Singlet Fission in a New Series of Systematically Designed Through-space Coupled Tetracene Oligomers

Singlet fission (SF) holds great promise for current photovoltaic technologies, where tetracenes, with their relatively high triplet energies, play a major role for application in silicon-based solar cells. However, the SF efficiencies in tetracene dimers are low due to the unfavorable energetics of their singlet and triplet energy levels. In the solid state, tetracene exhibits high yields of triplet formation through SF, raising great interest about the underlying mechanisms. To address this discrepancy, we designed and prepared a novel molecular system based on a hexaphenylbenzene core decorated with 2 to 6 tetracene chromophores. The spatial arrangement of tetracene units, induced by steric hindrance in the central part, dictates through-space coupling, making it a relevant model for solid-state chromophore organization. We then revealed a remarkable increase in SF quantum yield with the number of tetracenes, reaching quantitative (196 %) triplet pair formation in hexamer. We observed a short-lived correlated triplet pair and limited magnetic effects, indicating ineffective triplet dissociation in these through-space coupled systems. These findings emphasize the crucial role of the number of chromophores involved and the interchromophore arrangement for the SF efficiency. The insights gained from this study will aid designing more efficient and technology-compatible SF systems for applications in photovoltaics.

Nomogram based on clinical and preoperative CT features for predicting the early recurrence of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma: a multicenter study

PURPOSE

To establish and validate a multiparameter prediction model for early recurrence after radical resection in patients diagnosed with combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study reviewed the clinical characteristics and preoperative CT images of 143 cHCC-CC patients who underwent radical resection from three institutions. A total of 110 patients from institution 1 were randomly divided into training set (n = 78) and testing set (n = 32) in the ratio of 7-3. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to construct a nomogram prediction model in the training set, which was internally and externally validated in the testing set and the validation set (n = 33) from institutions 2 and 3. The area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC), decision curve analysis (DCA), and calibration analysis were used to evaluate the model's performance.

RESULTS

The combined model demonstrated superior predictive performance compared to the clinical model, the CT model, the pathological model and the clinic-CT model in predicting the early postoperative recurrence. The nomogram based on the combined model included AST, ALP, tumor size, tumor margin, arterial phase peritumoral enhancement, and MVI (Microvascular invasion). The model had AUCs of 0.89 (95% CI 0.81-0.96), 0.85 (95% CI 0.70-0.99), and 0.86 (95% CI 0.72-1.00) in the training, testing, and validation sets, respectively, indicating high predictive power. DCA showed that the combined model had good clinical value and correction effect.

CONCLUSION

A nomogram incorporating clinical characteristics and preoperative CT features can be utilized to effectively predict the early postoperative recurrence in patients with cHCC-CC.

Synthesis, structural analysis, and properties of highly twisted alkenes 13,13'-bis(dibenzo[a,i]fluorenylidene) and its derivatives

The rotation of a C = C bond in an alkene can be efficiently accelerated by creating the high-strain ground state and stabilizing the transition state of the process. Herein, the synthesis, structures, and properties of several highly twisted alkenes are comprehensively explored. A facile and practical synthetic approach to target molecules is developed. The twist angles and lengths of the central C = C bonds in these molecules are 36-58° and 1.40-1.43 Å, respectively, and confirmed by X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations. A quasi-planar molecular half with the π-extended substituents delivers a shallow rotational barrier (down to 2.35 kcal/mol), indicating that the rotation of the C = C bond is as facile as that of the aryl-aryl bond in 2-flourobiphenyl. Other versatile and unique properties of the studied compounds include a broad photoabsorption range (from 250 up to 1100 nm), a reduced HOMO-LUMO gap (1.26-1.68 eV), and a small singlet-triplet energy gap (3.65-5.68 kcal/mol).

Excited-State THz Vibrations in Aggregates of PtII Complexes Contribute to the Enhancement of Near-Infrared Emission Efficiencies

The exploration of deactivation mechanisms for near-infrared(NIR)-emissive organic molecules has been a key issue in chemistry, materials science and molecular biology. In this study, based on transient absorption spectroscopy and transient grating photoluminescence spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the aggregated PtII complex 4H (efficient NIR emitter) exhibits collective out-of-plane motions with a frequency of 32 cm-1 (0.96 THz) in the excited states. Importantly, similar THz characteristics were also observed in analogous PtII complexes with prominent NIR emission efficiency. The conservation of THz motions enables excited-state deactivation to proceed along low-frequency vibrational coordinates, contributing to the suppression of nonradiative decay and remarkable NIR emission. These novel results highlight the significance of excited-state vibrations in nonradiative processes, which serve as a benchmark for improving device performance.

Efficient Near-Infrared Luminescence of Self-Assembled Platinum(II) Complexes: From Fundamentals to Applications

