MatrisomeDB 2.0: 2023 updates to the ECM-protein knowledge database.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex assembly of proteins that constitutes the scaffold organizing cells, tissues, and organs. Over the past decade, mass-spectrometry-based proteomics has become the method of choice to profile the composition of the ECM, or the matrisome, of tissues. To assist non-specialists with the reuse of ECM proteomic datasets, we released MatrisomeDB (https://matrisomedb.

High-Pressure Synthesis and Ferrimagnetism of NiTeO-Type MnScMO (M = Nb, Ta).

The corundum-related oxides MnScNbO and MnScTaO were synthesized at high pressure and high temperature (6 GPa and 1475 K). Analysis of the synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction shows that MnScNbO and MnScTaO crystallize in NiTeO-type noncentrosymmetric crystal structures with space group 3. The asymmetric crystal structure was confirmed by second harmonic generation measurement.

Evidence for polarized nanoregions from the domain dynamics in multiferroic LiCuVO.

LiCuVO is a model system of a 1D spin-1/2 chain that enters a planar spin-spiral ground state below its Néel temperature of 2.4 K due to competing nearest and next nearest neighbor interactions. The spin-spiral state is multiferroic with an electric polarization along the a axis which has been proposed to be caused purely by the spin supercurrent mechanism.

Reversible Structural Transformation between Polar Polymorphs of LiGeTeO.

LiGeTeO prepared at ambient pressure adopts the corundum derivative ordered ilmenite structure (rhombohedral R3). When heated at 1073 K and 3-5 GPa, the as-made LiGeTeO can convert into a LiSbO-derived LiTiTeO-type phase (orthorhombic Pnn2), which is the third LiSbO-derived double ABB'O phase in addition to LiTiTeO and LiSnTeO. This Pnn2 LiGeTeO phase spontaneously reverts to the R3 phase if annealed up to 1023 K at ambient pressure.

Magnetostriction-polarization coupling in multiferroic MnMnWO.

Double corundum-related polar magnets are promising materials for multiferroic and magnetoelectric applications in spintronics. However, their design and synthesis is a challenge, and magnetoelectric coupling has only been observed in NiTeO among the known double corundum compounds to date. Here we address the high-pressure synthesis of a new polar and antiferromagnetic corundum derivative MnMnWO, which adopts the NiTeO-type structure with low temperature first-order field-induced metamagnetic phase transitions (T  = 58 K) and high spontaneous polarization (~ 63.

Balancing Europe's wind power output through spatial deployment informed by weather regimes.

As wind and solar power provide a growing share of Europe's electricity1, understanding and accommodating their variability on multiple timescales remains a critical problem. On weekly timescales, variability is related to long-lasting weather conditions, called weather regimes2-5, which can cause lulls with a loss of wind power across neighbouring countries6. Here we show that weather regimes provide a meteorological explanation for multi-day fluctuations in Europe's wind power and can help guide new deployment pathways which minimise this variability.

Mn2FeWO6 : A new Ni3TeO6-type polar and magnetic oxide.

Mn(2+)2 Fe(2+)W(6+)O6 , a new polar magnetic phase, adopts the corundum-derived Ni3TeO6 -type structure with large spontaneous polarization (PS) of 67.8 μC cm(-2), complex antiferromagnetic order below ≈75 K, and field-induced first-order transition to a ferrimagnetic phase below ≈30 K. First-principles calculations predict a ferrimagnetic (udu) ground state, optimal switching path along the c-axis, and transition to a lower energy udu-udd magnetic double cell.

Critical slowing down near the multiferroic phase transition in MnWO4.

By using broadband dielectric spectroscopy in the radio frequency and microwave range, we studied the magnetoelectric dynamics in the multiferroic chiral antiferromagnet MnWO_{4}. Above the multiferroic phase transition at T_{N2}≈12.6  K we observe a critical slowing of the corresponding magnetoelectric fluctuations resembling the soft-mode behavior in canonical ferroelectrics.

Critical speeding-up in the magnetoelectric response of spin-ice near its monopole liquid-gas transition.

Competing interactions in the so-called spin-ice compounds stabilize a frustrated ground state with finite zero-point entropy and, interestingly, emergent magnetic monopole excitations. The properties of these monopoles are at the focus of recent research with particular emphasis on their quantum dynamics. It is predicted that each monopole also possesses an electric dipole moment, which allows to investigate their dynamics via the dielectric function ε(ν).

Magnetic-structure-stabilized polarization in an above-room-temperature ferrimagnet.

Above-room-temperature polar magnets are of interest due to their practical applications in spintronics. Here we present a strategy to design high-temperature polar magnetic oxides in the corundum-derived A2BB'O6 family, exemplified by the non-centrosymmetric (R3) Ni3TeO6-type Mn(2+)2Fe(3+)Mo(5+)O6, which shows strong ferrimagnetic ordering with TC = 337 K and demonstrates structural polarization without any ions with (n-1)d(10)ns(0), d(0), or stereoactive lone-pair electrons. Density functional theory calculations confirm the experimental results and suggest that the energy of the magnetically ordered structure, based on the Ni3TeO6 prototype, is significantly lower than that of any related structure, and accounts for the spontaneous polarization (68 μC cm(-2)) and non-centrosymmetry confirmed directly by second harmonic generation.

Designing polar and magnetic oxides: Zn2FeTaO6--in search of multiferroics.

Polar oxides are technically of great interest but difficult to prepare. Our recent discoveries predicted that polar oxides can be synthesized in the corundum-derivative A2BB'O6 family with unusually small cations at the A-site and a d(0) electron configuration ion at B'-site. When magnetic transition-metal ions are incorporated more interesting polar magnetic oxides can form.

Polar and magnetic layered A-site and rock salt B-site-ordered NaLnFeWO6 (Ln = La, Nd) perovskites.

We have expanded the double perovskite family of materials with the unusual combination of layered order in the A sublattice and rock salt order over the B sublattice to compounds NaLaFeWO6 and NaNdFeWO6. The materials have been synthesized and studied by powder X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, electron diffraction, magnetic measurements, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, dielectric measurements, and second harmonic generation. At room temperature, the crystal structures of both compounds can be defined in the noncentrosymmetric monoclinic P2(1) space group resulting from the combination of ordering both in the A and B sublattices, the distortion of the cell due to tilting of the octahedra, and the displacement of certain cations.

New initiator systems for dental resins based on ascorbic acid.

Several promising initiator systems for the ambient polymerization of dental monomers were developed utilizing the oxidation-reduction reactions of certain organic peroxides and certain transition metal compounds with L(+) ascorbic acid and its derivatives.