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Flexible optoelectronic memristor with photo-enhanced resistive switching for low-light visual perception

Applied Physics Letters Ziwei Yue, Siyu Zhao, Yuchun Li et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1063/5.0339447

Flexible neuromorphic visual systems require high-performance optoelectronic memristors with robust mechanical flexibility and stability. Conventional perovskite memristors suffer from poor film quality, disordered ion migration, and non-uniform resistive switching. Here, a flexible memristor based on CsPbBrI2 perovskite quantum dots:graphene oxide (GO) composite is fabricated to overcome these drawbacks. GO passivates surface defects and regulates ion migration, yielding compact composite films with efficient photogenerated carrier separation. The device exhibits remarkable photo-modulated bipolar resistive switching with a greatly enhanced ON/OFF ratio, exceptional mechanical flexibility, and cycling stability. The optoelectronic synergy promotes uniform conductive filament formation and in situ insulating barrier generation, clarifying the intrinsic photo-enhanced resistive switching mechanism. Integrated into an in-sensor convolutional neural network, the device realizes efficient low-light visual enhancement with improved perceptual performance. This work provides a feasible strategy for high-performance flexible optoelectronic memristors, showing promising prospects in neuromorphic computing and low-light intelligent sensing.

Mechanical behavior of single concrete frame strengthened with externally prestressed cables

PLoS ONE Xudong Gao, Jiying Shang, Yu Song Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0350097

Due to the long-term service of building structure in life, the functional degradation of components leads to the reduction of the bearing capacity of the structure, which, however, results in potential safety hazards. External prestressing reinforcement technology can make the existing structure more capable of supporting potential future loads and seismic actions by applying a reaction force to the structure. For the frame structure, the current research results mainly focuses on the external prestressing reinforcement of the beam, but the research on the full reinforcement on the beam and column of the frame structure is less attentively scrutinized up to now. Therefore, the method of full reinforcement of the beam and the column in frame structure is put forward herein, and the deflection-load curve of single concrete frame under vertical load was studied. The stress variation law of stirrup in the middle of frame beam and the internal force variation law of cable and hoop stirrup were analyzed. The results show that the plastic zone can be transferred from the end of the frame beam to the joint position of frame, and that the maximum plastic strain of the structure decrease by 70.65% with the increasing cable sag. Besides, the bearing capacity and yield load increase with the increase in cable sag and stirrup area, the yield load of the stirrup increased by 64.03%., and the cable prestress decreases with the increase in cable sag and cross-sectional area. Unlike previous studies that mainly focused on externally prestressed strengthening of beam-type members, this study proposes an integrated full reinforcement method for both beams and columns in RC frame structures. The novelty lies in combining beam external prestressing and column external hoop-stirrup confinement within one unified frame system and in clarifying the influences of cable sag, cable area, and hoop-stirrup area on the mechanical behavior of the reinforced frame.

Catalyst Hide‐and‐Seek Beneath Porous Support Surfaces: Pinpointing Active Site Distribution Through Resonance Energy Transfer

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Buddhima K. P. Maldeni Kankanamalage, William J. Thompson, Danielle N. Smith et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.4042285

ABSTRACT Merging the high selectivity and efficiency of homogeneous catalysts with the recyclability of heterogeneous systems represents an attractive, industry‐driven concept that can be realized through the “heterogenization” of existing molecular catalysts by incorporating them into porous solid‐state matrices. The concept proposed herein uses Förster resonance energy transfer analysis to establish the first direct correlations among matrix topology, catalyst integration strategy, and active site positioning in porous materials without employing fluorescent model systems. This catalyst mapping method can be applied to several classes of porous materials, including metal‐organic frameworks and mesoporous silica. It addresses the existing challenges in relating the factors that control the spatial surface (re)distribution of molecular catalysts within such matrices before and after catalytic transformations. On the example of a series of six different catalyst‐integrated materials, Å‐level mapping of active site distribution was correlated with the nature of the porous host and the catalyst integration mechanism, which dictates the loading and accessibility of integrated catalysts. Thus, these studies provide a foundation for developing a framework to guide the design of recyclable heterogeneous catalysts with well‐defined active site distributions, both before and after catalytic transformations, which are key fundamental parameters for heterogeneous catalysis.

