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Enhancing carrier transport in Cs2AgBiBr6 double perovskites through multifunctional ferroelectric polymer doping

Cs2AgBiBr6 lead-free double perovskites are promising materials for optoelectronic applications but suffer from limited carrier transport due to defects and strong electron–phonon coupling. In this work, we introduce a multifunctional doping strategy using the ferroelectric polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to simultaneously address these challenges. PVDF modulates film crystallization to reduce defects, relaxes lattice strain to weaken electron–phonon coupling, and—after electrical polarization—provides a built-in electric field that promotes charge separation. As a result, PVDF-doped Cs2AgBiBr6 solar cells achieve a champion power conversion efficiency of 1.91%, representing a 40% improvement over the control device (1.36%), with much improved stability. This work presents a simple and effective approach to improving carrier dynamics in double perovskites for broader optoelectronic applications.

Assessment of parental combining ability, hybrid performance over environment and SSR oriented parental genetic diversity in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.)

Kidney dysfunction is associated with mortality, adverse CT-based muscle metrics, and functional decline in surgically treated liposarcomas of the extremities and trunk

Background Liposarcomas (LS) of the extremities and trunk are aggressive soft-tissue sarcomas and surgical resection combined with multimodal therapy represents the cornerstone of curative treatment. Despite advances in surgical and medical management patients are still at risk of developing medical complications that negatively affect morbidity and mortality. Kidney dysfunction, sarcopenia and progressive loss of visceral adipose tissue have emerged as prognostically relevant and potentially treatable complications in surgical oncology. However, despite their growing relevance, little is known about their frequency and impact on survival and morbidity in the context of LS. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 47 adult patients with localized LS of the extremities and trunk who underwent curative-intent surgery. Kidney function, CT morphometry of muscle (skeletal muscle index, SMI) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) as well as clinical assessments including ECOG score were recorded at diagnosis (t1) and after a median follow-up (t2) of 11 months. Kidney dysfunction, defined as a decrease in eGFR of ≥ 25% between time points, was analyzed in relation to survival, sequentially assessed CT-morphometry of muscle and adipose tissue as well as functional status assessed by ECOG scores. Results All patients underwent curative-intent surgical treatment with or without additional multimodal treatment (surgery only: 51.1%, additional radiation: 31.9%, additional chemotherapy: 38.3%). Kidney dysfunction was frequent in our cohort (53.2% of all patients) and significantly associated reduced overall survival in Kaplan–Meier, uni- and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models (multivariate hazard ratio: 6.7; p = 0.03). In addition, patients with kidney dysfunction experienced a significantly accelerated loss of SMI (p < 0.001) and VAT (p < 0.001) as well as accelerated functional deterioration measured by worsening ECOG scores between t1 and t2 compared to a stable ECOG score in patients without kidney dysfunction (odds ratio of ECOG increase of: 8.0; p = 0.0027). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is among the first studies to investigate kidney dysfunction and its consequences in adult LS patients. In our cohort of surgically treated adult patients with LS of the extremities and trunk, kidney dysfunction was a frequent and clinically impactful complication. It was significantly associated with decreased overall survival, loss of muscle and adipose tissue in sequential CT morphometry assessments and progressive functional decline. Off note, CT-morphometry enabled objective, high-resolution tracking of body composition decline and may serve as a promising additional tool for risk stratification. Nonetheless, given the limited cohort size and retrospective single-center design, the generalizability of our findings is limited and the results should therefore be interpreted with caution. Despite these limitations, our findings call for future prospective studies and an awareness for heightened renal surveillance and integrated body composition assessments in the multimodal management of sarcoma patients.

Real‐Time Single‐Molecule Observation of a Chemical Reaction Reshaping the Energy Landscape of a Molecular Shuttle

ABSTRACT Artificial molecular machines often rely on chemical stimuli to switch between functional states, yet the real‐time dynamics of these transitions remain largely obscured by ensemble averaging. We describe the real‐time single‐molecule tracking of a Diels–Alder reaction that irreversibly alters the co‐conformational space of a two‐station [2]rotaxane. By tethering individual shuttles in optical tweezers, we observe the transformation of a fumaramide binding site into a non‐binding adduct in an aqueous environment. This covalent modification triggers a brisk shift in the macrocycle's positional preference, effectively erasing the thermodynamically favored state and leaving the secondary succinic amide‐ester station as the sole anchoring site. Our analysis allows us to reconstruct the energy landscape before and after the chemical event, revealing that the transformation reshapes the thermodynamic potential without measurably perturbing the intrinsic kinetics. This study highlights the potential of force spectroscopy for the in‐situ characterization of chemically driven changes in the function of individual molecular devices.

