Surface Changes Research Articles

Conjunctival Histopathological Changes and Clinical Tear Film in Children with Atopic Dermatitis.

Evaluation of changes in the ocular surfaces in children with a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD). Thirty-six children with a diagnosis of AD (Eye-AD group) and 40 healthy subjects (Eye-HS group) were enrolled in this prospective case-control study. Tear film break-up time (T-BUT), Schirmer tear test (STT), conjunctival impression cytology (CIC), tear meniscus height (TMH), tear meniscus area (TMA), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were measured. The participants were similar in terms of demographic characteristics, such as mean age and gender (p > 0.05). The mean T-BUT was 9.3 ± 2.22 s (5 - 16) in the Eye-AD group and 11.83 ± 2.03 s (7 - 16) in the Eye-HS group. The mean STT was 11.12 ± 3.28 mm (5 - 21) in the Eye-AD group and 15.44 ± 3.8 mm (8 - 20) in the Eye-HS group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The mean OSDI scores were 13.12 ± 1.41 (10 - 15) in the Eye-AD group and 13.97 ± 2.93 (8 - 20) in the Eye-HS group (p = 0.052). Mean TMH and TMA were 306.48 ± 7.29 µm and 0.22 ± 0.004 mm2, respectively, in the Eye-AD group, and 312.94 ± 5.31 µm and 0.027 ± 0.005 mm2, respectively, in the Eye-HS group. In the CIC analyses, 22 of the samples in the Eye-AD group and 35 in the Eye-HS group had a classification of grade 0, 10 in the Eye-AD group and 5 in the Eye-HS group had a classification of grade 1, and 4 in the Eye-AD group and none in the Eye-HS group had a classification of grade 2 (p = 0.015). Pediatric patients with AD may have significant changes in conjunctival histopathology. These changes can be manifested in the tests used to measure the tear film. Dry eye was shown to be present in the majority of children with AD.

Exploration of DNA nucleotide adsorption on GeTe monolayer through DFT analysis

DNA nucleobase sensors provide crucial information for diagnosing diseases, analyzing genetics, and advancing biological research by detecting and identifying DNA sequences in real-time. This research examined how GeTe monolayer interact with DNA nucleobases through adsorption. The adsorption strengths of the four bases on the adsorbent surface followed the order of G > C > T > A. Analysis of electronic properties indicated that the interaction between nucleobases and GeTe primarily involves physical adsorption. Additionally, higher adsorption energies led to greater rearrangement of surface electrons and changes in the adsorbent's potential barrier, resulting in significant variations in the work function (WF) value. The desorption times at 498K were A (0.02 h), G (15.8 h), C (0.72 h), and T (0.43 h), indicating the potential of GeTe as a reusable material for nucleobase sensors. We can amplify the adsorption strength (30 %–45 %) and improve the discrimination between nucleobases (208 %–808 %) by employing solvents possessing higher dielectric constants. Comparisons with recent research validated the superior adsorption performance and selectivity of the material used in this study, highlighting the promising application of the GeTe monolayer in nucleobase sequencing technology.

Investigating the effect of gliding discharge plasma on polystyrene and Polyamide6 by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy

Polymers are widely used today and the changes in their properties are investigated by different methods such as plasma irradiation. One of the most important methods for modifying polymers is cold plasma, by which the surface properties of the polymers can be changed under atmospheric pressure. In this study, the effect of plasma on Polystyrene (PS) and Polyamide 6 (PA6) samples was investigated. Surface and depth changes of the PS and PA6 have been investigated by various experimental techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Contact Angle (CA), and Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS). The results of Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR)-FTIR show that the chemical bonds of PA6 have been changed, and preserved in PS in the depths. The XRD results show that there are no volume changes for chemical bands. The FESEM analysis results reveal that the plasma causes digging and creates roughness on the surface. The CA measurement confirms the FESEM results and points out an increase in hydrophobicity after plasma processing. The PALS results indicate that the free volumes of the matter are changed after plasma irradiation in the depths of PS and PA6. In addition, the plasma also causes changes in the micrometer depth.

