Browse Articles

Electromechanical switching and momentum-selective transport in geometry-defined blue phosphorus homojunctions

Developing intrinsic homojunctions without chemical heterogeneity remains a key challenge for the development of future two-dimensional devices. Here, we report a geometry-defined metal–semiconductor–metal homojunction in bilayer blue phosphorus (BlueP) created by a localized bubble corrugation, without chemical doping or foreign-material interfaces. First-principles calculations show that enlarging the interlayer separation in the metallic A1B−1-stacked BlueP bilayer opens a bandgap, enabling a semiconducting barrier embedded between metallic segments. First-principles quantum-transport simulations reveal a crossover from ballistic to tunneling transport upon bubble formation. In the tunneling regime, transmission decreases exponentially with bubble width while remaining weakly sensitive to bubble height and bulging direction. The junction acts as an orientation-dependent k-space filter, producing transport anisotropy and momentum selectivity. Orbital-resolved scattering analysis shows that intralayer-bonding channels persist under deformation, whereas interlayer-hybridized channels are quenched, and that σ-type bonding yields higher conductance than π-type bonding. These insights motivate two electromechanical device concepts: a mechanically switchable memory element with ON/OFF ratios up to 30 and a nanoscale sliding rheostat with reproducible exponential resistance tuning for Ångström-scale displacement sensing.

Sensing nature in the city: The role of sight and sound in restorative tropical urban green spaces

Rapid urbanization has increased disconnection from nature, especially in cities. While research on restorative environments has largely focused on non-tropical regions, little is known about the restorative potential of tropical urban green spaces (UGSs). This study assessed the perceived restorativeness of tropical UGSs in Malaysia using 120 environmental stimuli from nature, urban, and mixed urban-nature settings. 87 participants were randomly assigned to one of the three modalities: audio-only, visual-only, or bimodal. Each participant rated a subset of 30 stimuli on perceived restorativeness. Results showed that nature and mixed urban-nature scenes were in general rated as more restorative than urban scenes. An interaction effect indicated that, in the visual-only modality, mixed urban-nature scenes were perceived as more restorative than nature scenes, while no significant differences were observed in the audio-only and bimodal modalities. Moreover, perceived restorativeness for nature scenes was comparable across bimodal, visual-only, and audio-only presentations. These findings suggest that small pockets of urban nature (e.g., tree-lined streets, rooftop gardens) can offer greater psychological restoration than wild, untamed forests. In addition, high-quality nature sounds (e.g., birdsong, flowing water) can provide restorative benefits comparable to visual exposure when access to green views is limited. Such insights can inform urban planning strategies to design more restorative and liveable cities.

Correction to “Structurally Simple Osmium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes as Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy in the Near Infrared”

High sub-bandgap response and fast switching enabled by thermal quenching in carbon-doped semi-insulating GaN

Carbon-doped GaN is a promising material for sub-bandgap triggered optical switches. When incorporated in GaN, carbon introduces deep compensating centers that enable defect-mediated extrinsic photoconductivity. Here, we investigate the optical responsivity and switching kinetics of semi-insulating carbon-doped GaN actuated by sub-bandgap blue illumination. A high ON/OFF ratio exceeding 107 is achieved under low-irradiance 405-nm excitation. Temperature-dependent transient measurements reveal that the photocurrent decay is thermally quenched above a crossover temperature of ∼300 K. This behavior is attributed to hole-emission-assisted recombination. The extracted activation energies vary across samples; a commonly observed value of ∼0.83 eV is attributed to the CN defect. Notably, when heating above the crossover temperature, thermal quenching accelerates the photocurrent decay by up to a factor of five, enabling significantly faster switching.

