Diffusion-weighted imaging of the head and neck: comparison between integrated slice-specific dynamic shimming and simultaneous multi-slice readout-segmented echo-planar sequences.

Objectives: To compare integrated slice-specific dynamic shimming (iShim) and simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) readout-segmented echo-planar imaging (RESOLVE) for diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of malignant head and neck tumours.

Methods: In this prospective study, 45 patients with malignant head and neck lesions underwent iShim- and SMS-RESOLVE imaging with two b-values (0, 800 s/mm2) at 3 T. Subjective image quality scores (lesion distortion, signal loss, fat saturation, and artefacts), quantitative lesion distortion, quantitative image quality [signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and SNR efficiency], ADC values, and total acquisition times of iShim- and SMS-RESOLVE imaging were evaluated and compared.

General-purpose machine-learned potential for 16 elemental metals and their alloys.

Machine-learned potentials (MLPs) have exhibited remarkable accuracy, yet the lack of general-purpose MLPs for a broad spectrum of elements and their alloys limits their applicability. Here, we present a promising approach for constructing a unified general-purpose MLP for numerous elements, demonstrated through a model (UNEP-v1) for 16 elemental metals and their alloys. To achieve a complete representation of the chemical space, we show, via principal component analysis and diverse test datasets, that employing one-component and two-component systems suffices.

Engineering Spacer Conjugation for Efficient and Stable 2D/3D Perovskite Solar Cells and Modules.

Incorporating two-dimensional (2D) perovskite in 3D perovskite absorber holds great potential to improve the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the bulky-cation-based 2D structures often exhibit poor charge transport and are prone to formation of charge-extraction barrier that impedes efficient device operation. We address these issues by introducing aromatic spacers with molecular conjugation into 2D perovskites locating between 3D perovskites and electron charge transport layers.

Kinetic Pathway of Diborane Decomposition on Transition Metal Surfaces in Borophene Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth.

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method holds promise for the scalable and controlled synthesis of high-quality borophene. However, the current lack of an atomistic understanding of intricate kinetic pathways from precursors to borophene impedes process optimization. Here, we employ first-principles simulations to systematically explore the pyrolytic decomposition pathways of the most used precursor diborane (BH) to borophene on various transition metal surfaces.

Magnetic Torque-Driven All-Terrain Microrobots.

All-terrain microrobots possess significant potential in modern medical applications due to their superior maneuverability in complex terrains and confined spaces. However, conventional microrobots often struggle with adaptability and operational difficulties in variable environments. This study introduces a magnetic torque-driven all-terrain multiped microrobot (MTMR) to address these challenges.

Operationally stable perovskite solar modules enabled by vapor-phase fluoride treatment.

The ever-increasing power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells has illuminated the future of the photovoltaic industry, but the development of commercial devices is hampered by their poor stability. In this study, we report a scalable stabilization method using vapor-phase fluoride treatment, which achieves 18.1%-efficient solar modules (228 square centimeters) with accelerated aging-projected lifetimes (time to 80% of efficiency remaining) of 43,000 ± 9000 hours under 1-sun illumination at 30°C.

Synergistic Crystallization Modulation and Defects Passivation in Kesterite via Anion-Coordinate Precursor Engineering for Efficient Solar Cells.

It has been validated that enhancing crystallinity and passivating the deep-level defect are critical for improving the device performance of kesterite CuZnSn(S,Se) (CZTSSe) solar cells. Coordination chemistry interactions within the Cu-Zn-Sn-S precursor solution play a crucial role in the management of structural defects and the crystallization kinetics of CZTSSe thin films. Therefore, regulating the coordination environment of anion and cation in the precursor solution to control the formation process of precursor films is a major challenge at present.

Nontrivial effects of geometric and charge defects on one-dimensional confined water.

