B, Gd Co-Doped TiO₂ Nanotube Arrays for Efficient Degradation of Gaseous Toluene under Visible Light Irradiation

Although photocatalytic degradation of VOCs has attracted widespread attention, the efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation performance remains a challenge. This work presents the visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of gaseous toluene over B, Gd co-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays prepared via a controllable electrochemistry method. It was found that B and Gd co-doping strategy not only enhances the visible light responsiveness of TiO₂ nanotube arrays but also introduces moderate oxygen vacancies on the surface of TiO_2, which is beneficial to the formation of free hydroxyl radicals and their attack on toluene molecules. The doping order also affects the photocatalytic performance. The optimized sample achieves an enhanced degradation efficiency for toluene under visible light irradiation and exhibits considerable stability. This work may provide an efficient TiO₂-based photocatalyst for the removal of volatile organic compounds for air purification and give an understanding of the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of toluene over co-doping TiO₂.

Sustainable Manufacturing and Applications of Wide-Bandgap Semiconductors—A Review

Wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors such as silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) are revolutionizing high-power electronics due to their superior thermal conductivity, breakdown voltage, and energy efficiency. These materials are critical in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and high-frequency applications like 5G infrastructure. However, their production processes are resource-intensive and present significant environmental challenges. This review evaluates recent advancements in sustainable WBG semiconductor manufacturing, focusing on low-energy epitaxial growth, closed-loop recycling, and the mitigation of toxic by-products. Additionally, it highlights the role of Industry 4.0 innovations, such as AI-driven process optimization and IoT-based resource management, in enhancing sustainability. The review identifies research gaps in cost reduction, alternative WBG materials like Gallium Oxide (Ga₂O₃) and Diamond, and scalable green manufacturing solutions. It underscores the necessity for industry-wide collaboration and regulatory frameworks to drive the adoption of eco-friendly semiconductor fabrication. The findings of this study provide a roadmap for advancing sustainability in WBG semiconductor production, ensuring their long-term viability in the transition toward energy-efficient technologies.

Behcet’s Disease: An Uncommon Cause of Severe Tricuspid Stenosis

Behçet’s disease is a vasculitic condition of unknown etiology that is characterized by oral and genital ulcers as well as various skin and ocular lesions. Cardiovascular manifestations of Behçet’s disease are rare, with very few cases having been reported previously in literature. We report a case of severe tricuspid stenosis and pulmonary artery aneurysm in a 29-year-old man with Behçet’s disease, who demonstrated characteristic vascular findings on computed tomography angiography and diagnostic valvular findings on transthoracic echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. The patient’s Behçet’s disease was treated initially with cyclophosphamide, azathioprine, and prednisone, which subsequently led to complete resolution of the pulmonary artery aneurysm. As for the tricuspid stenosis, though symptoms were managed with diuretic therapy, the severity of valvular dysfunction required consideration and an attempt at tricuspid valve replacement surgery, which unfortunately was met with complications and led to an unfavorable outcome of refractory cardiogenic shock and death. Given the rarity of cardiovascular involvement in patients with Behçet’s disease, along with the lack of clear treatment guidelines, management of findings of tricuspid stenosis and pulmonary artery aneurysm in these patients can be challenging.

Commentary on “Ineffectiveness of Sotatercept Therapy in a Patient with Heritable Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated with a Previously Unreported Missense Variant in GDF2, the Gene for Bone Morphogenic Protein-9”

Perspectives on the Development in the Selective Oxidation of Glycerol to Value-Added Chemicals via Photoelectrocatalysis Coupled with Hydrogen Evolution

Harvesting sunlight to produce clean hydrogen fuel remains one of the main challenges for solving the energy crisis and ameliorating global warming. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is considered to be a promising method for H₂ production in the future. However, the efficiency still remains challenging due to the sluggish reaction dynamics for water oxidation. Recently, the thermodynamically favorable oxidation of glycerol in PEC systems has gained significant attention for its ability to produce value-added chemicals while simultaneously generating hydrogen. This process not only enhances the yield of high-value products but also minimizes energy consumption and reduces CO₂ emissions. Valuable products from glycerol oxidation include 1,3-dihydroxyacetone (DHA), glyceraldehyde (GLD), tartronic acid (TA), formic acid (FA), and glyceric acid (GA). Thus, it is important to improve selectivity and productivity. In this work, we mainly summarize the recent research progress in improving the selectivity and productivity of glycerol upgrading products on the different photoanodes.