Effects of online marketplace-sourced over-the-counter tooth whitening products on the colour, microhardness, and surface topography of enamel: an in vitro study

ObjectivesThis study compared the whitening effect, microhardness, and enamel surface alterations of over-the-counter (OTC) tooth bleaching products with those of a dentist-prescribed at-home bleaching agent.Materials and methodsThe products available on a popular online marketplace were comprehensively searched and then rated using a specific formula. The effects of the lowest-rated OTC agent (LRA) and the highest-rated OTC agent (HRA) were compared with those of a dentist-prescribed bleaching agent (DPA) on the enamel of extracted human teeth. The bleaching efficacy, post-bleaching microhardness changes, and morphological alterations were assessed by spectrophotometric analysis, Vickers hardness testing, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and post hoc tests, maintaining a significance level of P < 0.05.ResultsThe search of the online marketplace revealed 15 products. The LRA (Teeth Whitening Serum Gel, GEN, China) and the HRA (Bright White-Lovely Smile Premium Teeth Whitening strips, Ray of Smile, USA) were identified on the basis of their ranking. DPA resulted in significantly better tooth whitening than did LRA. The enamel microhardness was lower in the LRA treatment group (14.2%) than in the control and HRA treatment groups (8.84% and 7.26%, respectively). LRA also caused severe topographical alterations to the enamel.ConclusionCompared with the poorly rated product, the dentist-prescribed tooth bleaching product resulted in greater colour improvement, less microhardness reduction, and surface changes. The highest-rated product was comparable with the dentist-prescribed agent in this study.

Clinical, Dermoscopic, and Molecular Features of Acantholytic Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review.

Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma (aSCC) is a rare clinicopathological subtype of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for approximately 4.9% of all SCC cases. However, there are currently no standardized criteria for the diagnosis of aSCC. This systematic review is the first to summarize the clinical and molecular features of aSCC. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, Scopus, and PubMed was performed. All articles in English or French were included, with no restriction of publication date. All articles with original data pertaining to clinical or molecular characteristics of aSCC were included. Two reviewers screened articles and resolved conflicts. Our systematic review included 52 studies on the clinical and molecular features of aSCC, including a total of 482 patients (76% male, mean age at diagnosis 68.9 years): 430 cases assessed clinical features, while 149 cases assessed molecular features. The most common location of aSCC was the head and neck (n = 329/430; 76.5%). In terms of morphology, most lesions were described as nodules (n = 93/430, 21.6%), with common surface changes being hyperkeratosis (n = 6), erosion (n = 6), ulceration (n = 5), and crusting (n = 3). With regard to dermoscopy, only six cases were noted in the literature, including findings such as ulceration (n = 3), keratin clots (n = 2), and erosions (n = 2). Thirty-four studies discussed the molecular markers of aSCC, with the most prevalent markers being cytokeratins. CD15 negativity was noted in 23 cases, while common endothelial vascular markers such as CD34 (n = 16), CD31 (n = 15), factor VIII-related antigen (n = 10), and ERG (n = 1) were often not expressed. Finally, expression of intracellular adhesion molecules (i.e., E-cadherin, CD138) was markedly decreased compared to non-acantholytic invasive SCC. This systematic review summarizes the clinical characteristics and molecular features of aSCC. As clinical differentiation can be difficult, clinicopathological correlation with molecular markers may help ensure proper diagnosis.

Suppression effect of CO2 on ignition and combustion of AlH3-nanoparticles: A molecular dynamics study

AlH3 is a high-capacity hydrogen storage material but is prone to explosion. Thermodynamic and structural properties of AlH3-nanoparticles at different CO2 inerting systems from ignition to combustion are studied using ReaxFF-MD method. The influence of CO2 on AlH3-nanoparticles ignition and combustion is investigated by comparing the changes of surface O adsorption rates, particle charge, temperature rise rates and so on. Results indicate that an increase in CO2 is crucial for suppressing AlH3-nanoparticles ignition and combustion by impeding the formation of an Al-rich environment. In contrast to three stages of AlH3-nanoparticles combustion in pure O2 system: surface combustion, slow temperature rise, and self-sustaining combustion, the process of CO2 inerting system is different, with third stage is slow temperature rise at a constant rate. When CO2 concentration reaches to 90%, the dehydrogenation rate reduces by 70.0%, the temperature rise rate decreases by 78.6%, and the ignition delay time reaches 45 ps.

