and 3 days after surgery (P<0.05). Serum levels of MMP-1 and MMP-2 were positively correlated with serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α) in LDVT patients at 2 days and 3 days postoperatively (P<0.05). Operative time, MMP-1 and MMP-2 postoperative 3 days were related to the occurrence of LDVT after lower limb fracture (P<0.01). The area under the curve(AUC) predicted by MMP-1 and MMP-2 postoperative 3 days for LDVT after lower limb fracture was 0.738 and 0.744 respectively, and the AUC predicted by combined MMP-1 and MMP-2 was 0.910, which was higher than that predicted by single indicator(Z=2.819 and 2.025, P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

High levels of MMP-1 and MMP-2 after lower extremity fracture are closely related to the occurrence of LDVT, and 3 d mMP-1 and MMP-2 after surgery maybe used as evaluation indexes for LDVT risk prediction.

Z-ligustilide preferentially caused mitochondrial dysfunction in AML HL-60 cells by activating nuclear receptors NUR77 and NOR1

BACKGROUND

Nuclear receptors NUR77 and NOR1 were identified as critical targets in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) therapy. Previously, we showed that Z-ligustilide (Z-LIG) selectively targeted AML by restoring NUR77 and NOR1. However, its downstream mechanisms are yet to be elucidated.

METHODS

SRB staining assay was used to measure cell viability. Cell apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species were analyzed using flow cytometry. The potential targets of Z-LIG in AML HL-60 cells were evaluated by RNA sequencing. Changes in RNA levels were measured using quantitative RT-qPCR and western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of proteins.

RESULTS

Z-LIG preferentially induced mitochondrial dysfunction in HL-60 cells compared with 293T cells. Furthermore, RNA sequencing revealed that mitochondrial transcription and translation might be potential Z-LIG targets inhibiting HL-60 cells. NUR77/NOR1 overexpression significantly reduced the mitochondrial ATP and mitochondrial membrane potential and increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in HL-60 cells but not in 293T cells. Moreover, Z-LIG induced mitochondrial dysfunction by restoring NUR77 and NOR1 in HL-60 cells. Compared with HL-60 cells, the apoptosis-inducing activities of NUR77/NOR1 and Z-LIG were significantly reduced in HL-60 ρ0 cells depleted in mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA). Moreover, NUR77/NOR1 and Z-LIG downregulated mitochondrial transcription and translation related proteins in HL-60 cells. Notably, Z-LIG remarkably reduced mitochondrial ATP in primary AML cells and showed anti-AML activity in mouse models of human AML.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our findings suggested that Z-LIG selectively induces mitochondrial dysfunction in AML HL-60 cells by restoring NUR77 and NOR1, a process associated with interference in mtDNA transcription.

Observation of the Rare Decay of the η Meson to Four Muons

A search for the rare η→μ^{+}μ^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-} double-Dalitz decay is performed using a sample of proton-proton collisions, collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC with high-rate muon triggers during 2017 and 2018 and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101  fb^{-1}. A signal having a statistical significance well in excess of 5 standard deviations is observed. Using the η→μ^{+}μ^{-} decay as normalization, the branching fraction B(η→μ^{+}μ^{-}μ^{+}μ^{-})=[5.0±0.8(stat)±0.7(syst)±0.7(B_{2μ})]×10^{-9} is measured, where the last term is the uncertainty in the normalization channel branching fraction. This work achieves an improved precision of over 5 orders of magnitude compared to previous results, leading to the first measurement of this branching fraction, which is found to agree with theoretical predictions.

[Diagnosis and treatment procedures and health management for patients with hereditary angioedema]

As a recognized rare and highly fatal disease, hereditary angioedema (HAE) is difficult to diagnose and characterized by recurrent edema involving the head, limbs, genitals and larynx, etc. Diagnosis of HAE is not difficult. However, low incidence and lack of clinical characteristics lead to difficulty of doctors on timely diagnosis and correct intervention for HAE patients. Therefore, it is crucial to improve the awareness of this disease and prevent its recurrence. for HAE patients. In view of absent cognition of doctors and the general public on HAE, patients often suffer from sudden death or become disabled due to laryngeal edema which cannot be treated in time. Thus, based on the Internet mobile terminal platform, the team set up an all-day rapid emergency response system which is provided for HAE patients by setting up "one-click help". The aim is to offer optimization on overall management of HAE and designed the intelligent follow-up management to provide timely assistance and specialized suggestion for patients with acute attacks.

