The Role of N-Doped Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes in Achieving Highly Efficient Polymer Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells

Lu, Luyao,Xu, Tao,Chen, Wei,Lee, Ju Min,Luo, Zhiqiang,Jung, In Hwan,Park, Hyung Il,Kim, Sang Ouk,Yu, Luping American Chemical Society 2013 NANO LETTERS Vol.13 No.6

<P>This paper reports an improved solar cell performance of 8.6% by incorporation of N-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (N-MCNTs) into BHJ solar cells composed of PTB7 and PC<SUB>71</SUB>BM. It was demonstrated for the first time that incorporation of N-MCNTs leads to not only increased nanocrystallite sizes but also smaller phase-separated domain sizes of both PTB7 copolymers and PC<SUB>71</SUB>BM from X-ray scattering study. The results show that N-MCNTs could serve as both exciton dissociation centers and charge transfer channels. The enhanced charge dissociation probabilities and effective charge carrier lifetime in the active layer material offer evidence to support the conclusion that N-MCNTs facilitated charge separation and transport.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/nalefd/2013/nalefd.2013.13.issue-6/nl304533j/production/images/medium/nl-2012-04533j_0006.gif'></P><P><A href='http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/nl304533j'>ACS Electronic Supporting Info</A></P>

Micromechanical analysis of the tensile deformation behavior for 3D printed unidirectional continuous fiber reinforced thermos-plastic composites

Jiuru Lu,Luyao Xu,Jun Hu 대한기계학회 2020 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.34 No.12

The aim of this study is to analysis the tensile deformation behavior of 3D printed unidirectional continuous fiber reinforced thermos-plastic composites (UD-CFRTP). Tensile experiments were performed to obtain the deformation curves and tensile properties of composites specimens. It is found that the reinforcement fiber bundles of specimens bearing the load non-synchronously. Meanwhile, with the fiber content change, the deformation form could be different. An improved micromechanical model was proposed to investigate the influence of non-synchronous phenomenon and fiber content on the deformation behavior. The fiber content is measured by the number of reinforcement fiber bundles instead of fiber volume fraction in this model. Based on this model, the deformation behavior and tensile properties of test specimens with different fiber bundles number were analyzed in detail. The analytical results about deformation behavior and tensile properties show a good agreement with experiment results.

The synergistic attractiveness effect of plant volatiles to sex pheromones in a moth

Yulei Fang,Rui Zeng,Shufang Lu,Luyao Dai,Xinlong Wan 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.1

The effects of plant-derived chemicals (volatiles) on the attraction of the Spodoptera litura moth to sex pheromoneswere evaluated using an electroantennogram (EAG). Neuronal responses of male moths to sex pheromonemixtures (SPs) (a 9:1 mixture of synthetic (9Z,11E)-9,11-tetraddecadienyl acetate (Z9E11-14:OAc) and(9Z,12E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (Z9E12-14:OAc)) and to SPs mixtures with eight plant volatiles (benzaldehyde,(E)-β-caryophyllene, phenylacetaldehyde, 2,6-nonadienal, benzyl alcohol, racemic linalool, longifolene,and (E)-β-ocimene) were also measured. Then, wind tunnels and field trapping bioassays were conducted todetermine the influence of plant volatiles on S. litura moth behavioral responses to SPs. The results indicated thatbenzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, and benzyl alcohol significantly enhanced, and longifolene, (E)-β-caryophyllene,and (E)-β-ocimene had no significant effect on the attractions to SPs, whereas racemic linaloolsignificantly decreased the attraction of male S. litura moths to SPs throughout the olfactory pathway. 2,6-Nonadienal significantly enhanced olfactory responses, but had no significant effect on output behavior. Thesefindings provide foundations in utilization of plant volatiles and sex pheromones to manage the pest and otheragricultural pests.

Rational Design and Development of Conjugated Polymers for High Performance Organic Solar Cells

Hae Jung Son,Bridget Carsten,Luyao Lu,Brian S. Rolczynski,Jodi M. Szarko,Lin X. Chen,Luping Yu 한국고분자학회 2012 한국고분자학회 학술대회 연구논문 초록집 Vol.2012 No.10

A comparative study on analgesic and non-analgesic outcomes of inter pleural analgesia compared to thoracic epidural analgesia in open pancreatico-duodenectomy

Lu Yao,Niroshini Rajaretnam,Natalie Smith,Lisa Massey,Somaiah Aroori Korean Association of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Su 2022 Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery Vol.26 No.3

Backgrounds/Aims: Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is an established analgesic method in open Kausch-Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy (KWPD). Although, it can cause hemodynamic instability and neurological complications. Inter pleural analgesia (IPA) is an alternative option. We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of IPA versus TEA after KWPD. Methods: We retrospectively studied the efficacy of IPA against TEA in patients, operated by a single surgeon. The primary outcome was the analgesic efficacy and secondary outcomes were analgesia-related complications, inotrope use, and duration. Results: Forty patients (TEA, 22; IPA, 18) were included. Both groups were well matched for patient characteristics, type, and duration of surgery. TEA was associated with higher analgesia-related complications (n = 8, 36.4% vs. n = 1, 5.6%; p = 0.027). TEA complications included analgesia not working (n = 4), leakage (n = 2), refractory hemodynamic instability (n = 1), and lower limb anaesthesia (n = 1). One patient in the IPA group encountered leakage. TEA was associated with longer inotrope requirement (35 vs. 18 hours; p = 0.047). There was no significant difference in intensive care unit (ITU) admission rate (81.8% vs. 77.8%; p > 0.999), median ITU stay (3 vs. 2 days, p = 0.385), or hospital stay (11 days in both groups). Conclusions: In open KWPD, IPA is not inferior to TEA in its efficacy of pain control. IPA was associated with less analgesia-related complications and shorter inotrope requirements. However, this was a small retrospective study. Larger randomized controlled trials are needed to study the effectiveness of IPA.