3D surface change detection of slope using 3D point cloud based on construction of double surface

Aiming at the complex geological conditions of slopes and the difficulty of manual investigation, this paper proposes a method of constructing double surface based on 3D point cloud data to estimate the depth of slope deformation and disaster analysis. Terrestrial Laser Scanner is utilized to collect the slope point cloud data. Through the construction of double surface to simulate the original slope, the deformation depth is estimated and the depth data are fused into the point cloud to realize the automatic identification of slope deformation disaster and the calculation of deformation depth, and provide the deformation depth map. The shortcomings of the traditional Multiscale Model and Model Point Cloud Comparison (M3C2) algorithm, which needs to capture multiple time periods of point cloud data for calculation can be overcome. And there is no need to recognize the segmentation of the slope point cloud. The study results show that the maximum relative error of slope deformation is 10.82% in slope deformation. The proposed method is suitable for detecting slope hazards in various scenarios, providing a basis for further analysis and the development of effective erosion control measures. It introduces a new technology for daily monitoring of slope deformations and can be extended to drone-based LiDAR applications.

Feasibility and Structural Transformation of Electrodeposited Copper Foils for Graphene Synthesis by Plasma‐Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition: Implications for High‐Frequency Applications

AbstractLarge‐area graphene is typically synthesized on rolled‐annealed copper foils, which require transferring to other substrates for applications. This study examines large‐area graphene growth on electrodeposited (ED) copper foils—used in lithium‐ion batteries and printed circuit boards—via plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). It reveals that, for a set plasma power, a minimum growth time ensures full graphene coverage, leading to monolayer and then multilayer graphene, showing PECVD growth on ED copper is not self‐limited. The process also beneficially modifies the ED copper substrate, like removing the surface zinc layer and changing copper grain size and orientation, thus improving graphene growth. Additionally, the study includes high‐frequency scattering parameter (S‐parameter) measurements in a coplanar waveguide (CPW) system. This involves graphene on a sapphire substrate with a silver electrode. The S‐parameter data indicate that the CPW with graphene shows reduced insertion losses in high‐frequency circuits compared to those without graphene. This underscores graphene's role in reducing insertion losses between metallic and dielectric layers in high‐frequency settings, offering valuable insights for industrial and technological applications.

Reducing oil and grease on-site in real offshore oilfield-produced water through feasible adsorption-desorption cycling

Although produced water treatment is witnessing an increasing demand worldwide, conventional treatments are limited, marginally aiming at water-soluble pollutants. Here, we develop a cycling adsorption process, targeting water-soluble compounds and mapping the conditions to yield oils and grease content in real water matrix below the legislation requirements, allowing full adsorbent reuse through a feasible offshore route. The adsorption performance was evaluated in terms of pH, adsorbent concentration, and contact time, while the desorption performance was assessed in terms of eluent type, concentration, and contact time. The polymeric resin MN 202 presents an excellent ability to remove oil and grease from the real produced water matrix, and acid pHs favored the process. The adsorption equilibrium is reached after 12 h, with an oil and grease removal of 92 % at pH 5, presenting multilayer adsorption during the process, with an influence of external diffusion governed by hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. In the desorption process, CH3O− species, originated by NaOH's solubilization in methanol, enables complete adsorbent regeneration in 2 h. The adsorption-desorption cycling is stable, and the adsorbent microstructure assessment indicates no significant changes in the resin surface due to adsorption-desorption runs.