High-efficiency broadband fiber-to-chip coupler using a 3D nanoprinting microfiber

We propose a method for coupling a tapered optical fiber to an inverted tapered SiN waveguide by fabricating a microfiber using 3D nanoprinting lithography. The microfiber consists of three parts: a tapered cladding cap, an S-bend, and a straight part, all composed of high-refractive-index material. Light is adiabatically coupled from the tapered fiber to the printed microfiber through the cladding cap. The light is then transmitted through the S-bend and the straight part with low loss and is finally coupled to the waveguide through the evanescent field. In the simulation, our design can achieve a high coupling efficiency (TE mode) of ∼97% at a wavelength of 1542 nm with a wide bandwidth of ∼768n m at the 1-dB cutoff criterion.

Ultrafast and Cost-Effective Fabrication of High-Performance Carbon-Based Flexible Thermoelectric Hybrid Films and Their Devices

Due to their cost-effectiveness and industry-scale feasibility, carbon-based composites have been considered to be promising thermoelectric materials for low-grade power generation. However, current fabrications for carbon-based composites are time-consuming, and their thermoelectric properties are still low. Herein, we develop an ultrafast and cost-effective hot-pressing method to fabricate a novel carbon-based hybrid film, which consists of ionic liquid/phenolic resin/carbon fiber/expanded graphite. This method only costs no more than 15 min. We found that the expanded graphite as the major component enables high flexibility and the introduction of phenolic resin and carbon fiber enhances the shear resistance and toughness of the film, while the ion-induced carrier migration contributes to a high power factor of 38.7 μW m^-1 K^-2 at 500 K in the carbon-based hybrid film. After the comparison based on the ratios between the power factor with fabrication time and cost among the current conventional carbon-based thermoelectric composites, our hybrid films show the best cost-effective property. Besides, a flexible thermoelectric device, assembled by the as-designed hybrid films, shows a maximum output power density of 79.3 nW cm^-2 at a temperature difference of 20 K. This work paves a new way to fabricate cost-effective and high-performance carbon-based thermoelectric hybrids with promising application potential.

A strategy-purifying wastewater with waste materials: Zn2+ modified waste red mud as recoverable adsorbents with an enhanced removal capacity of congo red

The strategy, called purifying wastewater with waste materials (PWWM), can simultaneously improve the secondary utilization of industrial waste materials and in turn, reduce environmental pollution. However, the PWWM strategy has still not been extensively used because of its low purification efficiency of organic pollutants and extremely difficult secondary utilization process. Herein, we use zinc aluminum silicate (ZAS) to modify waste granular red mud (GRM) to form a recoverable adsorbent, called ZAS/GRM adsorbent. The ZAS has been found to exhibit exceptional adsorption performance with the ability to firmly anchor onto the surface of GRM, in which heavy metal ions can effectively solidify and reduce their outflow. Furthermore, many voids have been tactfully designed in the ZAS/GRM adsorbents by using a water vapor project, which provide more active sites for congo red (CR) organic dye, thereby remarkably improving the removal efficiency of CR. From our purification of CR, we find that the CR adsorption capacity of the ZAS/GRM adsorbent is 3.509 mg g^-1, which is four times higher than pure GRM (0.820 mg g^-1). This study demonstrates our PWWM strategy is highly effective and can inspire more research on waste reuse.

A novel nomogram integrated with PDL1 and CEA to predict the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to develop a prognostic nomogram for patients with gastric cancer (GC) based on the levels of programmed death 1 ligand 1 (PDL1) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA).

