bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Through Him All Things Were Made
Authors: Woolley Max
Published: August 2022

The medieval theological worldview was a synthesis of grace and nature that allowed theology and science to act together in a sacred and salvific pursuit of knowledge. This synthesis is beautifully expressed in the Divine Ideas tradition. In this tradition, the tapestry upon which ancient and medieval theology was written, created things existed by reflecting God’s eternal ideas of them. This gave all natural knowledge a Trinitarian dimension because the generation of ideas in the Divine Mind and of created things in the world was isomorphic with the generation of the Son, the uncreated Logos. In my paper, I will argue that just as all things exist as a primordial sacrifice of the Creator offered and known outside Godself through the Son-Logos, so we participate in that primordial gift (in beatitude) when we, recognizing the divine profundity of nature, come to a knowing of God-in-things—to use Meister Eckhart’s phrase. In this tradition, humans, made in God’s image, are ordained to participate in God’s knowing of all things, and to offer creation back up into Divine life by knowing and worshiping God through theology, science, and liturgy. The Divine Ideas model, then, would restore to the sciences a contemplative, salvific power in recognizing the mystical depth of creatures. I will examine theologians like Maximus the Confessor, the Victorines, and modern theologian Mark McIntosh as they see both scientific and theological knowing as a deifying participation in Divine life. I will look at the poetry of St. John the Divine and Thomas Traherne as it lifts the human imagination, illumined by nature and consecrated through liturgy into the life of the world to come. I will close by saying that this tradition becomes especially important in a world confronting the climate crisis. By recognizing the Divine dimensions of creatures, we see how the waste and pollution of the integrity and beauty of the wilderness blemishes the sacrifice of knowing and love that humanity is called to offer to God through theology, the sciences, and the eucharist.
Present value of photovoltaics - [PV]2 :
Authors: Kneifel Joshua , Webb David , Donmoyer Luke
Published: August 2022

Homeowners are increasingly interested in installing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on the roof of their homes. There is a lack of publicly available tools to assist homeowners in making such an investment decision. The Applied Economic Office (AEO) in the Engineering Laboratory (EL) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is addressing this need by developing a free, public web interface that provides independent economic analysis for a specific home based on a user s solar installation quote and electricity bill.
Male partners’ experiences of early pregnancy ultrasound scans in Soweto, South Africa: The Healthy Pregnancy, Healthy Baby randomised trial
Authors: Drysdale R E , Slemming W , Makusha T , Richter L M
Published: August 2022

Background. Despite international evidence highlighting the benefits of male partners attending antenatal visits, including pregnancy ultrasound scans, it is unusual for South African (SA) men to attend such visits, and little is known about their experiences if they do.

Objectives. To explore the experiences and antenatal attachment among male partners who attend early pregnancy ultrasound examinations in Soweto, SA.

Methods. Pregnant women attending ultrasound examinations were invited to bring their partners with them. Both completed individual questionnaires, including the antenatal attachment scale. The results are based on a descriptive analysis of 102 mother-partner pairs.

Results. The mean age of partners was 35 years. Only 32% of men were living with their pregnant partner. Before the ultrasound scan, 64% of men reported feeling very anxious, while 54% also felt anxious after the procedure. The ultrasound examination had a positive effect on men and their thoughts regarding their developing baby, with 30% stating that they were ready or excited to be a father. Twenty-eight percent believed their relationship with the mother was stronger as a result of participating in antenatal care.

Conclusions. We found that prenatal ultrasound scans had a positive effect on male partners and their thoughts about the pregnancy, their forthcoming child and their relationship with and support for their partner. Health services in SA should accommodate partners/ fathers and encourage them to attend antenatal care, including pregnancy ultrasound scans. Interventions are needed to encourage more men to be involved – from conception – potentially addressing individual, familial, societal and structural barriers to involvement of the father in long-term maternal and child care.
Adherence of Healthcare Professionals to Guidelines on Inpatient Management of Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition at the Upper East Regional Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Wuni Francis K. , Kukeba Margaret W. , Ayamsegna Hilda N. K. , Ofosu-Poku Rasheed
Published: August 2022

Aim: To assess the adherence of health professionals to guidelines on inpatient management of children aged 6-59 months admitted with severe acute malnutrition (SAM)

Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: Paediatric Unit of the Upper East Regional Hospital, Ghana. Records of children seen from 1st January, 2016 to 30th April, 2018 were reviewed.

Methodology: Hospital records of 75 children discharged after treatment for SAM were assessed in the study. The records were selected using convenient sampling. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 20 and results presented using descriptive statistics.

Results: Eighty-eight percent (88%) of the patients were treated for presumed infections. Of this, only 8% of the children received the recommended Ampicillin and Gentamycin therapy. Over 97% of patients were given therapeutic diets (F-75), and 90.7% of patients were assessed for dehydration. However, only one (1.3%) of the children had their blood glucose levels checked on admission. None 0(0%) of the children were given 10% IV glucose to prevent hypoglycaemia on admission and only 21.2% of patients with dehydration received the recommended ReSoMal

Conclusion: There is inadequate adherence to the recommended guidelines for inpatient management of children with SAM. This requires exploring explanations to inform strategies that promote compliance.
Effect of Foliar Spray of Polyamines and Biostimulants on Rose (Rosa hybrida L.) under Polyhouse Condition
Authors: Singh Alka , Shah H. P. , Patel G. D. , Ahlawat T. R.
Published: August 2022

Investigation was done to find out the effect of different polyamines viz., spermine and spermidine (5, 10, 20 mg/l) and biostimulants viz., 2 % Novel (banana pseudostem sap) and 2% cow urine as foliar spray on growth parameters of rose var. Top Secret.