The effects of beverage erosion on enamel: evaluating surface characteristics and loss of calcium and phosphate ions

BackgroundThe erosive impacts of various beverages on dental enamel have been identified as a potential erosive threat to dental hard tissues. This in vitro study aimed to address this by utilizing a systematic approach and advanced analytical methods to study enamel erosion due to selected beverages in a simulated oral environment.MethodsForty-nine extracted sound second premolar teeth were collected, disinfected, and prepared. These teeth were randomly allocated into seven groups, each exposed to a different beverage: distilled water, mineral water, instant coffee, black tea, Pepsi-Cola, orange juice, and synthetic vinegar. The modified Nordini Artificial Model (mNAM) was used to simulate the oral cavity. The enamel surfaces were scanned using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and analyzed using Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). Surface hardness was measured using the Knoop Hardness Scale. Statistical analysis was conducted using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.ResultsDistilled water and mineral water exhibited no significant changes in enamel surface or hardness. Coffee caused an 8–9% loss of calcium and phosphate, indicating potential erosion. Black tea showed signs of remineralization rather than demineralization. Pepsi-Cola and orange juice caused substantial erosion, with Pepsi-Cola resulting in a nearly 24% loss of calcium. Vinegar had a marked erosive effect, with a 17% loss of both calcium and phosphate. SEM images corroborated these findings, showing pronounced enamel prisms and increased visibility of minor cracks in post-treatment teeth. EDS analysis revealed significant changes in the elemental composition of the enamel.ConclusionsThis study categorised beverages based on their pH and fluoride content, revealing that drinks like Pepsi-Cola and orange juice are acidic but low in fluoride, whereas black tea, mineral water, and vinegar are acidic yet contain fluoride. The study suggests that the decrease in pH of acidic beverages may contribute to dental erosion, with fluoride as a mitigating factor. Among the various metrics assessed for evaluating dental erosion, hardness emerged as the most reliable quantitative parameter.

Electronically Controlled Broadband Terahertz Amplitude Modulator Based on Ionic Liquid/PEDOT:PSS:DMSO Composite Structure

Electronically controlled modulation devices operating in the terahertz (THz) band offer a crucial foundation for the integration and minimization of THz systems. In this work, we offer a broadband THz amplitude modulator that can be electrically controlled. The modulator is based on a composite structure made of ionic liquid and polymer mixture poly (3-ethoxythiophenyl): poly (4-phenylsulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS: DMSO). By applying merely +4 V excitation and -4 V turn-off voltage, a 40% amplitude modulation depth may be produced in the frequency region of 0.1-1.5 THz due to the joint action of electrons in the polymer and ions in the ionic liquid. The measurement of the resistance change of the polymer surface provides an explanation and confirmation of the mechanism of polymer action in this occurrence. This work provides a material selection for a simple preparation, inexpensive, and effective modulation of THz amplitude for an ionic liquid gate electronic controlled THz modulator. It is also expected that this work can be helpful for the miniaturization and integration development of THz modulators.

Harnessing Machine Learning Algorithms to Model the Association between Land Use/Land Cover Change and Heatwave Dynamics for Enhanced Environmental Management

As we navigate the fast-paced era of urban expansion, the integration of machine learning (ML) and remote sensing (RS) has become a cornerstone in environmental management. This research, focusing on Silchar City, a non-attainment city under the National Clean Air Program (NCAP), leverages these advanced technologies to understand the urban microclimate and its implications on the health, resilience, and sustainability of the built environment. The rise in land surface temperature (LST) and changes in land use and land cover (LULC) have been identified as key contributors to thermal dynamics, particularly focusing on the development of urban heat islands (UHIs). The Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI) can assess the influence of UHIs, which is considered a parameter for ecological quality assessment. This research examines the interlinkages among urban expansion, LST, and thermal dynamics in Silchar City due to a substantial rise in air temperature, poor air quality, and particulate matter PM2.5. Using Landsat satellite imagery, LULC maps were derived for 2000, 2010, and 2020 by applying a supervised classification approach. LST was calculated by converting thermal band spectral radiance into brightness temperature. We utilized Cellular Automata (CA) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to project potential scenarios up to the year 2040. Over the two-decade period from 2000 to 2020, we observed a 21% expansion in built-up areas, primarily at the expense of vegetation and agricultural lands. This land transformation contributed to increased LST, with over 10% of the area exceeding 25 °C in 2020 compared with just 1% in 2000. The CA model predicts built-up areas will grow by an additional 26% by 2040, causing LST to rise by 4 °C. The UTFVI analysis reveals declining thermal comfort, with the worst affected zone projected to expand by 7 km2. The increase in PM2.5 and aerosol optical depth over the past two decades further indicates deteriorating air quality. This study underscores the potential of ML and RS in environmental management, providing valuable insights into urban expansion, thermal dynamics, and air quality that can guide policy formulation for sustainable urban planning.

