Periodically poled aluminum scandium nitride bulk acoustic wave resonators and filters for communications in the 6G era.

Bulk Acoustic Wave (BAW) filters find applications in radio frequency (RF) communication systems for Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. In the beyond-5G (potential 6G) era, high-frequency bands (>8 GHz) are expected to require resonators with high-quality factor (Q) and electromechanical coupling ( ) to form filters with low insertion loss and high selectivity. However, both the Q and of resonator devices formed in traditional uniform polarization piezoelectric films of aluminum nitride (AlN) and aluminum scandium nitride (AlScN) decrease when scaled beyond 8 GHz.

Wood and Cellulose: the Most Sustainable Advanced Materials for Past, Present, and Future Civilizations.

Wood, with its constituent building block cellulose, is by far the most common biomaterial on the planet and has been the most important material used by humans to establish civilization. If there is one single biomaterial that should be studied and used by materials scientists across disciplines to achieve a sustainable future, it is cellulose. This perspective provides insights for the general materials science community about the unique properties of wood and cellulose and how they may be used in advanced sustainable materials to make a substantial societal impact.

Neuronal CD59 isoforms IRIS-1 and IRIS-2 as regulators of neurotransmitter release with implications for Alzheimer's disease.

We have previously demonstrated that the intracellular, non-GPI anchored CD59 isoforms IRIS-1 and IRIS-2 (Isoforms Rescuing Insulin Secretion 1 and 2) are necessary for insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. While investigating their expression across human tissues, we identified IRIS-1 and IRIS-2 mRNA in the human brain, though their protein expression and function remained unclear. This study shows the presence of both IRIS-1 and 2 proteins in the human brain, specifically in neurons and astrocytes.

Staged dissection reduces blood loss in surgery for metopic synostosis.

Introduction: Fronto-orbital remodelling for metopic synostosis is an extensive operation with substantial blood loss, particularly from emissary veins in the glabellar region. One possibility to reduce blood loss may be to stage dissection and cauterise anomalous emissary veins before dissecting in the subperiostal plane.  OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare perioperative bleeding using a staged dissection in the glabellar region with the traditional subperiostal dissection technique during surgery for metopic synostosis.

In Vivo Photopolymerization: Achieving Detailed Conducting Patterns for Bioelectronics.

Bioelectronics holds great potential as therapeutics, but introducing conductive structures within the body poses great challenges. While implanted rigid and substrate-bound electrodes often result in inflammation and scarring in vivo, they outperform the in situ-formed, more biocompatible electrodes by providing superior control over electrode geometry. For example, one of the most researched methodologies, the formation of conductive polymers through enzymatic catalysis in vivo, is governed by diffusion control due to the slow kinetics, with curing times that span several hours to days.

Obesity-related subclinical hypothyroidism in childhood: Elevated triglycerides but not basal metabolic rate.

Background: Studies on the associations between obesity-related subclinical hypothyroidism with basal metabolic rate and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in children and adolescents are scarce.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of children with obesity (n = 294) from the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Childhood Obesity cohort. Differences in basal metabolic rate quantified by indirect calorimetry, and the cardiovascular risk factors; body mass index, blood lipids, fasting and 2 h oral glucose tolerance test glucose, glycated haemoglobin and insulin resistance, between subjects with and without subclinical hypothyroidism were investigated.

Pesticide exposure patterns in honey bees during migratory pollination.

Monitoring pesticide exposures in honey bees provides fundamental risk information that informs efforts to improve regulatory policy, pesticide use, and beekeeping management so pollinators are protected in realistic field conditions. We investigated pesticide exposures to bee colonies while colonies moved along commercial migratory routes in 2022 and 2023 to pollinate multiple pollinator-dependent, high-value U.S.

Spring-assisted posterior vault expansion in children over 2 years of age with craniosynostosis.

Background: This study evaluated spring-assisted posterior vault expansion (SA-PVE) in children aged > 2 years with craniosynostosis and signs of high intracranial pressure (ICP).

Methods: We retrospectively analysed all consecutive patients aged > 2 years and operated with SA-PVE between 2018 and 2020 at the Craniofacial Center at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden. During the procedure, a circumferent occipital bone flap extending below the torcula was created and remained attached to the dura.

In situ assembly of an injectable cardiac stimulator.

Without intervention, cardiac arrhythmias pose a risk of fatality. However, timely intervention can be challenging in environments where transporting a large, heavy defibrillator is impractical, or emergency surgery to implant cardiac stimulation devices is not feasible. Here, we introduce an injectable cardiac stimulator, a syringe loaded with a nanoparticle solution comprising a conductive polymer and a monomer that, upon injection, forms a conductive structure around the heart for cardiac stimulation.

Glucose-based biofuel cells and their applications in medical implants: A review.

In glucose biofuel cells (G-BFCs), glucose oxidation at the anode and oxygen reduction at the cathode yield electrons, which generate electric energy that can power a wide range of electronic devices. Research associated with the development of G-BFCs has increased in popularity among researchers because of the eco-friendly nature of G-BFCs (as related to their construction) and their evolution from inexpensive bio-based materials. In addition, their excellent specificity towards glucose as an energy source, and other properties, such as small size and weight, make them attractive within various demanding applied environments.

Tuning the Emission of Bis-ethylenedioxythiophene-thiophenes upon Aggregation.

The ability of small lipophilic molecules to penetrate the blood-brain barrier through transmembrane diffusion has enabled researchers to explore new diagnostics and therapies for brain disorders. Until now, therapies targeting the brain have mainly relied on biochemical mechanisms, while electrical treatments such as deep brain stimulation often require invasive procedures. An alternative to implanting deep brain stimulation probes could involve administering small molecule precursors intravenously, capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, and initiating the formation of conductive polymer networks in the brain through polymerization.