Interfacial ordering reverses the boiling curve in supercritical fluids

Applied Physics Letters Guohan Wu, Xiongjiang Yu, Jinliang Xu et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1063/5.0340076

Heat transfer in supercritical fluids is commonly interpreted as single-phase convection, where heat fluxes vary monotonically with wall superheat. In this work, a counterintuitive phenomenon, i.e., the heat fluxes increase with decreasing wall temperatures, usually termed “boiling curve reversion” in subcritical conditions, is observed on a heated wire in a supercritical fluid. Our measurements reveal that the inversion is governed by the periodic formation, lateral chain-like diffusion, and collapse of vapor-like column clusters near the heated wall. These structures separate vapor-like (VL) and liquid-like (LL) pathways and drive ordered sweeping of low-temperature, high-density fluid toward the heated surface, thereby enhancing transient heat transfer. To quantify this process, an ordered cooling intensity S is defined from the total VL–LL interfacial area and is found to correlate negatively with wall temperature. A chain-diffusion model further indicates that zero-surface-tension interfacial instability underlies the evolution of the column clusters and the resulting heat-transfer enhancement. The above results support the conclusion that self-organized interfacial ordering underlies heat-transfer-curve inversion in supercritical fluids. Our findings offer clear evidence for the two-phase nature of supercritical fluids in terms of heat transfer, providing a new framework for understanding the negative “boiling curve” in fluids with vanishing surface tension.

Fluorite material sources and magmatic–tectonic controls in hydrothermal fluorite deposits

PLoS ONE Fengyu Sun, Changling Qu, Xin Du et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0353161

A fundamental yet unresolved issue in hydrothermal fluorite deposits is that initial 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ratios vary significantly among different veins, even among those with similar mineralization ages within the same region. This discrepancy likely reflects variations in the material sources of hydrothermal fluids, although the specific controlling factors and mechanisms remain unclear. To address this issue, this study analyses two types of fluorite veins on the southern margin of the North China Craton—both controlled by the same fault system and the same pluton—using Sm-Nd and C-O isotopes. The Baimiaogou fluorite veinlets represent conduit structures for hydrothermal migration, whereas the Yangshan fluorite veins represent host structures for ore precipitation. The results show that the Baimiaogou veinlets, which acted as fluid conduits, display highly variable isotopic compositions, with initial 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ratios of 0.511379 to 0.511757, ε Nd ( t ) values of –21.55 to –14.17, and T DM2 ages of 1.64 to 1.93 Ga. Associated calcite exhibits a pronounced oxygen isotope shift, with δ 18 O V-SMOW ‰ values between 1.6‰ and 7.0‰. In contrast, the Yangshan veins, which served as host structures, show isotopic consistency, with tightly clustered initial 143 Nd/ 144 Nd ratios (0.511751–0.511799), ε Nd ( t ) values (–14.29 to –13.36), T DM2 ages (1.58–1.60 Ga), and associated calcite δ 18 O V-SMOW ‰ values (7.5–8.5‰). Neodymium isotope mass balance calculations indicate that the variations in Nd isotope values reflect mixing between initial magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and the ancient Taihua Group metamorphic basement during fluid migration. Macro- and microstructural analyses reveal that the Baimiaogou veinlets experienced multiple tectonic pulses within an open system characterised by dynamically changing fluid flow paths, whereas the Yangshan veins formed during a single phase of large-scale extensional faulting, with fluid precipitation occurring in a relatively closed space. Thus, the nature and pulsatory behaviour of fault structures also control the variations in Nd isotope values. This model highlights the coupled control of magmatism and structural processes on the material sources of fluorite in hydrothermal deposits, providing new constraints for understanding the metallogenic mechanisms of hydrothermal fluorite systems.

Hierarchically Porous Multivariate COF Aerogel With Enhanced Diffusibility and Tailored Functionality for Highly Efficient Bromine Sequestration

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Dipanjan Majumder, Nayan Sarkar, Arun Torris et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.3007492

