Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shuyan Xue, Guanyu Chen, Jincang Zhang, Renchao Che
Summary: Through the study of Pd icosahedra (Pd ico), Pd octahedra (Pd oct) and Pd cubic nanocrystals as electrocatalysts, we revealed the impact of surface electronic structures on electrocatalytic performance and found that surface electron accumulation can enhance the electrocatalytic activity of enzyme-mimic catalysts. The electrocatalytic performance of different catalysts was evaluated, and the Pd icodimer exhibited the highest electrocatalytic and sensing efficiency.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Imamaddin R. Amiraslanov, Kamala K. Azizova, Zakir A. Jahangirli, Sajara A. Nabieva, Faik M. Mammadov, Yegana R. Aliyeva, Mahire Kh Aliyeva, Ziya S. Aliev
Summary: The study revealed new solid solution phases in the GaSe-InSe system, proposed a new orthorhombic phase, and identified the chemical interaction and reversible phase transition in the In1-xGaxSe solid solutions. Electronic, optical, and vibrational properties were studied for the orthorhombic InGaSe2 phase, which was found to be a direct band-gap semiconductor with adjustable band gap and potential for photovoltaic applications. The phonon dispersion analysis showed that InGaSe2 is dynamically stable and may exhibit low lattice thermal conductivity, making it suitable for thermoelectric applications.
JOURNAL OF SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Irene R. A. M. Ogutu, Richard C. Holz, Brian Bennett
Summary: Research has shown that an eight amino acid peptide based on the metal binding motif of Co-type nitrile hydratase from Pseudonocardia thermophilia can coordinate Fe(II) under anaerobic conditions. Exposure to air results in the formation of a low-spin Fe(III)-peptide complex, similar to the nitrile hydratase from Rhodococcus equi TG328-2.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhi Long, Yajun Wang, Xiaoling Sun, Yitong Li, Zhiwei Zeng, Lin Zhang, Hongyi Chen
Summary: By doping S and Te, the electronic band structure of the second phase is adjusted, resulting in high carrier mobility and power factor in Cu2Se-based composite materials. The dispersed second-phase Cu2Se0.88S0.06Te0.06, dislocations, and nanograins were observed, leading to a substantial reduction in the thermal conductivity. High figure of merit (zT) values of 2.04 (by Dulong-Petit heat capacity) and 2.34 (by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measured heat capacity) were achieved at 850 K, which are 65% higher than that of Cu2Se in this work and comparable to the recently reported p-type Cu2Se with outstanding performance.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xi Kang, Xiao Wei, Shuxin Wang, Manzhou Zhu
Summary: The study presents an atomic-level analysis of the polarization effect in controlling the morphologies of metal nanoclusters. By regulating counterions, controllable transformations of cluster configurations were achieved, with the ability for reversible transformations. The rate of configuration transformation can be manipulated by adjusting the polarization effect of ions, offering insights into understanding the polarization effect at the atomic level.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Linguo Lu, Shansheng Yu, Hongwei Tian
Summary: Pentlandite ((Fe, Ni)(9)S-8) is a promising transition-metal catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction, but the long activation process and facet-dependent hydrogen evolution activity are not fully understood. Density functional theory calculations reveal that small metal cubes play a crucial role in surface stability and the linking sites between them act as the main catalytic active sites for hydrogen evolution.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Himani Arora, Artur Erbe
Summary: The field of two-dimensional materials, particularly III-VI monochalcogenides like indium selenide and gallium selenide, has attracted significant interest due to their high intrinsic mobility and direct bandgap properties. However, their sensitivity to environmental influences and limited scalable synthesis methods have hindered their practical applications. Research has focused on improving device structures and developing effective encapsulation techniques to prevent degradation.
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Aarti Mehta, A. K. Srivastava, Govind Gupta, Suresh Chand, Shailesh Narain Sharma
Summary: This article demonstrates the beneficial effect of surface passivation using a mixture of coordinating tri-n-octylphosphine (TOP), oleylamine (OLA), and oleic acid on the structural and optoelectronic properties of lead selenide (PbSe) quantum dots, and its relevance in hybrid composite photovoltaic devices. The study shows that OLA plays a crucial role in nucleation and growth mechanisms of PbSe QDs, leading to better stability and charge transfer characteristics in the resulting polymer: PbSe composites. Post-synthesis ligand exchange/removal is important for efficient charge transport in hybrid composites, with OLA-capped PbSe QDs exhibiting superior morphology, optical properties, and stability for potential use in solar cells.