Water confined within nanochannels with specific functionalities serves as the foundation for a variety of emerging nanofluidic applications. However, the structure and dynamics of the confined liquid are susceptibly influenced by practically hard-to-avoid defects, yet knowledge of this fact remains largely unexplored. Here, using extensive molecular dynamics simulations, we elucidate the significant influence of geometric and charge defects on one-dimensional confined water.

Local CO Generator Enabled by a CO-Producing Core for Kinetically Enhancing Electrochemical CO Reduction to Multicarbon Products.

CO plays a crucial role as an intermediate in electrochemical CO conversion to generate multicarbon (C) products. However, optimizing the coverage of the CO intermediate (*CO) to improve the selectivity of C products remains a great challenge. Here, we designed a hierarchically structured double hollow spherical nanoreactor featuring atomically dispersed nickel (Ni) atoms as the core and copper (Cu) nanoparticles as the shell, which can greatly improve the catalytic activity and selectivity for C compounds.

Strain Engineering of Twisted Bilayer Graphene: The Rise of Strain-Twistronics.

The layer-by-layer stacked van der Waals structures (termed vdW hetero/homostructures) offer a new paradigm for materials design-their physical properties can be tuned by the vertical stacking sequence as well as by adding a mechanical twist, stretch, and hydrostatic pressure to the atomic structure. In particular, simple twisting and stacking of two layers of graphene can form a uniform and ordered Moiré superlattice, which can effectively modulate the electrons of graphene layers and lead to the discovery of unconventional superconductivity and strong correlations. However, the twist angle of twisted bilayer graphene (tBLG) is almost unchangeable once the interlayer stacking is determined, while applying mechanical elastic strain provides an alternative way to deeply regulate the electronic structure by controlling the lattice spacing and symmetry.

B1 Power Modification for Amide Proton Transfer Imaging in Parotid Glands: A Strategy for Image Quality Accommodation and Evaluation of Tumor Detection Feasibility.

Background: In the application of APTw protocols for evaluating tumors and parotid glands, inhomogeneity and hyperintensity artifacts have remained an obstacle. This study aimed to improve APTw imaging quality and evaluate the feasibility of difference B1 values to detect parotid tumors.

Methods: A total of 31 patients received three APTw sequences to acquire 32 lesions and 30 parotid glands (one patient had lesions on both sides).

Microwave ablation enhances the systemic immune response in patients with lung cancer.

Microwave ablation (MWA) is a key alternative therapy to conventional surgery for the treatment of lung cancer. In addition to eliminating local tumors, MWA may promote antitumor immunological responses, such as abscopal effects in distant lesions. However, the intensity of MWA is limited and the underlying mechanisms are not well-defined.

Graphene binding on black phosphorus enables high on/off ratios and mobility.

Graphene is one of the most promising candidates for integrated circuits due to its robustness against short-channel effects, inherent high carrier mobility and desired gapless nature for Ohmic contact, but it is difficult to achieve satisfactory on/off ratios even at the expense of its carrier mobility, limiting its device applications. Here, we present a strategy to realize high back-gate switching ratios in a graphene monolayer with well-maintained high mobility by forming a vertical heterostructure with a black phosphorus multi-layer. By local current annealing, strain is introduced within an established area of the graphene, which forms a reflective interface with the rest of the strain-free area and thus generates a robust off-state via local current depletion.

T1 and T2 mapping for identifying malignant lymph nodes in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: This study seeks to assess the utility of T1 and T2 mapping in distinguishing metastatic lymph nodes from reactive lymphadenopathy in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) as a comparison.

Methods: Between July 2017 and November 2019, 46 HNSCC patients underwent neck MRI inclusive of T1 and T2 mapping and DWI. Quantitative measurements derived from preoperative T1 and T2 mapping and DWI of metastatic and non-metastatic lymph nodes were compared using independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test.

Bioinspired Light-Driven Proton Pump: Engineering Band Alignment of WS with PEDOT:PSS and PDINN.

