Low Diffusion Research Articles

Immune checkpoint inhibitor-related diabetes mellitus associated with high signal intensity in diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas at an early clinical stage.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment but can give rise to immune-related adverse events such as ICI-related diabetes mellitus (DM). We herein present the case of a 59-year-old Japanese man with malignant melanoma who developed ICI-related DM after 18 months of nivolumab treatment. He experienced marked hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis without a personal or family history of diabetes. Laboratory findings revealed initial preservation of insulin secretion but a rapid decline in C-peptide levels in the absence of islet autoantibodies. He was therefore diagnosed with ICI-related DM. This case fulfilled the criteria for fulminant type 1 DM but lacked the typical human leukocyte antigen alleles associated with conventional type 1 diabetes. No metastasis or morphological changes were apparent on CT scans of the pancreas, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography did not show dilation or interruption of the main pancreatic duct. However, diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed high signal intensity with low apparent diffusion coefficient values in the pancreas, likely indicative of fibrosis or infiltration of inflammatory cells. This case underscores that ICI-related DM should be considered a potential immune-related adverse event as well as pointing to the benefit of diffusion-weighted imaging for assessment of pancreatic involvement at an early stage of the disease.

Age-Trajectories of Higher-Order Diffusion Properties of Major Brain Metabolites in Cerebral and Cerebellar Gray Matter Using InVivo Diffusion-Weighted MR Spectroscopy at 3T.

Healthy brain aging involves changes in both brain structure and function, including alterations in cellular composition and microstructure across brain regions. Unlike diffusion-weighted MRI (dMRI), diffusion-weighted MR spectroscopy (dMRS) can assess cell-type specific microstructural changes, providing indirect information on both cell composition and microstructure through the quantification and interpretation of metabolites' diffusion properties. This work investigates age-related changes in the higher-order diffusion properties of total N-Acetyl-aspartate (neuronal biomarker), total choline (glial biomarker), and total creatine (both neuronal and glial biomarker) beyond the classical apparent diffusion coefficient in cerebral and cerebellar gray matter of healthy human brain. Twenty-five subjects were recruited and scanned using a diffusion-weighted semi-LASER sequence in two brain regions-of-interest (ROI) at 3T: posterior-cingulate (PCC) and cerebellar cortices. Metabolites' diffusion was characterized by quantifying metrics from both Gaussian and non-Gaussian signal representations and biophysical models. All studied metabolites exhibited lower apparent diffusivities and higher apparent kurtosis values in the cerebellum compared to the PCC, likely stemming from the higher microstructural complexity of cellular composition in the cerebellum. Multivariate regression analysis (accounting for ROI tissue composition as a covariate) showed slight decrease (or no change) of all metabolites' diffusivities and slight increase of all metabolites' kurtosis with age, none of which statistically significant (p > 0.05). The proposed age-trajectories provide benchmarks for identifying anomalies in the diffusion properties of major brain metabolites which could be related to pathological mechanisms altering both the brain microstructure and cellular composition.

Predictive Value of Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Findings for Sentinel Lymph Node Metastasis in Early-Stage Invasive Breast Cancer.

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the preoperative dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) findings of mass lesions for predicting sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastasis in early breast cancer. A total of 310 patients with suspicious mass lesions detected in preoperative MRI who subsequently underwent surgery and SLN biopsy (SLNB) between September 2015 and September 2022 were analyzed. The relationship between DCE-MRI and DWI findings and SLNB positivity was analyzed. SLNB was positive for SLN metastasis in 108 of 310 lesions. Younger age (p = 0.001) and larger lesion size (p < 0.001) were found to be associated with SLNB positivity. Findings associated with SLN metastasis included peritumoral edema in 53%, adjacent vessel sign (AVS) in 81%, and increased whole-breast vascularity (WBV) in 58% of patients with positive SLNB (p < 0.001). The SLNB positivity rate was higher in mass lesions with DCE-MRI findings of heterogenous enhancement pattern (p = 0.003), medium or rapid initial phase enhancement (p = 0.001), and washout delayed phase kinetic curve (p = 0.001). It was found that lower tumoral apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values (p = 0.003) and higher peritumoral/tumoral ADC ratios (p = 0.018) increased the probability of encountering SLN metastasis. Patient age, presence of peritumoral edema, presence of AVS, increased WBV, and initial phase kinetic curve of the lesions on MRI were found to be associated with SLN metastasis. We found that younger age and MR findings obtained from the perilesional area of breast cancer may be helpful in the preoperative prediction of SLN metastasis.