JOURNAL OF SOL-GEL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
C. Y. Huang, H. Y. Lee, Y. C. Chang, Chon Kit Hong, Y. R. Ou, C. N. Kuo, C. S. Lue
Summary: In this study, we investigated the iron-based aluminide BaFe2Al9 using Al-27 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. We successfully resolved two sets of NMR resonance lines associated with two crystallographic aluminum sites. Our results revealed a strong ab plane bonding configuration in the structural properties of BaFe2Al9 and observed pronounced features near the transition temperature.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chaopeng Zhao, Weishan Yan, Suqin Han, Wangyang Zhang, Min Jin, Duo Liu
Summary: This study reports a mechanically induced phase transition in 2D layered beta-InSe materials and the corresponding changes in electronic properties. The critical pressure required for the transition and the material changes were determined using nanoindentation and confocal Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The results were confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. This research is significant for the development of InSe-based optoelectronic devices with mechanically accessible bandgap engineering.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ge Huang, Yan Zhou, Zuo-Yuan Dong, Wei-Jian Li, Ke-Jun Bu, Shi Zhou, Tao Wang, Xu-Jie Lu, Xiao-Jia Chen
Summary: The graphene-like layered semiconductor indium selenide (InSe) has attracted attention for its tunability of electronic states. In this study, the high-pressure behaviors of phonon modes and excitonic states in ε-InSe were systematically investigated. The results showed enhanced Raman modes and changes in chemical bonding upon compression, which have implications for the optical and electrical properties of InSe.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dongshuang Wu, Kohei Kusada, Yusuke Nanba, Michihisa Koyama, Tomokazu Yamamoto, Takaaki Toriyama, Syo Matsumura, Okkyun Seo, Ibrahima Gueye, Jaemyung Kim, Loku Singgapulige Rosantha Kumara, Osami Sakata, Shogo Kawaguchi, Yoshiki Kubota, Hiroshi Kitagawa
Summary: The compositional space of high-entropy-alloy nanoparticles significantly expands the materials library. This study synthesized high-entropy-alloy nanoparticles composed of eight noble-metal-group elements and revealed their unique electronic structure. The nanoparticles exhibited lower energy level degeneracy compared to monometallic nanoparticles and showed higher intrinsic activity in hydrogen evolution reaction.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Li Zhang, Luyi Sun, Xuemao Guan, Songhui Liu
Summary: This work utilized first-principles calculations to analyze the crystal and electronic structures of monocalcium silicate polymorphs and reveal the intrinsic mechanisms causing differences in their carbonation reactivity. It was found that a-CS exhibited the highest carbonation reactivity, followed by Para-CS and fi-CS. The carbonation reaction depended on Ca-O bond breakage, with electrophilic attack associated with non-bridging oxygen atoms dominating the process. The crystal and electronic structure synergy enhanced a-CS's carbonation reactivity.
CONSTRUCTION AND BUILDING MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Huiling Jia, Ru Jia, Qi Shao, Jinxiu Wu, Xin Tan, Yuan Ren
Summary: In this study, the oxygen vacancy formation energy of Ti and Zr doped CeO2(111) surfaces was calculated using the DFT+U method, and the adsorption properties of H2PO2 on the Ti and Zr doped CeO1.963(111) surfaces were analyzed. The results showed that the oxygen vacancy formation energy of the doped surfaces was reduced and the surface magnetic moment was enhanced. Covalent bonds were formed between H2PO2 and the substrates. The adsorption energies of H2PO2 on reduced substrates were in the order of Ce0.899Ti0.111O1.963(111) > CeO1.963(111) > Ce0.899Zr0.111O1.963(111). The most stable adsorption site of H2PO2 on the Ce0.899Ti0.111O1.963(111)-sub surface was Oh site, where P was bonded with two surface O atoms, and the adsorption energy (7.612 eV) was the maximum. Therefore, the Ce0.899Ti0.111O1.963(111)-sub surface was more suitable for polishing H2PO2 on KDP surface. These results contribute to a better understanding and improvement of Ti/Zr-doped CeO2 polishing powder.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Boon Huat Cheah, Pei-Chu Liao, Jing-Chi Lo, Yu-Tsen Wang, I-Chien Tang, Kuo-Chen Yeh, Dar-Yuan Lee, Ya-Fen Lin
Summary: This study explored the effects of excess indium on rice plants, finding that indium mainly accumulated in the roots, restricting their growth and causing imbalances in phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. Whole-transcriptome sequencing revealed that rice responded to indium stress by activating genes for heavy metal tolerance and phosphate starvation responses. Indium toxicity was identified as the major factor affecting rice growth, but the application of exogenous phosphate alleviated this toxicity.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jessica Occhiuzzi, Grazia Giuseppina Politano, Gianluca D'Olimpio, Antonio Politano
Summary: The recent advent of two-dimensional (2D) materials has had a ground-breaking impact on science and technology. Liquid-phase exfoliation based on green and bioderived solvents represents an ideal methodology for the large-scale production of 2D materials. The use of eco-friendly solvents such as Polarclean and Iris enables low-density defects and ink-jet printing with functional inks of 2D materials.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marco Lunardon, Tomasz Kosmala, Mahdi Ghorbani-Asl, Arkady V. Krasheninnikov, Sadhu Kolekar, Christian Durante, Matthias Batzill, Stefano Agnoli, Gaetano Granozzi
Summary: Unraveling the structure-activity relationships in catalysis is challenging due to the complexity and heterogeneity of materials. This study utilizes electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM) to analyze the noise in the current and evaluates the catalytic activity of different surface sites.
