Porous Silicon-Supported Catalytic Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage.

Porous silicon (Si) has a tetrahedral structure similar to that of sp-hybridized carbon atoms in a typical diamond structure, which affords it unique chemical and physical properties including an adjustable intrinsic bandgap, a high-speed carrier transfer efficiency. It has shown great potential in photocatalysis, rechargeable batteries, solar cells, detectors, and electrocatalysis. This review introduces various porous Si-supported electrocatalysts and analyzes the reasons why porous Si is used as a new carrier/active sites from the perspectives of its molecular structure, electronic properties, synthesis methods, etc.

Defect Engineering of Ultrasmall TiO Nanoparticles Enables Highly Efficient Photocatalysts for Solar H Production from Woody Biomass.

The conversion of woody biomass to H through photocatalysis provides a sustainable strategy to generate renewable hydrogen fuel but was limited by the slow decomposition rate of woody biomass. Here, we fabricate ultrasmall TiO nanoparticles with tunable concentration of oxygen vacancy defects (V-TiO) as highly efficient photocatalysts for photocatalytic conversion of woody biomass to H. Owing to the positive role of oxygen vacancy in reducing energy barrier for the generation of OH which was the critical species to oxidize woody biomass, the obtained V-TiO achieves rapid photocatalytic conversion of α-cellulose and poplar wood chip to H in the presence of Pt nanoclusters as the cocatalyst.

Regulating Lewis Acidic Sites of 1T-2H MoS Catalysts for Solar-Driven Photothermal Catalytic H Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass.

Solar-driven photothermal catalytic H production from lignocellulosic biomass was achieved by using 1T-2H MoS with tunable Lewis acidic sites as catalysts in an alkaline aqueous solution, in which the number of Lewis acidic sites derived from the exposed Mo edges of MoS was successfully regulated by both the formation of an edge-terminated 1T-2H phase structure and tunable layer number. Owing to the abundant Lewis acidic sites for the oxygenolysis of lignocellulosic biomass, the 1T-2H MoS catalyst shows high photothermal catalytic lignocellulosic biomass-to-H transformation performance in polar wood chips, bamboo, rice straw corncobs, and rice hull aqueous solutions, and the highest H generation rate and solar-to-H (STH) efficiency respectively achieves 3661 μmol·h·g and 0.18% in the polar wood chip system under 300 W Xe lamp illumination.

Iron-N-heterocyclic carbene complexes as efficient electrocatalysts for water oxidation under acidic conditions.

The development of stable, Earth-abundant, and high-activity molecular water oxidation catalysts under acidic and neutral conditions remains a great challenge. Here, the use of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based iron(III) complex 1 {[phenyl(tris(3-methylimidazol-1-ylidene))borate]Fe(III)} as a catalyst for water oxidation under acidic and neutral conditions was investigated. Two iron(II) carbene complexes, 2 {[2,6-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)pyridine]Fe} and 3 {[2,6-bis(3-methylimidazolium-1-yl)pyridine-4-carboxylic acid]Fe}, were also used for comparison.

SiP Nanosheets: A Metal-Free Two-Dimensional Photocatalyst for Visible-Light Photocatalytic H Production and Nitrogen Fixation.

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors for photocatalysis are more advantageous than the other photocatalytic materials since the 2D semiconductors generally have large specific surface area and abundant active sites. Phosphorus silicon (SiP), with an indirect bandgap in bulk and a direct bandgap in the monolayer, has recently emerged as an attractive 2D material because of its anisotropic layered structure, tunable bandgap, and high charge carrier mobility. However, the utilization of SiP as a photocatalyst for photocatalysis has been scarcely studied experimentally.

A Water-Soluble Highly Oxidizing Cobalt Molecular Catalyst Designed for Bioinspired Water Oxidation.

Herein, we present a stable water-soluble cobalt complex supported by a dianionic 2,2'-([2,2'-bipyridine]-6,6'-diyl)bis(propan-2-ol) ligand scaffold, which is a rare example of a high-oxidation species, as demonstrated by structural, spectroscopic and theoretical data. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed that the Co center of the mononuclear complex in the solid state resides in the high spin state (sextet, S=5/2). The complex can effectively catalyze water oxidation via a single-site water nucleophilic attack pathway with an overpotential of only 360 mV in a phosphate buffer with a pH of 6.