Stable Synapse‐Like Memory Switching in N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Monolayers

ABSTRACT We report a robust redox‐active N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) monolayer that exhibits synapse‐like behavior driven by proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET). Our quinone‐functionalized NHC (Rex–NHC) forms densely packed, upright self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au, confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, x‐ ray photoelectron spectroscopy, sum‐frequency generation spectroscopy, and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy. Molecular junctions built as Au–Rex–NHC//Ga 2 O 3 /EGaIn operate over ± 2 V and can withstand electric fields up to 3.3 GV/m. Bias‐induced PCET toggles between quinone (off) and hydroquinone (on) states, yielding reversible hysteresis with on/off ratios up to 1.9 × 10 2 . The devices exhibit spike‐timing and spike‐rate‐dependent plasticity, demonstrating for the first time molecular‐level neuromorphic behavior using NHCs as anchoring groups.

Unraveling the microscopic mechanism of thermal conductivity in 2D COF–C60 assemblies via machine-learning potentials

Covalent organic framework–fullerene assemblies (C60@COF) are promising for energy storage and optoelectronics, but the microscopic mechanisms governing their thermal conductivity (κ) remain poorly understood and controversial. Here, we employ a neuroevolution potential (NEP) to investigate thermal transport in pristine COF-1 and C60@COF-1 through large-scale molecular dynamics simulations. Contrary to previous classical potential-based studies, our simulations reveal that C60 incorporation systematically reduces, rather than enhances, the in-plane κ of COF-1. Structural analyses show that the local bonding environment of the COF-1 framework remains largely intact, and confined C60 molecules are translationally localized, undergoing primarily librational and orientational motions. Phonon analysis indicates that C60 contributes negligibly to heat conduction, instead acting as localized molecular rattlers that strongly scatter low-frequency framework phonons, thereby shortening the phonon mean free path in C60@COF-1. Furthermore, stacking-dependent C60 libration and host-imposed confinement yield stronger host–guest coupling in AB-stacked C60@COF-1 compared to its AA-stacked counterpart, resulting in stronger phonon scattering and lower in-plane κ. This work elucidates the microscopic origin of thermal transport suppression in COF–C60 assemblies, establishes an NEP-based strategy for studying host–guest porous systems, and highlights confined molecular rattling as a tunable design parameter for regulating heat conduction in porous organic frameworks.

Retinal blood flow increases with diabetic retinopathy severity in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study using laser doppler velocimetry

Abstract Retinal arterial blood flow is known to be reduced in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) No Diabetic Retinopathy (NDR) compared with healthy individuals, yet the hemodynamic changes across the early stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) remain unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between retinal blood flow (RBF) and DR severity in patients with T2D using laser Doppler velocimetry, which provides absolute measurements of retinal arterial diameter, flow velocity, and volumetric blood flow. A total of 419 participants were included and classified as NDR (n = 323), mild non-proliferative DR (NPDR; n = 60), moderate NPDR (n = 8), or severe NPDR (n = 28). Median RBF increased progressively with DR severity, measuring 9.8, 10.6, 11.9, and 11.6 μl/min, respectively. Trend analysis using the Jonckheere–Terpstra test demonstrated a significant positive association between RBF and DR stage (p = 0.035). These findings suggest that while RBF is reduced in the earliest stage of diabetes, it subsequently increases with worsening retinopathy, potentially reflecting impaired retinal autoregulation and pressure-dependent hyperperfusion. Measurement of retinal arterial blood flow may therefore serve as a potential hemodynamic marker associated with DR severity in T2D.

Toward a fully wireless endovascular neural interface: Evaluating power transfer efficacy

Background Endovascular neural interfaces (ENIs) offer a minimally invasive approach for neural stimulation and recording without the need for open brain surgery. However, current generation devices have long transvascular wires from the implant site to the chest. Eliminating these wires will unlock clinical usability, including lowering infection risk from transvascular wires, reducing the risk of thrombosis from altered hemodynamics, and improving mechanical reliability. However, removing these transvascular wires would require efficient power transfer across the skull and tissue while meeting specific absorption rate (SAR) limits, which is a significant challenge in the field. Objective This work designed and evaluated endovascular receiver (Rx) and transmitter (Tx) coils within endovascular geometric and biological constraints to maximize wireless power transfer. Methods This study evaluated the optimal operating frequencies, quantified coupling, coil quality factors, power transfer efficiency, and SAR using computational modeling, benchtop, and in-vivo testing. The study also assessed the tolerance to coil misalignment and load mismatch. We evaluated each case with and without ferrites with measurements in air, sheep tissue, and in vivo in sheep. Results The results showed that inductive power transfer delivered power to endovascular geometry devices at clinically relevant depths. The maximum power transfer efficiency (PTE) reached 11% at 15 mm and 2% at 30 mm, with up to 72 mW delivered at 30 mm under SAR safety limits. The rectangular planar coil pair performed best at ≤15 mm, whereas the ferrite-core flux-pipe Tx with a helical Rx outperformed beyond ~20 mm and was more tolerant to misalignment. Conclusion This study demonstrated the feasibility of wirelessly powering multichannel ENIs using coils that can be placed inside a blood vessel and powered inductively. Making an endovascular neural interface fully wireless has the potential to transform the technology by improving both safety and reliability.