ConspectusDesigning bright and efficient near-infrared (NIR) emitters has drawn much attention due to numerous applications ranging from biological imaging, medical therapy, optical communication, and night-vision devices. However, polyatomic organic and organometallic molecules with energy gaps close to the deep red and NIR regime are subject to dominant nonradiative internal conversion (IC) processes, which drastically reduces the emission intensity and exciton diffusion length of organic materials and hence hampers the optoelectronic performances. To suppress nonradiative IC rates, we suggested two complementary approaches to solve the issues: exciton delocalization and molecular deuteration. First, exciton delocalization efficiently suppresses the molecular reorganization energy through partitioning to all aggregated molecules. According to the IC theory together with the effect of exciton delocalization, the simulated nonradiative rates with the energy gap ΔE = 10⁴ cm^-1 decrease by around 10⁴ fold when the exciton delocalization length equals 5 (promoting vibronic frequency ω_l = 1500 cm^-1). Second, molecular deuterations reduce Franck-Condon vibrational overlaps and vibrational frequencies of promoting modes, which decreases IC rates by 1 order of magnitude in comparison to the rates of nondeuterated molecules under ΔE of 10⁴ cm^-1. Although deuteration of molecules has long been attempted to increase emission intensity, the results have been mixed. Here, we provide a robust derivation of the IC theory to demonstrate its validity, especially to emission in the NIR region.The concepts are experimentally verified by the strategic design and synthesis of a class of square-planar Pt(II) complexes, which form crystalline aggregates in vapor deposited thin films. The packing geometries are well characterized by the grazing angle X-ray diffraction (GIXD), showing domino-like packing arrangements with the short ππ separation of 3.4-3.7 Å. Upon photoexcitation, such closely packed assemblies exhibit intense NIR emission maximized in the 740-970 nm region through metal-metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MMLCT) transition with unprecedented photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) of 8-82%. To validate the existence of exciton delocalization, we applied time-resolved step-scan Fourier transform UV-vis spectroscopy to probe the exciton delocalization length of Pt(II) aggregates, which is 5-9 molecules (2.1-4.5 nm) assuming that excitons mainly delocalized along the direction of ππ stacking. According to the dependence of delocalization length vs simulated IC rates, we verify that the observed delocalization lengths contribute to the high NIR PLQY of the aggregated Pt(II) complexes. To probe the isotope effect, both partially and completely deuterated Pt(II) complexes were synthesized. For the case of the 970 nm Pt(II) emitter, the vapor deposited films of per-deuterated Pt(II) complexes exhibit the same emission peak as that of the nondeuterated one, whereas PLQY increases ∼50%. To put the fundamental studies into practice, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) were fabricated with a variety of NIR Pt(II) complexes as the emitting layer, showing the outstanding external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of 2-25% and the remarkable radiances 10-40 W sr^-1 m^-2 at 740-1002 nm. The prominent device performances not only successfully prove our designed concept but also reach a new milestone for highly efficient NIR OLED devices.This Account thus summarizes our approaches about how to boost the efficiency of the NIR emission of organic molecules from an in-depth fundamental basis, i.e., molecular design, photophysical characterization, and device fabrication. The concept of the exciton delocalization and molecular deuteration may also be applicable to a single molecular system to achieve efficient NIR radiance, which is worth further investigation in the future.

Polaritonic Huang-Rhys Factor: Basic Concepts and Quantifying Light-Matter Interactions in Media

The Huang-Rhys (HR) factor, a dimensionless factor that characterizes electron-phonon (vibronic) coupling, has been extensively employed to investigate a variety of material properties. In the same spirit, we propose a quantity called the polaritonic HR factor to quantitatively describe the effects of (i) light-matter coupling induced by permanent dipoles and (ii) dipole self-energy. The former leads to polaritonic displacements, while the latter is associated with the electronic coupling shift named reorganization dipole self-coupling. In the framework of macroscopic quantum electrodynamics, our theory can evaluate the polaritonic HR factor, reorganization dipole self-coupling, and modified light-matter coupling strength in an arbitrary dielectric environment without free parameters, whose magnitudes are in good agreement with the previous experimental results. We believe that this study provides a useful perspective on understanding and quantifying light-matter interactions in media.

[Pollution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Agricultural Soils of Different Land Use Types in Nanjing Suburbs]

In order to clarify the pollution characteristics of PAHs in suburban agricultural soils, the content of 16 types of PAHs was measured in agricultural soils with different land use types (paddy fields, vegetable fields, and forest land) in the suburbs of Nanjing. The results showed that acenaphthene (Acy) was not detected in any soil samples. The concentration of 15 PAHs in agricultural soil in suburban Nanjing ranged from 24.49 to 925.54 μg·kg^-1, with an average concentration of 259.88 μg·kg^-1. In different land use types, the order of PAHs concentration in soil from high to low was:forest land>paddy fields>vegetable fields, and the high-ring PAHs content was dominant in general. The effects of different soil physicochemical properties on PAHs showed that there was a certain correlation between soil organic carbon (TOC) and clay (clay) content and PAHs, whereas pH and total nitrogen (TN) had no significant correlation with PAHs. The toxic equivalence method and CSI index method were used for ecological risk assessment, which showed that the ecological risk of PAHs in agricultural soils in suburban Nanjing was relatively small; however, the ecological risk of PAHs in forest land should be given some attention, and supervision should be strengthened. Health risk assessment using incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) showed that the threat to the health of children was slightly greater than that of adults, and the CR of forest land was significantly higher than that of vegetable and paddy fields, though still within an acceptable range. Uncertain health assessments were performed in adults, showing that risk analyses of deterministic health risks underestimated the health risks of PAHs. The results of sensitivity analysis showed that the input parameter that had the greatest impact on the total variance of the total carcinogenic risk CR was the exposure frequency EF (50.7%), followed by the pollutant concentration CS (43.3%).

Charge Carrier Dynamics of CsPbBr3/g-C3N4 Nanoheterostructures in Visible-Light-Driven CO2-to-CO Conversion

The photon energy-dependent selectivity of photocatalytic CO₂-to-CO conversion by CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals (NCs) and CsPbBr₃/g-C₃N₄ nanoheterostructures (NHSs) was demonstrated for the first time. The surficial capping ligands of CsPbBr₃ NCs would adsorb CO₂, resulting in the carboxyl intermediate to process the CO₂-to-CO conversion via carbene pathways. The type-II energy band structure at the heterojunction of CsPbBr₃/g-C₃N₄ NHSs would separate the charge carriers, promoting the efficiency in photocatalytic CO₂-to-CO conversion. The electron consumption rate of CO₂-to-CO conversion for CsPbBr₃/g-C₃N₄ NHSs was found to intensively depend on the rate constant of interfacial hole transfer from CsPbBr₃ to g-C₃N₄. An in situ transient absorption spectroscopy investigation revealed that the half-life time of photoexcited electrons in optimized CsPbBr₃/g-C₃N₄ NHS was extended two times more than that in the CsPbBr₃ NCs, resulting in the higher probability of charge carriers to carry out the CO₂-to-CO conversion. The current work presents important and novel insights of semiconductor NHSs for solar energy-driven CO₂ conversion.