Nonvolatile Control of Valley Polarized Emission in 2D WSe-AlScN Heterostructures.

Achieving robust and electrically controlled valley polarization in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (ML-TMDs) is a frontier challenge for realistic valleytronic applications. Theoretical investigations show that the integration of 2D materials with ferroelectrics is a promising strategy; however, an experimental demonstration has remained elusive. Here, we fabricate ferroelectric field-effect transistors using a ML-WSe channel and an AlScN (AlScN) ferroelectric dielectric and experimentally demonstrate efficient tuning as well as non-volatile control of valley polarization.

Chemically Driven Sintering of Colloidal Cu Nanocrystals for Multiscale Electronic and Optical Devices.

Emerging applications of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in smart health, home, and city, in agriculture and environmental monitoring, and in transportation and manufacturing require materials and devices with engineered physical properties that can be manufactured by low-cost and scalable methods, support flexible forms, and are biocompatible and biodegradable. Here, we report the fabrication and device integration of low-cost and biocompatible/biodegradable colloidal Cu nanocrystal (NC) films through room temperature, solution-based deposition, and sintering, achieved via chemical exchange of NC surface ligands. Treatment of organic-ligand capped Cu NC films with solutions of shorter, environmentally benign, and noncorrosive inorganic reagents, namely, SCN and Cl, effectively removes the organic ligands, drives NC grain growth, and limits film oxidation.

A Review of Polyolefin-Insulation Materials in High Voltage Transmission; From Electronic Structures to Final Products.

This review focuses on the use of polyolefins in high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) cables and capacitors. A short description of the latest evolution and current use of HVDC cables and capacitors is first provided, followed by the basics of electric insulation and capacitor functions. Methods to determine dielectric properties are described, including charge transport, space charges, resistivity, dielectric loss, and breakdown strength.

Multistate, Ultrathin, Back-End-of-Line-Compatible AlScN Ferroelectric Diodes.

The growth in data generation necessitates efficient data processing technologies to address the von Neumann bottleneck in conventional computer architecture. Memory-driven computing, which integrates nonvolatile memory (NVM) devices in a 3D stack, is gaining attention, with CMOS back-end-of-line (BEOL)-compatible ferroelectric (FE) diodes being ideal due to their two-terminal design and inherently selector-free nature, facilitating high-density crossbar arrays. Here, we demonstrate BEOL-compatible, high-performance FE diodes scaled to 5, 10, and 20 nm FE AlScN/AlScN films.

Frequency tunable magnetostatic wave filters with zero static power magnetic biasing circuitry.

A single tunable filter simplifies complexity, reduces insertion loss, and minimizes size compared to frequency switchable filter banks commonly used for radio frequency (RF) band selection. Magnetostatic wave (MSW) filters stand out for their wide, continuous frequency tuning and high-quality factor. However, MSW filters employing electromagnets for tuning consume excessive power and space, unsuitable for consumer wireless applications.

Evaluation of heterologous expression in Pichia pastoris of Pine Weevil TRPA1 by GFP and flow cytometry.

Background: The wasabi receptor, also known as the Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel, is a potential target for development of repellents for insects, like the pine weevil (Hylobius abietis) feeding on conifer seedlings and causing damage in forestry. Heterologous expression of TRPA1 from pine weevil in the yeast Pichia pastoris can potentially provide protein for structural and functional studies. Here we take advantage of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) tag to examine the various steps of heterologous expression, to get more insight in clone selection, expression and isolation of the intact purified protein.

Effects of multi-functional additives during foam extrusion of wheat gluten materials.

To broaden the range in structures and properties, and therefore the applicability of sustainable foams based on wheat gluten expanded with ammonium-bicarbonate, we show here how three naturally ocurring multifunctional additives affect their properties. Citric acid yields foams with the lowest density (porosity of ~50%) with mainly closed cells. Gallic acid acts as a radical scavenger, yielding the least crosslinked/ aggregated foam.

Ultralight aerogels supramolecular polymerization of a new chiral perfluoropyridine-based sulfonimidamide organogelator.

Chiral and enantiopure perfluorinated sulfonimidamides act as low-molecular weight gelators at low critical gelation concentration (<1 mg mL) supramolecular polymerization in nonpolar organic solvents and more heterogenic mixtures, such as biodiesel and oil. Freeze-drying of the organogel leads to ultralight aerogel with extremely low density (1 mg mL). The gelation is driven by hydrogen bonding resulting in a helical molecular ordering and unique fibre assemblies as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, CD spectroscopy, and computational modeling of the supramolecular structure.

Correction of Unicoronal Synostosis With Springs: Two Patients With Improved Facial Symmetry.

Objective: Surgical correction of unicoronal synostosis (UCS) entails extensive cranioplasties which do not address facial scoliosis. This paper presents the first results with springs that motivated the shift from extensive cranioplasties to dynamic techniques for surgical correction of UCS.

Methods: Two cases of UCS were operated with a linear osteotomy combined with springs.

Development and performance of a next generation sequencing (NGS) assay for monitoring of dd-cfDNA post solid organ transplantation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the analytical performance of a novel NGS assay, intended for monitoring of donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA), and describe its validity in clinical plasma samples from kidney transplanted patients. Artificial and clinical samples with increasing amounts of patient DNA were evaluated using NGS analysis of indel markers. Monitoring of dd-cfDNA with the NGS assay presented herein demonstrated a sensitivity of ≥0.