ABSTRACT Elemental bromine, owing to its inherently toxic, corrosive, and volatile nature, poses a great threat to the environment and public health. In this regard, although crystalline covalent organic frameworks (COFs) offer ordered porosity and tunable functionality, their powdered form often leads to aggregation, limited diffusibility, and poor processability. Transforming COFs into ultralight, mechanically robust, and easily processable aerogels overcomes these challenges by introducing hierarchical porosity, reduced density, and rapid mass transport pathways. Herein, we have strategically fabricated a series of multivariate covalent organic frameworks in the form of aerogels with high surface area, hierarchical porosity, and multiple binding sites for efficient sequestration of bromine in both vapor and solution phases. The multivariate aerogel shows a high Br 2 uptake capacity, ultrafast adsorption kinetics, excellent selectivity toward Br 2 , and outstanding performance under dynamic flow‐through conditions, validating its practical applicability. Additionally, the aerogel can sequestrate bromine from aqueous solutions, reducing the concentration to below the permissible limit set by the WHO (< 10 ppm). This study demonstrates the potential of multivariate COF aerogels and establishes a fundamental strategy for designing task‐specific systems through rational building‐block modulation, offering a versatile pathway toward targeted environmental remediation and separation applications.

Revealing the underlying radiation degradation of quantum well solar cells via dynamic bandwidth analysis

Applied Physics Letters Menglu Yu, Haowen Hua, Qiangjian Sun et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1063/5.0344009

We propose a dynamic bandwidth characterization strategy to investigate the radiation degradation mechanisms in GaAs quantum well solar cells. Contrary to conventional assumptions that enhanced electric fields restore post-irradiation carrier collection, our high-frequency measurements reveal a significant increase in carrier escape time under reverse bias. This arises from an underlying competing carrier transport mechanism: the radiation-induced carrier removal effect broadens the depletion region, requiring photogenerated carriers to transit a wider region containing a high density of interfacial defects. The resulting increase in capture probability effectively offsets the field-enhanced carrier extraction. These dynamic insights reveal the physical mechanism responsible for the fill factor (FF) degradation and offer critical structural design guidelines for next-generation radiation-hardened space photovoltaics.

Early DNA methylation at the NGFI-A binding site of the NR3C1 1F promoter predicts cognitive functions at age five: Evidence from the Parents as Teachers intervention in the ZEPPELIN study

PLoS ONE Elena Silvia Gardini, Alex Neuhauser, Simone Schaub et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0344401

Background The present study examines the link between DNA methylation at the nerve growth factor-induced protein A (NGFI-A) binding domain of the NR3C1 1F promoter and later cognitive functions in children from families living in disadvantaged psychosocial conditions. Methods Participants were 132 children who took part in a Swiss Parents as Teachers (PAT) randomized controlled trial (72 in the intervention group, 60 in the control group). DNA methylation was quantified from saliva samples collected at age three using sodium bisulfite next-generation sequencing (NGS). Cognitive functions were assessed at age five using the SON-R 2.5–7 Intelligence Test. Results (a) DNA methylation at age three was associated with lower IQ at age five through increased concentration problems (indirect effect = −0.083, p = .012); (b) parental disagreement was associated with concentration difficulties through DNA methylation (indirect effect = 0.064, p = .023); and (c) participation in the three-year PAT program was associated with lower methylation levels (β = −0.375, p = .041). The serial pathway from parental disagreement to IQ via methylation and concentration was not significant. Conclusions These findings provide preliminary evidence for an association between early DNA methylation at the NGFI-A binding site of the NR3C1 1F promoter and later cognitive functions in children and highlight the potential role of early life stressors and the PAT intervention in shaping these associations. However, given the exploratory nature of this study, replication in larger independent samples is warranted.

Optimize Before You Synthesize—Enhancing the Ionic Conductivity of Li <sub>7</sub> SiPS <sub>8</sub> Using Bayesian Optimization

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Lucas G. Balzat, Robert Calaminus, Yinghan Zhao et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.5778118

ABSTRACT Tetragonal is a superionic solid electrolyte, yet its Li ion conductivity suffers from the presence of an amorphous side phase. Attempts to optimize the ionic conductivity, however, are incremental and hence time‐consuming, because the relationship between synthesis conditions and electrolyte performance is largely unknown. In this work, we employ Bayesian optimization (BO) as an efficient design‐of‐experiment approach to increase the ionic conductivity of the system. Our data‐driven workflow reproducibly yields with ionic conductivities exceeding 7 mS  at room temperature, an increase by up to compared to previously reported routes. Simultaneously, the optimized solid‐state synthesis lowered the synthesis temperature by 100 K () and shortened the reaction time by 76 h (), delivering a more energy‐efficient and, hence, sustainable process. To probe the origin of the increased conductivity, we examined six representative samples by quantitative Rietveld refinements, synchrotron x‐ray powder diffraction, pair distribution function analysis, solid‐state and pulsed‐field‐gradient NMR, electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. We demonstrate that BO can help navigate the complex synthesis parameter space, thereby accelerating the development of high‐performance sulfide electrolytes for next‐generation batteries.