Enhancing electrical properties of selectively grown in-plane InAs nanowires using InGaAs buffer and capping layers

In-plane semiconductor nanowires with complex branched geometries, prepared via selective area growth (SAG), offer a versatile platform for advanced electronics, optoelectronics, and quantum devices. However, defects and disorder at the interfaces and top surfaces of the nanowires can significantly degrade electrical properties. One effective method to mitigate these issues is the incorporation of buffer and capping layers with close lattice matching. In this work, we utilized InGaAs as buffer and capping layers for SAG InAs nanowires after expanding the growth selectivity window for InGaAs in the presence of atomic hydrogen. Hall measurements on InAs nanowires, with and without InGaAs buffer and/or capping layers, revealed that incorporating closely lattice-matched InGaAs buffer and capping layers nearly tripled the electron mobility and doubled the phase coherence length compared to nanowires without these layers. The InGaAs capping layer enables transparent interfaces between the superconductor and nanowire, facilitating superconductor–semiconductor hybrid devices. These findings highlight that the use of InGaAs buffer and capping layers is a crucial strategy for significantly enhancing the quality of InAs nanowires, unlocking their full potential for high-performance electronics and quantum devices.

Behavioral and psychosocial correlates of awake bruxism behaviors in esports athletes: a cross-sectional study

Co-design of a model for learning conversations about ongoing patient care between medical supervisors and trainees in the rural generalist settings: A research protocol

Introduction In rural generalist clinical settings, medical trainees routinely assess patients and discuss their findings with supervisors to plan ongoing care. These interactions termed ‘learning conversations’, serve as important opportunities for workplace-based learning and clinical decision making. However, preliminary evidence and stakeholder feedback indicate a lack of shared understanding regarding how these conversations should be structured, facilitated, and optimised. This study aims to observe current practices, identify supervisor and trainee learning needs, and co-design a model of learning conversations that enhances educational value and supports safe, effective patient care. Methods and analysis This study will use an exploratory sequential mixed methods design structured around the 3Cs of co-design (C o-define , C o-design, Co-refine). Phase 1 (co-define) will involve qualitative observation and audio-recording of learning conversations across two rural hospitals to characterise current practice and inform a protype model. In Phase 2 (co-design), supervisor and trainee focus groups will explore perceived needs, expectations, and feedback on the prototype model. A national online survey of rural supervisors and trainees will further inform model refinement. Phase 3 (co-refine) will incorporate national stakeholder input through a workshop, followed by feasibility testing of the refined model during a pilot simulation at a Rural Clinical School. Outcome data will focus on model usability, perceived relevance, applicability across contexts, and users’ experiences of employing the model during simulated learning conversations. Discussion This study will produce a stakeholder-informed model that responds to the specific learning and clinical needs of rural generalist practice. By embedding co-design throughout the research process, the resulting model is expected to strengthen learning conversations, optimise trainee learning, and enhance the quality and safety of patient care. The findings have potential applicability across broader health professional training contexts and can support workforce development in rural healthcare settings.

InAs/InGaAs quantum dots with room temperature photoluminescence at 1380 nm by Sb surfactant-induced strain relaxation

This study examined the effects of Sb exposure on the optical properties of InAs/InGaAs quantum dot-in-a-well (QDWELL) heterostructures. A two-step strain compensation scheme was employed, with InAs QDs embedded within an InGaAs matrix to reduce the compressive strain caused by lattice mismatch between InAs and GaAs. Subsequent post-growth Sb flux exposure further reduced strain and altered surface energetics, producing a pronounced redshift of the ground-state emission from 1310 to 1380 nm at room temperature with a narrow linewidth (<30 meV). Temperature-dependent photoluminescence measurements also showed an enhanced activation energy of approximately 288 meV, compared with 250 meV for the QDs without Sb exposure, indicating a deeper confinement potential arising from increased conduction and valence band offsets. These results suggest that this approach allows both strain and carrier confinement to be effectively tailored to enable wavelength tuning into the E-band, promising for QD-based long-wavelength optoelectronic devices.

