In situ visualization of interfacial processes at nanoscale in non-alkaline Zn-air batteries.

Zn-air batteries (ZABs) present high energy density and high safety but suffer from low oxygen reaction reversibility and dendrite growth at Zn electrode in alkaline electrolytes. Non-alkaline electrolytes have been considered recently for improving the interfacial processes in ZABs. However, the dynamic evolution and reaction mechanisms regulated by electrolytes at both the positive and Zn negative electrodes remain elusive.

Bridged emulsion gels from polymer-nanoparticle enabling large-amount biomedical encapsulation and functionalization.

Large-amount encapsulation and subsequent expressing are common characteristics for many biomedical applications, such as cosmetic creams and medical ointments. Emulsion gels can accomplish that, but often undergo exclusive, complex, multiple synthesis steps, showing extremely laborious and non-universal. The method here is simple via precisely interfacial engineering in homogenizing a nanoparticle aqueous dispersion and a polymer oil solution, gaining interfacial 45° three-phase-contact-angle for the nanoparticle that can bridge across oil emulsions' interfaces and ultimately form interconnected macroscopic networks.

Structure-Dependent Balance between Excited-State Deactivation Pathways in Cross-Conjugated Molecular Photoswitches.

Diaryl thieno-[3,4-]thiophenes (TT) are photoswitchable compounds that operate through reversible photoinduced cyclization/cycloreversion and have been designed specifically for integration within π-conjugated polymers to switchably manipulate polymer electronic properties. Here we report on how cross conjugating the central TT moiety impacts photocyclization dynamics as interrogated using transient absorption spectroscopy (TAS) for a series of switches built with electron-rich substituents that have various electronic interaction strengths with the TT core. For cross-conjugated structures exhibiting a propensity to switch in steady-state photoconversion experiments, ultrafast TAS reveals signatures of rapid dynamics (occurring within <1-10 ps) similar to those observed for unsubstituted switches and that are consistent with photocyclization.

Glycated hemoglobin A1c and cognitive impairment in complex chronic patients: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study examines the relationship between Glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and cognitive impairment in elderly patients with complex chronic conditions, a link previously unclear.

Design: This is a cross-sectional study.

Material And Methods: The data from 2,366 patients in Catalonia (2013-2017) from the Dryad database.