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Broad-pH-value photocatalyst of Janus MXene monolayers functionalized with group VIA elements
Based on first-principles calculations, we conducted a systematic investigation into the photocatalytic performance of Janus MXene Y2COX (X = O, S, Se) monolayers. Our findings reveal that Y2COX monolayers exhibit exceptional photocatalytic overall water splitting capabilities. Benefiting from the asymmetry of the Janus structure and the differences in surface-terminated atoms, Y2COS and Y2COSe monolayers generate built-in electric fields (Eint) as high as 8.7 × 109 and 8.4 × 109 V/m, respectively, significantly promoting the effective separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Additionally, Y2COX monolayers possess wide bandgaps and high electrostatic potential differences (ΔΦ), enabling efficient photocatalytic water splitting across a broad pH range (pH = 0–14). Furthermore, these monolayers exhibit outstanding optical absorption properties in the visible region, with a maximum absorption coefficient of up to 7.12 × 105 cm−1. This study provides important theoretical insights for developing photocatalytic overall water splitting materials with wide pH adaptability.
A novel prognostic model based on portal vein diameter for patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure
Hydrophobicity‐Controlled Self‐Assembly of Supramolecular Peptide Nanotubes in Water
Abstract Polymer‐conjugated peptides are attractive building blocks for the construction of new nanomaterials. However, the ability to control the self‐assembly of these materials remains a major limitation to their wider utilization. Herein, we report a facile strategy to fine‐tune the assembly of water‐soluble hydrophilic polymer‐conjugated cyclic peptides by incorporating a defined, short hydrocarbon linker between the polymer and peptide. This addition creates a well‐defined hydrophobic “inner shell” that suppresses water from disrupting the organized peptide hydrogen bond network. Our approach is demonstrated using a series of cyclic peptide‐linker‐PDMA conjugates that were evaluated by asymmetric flow field flow fractionation, small angle neutron scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Molecular dynamics simulations were also used to show how the polymer and the peptide stacks interact and illustrate the impact of this hydrophobic inner shell approach. This strategy provides a modular approach to fine control the nanotube self‐assembling behavior. We expect that this technique will improve the versatility of peptide nanotubes for the engineering of advanced nanomaterials.
Tunable ferrimagnetism and electrical transport properties in ferrimagnetic Mn3Si2Te6 through Cr doping
The layered ferrimagnet Mn3Si2Te6 has emerged as a paradigm-breaking system combining topological nodal-line band and record-breaking colossal magnetoresistance effect (CMR). Here, we report the doping effects of magnetism and electrical transport properties in Mn3-xCrxSi2Te6. We find the Curie temperature Tc is significantly suppressed from 78 K for undoped sample to 57 K for x = 0.6 sample, and the magnetization and magnetic anisotropy are also suppressed upon Cr doping, respectively. However, for the electrical transport properties, the resistivity is increased monotonously upon Cr doping and the CMR is enhanced for low doped samples, which can be attributed to the strengthened coupling and doping-induced broadening of the activation energy gap. Our work reveals the ferrimagnetism and CMR in Mn3Si2Te6 can be effectively tuned by Cr doping, establishing a tunable knob for designing and modulating desired quantum phases in this layered topological magnet.
Association of circulating levels of anti-CarP antibodies with disease activity, disability and radiological damage in rheumatoid arthritis patients: an open-label, observational study
Interfacial photonic-electronic synergy in dielectric nanocomposite transport layers for high-efficiency perovskite photovoltaics
Planar perovskite solar cells face a fundamental compromise between optical management and electronic optimization in conventional electron transport layers (ETLs). Here, we propose an approach through dielectric engineering by embedding high dielectric constant (εr = 8.5) ZnO nanoparticles within SnO2 ETLs to create a bifunctional nanocomposite that simultaneously harnesses Mie resonance-enhanced light trapping and work function-tuned charge extraction. Finite-difference time-domain simulations reveal near-field intensity amplification at the ETL/perovskite interface. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy confirms a 0.31 eV reduction in the conduction band minimum. These findings synergistically boost photon harvesting and carrier injection. The optimized CH3NH3PbI3 devices achieve a power conversion efficiency of 21.1%, representing a 9.9% relative efficiency gain over SnO2-based controls (19.2%). This dielectric nanocomposite strategy establishes a viable framework for decoupling photonic and electronic optimization in solution-processed perovskite photovoltaics devices.