Fibrocytes with different phenotypes are recruited in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

SARS-CoV-2 infection in female sex workers from Nairobi, Kenya early in the COVID-19 pandemic: Seroincidence and behavioural associations

While COVID-19 mortality was relatively low in many Sub-Saharan African countries during the first wave of the pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 transmission was extensive. We hypothesized that female sex workers (FSWs) would be at enhanced risk of acquisition of this novel respiratory viral infection, due to intimate contact with multiple sexual partners and solicitation of clients in crowded venues. Here we describe the seroincidence, socio-behavioural associations and clinical outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Kenyan FSWs early in the pandemic. A longitudinal cohort of 1003 FSWs (257 living with HIV) from Nairobi, Kenya was enrolled in mid-2019, just prior to the pandemic, and plasma was available for SARS-CoV-2 serology from 827 participants at clinical follow up approximately one year later. Socio-behavioural and respiratory symptom data were collected by questionnaire. We examined the association of SARS-CoV-2 infection with socio-behavioural factors. Follow-up was a median of 201 days (range; 92−342 days) after the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya, and 229 (27.7%) participants were SARS-CoV-2 seropositive. Seroprevalence increased steadily with time from pandemic declaration. Infection was not associated with behavioural or demographic parameters but was strongly associated with time since start of the pandemic (p < 0.0001). Respiratory symptoms during the past 6 months were reported by almost two-thirds of participants (510/821; 62.1%), with SARS-CoV-2 infection specifically associated with self-reported difficulty breathing, dizziness, fever, loss of smell, myalgia, rhinorrhea, and odynophagia; approximately half of the cases were completely asymptomatic. HIV status was not associated with differences in SARS-CoV-2 seroincidence or symptoms, and no behavioural or sociodemographic associations of infection were apparent. Pre-pandemic serology demonstrated antibodies recognizing one of SARS-CoV-2 Spike, RBD, or N in 151/994 participants (15.2%), but these were not associated with protection against subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, SARS-CoV-2 seroincidence was high early in the pandemic among Nairobi-based FSWs, with no clear socio-behavioural associations of infection.

Extended depth-of-field volumetric microscopy based on bidirectionally separated nonparaxial self-bending beam

We propose a detection-side volumetric imaging strategy based on a nonparaxial self-bending beam (SBB), achieving an extended depth-of-field (DOF) of 70 μm in a 100×, numerical-aperture (NA) 1.45 fluorescence microscope. By combining cubic phase, asymmetric chirp, and nonparaxial residual-phase compensation, we engineer a nonparaxial SBB with robust depth encoding under high-NA focusing. With bidirectional separation, the nonparaxial SBB enables high-resolution 3D imaging. A standard-sample experiment validates the 3D imaging fidelity and reconstruction accuracy over a DOF of ∼40 μm. A volumetric fluorescent beads experiment demonstrates the ∼70 μm DOF and the near-diffraction-limited resolution. Imaging of a 16-μm-thick mouse kidney section further evaluates the applicability of the method to continuous biological tissue. This framework provides a practical paradigm for deploying structured beams to enhance imaging performance in high-NA volumetric microscopes.

Uncovering the potential anti-cancer compounds from Strobilanthes cusia against colorectal cancer through network pharmacology and molecular docking

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health challenge owing to its therapeutic resistance and high recurrence rates, underscoring the need for mechanism-based interventions. Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze, a medicinal herb traditionally used for inflammatory disorders, contains bioactive diterpenoids and alkaloids with anticancer potential. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process in CRC remain unclear. This study evaluated sequential Soxhlet extracts of S. cusia leaves using integrated in-vitro and in-silico methods. Among the n-hexane, chloroform, ethanol, and aqueous fractions, the ethanolic extract exhibited the highest cytotoxicity against HCT-116 and SW-620 CRC cells, with IC 50 values of 54.37 and 77.52 µg/mL, respectively. GC–MS analysis identified 13 phytoconstituents, and andrographolide was isolated for the first time from S. cusia and structurally characterized using UV–Visible, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. Network pharmacology analysis identified checkpoint kinase 1 (CHEK1) as a central target. Molecular docking revealed favorable binding of andrographolide to CHEK1 (− 6.40 kcal/mol), comparable to that of the reference compound (− 6.30 kcal/mol), and molecular dynamics simulations confirmed complex stability. In vitro validation demonstrated dose-dependent apoptosis and proliferation inhibition in both cell lines, with significantly lower IC 50 values at 48 h (isolated: 10.52 ± 1.91µM; commercial: 8.96 ± 9.35µM) than at 24 h. These findings identify CHEK1 as a mechanistically relevant target and support further translational investigation of S. cusia-derived andrographolide in CRC therapy.