Cavity-Free Quantum-Electrodynamic Electron Transfer Reactions

Richard Feynman stated that "The theory behind chemistry is quantum electrodynamics". However, harnessing quantum-electrodynamic (QED) effects to modify chemical reactions is a grand challenge and currently has only been reported in experiments using cavities due to the limitation of strong light-matter coupling. In this article, we demonstrate that QED effects can significantly enhance the rate of electron transfer (ET) by several orders of magnitude in the absence of cavities, which is implicitly supported by experimental reports. To understand how cavity-free QED effects are involved in ET reactions, we incorporate the effect of infinite one-photon states into Marcus theory, derive an explicit expression for the rate of radiative ET, and develop the concept of "electron transfer overlap". Moreover, QED effects may lead to a barrier-free ET reaction whose rate is dependent on the energy-gap power law. This study thus provides new insights into fundamental chemical principles, with promising prospects for QED-based chemical reactions.

Brain white matter correlates of learning ankle tracking using a wearable device: importance of the superior longitudinal fasciculus II

Background

Wearable devices have been found effective in training ankle control in patients with neurological diseases. However, the neural mechanisms associated with using wearable devices for ankle training remain largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the ankle tracking performance and brain white matter changes associated with ankle tracking learning using a wearable-device system and the behavior–brain structure relationships in middle-aged and older adults.

Methods

Twenty-six middle-aged and older adults (48–75 years) participated in this study. Participants underwent 5-day ankle tracking learning with their non-dominant foot using a custom-built ankle tracking system equipped with a wearable sensor and a sensor-computer interface for real-time visual feedback and data acquisition. Repeated and random sequences of target tracking trajectories were both used for learning and testing. Ankle tracking performance, calculated as the root-mean-squared-error (RMSE) between the target and actual ankle trajectories, and brain diffusion spectrum MR images were acquired at baseline and retention tests. The general fractional anisotropy (GFA) values of eight brain white matter tracts of interest were calculated to indicate their integrity. Two-way (Sex × Time) mixed repeated measures ANOVA procedures were used to investigate Sex and Time effects on RMSE and GFA. Correlations between changes in RMSE and those in GFA were analyzed, controlling for age and sex.

Results

After learning, both male and female participants reduced the RMSE of tracking repeated and random sequences (both p < 0.001). Among the eight fiber tracts, the right superior longitudinal fasciculus II (R SLF II) was the only one which showed both increased GFA (p = 0.039) after learning and predictive power of reductions in RMSE for random sequence tracking with its changes in GFA [β = 0.514, R² change = 0.259, p = 0.008].

Conclusions

Our findings implied that interactive tracking movement learning using wearable sensors may place high demands on the attention, sensory feedback integration, and sensorimotor transformation functions of the brain. Therefore, the SLF II, which is known to perform these brain functions, showed corresponding neural plasticity after such learning, and its plasticity also predicted the behavioral gains. The SLF II appears to be a very important anatomical neural correlate involved in such learning paradigms.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12984-022-01042-2.

Nobiletin Inhibits Hypoxia-Induced Placental Damage via Modulating P53 Signaling Pathway

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of Nobiletin (NOB) on the placenta of Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats that had undergone reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) surgery and to evaluate the safety of NOB intervention during pregnancy. The results showed that NOB alleviated placental hypoxia, attenuated placental cell apoptosis, and inhibited placental damage in RUPP rats. No side effect of NOB intervention during pregnancy was observed. BeWo cell lines with P53 knockdown were then constructed using lentiviral transfection, and the P53 signaling pathway was found to be essential for NOB to reduce hypoxia-induced apoptosis of the BeWo cell lines. In summary, NOB attenuated hypoxia-induced placental damage by regulating the P53 signaling pathway, and those findings may contribute some insights into the role of NOB in placental development and the prevention of placental-related diseases.

[Predicting soil property in hilly regions by using landscape and multiscale micro-landform features]

To assess the high-resolution digital soil mapping method for small watersheds in hilly areas, we explored the role of landscape classification and multiscale micro-landform features in predicting soil pH, soil clay content (SCC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Geomorphons (GM) terrain classification method was used to create landform units. The traditional digital elevation model (DEM) derivatives and remote sensing variables were employed for different combinations with landscape and micro-landform classification variables, with further compa-rison and analysis being conducted. In addition, three machine learning techniques, including support vector machine (SVM), partial least squares regression (PLSR), and random forest (RF), were used to build prediction models. The best method was then selected, and then combined with regression kriging by modeling spatial structure of the model residuals. The results showed that the application of landscape and multiscale micro-landform classification variables effectively improved the prediction accuracy of pH, SCC, and CEC by 18.8%, 8.2% and 8.7%, respectively. The map of landscape classification that contained vegetation coverage information had greater model contribution than land use data. The GM classification map with 5 m resolution was more suitable for high-precision DSM than those with lower resolution. The composite model of RF performed the best in predicting SCC, while the pH and CEC were not suitable for adding the residual regression kriging on the basis of RF model. Finally, the combination of landscape and multiscale micro-landform classification variables, DEM derivatives and remote sensing variables had the highest prediction accuracy for all the three soil properties. This result indicated that multivariable contained more effective soil information than single data source for rolling areas. The landscape variables composed of GM and surface classified data explained about 40% of the spatial variation of tested soil attributes in hilly area. Therefore, multi-resolution GM and landscape classified variables could be included into the construction of prediction model in research of soil mapping.

Vacuum Based Gas Sensing Material Characterization System for Precise and Simultaneous Measurement of Optical and Electrical Responses

Gas sensing performance characterization systems are essential for the research and development of gas sensing materials and devices. Although existing systems are almost completely automatically operated, the accuracies of gas concentration control and of pressure control and the ability to simultaneously detect different sensor signals still require improvement. In this study, a high-precision gas sensing material characterization system is developed based on vacuum technology, with the objective of enabling the precise and simultaneous measurement of electrical responses. Because of the implementation of vacuum technology, the gas concentration control accuracy is improved more than 1600 times, whereas the pressure of the test ambient condition can be precisely adjusted between vacuum and 1.2 bar. The vacuum-assisted gas-exchanging mechanism also enables the sensor response time to be determined more accurately. The system is capable of performing sensitivity, selectivity, and stability tests and can control the ambient relative humidity in a precise manner. More importantly, the levels of performance of three different optical signal measurement set-ups were investigated and compared in terms of detection range, linearity, noise, and response time, based on which of their scopes of application were proposed. Finally, single-period and cyclical tests were performed to examine the ability of the system to detect optical and electrical responses simultaneously, both at a single wavelength and in a spectral region.

