Browse Articles

Crochet increases attention through a requiring motor skill learning

Strain-engineering spin-valley locking effect in altermagnetic monolayer with multipiezo properties

Recently, altermagnetism (AM) in condensed matter systems has attracted much attention due to the physical properties arising from alternating spins in both real space and reciprocal space. In our work, we propose a stable monolayer Janus Nb2SeTeO with altermagnetic ground state and spin-valley locking (SVL) effect. The monolayer Janus Nb2SeTeO exhibits a multipiezo effect with a large out-of-plane piezoelectricity and piezovalley effect with large valley polarization. The piezovalley effect is induced by uniaxial strain effect in different directions, which contributes the anomalous valley Hall effect (AVHE) observed in AM systems. Moreover, compressive uniaxial strain could induce quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) in the AM system, where the dissipationless topological edge states' chirality could be manipulated by the direction of uniaxial strain. These manifest topological phase transitions could be realized via piezovalley effect in the AM system. Furthermore, the AM quantum spin Hall effect (QSHE) could be induced by biaxial strain effect, which contributes quantized spin Hall conductance. Our work reveals that strain-engineering technique could serve as an important method to tune dissipationless edge states in monolayer Janus Nb2SeTeO. By designing the SVL effect, topological physics could be emerged in AM systems such as AVHE, QAHE, and QSHE.

Mechanism analysis of mechanical extraction of Pleioblastus amarus fibers by saturated steam pretreatment

Formation and stability of Ge nanocrystals in polymorph converted Ga2O3: Temperature-driven journey

The influence of germanium (Ge) implantation on β-Ga2O3 followed by ex situ annealing through polymorph conversion in air at various temperatures (600–1100 °C) is studied. Atomic resolution aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy is employed to examine the structural and microstructural changes induced by the annealing process. The results show that the thermal annealing process leads to the formation of Ge nanocrystals, which subsequently disappear, leaving nano-voids inside the Ge-doped Ga2O3 matrix. In addition, the microstructure displays distinct crystallographic relationships in annealed β-Ga2O3 forming layers with well-defined interfaces. This work reveals the unique effects of Ge-implantation, demonstrating the possible functionalization of Ga2O3 with Ge nanocrystals.

Analysis of ADR reports of cetuximab based on the FDA adverse event reporting system database

Physics-informed neural networks for phase-field simulation in designing high energy storage performance polymer nanocomposites

Dielectric polymers for electrostatic energy storage are used in modern electronic and electrical systems, and their performance can be significantly enhanced through doping with ultralow content nanofillers to improve energy storage performance. Understanding the underlying physical mechanisms of polymer nanocomposites is essential for designing high-performance dielectric polymers. This paper presents a conduction model that integrates Richardson–Schottky emission and hopping conduction to describe charge injection and transport in polymer composites. Phase-field simulations, incorporating electrical, thermal, and mechanical breakdown mechanisms, investigate the influence of nanofiller volume fraction, size, and dielectric constant on the dielectric response and breakdown behaviors under high temperature and electric fields. We propose the Physics-Informed Neural Networks for phase-field simulation that integrates the physical rules of charge transport, phase evolution, and boundary conditions. By embedding phase field models within the Physics-Informed Neural Networks' structure, this method demonstrates the ability to predict the breakdown strength and energy density of polymer nanocomposites. This work provides crucial guidelines for designing high-performance dielectric energy storage capacitors under extreme conditions.

Nonlinear associations of the hs-CRP/HDL-C index with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and advanced liver fibrosis in US adults: insights from NHANES 2017–2018

Public quantum network: The first node

We present a quantum network that distributes entangled photons between the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a public library in Urbana. The network allows members of the public to perform measurements on the photons. We describe its design and implementation and outreach based on the network. Over 400 instances of public interaction have been logged with the system since it was launched in November 2023.

The effect of transcranial random noise stimulation on the movement time and components of noise, co-variation, and tolerance in a perceptual-motor task

Label-free 3D optical angiography via time-frequency domain analysis of focal modulated dynamic blood flow

Accurate three-dimensional (3D) blood flow imaging with high spatiotemporal resolution and significant detection depth is essential for studying vascular structure-related diseases. In this Letter, we introduce a label-free 3D optical angiography technique via time-frequency domain analysis (TFDA) of focal modulated dynamic blood flow. First, a low-magnification telecentric lens is used for sparse axial sampling within a large depth-of-field range to obtain a coarse estimate of vascular depth. Then, based on the frequency-depth characteristics of dynamic blood flow signals, a TFDA-based focusing evaluation function is established in combination with Lambert–Beer's law, achieving a mean absolute percentage error of 2.06%. Finally, validation on a 3-day-old chicken embryo demonstrated a lateral spatial resolution of 2.95 μm and imaging time of 11.5 s for a 4.95 × 4.95 × 0.7 mm3 sample. Our method provides effective blood flow depth localization by assessing focal modulation intensity relative to focal plane and blood flow position, offering promising support for vascular disease research.