Plant height, number of branches and number of leaves were found to be significantly higher with foliar spray of polyamines and biostimulants. Maximum plant height was found in plants treated with 20 mg/l spermidine while number of branches were found maximum in plants treated with 20 mg/l spermine. Maximum number of leaves were observed with 20 mg /l spermine and were at par with 10 mg/l spermine and 20 mg/l spermidine.

Flower stem length and stem diameter were significantly maximum with treatment 20 mg/l spermine, at par with 10 mg/l spermine and 2% novel.  Bud diameter was significantly higher with treatment of 10 mg/l spermine, 20 mg/l spermine, 20 mg/l spermidine and 2% novel while bud length and flower diameter were maximum in 20 mg/l spermidine. Chlorophyll and anthocyanins pigments were observed maximum in plants treated with 20 mg/l spermine followed by 2% Novel spray. Further, plants treated with 2% Novel showed maximum flower yield (16.98 flowers/plant) as well as vase life (8.53 days).
National Data on Age Gradients in Well-being Among US Adults
Authors: Chen Ying , Cowden Richard G. , Fulks Jeffery , Plake John F. , VanderWeele Tyler J.
Published: August 2022

This survey study assesses well-being among US adults by age group.
Unmasking the Resolution–Throughput Tradespace of Focused‐Ion‐Beam Machining
Authors: Madison Andrew C. , Villarrubia John S. , Liao Kuo‐Tang , Copeland Craig R. , Schumacher Joshua , Siebein Kerry , Ilic B. Robert , Liddle J. Alexander , Stavis Samuel M.
Published: August 2022

Focused‐ion‐beam machining is a powerful process to fabricate complex nanostructures, often through a sacrificial mask that enables milling beyond the resolution limit of the ion beam. However, current understanding of this super‐resolution effect is empirical in the spatial domain and nonexistent in the temporal domain. This article reports the primary study of this fundamental tradespace of resolution and throughput. Chromia functions well as a masking material due to its smooth, uniform, and amorphous structure. An efficient method of in‐line metrology enables characterization of ion‐beam focus by scanning electron microscopy. Fabrication and characterization of complex test structures through chromia and into silica probe the response of the bilayer to a focused beam of gallium cations, demonstrating super‐resolution factors of up to 6 ± 2 and improvements to volume throughput of at least factors of 42 ± 2, with uncertainties denoting 95% coverage intervals. Tractable theory models the essential aspects of the super‐resolution effect for various nanostructures. Application of the new tradespace increases the volume throughput of machining Fresnel lenses by a factor of 75, enabling the introduction of projection standards for optical microscopy. These results enable paradigm shifts of sacrificial masking from empirical to engineering design and from prototyping to manufacturing.
Traps for Electrons and Holes Limit the Efficiency and Durability of Polymer Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells
Authors: Diethelm Matthias , Devižis Andrius , Hu Wei‐Hsu , Zhang Tao , Furrer Roman , Vael Camilla , Jenatsch Sandra , Nüesch Frank , Hany Roland
Published: August 2022

Polymer light‐emitting electrochemical cells (PLECs) and light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) receive interest for large‐area lighting and signage applications. During operation of a PLEC, a p–i–n junction develops where electrons and holes are injected into the film and are transported along n‐ and p‐doped regions to the intrinsic (i) region, where they recombine under light emission. Conceptually, this resembles the PLED device architecture equipped with Ohmic charge‐injection and transport layers. The similarity between the i‐region of the PLEC and the emissive layer of the PLED is obvious; however, implication of this has not been examined in detail so far. For example, for PLEDs it is known that electron traps hinder the electron transport, and that hole trap formation dictates the long‐term durability. Here, for PLECs the electrical and optical response to electrical driving and breaks are studied, the current response to external light irradiation is probed, and degradation is followed with long‐term absorption and capacitance measurements. The electron traps in PLECs are identified and it is found that hole trap formation limits the device lifetime, in the same manner as established for PLEDs. It is concluded that charge traps in semiconducting polymers present important, but so far overlooked intrinsic performance limitations for PLECs.
The Saga of Water and Halide Perovskites: Evidence of Water in Methylammonium Lead Tri‐Iodide
Authors: Jasti Naga Prathibha , Shter Gennady E. , Feldman Yishay (Isai) , Ceratti Davide Raffaele , Kama Adi , Buchine Isaac , Grader Gideon S. , Cahen David
Published: August 2022

The environment humidity effects on performance of halide perovskites (HaPs), especially MAPbI3, are known. Nevertheless, it is hard to find direct experimental evidence of H2O in the bulk materials at the levels lower than that of Monohydrate (MAPbI3.H2O). Here, for the first time, direct experimental evidence of water being released from bulk (µm‐s deep) of MAPbI3 single crystal is reported. The thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectrometry (TGA‐MS) of evolved gases is used to detect the MS signal of H2O from the penetrable depth and correlate it with the TGA mass loss due to H2O leaving the material. These measurements yield an estimate of the average H2O content of 1 H2O molecule per three MAPbI3 formula units (MAPbI3.0.33H2O). Under the relatively low temperature conditions no other evolved gases that can correspond to MAPbI3 decomposition products, are observed in the MS. In addition to being direct evidence that there is H2O inside MAPbI3, the data show that H2O diffuses into it. With this article, a solid basis is proved for further studies on the mechanisms through which water modifies the properties of MAPbI3 and all the other halide perovskites.
Reduction Sensitive Polymers Delivering Cationic Platinum Drugs as STING Agonists for Enhanced Chemo‐Immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Lingpu , Shang Kun , Li Xiaomin , Shen Meifang , Lu Sheng , Tang Dongsheng , Han Hongbin , Yu Yingjie
Published: August 2022