METHODS

The nomogram was developed using data from a primary cohort of 247 patients who had been clinicopathologically diagnosed with GC, as well as a validation cohort of 63 patients. Furthermore, the nomogram divided the patients into three different risk groups for overall survival (OS)-the low-risk, middle-risk, and high-risk groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox hazard analyses were used to determine all of the factors included in the model. Decision curve analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to assess the accuracy of the nomogram.

RESULTS

The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that metastasis stage, clinical stage, and CEA and PDL1 levels were predictors for progress-free survival (PFS) and OS of patients with GC. Metastasis stage, clinical stage, and CEA and PDL1 levels were found to be independent risk factors for the PFS and OS of patients with GC in a multivariate analysis, and the nomogram was based on these factors. The concordance index of the nomogram was 0.763 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.740-0.787]. The area under the concentration-time curve of the nomogram model was 0.81 (95% CI 0.780-0.900). According to the decision curve analysis and ROC curves, the nomogram model had a higher overall net efficiency in forecasting OS than clinical stage, CEA and PDL1 levels.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we proposed a novel nomogram that integrated PDL1 and CEA, and the proposed nomogram provided more accurate and useful prognostic predictions for patients with GC.

[Epidemiological characteristics of a 2019-nCoV outbreak caused by Omicron variant BF.7 in Shenzhen]

Objective: To explore the epidemiological characteristic of a COVID-19 outbreak caused by 2019-nCoV Omicron variant BF.7 and other provinces imported in Shenzhen and analyze transmission chains and characteristics. Methods: Field epidemiological survey was conducted to identify the transmission chain, analyze the generation relationship among the cases. The 2019-nCoV nucleic acid positive samples were used for gene sequencing. Results: From 8 to 23 October, 2022, a total of 196 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Shenzhen, all the cases had epidemiological links. In the cases, 100 were men and 96 were women, with a median of age, M (Q₁, Q₃) was 33(25, 46) years. The outbreak was caused by traverlers initial cases infected with 2019-nCoV who returned to Shenzhen after traveling outside of Guangdong Province.There were four transmission chains, including the transmission in place of residence and neighbourhood, affecting 8 persons, transmission in social activity in the evening on 7 October, affecting 65 persons, transmission in work place on 8 October, affecting 48 persons, and transmission in a building near the work place, affecting 74 persons. The median of the incubation period of the infection, M (Q₁, Q₃) was 1.44 (1.11, 2.17) days. The incubation period of indoor exposure less than that of the outdoor exposure, M (Q₁, Q₃) was 1.38 (1.06, 1.84) and 1.95 (1.22, 2.99) days, respcetively (Wald χ²=10.27, P=0.001). With the increase of case generation, the number and probability of gene mutation increased. In the same transmission chain, the proportion of having 1-3 mutation sites was high in the cases in the first generation. Conclusions: The transmission chains were clear in this epidemic. The incubation period of Omicron variant BF.7 infection was shorter, the transmission speed was faster, and the gene mutation rate was higher. It is necessary to conduct prompt response and strict disease control when epidemic occurs.

Advances in Versatile GeTe Thermoelectrics from Materials to Devices

Driven by the intensive efforts in the development of high-performance GeTe thermoelectrics for mass-market application in power generation and refrigeration, GeTe-based materials display a high figure of merit of >2.0 and an energy conversion efficiency beyond 10%. However, a comprehensive review on GeTe, from fundamentals to devices, is still needed. In this regard, the latest progress on the state-of-the-art GeTe is timely reviewed. The phase transition, intrinsic high carrier concentration, and multiple band edges of GeTe are fundamentally analyzed from the perspectives of the native atomic orbital, chemical bonding, and lattice defects. Then, the fabrication methods are summarized with a focus on large-scale production. Afterward, the strategies for enhancing electronic transports of GeTe by energy filtering effect, resonance doping, band convergence, and Rashba band splitting, and the methods for strengthening phonon scatterings via nanoprecipitates, planar vacancies, and superlattices, are comprehensively reviewed. Besides, the device assembly and performance are highlighted. In the end, future research directions are concluded and proposed, which enlighten the development of broader thermoelectric materials.