Monolithically integrated electrically pumped terahertz scalar vortex lasers

Applied Physics Letters Chuanfeng Yan, Kai Wang, Cheng Tan et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1063/5.0336306

We report monolithically integrated, electrically pumped terahertz (THz) scalar vortex lasers based on a metal–metal waveguide platform. Each device integrates a distributed-feedback THz quantum cascade laser, a tapered transmission waveguide, and a scalar vortex emitter defined by a fork grating patterned in the top metallization. Designed using computer-generated holography, the fork grating enables controlled diffraction of the deeply subwavelength guided THz mode while preserving its uniform amplitude and planar traveling-wave phase front, thereby generating a well-defined helical phase in the emitted field. The devices directly emit scalar vortex beams at 3.4 THz with defined topological charges from −2 to +2, delivering pulsed output powers up to 16 mW under stable single-mode operation and exhibiting linear polarization with vortex-mode purity of 85.8%–91.7%. These results demonstrate compact and fully integrated THz vortex sources, providing a practical route toward on-chip generation of structured THz radiation.

Drivers of international convergence in digital two-sided platform markets: The case of dominant business model components in online lending

PLoS ONE Sabine Pur, Stefan Huesig, Christoph Schmidhammer Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0342410

Online lending marketplaces have emerged as potentially disruptive players in the financial industry by digitally connecting borrowers and lenders. However, little is known about the emergence of dominant business model patterns in this regulated, platform-based service industry. Drawing on dominant design theory, this study examines the international convergence of business model components in online lending since 2005. Using a comparative, longitudinal case study of the market leaders Funding Circle (the UK), LendingClub (the USA), and auxmoney (Germany), we analyze the Business Model Canvas components “customer segments” and “value propositions.” Our findings reveal a convergence toward peer-to-institution models, shaped by regulatory pressures, technological advances, and institutional capital. All marketplaces now address underserved borrower segments such as SMEs, the self-employed, and founders, while excluding retail investors. This indicates the emergence of internationally dominant business model components in potentially disruptive two-sided platform markets. We synthesize these findings into a generic, process-oriented model explaining how platform convergence unfolds across national contexts. This study extends dominant design theory to business models in regulated service industries and highlights external forces as key drivers of standardization. It offers practical insights for policymakers, institutional investors, and marketplace operators navigating scalability, regulation, and financial integration.

Mechanistic Insight Into the Polymorph‐Dependent Photosalient Effect of a White Light or Two‐Photon Activated Photoreactive Molecular Salt

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Emanuela Santagata, Francesco Ambrosio, Amedeo Capobianco et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.5518257

ABSTRACT The photosalient effect (PE) provides a visually striking demonstration of the direct transduction of light energy into macroscopic mechanical work. However, establishing a predictive, atomic‐level understanding of how the underlying crystal packing governs the accumulation and release of macroscopic stress remains a challenge. Here, we report two photoreactive polymorphs of a stilbene‐type molecular salt (OHT‐T I and OHT‐T II ) that undergo the identical topochemical [2 + 2] photocycloaddition but exhibit divergently different mechanical behaviors: while OHT‐T II reacts statically, OHT‐T I displays a violent, explosive photosalient actuation. By combining single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction with advanced periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we reveal the mechanistic origin of this phase‐dependent selectivity. We demonstrate that the specific shell‐like packing of OHT‐T I completely frustrates the structural relaxation of the newly formed cyclobutane dimer, leading to accumulation of elastic strain. Conversely, the uninterrupted stacking in OHT‐T II allows for the unhindered dissipation of this strain. Furthermore, the pronounced push–pull character of the chromophore effectively overcomes the traditional reliance on UV light, enabling this actuation to be cleanly triggered by low‐energy visible light and, unprecedentedly, via near‐infrared two‐photon absorption. Supported by complete thermal reversibility, this study provides a predictive structural and computational blueprint for the rational design of next‐generation dynamic materials.