STING agonists have made great progress in tumor immunotherapy. However, the inherent instability and low bioavailability have limited their wide applications. Herein, a reduction sensitive polymer with pair‐wised carboxyl groups that further encapsulate a cationic phenanthriplatin drug (PhenPt) as STING agonists into nanoparticles (PhenPt NPs) via electrostatic interactions is designed. PhenPt NP can release PhenPt in cancer cells, which then induce DNA damage, activate the STING signaling pathway, stimulate innate and adaptive immune responses, and improve the chemo‐immunotherapy efficacy. In vitro, for the first time it is found that PhenPt NP can activate cGAS‐STING pathway. Further genome‐wide RNA‐sequencing reveals that DNA replication, mismatch repair, homologous recombination, and other gene repair‐related pathways are involved. In vivo, PhenPt NP are found to completely inhibit the tumor growth, thereby shifting the tumor microenvironment from immunosuppressive to immunostimulatory phenotype, and boosting antitumor immune responses for long‐term immunity. In addition, PhenPt NP combined with checkpoint blockade therapy (a‐PD‐L1) can elicit long‐term immune response on both primary and distant tumors by activating the cGAS‐STING pathway. Overall, this nano‐delivery system with cationic chemotherapeutic drugs can greatly enhance DNA damage and activate immunity, hence providing a promising strategy for enhanced chemo‐immunotherapy.
Batch‐Sprayed and Stamp‐Transferred Electrodes: A New Paradigm for Scalable Fabrication of Multilayer Dielectric Elastomer Actuators
Authors: Cohen Andy J. , Kollosche Matthias , Yuen Michelle C. , Lee Dae‐Young , Clarke David R. , Wood Robert J.
Published: August 2022

Multilayer dielectric elastomer actuators  have a wide range of potential applications, but their development and commercial implementation have been hindered by existing manufacturing processes. Existing processes are low‐throughput, limited in area, and/or can only process a narrow range of elastomers. This study presents a novel fabrication paradigm that overcomes these challenges: instead of sequentially patterning electrodes directly onto successive elastomer layers, electrode stamps are patterned onto a carrier film in an independent batch‐spray process and the electrodes are then stamp‐transferred onto each elastomer layer. By modularizing the production and assembly of electrodes, a laboratory‐scale implementation of the process achieves a throughput of 15 layers h−1, a maximum electrode size of 300×300 mm, and tuning‐free compatibility with a wide range of elastomers. The batch‐spraying paradigm also provides the unique capability to evaluate and modify electrodes before they are assembled into a multilayer; a method of mechanically treating the electrodes is employed to increase the breakdown strength of Elastosil P7670 devices from 15.7 to 33.5 V µm−1. The electrodes are conductive up to a strain of more than 200% and add negligible stiffness to the multilayer structure. The capabilities of this process to produce useful devices are demonstrated with a large‐area loudspeaker and an actuator with 60 active layers.
Interfacial Space Charge Enhanced Sodium Storage in a Zero‐Strain Cerium Niobite Perovskite Anode
Authors: Liang Guisheng , Yang Liting , Xiong Xuhui , Pei Ke , Zhao Xuebing , Wang Chao , You Wenbin , Liu Xianhu , Zhang Xuefeng , Che Renchao
Published: August 2022

Intercalation electrode materials store Na by incorporation into their framework structure without phase transformation and substantial large volume, resulting in the excellent cycling stability during electrochemical cycling. However, challenges arise due to a low capacity of intercalation electrode for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). Here, a perovskite oxide (Ce1/3NbO3 (CNO)) as an intercalation anode with dual functions of high capacity and excellent cycling stability is explored. The Na+ storage capacity of CNO (141.3 mAh g‐1) originates from not only sufficient cation vacancies but also the interfacial space charge storage of Na+ in the surface of CNO particles. Additionally, CNO exhibits excellent cycling stability with 90.2% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1 C, 99.4% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 5 C, and 96.5% capacity retention after 10 000 cycles at 10 C. The cycling performance can be explained by the “zero‐stain” Na+ storage characteristic, where the maximal unit cell volume variation induced by Na+ insertion/extraction is calculated to be only 0.38%. Hence, CNO is a promising alternative for long‐life SIBs. The mechanisms that enable the storage of Na+ with negligible volume variation will guide new insights for the rational design of ultra‐stable electrode materials for SIBs.
Dual‐Network Liquid Metal Hydrogel with Integrated Solar‐Driven Evaporation, Multi‐Sensory Applications, and Electricity Generation via Enhanced Light Absorption and Bénard–Marangoni Effect
Authors: Wei Zechang , Wang Yibo , Cai Chenyang , Zhang Yaoxin , Guo Shuai , Fu Yu , Tan Swee Ching
Published: August 2022