Editorial Note: Subglacial Lake Vostok (Antarctica) Accretion Ice contains a diverse set of sequences from aquatic, marine and sediment-inhabiting Bacteria and Eukarya

Investigation of origin of polycrystalline defect in homoepitaxial (01¯1¯) <b> <i>β</i> </b> -Ga2O3 layers grown by halide vapor phase epitaxy using synchrotron x-ray topography and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy

We demonstrate that (01¯1¯) [or (011)] β-Ga2O3 is a promising orientation for halide vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) homoepitaxial growth for realization of thick epitaxial layers with low donor concentration. Mercury capacitance–voltage measurements indicate a net donor concentration in the range of 4 × 1014–2 × 1015 cm−3, which is suitable for high-power device applications. However, the presence of polycrystalline defects was confirmed over the entire as-grown HVPE surface, with a density of approximately 1.3 × 102 cm−2. X-ray topography measurements showed that the formation of these polycrystalline defects is not triggered by dislocations in the substrate. Optical microscopy observation confirmed the presence of cores within the polycrystalline defects near the epilayer/substrate interface. Additionally, cross-sectional energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy identified SiOx contaminations originating from the quartz of the chamber sidewall are the cause of the formation of these polycrystalline defects.

Revisiting the role of structural connectivity-based parcellation in thalamic nuclei segmentation: Benchmarking against recent state-of-the-art methods

Leveraging diffusion tractography, connectivity-based parcellation (CBP) is one of the oldest methods for thalamic nuclei segmentation. The goal of this work was to reassess CBP using higher spatial resolution diffusion MRI data and reconstruction algorithms, and to compare it with recent state-of-the-art methods for thalamic nuclei segmentation. Furthermore, these methods were systematically evaluated against three histological atlases and one functional MRI–based atlas to examine their relative anatomical similarities and differences. High resolution diffusion and T1-weighted MRI data from 67 healthy individuals in the Human Connectome Project Young Adult database were analyzed. CBP was performed using probabilistic tractography with cortical targets derived from combining labels of the Human Connectome Project Multi-Modal Parcellation 1.0 atlas into 8, 11, and 23 regions. Results were compared against three recent methods: orientation distribution function clustering (ODF), track density imaging (TDI), and structural MRI-based segmentation. Group level analyses were conducted in the Montreal Neurological Institute space, and Dice overlap coefficients were calculated using four atlases (three histological, one functional). CBP results using newer data and methods were still remarkably similar to the original CBP parcellation results. Across atlases, a consistent hierarchy was observed: HIPS-THOMAS performed best, followed by TDI, ODF, and CBP (Kendall’s W = 1.00, p = 0.007). Histological atlases showed strong mutual agreement (Pearson r  = 0.71–0.85), whereas the Zhang atlas demonstrated lower concordance (Pearson r  = 0.51–0.63). Despite methodological advances, CBP remains constrained in its ability to delineate thalamic nuclei with histological accuracy. By contrast, structural and diffusion microstructural approaches provided better nuclear localization. These findings highlight the need for hybrid workflows that integrate structural and diffusion-based information to enable more reliable thalamic segmentation for neuroscience research.

Characterization of trap dynamics via transient response in amorphous InGaZnO thin-film transistors

In this paper, the transient behavior of amorphous InGaZnO thin-film transistors is quantitatively investigated to clarify the charge trapping dynamics limiting high-speed operation. The transient drain current response is characterized by varying the gate pulse duration (tp) and the operating temperature (T). A power law-based model is employed to extract key parameters (αJT0,i, QT,i, and ni), revealing two temporal regimes separated at to ≈ 7 × 10−3 s. The fast regime (R1) is governed by tunneling-mediated electron capture into shallow traps, whereas the slow regime (R2) originates from thermally assisted transport into deeper traps under electrostatic coupling to accumulated trapped charge. A clear transition in R2 response occurs near T ≈ 333 K. Activation energy (Ea) analysis yields Ea ≈ 0 eV in R1 and Ea = 0.2–0.4 eV in R2 for low T, indicating a transition from tunneling to hopping conduction. These results provide a compact framework for separating fast/slow trapping and optimizing oxide thin-film transistor operation.