Research Status and Development Trend of Floating Photovoltaic Structure System

Under the guidance of the dual carbon goals, the development and utilization scale of new energy in China, including photovoltaics and wind power, has steadily increased. Particularly, the floating photovoltaic technology in inland waters has been developing quickly over the past decade because it could compensate for certain shortcomings of traditional terrestrial photovoltaics. The offshore floating photovoltaic (FPV) pilot projects are also continuously emerging due to the advantages of longer daylight hours, higher radiation levels, and enhanced efficiency of light utilization in marine environments compared to terrestrial settings under identical solar irradiance conditions. To comprehensively understand the development prospects of offshore FPV systems, the development progress of FPV systems was traced, and an analysis was conducted on the forms of various types of floating structures, their technical characteristics, and their applicability in the marine environment. Summarization was carried out on the floating photovoltaic mooring system in terms of the classification of the mooring, the chain deployment mode, the form of the mooring foundation, etc., and a few new types of mooring systems were put forward. Finally, the development trend of the offshore FPV system was predicted.

Linear Semiconducting Polymers as Photoanodes for Oxidation Reactions

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has attracted significant attention in the general field of photocatalysis. However, the high cost of constructing PEC systems limits their practical application. Recently, an innovative approach was proposed to synthesize linear semiconducting polymer-based films. The polymer structure was optimized for oxidation reactions. Furthermore, the active site of the optimal linear polymer was investigated through in-situ characterizations. This work has the potential to address the challenges of high material costs and polymer film development in PEC technology.

Advances in CAR-T Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy represents a groundbreaking advancement in cancer treatment, demonstrating remarkable antitumor efficacy in hematological malignancies. However, despite the substantial clinical progress achieved with CAR-T cell therapy, its application in the treatment of solid tumors remains limited by various factors, including the intricate tumor microenvironment (TME), CAR-T cell exhaustion, CAR-T cell infiltration into tumor tissue, and antigen heterogeneity. Scientists are relentlessly pursuing research in this domain, driven by the aim of offering newfound hope to cancer patients. In this comprehensive review, we delineate the fundamental principles underlying CAR-T cell therapy, delve into the challenges it encounters, and provide an insightful exploration of the advancements and progress made in the application of CAR-T cell therapy for solid tumors.

State of the Art in Wave Energy Conversion Technologies in China

This paper reviews the advancements in wave energy converter technologies in China, covering device design, performance evaluation, and system control techniques. It highlights power control technologies in wave energy conversion, including adaptive control, model predictive control, clutch control, clamp control, resistive load control, approximate optimal speed control, nonlinear control, and intelligent control methods. Through an analysis of these technologies, the study outlines the future directions and challenges in wave energy development in China, while also proposing potential pathways for optimizing the performance of wave energy conversion devices.

Evaluation of the Effect of Fe₂O₃ as a Sintering Additive on Densification, Microstructure, and Thermal Stability of Al₂O₃

This study investigates the fabrication of alumina-based (Al₂O₃) ceramics using pressureless sintering, employing hematite (Fe₂O₃) as a sintering aid. Fe₂O₃ powders were synthesized via combustion and incorporated into Al₂O₃ concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt.%. The samples were sintered at 1400 °C and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) with Rietveld refinement, thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and density measurements using the Archimedes method. The results demonstrated that the addition of Fe₂O₃ increased the densification of Al₂O₃ ceramics, with the highest densification (~85%) observed in samples containing 1.0 and 2.0 wt.% Fe₂O₃. XRD analysis identified only the corundum phase of Al₂O₃, suggesting that Fe₂O₃ was incorporated without forming secondary phases. However, Rietveld refinement calculations revealed distortions in the unit cell volume, which contributed to lowering the melting temperature of Al₂O₃, thereby facilitating sintering. SEM images showed that Fe₂O₃ acted as a grain growth inhibitor, resulting in finer microstructures with smaller grains. EDX mapping indicated that Fe ions preferentially accumulated in regions with higher pore concentrations. Thermal analysis demonstrated improved thermal stability in Fe₂O₃-containing samples. Overall, the study confirms that Fe₂O₃ serves as an effective sintering aid, enhancing densification and thermal stability while refining the microstructure of Al₂O₃ ceramics. These findings contribute to the development of optimized ceramic materials for high-performance applications.