Metal-Organic Framework (MOF)-Based Sensors for Mercury (Hg) Detection: Design Strategies and Recent Progress.

Monitoring mercury (Hg) is critical for environmental and public health. Metal-organic framework (MOF)-based sensors demonstrate the advantage of high sensitivity and rapid response. We summarize the advances of MOF sensors for Hg detection from the perspective of MOF type and role in the sensors.

A Quantitative Arrott Analysis Methodology for Magnetic Susceptibility of Microscale Ferromagnetic Nanoflakes.

Probing magnetic susceptibility of a microsized ferromagnet is a long-standing problem in condensed matter physics. Among various measuring methods for magnetic susceptibility including vibrating sample magnetometry and superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry, almost all require large-scale bulk samples or thick films. However, the quantitative measurement for magnetic susceptibility on a microscale nanoflake is a great challenge.

Peierls Distortion Induced Giant Linear Dichroism, Second-Harmonic Generation, and In-Plane Ferroelectricity in NbOBr.

The Peierls distortion plays an essential role in governing the in-plane ferroelectricity and nonlinear optical characteristics of anisotropic niobium oxide dihalides, such as NbOCl and NbOI. Despite its significance, experimental investigation into the structural, optical, and ferroelectric properties of NbOBr has been lacking. Here, the successful fabrication of centimeter-sized, high-quality NbOBr single crystals, enabling direct observation of Peierls distortion using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, is reported.

Inefficient and unique processing of social-emotional interference in school-aged children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder.

Introduction: Interest is growing in investigating the ability of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to process social information under conflicting and complex environments. However, few studies have employed objective behavioral measures to directly explore the underlying profile of social-emotional interference control.

Methods: In the current study, 53 children with ASD and 53 typically developing (TD) control, aged 6-12 years, completed a set of modified flanker tasks involving arrows, schematic faces, same real faces (with facial interference by the same person), and different real faces (with facial interference by different people), respectively.

Highly Sensitive Detection of Sulfur Ion in Water by Four-Color Fluorescence Based on Cu-Containing Metal-Organic Framework.

In this paper, a highly sensitive method for sulfur ion (S) detection was developed based on a four-color fluorescence probe constructed from copper-containing metal-organic framework (CuBDC) and four dye-labeled single-strand DNA (ssDNA). In the absence of S, dye-labeled ssDNA can be adsorbed on the surface of CuBDC, and the dyes are close to copper ion on the CuBDC surface, their fluorescence is quenched by copper ion, and their fluorescence signals are weak. In the presence of S in the system, S reacts with copper ion in CuBDC to form CuS, which has a more stable structure than complex CuBDC, resulting in the decomposition of CuBDC.

Atomic-Level Defect Engineering in GeP Nanoflake Biosensors for Gastric Cancer Diagnosis.

Defect engineering offers a promising approach to enhance the sensitivity of biosensing materials by creating abundant chemically active sites. Despite its potential, achieving precise control and modification of these defects remains a significant challenge. Herein, we propose atomic-level defect engineering in GeP two-dimensional (2D) layered materials, following precise growing Au nanoparticles on the single defect active sites for the design of ultrasensitive biosensors.

High-Active Surface of Centimeter-Scale β-InS for Attomolar-Level Hg Sensing.

Recognition layer materials play a crucial role in the functionality of chemical sensors. Although advancements in two-dimensional (2D) materials have promoted sensor development, the controlled fabrication of large-scale recognition layers with highly active sites remains crucial for enhancing sensor sensitivity, especially for trace detection applications. Herein, we propose a strategy for the controlled preparation of centimeter-scale non-layered ultrathin β-InS materials with tailored high-active sites to design ultrasensitive Hg sensors.

Enhanced Ferromagnetism and Tunable Magnetic Anisotropy in a van der Waals Ferromagnet.

2D van der Waals (vdW) magnets have recently emerged as a promising material system for spintronic device innovations due to their intriguing phenomena in the reduced dimension and simple integration of magnetic heterostructures without the restriction of lattice matching. However, it is still challenging to realize Curie temperature far above room temperature and controllable magnetic anisotropy for spintronics application in 2D vdW magnetic materials. In this work, the pressure-tuned dome-like ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase diagram in an iron-based 2D layered ferromagnet FeGaTe is reported.