[Intestinal flora polymorphisms with different lesional stages in an animal model of MAFLD]

Objective: To study the intestinal flora specific differences with different lesional stages of metabolic (disorder) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), namely simple steatosis and steatohepatitis, so as to provide a new direction for MAFLD-related intestinal flora transplantation and targeted therapy. Methods: Mice were fed with normal diet, methionine-choline deficient diet (MCD) and a high-fat high-fructose diet (HFHF) for 12 weeks to construct simple steatosis and steatohepatitis models. HE and Sirius scarlet staining was performed to observe the liver pathological changes. The qPCR method was used to evaluate inflammation and liver fibrosis factors. A fully automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect changes in liver transaminase and blood lipids. 16S rRNA sequencing method was used to observe the intestinal flora differences in the feces of each group of mice. The comparison of means between two groups was performed by t-test, and the comparison of means between multiple groups was performed by one-way analysis of variance. Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test was used for non-normally distributed data. Results: NAFLD scores were determined with pathological sections (HE and Sirius scarlet staining) of mice liver, which showed that the inflammation and liver fibrosis scores of the MCD and HFHF groups were 2.12 ± 0.18 and 1.06 ± 0.24, and 2.22 ± 0.16 and 0.46 ± 0.10, respectively. The degree of liver inflammation and fibrosis was significantly higher in the MCD than the HFHF group (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01). Lipid deposition was higher in the HFHF than the MCD group (P < 0.001), and the scores were 2.36 ± 0.17 and 1.60 ± 0.24 respectively. Simultaneously, the inflammatory [tumor necrosis factor-A (TNF-a), chemokine factor-2 (CXCL-2)] and hepatic fibrosis indicators [vascular smooth muscle actin alpha (a-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)] had confirmed the above-mentioned results at the transcription level. Moreover, the intestinal flora diversity was reduced (P < 0.05) in the MCD group than the HFHF group, and the Simpson and Shannon index were 0.31 ± 0.10 and 0.42 ± 0.05, and 2.03 ± 0.33 and 1.70 ± 0.28, respectively, and the differences were significant between different intestinal flora groups. The levels of Desulfovibrio, Odoribacter, and Roseburia flora were significantly increased in the HFHF than the MCD group, and the levels of Faecalibaculum, Parasutterella, Alipis, Butyricimonas_virosa, Turicibacter_sp, and Romboutsia_ilealis were significantly increased in the MCD than the HFHF group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There are significant differences in intestinal flora diversity between simple steatosis and steatohepatitis models. Therefore, clarifying the difference between the two may provide a new direction for the stage manner treatment of MAFLD.

Diindeno[2,1-b:2',1'-h]biphenylenes: Syntheses, Structural Analyses, and Properties

A series of diindeno[2,1-b:2',1'-h]biphenylenes with open-shell singlet ground states and interesting properties were prepared. The studied compounds consist of p-quinodimethane moieties, which suffer from geometric perturbation with bond angles of around 90°. The substituent effects on structural parameters, local aromaticity, and properties were systematically explored.

[Pollution Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in a Suburban Farmland Soil]

In order to assess the pollution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs) in a suburban farmland soil, 29 sampling sites were collected around Nanjing according to the grid method, and the contents of 15 different PAHs were determined. Acenaphthene(Ace) was not detected in any of the samples. The total content of PAHs in farmland soil ranged from 24.49 to 750.04 μg·kg^-1, with an average of 226.64 μg·kg^-1. The spatial distribution of high-ring PAHs, the main PAHs in the farmland soil, was similar to that of total PAHs. There was no significant correlation between PAHs and soil organic matter(SOM), pH, cation exchange capacity(CEC), and total nitrogen(TN), whereas bulk density and low ring PAHs were significantly correlated. The results of source apportionment show that the main source of PAHs in the farmland soil is a mixture of combustion and petroleum. The contamination severity index(CSI) index shows that the PAHs does not pose an ecological risk. The results of the health risk assessment show that there is no potential carcinogenic risk to children or adults, and the main sequence of exposure is skin contact>ingestion>inhalation.

The Observation of Interchain Motion in Self-Assembled Crystalline Platinum(II) Complexes: An Exquisite Case but By No Means the Only One in Molecular Solids

In organic and organometallic solids, upon electronic excitation, most intermolecular structural relaxations follow a pathway along the π-π stacking direction or metal-metal bond with significant coupling strength. Differently, we discovered that the self-assembled platinum(II) complexes, Pt(fppz)₂, exhibit an unusual interchain contraction. The ground-state and excited-state multiple local minima were distinguished by temperature-dependent excitation/emission spectra, indicating the existence of multiple local minima. The time-resolved emission decay revealed the excited-state structural relaxation lifetime with τ_obs = 41 ns at 298 K. Temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the packing geometries contract 0.6 Å along the interchain direction (a-axis) at 50 K compared to the geometries at 298 K. Such structural displacements render the slow internal conversion rate in the excited states. We thus demonstrate the correlation between the packing geometries and the excited-state dynamics of the self-assembled Pt(II) complexes, shedding light on the unique direction of interchain structural deformation of the molecular aggregates.

Half-year follow-up of patients recovering from severe COVID-19: Analysis of symptoms and their risk factors

OBJECTIVES

To understand the sequelae of COVID-19.

METHODS

We followed up 1174 patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)who were recovered and discharged for 6 months.

