RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES:The non-invasive biomarkers for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with immunotherapy and molecular targeted therapy combined with transarterial chemoembolization (IMT-MTT-TACE) are urgently needed to identify individuals who are likely to benefit from this treatment regimen. This study aims to develop a non-invasive imaging biomarker for predicting PFS in patients with HCC receiving IMT-MTT-TACE, leveraging the integration of deep learning, radiomics, and clinical factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This study included 180 patients with HCC who were treated with IMT-MTT-TACE at two medical centers. Radiomic features were extracted from six sequences of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging. Deep learning features were extracted based on the ResNet50 algorithm. A Cox regression combined model was developed by integrating significant clinical, radiomics, and deep learning features. Model performance was evaluated using the concordance index (C-index) and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS:The C-reactive protein and alpha-fetoprotein in immunotherapy (CRAFITY) score was identified as an independent predictor of PFS (P < 0.05). In three cohorts, the C-index values for the deep learning model were 0.757, 0.751, and 0.744, respectively. The C-index values for the combined model were 0.803, 0.746, and 0.744, respectively. In the time-dependent ROC curve analysis predicting 1-year PFS, the AUC values for the combined model were 0.934 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.881-0.986), 0.842 (95% CI: 0.699-0.984), and 0.862 (95% CI: 0.725-0.998). The deep learning-based combined model demonstrated good predictive performance and exhibited strong robustness and generalizability. CONCLUSION:The integration of CRAFITY score, radiomics, and deep learning features contributed to predicting PFS for patients with HCC undergoing IMT-MTT-TACE. This combined model holds promise for enabling precise pretreatment risk stratification and optimizing monitoring protocols, thereby guiding prognosis assessment and individualized clinical treatment decisions.

PURPOSE:To evaluate the prognostic value of early psoas muscle index (PMI) improvement after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement in patients with cirrhosis and sarcopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This multicenter retrospective study included 390 patients with cirrhosis and sarcopenia who underwent TIPS at 5 tertiary centers between February 2016 and April 2023. PMI was measured on computed tomography (CT) before TIPS and ∼1 month afterward. Sarcopenia reversal was defined as a post-TIPS PMI above the sex-specific cutoff values (>6.36 cm2/m2 for men and >3.92 cm2/m2 for women). Associations of PMI improvement with overall survival and overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Receiver-operating characteristic analysis identified optimal cutoff values. RESULTS:At 1 month after TIPS, 188 patients (48.2%) achieved sarcopenia reversal. Sarcopenia reversal was associated with higher cumulative survival (84.6% vs 68.2%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-0.41; P < .001) and lower OHE incidence (16.6% vs 51.1%; HR, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.17-0.39; P < .001). The PMI improvement rate was an independent predictor of mortality and OHE. Optimal cutoff values were 11.8% for mortality and 15.8% for OHE. Patients with PMI improvement above these thresholds had significantly better survival and lower OHE incidence (both P < .001). CONCLUSIONS:PMI improvement assessed at 1 month after TIPS is independently associated with reduced mortality and OHE in patients with cirrhosis and sarcopenia. PMI assessment 1 month after TIPS may provide a simple imaging biomarker for early prognostic evaluation and risk stratification.

ABSTRACT Rare earth (RE) substitution is the primary way to realize the electric field‐controlled magnetism in BiFeO3 multiferroic ceramics by breaking the cycloidal spin structure to release the intrinsic weak ferromagnetism, where the electric field‐induced phase transition of Pna21/R3c plays the key role. In the present work, the remarkable electric field‐controlled magnetism has been achieved in La/Sm co‐substituted BiFeO3 multiferroic ceramics. The structure evolution in Bi1‐x(La0.37Sm0.63)xFeO3 ceramics is modulated from R3c to Pna21 and finally Pbnm with increasing x. The weak ferromagnetism is released as the symmetry is tuned from R3c to Pna21 and the cycloidal spin structure is broken. Furthermore, La/Sm co‐substitution significantly suppresses the leakage current to a level far below that of other RE‐substituted BiFeO3 ceramics, thereby facilitating the enhanced dielectric strength, which significantly promotes the electric field‐induced phase transition of Pna21/R3c, and subsequently, the remarkable electric field‐controlled magnetism (a change of Mr up to 62.7%) is achieved in the present ceramics. Moreover, the significant improvement in ferroelectricity is also achieved after the electric field‐induced phase transition of Pna21/R3c.

Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O-3-xBaSnO(3) ceramics were prepared through a two-staged method, and the effect of Sn4+ substitution in B-site on the structure and dielectric properties of the ceramics was investigated. As the Sn4+ content increased, the B-site cations transitioned from the 1:2 ordered arrangement to the 1:1 ordered arrangement. Furthermore, the introduction of Sn4+, which exhibit a relatively lower polarizability, led to a gradual decrease in the dielectric constant. Moreover, both the B site cation ordering and the grain size affect the microwave properties of the present ceramics. The Qf value reached its maximum (similar to 92,800 GHz) at x = 0.1, where 1:1 and 1:2 orderings coexist. Meanwhile, the tau(f) value was closest to zero (similar to 1.30 ppm/degrees C) at this composition. This study elucidates the mechanism that the substitution of Sn4+ at the B-site influences the structure and microwave dielectric properties of Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O-3, and clarifies the complex factors affecting the Qf value in Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O-3-xBaSnO(3) ceramics.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an established therapeutic modality for malignant hepatic tumors. This study assessed the clinical efficacy, adverse events, and factors associated with treatment outcomes of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in the treatment of hepatic malignancies. Methods: Clinical data were collected from 94 patients with hepatic malignancies who underwent DEB-TACE. Treatment response was assessed in accordance with the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST). Postoperative complications and relevant hematological parameters were analyzed by reviewing clinical symptoms and laboratory/examination findings. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with treatment outcomes. Results: Median follow-up duration was 29.0 months (range: 3.0-51.0 months). Treatment response assessment post-DEB-TACE revealed that 2 patients (2.1%) achieved a complete response (CR), 53 (56.4%) achieved a partial response (PR), 27 (28.7%) had stable disease (SD), and 12 (12.8%) developed progressive disease (PD). The overall objective response rate (ORR) was 58.5%, and the disease control rate (DCR) was 87.2%. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.7-6.3 months), and median overall survival (OS) was 15.0 months (95% CI: 7.6-22.4 months). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that hematological parameters—including D-dimer levels, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels—were associated with patient prognosis and survival outcomes. Conclusions: Drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization is an effective treatment for various liver malignancies, associated with few manageable postoperative complications. In addition, d-dimer, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels may predict DEB-TACE efficacy.

INTRODUCTION:Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) exhibits high recurrence rates, particularly when accompanied by Microvascular Invasion (MVI). We identified MVI-related biomarkers and established a prognostic model for personalized HCC treatment. METHODS:Data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and HCCDB databases. Key radiomics features were identified using the support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) algorithm, and differential expression analysis was performed with DESeq2. This was followed by functional enrichment analysis using the clusterProfiler package. Through univariate and Lasso regression analyses, we constructed a robust RiskScore model to effectively stratify HCC patients into distinct risk groups based on the median RiskScore value. The model prediction performance was evaluated using ROC curves and Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis. We used the CIBERSORT algorithm to characterize immune cell infiltration patterns and conducted GSEA to identify differentially activated pathways between the risk groups. RESULTS:Radiomic analysis revealed four significant features strongly associated with MVI, enabling the construction of a nomogram model with robust classification performance (AUC = 0.742). Subsequent analysis identified 241 overlapping MVI-related Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs) enriched in critical tumor proliferation and invasion pathways. A 10-gene RiskScore model was developed, demonstrating excellent prognostic discrimination in training and validation cohorts. CIBERSORT analysis revealed significant correlations between specific immune cell infiltration and the 10 genes. GSEA analysis showed significant enrichment of cell cycle regulation pathways in the high-risk group, suggesting their important role in MVI. DISCUSSION:The RiskScore was established using MVI-related features for prognosis assessment in HCC. CONCLUSION:Our findings provided novel biomarkers and a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis and personalized treatment of HCC.

