Browse Articles

Boosting adversarial transferability in vision-language models via multimodal feature heterogeneity

Autonomic correlates of osteopathic manipulative treatment on facial functional mapping: an innovative approach based on thermal imaging

Study on pore structure and adsorption properties of coal and microscopic action mechanism of outburst

Coupling coordination development of water resources-economy-ecology system in Shanxi Province based on system dynamics

Effects of crown closure changes in broad-leaved forests on thermal comfort and human responses according to season

Parameter identification of the PV systems based on an adapted version of human evolutionary optimizer

Enhanced slope stability prediction using ensemble machine learning techniques

Record Efficiency of β‐Phase PVDF‐MXene Composites in Thin‐Film Dielectric Capacitors

Abstract Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a semicrystalline polymer used in thin‐film dielectric capacitors because of its inherently high dielectric constant and low loss tangent. Its dielectric constant can be increased by the formation and alignment of its β‐phase crystalline structure, which can be facilitated by 2D nanofillers. 2D carbides and nitrides, MXenes, are promising candidates due to their notable dielectric permittivity and ability to increase interfacial polarization. Still, their mixing is challenging due to weak interfacial interactions and poor dispersibility of MXenes in PVDF. This work explores a novel method for delaminating Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene directly into organic solvents while maintaining flake size and quality, as well as the use of a non‐solvent‐induced phase separation method for producing both dense and porous PVDF‐MXene composite films. A deeper understanding of dielectric behavior in these composites is reached by examining MXenes with both mixed and pure chlorine terminations in PVDF matrices. Thin‐film capacitors fabricated from these composites display ultrahigh discharge energy density, exceeding 45 J cm −3 with 95% efficiency. The PVDF‐MXene composites are also processed using a green and sustainable solvent, propylene carbonate.

Realization of high power factor in polycrystalline In doped Sb2Te3 thin films for wearable application

Te-based materials exhibit outstanding thermoelectric performance at room temperature, promising candidates for the fabrication of the wearable electronic devices and chip-sensor of internet-of-things. In this work, a combination of magnetron co-sputtering and post-tellurization methods was used to prepare In doped Sb2Te3 thin films. A high carrier concentration is ascribed to the increase in the density of states after In doping proved by first-principles calculations and experiments, which leads to an increase in the electrical conductivity of ∼1686.84 S cm−1 and moderate S above ∼105.24 μV K−1. Consequently, a peak power factor of 18.68 μW cm−1 K−2 was realized in In doped Sb2Te3 thin films at 300 K, representing a ∼17% increase compared to the undoped samples. After 1000 bending cycles, the relative resistance evolution lower than 2% and relative S evolution lower than 5% exhibit excellent flexibility of In-doped flexible thermoelectric film. The fabricated thermoelectric device generated an output power of 65 nW with a temperature difference of 20 K.

Microstructure and properties of high entropy alloy coating obtained by laser cladding

Tailored Colloidal Shapes in Precursor Solutions for Efficient Blade‐Coated Perovskite Solar Modules

Abstract Metal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as one of the most promising candidates for next‐generation photovoltaic technologies. However, perovskite films deposited by blade‐coating usually exhibit inferior film morphology compared to those fabricated by spin‐coating, which hinders the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of the scalable perovskite solar modules (PSMs). Herein, ellipsoidal colloids are tailored in the perovskite precursor solution by incorporating perovskite colloids and polymer additives. Compared to unregulated spherical colloids, the ellipsoidal colloids demonstrate more oriented packing during the blade‐coating process, which is due to the anisotropic driven force from the fluidic flow in the meniscus. As a result of the improved film morphology, the regulated PSCs and PSMs achieve superior PCE of 24.31% and 21.67% (21.37% certified), respectively, for aperture areas of 0.09 and 13.94 cm 2 , and 89% initial PCE after 600 h continuous operation.