Direct Observation of Reversible Surface Potential in Pseudocapacitive Electrochromic Films by Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

High-resolution topography and local potential images together are very powerful tools for understanding the local environment of nanomaterials. In electrochemistry, there are significant changes within the electrode materials upon charging and discharging. However, the surface changes for pseudocapacitive materials in repetitive electrochemical cycling are easily being overlooked. Thanks to the advances in Atomic Force Microscopy, it becomes feasible to visualize the electrical changes in surface upon charge transfer with Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) equipped with a conductive tip. We report the KPFM surface potential images and profiles of NiO electrochromic films upon bleaching (charging) and coloration (discharging). The measured surface potential is about 60 times higher in bleaching state upon charging at 20mC/cm2. What is interesting is that the potential profile shows identical topographic features with the height profile of surface morphology. The surface particles further demonstrate shape entanglement in one direction (from ~100nm to ~140nm) and shrinkage in the orthogonal direction, suggesting the charge-induced electrical stress. According to the pseudocapacitive features in the cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the surface-dominant redox behavior is within expectation. Though, this dynamic surface potential change is not well studied but important, and associated with work function fluctuations and various kinds of nanoscale charge-sensitive properties, especially for efficient electrochromic supercapacitor energy storage.

(Invited) In Situ Study of Catalyst Structural Evolution during CO2 Electroreduction by Development of Electrochemical Liquid Cell TEM

The electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) has attracted significant interest of study in the exploration of sustainable energy and environment. Cu-based materials have demonstrated the capability of converting CO2 to multi-carbon products with high catalytic activity and low cost. Since the performance of heterogenous catalysts is highly susceptible to the catalyst structural changes, unveiling the structure and catalytic active sites during reactions is crucial to the understanding of catalytic mechanisms. Although lots of efforts have been made, it remains a challenge to directly image the atomic structure of a working catalyst in liquid electrolytes due to technical difficulties. Here, I will show our development of in-situ electrochemical liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the study of Cu catalysts during electrocatalytic CO2RR. The novel electrochemical liquid cell allows unprecedented atomic imaging of the catalyst evolution during electrochemical reactions. Our observations reveal that the Cu catalyst-electrolyte interaction under an applied potential (-1.1 v) leads to structural changes of Cu catalyst surfaces. Intermediate structure dynamics have been captured. The propagations and transformations of intermediates result in atomically rough Cu crystal surfaces. The intermediates are further found mediating the mass loss of Cu. Control experiments demonstrate the intermediates can be utilized for enhanced carbon-carbon coupling and the formation of two carbon products. Insights gained from this study are not only valuable to designing novel catalysts, but also useful for understanding of electrified solid-liquid interfaces in general.

Effects of natural environments on drug contents in nails: comparison of drug residual rates between nails and hair to determine the drug-use history of corpses in unnatural death cases using micro-segmental analysis.