RESULTS

There were 175 cases with clear IgG results 6 months after discharge, of which 82 (46.9%) were IgG (+) and 16 (9.1%) were IgG (dim+). Four hundred and forty-one participants (55.4%) had some kind of sequelae. The most common symptoms were fatigue (25.3%), sleep disorder (23.2%) and shortness of breath (20.4%). In those who had sequelae, 262 (59.4%) had more than one symptom. Critical cases were more likely to have cough (20.5% vs 11.6%, p = 0.023) and hypomnesis (15.1% vs 8.0%, p = 0.041) than severe cases. Furthermore, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that women are more likely to have multiple symptoms (p = 0.002), fatigue (p = 0.009) and sleep disorder (p = 0.008), whereas critical illness was found as independent risk factor for hypomnesis (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrated the duration of antibody and sequelae of COVID-19 and compared the differences amongst different populations.

Correlation between Kinetics and Thermodynamics for Excited-State Intramolecular Proton Transfer Reactions

Finding the relation between thermodynamics and kinetics for a reaction is of fundamental importance. Here, the thermodynamics and kinetics correlation of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) was investigated by the TD-DFT calculation under the CAM-B3LYP/6-311+G** level. We choose the family 2-(2'-aminophyenyl)benzothiazole and its amino derivatives as paradigms, which all possess the NH-type intramolecular hydrogen bond (H-bond), and investigate the corresponding ESIPT reaction. The H-bond strength can be systematically tuned, so both activation energy ΔG^‡ and free energy difference between proton transfer tautomer (T*, product) and normal species (N*, reactant) ΔG_T*-N* can be varied. To minimize the environmental interference such as solvent external H-bond and polarity perturbation, a nonpolar solvent such as cyclohexane is chosen as a bath with a polarizable continuum solvation model for the calculation. As a result, the comprehensive computational approach reveals a linear relationship between ΔG_T*-N* and ΔG^‡, which can be expressed as ΔG^‡ = ΔG₀ + αΔG_T*-N*. The fundamental insight is reminiscent of the Bell-Evans-Polanyi (BEP) principle where α represents the character of the position of the transition state along the proton motion coordinate. In other words, the more exergonic the ESIPT reaction is, the faster the proton transfer rate can be observed. To verify that such a correlation is not a sporadic event, another ESIPT family with an -OH proton, 1-hydroxy-11H-benzo[b]fluoren-11-one and its derivatives, was also investigated and proved to follow the BEP principle as well. Unlike the quantum mechanics description of proton transfer where either proton tunneling is dominant or solute/solvent is coupled in ESIPT, this work demonstrates that reaction kinetics and thermodynamics are strongly correlated within the same class of ESIPT molecules with an intrinsic barrier free from solvent perturbation, being faster with the more exergonic reaction.

New [2,2]Fluorenophanes Give Insights into Asymmetric Charge Transfer-Mediated Exciton Delocalization along the π-π Packing Direction

A series of new [2,2]fluorenophanes has been synthesized and characterized; among them, molecules of crystallographically asymmetric anti-[2.2](1,4)(4,1)fluorenophane (K2C-2) aggregate to form one-dimensional supramolecular chain structures through effective intermolecular π-π overlapping. This, in combination with the synergistic intramolecular π-π interaction, leads to prominent dual emission mediated by charge transfer (CT) exciton delocalization. Support of this new insight is given by mapping the transition density along the π-π packing direction where the intramolecular excitation and intermolecular CT coexist in K2C-2.

[2,2](5,8)Picenophanedienes: Syntheses, Structural Analyses, Molecular Dynamics, and Reversible Intramolecular Structure Conversion

This study presents an important and efficient synthetic approach to 5,8-dibromo-2,11-di-tert-butylpicene (3), with multigram scale, which was then converted to a new series of picenophanes (6-10). The tub-shaped [2,2](5,8)picenophanediene 8 with two cis-ethylene linkers was explored using X-ray crystallography. The tub-to-tub inversion proceed through the successive bending of the linkers and the barrier for isopropyl-substituted derivative 10 was experimentally estimated to be 18.7 kcal/mol. Picenophanes with a large π-system and semi-rigid structure exhibited anomalous photophysical properties. The ethano-bridged picenophane shows the weak exciton delocalization while the cis-ethylene-bridged picenophane exhibits dual emission rendered by the weakly delocalized exciton and excimer. With the aid of the ultrafast time-resolved emission spectroscopy, the mechanism of the excimer formation is resolved, showing a unique behavior of two-state reversible reaction with fast structural deformation whose lifetime is around 20 ps at 298 K. This work demonstrates that the slight difference in the bridge of tub-shaped picenophanes renders distinct photophysical behavior, revealing the potential of harnessing inter-moiety reaction in the picenophane systems.

A recently evolved diflavin-containing monomeric nitrate reductase is responsible for highly efficient bacterial nitrate assimilation

Nitrate is one of the major inorganic nitrogen sources for microbes. Many bacterial and archaeal lineages have the capacity to express assimilatory nitrate reductase (NAS), which catalyzes the rate-limiting reduction of nitrate to nitrite. Although a nitrate assimilatory pathway in mycobacteria has been proposed and validated physiologically and genetically, the putative NAS enzyme has yet to be identified. Here, we report the characterization of a novel NAS encoded by Mycolicibacterium smegmatis Msmeg_4206, designated NasN, which differs from the canonical NASs in its structure, electron transfer mechanism, enzymatic properties, and phylogenetic distribution. Using sequence analysis and biochemical characterization, we found that NasN is an NADPH-dependent, diflavin-containing monomeric enzyme composed of a canonical molybdopterin cofactor-binding catalytic domain and an FMN-FAD/NAD-binding, electron-receiving/transferring domain, making it unique among all previously reported hetero-oligomeric NASs. Genetic studies revealed that NasN is essential for aerobic M. smegmatis growth on nitrate as the sole nitrogen source and that the global transcriptional regulator GlnR regulates nasN expression. Moreover, unlike the NADH-dependent heterodimeric NAS enzyme, NasN efficiently supports bacterial growth under nitrate-limiting conditions, likely due to its significantly greater catalytic activity and oxygen tolerance. Results from a phylogenetic analysis suggested that the nasN gene is more recently evolved than those encoding other NASs and that its distribution is limited mainly to Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria. We observed that among mycobacterial species, most fast-growing environmental mycobacteria carry nasN, but that it is largely lacking in slow-growing pathogenic mycobacteria because of multiple independent genomic deletion events along their evolution.