Caffeine and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

Circulation Gregory M. Marcus, Frank B. Hu, Rob M. van Dam et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001454

Caffeine is one of the most commonly consumed drugs in the world. It is found in various naturally occurring substances and can be ingested in a synthetically derived pure form. The majority of human subject–based research is observational and has focused on beverages and foods that contain caffeine. The relationships between caffeine and cardiovascular risk factors and diseases are complex, exhibiting heterogeneity depending on the nature of the caffeine consumed and individual-level propensities. Acute versus chronic caffeine-associated cardiovascular effects are often different. Most studies suggest an inverse J-shaped relationship between consumption of naturally occurring caffeinated products and blood pressure. Data on relationships between caffeine and diabetes are not consistent, but habitual coffee consumption has been associated with a lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes. Whereas no clear relationship between caffeine and blood lipids is evident, unfiltered coffee raises low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Caffeine, studied primarily in the context of coffee, has been shown either to have no relationship or to be associated with a lower risk of coronary artery disease and heart failure. Randomized controlled trial data among regular caffeinated coffee drinkers showed that caffeinated coffee decreases the risk of atrial fibrillation occurrence but increases the frequency of premature ventricular contractions. Data are fairly consistent that moderate caffeine consumption, again studied primarily in the setting of coffee consumption, was associated with a lower risk of stroke. Data on high doses of caffeine such as that found in energy drinks are limited and generally suggest cardiovascular harm.

Achieving ultralow contact resistance in copolymer organic transistors via a solution-processed dopant-assisted modification layer for tunneling injection enhancement

Applied Physics Letters Hengdian Chang, Jun Zhang, Shuiqi Liu et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1063/5.0334685

The challenge of achieving Ohmic contacts fundamentally limits the performance of organic electronic devices, primarily due to high contact resistance resulting from Schottky contact at the metal–organic semiconductor contact interface. This study demonstrates a general strategy to significantly diminish contact resistance in copolymer organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) by achieving a quasi-Ohmic contact where the dominant mechanism is tunneling injection rather than thermionic emission. By introducing a solution-processed dopant-assisted modification (DAM) layer fabricated via simple orthogonal solvent processing at the interface, a heavily doped interfacial region is created. This region dramatically narrows the Schottky barrier width, enabling efficient charge injection via the tunneling injection enhancement effect. An optimized DAM layer achieves an ultralow contact resistance of 66 Ω cm, representing an 85% reduction vs the conventional device. Concurrently, the field-effect mobility increases by 273% to 1.68 cm2 V−1 s−1, while the threshold voltage decreases by 36% to −9.37 V. The DAM layer exhibits broad applicability and good stability, while also showing potential for flexible OFETs. This study provides a simple and universal interfacial engineering pathway to high-performance organic transistors, paving the way for advanced organic integrated circuits.

Impact of different hysterectomy techniques on postoperative clinical and sexual outcomes: A retrospective analysis in a tertiary center

PLoS ONE Yusuf Başkıran, Gamze Karababa, Kazım Uçkan et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0353020

Background Hysterectomy is a commonly performed gynecologic procedure; however, evidence regarding how different surgical techniques affect postoperative vaginal anatomy and sexual function remains inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate postoperative vaginal length, female sexual function, male partner sexual function, and perioperative outcomes following total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH), total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH), and total vaginal hysterectomy (TVH) performed for benign gynecological indications. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 466 women who underwent total hysterectomy between January 2020 and June 2023 at a tertiary referral center were included. Patients were grouped according to surgical technique: TAH, TLH, or TVH. Vaginal length measurements, Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores, perioperative laboratory values, blood transfusion requirement, and postoperative complications were analyzed. Male partner sexual function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) in a subset of patients. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with postoperative outcomes. Estimated intraoperative blood loss was not consistently available in the retrospective database and could not be included in the transfusion model. Findings Of the 466 patients, 124 underwent TAH, 177 TLH, and 165 TVH. Preoperative vaginal length and FSFI scores were comparable across groups. Postoperative vaginal length differed significantly according to surgical technique, with the greatest reduction observed in the TLH group (p &lt; 0.001). Postoperative female FSFI scores did not differ significantly among groups (p &gt; 0.05). Among male partners with available data, IIEF-5 scores showed a statistically significant postoperative decline (mean ± SD: 14.87 ± 3.31 preoperatively vs. 14.10 ± 2.23 postoperatively; p &lt; 0.001); however, this partner-related finding was exploratory. Blood transfusion was required in 12.0% of patients (95% CI, 9.4–15.3), and postoperative complications occurred in 8.2% (95% CI, 6.0–11.0). In multivariable analyses, lower preoperative hemoglobin levels were associated with a higher likelihood of blood transfusion. Longer operative time was associated with postoperative complications (OR per minute = 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01–1.03; p &lt; 0.001), likely reflecting surgical complexity rather than a direct causal effect. Conclusions Hysterectomy technique was associated with differences in postoperative vaginal length, but these anatomical differences did not translate into significant differences in early postoperative female sexual function. Lower preoperative hemoglobin was associated with blood transfusion requirement, although the lack of estimated intraoperative blood loss data limits interpretation of transfusion-related findings. Longer operative time was associated with postoperative complications and may reflect greater surgical complexity. The observed decline in male partner IIEF-5 scores should be interpreted cautiously as an exploratory finding, and future prospective studies incorporating both patient- and partner-reported outcomes with longer follow-up are warranted.