We previously developed evaluation methods using micro-segmental analysis (MSA) to examine the effects of external environments on drug content in hair and nails. In this study, the effects of the natural environmental factors (water, temperature, humidity, light, and soil) on drug contents in nails were examined and compared with our previous experimental data on hair. Four hay-fever medicines were used as model drugs (fexofenadine, epinastine, cetirizine, and desloratadine) to evaluate drug stability in the nails. Reference nails containing the four medicines were collected from patients with hay fever who ingested the medicines daily for four months. The nails were exposed to various natural environments for up to four months. The effects of temperature, humidity, and light on drug contents in the nails were comparatively small. Soil significantly decomposed the nail surfaces and decreased the drug content of the nails (up to 17%). Water also decreased the drug content (up to 12%), although no apparent changes in nail surfaces were observed. In comparison with hair data obtained under the same environmental conditions, light affected drugs in the hair rather than in nails, whereas water and soil greatly affected drugs in the nails rather than in hair. Although the disposition of drugs incorporated in the tissues differed between nails and hair, the analytes were detected in nails and hair strands left in severe natural environments. MSA could be useful for estimating drug-use histories and personal profiles using the nails and hair of a corpse.

(Invited) Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Functionalization Strategies for Monitoring Enzymatic Activity and Inhibition

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) fluoresce in the near-infrared range, which overlaps with the transparency window of biological samples, and they do not photobleach or blink. Moreover, they benefit from biocompatibility and the large surface area available for functionalization. Using tailored surface functionalization, SWCNTs can be rendered optical nanosensors, such that surface binding events or changes in the local proximity of the nanotubes translate to a modulation of the emitted fluorescence. This approach was successfully used to demonstrate the detection of small molecules, volatiles, bacteria, microRNA, proteins, metals, self-assembly processes, and active processes in vivo. We will discuss different strategies for monitoring enzymatic activity and inhibition using SWCNT-based sensors, including the incorporation of the enzyme’s target bond within a synthetic molecular complex used for suspending the SWCNTs, or by the detection of the product of the enzyme hydrolytic activity. We will also highlight recent applications of these techniques in clinically relevant samples. These findings not only showcase the potential of near-infrared fluorescent SWCNT in tracking enzymatic activity but also underscore their promising role in advancing biomedical research and applications.

Improvement of the Evaluation of Seismic Risk in Fault Areas by Lidar-Derived Geophysical Data

This study aimed to improve the methods of assessing seismic risk in fault zones based on lidar data in geophysics. The research highlighted this by comparing the newly developed fault maps with the usual methods of fault mapping and how lidar technology developed high-resolution 3D mapping. We conducted mobile and terrestrial LIDAR surveys to produce DEMs and study the attributes of the fault zones. The technique involved mobile lidar systems with different specifications of emitted transmission rate: 45 000 m/s to 52, 100m/s pulse repetition: 190, 000 Hz–220, 000 Hz; and point density: 10223 points/m2 to 14567 points/m2. Terrestrial lidar surveys used scanner heights of 1. 500-1. 700m and obtained the horizontal and vertical sampling density, ranging from 240,456 to 315,678 points per square meter. We used LAStools, Arc GIS, and QISIS software to filter, classify, and visualize the data processing. e applied interpolation techniques such as IDW, Kriging, Spline, and Natural Neighbors to generate DEMs. Research outcomes identified 15 different fault segments with lengths varying from 10. 000-20. 000 km, along with maximum displacements of 0. 987-4. 567 m, and average slip rates of 3. 456-7. 890 mm/year. The most extended fault segment altogether was FS05, which was 20. 000 km with a maximum bidding distance of 4. 567 m and a 7. 890 mm/year slip rate. We discovered that the proposed method successfully filtered out noise points from lidar data, with the noise points varying between 0.111-0.266 million. We created DEMs with vertical rms errors ranging from 0.045-0.050 m. The study revealed that lidar technology offers accurate and dense geospatial data, essential for discriminating between fault zones. This approach dramatically improves seismic hazard analysis and the identification of the best ways to minimize risks. These are increasing lidar surveys in other seismically active regions, using multiple data sources for analysis, and deploying constant surveys in high-risk fault line regions to increase consistency in detecting surface changes and tectonic activity.