Hot carrier dynamics in III–V semiconductor nanowires under dominant radiative and Auger recombination

One-dimensional structures such as nanowires (NWs) show great promise in tailoring the rates of hot carrier thermalization in semiconductors with important implications for the design of efficient hot carrier absorbers. However, the fabrication of defect-free crystal structures and control of their intrinsic electronic properties can be challenging, raising concerns about the role of competing radiative and non-radiative recombination mechanisms that govern hot carrier effects. Here, we elucidate the impact of crystal purity and altered electronic properties on the hot carrier properties by comparing two classes of III–V semiconductor NW arrays with similar bandgap energies and geometries, yet different crystal quality: one composed of GaAsSb NWs, which host antisite point defects but are free of planar stacking defects, and the other InGaAs NWs with a very high density of stacking defects. Photoluminescence spectroscopy demonstrates distinct hot carrier effects in both NW arrays; however, the InGaAs NWs exhibit stronger hot carrier effects, as evidenced by increased carrier temperature under identical photo-absorptivity. This difference arises from higher rates of Auger recombination in the InGaAs NWs due to their increased n-type conductivity, as confirmed by excitation power-dependent measurements. Our findings suggest that while enhancing material properties is crucial for improving the performance of hot carrier absorbers, optimizing conditions to increase the rates of Auger recombination will further boost the efficiency of these devices.

Alcohol consumption has a J-shaped association with bacterial infection and death due to infection, a population-based cohort study

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the association between alcohol consumption and the risk of bacterial infection and its dose–response association. Participants in the Swedish Mammography Cohort and Cohort of Swedish Men answered lifestyle questionnaires in 1997 and have since been followed in national registers. The risks of acquiring infection, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and dying due to infection were assessed with Cox regression. Among 58,078 cohort participants followed for 23 years, 23,035 participants were diagnosed with an infection and 4,030 died from infection. Alcohol consumption exhibited a J-shaped association with the risk of acquiring infection and dying due to infection: compared to consuming 5–10 g of alcohol per day, consuming < 0.5 g/day and consuming > 30 g/day were both associated with higher risk of acquiring infection, ICU admission and dying due to infection, whereas alcohol consumption between 5 and 30 g/day was not associated with acquiring infection, ICU admission or death due to infection. In conclusion, moderate alcohol consumption was not associated with infection, but both very low and high levels of consumption were associated with acquiring infection, ICU admission and death. If replicated, this suggests that reduction of alcohol consumption might reduce mortality from bacterial infections.

Tumor‐Targeted Glutamine Metabolism Blocker Synergizes with TiO ₂ ‐Au Janus Nanoparticles for Enhanced Sono‐Metabolic Antitumor Therapy

Abstract Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a promising therapeutic modality known for its non‐invasiveness, temporal‐spatial controllability, and deeper tissue penetration. However, the SDT treatment efficacy is still hampered by the scarcity of ideal sonosensitizers and complex tumor microenvironment (TME). To address these challenges, a sono‐metabolic nano‐composite (TiO 2 ‐Au@DON) using the metabolic reprogramming prodrugs of 6‐Diazo‐5‐oxo‐l‐norleucine (DON) grafted on TiO 2 ‐Au Janus nanoparticles (NPs) is fabricated. The coupling of TiO 2 and gold in the TiO 2 ‐Au@DON effectively prevents the fast recombination of excited electrons and holes under ultrasound irradiation. The result is the generation of higher levels of both type I and II reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to pure TiO 2 , which helps overcome the limitations of SDT in the hypoxic TME. Furthermore, the TiO 2 ‐Au Janus NPs act as nano‐carriers, delivering DON prodrugs to the tumor site. The released DON can disrupt nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) and tumor redox homeostasis by reprogramming the metabolic pathways while it intensifies the activities of immune cells. This metabolic disruption amplifies SDT‐mediated oxidative stress, resulting in the increase of tumor sensitivity to ROS through TiO 2 ‐Au@DON‐integrated synergistic effects of SDT and glutamine reprogramming strategies. This increased sensitivity ultimately induces robust immunogenic cell death (ICD), enhancing antitumor therapeutic efficacy and remodeling the tumor's immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Microglial‐Biomimetic Memantine‐Loaded Polydopamine Nanomedicines for Alleviating Depression