Solar‐driven evaporation is a promising strategy to relieve fresh water stress in the world. For an evaporator, it is necessary to be equiped with novel photothermal conversion materials and regulate heat energy loss in the solar‐driven generation process for evaporation efficiency. Herein, a novel eutectic gallium‐indium (EGaIn)/polyaniline (PANI) complex (EP) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are explored as the light absorber for broadband light absorbing and the dispersant for particles uniformity. Based on the Bénard–Marangoni effect, a dual‐network poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(acrylamide) (PM) hydrogel as the evaporator and water/ethylene glycol as the solvent to regulate heat transfer. Specifically, with CNCs and EP incorporated, the hydrogel is endowed with excellent mechanical properties, photothermal conversion performance, and electrical characteristics. Surface temperature of the hydrogel can reach to ≈38.7 °C in water under 1 sun illumination for 1 h. Based on combination of broadband light absorption and the Bénard–Marangoni effect, its evaporation rate is higher than 1.50 kg m–2 h–1. The engineered synergy also gives the hydrogels with multiple sensory capabilities, skin‐like function, and power generation. This work demonstrates novel EGaIn‐based photothermal conversion particles and a new approach to regulate the heat transfer for highly solar‐driven evaporation, with a focus on the integration of multifunctional solar evaporation systems.
A Universal Method of Perovskite Surface Passivation for CsPbX3 Solar Cells with VOC over 90% of the S‐Q limit
Authors: Guo Zhanglin , Zhao Shuai , Shibayama Naoyuki , Kumar Jena Ajay , Takei Izuru , Miyasaka Tsutomu
Published: August 2022

In comparison to hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs), all‐inorganic CsPbX3 PSCs suffer from larger VOC deficits, leading to inferior efficiency. The perovskite surface defects like iodine vacancy (VI) are the main sources of nonradiative recombination causing a VOC deficit. Here, 2,5‐thiophenedicarboxylic acid (TDCA) is used to passivate the surface VI through the strong coordination interaction between the thiophene unit of TDCA and the undercoordinated Pb2+ of perovskite. TDCA passivation also elevates the perovskite surface valence band position, leading to a better interfacial energy alignment. Consequently, the VOC of CsPbI2.25Br0.75 PSCs is remarkably improved from 1.36 to 1.43 V (efficiency from 15.55% to 16.72%), reaching 92% (record‐high among CsPbX3 PSCs) of the Shockley–Queisser VOC limit. This method also promotes the VOC of CsPbI1.5Br1.5 cell from 1.42 to 1.51 V (90% of the limit) and CsPbIBr2 cell from 1.44 to 1.54 V (87% of the limit), demonstrating its universality for CsPbX3 perovskites.
Crystalline Lattice‐Confined Atomic Pt in Metal Carbides to Match Electronic Structures and Hydrogen Evolution Behaviors of Platinum
Authors: Ma Tian , Cao Hao , Li Shuang , Cao Sujiao , Zhao Zhenyang , Wu Zihe , Yan Rui , Yang Chengdong , Wang Yi , van Aken Peter A. , Qiu Li , Wang Yang‐Gang , Cheng Chong
Published: August 2022

Platinum‐based catalysts occupy a pivotal position in diverse catalytic applications in hydrogen chemistry and electrochemistry, for instance, the hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). While adsorbed Pt atoms on supports often cause severe mismatching on electronic structures and HER behaviors from metallic Pt due to the different energy level distribution of electron orbitals. Here, the design of crystalline lattice‐confined atomic Pt in metal carbides using the Pt‐centered polyoxometalate frameworks with strong PtO‐metal covalent bonds is reported. Remarkably, the lattice‐confined atomic Pt in the tungsten carbides (Ptdoped@WCx, both Pt and W have atomic radii of 1.3 Å) exhibit near‐zero valence states and similar electronic structures as metallic Pt, thus delivering matched energy level distributions of the Pt 5dz2 and H 1s orbitals and similar acidic hydrogen evolution behaviors. In alkaline conditions, the Ptdoped@WCx exhibits 40 times greater mass activity (49.5 A mgPt−1 at η = 150 mV) than the Pt@C because of the favorable water dissociation and H* transport. These findings offer a universal pathway to construct urgently needed atomic‐scale catalysts for broad catalytic reactions.
Potent Antibacterial Composite Nonwovens Functionalized with Bioactive Peptides and Polymers
Authors: Barbieri Eduardo , Cutright Camden C. , Ramesh Srivatsan , Khan Saad A. , Efimenko Kirill , Genzer Jan , Menegatti Stefano
Published: August 2022

This study presents a set of strategies for producing potent antibacterial fabrics by functionalizing nonwoven fabrics (NWFs) with antimicrobial peptides and polymers (AMPs). The incorporation of AMPs is initially optimized on 2D substrates by evaluating conjugation on a poly(maleic anhydride) copolymer coating versus adsorption on polycationic/anionic films and microgels. The evaluation of the resulting surfaces against S. aureus and E. coli highlights the superior antibacterial activity of poly‐ionic films loaded with daptomycin and polymyxin B as well as microgels featuring controlled release of bacitracin and polymyxin B. These formulations are translated onto spun‐bond polypropylene and poly(ethylene terephthalate) NWFs. The poly‐ionic coatings are either covalently anchored or physically adsorbed onto the surface of the fibers, while the microgels and antibacterial polymers are adsorbed and photo‐crosslinked thereon using a ultraviolet (UV)‐crosslinkable benzophenone‐based polymer. Selected formulations loaded with bacitracin and polymyxin B afford a 105‐fold reduction of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in artificial sweat, respectively, on par with commercial antibacterial NWFs. The proposed antibacterial fabric, however, outperforms its commercial counterparts in terms of biocompatibility, showing virtually no adverse effect on human epidermal keratinocytes. Collectively, these results demonstrate affordable and scalable routes for developing antimicrobial NWFs that efficiently eliminate resilient pathogenic bacteria.
Fabrication of a Flexible Strain Sensor with High‐Aspect‐Ratio Liquid‐Metal Galinstan
Authors: Guo Hongji , Lv Xiaofeng , Chen Wenyuan , Zhong Ya , Zou Wuhao , Liu Lianqing , Yu Haibo
Published: August 2022

