Iron Triad-Based Bimetallic M-N-C Nanomaterials as Highly Active Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalysts.

The use of precious metal electrocatalysts in clean electrochemical energy conversion and storage applications is widespread, but the sustainability of these materials, in terms of their availability and cost, is constrained. In this research, iron triad-based bimetallic nitrogen-doped carbon (M-N-C) materials were investigated as potential bifunctional electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The synthesis of bimetallic FeCo-N-C, CoNi-N-C, and FeNi-N-C catalysts involved a precisely optimized carbonization process of their respective metal-organic precursors.

Topological aspects of multi-antiferromagnetism in cubic rare-earth compounds.

We advertise rare-earth intermetallics with high-symmetry crystal structures and competing interactions as a possible materials platform hosting spin structures with non-trivial topological properties. Focusing on the series of cubicCu compounds, where= Ho, Er, Tm, the bulk properties of these systems display exceptionally rich magnetic phase diagrams hosting an abundance of different phase pockets characteristic of antiferromagnetic order in the presence of delicately balanced interactions. The electrical transport properties exhibit large anomalous contributions suggestive of topologically non-trivial winding in the electronic and magnetic structures.

Phonon Topology and Winding of Spectral Weight in Graphite.

The topology of electronic and phonon band structures of graphene is well studied and known to exhibit a Dirac cone at the K point of the Brillouin zone. Here, we applied inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS) along with ab initio calculations to investigate phonon topology in graphite, the 3D analog of graphene. We identified a pair of modes that form a very weakly gapped linear anticrossing at the K point that can be essentially viewed as a Dirac cone approximant.

Understanding unconventional magnetic order in a candidate axion insulator by resonant elastic x-ray scattering.

Magnetic topological insulators and semimetals are a class of crystalline solids whose properties are strongly influenced by the coupling between non-trivial electronic topology and magnetic spin configurations. Such materials can host exotic electromagnetic responses. Among these are topological insulators with certain types of antiferromagnetic order which are predicted to realize axion electrodynamics.

The Influence of Medium on Fluorescence Quenching of Colloidal Solutions of the Nd: LaF Nanoparticles Prepared with HTMW Treatment.

An original method was proposed to reduce the quenching of the NIR fluorescence of colloidal solutions of 0.1 at. % Nd: LaF nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized by aqueous co-precipitation method followed by hydrothermal microwave treatment.

Kondo quasiparticle dynamics observed by resonant inelastic x-ray scattering.

Effective models focused on pertinent low-energy degrees of freedom have substantially contributed to our qualitative understanding of quantum materials. An iconic example, the Kondo model, was key to demonstrating that the rich phase diagrams of correlated metals originate from the interplay of localized and itinerant electrons. Modern electronic structure calculations suggest that to achieve quantitative material-specific models, accurate consideration of the crystal field and spin-orbit interactions is imperative.

A Machine Learning Model for Predicting Mortality within 90 Days of Dialysis Initiation.

Background: The first 90 days after dialysis initiation are associated with high morbidity and mortality in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. A machine learning-based tool for predicting mortality could inform patient-clinician shared decision making on whether to initiate dialysis or pursue medical management. We used the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm to predict mortality in the first 90 days after dialysis initiation in a nationally representative population from the United States Renal Data System.

Sociodemographic and Psychosocial Profiles of Multi-Media Use for Risk Communication in the General Population.

Although disaster research has acknowledged the role of social media in crisis communication, the interplay of new (e.g., mobile apps) and traditional media (e.

Crystal Growth, Structure, and Noninteracting Quantum Spins in Cyanochroite, KCu(SO)·6HO.

The rare mineral cyanochroite, KCu(SO)·6HO, features isolated Cu ions in distorted octahedral coordination, linked via a hydrogen-bond network. We have grown single crystals of cyanochroite as large as ∼0.5 cm and investigated structural and magnetic aspects of this material.

Probing borophene oxidation at the atomic scale.

Two-dimensional boron (i.e. borophene) holds promise for a variety of emerging nanoelectronic and quantum technologies.

Stable Aqueous Colloidal Solutions of Nd: LaF Nanoparticles, Promising for Luminescent Bioimaging in the Near-Infrared Spectral Range.

Two series of stable aqueous colloidal solutions of Nd: LaF single-phase well-crystallized nanoparticles (NPs), possessing a fluorcerite structure with different activator concentrations in each series, were synthesized. A hydrothermal method involving microwave-assisted heating (HTMW) in two Berghof speedwave devices equipped with one magnetron (type I) or two magnetrons (type II) was used. The average sizes of NPs are 15.

Borophene synthesis beyond the single-atomic-layer limit.

Synthetic two-dimensional (2D) materials have no bulk counterparts and typically exist as single atomic layers due to substrate-stabilized growth. Multilayer formation, although broadly sought for structure and property tuning, has not yet been achieved in the case of synthetic 2D boron: that is, borophene. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the synthesis of an atomically well-defined borophene polymorph beyond the single-atomic-layer (SL) limit.

