Synthesis of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) on CMOS-compatible substrates is desirable for large-scale fabrication of hBN-based micro- and optoelectronic devices. However, growth of well-oriented, high-quality hBN films via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on silicon substrates is still challenging. We report a new method to synthesize ultrathin, well-oriented hBN films on Si(001) substrates, based on a continuous flow CVD process using borazine as a single-source precursor. In addition, spectroscopic ellipsometry is explored as a fast, nondestructive method to determine the thickness, refractive index, and optical bandgap of the grown hBN films. The resulting hBN films exhibit a thickness of 7 ± 1 layers, near perfect stoichiometry, a surface roughness of 1.1 nm, a refractive index of 2.17 at 633 nm, and an optical bandgap of 5.89 eV. The use of borazine precursor avoids the availability of reactive nitrogen species and thus prevents the formation of an amorphous SiNx interlayer at the Si interface.

Recent advances in alkaline water electrolyzers (AWEs) have focused on pressurized operation and reduced ohmic resistance, enabled by the adoption of thinner porous separators. However, despite these improvements, H2 crossover remains a critical limitation that restricts the pressure range and the operational window. Herein, we introduce a separator architecture that incorporates a Pt-based recombination catalyst at the separator mid-plane by spray-coating a Pt/Nafion ink (80 µg·cm- 2 Pt) onto a reinforcing open mesh and embedding it within a polysulfone/zirconia composite matrix. The resulting 200 µm-thick separator reduces hydrogen crossover by 60% relative to Zirfon 220 and achieves a lower cell voltage (1.0 A cm- 2 at 1.78 V) compared to the Zirfon 220 cell (1.84 V at 1 A cm- 2). Although partial catalyst-layer loss was observed under severe dynamic load cycling, stable operation demonstrates the validity of the internal recombination strategy. By integrating recombination functionality directly within a thin, mechanically reinforced separator, this work provides a practical and scalable route to safer and more operationally flexible pressurized AWEs.

In this work, NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+@TiO2 microrod composite photocatalysts were fabricated via a hydrothermal method combined with a two-step wet-chemical coating strategy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterization demonstrated that the NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ microrods (∼1.2 µm in length and ∼0.4 µm in width) were uniformly coated with a porous anatase TiO2 shell. For the optimal sample S3, the thickness of the TiO2 shell was approximately 10 nm, with the size of a single TiO2 nanoparticle being about 6 nm. Under excitation with a 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) laser (spot size: 2 cm × 2 cm, total power: 28 W, and effective power density: 7 W cm-2), the TiO2 shell could efficiently absorb the ultraviolet upconversion emission from the NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ core, and fluorescence kinetic measurements confirmed that fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) occurs between the core and the shell. Compared with hydrothermally treated NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+, the fluorescence lifetime of the Tm3+ 1I6 excited state (at 291 nm emission) in the composite decreased from 128 µs to 100 µs, with a reduction of approximately 21%; in contrast, and the lifetime of the Tm3+ 1G4 excited state (at 474 nm emission) increased from 413 µs to 456 µs, increasing by about 10%. Photocatalytic degradation experiments with methyl orange (MO, 10 mg L-1, 50 mL) as the target pollutant revealed that the pH value of the solution exerted a significant influence on the degradation efficiency. Under the experimental conditions of 1 mg mL-1 catalyst concentration and 70 W cm-2 excitation power density (catalyst dosage: 50 mg, room temperature, magnetic stirring at 500 rpm, and 30 min dark adsorption equilibrium), the composite exhibited the optimal photocatalytic performance in an acidic system at pH 2, where the decolorization efficiency of MO was significantly higher than that in the neutral system (pH 6.5) and alkaline system (pH 11). Moreover, the MO decolorization rate decreased sequentially with an increase in the pH value of the solution. This study confirms that the FRET process between NaYF4:Yb3+,Tm3+ and TiO2 is a crucial mechanism for enhancing the NIR-driven photocatalytic activity of composite photocatalysts.

The pedicled mucoperichondrial nasoseptal flap was first described in 2006 for skull base reconstruction. Its use in this context is well documented and favored for its robust vascular supply and reliable outcomes; however, to our knowledge, its application in the reconstruction of nasal lining for full-thickness nasal defects has not been described. This case report details the use of the nasoseptal flap for staged reconstruction of a right heminasal defect following basal cell carcinoma resection. The nasoseptal flap is well suited for such extensive nasal reconstruction procedures due to its large size, substantial tissue integrity, and robust vascular supply. At 18 months postoperatively, the patient demonstrated excellent functional improvement using a clinically validated patient-reported outcome measures score. Both the patient and clinicians rated the cosmetic outcomes as excellent. From a technique standpoint, the flap requires endoscopic dissection and necessitates training in endoscopic nasal surgery. This report highlights the flap's versatility and introduces a novel application that could be considered for similar complex nasal reconstructions.

Diabetic wounds struggle to heal because of ROS-mediated immune dysfunction, in which the mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming of macrophages is critical for inflammation resolution and tissue repair. Here, we innovatively combine the antioxidant astaxanthin (Ast) and the metabolic activator metformin (Met) via pH-responsive dynamic Schiff base linkages to form amphiphilic Ast-PEG-Met conjugates, which self-assemble into nanomicelles (NMs). This strategy effectively improves the solubility of Ast and enables synergistic delivery of the two complementary drugs. NMs target macrophage mitochondria, where Ast scavenges mtROS and Met activates energy metabolism pathways in a synergistic manner. The two drugs synergistically activate the AMPK-PPARγ axis and promote mitophagy, thereby restoring mitochondrial function and regulating immunometabolic reprogramming. For on-demand release, the NMs were further encapsulated into a ROS-responsive self-healing hydrogel crosslinked by dynamic phenylboronate ester bonds. This system responds to high levels of ROS and an acidic wound microenvironment with favorable biocompatibility. In a diabetic full-thickness skin defect model, this integrated platform markedly accelerated wound healing, promoted collagen deposition and angiogenesis, and alleviated chronic inflammation. This work provides a promising combined strategy involving antioxidant-metabolic regulation for chronic diabetic wound therapy via a dual-responsive hydrogel drug delivery system.

The coexistence of diffuse shoulder pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS), full-thickness rotator cuff tear, and PVNS-induced focal acromial bone erosion is extremely rare, with no prior reports documenting this complete pathological triad, which poses unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We report a 52-year-old male with a three-month history of progressive right shoulder pain, swelling, and functional limitation. Radiographs showed cortical irregularity of the acromion, while MRI revealed extensive synovial proliferation with low signal on T1/T2 sequences, suggestive of PVNS, and a full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear. The patient underwent single-stage arthroscopic synovectomy, rotator cuff repair using a double-row suture bridge technique, and debridement of a small acromial bone defect. Histopathology confirmed diffuse-type PVNS. Preoperative ASES and VAS scores were 38.2 and 6, respectively, improving to 75.8 and 2 at three months, and to 92.5 and 1 at five months post-surgery, with satisfactory early functional recovery. This case highlights that PVNS should be included in the differential diagnosis of persistent shoulder monoarthritis, even in patients with typical rotator cuff tear signs, especially when accompanied by atypical bone lesions on imaging. One-stage combined arthroscopic complete synovectomy, anatomical rotator cuff repair, and bone erosion debridement is a feasible and effective minimally invasive strategy for managing this complex pathological combination. The early clinical outcomes are encouraging, however, given the short follow-up, these early outcomes should be interpreted cautiously, and long-term surveillance is required.