Prussian Blue Analogues "Dressed" in MXene Nanosheets Tightly for High Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries.

MXenes, have been considered as a new generation anode material in lithium-ion batteries for lower lithium-ion diffusion barriers and superior conductivity. Unfortunately, their structures are prone to aggregation and stacking, hindering further shuttle of lithium ions and electrons, resulting in lower discharge capacity. Therefore, the introduction of interlayer spacers for the preparation of MXene-based hybrids has attracted much attention. Introducing Prubssian blue analogues (PBAs) as a new interlayer spacer to combine with MXene nanosheets can not only preserve the high conductivity of MXene and inhibit the volume expansion and structural degradation of the PBA component, but also inherit the characteristics of large specific surface area and high porosity of PBAs. By intelligent regulating the size of MXene sheets, Co-PBA@MXene hybrids with common sandwich-like structures and superior core-shell-like structures have been successfully obtained. Furthermore, Co@M(x:y) hybrids are prepared by intelligently adjusting the shell thickness of MXene through intelligently controlling of the mass ratio between Co-PBA and MXene. Among them, the Co@M(5:2) anode exhibits an excellent capacity (603mA h g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 after 100 cycles) and superior long-term cycling stability due to the protective and conductive properties provided by the MXene shell and multi-redox pairs and rich porosity from Co-PBA core.

Effect of Alkyl Chain Length of Quaternary Ammonium Surfactant Corrosion Inhibitor on Fe (110) in Acetic Acid Media via Computer Simulation

Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to investigate the inhibition mechanism of cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant corrosion inhibitors (CIs) with varying chain lengths in 1.0 M HCl and 500 ppm acetic acid on Fe (110) surfaces. DFT calculations demonstrated that all surfactant CI molecules possess favorable inhibition properties, with the cationic quaternary ammonium groups (N+) and alpha carbon serving as electron-donating reactive centers, characterized by a low band-gap energy of 1.26 eV. MD simulations highlighted C12, with a 12-alkyl chain length, as the most promising CI molecule, exhibiting high adsorption and binding energies, a low diffusion coefficient, and a random distribution at low concentrations, thereby facilitating optimal adsorption onto the Fe (110) metal surface. The insights gained from computational modeling regarding the influence of alkyl chain length on inhibition efficiency, coupled with the comprehensive theoretical understanding of cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant CI molecules in acidic corrosion systems, can serve as a foundation for the future development of innovative surfactant CI molecules incorporating ammonium-based functional groups.

Atomic Manipulation on 2D Sumanene for Precise Fermi Level Positioning in Ultrafast High-Capacity Alkali Metal Batteries.

A sumanene monolayer, with a Kagome-like lattice and two flat bands and two Dirac cones in the band structures, can be atomically assembled by C21 clusters. In this paper, first-principles simulations indicate surface charge doping can purposely shift the Fermi level between Dirac cones and flat bands. Interestingly, Li/Na/K atoms can be well distributed in bowl-like structures, transforming the semiconducting sumanene monolayer into a semimetal by shifting the Fermi energy exactly to the Dirac cone. As a natural hosting platform, sumanene shows a high theoretical storage capacity (1115.7 mAh/g for Na/K). Additionally, the moderate adsorption and very low diffusion barrier (≤0.24 eV) imply a suitable open-circuit voltage and ultrafast charge. Besides, the naturally curved and flexural configuration of sumanene effectively releases the lattice expansion during charging and discharging. Therefore, doped sumanene is a compelling anode material for alkali-metal batteries with high capacity, ultrafast charge, and high structural stability.

Direct determination of diffusion flux in alloys via spatial separation of flux

Despite the importance of atomic diffusion in controlling high temperature deformation, it remains difficult to generally determine diffusion flux through alloys. We present thermomechanical nanomolding, where a nanomold is filled by the alloy's diffusion flux under a stress gradient, to determine the flux diffusing through an alloy's microstructure. This flux is collected in the nanomold forming nanorods. Length and composition analyses of the formed nanorods allow us to determine rate and composition of the flux, and further allow estimation of the constituents’ diffusivities in this flux. We verify this technique on metals and simple alloys, and then reveal diffusive flux in general alloys. Notably, for alloys that can access a eutectic composition in their alloy system, the flux's composition is that of the eutectic, which can be very different from the alloy's nominal composition. Moreover, the flux's overall diffusivity is greatly enhanced. This, so far unknown, eutectic mechanism is present in the majority of multicomponent alloys. These insights into diffusion flux in alloys can be used to guide the development of alloys with particularly low diffusivity or particularly high diffusivity. More generally, the presented method provides a novel toolbox to reveal the rich underlying diffusion-controlled mechanisms of deformation of alloys in general.