Secure optical communication system based on polarization regulation of the data fragmentation multipath transmission technology.

We propose and demonstrate a data fragment multipath transmission scheme to achieve a secure optical communication based on polarization regulation. A dual-polarization Mach-Zehnder modulator (DPMZM) is driven by digital signals which are scattered by field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and transmitted in multiple paths. By utilizing two orthogonal polarization states, we have achieved a signal transmission under different optical parameters, and the transmission rate of the two paths can reach over 10 Gbps through a 20 km fiber with 2.

Microbiota-induced inflammatory responses in bladder tumors promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhanced immune infiltration.

The intratumoral microbiota can modulate the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME); however, the underlying mechanism by which intratumoral microbiota influences the TIME in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) remains unclear. To address this, we collected samples from 402 patients with UCB, including paired host transcriptome and tumor microbiome data, from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We found that the intratumoral microbiome profiles were significantly correlated with the expression pattern of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes.

Plasmonic Imaging of Single DNA with Charge Sensitive Monolayer WS.

Imaging the surface charge of biomolecules such as proteins and DNA, is crucial for comprehending their structure and function. Unfortunately, current methods for label-free, sensitive, and rapid imaging of the surface charge of single DNA molecules are limited. Here, we propose a plasmonic microscopy strategy that utilizes charge-sensitive single-crystal monolayer WS materials to image the local charge density of a single λ-DNA molecule.

Ultrasensitive CCL2 Detection in Urine for Diabetic Nephropathy Diagnosis Using a WS-Based Plasmonic Biosensor.

The accurate diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy relies on achieving ultrasensitive biosensing for biomarker detection. However, existing biosensors face challenges such as poor sensitivity, complexity, time-consuming procedures, and high assay costs. To address these limitations, we report a WS-based plasmonic biosensor for the ultrasensitive detection of biomarker candidates in clinical human urine samples associated with diabetic nephropathy.

Ferroelectric BiOTe-Based Plasmonic Biosensor for Ultrasensitive Biomolecular Detection.

Ultrasensitive detection of biomarkers, particularly proteins, and microRNA, is critical for disease early diagnosis. Although surface plasmon resonance biosensors offer label-free, real-time detection, it is challenging to detect biomolecules at low concentrations that only induce a minor mass or refractive index change on the analyte molecules. Here an ultrasensitive plasmonic biosensor strategy is reported by utilizing the ferroelectric properties of BiOTe as a sensitive-layer material.

Three-dimensional finite element analysis on stress distribution after different palatoplasty and levator veli palatini muscle reconstruction.

Objectives: To establish a three-dimensional finite element model of the upper palate, pharyngeal cavity, and levator veli palatini muscle in patients with unilateral complete cleft palate, simulate two surgical procedures that the two-flap method and Furlow reverse double Z method, observe the stress distribution of the upper palate soft tissue and changes in pharyngeal cavity area after different surgical methods, and verify the accuracy of the model by reconstructing and measuring the levator veli palatini muscle.

Materials And Methods: Mimics, Geomagic, Ansys, and Hypermesh were applied to establish three-dimensional finite element models of the pharyngeal cavity, upper palate, and levator veli palatini muscle in patients with unilateral complete cleft palate. The parameters including length, angle, and cross-sectional area of the levator veli palatini muscle etc.

Pressure effect on the magnetism and crystal structure of magnetoelectric metal-organic framework [CHNH][Co(HCOO)].

[CHNH][Co(HCOO)] is the first perovskite-like metal-organic framework exhibiting spin-driven magnetoelectric effects. However, the high-pressure tuning effects on the magnetic properties and crystal structure of [CHNH][Co(HCOO)] have not been studied. In this work, alongside ac magnetic susceptibility measurements, we investigate the magnetic transition temperature evolution under high pressure.

An Ultrasensitive SPR biosensor for RNA detection based on robust GeP nanosheets.