Role of Strong Sea Surface Temperature Diurnal Variation in Triggering the Summer Monsoon Onset Over the Bay of Bengal in a Climate Model

AbstractThe earliest Asian summer monsoon onset (SMO) occurs in the Bay of Bengal (BoB), heralding the coming of the rainy season. In late April or early May, the strong sea surface temperature (SST) diurnal variation accompanied by ocean surface warming triggers the SMO. However, this observed diurnal cycle intensity cannot be reasonably simulated by state‐of‐the‐art climate models, resulting in a spurious delayed SMO. To address this issue, the SST diurnal cycle parameterized by a diagnostic sublayer scheme was incorporated into a climate model named FIO‐ESM v2.0. The large diurnal amplitude of SST contributes to surface warming and changes atmospheric circulation. Consequently, the high‐pressure anomaly at high levels and an inverted trough at low levels promote more convective activity, triggering an earlier SMO. Our findings improve the ability of climate models in simulating the evolution of the Asian monsoon system.

Spiky tubular nanoparticles with low protein corona can realize efficient and non-destructive penetration through endothelial barrier

Upon intravascular applications, i.e., cancer treatment, nanoparticles (NPs) are required to deliver through blood circulation, sustain serum protein interactions, before they penetrate the blood vessels and reach targeted sites for payload drug release. For a delivery process as such, it is elusive and difficult to comprehend the morphological change of NP surface and evaluate associated effects on its targeted delivery. Herein, we used silica NPs with different surface modifications to demonstrate the morphological impact of NPs during the application of the NP-blood protein interaction, vascular endothelial cell penetration, subsequent targeted delivery and photodynamic therapy efficacy, and pursue high drug-load NPs with surface designs. Compared to solid and mesoporous NPs, we found the spiky tubular NPs reserved the NPs' antifouling properties (or shedding of “protein corona”), promoted better endothelial penetration and less destruction in vitro and in vivo. Such effects could be attributed to their spiky surface structures, which can limit the NP-protein interaction area and promote the NP-protein steric hindrance. Further in molecular simulations, we determined that the spiky tubular morphological modification on NPs enhanced the interaction free energy and lowered the amino acids number and the subsequent frequency in contacting with VE-cadherin of vascular endothelia. As a result, the spiky tubular NPs demonstrated its advantages in mitigating damages to VE-cadherin stability and endothelial cell integrity. Exploiting such spiky tubular surface modification, we can improve the NP delivery efficiency and prohibit the leakiness of vascular endothelia, helping address challenges faced by tumor migration in nanomedicine applications for cancer therapy.

Microscopic and Color Changes in Direct Dental Restorative Composite Resins upon Immersion in Beverages: Characterization by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS).

This study aimed to evaluate the staining sensitivity and surface changes in recent composite resins (Herculite Ultra XRV (Kerr, Bolzano, Italy), G-ænial A'CHORD (GC Corp, Tokyo, Japan), and Omnichroma (Yamaguchi, Japan)) when exposed to common beverages such as coffee, red wine, and Coca-Cola. A total of 60 disk-shaped specimens were prepared from three different resin composites (n = 20 each). The specimens were exposed to coffee, red wine, and Coca-Cola for 10 days. Color measurements were taken using a spectrophotometer, and surface morphology and elemental composition were analyzed using SEM and EDS. The SEM and EDS analyses revealed significant changes in the surface morphology and elemental composition of the composites after immersion. Coffee and wine caused significant surface degradation, whereas Coca-Cola resulted in the greatest degree of surface and elemental variations. Color changes (ΔE = 4 ± 0.52) were most notable in Coca-Cola for Herculite Ultra XRV (Kerr, Italy), in red wine for G-ænial A'CHORD (GC Corp, Japan) (ΔE = 12.51 ± 0.38), and in coffee for Omnichroma (Yamaguchi, Japan) (ΔE = 10.85 ± 1.03). The tested beverages significantly affected both the surface condition and the chemical composition of the resin at the surface level. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the effects of common dietary beverages on dental composites.