[Comparison of short-term and long-term outcomes between thoracoscopic pneumonectomy and open pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer: a study based on propensity score matching]

Objective: To compare the short-term and long-term results of thoracoscopic and open pneumonectomy for non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: The clinical data of patients with non-small cell lung cancer who underwent pneumonectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qingdao University Hospital from January 2008 to December 2016 were collected. Totally 142 patients (55 in the thoracoscopic group and 87 in the open group) were included in the study. A total of 29 pairs of patients were successfully matched by propensity score matching (PSM). Perioperative outcomes and overall survival were compared between the two groups using t test, χ(2) test, Kaplan-Meier curve and Log-rank test, respectively. Results: Camparion with open group, the thoracoscopic group had longer operative time ((209.7±70.2) minutes vs. (171.3±43.5) minutes, t=2.50, P=0.02), more mediastinal lymph node dissection (M(Q(R)): 17(9) vs. 11(10), W=388, P=0.02) and shorter postoperative hospital stay (7.0(3.5) vs. 9.0(3.0), W=285, P=0.03). There was no significant difference in estimated blood loss, postoperative drainage time, dissected lymph node number, dissected lymph node station and perioperative complications. After PSM, there were no signifificant differences found in 3-year survival (71.4% vs. 48.1%, P=0.10) and 3-year disease-free survival (67.4% vs. 47.2%, P=0.13) between the two groups. Conclusion: Thoracoscopic pneumonectomy is safe and feasible for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer with more mediastinal lymph node dissection and accelerating recovery, and equivalent long-term prognosis when compared with open approach.

Indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-Based [2,2]Cyclophanes with 4n/4n and 4n/[4n+2] π Electrons: Syntheses, Structural Analyses, and Excitonic Coupling Properties

Indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-based [2,2]cyclophanes with 4n/4n and 4n/[4n+2] π-electron systems were prepared, and their structures were identified by X-ray crystallography. With short π-π distances around 3.0 Å, [2.2](5,11)indeno[1,2-b]fluorenophane and its precursor [2.2](5,11)indeno[1,2-b]fluorene-6,12-dionophane exhibit remarkable transannular interactions, leading to their unusual electrochemical and photophysical properties. With the aid of femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, the transition from the monomeric excited state to the redshifted H-type dimeric state was first observed, correlating to the calculated excitonic energy splitting and the steady-state absorption spectra induced by charge-transfer-mediated superexchange interaction.

Family influences in the internationalization of the top 1,000 Taiwanese enterprises

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the moderating effects of employee commitment, customer loyalty and corporate reputation on the relationship between family influence and international expansion.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-national research design was conducted using both survey and secondary data of 119 firms taken from the top 1,000 Taiwanese enterprises.

Findings

This study found moderating effects in the positive impact of family influence on international expansion. Specifically, the study found the relationship between family influence and international expansion stronger for companies with greater relational support from employees, customers and the public.

Research limitations/implications

Multi-level data collection and a longitudinal research design in future research could help in further understanding the relationships between the variables in this study.

Practical implications

This paper suggests that family business should establish enduring relationship with their employees and customers and have a plan to improve family reputation that will benefit international market expansion.

Originality/value

This study draws on the relational perspective to investigate how family influence results in different international expansion.

Author Correction: Mechanochromism induced through the interplay between excimer reaction and excited state intramolecular proton transfer

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Intratumoral IL17-producing cells infiltration correlate with antitumor immune contexture and improved response to adjuvant chemotherapy in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Tumor IL17-producing (IL17A+) cells infiltration has different prognostic values among various cancers. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of IL17A+ cells in gastric cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included two patient cohorts, the Cancer Genome Atlas cohort (TCGA, n = 351) and the Zhongshan Hospital cohort (ZSHC, n = 458). The TCGA and ZSHC were used for mRNA-related and cells infiltration-related analyses, respectively. The roles of IL17A mRNA and IL17A+ cells in overall survival (OS), response to adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT), and immune contexture were evaluated. Another independent cohort was included to identify the correlation between mRNA of IL17A and IL17A+ cells infiltration (the preliminary Zhongshan Hospital cohort, PZSHC, n = 21).

RESULTS

The infiltration of IL17A+ cells was positively correlated with the expression of IL17A mRNA (Spearman's ρ = 0.811; P < 0.001). High IL17A mRNA expression and intratumoral IL17A+ cells were correlated with improved OS and remained to be significant after adjusted for confounders. Patients with TNM II/III disease whose tumor present higher intratumoral IL17A+ cells or lower peritumoral IL17A+ cells can benefit more from ACT. Elevated IL17A mRNA expression and increased intratumoral IL17A+ cells infiltration was associated with more antitumor mast cells and nature killer cells infiltration and less pro-tumor M2 macrophages infiltration. High IL17A mRNA expression represented a Th17 cells signature and immune response process and was correlated with increased cytotoxic GZMA, GZMB, IFNG, PRF1, and TNFSF11 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

IL17A mRNA expression and intratumoral IL17A+ cells infiltration were correlated with antitumor immune contexture. IL17A+ cells infiltration could be used as an independent prognostic biomarker for OS and predictive biomarker for superior response to ACT, and further prospective validation needs to be conducted.

Tuning the Conformation and Color of Conjugated Polyheterocyclic Skeletons by Installing ortho-Methyl Groups

ortho-Methyl effects are exploited to tune steric hindrance between side-chain N,N'-diaryls and polycyclic dihydrodibenzo[a,c]phenazine, and in turn control the conformations of N,N'-diphenyl-dihydrodibenzo[a,c]phenazine (DPAC) and its ortho-methyl derivatives Mx-My (x=0, 1 or 2, y=1 or 2, x and y correlate with the number of methyl groups in the ortho-positiond of N,N'-diphenyl). The magnitude of steric hindrance increases as x and y increase, and the V-shaped dihydrodibenzo[a,c]phenazine skeleton is gradually tuned from a bent (DPAC) to planar (M2-M2) structure in the ground state. As a result, the relaxation of the excited-state structure of DPAC and its numerous analogues could be mimicked by model structures Mx-My, demonstrating for the first time the the conformation change from bent-to-planar and hence a large range of energy-gap tuning of polycyclic conjugated structures controlled by the steric hindrance.