Flexible electronic devices containing gallium‐based liquid metal (GbLM) play an important role in human–computer interaction and the sensing elements of motion monitoring owing to the intrinsic fluidity and metallic conductivity of the GbLM. High‐aspect‐ratio liquid‐metal patterns have 3D structures, which can increase the heat radiating area of the circuits and the stability of the sensors. However, fabricating high‐aspect‐ratio patterns in high resolution is challenging owing to easy oxidation at the surface layer and the high surface tension of the liquid metal. This study proposes a simple method for the efficient and reproducible fabrication of GbLM patterns. A flexible strain sensor was obtained with high‐aspect‐ratio Galinstan (height/width > 5), linearity (R‐square = 0.9975), stability (ΔR/R0 < 0.8 after 10 000 cycles), and low hysteresis. In addition, the application of the strain sensor in the flexible display and motion measurement of soft hand exoskeletons is demonstrated. The high‐aspect‐ratio liquid‐metal patterns in this work have the potential to extend the application of the presented flexible electronics to the fields of wearable systems and rehabilitation devices.
High‐Efficiency Optical Sparse Aperture Metalens Based on GaN Nanobrick Array
Authors: Lin Yu , Dong Yangeng , Sun Ti , Zhao Yongmin , Wang Miao , Hu Jingpei , Wang Chinhua , Zeng Zhongming , Jiang Chunping
Published: August 2022

A flat and compact metasurface‐based optical metalens with superior performance can be widely used for focusing and imaging. However, the realization of a large‐aperture metalens, which is composed of billions of nanoscale building blocks, poses significant challenges for both process technology and manufacturing cost. Herein, an unconventional optical sparse‐aperture (UOSA) metalens is developed with a Wiener filtering algorithm to obtain a high‐quality image. The proposed UOSA metalens consists of three identical and concentric annular sectors sub‐aperture metalens based on a gallium nitride nanobrick array, which can effectively focus the unpolarized visible light into the same point. An effective aperture of 0.72 mm with lower cost is realized by utilizing less than 1/2 processing area. The experimental imaging results show that this all‐dielectric UOSA metalens with a diffraction‐limited resolution of 11.36 µm under 632.8 nm illumination is consistent with the simulated results. Furthermore, a relatively high focusing efficiency (≈51.2%) can also be achieved under the incident light of any polarization state. The approach with less area process, time‐saving, high efficiency, and large‐aperture characteristics offers vast potential applications in the fields of integrated optical systems, near‐eye imaging devices, and wearable optics.
Super‐Resolution Lifetime Imaging of Single Molecules Near Gold Bowtie Nanoparticles
Authors: Hallenbeck Zachary , Wertz Esther A.
Published: August 2022

Interactions between light and matter serve as the basis of many technologies, but the quality of these devices is inherently limited by the optical properties of their constituents. Plasmonic nanoparticles are a highly versatile and tunable platform for the enhancement of such optical properties. However, the near‐field nature of these effects has made thorough study and understanding of these mechanisms difficult. In this work, we introduce a fully confocal technique combining photoswitching super‐resolution microscopy with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to study single‐molecule decay rate enhancement. We demonstrate that the technique combines a spatial resolution better than 20 nm, and a 16 ps temporal resolution. Simultaneously, an autocorrelation measurement is also performed to confirm that the data indeed originates from single molecules. This work provides insight into the various mechanisms of plasmon‐enhanced emission, and allows the study of the correlation between emission intensity and lifetime enhancement. This complicated relationship is shown to be dependent upon the relative influence of various radiative and nonradiative decay pathways. Here, we provide a platform for further study of emission mislocalization, the position‐dependent prominence of different decay pathways, and the direct super‐resolved measurement of the local density of states.
Room Temperature Lasing in GeSn Microdisks Enabled by Strain Engineering
Authors: Buca Dan , Bjelajac Andjelika , Spirito Davide , Concepción Omar , Gromovyi Maksym , Sakat Emilie , Lafosse Xavier , Ferlazzo Laurence , von den Driesch Nils , Ikonic Zoran , Grützmacher Detlev , Capellini Giovanni , El Kurdi Moustafa
Published: August 2022

The success of GeSn alloys as active material for infrared lasers could pave the way toward a monolithic technology that can be manufactured within mainstream silicon photonics. Nonetheless, for operation on chip, lasing should occur at room temperature or beyond. Unfortunately, despite the intense research in recent years, many hurdles have yet to be overcome. An approach exploiting strain engineering to induce large tensile strain in micro‐disk made of GeSn alloy with Sn content of 14 at% is presented here. This method enables robust multimode laser emission at room temperature. Furthermore, tensile strain enables proper valence band engineering; as a result, over a large range of operating temperatures, lower lasing thresholds are observed compared to high Sn content GeSn lasers operating at similar wavelength.
Broadband BiOCl Nonlinear Saturable Absorber for Watt‐Level Passively Q‐Switched Yb:LuAG Single Crystal Fiber Laser
Authors: Ma Xiaofei , Wang Ci , Zhang Jian , Wang Tao , Wang Anye , Wang Siyuan , Jia Zhitai , Zhang Baitao , He Jingliang , van Smaalen Sander , Tao Xutang
Published: August 2022