Thermal-inert and ohmic-contact interface for high performance half-Heusler based thermoelectric generator

Unsatisfied electrode bonding in half-Heusler devices renders thermal damage and large efficiency loss, which limits their practical service at high temperatures. Here, we develop a thermodynamic strategy to screen barrier layer elements. Theoretically, we found that the interface between VIIB elements and half-Heuslers possesses near-zero interfacial reaction energy and large atomic diffusion barrier. Experimentally, such an interphase proves to be the atomic direct bonding and has high thermal stability at 1073 K, leading to ideal ohmic contact. Such thermally inert and ohmic contact interface enable modules stably to work at elevated temperature up to 1100 K, which releases the peak performance of half-Heuslers and in turn boosts the energy conversion efficiencies to the records of 11.1% and 13.3% for half-Heusler single-stage and half-Heusler/Bi2Te3 segmented modules. This design strategy provides a feasible solution for the high-temperature half-Heusler generators and gives enlightenment for other package interconnection design of electronic devices.

[Mechanism of nerve growth factor promotes angiogenesis and skeletal muscle fiber remodeling in a mouse hindlimb ischemic model]

Objective: To explore the mechanism of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the skeletal muscle fiber remodeling in ischemic limbs during therapeutic angiogenesis. Methods: Eighteen female mice with SPF grade, 6 weeks old and 25-30 g weighed were randomly allocated to sham-operated group (n=6), blank control group (n=6) and NGF gene transfection group (n=6). The left hindlimb ischemia models were established by ligating the femoral artery in blank control group and NGF gene transfection group. Seven days after the operation, mice in the three groups were separately injected with normal saline, empty plasmids, and NGF plasmids. Gastrocnemius of left hindlimbs was harvested after the blood perfusion assessment of the ischemic limb on the 21st postoperative day. The gastrocnemius muscle specimens were stained with HE, CD31 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry staining, the mRNA expressions of myosin heavy chain-Ⅰ(MHC-Ⅰ), MHC-Ⅱa and MHC-Ⅱb were measured by real-time PCR, and the protein level of NGF and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-β/δ (PPAR β/δ) were detected by Western blot. The expression of cytochrome C oxidase (COX), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: On the 21st day after operation, the blood perfusion of the ischemic limb in NGF gene transfection group was (195.70±9.99)PU, which was lower than that in sham-operated group (312.15±17.32)PU (P=0.001), while it was higher than that in blank control group (82.11±8.55)PU (P=0.001). The degree of muscle atrophy in the NGF gene transfection group was lower than that in the blank control group. The capillary density of NGF gene transfection group (0.34±0.05) was higher than that of sham-operated group (0.11±0.03) and blank control group (0.27±0.04) (P<0.05). The endothelial cell proliferation index in NGF gene transfection group (0.39±0.19) was significantly higher than that in sham-operated group (0.18±0.01) and blank control group (0.25±0.14) (P<0.05). The expression of NGF, PPAR β/δ, COX, IDH, ATP, and MHC-Ⅰ mRNA in NGF gene transfection group were significantly higher than those in sham-operated group and blank control group (P<0.05). Conclusions: NGF gene transfection can promote angiogenesis in the ischemic limbs of mice, increase the blood perfusion, and thus induce the remodeling of skeletal muscle fibers to type Ⅰ. This process may be related to NGF-induced PPAR β/δ expression and promote the cellular aerobic metabolism in skeletal muscle.