[Short-term and long-term survival in sleeve lobectomy by video-assisted thoracic surgery versus thoracotomy basing on the propensity score matching]

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of patients with centrally located lung cancer in sleeve lobectomy by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive patients with centrally located lung cancer who underwent sleeve lobectomy admitted in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2010 to September 2014. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to compare patients for thoracoscopic surgery and open surgery. Twenty-one pairs (42 cases) patients were included for analysis. The t-test, χ(2) test or Fisher's exact probabilities was adopted, if appropriate, to compare demographics and outcomes between the 2 groups. The Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test were used for the distributions of disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) and their comparisons. Results: After propensity score-matched analysis, the VATS group had a longer operative time ((296.9±73.6) minutes vs. (218.1±59.2) minutes, t=3.82, P=0.00), but shorter postoperative drainage time ((3.3±1.5) days vs. (2.0±3.0) days, t=-0.93, P=0.01) and hospitalization time((6.7±2.8) days vs. (12.1±8.7)days, t=-1.72, P=0.01) than that of the thoracotomy group. Perioperative complications, 1-year and 3-year disease-free and overall survival rates were not statistically different between the two groups. Conclusion: For suitable patients, sleeve lobectomy by VATS is an acceptable safe and effective surgical procedure for patients with central lung cancer.

PCYT1A Regulates Phosphatidylcholine Homeostasis from the Inner Nuclear Membrane in Response to Membrane Stored Curvature Elastic Stress

Cell and organelle membranes consist of a complex mixture of phospholipids (PLs) that determine their size, shape, and function. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is the most abundant phospholipid in eukaryotic membranes, yet how cells sense and regulate its levels in vivo remains unclear. Here we show that PCYT1A, the rate-limiting enzyme of PC synthesis, is intranuclear and re-locates to the nuclear membrane in response to the need for membrane PL synthesis in yeast, fly, and mammalian cells. By aligning imaging with lipidomic analysis and data-driven modeling, we demonstrate that yeast PCYT1A membrane association correlates with membrane stored curvature elastic stress estimates. Furthermore, this process occurs inside the nucleus, although nuclear localization signal mutants can compensate for the loss of endogenous PCYT1A in yeast and in fly photoreceptors. These data suggest an ancient mechanism by which nucleoplasmic PCYT1A senses surface PL packing defects on the inner nuclear membrane to control PC homeostasis.

[Homocysteine induces calcium overload in neonatal rat atrial cells through activation of sodium current and CaMKⅡδ]

Objective: To investigate the effect and related mechanism of homocysteine (Hcy) on calcium overload in neonatal rat atrial cells (NRICs). Methods: NRICs were assigned to 9 groups after culture for 3 days: (1) control group; (2) Hcy group (0, 50, 100, 200, 500 μmol/L for 48 hours); (3) antioxidant group (NAC, 10 μmol/L for 24 hours); (4) Hcy+NAC group (500 μmol/L Hcy for 48 hours, then treated with 10 μmol/L NAC for 24 hours); (5) calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase Ⅱδ (CaMKⅡδ) inhibitor group (KN-93, 3 μmol/L KN-93 for 5 hours); (6) specific sodium current inhibitor group (ELE, 1 μmol/L ELE for 5 hours); (7) Hcy+KN-93 group (500 μmol/L Hcy for 48 hours, then treated with 3 μmol/L KN-93 for 5 hours); (8) Hcy+ELE group (500 μmol/L Hcy for 48 hours, then treated with 1 μmol/L ELE for 5 hours; (9) Hcy+KN-93+ELE group (500 μmol/L Hcy for 48 hours, then treated with 3 μmol/L KN-93 and 1 μmol/L ELE for 5 hours). Moreover, NRICs were also treated with CaMKⅡδ-siRNA lentivirus, and Nav1.5-siRNA lentivirus, negative lentivirus carrier containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) for 24 hours. The MOI values of the three groups were 10. Infection efficiency of lentivirus was determined by observing the percentage of GFP fluorescence under inverted fluorescence microscope after transfection for 24 hours, and cultured regularly with simultaneous Puro screening, then cells were grouped as Hcy+CaMKⅡδ-siRNA group, Hcy+Nav1.5-siRNA group and Hcy+negative group. The concentration of Ca(2+) in NRICs ([Ca(2+)]i) of various groups was detected through Fluo-4/AM fluorescence probe, then 2', 7'- two chlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used as a probe to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) in NRICs by flow cytometry. The malondialdehyde (MDA) was detected by the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and xanthine oxidase was detected by thiobarbituric acid colorimetry. The protein and mRNA expression level of CaMKⅡδ and Nav1.5 in NRICs were detected by Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR. Results: (1) ROS, MDA and SOD were similar between NAC group and control group, ROS and MDA were significantly increased, while SOD was significantly reduced in Hcy group in a concentration-dependent manner. (2) [Ca(2+)]i: The level of [Ca(2+)]i was (155.57+7.25), (187.43+13.07), (248.98+27.22) and (307.36+15.09) nmol/L in 50, 100, 200 and 500 μmol/L Hcy groups, which was significantly higher than that in the control group ((123.18+7.24) nmol/L, P<0.01). In addition, the level of [Ca(2+)]i in Hcy+NAC group ((222.87+23.71)nmol/L) was significantly lower than that in Hcy 500 μmol/L group ((305.15+39.45) nmol/L, P<0.05), while [Ca(2+)]i level was similar between NAC group and the control group. (3) The protein expression of CaMKⅡδ and Nav1.5 was significantly upregulated in Hcy groups than in the control group. The protein expression level of CaMKⅡδ-Thr287 was significantly lower in NAC group than in Hcy 500 μmol/L group (P<0.01), however, there was no significant difference on the protein expression levels of CaMKⅡδ-Thr287 and Nav1.5 between NAC group and control group (all P>0.05). (4) The protein expression levels of CaMKⅡδ-Thr287 and the concentration of [Ca(2+)]i were significantly lower in Hcy+KN-93 group and Hcy+KN-93+ELE group than in Hcy 500 μmol/L group (P<0.05). [Ca(2+)]i concentration was significantly lower in Hcy+KN-93 group, Hcy+ELE group and KN-93+ELE+Hcy group than in Hcy 500 μmol/L group (P<0.05). (5) The mRNA and protein expression levels of CaMKⅡδ and Nav1.5 in each group infected with lentivirus: the GFP expression was ideal post lentivirus transfection for 24 hours (up to 90%), which was significantly lower in the CaMKⅡδ-siRNA group and Nav1.5-siRNA group than in the negative infection group (all P<0.05), which was similar between negative infection group and control group (P>0.05). Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of CaMKⅡδ and CaMKⅡδ-Thr287 was significantly lower in Hcy+Nav1.5-siRNA group than in Hcy+negative infection group (P<0.05). The protein and mRNA levels of Nav1.5 were similar between Hcy+CaMKⅡδ-siRNA group and Hcy+negative infection group (P>0.05). Conclusions: Hcy can induce calcium overload in NRICs by increasing oxidative stress, upregulating the sodium channel protein, and activating the late sodium current and phosphorylating CaMKⅡδ.