Author Correction: Autonomic correlates of osteopathic manipulative treatment on facial functional mapping: an innovative approach based on thermal imaging
Quantum frequency goniometer utilizing frequency measurement of continuously tuned laser
High-precision small-angle measurement holds critical significance in advanced manufacturing and scientific research. Optical methods are highly favored for their non-contact characteristic, high accuracy, and exceptional sensitivity, yet traditional optical methods have limitations in measurement range and resolution. Since frequency is the most precise physical quantity, the resolution of angle measurement can be greatly improved by converting it into frequency measurement. In this paper, we propose a quantum frequency goniometer (QFG), wherein angular displacement is converted into frequency shifts, enabling exceptionally high resolution due to the precise measurement of frequency. The QFG involves the interference filter (IF) for frequency selection and the corner cube array (CCA) for frequency continuous tuning compensation. Based on the sensitivity of laser frequency to changes in cavity length and the incident angle of the IF, the QFG can accurately detect minute angular rotations. Numerical calculations indicate that the QFG achieves a resolution of 10−4 arcsecond, with a measurable range extending beyond 5°. This resolution surpasses that of existing methods by an order of magnitude. Moreover, we conducted a preliminary experiment to evaluate the continuous oscillation characteristics of an IF-based external cavity diode laser in conjunction with the CCA-based resonator. The experimental results confirmed the ability of the QFG to output stable wavelengths with the rotation angle from −20° to 20°, thereby validating the feasibility of this innovative approach.
Improving national-scale breeding bird surveys with integrated distance sampling
Abstract Bird population estimation over broad spatial and temporal scales is a key objective in ornithology. To date, bird ecologists mainly relied on standard point counts where the number of detected individuals is interpreted as either the true abundance or proportionally related to it. However, providing accurate estimates of species abundance requires modelling the observation process with temporally replicated data, which is not always possible with the increasing use of ever-bigger datasets from citizen science programs. Data integration methods allow combining temporally replicated sampling at coarser spatial grains with data collected over larger spatial extents. Here, we developed an Integrated distance sampling (IDS) to combine national structured and semi-structured citizen-based bird surveys in France to estimate species abundances using observation distances and accounting for availability, i.e. the probability of individuals being detectable during a given sampling visit. While our simulation study showed an overall increase in the accuracy of estimated parameters for both ecological and observation processes, without significant biases, our case study suggests that such model improvements will depend on specific sampling scenarios. Integrated models represent a promising tool for ecological science, permitting the joint use of large unstructured datasets with scale-restricted structured surveys.
Training-free and stochastic magnetic tunnel junction-based restricted Boltzmann machine for Boolean satisfiability problem
Traditional processors based on the von Neumann architecture are not efficient when dealing with combinatorial optimization problems, which has led to the proposal of unconventional algorithms and domain-specific computing architectures. Using probabilistic computing to implement invertible logic has emerged as a potential solution, with the primary challenges being the realization of high-quality random sources and efficient circuit mapping schemes. In this work, we propose a reliable design for invertible logic circuits based on stochastic spin-transfer torque magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) and validate it through SPICE simulations. To achieve this, we develop a physics-driven stochastic MTJ model using Verilog-A, which is then implemented to construct binary stochastic neurons for building restricted Boltzmann machines (RBMs). Using linear programming (LP), the stochastic MTJs are weighted and interconnected to construct elementary RBM-based invertible logic gates, including AND, OR, NOT, and NAND gates. Furthermore, through logic synthesis, invertible logic circuits capable of realizing arbitrary logic functions are achieved. RBMs whose weights are determined by LP not only eliminate the need for training but also enhance iteration speed. Finally, we demonstrate how to solve the Boolean satisfiability problem using the proposed invertible logic circuits. Power consumption and area estimations indicate that our design consumes fewer resources compared to pure CMOS implementations.