Dialogic reading at age 2 is linked to frontal activation related to executive function at age 5: An fNIRS study

This study investigates the relationship between children’s dialogic reading (DR) experiences with parents at age 2 and their frontal neural responses related to executive function (EF) at age 5. To assess how the intensity of DR influences brain development, we quantitatively measured parental engagement in DR when children are at 2 years of age. Neural activations in frontal regions associated with EF were evaluated using functional near-infrared spectroscopy when children reached age 5. Our results reveal a significant positive correlation between parental dialogic interaction during shared book reading at age 2 and the activation of key brain regions related to EF – the bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus – during a Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) task at age 5. This correlation persisted even after controlling for maternal education and children’s expressive vocabulary, indicating a robust relationship between early DR experiences and subsequent neural correlates of EF. The results suggest that early DR may help cultivate the neural infrastructure necessary for EF development. By focusing on DR at a young age and assessing neural activity during a classic EF task, the DCCS, our findings contribute additional evidence regarding the role of DR in shaping neural development associated with EF. These results highlight the importance of encouraging interactive DR practices in early childhood, as they not only support language development but also strengthen the neural pathways crucial for cognitive skills essential for academic success.

Electrically coupled NiFe2O4/Ti3C2 hybrids with enhanced dielectric and energy storage performance

NiFe2O4/Ti3C2 hybrid composites exhibit superior dielectric and pseudocapacitive properties, due to highly efficient interfacial charge transport. Conventional spinel ferrites suffer from intrinsically low electronic conductivity and limited rate capability, while pristine MXenes often exhibit restacking and insufficient dielectric response. The NiFe2O4/Ti3C2 hybrid bridges this gap by engineering conductive heterointerfaces that promote ultrafast electron delocalization, strong Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars interfacial polarization, and synergistic pseudocapacitive/redox activity. Consequently, the specific capacitance increased significantly from 143 to 503 F g−1 in the hybrid, indicating dominant surface-controlled redox kinetics with reduced diffusion limitations. Strong electrical coupling at the carbide–ferrite heterointerfaces is confirmed by low charge-transfer resistance and rapid electron mobility. Dielectric analysis shows an exceptionally high dielectric constant (ε′ ∼ 2.5 × 105) at low frequencies and high temperatures due to thermally activated polar accumulation and Ti3C2-induced micro-capacitors, as evidenced by depressed Cole–Cole arcs and R-CPE circuit elements. The AC conductivity obeys Jonscher's power law, with the exponent n decreasing systematically with temperature (0.893 ± 0.018 to 0.622 ± 0.014), confirming the short-range correlated barrier hopping mechanism driven by thermally activated hopping of localized carriers. These synergistic electrical-electrochemical effects make the NiFe2O4/Ti3C2 hybrid a promising candidate for next-generation electrochemical energy storage systems.

Discovery of membrane channel modulators via DNA encoded library screening using native like membrane protein nanoparticles

Complete mitochondrial genome and microsatellite marker development of the Antarctic scallop (Adamussium colbecki) for its population genetics analysis

Adamussium colbecki is an ecologically important species (class Bivalvia) endemic to the Southern Ocean, but genomic resource for this species has remained yet limited. In this study, we first report the complete and annotated mitochondrial genome of A. colbecki , assembled using MGI paired-end sequencing. The circular mitogenome was 15,269 bp in length and comprised of 12 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, and 18 tRNAs, with the atp8 gene absent, as commonly observed in bivalve molluscs. Phylogenetic analysis based on 11 mitochondrial PCGs (7,053 bp) revealed that A. colbecki formed a distinct and well-supported lineage within Pectinidae, the most closely related to Placopecten magellanicus . The 12S and 16S rRNA regions of the mitogenome were analyzed as mitochondrial DNA markers. In addition, using whole nuclear genomic information 144,512 perfect microsatellite loci (SSRs) were identified, and 30 primer-pairs were designed, among which seven polymorphic markers were developed. We then tested for their applicability to population genetics analysis and found that they were relatively highly polymorphic. These newly generated genomic resources will provide versatile genetic markers for future studies on population structure, genetic diversity, and evolutionary (demographic) history of A. colbecki , contributing to long-term population monitoring and conservation in the Antarctic marine ecosystem.