Local structure distortion induced by Ti dopants boosting the pseudocapacitance of RuO2-based supercapacitors

Binary oxides with atomic ratios of Ru/Ti = 90/10, 70/30, and 50/50 were fabricated using H2O2-oxidative precipitation with the assistance of a cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) template, followed by a thermal treatment at 200 °C. The characteristics of electron structure and local structure extracted from X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses indicate that incorporation of Ti into the RuO2 lattice produces not only the local structural distortion of the RuO6 octahedra in (Ru-Ti)O2 with an increase in the central Ru-Ru distance but also a local crystallization of RuO2. Among the three binary oxides studied, (Ru70-Ti30)O2 exhibits a capacitance improvement of about 1.4-fold relative to the CTAB-modified RuO2, mainly due to the enhanced crystallinity of the distorted RuO6 structure rather than the surface area effect. Upon increasing the extent of Ti doping, the deteriorated supercapacitive performance of (Ru50-Ti50)O2 results from the formation of localized nano-clusters of TiO2 crystallites. These results provide insight into the important role of Ti doping in RuO2 that boosts the pseudocapacitive performance for RuO2-based supercapacitors. The present result is crucial for the design of new binary oxides for supercapacitor applications with extraordinary performance.

Person-organization fit and organizational citizenship behavior: Time perspective

Viewing organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) engagement from the time cost perspective, this study not only investigates the direct effect of person—organization (P—O) fit on OCB but also examines the moderating effect of time evaluation on the effective magnitude of P—O fit on OCB. Specifically, I hypothesized that the positive relationship between P—O fit and OCB will be strengthened (weakened) if employees have a higher future (present) orientation time perspective. A sample of 262 bank financial specialists with supervisor-rated dependent variables is used to examine the hypothesized relationships. Research findings suggest that P—O fit can predict OCB engagement. I also found that time evaluation plays a moderating role in the relationship between P—O fit and OCB such that P—O fit will have a weaker predictive power if the employees have a higher present-orientation time perspective. The research results provide further understanding of why employees engage in OCB.

Relationship between progeny growth performance and molecular marker-based genetic distances in Eucommia ulmoides parental genotypes

Progeny performances, variations and combining abilities for growth traits were evaluated in a factorial mating design of Eucommia ulmoides. Three marker systems, sequence-related amplified polymorphism, amplified fragment length polymorphism, and inter-simple sequence repeat, were used to determine genetic distances between parents. Correlations of genetic distances with progeny performances, within-family coefficients of variation and specific-combining abilities were established for height and basal diameter traits. Significant positive correlations were found between progeny performances of growth traits and genetic distances of parents based on sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers or a combination of all 3 marker systems. This revealed that crosses between genetically distant parents produced progenies with excellent growth performances. The lack of correlations between parental genetic distances and within-family coefficients of variation or specific-combining abilities suggested that these characteristics were unpredictable. The results of this study represent a potential criterion to predict progeny performances and choose parents in the breeding program.

Vascular smooth muscle cell culture in microfluidic devices

This paper presents a microfluidic device enabling culture of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) where extracellular matrix coating, VSMC seeding, culture, and immunostaining are demonstrated in a tubing-free manner. By optimizing droplet volume differences between inlets and outlets of micro channels, VSMCs were evenly seeded into microfluidic devices. Furthermore, the effects of extracellular matrix (e.g., collagen, poly-l-Lysine (PLL), and fibronectin) on VSMC proliferation and phenotype expression were explored. As a platform technology, this microfluidic device may function as a new VSMC culture model enabling VSMC studies.

Capacitive performance enhancements of RuO2 nanocrystals through manipulation of preferential orientation growth originated from the synergy of Pluronic F127 trapping and annealing

The capacitive performances of RuO2 prepared by oxidation precipitation of Ru precursors (RuCl3·xH2O) surrounded with tri-block co-polymer, Pluronic F127, in aqueous media can be enhanced through manipulating its preferential orientation growth of nanocrystals. From the heterogeneous surface chemistry viewpoints with the support of structure characterizations, such enhancement originates from the preferential orientation growth of the {101} facet due to the adsorption of the highly polarisable, non-ionic ligands of Pluronic F127 on the high surface energy facets on RuO2 nanocrystallites. In this case, the F127-trapped sample with annealing at 300 °C enhances the specific capacitance 1.6-fold in comparison to its counterpart without F127. With the mechanistic insight into the heterogeneous surface crystal growth pathways, our results materialize the development of RuO2 with tuneable capacitive performances. Furthermore, due to the different propagation models of RuO2 with and without F127 trapping, a schematic diagram is proposed to interpret such a unique crystal growth evolution phenomenon.