The development of nonlinear optical (NLO) devices is limited to the mid‐infrared range due to the lack of broadband NLO response. As an indirect band gap semiconductor, BiOCl has a band gap of ≈3.3 eV. The special anisotropic lamellar structure makes it exhibit excellent electrical and optical properties; however, its NLO saturable absorption effect is rarely reported. In this study, the NLO response, optical properties, and applications of BiOCl crystals grown by chemical vapor phase transport method are studied in detail. The transmission spectrum indicates the BiOCl crystal has a broadband transparent region (0.4–11 µm). The saturable absorption of BiOCl is characterized by the Z‐scan method with 532 and 1030 nm pulsed lasers. With BiOCl as the saturable absorber (SA), watt‐level passively Q‐switched pulsed laser based on Yb:LuAG single crystal fiber (SCF) is realized. This is the first report of BiOCl as SA for passively Q‐switched all‐solid‐state pulsed laser, and the obtained average power is the highest value of passively Q‐switched SCF pulsed lasers reported so far. The high transmittance, high laser damage threshold, wideband NLO response, and environmental stability of BiOCl indicate that BiOCl crystal is a potential candidate for NLO applications.
Introducing a Symmetry‐Breaking Coupler into a Dielectric Metasurface Enables Robust High‐Q Quasi‐BICs
Authors: Moretti Gianni Q. , Tittl Andreas , Cortés Emiliano , Maier Stefan A. , Bragas Andrea V. , Grinblat Gustavo
Published: August 2022

Dielectric metasurfaces supporting quasibound states in the continuum (quasi‐BICs) exhibit very high‐quality factor resonances and electric field confinement. However, accessing the high‐Q end of the quasi‐BIC regime usually requires marginally distorting the metasurface design from a BIC condition, pushing the needed nanoscale fabrication precision to the limit. This work introduces a novel concept for generating high‐Q quasi‐BICs, which strongly relaxes this requirement by incorporating a relatively large perturbative element close to high‐symmetry points of an undistorted BIC metasurface, acting as a coupler to the radiation continuum. This approach is validated by adding a ≈100 nm diameter cylinder between two reflection‐symmetry points separated by a 300 nm gap in an elliptical disk metasurface unit cell, using gallium phosphide as the dielectric. It is found that high‐Q resonances emerge when the cylindrical coupler is placed at any position between such symmetry points. This metasurface's second harmonic generation capability in the optical range is further explored. Displacing the coupler as much as a full diameter from a BIC condition produces record‐breaking normalized conversion efficiencies >102 W−1. The strategy of enclosing a disruptive element between multiple high‐symmetry points in a BIC metasurface can be applied to construct robust high‐Q quasi‐BICs in many geometrical designs.
Multiomic Analysis of Neurons with Divergent Projection Patterns Identifies Novel Regulators of Axon Pathfinding
Authors: Fernández‐Nogales Marta , López‐Cascales Maria Teresa , Murcia‐Belmonte Verónica , Escalante Augusto , Fernández‐Albert Jordi , Muñoz‐Viana Rafael , Barco Angel , Herrera Eloísa
Published: August 2022

Axon pathfinding is a key step in neural circuits formation. However, the transcriptional mechanisms regulating its progression remain poorly understood. The binary decision of crossing or avoiding the midline taken by some neuronal axons during development represents a robust model to investigate the mechanisms that control the selection of axonal trajectories. Here, to identify novel regulators of axon guidance, this work compares the transcriptome and chromatin occupancy profiles of two neuronal subpopulations, ipsilateral (iRGC) and contralateral retinal ganglion cells (cRGC), with similar functions but divergent axon trajectories. These analyses retrieved a number of genes encoding for proteins not previously implicated in axon pathfinding. In vivo functional experiments confirm the implication of some of these candidates in axonal navigation. Among the candidate genes, γ‐synuclein is identified as essential for inducing midline crossing. Footprint and luciferase assays demonstrate that this small‐sized protein is regulated by the transcription factor (TF) Pou4f1 in cRGCs. It is also shown that Lhx2/9 are specifically expressed in iRGCs and control a program that partially overlaps with that regulated by Zic2, previously described as essential for iRGC specification. Overall, the analyses identify dozens of new molecules potentially involved in axon guidance and reveal the regulatory logic behind the selection of axonal trajectories.
ER, Mitochondria, and ISR Regulation by mt‐HSP70 and ATF5 upon Procollagen Misfolding in Osteoblasts
Authors: Gorrell Laura , Makareeva Elena , Omari Shakib , Otsuru Satoru , Leikin Sergey
Published: August 2022

Cellular response to protein misfolding underlies multiple diseases. Collagens are the most abundant vertebrate proteins, yet little is known about cellular response to misfolding of their procollagen precursors. Osteoblasts (OBs)—the cells that make bone—produce so much procollagen that it accounts for up to 40% of mRNAs in the cell, which is why bone bears the brunt of mutations causing procollagen misfolding in osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). The present study of a G610C mouse model of OI by multiple transcriptomic techniques provides first solid clues to how OBs respond to misfolded procollagen accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and how this response affects OB function. Surprisingly, misfolded procollagen escapes the quality control in the ER lumen and indirectly triggers the integrated stress response (ISR) through other cell compartments. In G610C OBs, the ISR is regulated by mitochondrial HSP70 (mt‐HSP70) and ATF5 instead of their BIP and ATF4 paralogues, which normally activate and regulate ISR to secretory protein misfolding in the ER. The involvement of mt‐HSP70 and ATF5 together with other transcriptomic findings suggest that mitochondria might initiate the ISR upon disruption of ER‐mitochondria connections or might respond to the ISR activated by a yet unknown sensor.
Versatile Nano‐PROTAC‐Induced Epigenetic Reader Degradation for Efficient Lung Cancer Therapy
Authors: Zhang Huan‐Tian , Peng Rui , Chen Sheng , Shen Ao , Zhao Lixin , Tang Wang , Wang Xiao‐He , Li Zhen‐Yan , Zha Zhen‐Gang , Yi Mengmeng , Zhang Lingmin
Published: August 2022