It is a formidable challenge to achieve superior mechanical properties combined with excellent thermal insulation performance and high thermal stability in porous ceramics for safeguarding sensitive microelectronic devices in extreme environments. Here, high-purity silicalite-1 (S-1) zeolite ceramics are prepared by cold sintering and post annealing to overcome this intrinsic trade-off, yielding an ultralow thermal conductivity of 0.25 W m-1 K-1 at room temperature combined with a high compressive strength of 74.0 MPa. This outstanding thermal insulating and load-bearing capacity originates from the silanol-condensation-driven processes involving submicron welding and defect healing, which engineer an optimized hierarchical pore structure. This structure comprises well-preserved ordered micropores that restrict the phonon-free paths while maintaining structural integrity and fine macropores/mesopores that suppress gaseous heat conduction through Knudsen effects. Furthermore, the cold-sintered zeolite ceramics exhibit excellent thermal stability up to 950 degrees C. The present work demonstrates a zeolite defect-healing mechanism for designing advanced thermal insulation materials via the microstructure-engineered strategy.

BACKGROUND:Systemic therapy with or without radiotherapy is useful for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hepatic vein and/or inferior vena cava tumor thrombus (HVTT/IVCTT). However, the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in such population is still unconfirmed. This study aims to evaluate whether TACE should be applied with systemic therapy for HCC with HVTT/IVCTT, in a first-line therapy setting. METHODS:This multi-center retrospective cohort study included HCC patients with HVTT/IVCTT treated between June 2018 and March 2024. Patients received either systemic therapy plus TACE (Group A) or systemic therapy alone (Group B). Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to balance the baseline characteristics. Multiple sensitivity analysis including inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed. The primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary outcomes included objective response rate (ORR) and safety. RESULTS:A total of 972 HCC patients with HVTT/IVCTT (696 in Group A and 276 in Group B) were included. The median follow-up time was 32.1 (95% CI: 30.4-33.8) months. After PSM, Group A demonstrated a significantly longer median OS compared to Group B (20.9 vs. 14.3 months; HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.54-0.77, P<0.001). Group A achieved a significantly longer median PFS compared to Group B (10.7 vs. 7.3 months; HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.57-0.79, P<0.001, per RECIST v1.1 criteria). Additionally, Group A exhibited a significantly higher objective response rate per RECIST v1.1 (45.3% vs. 28.8%, P<0.001) and mRECIST criteria (53.6% vs. 36.3%, P<0.001). Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 238 patients in Group A (34.2%) and 87 patients in Group B (31.5%). CONCLUSIONS:TACE in combination with systemic therapy shows improved survival benefit and manageable safety profiles compared to systemic therapy alone for HCC patients with HVTT/IVCTT. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the integration of TACE into first-line systemic therapy for this patient population. However, given the retrospective nature of this study, validation through prospective randomized controlled trials is warranted.

The simultaneous achievement of robust mechanical and thermal insulating performance remains a significant challenge in porous ceramic materials for safeguarding sensitive microelectronic devices under extreme conditions. Here, we present a controlled cold sintering process to prepare silicalite-1 zeolite ceramics that overcome the intrinsic trade-off between mechanical robustness and thermal insulation, with a remarkably low thermal conductivity of 0.55 Wm1K-1 at room temperature combined with an exceptionally high compressive strength of 111 MPa. The outstanding thermal insulating property and load-bearing capacity originates from the precisely engineered hierarchical structure within zeolite ceramics that comprises ordered micropores restricting the free path of phonons while maintaining structural integrity, tailored macropores and mesopores suppressing gaseous heat conduction through Knudsen effects, and an amorphous phase for submicron-welding on the interfaces enhancing mechanical robustness. Furthermore, the zeolite ceramics exhibit excellent thermal stability up to 800 degrees C. This work establishes a microstructure-engineered strategy for designing advanced thermal insulating materials, providing a viable solution for microelectronics protection under extreme conditions.