3D seismic modeling of the Amal oil field to evaluate CO2 storage potential in depleted reservoirs, Southern Gulf of Suez
Abstract The Amal Oil Field in the Southern Gulf of Suez presents significant potential for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This study integrates 3D geological modeling, seismic interpretation, and petrophysical analysis to assess the field’s suitability for CO2 sequestration. The structural analysis identifies a primary horst block bounded by major normal faults, providing an effective structural trap for CO2 storage. Stratigraphic studies confirm the presence of robust sealing formations, including the Kareem shale and the evaporite-dominated Zeit and South Gharib Formations, ensuring long-term containment. Petrophysical evaluation of the Upper Rudies reservoir reveals favorable conditions for CO2 injection, characterized by low shale volume, moderately high effective porosity, low water saturation, and adequate permeability. Reservoir property modeling, conducted using sequential Gaussian simulation (SGS), a statistical method used to distribute reservoir properties, such as porosity and permeability, throughout the reservoir by generating multiple possible scenarios based on a Gaussian distribution model, demonstrates significant lateral and vertical heterogeneity, with the central horst block exhibiting the highest storage potential. Permeability distribution varies from 0.1 to 100 mD, with an average of 10 mD in key reservoir zones, further supporting its suitability for CO2 injection. CO2 storage capacity estimation, incorporating grid pore volumes, CO2 density, formation volume factor, and storage efficiency coefficient, suggests a storage potential ranging from 3.6 to 48.5 million tons. Spatial analysis highlights the central and northwestern regions as the most promising areas for injection due to higher porosity and net pay thickness. The Gulf of Suez boasts a unique geological setting, providing excellent structural traps for hydrocarbon and CO2 storage. Its well-developed infrastructure, including extensive pipelines, processing facilities, and existing wells, supports efficient CO2 transportation and injection, enhancing the feasibility of large-scale CO2 storage with minimal additional investment. The region’s strategic location also enhances its role in global trade and energy logistics. This study provides a comprehensive workflow for evaluating depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs for CCS applications, offering valuable insights for future CO2 sequestration projects in the Gulf of Suez, a region underexplored in CCS literature. The findings contribute to Egypt’s national carbon reduction initiatives and support global climate mitigation strategies.
Thirupathi Ravula
Improved electrical transport properties in Ga/Ta co-doped LLZO under high temperature and pressure
As a solid electrolyte for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries, Ga/Ta co-doped LLZO has garnered significant interest because of its high conductivity and dense microstructure. However, its conductivity is still lower than that of liquid organic electrolytes. In this work, Li6.4Ga0.2La3Zr1.75Ta0.25O12 (Ga/Ta-LLZO) was synthesized by solid-state reaction, and the combined effects of elevated temperature and pressure on the electrical transport and dielectric properties of Ga/Ta-LLZO were systematically investigated over the temperature range of 24–150 °C and the pressure range of 3.3–30.2 GPa. The findings indicate that grain boundary resistance is the main contributor affecting the total resistance. Under a given pressure, as the temperature increases from 24 to 150 °C, the grain conductivity, grain boundary conductivity, and total conductivity of Ga/Ta-LLZO increase by about two orders of magnitude. At room temperature, when the pressure increases from 3.3 to 30.2 GPa, the grain conductivity, grain boundary conductivity, and total conductivity all increase by approximately one order of magnitude. The dielectric loss of Ga/Ta-LLZO decreases with the increase in temperature and pressure. In addition, this paper reveals the dielectric relaxation behavior of Ga/Ta-LLZO under high temperature and high pressure. At low frequencies, a dielectric relaxation with a giant dielectric constant is observed, which is associated with the relaxation of dipole formation due to the spatial charge polarization of lithium ions.
Identification of serum metabolic markers in non-obese hypertensive patients using non-targeted metabolomics
Ultrahigh electron mobility in one-dimensional single-chain Bi4RuX2 (X = I, Br)
Low dimensional materials usually bring about unique physical properties and exceptional phenomena. Beyond the highly sought-after two-dimensional materials, the quasi-one-dimensional (1D) materials have attracted increasing attention due to the further reduced dimensionality and the resultant more pronounced quantum confinement effect. In the present Letter, we systematically explore the stability, mechanical properties, electronic structure, and optical properties of the 1D single-chain ternary bismuth subhalides Bi4RuX2 (X = I, Br) by first-principles calculations. 1D Bi4RuX2 exhibit good dynamical, thermal, and mechanical stability. Along with the dimensionality reduction from three-dimensional bulk to 1D single-chain, Bi4RuX2 undergo a transition from the indirect bandgap semiconductor to direct bandgap semiconductor, and their bandgap values increase from 1.028 and 1.151 eV to 1.224 and 1.263 eV, respectively. More importantly, 1D Bi4RuI2 and Bi4RuBr2 possess very high electron mobilities of 416.25 and 277.17 cm2 V−1 s−1, which far outperform the hole mobilities of 0.95 and 1.35 cm2 V−1 s−1. In addition, the bandgap values and band edge positions can be effectively modulated by the tensile strains, which meet the conditions for photocatalytic water splitting during a wide strain range. Furthermore, the 1D Bi4RuX2 exhibit an excellent light absorption ability of ∼105 cm−1, which can be regulated by the tensile strain for the highly efficient utilization of solar energy. The excellent electronic and optical properties indicate 1D Bi4RuX2 are promising materials for potential applications in high-performance nanoelectronic, optoelectronic devices, photocatalytic water splitting, and solar energy conversion.