From global to local: Developing a context-specific BeSD-HPV tool through cultural and linguistic adaptation in Pakistan

Objectives A key challenge in preventing cervical cancer is the low uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Evidence indicates that, in addition to logistical and structural issues, this is often influenced by sociocultural factors. The objective of this study was to develop a culturally adapted Behavioral and Social Drivers (BeSD) of HPV vaccination framework that is linguistically appropriate, contextually grounded, and culturally sensitive, to evaluate the social, behavioral, and cultural factors influencing HPV vaccination in Pakistan. Methods This descriptive qualitative survey was conducted across several districts in Punjab, Pakistan, from February to August 2025. Study participants included adolescent girls, parents/guardians, healthcare providers, community workers, teachers, school administrators, and religious scholars. Results Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis with deductive and inductive coding. Deductive codes aligned with existing WHO BeSD domains, while inductive analysis revealed a new domain: Cultural Integration. Themes and subthemes were mapped to specific BeSD constructs, illustrated with participant quotes and rationales. The tool was subsequently translated into Urdu by a bilingual expert to ensure linguistic appropriateness. Table cell colors correspond to the WHO BeSD domains (Thinking and Feeling, Social Processes, Motivation, Practical Issues) and the emergent theme, Cultural Integration. Conclusion The culturally adapted BeSD-HPV tool provides a methodological framework for contextualizing global health models. It underscores the need for culturally informed, community-driven strategies to ensure the successful rollout of HPV vaccination in Pakistan and other LMICs.

Toward enhanced photocatalysis: High-mobility two-dimensional polar heterojunctions for water splitting

The efficiency of overall water splitting is often hampered by the bandgap constraint of photocatalysts, restricting solar energy harvesting. To address this issue, two-dimensional (2D) polar materials offer a distinct advantage: their intrinsic internal electric field induces energy level bending, effectively extending the light absorption spectrum. Using first-principles calculations, we systematically evaluate the photocatalytic performance of 25 MXYN4/MXYN4 (M = Mo, W; X, Y = Si, Ge) van der Waals heterojunctions (vdWHs) as a model system for polar heterostructures. These vdWHs exhibit superior electronic properties, such as suitable band alignments, high carrier mobility, and strong light-harvesting capability. Meanwhile, a pronounced intrinsic electric field is generated, driven by considerable interfacial charge transfer between the constituent MXYN4 monolayers. This synergistic effect enhances the spatial separation of charge carriers and suppresses their recombination, thereby facilitating efficient photocatalysis. Among the 25 polar heterojunctions, 20 are spontaneously active for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and 13 for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) under illumination. Remarkably, the polar vdWHs show markedly superior HER activity under acidic conditions and significantly boosted OER performance in alkaline environments. These findings underscore the potential of 2D polar vdWHs for high-performance photocatalysis.

The safety window of blood magnesium in pulmonary complications of non-pulmonary sepsis: A U-shaped risk and prognostic analysis based on MIMIC-IV

Pulmonary complications in non-pulmonary sepsis (PC-NPS) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the intensive care unit. Early prevention and monitoring are paramount since the prevention strategies remain limited yet. Magnesium, an essential electrolyte involved in inflammation and vascular regulation, may influence the development of such complications. This retrospective cohort study used data from the MIMIC-IV database to explore the relationship between baseline serum magnesium levels and PC-NPS among 4,836 patients with non-pulmonary sepsis. Survival analysis demonstrated that patients who developed PC-NPS had significantly higher 90-day mortality compared with those without lung injury. When stratified by baseline serum magnesium quartiles, patients in the highest quartile (&gt;2.1 mg/dL) showed the poorest survival. Multivariable logistic regression confirmed that elevated magnesium was independently associated with increased risk of PC-NPS, and restricted cubic spline modeling revealed a U-shaped, nonlinear association between baseline magnesium concentration and PC-NPS risk. Inflection points at 1.26 and 1.91 mg/dL identified a range of relatively lower risk. These findings suggest that baseline serum magnesium levels exhibit a U-shaped relationship with the risk of PC-NPS. Evaluating these levels may aid in clinical prognostication and the exploration of underlying mechanisms.