Visible-light-responsive Z-scheme system for photocatalytic lignocellulose-to-H conversion.

A -scheme system was successfully constructed for visible-light-driven photocatalytic H production from lignocelluloses, the highest H evolution rate of this Z-scheme system is 5.3 and 1.6 μmol h in α-cellulose and poplar wood chip aqueous solutions, respectively, under visible light irradiation.

Solar-Driven Lignocellulose-to-H Conversion in Water using 2D-2D MoS /TiO Photocatalysts.

As an alternative strategy for H production under ambient conditions, solar-driven lignocellulose-to-H conversion provides a very attractive approach to store and utilize solar energy sustainably. Exploiting efficient photocatalyst for photocatalytic lignocellulose-to-H conversion is of huge significance and remains the key challenge for development of solar H generation from lignocellulose. Herein, 2D-2D MoS /TiO photocatalysts with large 2D nanojunction were constructed for photocatalytic lignocellulose-to-H conversion.

Reversal of Chemotherapy Resistance to Cisplatin in NSCLC by miRNA-195-5p via Targeting the Gene.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of miR-195-5p in the pathogenesis non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and cisplatin resistance.

Methods: The function of miR-195-5p in NSCLC and cisplatin resistance were determined by MTT, scratch assay, transwell assay, and nude mice xenograft experiments. miR-195-5p target gene was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assays and real-time PCR analysis.

Role of radiation therapy in node-negative esophageal cancer: A propensity-matched analysis.

Background: This study investigated the prognostic impact of (neo-)adjuvant radiation therapies in early stage esophageal cancer.

Methods: A retrospective analysis using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was conducted from 2004 to 2016. Patients with pathologically staged T1-4N0M0 esophageal cancer were divided into two treatment groups: (i) neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by surgery; and (ii) upfront esophagectomy followed by adjuvant radiotherapy.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus surgery versus surgery alone for clinical node-negative esophageal carcinoma.

Background: The impact of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) on early stage esophageal cancer is unknown. Here, we compared the outcomes after esophagectomy alone or nCRT plus surgery for clinically staged node-negative esophageal cancer.

Methods: We searched the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database for patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) esophageal cancer from 2004 to 2016 who underwent surgery alone or nCRT plus surgery.

Few-Layer Black Phosphorus Nanosheets: A Metal-Free Cocatalyst for Photocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation.

Exploiting an appropriate strategy to prepare fine crystal quality black phosphorus nanosheet (BPNS) catalyst is a major challenge for its practical application in catalysis. Herein, we address this challenge by developing a rapid electrochemical expansion strategy for scale preparation of fine crystal quality BPNSs from bulk black phosphorus, which was demonstrated to be an active cocatalyst for photocatalytic nitrogen fixation in the presence of CdS as a photocatalyst. The transient photocurrent and charge density studies show that the BPNSs can efficiently accelerate charge separation of CdS, leading to the enhanced photocatalytic activities of BPNS/CdS nanocomposites for nitrogen fixation.

Accuracy of detecting residual disease after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (preSINO trial): a prospective multicenter diagnostic cohort study.

Background: After neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) for esophageal cancer, high pathologically complete response (pCR) rates are being achieved especially in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). An active surveillance strategy has been proposed for SCC patients with clinically complete response (cCR) after nCRT. To justify omitting surgical resection, patients with residual disease should be accurately identified.

Adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with pathologic node-negative esophageal carcinoma: A population based propensity matching analysis.

Background: The impact of adjuvant treatment for esophageal carcinoma with tumor-negative lymph nodes after upfront radical esophagectomy is still uncertain. This study investigated the effects of postoperative radiotherapy in pT1-3N0 esophageal carcinoma after radical resection.

Method: We retrospectively identified pT1-3N0M0 esophageal carcinoma patients between 2000 and 2016 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

A Recurrence Predictive Model for Thymic Tumors and Its Implication for Postoperative Management: a Chinese Alliance for Research in Thymomas Database Study.