Mesoporous N,S‐Dual‐Doped Carbon Nanoreactors via Entropy‐Driven Interface Self‐Assembly for Efficient H <sub>2</sub> O <sub>2</sub> Electrosynthesis

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Fei Liu, Xiaoqing Liu, Rui Zhang et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.7636911

ABSTRACT The electrochemical two‐electron oxygen reduction reaction (2e − ORR) offers a sustainable route for H 2 O 2 production. Rational catalyst design is essential for achieving efficient H 2 O 2 electrosynthesis, in which porous heteroatom‐doped carbon‐based materials hold tremendous potential. Nevertheless, the simultaneous realization of homogenized heteroatom doping and a precisely engineered porous structure in the carbon skeleton remains a significant challenge. Herein, we propose an entropy‐driven interface self‐assembly strategy to fabricate mesoporous N,S‐dual‐doped carbon‐based nanoreactors with tunable geometries. The optimal sample shows exceptional performance in a flow cell, achieving H 2 O 2 production rate of 17.38 mol gcat −1 h −1 at −0.2 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) with &gt; 90% selectivity. DFT calculations and finite element analysis simulations reveal that the N,S‐dual‐doping configuration optimizes the *OOH adsorption energy, while the well‑defined mesoporous structure accelerates mass transport and promotes the enrichment of surface O 2 concentration. This work provides a general principle for synergizing heteroatom doping and nanostructural engineering toward high‐performance electrocatalysts for sustainable synthesis.

Evaluation of cation ordering in ZnSnP2 via non-polarized Raman spectroscopy

Applied Physics Letters Taro Kuwano, Yoshitaro Nose Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1063/5.0335407

Evaluation of the degree of order is a crucial issue for ternary derivatives of III–V and II–IV semiconductors owing to the strong correlation between their optical bandgap and the degree of atomic disorder on the cation sublattice. Although x-ray diffraction techniques have been extensively employed, analysis of oriented samples remains challenging. In this study, we demonstrate that the degree of order in the II–IV–V2 chalcopyrite phosphide ZnSnP2 can be semi-quantitatively evaluated by non-polarized Raman spectroscopy. The sensitivity of the totally symmetric Raman mode to the long-range order parameter is explained through the tetrahedral displacement parameter u, based on the bond polarizability model, directly linking the Raman spectra and cation ordering. The proposed relationship is validated by measurements on both powder and bulk samples with controlled order parameters. These findings highlight the potential of non-polarized Raman spectroscopy as a simple and rapid method for in situ evaluation of cation order in multinary compounds.

Association between autoimmune thyroiditis and BRAFV600E/TERT promoter mutations in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma from Central Asia, Kazakhstan

PLoS ONE Saya Kaidarova, Zhanna Mussazhanova, Zhanna Kozykenova et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0351960