Low temperature solid-state diffusion bonding of fine pitch cu/Sn micro-bumps assisted with formic acid vapor for 3D integration

Low temperature solid-state diffusion bonding of fine pitch cu/Sn micro-bumps assisted with formic acid vapor for 3D integration

First principles study on monolayer GeTe as an anode material for multivalent ion batteries.

Finding suitable anode materials for multivalent ion batteries (MuIBs) is the key to improving theoretical capacity, reducing development costs and enhancing the safety of energy storage batteries. In recent years, monolayer GeTe has been reported as an anode material in monovalent ion batteries, but it has not received much attention in MuIBs. This article uses first principles methods based on density functional theory (DFT) to explore the application prospects of monolayer GeTe with a unique serrated wrinkled layer structure as an anode material for multivalent metal ion (Al3+/Mg2+/Ca2+) batteries. The research results show that Al3+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ have low diffusion barriers (0.47, 0.35 and 0.61 eV) on monolayer GeTe, indicating its excellent diffusion ability and fast charge discharge rate during the charging and discharging process. Reasonable open circuit voltages (0.62, 0.85 and 0.64 V) and theoretical specific capacities higher than those of commercial graphite anode materials (624.6, 446.1 and 446.1 mA h g-1) indicate that monolayer GeTe has the ability to store Al3+/Mg2+/Ca2+. Finally, molecular dynamics simulations (MD) are used to calculate the adsorption energy and density field of ions during their movement on the surface of monolayer GeTe, demonstrating the stable adsorption ability of monolayer GeTe and the strong interaction between the two. This article reveals that monolayer GeTe can be used as a promising candidate anode material for MuIBs.

A new SLM-manufactured Al[sbnd]Si alloy with excellent room and elevated-temperature mechanical properties

The synergistic strengthening of multiple phases has long been an effective method of enhancing conventional metallic structural materials. However, the assembly of solute atoms with high solubility and low diffusion rate into highly stable and high-volume fraction nano-precipitates using the selective laser melting (SLM) technique is challenging. In this study, a new Al-9.0Si-2.8Fe-2.1Mn-1.1Ni (in wt%) alloy was fabricated using the SLM. The melt pool structure of the alloy exhibits equiaxed grain characteristics under optimum parameters, with large volume fractions of in-situ precipitated IMC-Al15(Fe,Mn,Ni)3Si2 and Si phases within the grains. The alloy demonstrates commendable tensile properties at room temperature (YS 373 ± 8 MPa, UTS 602 ± 12 MPa, El 4.2 ± 0.5 %) and retains excellent strength and ductility as well as creep resistance at elevated temperatures of 400 °C (YS 92 ± 3 MPa, UTS 100 ± 5 MPa, El 24 ± 0.7 %, steady-state creep rate ~ 10−5 s−1 under 60 MPa). Lamellar nano-Si phases can induce strain delocalization effects and grain boundary relaxation through partial dislocation twinning behavior, thereby coordinating high-temperature deformation. Under large deformations and prolonged creep processes, the transmission of external loads and the evolution of defects (The edge dislocation at interfaces, the stacking faults and deformation twins within the Si phase) effectively transfer stress to low-load-bearing regions, promoting the delocalization of deformation. The abundant second phases within the alloy (IMC and Si phases) hinder dislocation movement and promote dislocation multiplication, maintaining ultra-high deformation resistance and low steady-state creep rate. Due to the absence of heat treatment and the addition of expensive elements, the alloy has wide industrial application potential.

Additive manufacturing of sustainable and heat-resistant Al-Fe-Mo-Si-Zr alloys

Improving the sustainability of metals and alloys is essential for slowing down global warming. The reason is that their extraction and production stand for about 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector. This motivates new alloy design and processing criteria such as the (1) preferred use of abundant and sustainable alloying elements and (2) improved material tolerance against impurity intrusion from recycling. In this context, additive manufacturing (AM) is attractive, through rapid solidification, capable of quenching impurities into a solid solution state, avoiding formation of large intermetallics and introduction of metastable phases. Here, by using this approach we show how iron, an important scrap-related contaminant in aluminum alloys, can be turned from a harmful into a valuable ingredient. Specifically, the addition of Mo and Si facilitates the formation of beneficial metastable body-centred cubic (BCC) Al12(Fe, Mo)3Si phase, instead of more stable but detrimental intermetallic variants commonly observed in Al-Fe alloys. The as-built microstructures have excellent thermal stability, tested up to 200hours at 300 °C, because of low diffusivity of Fe and the formation of Zr shell. We find that for such supersaturated alloys, two issues are important, namely (a) the heterogeneous microstructures in the as-built condition, (b) the evolution of metastable precipitates during heating. We suggest that this type of approach help to guide sustainable alloy design via AM and other rapid solidification processes.