Numerical Investigation on the Ultimate Compression Behavior of Un-strengthened and CFRP-strengthened Steel Tube with Random Pitting Corrosion Damage

Lu Yao,Shaofeng Zhang,Hang Yu,Jiajing Xu,Xiaojian Cao,Yan Ma 대한토목학회 2022 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.26 No.11

This paper mainly numerically investigates the ultimate compression strength of un-strengthened and CFRP-strengthened steel tubes with random pitting corrosion damage. First, a developed numerical method for steel tubes with random corroded pits is introduced in detail. The accuracy of a similar numerical method is verified through the corresponding experimental measurement and numerical prediction. Then, the ultimate axial compression behavior of steel tubes with random elliptical corroded pits is numerically investigated. Several influencing factors on the ultimate strength of corroded steel tubes under axial compression load are simulated and compared, including different random distributions, region size of corroded pits, number of pits, and depth of pits. Subsequently, the method for strengthening steel tubes by using CFRPs is studied and conducted on the corroded regions of steel tubes. The reliability of steel tubes strengthened by FRP is validated through experimental and numerical results. Finally, the residual compression performance and progressive damage mechanisms of CFRP-strengthened steel tubes are researched. The different parametric influences on the strengthened performance of FRPs are simulated, including layer direction, number of composite layers, and composite materials. The results demonstrate that FRP can improve the axial compression resistance of corroded steel tubes.

Imbalance of Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Esophageal Achalasia

Lu Yao,Zuqiang Liu,Weifeng Chen,Jiaqi Xu,Xiaoyue Xu,Jiaxin Xu,Liyun Ma,Xiaoqing Li,Quanlin Li,Pinghong Zhou 대한소화기 기능성질환∙운동학회 2023 Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility (JNM Vol.29 No.4

Background/AimsPrevious studies reveal that immune-mediated neuroinflammation plays a key role in the etiology of esophageal achalasia. However, the understanding of leucocyte phenotype and proportion is limited. This study aim to evaluate the phenotypes of leukocytes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells transcriptomes in esophageal achalasia. MethodsWe performed high-dimensional flow cytometry to identified subsets of peripheral leukocytes, and further validated in lower esophageal sphincter histologically. RNA sequencing was applied to investigate the transcriptional changes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with achalasia. Cell-type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT) was used for estimating the immune cell types. A differential gene expression analysis was performed and the differential expressed genes were subjected to gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes network, protein-protein interaction network construction. ResultsAn imbalance between innate and adaptive immune cells occurred in achalasia. Specifically, neutrophils and CD8+ T cells increased both in peripheral blood and lower esophageal sphincter in achalasia. Eosinophils decreased in peripheral blood but massively infiltrated in lower esophageal sphincter. CIBERSORT analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells RNA sequencing displayed an increased prevalence of CD8+ T cells. 170 dysregulated genes were identified in achalasia, which were enriched in immune cells migration, immune response, etc. Proton pump inhibitor analysis revealed the intersections and gained 7 hub genes in achalasia, which were IL-6, Toll-like receptor 2, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor, complement C3, and complement C1q A chain. ConclusionPatients with achalasia exhibited an imbalance of systematic innate and adaptive immunity, which may play an important role in the development of achalasia.

Incidental double duct sign: Should we be worried? Results from a long-term follow-up study

Lu Yao,Hoda Amar,Somaiah Aroori 한국간담췌외과학회 2024 Annals of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery Vol.28 No.1

Backgrounds/Aims: Double duct sign (DDS) (dilated common bile and pancreatic duct) is synonymous with pancreatic head/ peri-ampullary tumor (PHPAT). There is limited evidence on whether incidental DDS (I-DDS) is associated with an increased risk of malignancy. This study aimed to evaluate 5-year outcomes of I-DDS. Methods: Patients were categorized according to their risk of malignancy. ‘Low-risk’ patients, including those with I-DDS between 2010 and 2015, were analyzed in this study. The primary outcome was incidence of PHPAT within five years of identification of DDS. Histology results from endoscopic ultrasound-guided biopsy were considered diagnostic. Secondary outcomes were incidence of benign causes, extent of follow-up investigations, and clinical indicators of malignancy in patients with DDS. Results: Among 103 patients with DDS, 20 had I-DDS. Subsequent follow-up of these 20 patients found no patient with PHPAT, two (10%) patients with chronic pancreatitis, and 18 (90%) patients with no cause found. The median follow-up duration for ‘low-risk’ patients was 7.3 years (range, 6–11 years). The mean number of follow-up investigations per patient was two (range, 0–9). Investigations included computed tomography (n = 27), magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (n = 23), endoscopy (n = 16), and ultrasound (n = 14). Patients with jaundice were more likely to have malignancy (p < 0.01). Those with abdominal pain were more likely to have a benign cause (p < 0.01). Hyperbilirubinemia and/or deranged liver enzymes and raised CA19-9 were more likely to be associated with PHPAT (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Patients with I-DDS have a low risk of developing PHPAT within five years.