Objective: Our aim was to investigate appropriate postoperative management based on the risk of disease recurrence in thymic epithelial tumors after complete resection.

Methods: The Chinese Alliance for Research in Thymomas retrospective database was reviewed. Patients having stage I to IIIa tumors without pretreatment and with complete resection were included.

Polyoxometalate-Bridged Cu(I)- and Ag(I)-Thiacalix[4]arene Dimers for Heterogeneous Catalytic Oxidative Desulfurization and Azide-Alkyne "Click" Reaction.

Two remarkable polyoxometalate-bridged Cu(I)- and Ag(I)-thiacalix[4]arene dimers, namely, [Cu(SiWO)(L)(DMF)]·2EtOH·DMF () and [Ag(PMoO)(L)]·OH (), were prepared by using a new thiacalix[4]arene, metal cation and polyoxometalate (L = tetra[2-(ethylthio)-1-methyl-1-imidazole]-thiacalix[4]arene). In and , two thiacalix[4]arenes were linked together by one [SiWO] or [PMoO] anion via two metal cations to give a molecular dimer. Further, adjacent dimers were extended into a high-dimensional supramolecular architecture through hydrogen bonds.

Video-Assisted Vs Thoracotomy Sleeve Lobectomy for Lung Cancer: A Propensity Matched Analysis.

Background: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) sleeve lobectomy for patients with centrally located non-small cell lung cancer.

Methods: All consecutive patients who received VATS sleeve lobectomy (n = 54) and thoracotomy sleeve lobectomy (n = 94) were analyzed retrospectively; after propensity score matching, 78 paired cases were selected for further statistical analysis.

Results: Among all patients, the VATS group showed significantly better recurrence-free survival and overall survival than the thoracotomy group (P = .

A Heterobimetallic Au -Pt Photocatalyst for Water Reduction to Hydrogen.

A supramolecular complex, [Au(C^N^C)(C≡CC H C≡C)Pt(terpy)] , has been synthesized as a photocatalyst for water reduction. This compound consists of a cyclometalated alkyne-gold(III) photosensitizer and a platinum(II) terpyridine complex bridged through a central phenylethynyl group.

Visible-Light-Driven Hydrogen Production and Polymerization using Triarylboron-Functionalized Iridium(III) Complexes.

The development of novel iridium(III) complexes has continued as an important area of research owing to their highly tunable photophysical properties and versatile applications. In this report, three heteroleptic dimesitylboron-containing iridium(III) complexes, [Ir(p-B-ppy) (N^N)] {p-B-ppy=2-(4-dimesitylborylphenyl)pyridine; N^N=dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (dppz) (1), dipyrido[3,2-d:2',3'-f]quinoxaline (dpq) (2), and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (3)}, were prepared and fully characterized electrochemically, photophysically, and computationally. Altering the conjugated length of the N^N ligands allowed us to tailor the photophysical properties of these complexes, especially their luminescence wavelength, which could be adjusted from λ=583 to 631 nm in CH Cl .

High light harvesting efficiency CuInS quantum dots/TiO/MoS photocatalysts for enhanced visible light photocatalytic H production.

Expanding the photoresponse range of TiO2-based photocatalysts is of great interest for photocatalytic H2 production. Herein, noble-metal-free CuInS2 quantum dots were employed as a novel inorganic dye to expand the visible light absorption of TiO2/MoS2 for solar H2 generation. The as-prepared CuInS2/TiO2/MoS2 photocatalysts exhibit broad absorption from the ultraviolet to near-infrared region.

The prevalence of lymph node metastasis for pathological T1 esophageal cancer: a retrospective study of 143 cases.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, pattern and risk factors of lymph node metastasis (LNM) for pathological T1 (pT1) esophageal cancer (EC).

Methods: The clinical data of 143 cases of pT1 patients who underwent esophagectomy and lymph node dissection during January 2011 and July 2016 were reviewed, including 120 male patients and 23 female patients with a median age of 60 years. The pattern of LNM was analyzed and the risk factors related to LNM were assessed by logistic regression analysis.