Chemistry in Advancing Thermoelectric GeTe Materials

ConspectusThe ever-growing energy crisis and the deteriorated environment caused by carbon energy consumption motivate the exploitation of alternative green and sustainable energy supplies. Because of the unique advantages of zero-emission, no moving parts, accurate temperature control, a long steady-state operation period, and the ability to operate in extreme situations, thermoelectrics, enabling the direct conversion between heat and electricity, is a promising and sustainable option for power generation and refrigeration. However, with increasing application potentials, thermoelectrics is now facing a major challenge: developing high-performance, Pb-free, and low-toxic thermoelectric materials and devices.As one group of promising candidates, GeTe derivatives have the potential to replace the widely used thermoelectric materials containing highly toxic elements. In this Account, we summarize our recent progress in developing high-performance GeTe-based thermoelectric materials via exploring innovative strategies to enhance electron transports and dampen phonon propagations. First, we fundamentally illustrate the underlying chemistry and physical reason for an intrinsically high carrier concentration in GeTe, which enormously restrains the thermoelectric performance of GeTe. From our theoretical calculations, the formation energy of Ge vacancy is the lowest among the defects in GeTe, energetically favoring Ge vacancies in the lattice and leading to intrinsically high carrier concentrations. Accordingly, aliovalent doping/alloying is proposed to increase the formation energy of Ge vacancies and decrease the carrier concentration to the optimal level. We then outline the newly developed method to refine the band structures of GeTe with tuned electronic transport. On the basis of the molecular orbital theory, the energy offset between two valence band edges at the L and Σ points in GeTe should be ascribed to the slightly different Ge_4s orbital characters at these two points, which guides the screening of dopants for band convergence. Besides, the Rashba spin splitting is explored to increase the band degeneracy of GeTe. Afterward, we analyze the dampened phonon propagation in GeTe to minimize its lattice thermal conductivity. Alloying with the heavy Sb atoms can shift the optical phonon modes toward low frequency and reinforce the interaction of optical and acoustic phonon modes so that the inherent phonon scattering is enhanced. In addition, planar vacancies and superlattice precipitates can significantly strengthen phonon scattering to result in ultralow lattice thermal conductivity. After that, we overview the finite elemental analysis simulations to optimize the device geometry for maximizing the device performance and introduce the as-developed prototype GeTe-based thermoelectric device. In the end, we point out future directions in the development of GeTe for device applications. The strategies summarized in this Account can serve as references for developing wide materials with enhanced thermoelectric performance.

Realizing a 10 °C Cooling Effect in a Flexible Thermoelectric Cooler Using a Vortex Generator

In this study, flexible thermoelectric coolers (FTECs) are used to develop an alternative personalized cooling technology to achieve a large temperature drop of 10 °C and cooling capacity of 256 W m^-2 . Such an excellent cooling performance is attributed to the innovative design of the quadra-layered Ag₂ Se/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate structure in FTECs and the induced air vortices by the vortex generator attached to the hot surface of the device. The applied pulse-width modulation technique guarantees human body comfort at inconsistent ambient temperature by modulating the duty ratio of the power source, which also saves 35% of the power consumption. As a result, the as-prepared FTECs only consume 68.5 W so as to maintain a comfortable skin temperature (32 ± 0.5 °C) when the ambient temperature is at 31 °C. This technology provides a reliable and adjustable solution for personalized cooling in environments where comfortable temperatures are exceeded.

Long non-coding RNAs: Modulators of phenotypic transformation in vascular smooth muscle cells

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) are longer than 200 nucleotides and cannot encode proteins but can regulate the expression of genes through epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional modifications. The pathophysiology of smooth muscle cells can lead to many vascular diseases, and studies have shown that lncRNAs can regulate the phenotypic conversion of smooth muscle cells so that smooth muscle cells proliferate, migrate, and undergo apoptosis, thereby affecting the development and prognosis of vascular diseases. This review discusses the molecular mechanisms of lncRNA as a signal, bait, stent, guide, and other functions to regulate the phenotypic conversion of vascular smooth muscle cells, and summarizes the role of lncRNAs in regulating vascular smooth muscle cells in atherosclerosis, hypertension, aortic dissection, vascular restenosis, and aneurysms, providing new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases.