STUDY OF THE DIFFUSION LENGTH OF NONEQUILIBRIUM CHARGE CARRIERS IN CADMIUM TELLURIDE BASE LAYERS

Thin film samples of cadmium telluride were obtained using thermal vacuum evaporation to study the diffusion length of minority charge carriers. Initial state analysis was conducted through X-ray structural studies of cadmium telluride condensed on glass substrates. The analysis revealed two diffraction reflections corresponding to the crystallographic planes (111) and (333). Calculations showed that the sizes of coherent scattering regions were 93 nm and 56 nm, while microstrain values were determined as 11.6×10−3 and 4.8×10−3, respectively, for these planes. Electron diffraction studies identified the zone axis of the formed film structures as [110]. Additionally, twinning and forming a layered substructure within the cadmium telluride thin films were observed. Microscopic surface studies provided insights into the surface relief, measured at approximately 130 nm, and the polycrystalline grain size, determined to be 1 micrometer. The method of spectral dependence of small-signal surface photovoltage was employed to investigate the electrophysical properties of cadmium telluride thin films. The diffusion length of minority charge carriers was calculated to be 0.45 micrometers, which is half the size of the grain dimensions. Furthermore, the transmittance coefficient of cadmium telluride was examined in the wavelength range of 800–900 nm. The optical bandgap energy was 1.4 eV, slightly lower than the 1.5 eV observed for monocrystalline cadmium telluride. In conclusion, cadmium telluride film structures produced by thermal vacuum evaporation exhibit electrophysical and electrical parameters inferior to monocrystalline cadmium telluride. These characteristics, particularly the low diffusion length of minority carriers and short electrical signal decay times make such film structures suitable for use in devices requiring long-term stability under the influence of time, extreme temperatures, electric fields, and radiation.

Low Thermal Conductivity and Diffusivity at High Temperatures Using Stable High-Entropy Spinel Oxide Nanoparticles.

The realization of low thermal conductivity at high temperatures (0.11W m-1 K-1 800 °C) in ambient air in a porous solid thermal insulation material, using stable packed nanoparticles of high-entropy spinel oxide with 8 cations (HESO-8 NPs) with a relatively high packing density of ≈50%, is reported. The high-density HESO-8 NP pellets possess around 1000-fold lower thermal diffusivity than that of air, resulting in much slower heat propagation when subjected to a transient heat flux. The low thermal conductivity and diffusivity are realized by suppressing all three modes of heat transfer, namely solid conduction, gas conduction, and thermal radiation, via stable nanoconstriction and infrared-absorbing nature of the HESO-8 NPs, which are enabled by remarkable microstructural stability against coarsening at high temperatures due to the high entropy. This work can elucidate the design of the next-generation high-temperature thermal insulation materials using high-entropy ceramic nanostructures.

Enhanced Reduction of Carbon-Iron Ore Composite Briquettes under Varying Pressing Forces via Direct Microwave Heating

This study uses direct microwave heating to investigate the direct reduction process in carbon-iron ore composite briquettes under varying pressing forces. The composite briquettes, made from magnetite iron ore concentrate, anthracite coal, and bentonite as binder, were pressed at 1-ton, 2-ton, and 3-ton loads and then subjected to microwave irradiation. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were employed to analyze the phase composition and structural changes. The results show that the 1-ton briquettes exhibited predominantly metallic Fe with minor fayalite and FeO phases, whereas the 2-ton and 3-ton samples displayed increased fayalite formation. Notably, re-oxidation occurred in the 2-ton and 3-ton samples, as indicated by the presence of Fe₃O₄. The higher pressing forces caused reduced air permeability and lower CO diffusion efficiency, hindering the reduction process. These findings highlight the influence of compaction pressure on the reduction process and the potential of microwave heating as an energy-efficient alternative in ironmaking.

Calculation of Adsorbate Free Energy Using the Damping Function Method.