Recent evidence has indicated that overexpression of the epigenetic reader bromodomain‐containing protein 4 (BRD4) contributes to a poor prognosis of lung cancers, and the suppression of its expression promotes cell apoptosis and leads to tumor shrinkage. Proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy with the capability to precisely degrade targeted proteins. Herein, a novel style of versatile nano‐PROTAC (CREATE (CRV‐LLC membrane/DS‐PLGA/dBET6)) is developed, which is constructed by using a pH/GSH (glutathione)‐responsive polymer (disulfide bond‐linked poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid), DS‐PLGA) to load BRD4‐targeted PROTAC (dBET6), followed by the camouflage with engineered lung cancer cell membranes with dual targeting capability. Notably, CREATE remarkably confers simultaneous targeting ability to lung cancer cells and tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs). The pH/GSH‐responsive design improves the release of dBET6 payload from nanoparticles to induce pronounced apoptosis of both cells, which synergistically inhibits tumor growth in both subcutaneous and orthotopic tumor‐bearing mouse model. Furthermore, the efficient tumor inhibition is due to the direct elimination of lung cancer cells and TAMs, which remodels the tumor microenvironment. Taken together, the results elucidate the construction of a versatile nano‐PROTAC enables to eliminate both lung cancer cells and TAMs, which opens a new avenue for efficient lung cancer therapy via PROTAC.
Ultrastrong Hybrid Fibers with Tunable Macromolecular Interfaces of Graphene Oxide and Carbon Nanotube for Multifunctional Applications
Authors: Kim Seo Gyun , Heo So Jeong , Kim Jeong‐Gil , Kim Sang One , Lee Dongju , Kim Minkook , Kim Nam Dong , Kim Dae‐Yoon , Hwang Jun Yeon , Chae Han Gi , Ku Bon‐Cheol
Published: August 2022

Individual carbon nanotubes (CNT) and graphene have unique mechanical and electrical properties; however, the properties of their macroscopic assemblies have not met expectations because of limited physical dimensions, the limited degree of dispersion of the components, and various structural defects. Here, a state‐of‐the‐art assembly for a novel type of hybrid fiber possessing the properties required for a wide variety of multifunctional applications is presented. A simple and effective multidimensional nanostructure of CNT and graphene oxide (GO) assembled by solution processing improves the interfacial utilization of the components. Flexible GOs are effectively intercalated between nanotubes along the shape of CNTs, which reduces voids, enhances orientation, and maximizes the contact between elements. The microstructure is finely controlled by the elements content ratio and dimensions, and an optimal balance improves the mechanical properties. The hybrid fibers simultaneously exhibit exceptional strength (6.05 GPa), modulus (422 GPa), toughness (76.8 J g–1), electrical conductivity (8.43 MS m–1), and knot strength efficiency (92%). Furthermore, surface and electrochemical properties are significantly improved by tuning the GO content, further expanding the scope of applications. These hybrid fibers are expected to offer a strategy for overcoming the limitations of existing fibers in meeting the requirements for applications in the fiber industry.
Plastic/Ductile Bulk 2D van der Waals Single‐Crystalline SnSe2 for Flexible Thermoelectrics
Authors: Deng Tingting , Gao Zhiqiang , Qiu Pengfei , Wei Tian‐Ran , Xiao Jie , Wang Genshui , Chen Lidong , Shi Xun
Published: August 2022

The recently discovered ductile/plastic inorganic semiconductors pave a new avenue toward flexible thermoelectrics. However, the power factors of current ductile/plastic inorganic semiconductors are usually low (below 5 µW cm−1 K−2) as compared with classic brittle inorganic thermoelectric materials, which greatly limit the electrical output power for flexible thermoelectrics. Here, large plasticity and high power factor in bulk two‐dimensional van der Waals (2D vdW) single‐crystalline SnSe2 are reported. SnSe2 crystals exhibit large plastic strains at room temperature and they can be morphed into various shapes without cracking, which is well captured by the inherent large deformability factor. As a semiconductor, the electrical transport properties of SnSe2 can be readily tuned in a wide range by doping a tiny amount of halogen elements. A high power factor of 10.8 µW cm−1 K−2 at 375 K along the in‐plane direction is achieved in plastic single‐crystalline Br‐doped SnSe2, which is the highest value among the reported flexible inorganic and organic thermoelectric materials. Combining the good plasticity, excellent power factors, as well as low‐cost and nontoxic elements, bulk 2D vdW single‐crystalline SnSe2 shows great promise to achieve high power density for flexible thermoelectrics.
Surface‐Enforced Alignment of Reprogrammable Liquid Crystalline Elastomers
Authors: Hebner Tayler S. , Kirkpatrick Bruce E. , Anseth Kristi S. , Bowman Christopher N. , White Timothy J.
Published: August 2022