Actinorhodopsin: an efficient and robust light-driven proton pump for bionanotechnological applications

Abstract Actinorhodopsins are encoded by a distinct group of microbial rhodopsin (MR) genes predominant in non-marine actinobacteria. Despite their role in the global energy cycle and potential for bionanotechnological applications, our understanding of actinorhodopsin proteins is limited. Here, we characterized the actinorhodopsin RlActR from the freshwater actinobacterium Rhodoluna lacicola, which conserves amino acid residues critical for light-driven proton pumping found in MRs. RlActR was efficiently overexpressed in Escherichia coli in milligram amounts and isolated with high purity and homogeneity. The purified RlActR absorbed green light and its primary proton acceptor exhibited a mildly acidic apparent pK a . Size-exclusion chromatography of RlActR purified in the relatively mild and harsh detergents 5-cyclohexyl-1-pentyl-β-D-maltoside and n-octyl-β-D-glucopyranoside revealed highly homogeneous oligomers and no disruption into monomers, indicating significant robustness of the RlActR oligomer. Cryo-electron microscopy and 2D classification of protein particles provided a projection structure identifying the oligomeric state of RlActR as a pentamer. Efficient establishment of a proton gradient across lipid membranes upon light illumination was demonstrated using RlActR-overexpressing E. coli cells and reconstituted RlActR proteoliposomes. In summary, these features make RlActR an attractive energizing building block for the bottom-up assembly of molecular systems for bionanotechnological applications.

Acoustic levitation of super-wavelength elastic films using ultrasound phased arrays

We present a method for levitating films with a surface size larger than the wavelength using airborne ultrasound phased arrays. A typical example is a polyimide film with a side length of 40–50 mm and a thickness of 5 μm (aspect ratio: 8–10 × 103). We verified our method by measuring the height, horizontal position, and vibration of the levitating film. The results show that the film levitates at the height of the original standing wave node and at discrete horizontal positions approximately every transducer interval. The levitated film vibrates at the same frequency as the ultrasonic transducer and cannot be regarded as rigid against ultrasonic waves. Different film materials and thicknesses were examined, including metal foils and wood papers. In this study, the maximum surface density of the films that levitated was 3.5 ×10−2 mg/mm2. Therefore, the proposed method can be used to hold film samples in the air for observation or as an aerial screen.

Assessment of forest soil contamination by heavy metals in the Polish National Park near Warsaw

Tunneling photo-thermoelectric effect in monolayer graphene/bilayer hexagonal boron nitride/bilayer graphene asymmetric van der Waals tunnel junctions

Graphene exhibits a pronounced photo-thermoelectric effect (PTE) in its in-plane carrier transport and has attracted attention toward various optoelectronic applications. In this study, we demonstrate an out-of-plane PTE by utilizing electron tunneling across a barrier, namely, the tunneling photo-thermoelectric effect (TPTE). This was achieved in a monolayer graphene (MLG)/bilayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN)/bilayer graphene (BLG) asymmetric tunnel junction. MLG and BLG exhibit different cyclotron resonance (CR) optical absorption energies when their energies are Landau quantized under an out-of-plane magnetic field. We tuned the magnetic field under mid-infrared irradiation to bring MLG into CR conditions, whereas BLG was not in CR. The CR absorption in the MLG generates an electron temperature difference between the MLG and BLG and induces an out-of-plane TPTE voltage across the h-BN tunnel barrier. The TPTE exhibited a unique dependence on the Fermi energy of the MLG, which differed from that of the in-plane PTE of the MLG. The TPTE signal was large when the Fermi energy of the MLG was tuned near the transition between the quantum Hall state (QHS) and non-QHS. The TPTE allows one to measure the PTE on vertically stacked tunnel junctions, thus providing another degree of freedom for probing the electronic and optoelectronic properties of two-dimensional material heterostructures.

The mediating role of thyroid-related hormones between thyroid dysfunction diseases and osteoporosis: a mediation mendelian randomization study

Tuning the interfacial transport behavior in a superconducting van der Waals heterostructure

The interaction between the metallic and superconducting components at the interface of superconductor–normal metal (S-N) systems enables a variety of quantum phenomena, including the Josephson effect, Andreev reflection, and proximity-induced superconductivity, which are of significant interest both theoretically and practically. Nevertheless, due to varying physical mechanisms, achieving and fine-tuning multiple such phenomena within a single S-N system continues to be a challenge. In this work, we employ NbSe2 and WTe2 to fabricate an S-N-S heterostructure. Below the superconducting transition temperature of NbSe2, two distinct resistance-temperature behaviors are observed: a continuous decrease in junction resistance with temperature decrease, indicative of the superconducting proximity effect and consistent with the BCS model, and an increase in resistance attributed to competition between Andreev reflection (AR) and normal reflection at a low-transparency interface, which can be suppressed by applying a small bias current or a magnetic field. Our results indicate the signature of the coexistence of proximity-induced superconductivity with AR in the measured S-N-S heterojunction, demonstrating the tunability of charge carrier transport behavior at the interface. This finding enhances our understanding of such systems and holds potential for the development of superconducting electronics, quantum computing, and energy harvesting technologies.