In the present work, the structure and microwave dielectric properties of (Ba,Sr,Ca)HfO3 ceramics were systematically investigated to understand the general mechanism of tuning the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency, τf in perovskite ceramics. Ba1–xSrxHfO3 and Sr1–yCayHfO3 could form continuous solid solutions while the solid solubility of Ca in Ba1–yCayHfO3 was about 20% (in mole). τf changed nonlinearly with increasing tolerance factor as the result of competition between the increase in the restoring force on the ions and the increase in polarizability. Under the guidance of three microscopic mechanisms affecting τf, a preliminary attempt was made to explore the suitable parameters to predict the variation trend of τf. Normalized ionic radii and the τf values of the end members were selected as independent variables, and τf was calculated by using multiple linear regression method. For Ba1–xSrxHfO3 and Sr1–yCayHfO3 with orthorhombic structures, the root mean square error between the calculated and measured τf was only 6.8×10–6 °C–1. The good agreement between the calculated τf values and the measured ones in Ba1–x–ySrxCayHfO3 ceramics confirmed its validity where three elements jointly occupy A-site, but it only works when there is no structural phase transition. Progresses in this research field would not only deepen our understanding of mechanism of regulating properties in multi-ion solid solutions, but also boost the developments of closely related fields such as machine learning-assisted design and high-entropy ceramics. Finally, a good combination of microwave dielectric properties was achieved in Sr0.15Ca0.85Hf0.96Ti0.040O3: εr = 27.8, Qf = 36,470 GHz, τf = +5×10–6 °C–1.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a common malignant tumor with limited treatment options, especially for patients in the middle and late stages. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are important methods for treating hepatocellular carcinoma, but their combined efficacy has not been fully evaluated. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of TACE combined with IMRT in patients with intermediate and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Method: This study included 170 hepatocellular carcinoma patients, of whom 85 received TACE treatment (control group) and 85 received TACE combined with IMRT treatment (observation group). Evaluate the impact of two treatment methods on tumor response and liver function indicators. Use multiple logistic regression analysis to evaluate the impact of intervention methods and other factors on patient survival status, and use the Andersson model to analyze the interaction between intervention methods and other factors. Result: After treatment, the observation group showed significantly higher rates of complete remission, partial remission, and stable progressive disease compared to the control group. The total bilirubin, albumin, prothrombin time, and alpha fetoprotein levels in the observation group were significantly better than those in the control group at 2, 4, and 6 months after treatment (P values < 0.05). The incidence of adverse events in the observation group increased compared to the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Survival analysis showed that the survival rate and progression free survival rate of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Intervention methods, age, tumor progression, and Child Pugh score all have a significant impact on the survival status of patients. There is an antagonistic effect between intervention methods, tumor progression, and Child Pugh score. Conclusion: TACE combined with IMRT has a good therapeutic effect on hepatocellular carcinoma, which can improve liver function and significantly improve patient survival rate with high safety. The interaction between intervention methods, tumor progression, and liver function scores has a significant impact on survival status. Combination therapy can be an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background:The efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) antibody/tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been established. However, it remains unclear whether the addition of TACE to systemic therapies exacerbates liver function deterioration and increases mortality risk. Objectives:To assess liver function changes and their impact on prognosis in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with ICIs and anti-VEGF antibody/TKIs with or without TACE as first-line therapy. Design:This is a real-world retrospective cohort study. Methods:Patients with advanced HCC treated with TACE combined with ICIs and anti-VEGF antibody/TKIs (TACE-ICI-VEGF) or ICIs and anti-VEGF antibody/TKIs alone (ICI-VEGF) from January 2018 to June 2024 were retrospectively included. The primary outcomes were changes in albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and time to deterioration (TTD) of liver function. The secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and the relationship between TTD and prognosis. Results:A total of 111 patients were included, with 54 and 57 patients receiving TACE-ICI-VEGF and ICI-VEGF, respectively. Changes in ALBI score were similar between groups (difference in least squares mean, -0.075; 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.298 to 0.148). TTD was also comparable (median for TACE-ICI-VEGF 9.7 months vs. ICI-VEGF 8.5 months; hazard ratio (HR) = 1.19 (95% CI: 0.71-2.01); p = 0.512). TACE-ICI-VEGF group demonstrated a significantly improved median OS (18.3 vs. 11.8 months; HR = 0.60 (95% CI: 0.37-0.98); p = 0.041) and a trend toward prolonged median PFS (14.7 vs. 11.2 months; HR = 0.76 (95% CI: 0.47-1.25); p = 0.278). Patients with liver function deterioration had an increased risk of mortality (median OS: 13.2 vs. 17.0 months; HR = 1.44 (95% CI: 0.88-2.35); p = 0.139). Conclusion:TACE combined with ICIs plus anti-VEGF antibodies/TKIs as first-line treatment generally did not adversely affect liver function. Liver function deterioration was associated with an increased risk of mortality.