Effects of different modified starches and gums on the physicochemical, functional, and microstructural properties of tapioca pearls

The effects of different modified starch and gums on the physicochemical, functional, and microstructural properties of tapioca pearls were investigated. The addition of starch acetate (SA) and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) improved the springiness, hardness, cooking properties, and overall acceptability of pearls. Samples added with CMC presented higher peak viscosities, breakdown viscosities, onset gelatinization temperature, and lower enthalpy of gelatinization values compared to control pearls. Furthermore, Rheology and LF-NMR results indicated that all five kinds of modifiers promoted the formation of tighter network structures in products. SEM showed that the addition of SA and hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (HDP) could fill the voids in the internal gel network of the pearls, thus promoting the formation of a continuous phase network. This study proved SA, HDP, and CMC as modifiers could have tremendous potential to improve the quality of pearls before and after cooking.

Cheap, Large-Scale, and High-Performance Graphite-Based Flexible Thermoelectric Materials and Devices with Supernormal Industry Feasibility

Flexible thermoelectric materials and devices show great potential to solve the energy crisis but still face great challenges of high cost, complex fabrication, and tedious postprocessing. Searching for abnormal thermoelectric materials with rapid and scale-up production can significantly accelerate their applications. Here, we develop superlarge 25 × 20 cm² commercial graphite-produced composite films in batches, achieved by a standard 10 min industrial process. The high cost effectiveness (S²σ/cost) of 7250 μW g m^-1 K^-2 $^-1 is absolutely ahead of that of the existing thermoelectric materials. The optimized composite film shows a high power factor of 94 μW m^-1 K^-2 at 150 °C, representing the optimal value of normal carbon materials so far. Furthermore, we design two types of flexible thermoelectric devices fabricated based on such a novel composite, which achieve an output open-circuit voltage of 3.70 mV using the human wrist as the heat source and 1.33 mV soaking in river water as the cold source. Our study provides distinguished inspiration to enrich flexible and cost-effective thermoelectric materials with industrial production.

Thermoelectric Coolers: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

Owing to the free of noise, mechanical component, working fluid, and chemical reaction, thermoelectric cooling is regarded as a suitable solution to address the greenhouse emission for the broad cooling scenarios. Here, the significant progress of state-of-the-art thermoelectric coolers is comprehensively summarized and the related aspects of materials, fundamental design, heat sinks, and structures, are overviewed. Particularly, the usage of thermoelectric coolers in smart city, greenhouse, and personal and chip thermal management is highlighted. In the end, current challenges and future opportunities for further improvement of designs, performance, and applications of thermoelectric coolers are pointed out.

Achieving High-Performance Ge0.92 Bi0.08 Te Thermoelectrics via LaB6 -Alloying-Induced Band Engineering and Multi-Scale Structure Manipulation

In this work, a LaB₆ -alloying strategy is reported to effectively boost the figure-of-merit (ZT) of Ge_0.92 Bi_0.08 Te-based alloys up to ≈2.2 at 723 K, attributed to a synergy of La-dopant induced band structuring and structural manipulation. Density-function-theory calculations reveal that La dopant enlarges the bandgap and converges the energy offset between the sub-valence bands in cubic-structured GeTe, leading to a significantly increased effective mass, which gives rise to a high Seebeck coefficient of ≈263 µV K^-1 and in turn a superior power factor of ≈43 µW cm^-1 K^-2 at 723 K. Besides, comprehensive electron microscopy characterizations reveal that the multi-scale phonon scattering centers, including a high density of planar defects, Boron nanoparticles in tandem with enhanced boundaries, dispersive Ge nanoprecipitates in the matrix, and massive point defects, contribute to a low lattice thermal conductivity of ≈0.67 W m^-1 K^-1 at 723 K. Furthermore, a high microhardness of ≈194 H_v is witnessed in the as-designed Ge_0.92 Bi_0.08 Te(LaB₆ )_0.04 alloy, derived from the multi-defect-induced strengthening. This work provides a strategy for developing high-performance and mechanical robust middle-temperature thermoelectric materials for practical thermoelectric applications.