ACS ENERGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Gino Rocca, Angela De Venuto, Antonio Mazzotti, Simone Ottavio Zielli, Elena Artioli, Lorenzo Brognara, Francesco Traina, Cesare Faldini
Summary: This retrospective study reported the results of using the SERI technique to treat pediatric HV deformity in 58 cases of 45 consecutive patients. Data of VAS, AOFAS score, HVA, IMA, and DMAA were collected pre- and postoperatively. The study showed that the SERI technique yielded satisfactory results when treating mild to severe pediatric HV deformity, with no major complications reported.
Article
Dermatology
Mar Sempere-Bigorra, Lorenzo Brognara, Ivan Julian-Rochina, Antonio Mazzotti, Omar Cauli
Summary: This study explores the potential usefulness of gait analysis parameters using a single sensor unit to detect peripheral neuropathy in diabetic patients with diabetic foot. The study finds significant correlations between impaired deep sensory pathways and gait impairments in diabetic patients, as well as significant correlations between all gait parameters and the superficial sensory pathway. The findings suggest that inertial sensors could be a useful tool for diagnosing gait alterations and evaluating treatment effects in diabetic patients to improve gait and reduce the risk of falls.
INTERNATIONAL WOUND JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Antonio Mazzotti, Laura Langone, Elena Artioli, Simone Ottavio Zielli, Alberto Arceri, Stefania Setti, Massimiliano Leigheb, Elena Manuela Samaila, Cesare Faldini
Summary: Foot and ankle injuries are common in sports, and one of the main challenges is the time it takes for athletes to resume playing after trauma. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) have been listed as a conservative treatment option to speed up the recovery process and prevent joint degeneration. This review outlines the current applications of PEMFs in foot and ankle sport-related injuries, specifically in treating bone marrow edema, osteochondral defects, fractures, and nonunions. Despite the need for further high-quality studies, PEMFs appear to be a valid aid in promoting bone healing, resolving bone marrow edema, reducing joint inflammation, preserving articular cartilage, and relieving pain.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Review
Orthopedics
Elena Artioli, Antonio Mazzotti, Simone Ottavio Zielli, Alberto Arceri, Laura Langone, Simone Gerardi, Cesare Faldini
Summary: This systematic review provides an overview of the current surgical treatments for focal osteochondral lesions of the first metatarsal head. The most commonly used technique is osteochondral autograft. After surgery, patients showed improvement in AOFAS, VAS, and hallux dorsiflexion, but not in plantarflexion. However, there is limited evidence and knowledge regarding the surgical management of these lesions, calling for further high-level comparative studies to establish an evidence-based treatment algorithm.
FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yanxue Zhang, Gianluca D'Olimpio, Federica Bondino, Silvia Nappini, Marian Cosmin Istrate, Raman Sankar, Corneliu Ghica, Luca Ottaviano, Junfeng Gao, Antonio Politano
Summary: The chemical reactivity of cadmium diarsenide (CdAs2) towards ambient gases (oxygen and water) and air was assessed using density functional theory and experiments. The surface of CdAs2 forms an oxide skin, but its thickness remains nanometric even after one year in air. Therefore, future quantum devices based on Kramers-Weyl fermions could be stable in air, as the native oxide layer formed on chiral quantum materials actually protects their bulk features.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Orthopedics
Alberto Arceri, Antonio Mazzotti, Simone Zielli, Simone Bonelli, Elena Artioli, Pejman Abdi, Laura Langone, Cesare Faldini
Summary: This systematic review and meta-analysis explored the chance of return to sport, achievable activity level, patient characteristics, and types of sports after total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). The findings suggest that TAA can increase the opportunity for patients to return to sports, with a mean sport participation rate of 61.9% postoperatively. Up to 92% of patients were able to return to their preoperative level of activity. Young, male patients with lower BMI and non-inflammatory osteoarthritis tended to have better outcomes scores after returning to sports. Common postoperative sports included cycling, swimming, hiking, and gymnastics. However, further research is needed to provide more accurate expectations regarding sport activity after TAA implantation.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDICS
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Cesare Faldini, Antonio Mazzotti, Laura Langone, Alberto Arceri, Simone Bonelli, Simone Ottavio Zielli, Elena Artioli
Summary: This retrospective study describes the design, surgical technique, and preliminary results of custom-made total ankle arthroplasties (TAA) with patient-specific instrumentation (PSI) for severe bone loss conditions. The study findings show good correspondence between pre-operative planning and prosthesis alignment, as well as improvement in clinical scores at the final follow-up for all patients.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY AND TRAUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Orthopedics
Elena Artioli, Antonio Mazzotti, Simone Gerardi, Alberto Arceri, Francesca Barile, Marco Manzetti, Giovanni Viroli, Alberto Ruffilli, Cesare Faldini
Summary: This review provides an update on the applications and techniques of retrograde drilling for ankle osteochondral lesions. The results show that retrograde drilling is effective for the treatment of subchondral cysts and small lesions, with high patient satisfaction and no complications. Modified techniques may expand the surgical indications for more complex cases.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDICS AND TRAUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lorenzo Brognara, Antonio Mazzotti, Alberto Arceri, Elena Artioli, Giacomo Casadei, Simone Bonelli, Francesco Traina, Cesare Faldini
Summary: This study evaluated patient-reported outcomes after minimally invasive reduction and percutaneous Kirschner-wires fixation for intra-articular calcaneal fractures. The results showed satisfactory outcomes reported by the patients. Further prospective randomized studies are needed to confirm the validity and reliability of these patient-reported outcome measures in evaluating different treatments.
Article
Orthopedics
Cesare Faldini, Elena Artioli, Alessandro Panciera, Simone Bonelli, Alberto Arceri, Antonio Mazzotti
Summary: This study retrospectively reviewed patients with overcorrected clubfoot who underwent surgical treatment from 2000 to 2015. The surgical procedures were tailored based on the type and symptoms of the deformity, and significant improvements were observed in both clinical and radiographic scores. Therefore, the selection of surgical methods should be based on clinical symptoms and functional impairment rather than just morphological and radiographic changes.
ARCHIVES OF ORTHOPAEDIC AND TRAUMA SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jacopo Ciaffi, Lorenzo Brognara, Giacomo Gangemi, Elena Vanni, Elisa Assirelli, Simona Neri, Giulia Casadei, Antonio Mazzotti, Alberto Di Martino, Cesare Faldini, Stefano Zaffagnini, Francesco Ursini
Summary: Research indicates a potentially higher prevalence of fibromyalgia in podiatric patients, with greater foot impairment compared to healthy individuals. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of fibromyalgia in the podiatric healthcare setting and investigate the characteristics of fibromyalgia patients with foot or ankle disorders.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Elena Manuela Samaila, Ludovica Auregli, Tommaso Maluta, Massimiliano Leigheb, Antonio Mazzotti, Bruno Magnan
Summary: This study retrospectively evaluated the short- and medium-term functional outcomes of the surgical technique involving deepening of the retromalleolar groove for the management of recurrent peroneal tendon dislocation. The results showed excellent clinical efficacy, significant improvement in functional recovery, successful return to sports, and high patient satisfaction.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Elisa Tosin, Teresa Gatti, Stefano Agnoli, Laura Calvillo, Enzo Menna
Summary: The search for effective, stable, and low-cost catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is crucial for the widespread use of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. This study developed metal-free catalysts by covalently functionalizing carbon nanohorns with N-containing heterocycles and found that protonated N is the main species involved in the ORR activity.