BACKGROUND:Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) is an established procedure for managing portal hypertension in cirrhotic patients, but the impact of post-TIPS overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) on survival remains controversial. While its effect on short-term survival is well-documented, its long-term implications remain unclear. AIMS:This study aims to investigate the long-term impact of post-TIPS OHE on mortality in cirrhotic patients for variceal bleeding, focusing on the timing and predictive value of OHE beyond the first year post-TIPS. METHODS:A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 3262 cirrhotic patients who underwent TIPS for variceal bleeding at seven Chinese tertiary centers between January 2010 and June 2020. Clinical data, including demographics, procedure details, post-TIPS complications and survival outcomes, were collected. The primary endpoints were all-cause mortality and OHE, with follow-up until death, liver transplantation or 60 months. Propensity score matching minimised confounding effects, and multivariate Fine-Grey competing risk models identified independent mortality predictors. RESULTS:During a median follow-up of 1077 days, 33.2% developed post-TIPS OHE, associated with higher MELD and Child-Pugh scores. Among these, 19.3% died, with a median time from OHE onset to death of 947 days. Post-TIPS OHE was not linked to early survival (within 12 months) but emerged as an independent predictor of long-term mortality beyond 24 months, consistent across various clinical scenarios. CONCLUSION:Post-TIPS OHE does not affect short-term survival but significantly increases long-term mortality risk. These findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring and tailored interventions to improve long-term outcomes in post-TIPS patients.

Background & Aims: Pre-emptive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) improves outcomes in high-risk acute variceal bleeding but its use is limited by hepatic encephalopathy (HE). While stent diameter and post-TIPS portacaval pressure gradient (PPG) targets may influence HE risk, evidence-based standards are lacking. This study aimed to compare 8-mm vs. 10-mm diameter stents and evaluate PPG thresholds to balance HE risk and therapeutic efficacy. Methods: In this multicenter observational study, 470 patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding receiving pre-emptive TIPS (8-mm: n = 384; 10-mm: n = 86) were analyzed. Competing risks regression and restricted cubic splines were used to assess associations between stent diameter, PPG, and clinical outcomes. Results: At 1 year, 8-mm stents reduced overt HE incidence (28.9% vs. 45.4%; subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] 0.57, 95% CI 0.40–0.82) and further decompensation (40.4% vs. 52.3%; sHR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48–0.95) compared to 10-mm stents, without increasing the risk of further bleeding (12.0% vs. 9.3%; p = 0.471) or mortality (13.3% vs. 14.0%; p = 0.813). Non-linear analysis identified a PPG range of 7–13 mmHg associated with minimized overt HE risks (sHR 1.43 for PPG <7 vs. 7–13 mmHg; 95% CI 1.01–2.01) and portal hypertensive complications (sHR 2.76 for PPG >13 vs. 7–13 mmHg; 95% CI 2.69–9.39). A significantly greater proportion of patients in the 8-mm group attained the optimal 7–13 mmHg target range compared to the 10-mm group (71.1% vs. 55.8%, p <0.001). Conclusions: Pre-emptive TIPS with 8-mm stents reduces HE and further decompensation without compromising efficacy. Immediate post-TIPS PPG measurements may aid intraprocedural decision-making, with a 7–13 mmHg range serving as a pragmatic guide for initial stent calibration in high-risk acute variceal bleeding. Impact and implications: This multicenter study of 470 patients with cirrhosis and acute variceal bleeding shows that pre-emptive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement using 8-mm stents reduces the 1-year incidence of overt hepatic encephalopathy by 43% compared to 10-mm stents, while maintaining similar efficacy in preventing rebleeding. Non-linear analysis identified a post-TIPS portacaval pressure gradient (PPG) range of 7–13 mmHg as an optimal target, minimizing risks of both overt hepatic encephalopathy and portal hypertensive complications. A significantly higher proportion of patients achieved this PPG range with 8-mm stents. These results address a key dilemma in high-risk AVB management, demonstrating that 8-mm stents balance encephalopathy prevention with effective portal decompression. The 7–13 mmHg PPG range provides a practical intraprocedural guide for individualized TIPS calibration, helping interventional radiologists optimize shunt diameter selection.