Abstract Depression is a common psychiatric disorder, and monoamine‐based antidepressants as first‐line therapy remain ineffective in some patients. The synergistic modulation of neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity could be a major strategy for treating depression. In this study, an inflammation‐targeted microglial biomimetic system, PDA‐Mem@M, is reported for treating depression. Microglial membrane‐coated nanoparticles penetrate the blood‐brain barrier and facilitate microglial targeting. Subsequently, owing to the excellent free radical‐scavenging capacity, PDA‐Mem@M attenuate the brain inflammatory microenvironment. After on‐demand release from the nanoparticles, memantine increases the expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factors and reverses the loss of synaptic dendritic spines. Further, in vivo studies demonstrate that PDA‐Mem@M effectively alleviate depression‐like behaviors to a greater extent than memantine or polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA) monotherapy. This synergistic strategy, with satisfactory biosafety and strong anti‐inflammatory and synaptic plasticity restoration effects, is conducive to advances in depression therapy.

Research on the mechanical properties and micro damage mechanism of water bearing sandstone under uniaxial compression

Sargassum Nanocellulose‐Based Fully Ingestible Supercapacitor

Abstract Small high‐performance energy modules have significant practical value in the biomedical field, such as painless diagnosis, alleviation of gastrointestinal discomfort, and electrical stimulation therapy. However, due to performance limitations and safety concerns, it is a formidable challenge to design a small, emerging ingestible power supply. Here, a fully ingestible supercapacitor (FISC) constructed of sargassum cellulose nanofiber is presented. FISCs exhibit an electrode areal capacitance of 2.29 F cm −2 and a high energy density of 307 µWh cm −2 . Furthermore, over 90% of the antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli is achieved during the self‐discharge process. Therefore, following insertion into an enteric capsule, this device can enable a disposable power supply and electrostimulation for bacteriostasis in the intestine after being swallowed by a human, which offers new possibilities for scientific and simple therapy.

Bioinformatics analysis of the in silico engineered protein vaccine with and without Escherichia coli heat labile enterotoxin adjuvant on the model of Klebsiella pneumoniae

A Tribo/Piezoelectric Nanogenerator Based on Bio‐MOFs for Energy Harvesting and Antibacterial Wearable Device

Abstract New types of metal–organic framework (MOF) materials have great potential in solving the current global dilemma on energy, environment, and medical care. Herein, based on two kinds of biomolecule‐MOFs (Bio‐MOFs) with favorable biocompatibility and degradation‐reconstruction characteristics, we have established a self‐powered muti‐functional device to achieve an efficient and broad‐spectrum environmental energy collection and biomedical applications. Combining Zn(II) and carnosine‐based Zn‐Car_MOF possessing a high piezoelectric response ( d 33 = 11.17 pm V −1 ) with patterned polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) film, a tribo‐piezoelectric hybrid nanogenerator (TPHG) is constructed with a synergy output of triboelectric and piezoelectric effects. The Zn‐Car_TPHG demonstrates a high output performance (131 V at 100 kPa) and a wide range of pressure response (1 Pa–100 kPa), possessing applications in environmental energy collection and biomedical sensors. To expand the application of the wearable device, a conductive hexagonal prism MOF (Cu 3 (2,3,6,7,10,11‐hexahydroxytriphenylene) 2 (Cu‐HHTP)) is synthesized and employed to load thymol (Thy). Cooperating with Zn‐Car_TPHG, the resulting Cu‐HHTP/Thy can achieve an efficient self‐powered ROS (singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) and hydroxyl radical (·OH)) generation and drug synergistic broad‐spectrum sterilization effect (efficiency ≥ 98%). In a word, the flexible wearable device based on the muti‐functional Bio‐MOFs is sustainable and environmentally friendly, possessing wide application potential in fields of environmental energy collection, biosensors, and self‐powered antibacterial.

Predicting responsiveness to fixed-dose methylene blue in adult patients with septic shock using interpretable machine learning: a retrospective study