Micro-computed tomographic analysis of the morphology of maxillary canines

Abstract Objective: This study aimed to examine the morphology of maxillary canines (MxCs) by means of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and methods: The root canal configurations (RCCs) of 97 maxillary canines of a mixed Swiss-German population were analyzed using micro-CT. After representing the internal morphology by 3-D software imaging, the RCC results were described using a four-digit system code indicating the main root canal from coronal to apical thirds and the main foramina number. Results: The most frequently observed RCCs of the MxC of the Swiss-German population were 1-1-1/1 (77.3%), followed by 1-1-1/2 (14.4%), 1-1-2/2 (4.1%), and finally 1-1-1/3 and 1-2-1/1 with 2.1% each. One physiological foramen was observed in 79.4% of the samples, two in 18.6%, and only 2.1% had three foramina. In 52.6% of the MxC samples, accessory and connecting canals were identified, with the majority located in the apical third of the root. Conclusions: This study contributes detailed information about the RCCs of MxC. The most prevalent RCC is 1-1-1/1, with accessory or connecting canals present in over half of the samples. However, it is noteworthy that in more than one-fifth of the examined samples, a particularly challenging RCC was observed. This should be considered when selecting treatment techniques. Clinical relevance: This study presents the root canal configurations in maxillary canines of a Swiss-German population and emphasizes the importance of influencing endodontic treatment decisions and outcomes.

Enhanced current-induced torque efficiency in Pt/Co/Tb/Cr structures through the synergistic action of orbital torque effect

We investigated the impact on the spin–orbit torque (SOT) efficiency by varying the thickness of the Cr and Tb layers in the Pt/Co/Tb/Cr system. The harmonic Hall voltage measurement shows that the Tb insert layer effectively enhances the damping-like (DL) torque efficiency, which is ascribed to the conversion of the orbital current to spin current in the Tb layer. Additionally, by fitting the Cr thickness dependence of the measured DL torque efficiency with an orbital current diffusion model, we obtained the orbital diffusion length of the Cr layer of 5.3 ± 0.3 nm and the effective orbital Hall angle of −0.18 ± 0.01. Furthermore, current-induced magnetization switching measurement suggested that the critical switching current density decreases with the insertion of the Tb layer and the increasing Cr layer thickness. Our findings offer valuable insights into the improvement of SOT efficiency by utilizing the orbital current effect and open avenues for developing energy-efficient spintronics devices.

Dissociable genetic influences on eye movements during abstract versus naturalistic social scene viewing in infancy

Abstract Eye-movement metrics like fixation location and duration are increasingly being used in infancy research. We tested whether fixation durations during meaningful social stimulus viewing involve common or different familial influences than fixation durations during viewing of abstract stimulus. We analysed the duration of fixations, and the allocation of fixations to face and motion, from 536 dizygotic and monozygotic 5-month-old twins in: naturalistic scenes including low- and high-level social features, and abstract scenes only having low-level features. We observed significant genetic influences in both conditions (h 2 naturalistic  = 0.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14 to 0.44; h 2 abstract  = 0.25, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.39), while shared environmental influences were negligible. Although some genetic influences were shared between the two conditions, unique genetic factors were linked to naturalistic scene viewing, indicating that fixation durations index different phenomena dependent on the context. Heritability for face looking was moderate (h 2 = 0.19, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.34), and no familial influences were found for motion looking. Exploratory polygenic score analyses revealed no significant associations with fixation measures. This study underscores the dissociable genetic influences on infants’ visual exploration of abstract versus naturalistic stimuli and the importance of considering context when interpreting eye-tracking data.

Realizing the key role of magnetic domain walls in magnetic field-enhanced oxygen evolution reaction

Understanding the relationship between magnetic structures (magnetic domains and domain walls) and enhanced activity is crucial for elucidating the mechanism behind magnetic field-assisted oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this work, two-dimensional CoSe2 nanosheets with room-temperature ferromagnetic properties and structural stability were synthesized using chemical vapor deposition. Electrochemical measurements suggest that OER performance of CoSe2 nanosheets is improved under a 200 mT magnetic field, with the overpotential at 10 mA cm−2 reduced by 81 mV. Moreover, magnetic force microscopy observations on CoSe2 nanosheets reveal that spin disorder in the magnetic domain wall region transforms to spin order under the 200 mT magnetic field, resulting in improved OER performance. Although the magnetic field has a negligible effect on the OER performance of single-domain CoSe2 nanosheets, these findings reveal the decisive role of magnetic domain walls in enhancing OER performance under an applied magnetic field, pointing to the potential for industrial applications of magnetic field-assisted catalysis.