Cryogenic angle-resolved Brillouin–Mandelstam spectroscopy of surface and bulk acoustic phonons in diamond

We used angle-resolved Brillouin–Mandelstam light-scattering spectroscopy to monitor surface and bulk acoustic phonons in diamond along the ⟨100⟩ and ⟨110⟩ crystallographic directions across a temperature range from 10 to 300 K. The frequencies and phase velocities were measured for three types of surface acoustic phonons: Rayleigh waves, shear horizontal waves, and high-frequency pseudo-longitudinal waves. All surface acoustic phonons exhibit weak temperature dependence, with the largest observed coefficient of variation of 2.44% across the examined temperature range. The frequencies of all three types of surface acoustic phonons agree with the theoretical values within the experimental uncertainty. Cryogenic surface-acoustic-phonon data are important for diamond-based quantum sensors, surface acoustic wave devices, and other electronic technologies. Knowledge of surface acoustic phonons can also be used for developing accurate models for thermal transport between interfaces.

The effects of morning priming exercise on afternoon physical and cognitive performance in female field hockey players

Objective Hockey players concurrently experience physical and cognitive fatigue during competition, yet these are critical for successful performance. Prior research has shown cognitive and physical impairments after hockey matches. Morning resistance training may enhance afternoon neuromuscular and cognitive performance via diurnal changes in hormonal status. This study aimed to examine the effects of morning resistance exercise on afternoon physical and cognitive performance in field hockey players . Methods On two separate occasions (randomised crossover design), 19 university female hockey players (19 ± 1 years) completed morning assessments of physical performance (countermovement jump, 40 m linear sprint) and cognitive function (rapid visual information processing, spatial working memory, paired associates of learning). Control (passive rest) or intervention (barbell back squat, 3 x 3 repetitions at 85% of one repetition maximum and barbell squat jump, 5 x 3 repetitions at 40% one repetition maximum) were implemented 5.5 h before afternoon assessments. Results Afternoon peak power output and jump height improved following intervention and control ( P  &lt; 0.05). Peak power output and jump height improvements were greater following intervention (7.46% and 13.52% respectively) relative to control (3.16% and 4.85% respectively). Cognitive and sprinting performance, and readiness to perform were unaffected by the intervention but did improve from morning to afternoon. Conclusion Morning lower-body heavy and ballistic resistance exercise enhanced afternoon physical performance markers but did not affect cognitive performance in female hockey players.

Beyond one-thousandth energy resolution with an AlMn TES detector

The superconducting Transition-Edge Sensor (TES) is a critical technology for next-generation x-ray spectrometers, known for its exceptional energy resolution. In the last decade, TESs based on AlMn alloy films have been extensively used in several cosmic microwave background experiments. The advantages of simple fabrication process and easily tunable critical temperature make them an alternative to bilayer TESs. However, they have rarely been applied to x-ray detection until now. We developed an annular AlMn TES for x-ray detection and tested it in a dilution refrigerator with a superconducting quantum interference device amplifier, achieving a full width at half maximum of 12.1 ± 0.3 eV at 17.48 keV. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of an AlMn TES achieving an energy resolution below 0.1%, highlighting its potential for high-resolution x-ray detection.

Parental acceptability of newborn screening expansion in the genomic era: A nationwide French survey informed by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (SeDeN-p3)

