Ferroelectricity in Orthorhombic Zirconia Thin Films.

Ferroelectric fluorite oxides such as hafnium (HfO)-based materials are one of the most promising candidates for future large-scale integrated circuits (ICs), while zirconia (ZrO)-based fluorite materials, which have the same structure as HfO and , are usually thought to be anti- or ferroelectric-like. Here, we report a remanent polarization () of ∼15 μC/cm in orthorhombic ZrO thin films at 77 K. This ferroelectricity arises from an electric field-induced antiferroelectric to ferroelectric phase transition, which is particularly noticeable at 77 K.

Observations of Cherenkov-Like Radial Wake in Water Waves.

Cherenkov radiation (CR) is a fascinating phenomenon that occurs not only in electromagnetic (EM) waves but also in water waves. The V-shaped wake formed by a moving object on the water surface results from the constructive interference of water waves of different wavelengths, similar to CR. We designed and fabricated a one-dimensional (1D) water wave crystal to analogize the behavior of moving particles in water waves.

Intranasal delivery of metformin using metal-organic framework (MOF)-74-Mg nanocarriers.

Dosage tolerance is one of the translational challenges of using metformin (Met) in brain therapeutics. This paper presents metal-organic framework (MOF)-74-Mg nanocarriers (NCs) for intranasal (IN) delivery of brain-specific agents with a prolonged release time. We confirmed their excellent biocompatibility (5 mg/mL) and intrinsic fluorescence properties (370/500 nm excitation/emission peak) in Neuro-2A cells.

Observation of momentum-gap topology of light at temporal interfaces in a time-synthetic lattice.

Topological phases have prevailed across diverse disciplines, spanning electronics, photonics, and acoustics. Hitherto, the understanding of these phases has centred on energy (frequency) bandstructures, showcasing topological boundary states at spatial interfaces. Recent strides have uncovered a unique category of bandstructures characterised by gaps in momentum, referred to as momentum bandgaps or k gaps, notably driven by breakthroughs in photonic time crystals.

Modular Construction of Multivariate Metal-Organic Frameworks for Luminescent Sensing.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have played a pivotal role as rapid and effective luminescent sensing materials. Numerous MOFs with diverse characteristics have been meticulously designed for target analytes. Previous studies have highlighted the factors of spectral characteristics, energy levels, interaction forces, and sensor stabilities for the luminescent sensing performance in response to a specific analyte.

Linker Installation in a Metal-Organic Framework for Enhanced Quantitative Redox Species Recognition.

Linker installation has proven to be an effective strategy for introducing diverse functional groups into metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Reductants and oxidants are found in various environments, but their accumulation poses a danger due to their high reactivity, necessitating prompt monitoring instantly, particularly in natural environments and industrial processes. In this study, a series of redox-active dyes were successfully incorporated into a flexible Zr-based MOF, PCN-700, through linker installation strategy.

High-Sensitivity, High-Resolution Miniaturized Spectrometers for Ultraviolet to Near-Infrared Using Guided-Mode Resonance Filters.

Miniaturized spectrometers have significantly advanced real-time analytical capabilities in fields such as environmental monitoring, healthcare diagnostics, and industrial quality control by enabling precise on-site spectral analysis. However, achieving high sensitivity and spectral resolution within compact devices remains a significant challenge, particularly when detecting low-concentration analytes or subtle spectral variations critical for chemical and molecular analysis. This study introduces an innovative approach employing guided-mode resonance filters (GMRFs) to address these limitations.

Metasurface spectrometers beyond resolution-sensitivity constraints.

Conventional spectrometer designs necessitate a compromise between their resolution and sensitivity, especially as device and detector dimensions are scaled down. Here, we report on a miniaturizable spectrometer platform where light throughput onto the detector is instead enhanced as the resolution is increased. This planar, CMOS-compatible platform is based around metasurface encoders designed to exhibit photonic bound states in the continuum, where operational range can be altered or extended simply through adjusting geometric parameters.

All-optical modulator with photonic topological insulator made of metallic quantum wells.

All-optical modulators hold significant prospects for future information processing technologies for they are able to process optical signals without the electro-optical convertor which limits the achievable modulation bandwidth. However, owing to the hardly-controlled optical backscattering in the commonly-used device geometries and the weak optical nonlinearities of the conventional material systems, constructing an all-optical modulator with a large bandwidth and a deep modulation depth in an integration manner is still challenging. Here, we propose an approach to achieving an on-chip ultrafast all-optical modulator with ultra-high modulation efficiency and a small footprint by using photonic topological insulators (PTIs) made of metallic quantum wells (MQWs).