Ultrasensitive and rapid detection of biomarkers is among the upmost priorities in promoting healthcare advancements. Improved sensitivity of photonic sensors based on two-dimensional (2D) materials have brought exciting prospects for achieving real-time and label-free biosensing at dilute target concentrations. Here, we report a high-sensitivity surface plasmon resonance (SPR) RNA sensor using metallic 2D GeP nanosheets as the sensing material.

An Ultrasensitive Plasmonic Sensor Based on 2D Ferroelectric Bi O Se.

Plasmonic biosensing is a label-free detection method that is commonly used to measure various biomolecular interactions. However, one of the main challenges in this approach is the ability to detect biomolecules at low concentrations with sufficient sensitivity and detection limits. Here, 2D ferroelectric materials are employed to address the issues with sensitivity in biosensor design.

The impact of major public health emergencies on Trust in Government: From SARS to COVID-19.

Major public health emergencies always test the credibility of the government. The success of governments' strategies relies on trust in government and broad acceptance of response measures. The profound experience of the epidemic often has a long-term impact on people's cognition.

Valence-skipping and quasi-two-dimensionality of superconductivity in a van der Waals insulator.

Valence fluctuation of interacting electrons plays a crucial role in emergent quantum phenomena in correlated electron systems. The theoretical rationale is that this effect can drive a band insulator into a superconductor through charge redistribution around the Fermi level. However, the root cause of such a fluctuating leap in the ionic valency remains elusive.

100 Gb/s NRZ OOK signal regeneration using four-wave mixing in a silicon waveguide with reverse-biased p-i-n junction.

A silicon waveguide with reverse-biased p-i-n junction is used to experimentally demonstrate all-optical regeneration of non-return-to-zero (NRZ) on-off keying (OOK) signal based on four-wave mixing. The silicon waveguide allows a high conversion efficiency of -12 dB. The 0.

Magnetic field reversal of electric polarization and pressure-temperature-magnetic field magnetoelectric phase diagram of the hexaferrite BaSrMgFeO.

Pressure, as an independent thermodynamic parameter, is an effective tool to obtain novel material system and exotic physical phenomena not accessible at ambient conditions, because it profoundly modifies the charge, orbital and spin state by reducing the interatomic distance in crystal structure. However, the studies of magnetoelectricity and multiferroicity are rarely extended to high pressure dimension due to properties measured inside the high pressure vessel being a challenge. Here we reported the temperature-magnetic field-pressure magnetoelectric (ME) phase diagram of Y type hexaferrite BaSrMgFeOderived from static pyroelectric current measurement and dynamic magnetodielectric in diamond anvil cell and piston cylinder cell.

Pressure Control of the Structure and Multiferroicity in a Hydrogen-Bonded Metal-Organic Framework.

Multiferroic materials with the cross-coupling of magnetic and ferroelectric orders provide a new platform for physics study and designing novel electronic devices. However, the weak coupling strength of ferroelectricity and magnetism is the main obstacle for potential applications. The recent research focuses on enhancing the coupling effect via synthesizing novel materials in a chemical route or tuning the multiferroicity in the physical way.

Magnetic Anisotropy Control with Curie Temperature above 400 K in a van der Waals Ferromagnet for Spintronic Device.

The technological appeal of van der Waals ferromagnetic materials is the ability to control magnetism under external fields with desired thickness toward novel spintronic applications. For practically useful devices, ferromagnetism above room temperature or tunable magnetic anisotropy is highly demanded but remains challenging. To date, only a few layered materials exhibit unambiguous ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature via gating techniques or interface engineering.

One-step simultaneous quantitative detection of three pesticides based on bimetallic organic framework nanomaterials and aptamers.

We have developed a new method of one-step simultaneous detection for three pesticides including acetamiprid, atrazine and carbendazim based on organic framework nanomaterial Cu/UiO-66 and three different fluorescent dyes labeled pesticide aptamers. Cu/UiO-66 can be easily combined with pesticide aptamers through strong coordination, and then aptamers were adsorbed to the surface of Cu/UiO-66, which brings the dyes and Cu/UiO-66 into close proximity. Then, the fluorescence of dyes was quenched by Cu/UiO-66.