Adsorbate free energies are important parameters in surface chemistry and catalysis. Because of its simplicity, the harmonic oscillator (HO) model remains the most widely used method for calculating adsorbate free energy in many fields, including microkinetic modeling. However, it is well-known that the HO method is ineffective for weak adsorption. In this study, we propose a translational model with a diffusion barrier to calculate the state functions of near free translation. Furthermore, an effective mass is introduced in this model. To address hindered translation uniformly, a diffusion barrier-based damping function (DF) is proposed that effectively links the harmonic vibration and translation limits. Adsorbates are divided into three categories according to their adsorption strength and diffusion barrier height. Adsorbed hydrogen atoms have a strong binding energy and relatively high vibrational frequency but a low diffusion barrier. The HT and our proposed DF methods predict that the adsorbed hydrogen atoms behave as translation above room temperature, while the previous DF method predicts that they behave as vibration at any temperature. At last, the dehydrogenation reaction of propane on the Pt(111) surface was taken as an example to illustrate the influence of different methods on the thermodynamic functions.

Mini-strokes within Broca-caudate connections during left insular glioma awake surgery cause transient severe naming deficits.

To provide an explanation for the intraoperative onset of severe naming deficits in the course of awake resection of left insular glioma. We retrospectively reviewed a series of 14 patients operated on in awake conditions for a left insular IDH-mutated glioma. Preoperative MRI included high-resolution diffusion sequences, to which constrained spherical deconvolution pipeline was applied, to obtain a whole brain tractogram. Whole brain T1 parcellation was obtained by Freesurfer, allowing to dissect the tractogram and identify the connections between the caudate nucleus and Broca's area. Postoperative MRI standard diffusion the day after surgery was performed, allowing to delineate and register to the preoperative MRI any area of hyperintense diffusion with low apparent diffusion coefficient. The pathway between pars triangularis (resp. opercularis) and Broca's area were considered as damaged whenever more than 50% of streamlines were passing through the mini-strokes. Patients' language abilities (including a picture naming task) were assessed and reported before, during and after surgery by certified speech therapists. Severe postoperative naming deficits were defined as a score lower than 40/80 items. Contingency tables were analyzed with Fisher exact test (statistical significance set at 0.05). Out the 14 patients, 8 patients had a mini-stroke on the immediate postoperative MRI. None of the 6 patients without any stroke had postoperative naming severe deficits. Five out the 8 patients with a mini-stroke had a severe postoperative naming deficit, characterized by strong verbal perseverations. This difference was statistically significant (exact Fisher test, p = 0.03). For the five patients with a deficit, the mini-stroke damaged either the pars triangularis - caudate pathway or the pars opercularis - caudate pathway, whenever the pars triangularis was resected after negative cortical mapping. For the three patients without severe postoperative naming deficit, the mini-stroke spared the Broca-caudate pathway. All patients recovered quasi-normal naming abilities at the 4-month postoperative evaluation. The occurrence of mini-strokes within the connections between Broca's area and the caudate nucleus explains the sudden naming deficits observed intraoperatively in some patients during awake resection of IDH-mutated insular glioma. Further studies are needed to better predict such event and to assess its impact on other cognitive functions.

Self-Adhesive Elastic Conductive Ink with High Permeability and Low Diffusivity for Direct Printing of Universal Textile Electronics.

Elastic conductive ink (ECI) can effectively balance the electromechanical properties of printed flexible electronics. It remains challenging to realize ECIs for direct printing on deformable porous substrates with complex textures, such as textiles, to form continuous and stable electrical paths. We engineered a self-adhesive ECI with high permeability and low diffusivity, achieving efficient electrode printing on a wide range of textiles with material and structure diversity. The ECI consists of a microphase separation-toughened elastomer (styrene-isoprene-styrene/ethyl vinyl acetate (SIS-EVA)) and a binary conductive filler. SIS-EVA provides a tough framework to protect silver flakes (AgFKs) and forms a ductile conductive path, which can be electrically compensated by liquid metal microspheres (LMMSs) upon dynamic deformation. The freestanding ECI conductor demonstrates a breaking strain of ∼1305.5% and a conductivity of ∼5322.7 S cm-1. The ECI can be universally printed on diversified textiles free of pretreatment, with high permeability (319.2 μm) and low diffusivity (6.2 μm), demonstrating a stable printing line width of ∼216 μm on knitted cotton textiles, while maintaining electrical stability after 200 stretching cycles with 50% strain. Printed electronic textiles with stretchability, high abrasion resistance, and machine washability are demonstrated for wearable applications such as fabric electrodes, capacitive sensors, and electrocardiograph monitoring.