Ferroelectric domains are crucial for the performance of piezoelectric ceramics, as the size and switching dynamics affect polarization response directly, manipulating both ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties. In this study, we achieved BiFeO3-BaTiO3 ceramics with domain sizes from macroscopic to nanoscale by incorporating a small amount of antiferroelectric phase. Contrary to the long-standing belief that smaller ferroelectric domains own lower polarization switching barriers and yield higher piezoelectricity, we found that in chemical doping-controlled domain size engineering, the smaller the domain size, the more difficult it is for polarization switching. Ceramics with the largest domain exhibited superior positive piezoelectric performance due to the sufficient polarization switching and reduced domain wall pinning, achieving a piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of 460 pC/N at 350 degrees C. Middle-sized domains achieved optimal electro-strain performance determined by the tradeoff between the domain walls pinning and the increased local tetragonal or orthorhombic symmetries, with a strain (0.29 %) and an excellent piezoelectric strain coefficient (d33*) of 726.4 pm/V at 160 degrees C. This work provides novel insights into how domain-size engineering affects domain switching and local distortion, offering guidance for performance optimization of piezoelectric ceramics.

The B-site ordered Ba-based complex perovskites represent a significant class of medium permittivity and low-loss microwave dielectric ceramics, demonstrating extensive applications in microwave communication fields. Single-phase Ba1- xSrx(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3 (x = 0 similar to 1) ceramics were designed and synthesized using the standard solid-state sintering method to evaluate the co-effects of ordered domain structure and octahedral tilting on microwave dielectric properties in complex perovskites. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to elucidate the composition-dependent evolution of crystal structures, ordered domain structures, and octahedra tilting. B-site 1:2 ordering was observed in all the compositions, while the highest ordering degree S = 0.98 and maximum Qf value of 47 400 GHz were achieved in Ba0.75Sr0.25(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3. With increasing Sr, the crystal structure transforms from a triangle P3 m1 phase to a space group of P21/c with both antiphase and in-phase tilting, while a near-zero tau f of -7.8 ppm/degrees C was obtained at x = 0.7. The variation of tau f followed the empirical law well with the tolerance factor. Moreover, by annealing at 1350 degrees C for 12 h, tau f shifted closer to zero (tau f = -3 ppm/degrees C) with improved Qf value, stable epsilon r, and increased S value in ceramics with x = 0.7. This systematic study revealed the underlying mechanisms governing the influence of these structural parameters on the microwave dielectric performance, and provided useful guidance for collaborative optimization of microwave dielectric properties.

The B ‐site ordered Ba‐based complex perovskites represent a significant class of medium permittivity and low‐loss microwave dielectric ceramics, demonstrating extensive applications in microwave communication fields. Single‐phase Ba 1− x Sr x (Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 ( x = 0 ∼ 1) ceramics were designed and synthesized using the standard solid‐state sintering method to evaluate the co‐effects of ordered domain structure and octahedral tilting on microwave dielectric properties in complex perovskites. A comprehensive investigation was conducted to elucidate the composition‐dependent evolution of crystal structures, ordered domain structures, and octahedra tilting. B ‐site 1:2 ordering was observed in all the compositions, while the highest ordering degree S = 0.98 and maximum Qf value of 47 400 GHz were achieved in Ba 0.75 Sr 0.25 (Mg 1/3 Nb 2/3 )O 3 . With increasing Sr, the crystal structure transforms from a triangle P 3 ̅ m 1 phase to a space group of P2 1 /c with both antiphase and in‐phase tilting, while a near‐zero τ f of −7.8 ppm/°C was obtained at x = 0.7. The variation of τ f followed the empirical law well with the tolerance factor. Moreover, by annealing at 1350°C for 12 h, τ f shifted closer to zero ( τ f = −3 ppm/°C) with improved Qf value, stable ε r , and increased S value in ceramics with x = 0.7. This systematic study revealed the underlying mechanisms governing the influence of these structural parameters on the microwave dielectric performance, and provided useful guidance for collaborative optimization of microwave dielectric properties.