A Walk in the Park? Examining the Impact of App-Based Weather Warnings on Affective Reactions and the Search for Information in a Virtual City.

: Warning apps can provide personalized public warnings, but research on their appraisal and impact on compliance is scarce. This study introduces a virtual city framework to examine affective reactions when receiving an app-based warning, and subsequent behavioral intentions. In an online experiment, 276 participants (M = 41.

An Oat β-Glucan Beverage Reduces LDL Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Men and Women with Borderline High Cholesterol: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: High-molecular-weight (MW) oat β-glucan (OBG), consumed at 3-4 g/d, in solid foods reduces LDL cholesterol by a median of ∼6.5%.

Objectives: We evaluated the effect of a beverage providing 3 g/d high-MW OBG on reduction of LDL cholesterol (primary endpoint) when compared with placebo.

Effect of Oat β-Glucan on Affective and Physical Feeling States in Healthy Adults: Evidence for Reduced Headache, Fatigue, Anxiety and Limb/Joint Pains.

The gastrointestinal (GI) side-effects of dietary fibers are recognized, but less is known about their effects on non-GI symptoms. We assessed non-GI symptoms in a trial of the LDL-cholesterol lowering effect of oat β-glucan (OBG). Participants ( = 207) with borderline high LDL-cholesterol were randomized to an OBG (1 g OBG, = 104, = 96 analyzed) or Control ( = 103, = 95 analyzed) beverage 3-times daily for 4 weeks.

Warning Messages in Crisis Communication: Risk Appraisal and Warning Compliance in Severe Weather, Violent Acts, and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: In crisis communication, warning messages are key to informing and galvanizing the public to prevent or mitigate damage. Therefore, this study examines how risk appraisal and individual characteristics influence the intention to comply with behavioral recommendations of a warning message regarding three hazard types: the COVID-19 pandemic, violent acts, and severe weather.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey examined 403 German participants from 18 to 89 years ( = 29.

Thermally conductive ultra-low-k dielectric layers based on two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks.

As the features of microprocessors are miniaturized, low-dielectric-constant (low-k) materials are necessary to limit electronic crosstalk, charge build-up, and signal propagation delay. However, all known low-k dielectrics exhibit low thermal conductivities, which complicate heat dissipation in high-power-density chips. Two-dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) combine immense permanent porosities, which lead to low dielectric permittivities, and periodic layered structures, which grant relatively high thermal conductivities.

Synthesis of borophane polymorphs through hydrogenation of borophene.

Synthetic two-dimensional polymorphs of boron, or borophene, have attracted attention because of their anisotropic metallicity, correlated-electron phenomena, and diverse superlattice structures. Although borophene heterostructures have been realized, ordered chemical modification of borophene has not yet been reported. Here, we synthesize "borophane" polymorphs by hydrogenating borophene with atomic hydrogen in ultrahigh vacuum.

Enhanced oxygen reduction reaction activity and durability of Pt nanoparticles deposited on graphene-coated alumina nanofibres.

The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity and stability of Pt catalysts deposited on graphene-coated alumina nanofibres (GCNFs) were investigated. The GCNFs were fabricated by catalyst-free chemical vapour deposition. Pt nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on the nanofibres by sonoelectrochemical and plasma-assisted synthesis methods.

Atomic layer deposition of superparamagnetic ruthenium-doped iron oxide thin film.

Due to the several applications of biosensors, such as magnetic hyperthermia and magnetic resonance imaging, the use of superparamagnetic nanoparticles or thin films for preparing biosensors has increased greatly. We report herein on a strategy to fabricate a nanostructure composed of superparamagnetic thin films. Ruthenium-doped iron oxide thin films were deposited by using atomic layer deposition at 270 and 360 °C.

Storms, Fires, and Bombs: Analyzing the Impact of Warning Message and Receiver Characteristics on Risk Perception in Different Hazards.

In crisis communication, warning messages are key to prevent or mitigate damage by informing the public about impending risks and hazards. The present study explored the influence of hazard type, trait anxiety, and warning message on different components of risk perception. A survey examined 614 German participants (18-96 years, M = 31.

Oxygen reduction reaction on Pd nanocatalysts prepared by plasma-assisted synthesis on different carbon nanomaterials.

In this work He/H plasma jet treatment was used to reduce Pd ions in the aqueous solution with simultaneous deposition of created Pd nanoparticles to support materials. Graphene oxide (GO) and nitrogen-doped graphene oxide (NrGO) were both co-reduced with the Pd ions to formulate catalyst materials. Pd catalyst was also deposited on the surface of carbon black.

Social Distancing and Stigma: Association Between Compliance With Behavioral Recommendations, Risk Perception, and Stigmatizing Attitudes During the COVID-19 Outbreak.

Following behavioral recommendations is key to successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to identify causes and patterns of non-compliance in the population to further optimize risk and health communication. A total of 157 participants [80% female; mean age = 27.