Background Newborn screening (NBS) has progressively expanded through technological innovations, from tandem mass spectrometry enabling expanded NBS (eNBS) to the prospect of genomic NBS (gNBS). While these developments promise earlier diagnosis and richer information, they also raise concerns regarding actionability, uncertainty, equity and psychosocial impact. As technological feasibility alone does not ensure public confidence, parental perspectives are central to evaluating future expansions. This study assessed parental views on NBS expansion in France, examining its determinants and whether genomics raises specific concerns. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional survey (September 2022–February 2023) included 1,640 parents recruited postpartum in maternity wards and through an online quota panel. Acceptability of eNBS and gNBS was assessed alongside intermediate components from the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (affective attitude, perceived effectiveness, ethicality), a technical trade-off scenario, and individual characteristics. Analyses combined descriptive statistics, multivariable regression, and thematic analysis of free-text comments. Results Support was very high for eNBS (93%) and remained high for gNBS (89%), with genetics mainly shifting responses from complete to partial acceptability. Affective attitude and perceived effectiveness were the strongest predictors of both outcomes, while ethical concerns distinguished assured from conditional support. Most parents prioritised minimising uncertain results, whereas a smaller subgroup accepted greater ambiguity. Foreign-born and single parents reported lower levels of complete acceptability, while health-sector workers and parents with rare-disease experience were more supportive. No independent association with the age of the youngest child was observed. Conclusion Parental acceptability of eNBS and gNBS is high but nuanced, shaped primarily by anticipated health benefits, emotional orientation and tolerance for uncertainty, with trust and social distance modulating support. As genomic expansion progresses, implementation will require proportionate, culturally adapted information and clear governance, and should be informed by real-world evidence from pilots such as PERIGENOMED.

Tunable ionic conductivity in halide electrolytes through cation ion exchange and channel engineering

Halide solid electrolytes hold great promise for all-solid-state batteries, yet their ionic conductivity requires further optimization. This study demonstrates a powerful strategy for tuning ionic transport in Li2ZrCl6 through cation ion exchange and precise channel engineering. Using first-principles calculations, we show that replacing Li+ with Na+ in the Li2 − 2xNa2xZrCl6 system induces controlled lattice expansion, which directly engineers the size and geometry of ion migration channels. This enables remarkable tunability: Li+ conductivity is enhanced by two orders of magnitude, reaching 2.1 mS/cm for x = 0.75, while the migration barrier plummets from 0.298 to 0.044 eV. Crucially, the conductivity is anisotropic and dependent on the exchange pattern; a-axis-aligned Na+ creates channels (∼1.87 Å) optimal for Li+ mobility, whereas c-axis alignment yields channels (∼1.81 Å) that favor Na+ diffusion. This work establishes cation ion exchange as a fundamental lever for channel engineering, providing a direct pathway to design high-performance, tunable solid electrolytes.

Advancements in fire-related toxic gas detection and prophylactic strategies: A focus on cyanide concentration analysis and antidote efficacy in controlled smoke inhalation models

Fire smoke inhalation represents a major cause of acute mortality in fire incidents, with hydrogen cyanide being a critical contributor to rapid systemic toxicity. This study aimed to establish a controlled smoke inhalation model to characterize cyanide-dominant exposure and to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of a nebulized antidote combination under acute conditions. A reproducible smoke chamber system was developed to generate cyanide-rich toxic atmospheres. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to controlled cyanide concentrations, followed by prophylactic administration of a nebulized formulation containing hydroxocobalamin and deferoxamine. Survival outcomes were assessed to evaluate the protective effects of the intervention. Controlled cyanide exposure resulted in rapid and dose-dependent lethality. Prophylactic inhalation of the nebulized antidote significantly improved short-term survival compared with untreated controls ( p  &lt; 0.05), consistent with effective mitigation of cyanide toxicity. In conclusion, this study establishes a reproducible cyanide-focused smoke inhalation model and provides experimental evidence supporting the potential of aerosolized hydroxocobalamin-based prophylaxis as an immediate protective strategy during fire smoke exposure. These findings support the feasibility of rapid, non-invasive intervention aimed at preserving a critical time window for escape and subsequent medical treatment in fire-related emergencies.