Background Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT), including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD), frequently coexists with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Chronic inflammation may influence thyroid carcinogenesis; however, the relationship between AIT and aggressive molecular alterations in PTC, particularly BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations, remains unclear. Data from iodine-deficient regions such as Kazakhstan are limited. Methods We conducted a retrospective multicenter study of 231 patients with PTC from Kazakhstan treated between 2016 and 2020. Tumors were reclassified according to the World Health Organization 5th edition (2022). Clinicopathological characteristics, AIT status (HT and GD), BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutation profiles, and proliferative activity (Ki-67) were analyzed. Associations between AIT, molecular alterations, and clinicopathological features were evaluated. Results Most patients were female (83.1%) and &lt;55 years (68.4%). AIT disease was present in 55.3% of cases, predominantly HT, while GD was uncommon (3.3%). BRAFV600E mutation alone was detected in 64.0% of patients, BRAF/TERT promoter co-mutation in 5.2%, TERT promoter mutation alone in 1.9%, and no mutations in 28.9%. TERT promoter-related mutations, particularly BRAF/TERT promoter co-mutations, were significantly more frequent in patients without AIT (p = 0.029) and were associated with lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor stage, older age, and larger tumor size. Patients with AIT had fewer aggressive molecular alterations. Patients with GD had higher Ki-67 labeling index and more aggressive clinicopathological features. Conclusions Different AIT subtypes showed distinct molecular and clinicopathological patterns in PTC. HT tended to demonstrate fewer aggressive molecular features, whereas GD showed features suggestive of increased proliferative activity. A lower prevalence of TERT promoter-related mutations was observed in AIT-positive patients, suggesting possible differences in molecular aggressiveness. However, these findings require validation in larger cohorts with broader molecular profiling.

Stepwise Conformational Restriction of Acylhydrazone‐Based Molecules for High Signal‐to‐Noise Fluorescent Recognition of Synthetic Cannabinoid FUB‐INACA

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Yadan Zhang, Xu Cheng, Chuanfang Zhao et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/anie.3262519

ABSTRACT Establishing explicit correlations among material dimensionality, luminescent properties, and sensing performance is of critical importance for the rational design of sensing materials with superior detection performance. Herein, employing 1 H ‐imidazole‐4, 5‐dicarbohydrazide (IDA) and triphenylamine (TPA) derivatives as the fundamental building blocks, we propose a stepwise conformational restriction strategy to construct acylhydrazone‐based discrete molecules (0D), linear polymers (1D), and covalent organic framework (COF, 2D) with progressively reduced conformational freedom. Upon interaction with FUB‐INACA through synergistic multiple non‐covalent interactions and hydrophobic effects, photoinduced electron transfer (PET) or intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) processes are activated, resulting in pronounced fluorescence modulation and enabling selective recognition. The higher‐dimensional TFPA‐IDA COF, featuring the most restricted conformational environment and the lowest baseline emission, delivers rapid (&lt;1 s), sensitive (LOD, 1.3 nM), and high signal‐to‐noise detection with negligible interference from structurally analogous species. Furthermore, the reliability and applicability of TFPA‐IDA COF were validated through fabricating a portable microfluidic sensing chip, thereby confirming that the 2D framework holds considerable potential for the detection of residual FUB‐INACA in practical scenarios. Collectively, this work establishes dimension‐regulated conformational restriction as a generalizable model for background‐suppressed fluorescent recognition, offering a guiding principle for the rational design of next‐generation high‐fidelity sensing materials.

Superconducting qubit control using cryogenic frequency conversion

Applied Physics Letters G. Giesbrecht, M. A. Castellanos-Beltran, A. Sirois et al. Jul 20, 2026 DOI: 10.1063/5.0335299

Expanding to higher qubit frequencies introduces the challenge of routing &amp;gt;20 GHz signals into a dilution refrigerator without adding excess thermal load or frequency-dependent loss. In this work, we demonstrate a solution to this problem by using a frequency multiplier to drive the qubit with room-temperature control pulses at half or one third of the qubit frequency fQB. The control pulses are up-converted inside the cryogenic environment using a frequency multiplier based on a high-kinetic inductance nonlinear transmission line. We evaluated the success of the upconversion technique by comparing the randomized benchmarking error-per-gate metrics to that of a standard direct qubit driving technique. The fQB/2 drive technique achieved error rates consistent with the direct drive, with a minimum error per gate of 3.5×10−3 ± 0.4×10−3. The fQB/3 drive technique resulted in a minimum error per gate of 7.6×10−3 ± 0.81×10−3. While this demonstration is based around a fQB=4.836 GHz qubit so that a direct drive comparison is possible, this technique will allow higher-frequency qubits to be tested using existing radio frequency infrastructure.