Be2B monolayer as a well-balanced performance anode for lithium-ion batteries with ultrahigh theoretical capacity and low diffusion barrier

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the most crucial part of energy storage systems. The lower molar weight of anodes can achieve a higher theoretical capacity. We explore the performance of a Be2B monolayer as an anode for LIBs. By first-principles calculations, we reveal that the Be2B monolayer shows excellent tensile strength, which suggests that it can deal with the volume expansion during the adsorption process. Furthermore, the Be2B monolayer can stably adsorb Li atoms with an adsorption energy of −0.98 eV. Moreover, the Be2B monolayer exhibits a low diffusion barrier (0.066 eV), an ultra-high theoretical capacity (3717 mA h g−1), and a moderate open circuit voltage (0.59 V). We also confirm the wettability of the Be2B monolayer in common electrolytes and investigate the adsorption and diffusion properties of Li on Be2B/graphene heterostructure. The introduction of graphene enhances the migration behavior of Li, suggesting the fast charging/discharging capability. Based on the above-mentioned properties, we propose that the Be2B monolayer can act as a high-performance anode material.

Long‐Durable Potassium Ion Batteries Enabled by Medium‐Entropy Lattice Engineering on Prussian Blue Analogues Cathodes

AbstractGiven their structural merits and electrochemical benefits, Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) hold great promise as cathode materials for potassium ion batteries (PIBs). However, these cathodes face formidable hurdles by structural failure and poor rate capability, primarily resulting from significant volumetric changes and sluggish kinetics during repeated intercalation/deintercalation of bulky K+ ions. Theoretically, the study reveals explicitly that quaternary medium‐entropy PBAs (Q‐ME‐PBAs), composed of Fe, Ni, Co, and Cu, demonstrate minimal lattice volume variations and low diffusion barriers during K+ ion interactions. This endows Q‐ME‐PBA with favorable ability to induce significant 3D lattice distortion, enabling the material to endure structural alterations during K+ ion movements and reinforce phase stability. Consequently, leveraging the structural and compositional advantages, the resultant Q‐ME‐PBAs cathode showcases exceptional cycling performance, maintaining over 90% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 0.25 C with a high initial coulombic efficiency of 94.4% and retaining 74.7% capacity even after an ultra‐long 10 000 cycles at 3.75 C over 147 days. Notably, full cells paired with hard carbon and graphite anodes show outstanding cycling stability and rate capability. This study charts fresh design directions for crafting high‐performance and durable cathodes through medium‐entropy lattice engineering for advanced PIBs.

Loss of pulmonary capillaries in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension with low diffusion capacity is accompanied by early diffuse emphysema detected by 129Xe MRI.

Recent studies suggest the existence of an idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) phenotype affecting mostly patients with a smoking history, characterised by low diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) without clinically significant emphysema. This study's objective was to test the hypothesis of a loss of pulmonary capillaries as an underlying mechanism by comparison to other patient groups with and without pulmonary hypertension (PH). Between March 2019 and June 2023, patients of four groups were recruited for this observational study: IPAH with preserved (1) and low DLCO (2), combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema with PH (3), and emphysema without PH (4). Patients underwent clinical CT and 129Xe MRI including dissolved-phase imaging yielding the ratio of 129Xe in red blood cells and membrane tissues (RBC-M), chemical shift saturation recovery for determining RBC fraction η and diffusion-weighted imaging yielding surface-volume ratio. Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. Twenty-nine participants were recruited, of which 22 (age 64 ± 10, 11 male, 5/5/7/5 for the individual groups) could be included in the analysis. RBC-M and η were reduced in IPAH with low versus preserved DLCO and emphysema groups (p ≤ 0.01). CT low-attenuation area percentage was not increased in IPAH with low DLCO compared to any group. 129Xe MRI-derived surface-volume ratio was reduced in IPAH with low versus preserved DLCO (p = 0.04). Results are consistent with a loss of pulmonary capillaries in patients with IPAH and low DLCO along with destruction of alveolar tissue, likely due to early diffuse emphysema. Question A loss of pulmonary capillaries has been suggested in patients with IPAH and low diffusion capacity without clinically significant emphysema on CT. Findings 129Xe uptake in red blood cells and lung surface-volume ratio were reduced in IPAH patients with low compared to preserved diffusion capacity. Clinical relevance This study furthers the understanding of the underlying pathological mechanisms in IPAH with low diffusion capacity, providing evidence that loss of pulmonary capillaries is accompanied by alveolar tissue destruction despite near-normal CT.