Increased prevalence of transient visual disturbances with normal ocular exam findings in pregnancy – cross-sectional study
Abstract Pregnancy induces significant physiological changes in women, impacting various bodily systems. These alterations can influence ocular health and visual function. Ophthalmologists at our center noted an apparent increase in reports of transient binocular visual disturbances among pregnant women presenting to the Ophthalmic Emergency Room (OER), with no ophthalmic findings. This study aims to examine the rate of Transient Visual Disturbances with Normal Ocular Examination (TraViNo) in pregnant vs. non-pregnant women of childbearing age. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sheba Medical Center, analyzing data from 562 females between 18 and 50 years of age who presented to the OER during January-March 2019. Data retrieved from the participants’ medical records included demographics, medical history, symptoms, comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation findings, and final diagnoses recorded at the OER. Included were 562 females (mean age 31.2 ± 9.0 years), among whom 69 (12.0%) were pregnant (mean pregnancy week 25 ± 11). The mean age was similar for both groups (P = 0.2). Presenting symptoms varied between the groups (P < 0.001), with the most common being visual disturbances in the pregnant group (PG) (58%). TraViNo was the final diagnosis in 86 (15%) study women and significantly more common in the PG (48% vs. 11%, respectively, P < 0.001). Most cases (74%) were bilateral. The additional workup included neurologic examinations in 45 (66%) cases, brain/orbital imaging in 28 (33%), and visual field testing in 8 (12%). Obstetric evaluations performed in the PG were normal except for 2 cases of hypertension. TraViNo is more common during pregnancy. Further research is warranted to identify underlying causes and long-term implications.
Simultaneously optimizing power factor and thermal conductivity of <i>n</i>-type PbTe
p-type PbTe is long recognized as an outstanding thermoelectric material in the moderate temperature range, while its n-type counterpart shows relatively poor performance. To address this issue and enhance the thermoelectric properties of n-type PbTe, indium (In) was selected as the dopant to synthesize a series of Pb1−xInxTe (0.03 ≤ x ≤ 0.038) compounds, aiming to regulate the electron concentration and transport characteristics due to the simultaneous increase in electron concentration and mobility, which could be ascribed to the lattice regularization and the reduction of Pb vacancies induced by In doping. As a result, the In-doped compound Pb0.966In0.034Te demonstrated superior thermoelectric performance. Subsequently, Pb0.966In0.034Te/f-CdSe composites were fabricated, and their thermoelectric properties were systematically investigated. The results revealed that In doping significantly increased the electrical conductivity of the materials importantly, and in situ reactions between CdSe and the Pb0.966In0.034Te matrix led to the formation of coherent CdIn2Te4 nanoparticles. The presence of these nanoparticles further enhanced the power factor of the composites across the entire investigated temperature range. Moreover, the lattice thermal conductivity of the composites decreased significantly due to the effective scattering of heat-carrying phonons by point defects and nano-interfaces. Consequently, the sample Pb0.966In0.034Te + 0.7 wt. % CdSe exhibited the optimal thermoelectric performance. At 703 K, its figure of merit (ZT) reached 1.3, representing a 34% increase compared to Pb0.966In0.034Te, and the average ZT reached 0.75. These findings indicate that incorporating CdSe into Pb0.966In0.034Te is an effective strategy to improve the thermoelectric performance of n-type PbTe.
Characterization of Bi-doped FAPbI3 perovskite films investigated by X-ray absorption spectroscopy
Current-induced field-free magnetization switching in CoFeB/Cu/CoFeB pseudo-spin-valves
Emergent orbital torque (OT) from the orbital Hall effect of light metals has significant potential for electrical control of magnetization. In this study, the electric manipulation of a most basic spintronic nanostructure, the pseudo-spin-valve (PSV) CoFeB/Cu/CoFeB, is demonstrated with the Cu spacer acting as an effective orbital current source. In the absence of an external magnetic field, the bottom and top CoFeB layers exhibit opposite switching behavior during current scanning, resulting in a current-dependent giant magnetoresistance (GMR) curve that is inverted relative to the conventional field-driven PSV-GMR curve. The OT-induced field-like effective field, evaluated through the horizontal shift of the conventional GMR curve under different currents, is comparable to those of the heavy metal-based structures Pt/CoFeB and Ta/CoFeB. In addition to emphasizing the significance of orbital transport in all-light-metal structures, the finding introduces a different degree of freedom to energy efficient spin-valve devices.