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are stimuli‐responsive materials capable of undergoing large deformations. The thermomechanical response of LCEs is attributable to the coupling of polymer network properties and disruption of order between liquid crystalline mesogens. Complex deformations have been realized in LCEs by either programming the nematic director via surface‐enforced alignment or localized mechanical deformation in materials incorporating dynamic covalent chemistries. Here, the preparation of LCEs via thiol‐Michael addition reaction is reported that are amenable to surface‐enforced alignment. Afforded by the thiol‐Michael addition reaction, dynamic covalent bonds are uniquely incorporated in chemistries subject to surface‐enforce alignment. Accordingly, LCEs prepared with complex director profiles are able to be programmed and reprogrammed by (re)activating the dynamic covalent chemistry to realize distinctive shape transformations.
Manipulating Charge Transfer and Transport via Intermediary Electron Acceptor Channels Enables 19.3% Efficiency Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Zhan Lingling , Li Shuixing , Li Yaokai , Sun Rui , Min Jie , Chen Yiyao , Fang Jin , Ma Chang‐Qi , Zhou Guanqing , Zhu Haiming , Zuo Lijian , Qiu Huayu , Yin Shouchun , Chen Hongzheng
Published: August 2022

Balancing and improving the open‐circuit voltage (Voc) and short‐circuit current density (Jsc) synergistically has always been the critical point for organic photovoltaics (OPVs) to achieve high efficiencies. Here, this work adopts a ternary strategy to regulate the trade‐off between Voc and Jsc by combining the symmetric‐asymmetric non‐fullerene acceptors that differ at terminals and alkyl side chains to build the ternary OPV (TOPV). It is noticed that the reduced energy disorder and the enhanced luminescence efficiency of TOPV enable a mitigated energy loss and a higher Voc. Meanwhile, the third component, which is distributed at the host donor–acceptor interface, acts as the charge transport channel. The prolonged exciton lifetime, the boosted charge mobility, and the depressed charge recombination promote the TOPV to obtain an improved Jsc. Finally, with synergistically improved Voc and Jsc, the TOPV delivers an optimal efficiency of 19.26% (certified as 19.12%), representing one of the highest values reported so far.
Synchrotron Radiation Spectroscopic Studies of Mg2+ Storage Mechanisms in High‐Performance Rechargeable Magnesium Batteries with Co‐Doped FeS2 Cathodes
Authors: Xu Hao , Li Yue , Zhu Dong , Li Zhao , Sun Fengzhan , Zhu Wen , Chen Yu , Zhang Jichao , Ren Li , Zhang Saihang , Zou Jianxin , Laine Richard M.
Published: August 2022

Rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs) are one of the more promising future energy storage systems. This work proposes a non‐nucleophilic phenolate‐based magnesium complex (PMC) electrolyte enabling reversible Mg stripping/plating with a low over‐potential of 84.3 mV at 1 mA cm–2. Subsequently, Co doping is introduced to prepare FeS2, Fe0.9Co0.1S2, Fe0.75Co0.25S2 and Fe0.5Co0.5S2. Multiple characterizations confirm that Co doping can expand the crystal lattice and reduce particle sizes, thus benefiting cathode reactions. With Co doping, Fe orbitals can be expected to transform from high spin to low spin states without valence changes while the spin state of Co atoms is little influenced. Then, Co‐doped FeS2 cathodes coated on copper collectors coupling with a PMC electrolyte for RMBs show superior electrochemical performance among reported chalcogenide cathodes, displaying a maximum discharge capacity (700 mAh g–1) at 0.1 A g–1. Specifically, Fe0.5Co0.5S2 cathodes exhibit the best cycling stability and shortest activation time. Even at 1 A g–1, a discharge capacity (164 mAh g–1) is still achieved after 1000 cycles. Mechanistic studies indicate that copper collector participates in the cathode reactions accompanied by Cu1.8S generation while Fe and Co species play a synergistic catalytic role, providing effective tactics for rational design of electrolytes, conversion type cathodes, and collectors.
Enhancing the Dendrite Tolerance of NaSICON Electrolytes by Suppressing Edge Growth of Na Electrode along Ceramic Surface
Authors: Ma Qianli , Ortmann Till , Yang Aikai , Sebold Doris , Burkhardt Simon , Rohnke Marcus , Tietz Frank , Fattakhova‐Rohlfing Dina , Janek Jürgen , Guillon Olivier
Published: August 2022

Solid‐state sodium batteries (SSNBs) have attracted extensive interest due to their high safety on the cell level, abundant material resources, and low cost. One of the major challenges in the development of SSNBs is the suppression of sodium dendrites during electrochemical cycling. The solid electrolyte Na3.4Zr2Si2.4P0.6O12 (NZSP) exhibits one of the best dendrite tolerances of all reported solid electrolytes (SEs), while it also shows interesting dendrite growth along the surface of NZSP rather than through the ceramic. Operando investigations and in situ scanning electron microscopy microelectrode experiments are conducted to reveal the Na plating mechanism. By blocking the surface from atmosphere access with a sodium‐salt coating, surface‐dendrite formation is prevented. The dendrite tolerance of Na | NZSP | Na symmetric cells is then increased to a critical current density (CCD) of 14 mA cm−2 and galvanostatic cycling of 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2 (half cycle) is demonstrated for more than 1000 h. Even if the current density is increased to 3 mA cm−2 or 5 mA cm−2, symmetric cells can still be operated for 180 h or 12 h, respectively.