Bioinspired two-dimensional (2D) nanofluidic systems for photo-induced ion transport have attracted great attention, as they open a new pathway to enabling light-to-ionic energy conversion. However, there is still a great challenge in achieving a satisfactory performance. It is noticed that organic solar cells (OSCs, light-harvesting device based on photovoltaic effect) commonly require hole/electron transport layer materials (TLMs), PEDOT:PSS (PE) and PDINN (PD), respectively, to promote the energy conversion.

Sparking potential over 1200 V by a falling water droplet.

Hydrovoltaic technology has achieved notable breakthroughs in electric output via using the moving boundary of electric double layer, but the output voltage induced by droplets is saturated around 350 volts, and the underlying mechanism remains to be further clarified. Here, we show that falling water droplets can stably spark an unprecedented voltage up to 1200 volts within microseconds that they contact an electrode placed on top of an electret surface, approaching the theoretical upper limit. This sparking potential can be explained and described by a comprehensive model considering the water-electrode contact dynamics from both the macroscale droplet spreading and the microscale electric double layer formation, as well as the presence of a circuit capacitance.

Free-Breathing StarVIBE Sequence for the Detection of Extranodal Extension in Head and Neck Cancer: An Image Quality and Diagnostic Performance Study.

(1) Background: This study aims to evaluate the image quality of abnormal cervical lymph nodes in head and neck cancer and the diagnostic performance of detecting extranodal extension (ENE) using free-breathing StarVIBE. (2) Methods: In this retrospective analysis, 80 consecutive head and neck cancer patients underwent StarVIBE before neck dissection at an academic center. Image quality was compared with conventional VIBE available for 28 of these patients.

Non-epitaxial growth of highly oriented transition metal dichalcogenides with density-controlled twin boundaries.

Twin boundaries (TBs) in transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) constitute distinctive one-dimensional electronic systems, exhibiting intriguing physical and chemical properties that have garnered significant attention in the fields of quantum physics and electrocatalysis. However, the controlled manipulation of TBs in terms of density and specific atomic configurations remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we present a non-epitaxial growth approach that enables the controlled and large-scale fabrication of homogeneous catalytically active TBs in monolayer TMDs on arbitrary substrates.

Protective effects of Shen Yuan Dan on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury via the regulation of mitochondrial quality control.

Background: Myocardial cell death resulting from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury has been a predominant contributor to morbidity and mortality globally. The mitochondria-centered mechanism plays an important role in the formation of I/R injury. This study intended to discuss the protective mechanism of Shen Yuan Dan (SYD) on cardiomyocytes hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) injury via the regulation of mitochondrial quality control (MQC).

Water-Induced Bandgap Engineering in Nanoribbons of Hexagonal Boron Nitride.

Different from hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) sheets, the bandgap of hBN nanoribbons (BNNRs) can be changed by spatial/electrostatic confinement. It is predicted that a transverse electric field can narrow the bandgap and even cause an insulator-metal transition in BNNRs. However, experimentally introducing an overhigh electric field across the BNNR remains challenging.

Growth Instability of 2D Materials on Non-Euclidean Surfaces.

Chemical growth of two-dimensional (2D) materials with controlled morphology is critical to bring their tantalizing properties to fruition. However, the growth must be on a substrate, which involves either intrinsic or intentionally introduced undulation, at a scale significantly larger than the materials thickness. Recent theory and experiments showed that 2D materials grown on a curved feature on substrates can incur a variety of topological defects and grain boundaries.

Correlation between F-FDG PET/MR parameters with the expression level of epidermal growth factor receptor and the diagnostic value of PET/MR in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between parameters of PET/MR and the expression level of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to evaluate diagnostic efficacy of independent and combined PET/MR parameters for the expression level of EGFR.

Materials And Methods: 21 patients who had undergone PET/MR and been proven HNSCC pathologically were included in this retrospective study. The PET/MR sequences included 18-flurodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) PET, T1, T2-weighted imaging, DWI, ADC and DCE.