Impurity Removal Leading to High-Performance CoSb3-Based Skutterudites with Synergistic Carrier Concentration Optimization and Thermal Conductivity Reduction

Thermoelectric properties of CoSb₃-based skutterudites are greatly determined by the removal of detrimental impurities, such as (Fe/Co)Sb₂, (Fe/Co)Sb, and Sb. In this study, we use a facile temperature gradient zone melting (TGZM) method to synthesize high-performance CoSb₃-based skutterudites by impurity removal. After removing metallic or semimetallic impurities (Fe/Co)Sb, (Fe/Co)Sb₂, and Sb, the carrier concentration of TGZM-Ce_0.75Fe₃CoSb₁₂ can be reduced to 1.21 × 10²⁰ cm^-3 and the electronic thermal conductivity dramatically reduced to 0.7 W m^-1 K^-1 at 693 K. Additionally, removing these impurities also effectively reduces the lattice thermal conductivity from 7.2 W m^-1 K^-1 of cast-Ce_0.75Fe₃CoSb₁₂ to 1.02 W m^-1 K^-1 of TGZM-Ce_0.75Fe₃CoSb₁₂ at 693 K. As a consequence, TGZM-Ce_0.75Fe₃CoSb₁₂ approaches a high power factor of 11.7 μW cm^-1 K^-2 and low thermal conductivity of 1.72 W m^-1 K^-1 at 693 K, leading to a peak zT of 0.48 at 693 K, which is 10 times higher than that of cast-Ce_0.75Fe₃CoSb₁₂. This study indicates that our facile TGZM method can effectively synthesize high-performance CoSb₃-based skutterudites by impurity removal and set up a solid foundation for further development.

Ce Filling Limit and Its Influence on Thermoelectric Performance of Fe3CoSb12-Based Skutterudite Grown by a Temperature Gradient Zone Melting Method

CoSb3-based skutterudite is a promising mid-temperature thermoelectric material. However, the high lattice thermal conductivity limits its further application. Filling is one of the most effective methods to reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. In this study, we investigate the Ce filling limit and its influence on thermoelectric properties of p-type Fe3CoSb12-based skutterudites grown by a temperature gradient zone melting (TGZM) method. Crystal structure and composition characterization suggests that a maximum filling fraction of Ce reaches 0.73 in a composition of Ce0.73Fe2.73Co1.18Sb12 prepared by the TGZM method. The Ce filling reduces the carrier concentration to 1.03 × 1020 cm-3 in the Ce1.25Fe3CoSb12, leading to an increased Seebeck coefficient. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicates that the Ce-filling introduces an impurity level near the Fermi level. Moreover, the rattling effect of the Ce fillers strengthens the short-wavelength phonon scattering and reduces the lattice thermal conductivity to 0.91 W m-1 K-1. These effects induce a maximum Seebeck coefficient of 168 μV K-1 and a lowest κ of 1.52 W m-1 K-1 at 693 K in the Ce1.25Fe3CoSb12, leading to a peak zT value of 0.65, which is 9 times higher than that of the unfilled Fe3CoSb12.

Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance of SnTe-Based Materials via Interface Engineering

Interface engineering has been regarded as an effective strategy to improve thermoelectric (TE) performance by modulating electrical transport and enhancing phonon scattering. Herein, we develop a new interface engineering strategy in SnTe-based TE materials. We first use a one-step solvothermal method to synthesize SnTe powders decorated by Sb₂Te₃ nanoplates. After subsequent spark plasma sintering, we found that an ion-exchange reaction between the Sb₂Te₃ and SnTe matrixes happens to result in Sb doping and the formation of SnSb nanoparticles and the recrystallization of the nanograined SnTe at the grain boundaries of the SnTe matrix. Benefitting from this unique engineering, a significantly reduced lattice thermal conductivity of ∼0.64 W m^-1 K^-1 and a high zT of ∼1.08 (∼100% enhanced) at 873 K are achieved in SnTe-Sb_0.06. Such improved TE properties are attributed to the optimized carrier concentration and valence band convergence due to the Sb doping and enhanced phonon scattering by interface engineering at the grain boundaries. This work has demonstrated a facile and effective method to realize high-TE-performance SnTe via interface engineering.