Revisiting phonon thermal transport in perovskite CsPbBr3 crystals: Critical role of temperature-dependent quartic anharmonicity

Understanding the origin of ultralow lattice thermal conductivity (κL) in crystals is crucial for the development of advanced thermoelectric and thermal management materials. This study systematically investigates thermal transport mechanisms in perovskite CsPbBr3 crystals using a novel framework that integrates quartic anharmonicity-driven phonon spectral renormalization at finite temperatures with machine learning potential-driven molecular dynamics. In contrast to results from ground-state anharmonic lattice dynamics, our findings reveal that the ultralow κL in CsPbBr3 predominantly arises from particle-like phonon propagation rather than wave-like phonon coherence, due to anharmonic renormalization shifting most phonon modes from the Wigner limit into the propagation regime. Furthermore, the temperature-dependent quartic anharmonicity effectively promotes particle-like while limiting wave-like phonon transport channels, accurately reproducing the experimental ultralow κL of CsPbBr3 in magnitude and temperature dependence. This study not only resolves the discrepancy between measured and predicted κL in CsPbBr3 crystals but also reveals the dominant role of particle-like phonon propagation in flat ultralow κL, providing a revised physical picture for understanding anharmonic thermal transport and critical insights for regulating κL of materials through lattice anharmonicity.

Burnout among Syrian medical residents: A cross-sectional study using the burnout assessment tool (BAT)

Introduction Burnout syndrome, described by Herbert Freudenberger in 1974, is a psychological condition caused by chronic workplace stress, particularly in healthcare. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a reduced sense of achievement. Burnout has become prevalent among healthcare workers, especially physicians and residents, with rates often exceeding 50%. In Syria, ongoing conflict has further stressed the healthcare system, exacerbating burnout among medical residents. This study aims to assess the prevalence and contributing factors of burnout among Syrian medical residents using the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT), a more precise evaluation tool than traditional measures. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 18 to May 1, 2025, among resident physicians in hospitals across six Syrian governorates. Licensed physicians with at least one year of clinical experience were eligible. Data were collected via an online questionnaire (KoboToolbox) assessing demographics, work conditions, burnout symptoms (BAT-23), job satisfaction, coping strategies, and workplace challenges. The minimum required sample size was 373. SPSS v25 was used for analysis. Non-parametric tests were applied due to non-normal data distribution. Results A total of 550 medical residents participated, with the majority being female and in their early residency years. Participants primarily worked in governmental hospitals. Using the BAT23, 50% of participants were in the high-risk (Red) zone, with exhaustion being the most prevalent (76.7%). Cognitive impairment and emotional impairment were also common. Specialties like internal medicine and surgery showed higher burnout rates, with factors like workload, training, and work environment strongly linked to burnout. No significant differences were found based on Sex, age, or marital status. Discussion The BAT provided a comprehensive assessment of burnout, highlighting exhaustion as the main driver, while mental health was less impacted. Mid-level residents (years 2–4) faced the highest burnout rates due to increased responsibilities without senior mentorship. High-stress specialties like internal medicine, surgery, pulmonology, and anesthesia were more vulnerable to burnout. The study underscores the need for systemic reforms, including improved workload distribution, better training, and mental health support. Conclusion The study reveals high levels of burnout among Syrian medical residents, particularly in exhaustion and cognitive impairment. The highest rates were seen in mid-level residents and high-stress specialties. Structural reforms, such as better work conditions, training, and mental health support, are essential for mitigating burnout and ensuring the sustainability of Syria’s healthcare system.

Axial localization enabled by quantum correlations

Accurate axial localization is essential for identifying the object position along the optical axis, which directly impacts the resolution and fidelity of image reconstruction. However, conventional localization techniques rely on first-order intensity measurements and numerical propagation based on image sharpness metrics, making them susceptible to noise and diffraction-induced artifacts. Here, we propose a quantum correlation based axial localization method enabled by entangled photon pairs, where the axial position is encoded in the correlation peak width. In contrast to classical intensity-based approaches, the proposed method exploits second-order correlations and operates independently of the imaging modality and specimen. We analyze the evolution of the correlation peak width with defocus and show that it provides a direct and reliable indicator of the axial position. The proposed approach demonstrates enhanced noise robustness and avoids computationally intensive optimization procedures. This physics-driven framework enables robust axial localization in lensless, noninvasive, and photon-limited imaging scenarios and holds potential for advancing high-fidelity quantum imaging systems.