The crystal structure evaluation of Ba1-xSrxHfO3 and Sr(1-y)CayHfO(3) ceramics with varying composition was determined together with its influence on microwave dielectric characteristics. The variation mechanism of temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (iota(f)) was discussed in details, and the strong correlation between iota(f) and bond valence sum (BVS) and tolerance factor (t) was interpreted from the view point of energy. With increasing Sr-content, the stable phase of Ba1-xSrxHfO3 at room temperature changed from Pm3m (x <= 0.25) to I4/mcm (0.35 <= x <= 0.40), then to Imma (0.50 <= x < 0.75) and finally to Pnma (0.75 <= x <= 1.0). The peak temperature of dielectric constant changed due to the structure transition, resulting in that tf rapidly declined at first, reached near zero, then slowly decreased, and finally rapidly decreased. Sr1-yCayHfO3 (0 <= y <= 1.0) belonged to space group Pnma. As the bond lengths and bond angles between B-atomandO-atombecame more andmore changeable (or BVS became smaller), the crystal could store more input heat energy through bond vibrational energy, and consequently iota(f) became closer to zero with increasing Ca-content, which was consistent with the physical meaning of the rattling effect on iota(f). With decreasing t, the dominant mechanisms responsible for tuning iota(f) changed from (i) phase transition and (ii) dilution of ion polarizability to (iii) rattling effect. One could investigate what were the dominant mechanisms tuning tf and hopefully predict its trend with the help of iota(f)-t graph. These findings provided a new idea for developing solid solution ceramics with excellent temperature stability.

Aims:Surveys and research on the applications of the hepatic venous pressure gradient(HVPG)are important for understanding the current status and future development of this technology in China.This article aimed to investigate the status of hepatic venous pressure gradient measurement in China in 2022. Methods:We investigated the overall status of HVPG technology in China—including hospital distribution,hospital level,annual number of cases,catheters used,average cost,indications,and current challenges by using online questionnaire.By counting the number and percentages of cases of these results,we hope to clarify the current status of HVPG measurements in China. Results:According to the survey,85 hospitals in China used HVPG technology in 2022 distributed across 29 provinces.A total of 4989 HVPG measurements were performed in all of the surveyed hospitals in 2022,of which 2813 cases(56.4％)were measured alone.The average cost of HVPG measurement was 5646.8±2327.9 CNY.Of the clinical teams who performed the measurements(sometimes multiple per hospital),94.3％(82/87)used the balloon method,and the majority of the teams(72.4％,63/87)used embolectomy catheters. Conclusions:This survey clarified the clinical application status of HVPG in China and confirmed that some medical institutions in China have established a foundation for this technology.It is still necessary to continue promoting and popularizing this technology in the future.

Ba[(Ca0.2Mg0.2Zn0.2Co0.2Ni0.2)(1/3)Nb-2/3]O-3 and Ba[(Mg0.25Zn0.25Co0.25Ni0.25)(1/3)Nb-2/3]O-3 perovskite single-phase ceramics were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method, and they were annealed at different temperatures in order to investigate the effect of B '-site configurational entropy on phase stability, ordered domain structure and microwave dielectric characteristics. By comparing the B '-site high-entropy composition with B '-site medium-entropy and low-entropy compositions, the entropy-dominated phase-stabilization effect and sluggish diffusion effect were observed in Ba[(Ca0.2Mg0.2Zn0.2Co0.2Ni0.2)(1/3)Nb-2/3]O-3. These effects enhanced the temperature stability of the B-site 1:2 ordered structure. Ba[(Ca0.2Mg0.2Zn0.2Co0.2Ni0.2)(1/3)Nb-2/3]O-3 even reached a higher Qf value after annealing above the order-disorder transition temperature (To-d). This research extends the entropy regulation to ordered complex perovskite and provides a promising way to modify the performances of complex perovskite dielectric ceramics.