Long-term straw removal and double-cropping system reduce soil cadmium content and uptake in rice: A four-year field analysis.

Several studies have demonstrated that reintroducing crop straw to fields may intensify cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils. However, the specific effects of long-term straw management practices on Cd concentration and its bioavailability in soil-rice ecosystems remain unclear. In this context, to explore the influence of straw return (SR) and straw removal (NSR) on Cd accumulation in both soil and rice within a double-cropping system, we conducted a four-year field study.

Development of the design and synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) - from large scale attempts, functional oriented modifications, to artificial intelligence (AI) predictions.

Owing to the exceptional porous properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), there has recently been a surge of interest, evidenced by a plethora of research into their design, synthesis, properties, and applications. This expanding research landscape has driven significant advancements in the precise regulation of MOF design and synthesis. Initially dominated by large-scale synthesis approaches, this field has evolved towards more targeted functional modifications.

Observation of two-dimensional time-reversal broken non-Abelian topological states.

Going beyond the conventional theory, non-Abelian band topology reveals the global quantum geometry of multiple Bloch bands and unveils a new paradigm for topological physics. However, to date, experimental studies on non-Abelian topological states beyond one dimension are still restricted to systems with time-reversal ( ) symmetry. Here, exploiting a designer gyromagnetic photonic crystal, we find rich -broken non-Abelian topological phases and their transitions with an unexpected connection to multigap antichiral edge states.

Dietary astragalin confers protection against lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage through mitigating inflammation and modulating intestinal microbiota.

Introduction: The intestinal mucosal barrier (IMB) damage is intricately linked with the onset of numerous intestinal diseases. Astragalin (AS), a flavonoid present in numerous edible plants, exhibits notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, demonstrating a promising impact on certain intestinal ailments. In this study, our objective was to investigate the protective effects of AS and elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which it mitigates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced damage to the IMB in mice.

Sequential Linker Installation in Metal-Organic Frameworks.

ConspectusMetal-organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a sophisticated blend of inorganic and organic components, promoting the development of coordination chemistry greatly and offering a versatile platform for tailored functionalities. By combining various metal nodes, organic linkers, and functional guests, MOFs provide numerous pathways for their design, synthesis, and customization. Among these, sequential linker installation (SLI) stands out as a novel and crucial strategy, enabling the precise integration of desired properties and functions at the atomic scale.

High-sensitivity miniaturized spectrometers using photonic crystal slab filters.

Miniaturized spectrometers have emerged as pivotal tools in numerous scientific and industrial applications, offering advantages such as portability, cost-effectiveness, and the capability for onsite analysis. Despite these significant benefits, miniaturized spectrometers face critical challenges, particularly in sensitivity. Reduced dimensions often lead to compromises in optical path length and component quality, which can diminish detection limits and limit their applications in areas such as low-light-level measurements.

Phenotypic Analysis and Gene Cloning of Rice Floury Endosperm Mutant (White-Core Rice).

The composition and distribution of storage substances in rice endosperm directly affect grain quality. A floury endosperm mutant, (white-core rice), was identified, exhibiting a loose arrangement of starch granules with a floury opaque appearance in the inner layer of mature grains, resulting in reduced grain weight. The total starch and amylose content remained unchanged, but the levels of the four component proteins in the mutant brown rice significantly decreased.

Refraction/reflection reversal in two-dimensional acoustic metagratingsa).

Unlike acoustic metasurfaces that rely solely on phase gradients, acoustic metagratings (AMs) operate based on both phase gradients and grating diffraction, thus further extending the generalized Snell's law (GSL). In particular, AMs can achieve reversal of refraction and reflection based on the parity of the number of wave propagations inside the AMs. So far, discussions of this GSL extension have largely been applied to one-dimensional periodic AMs, while the designs of two-dimensional (2D) periodic AMs and their performance in three-dimensional (3D) space have been quite limited.

Anchoring Catalytic Metal Nodes within a Single-Crystalline Pyrazolate Metal-Organic Framework for Efficient Heterogeneous Catalysis.

The synthesis of single-crystalline and robust pyrazolate metal-organic frameworks (Pz-MOFs) capable of facilitating challenging organic transformations is fundamentally significant in catalysis. Here we demonstrate a metal-node-based catalytic site anchoring strategy by synthesizing a single-crystalline and robust Pz-MOF (PCN-1004). PCN-1004 features one-dimensional (1D) copper-Pz chains interconnected by well-organized ligands, forming a porous three-dimensional (3D) network with two types of 1D open channels.

Stem cells tightly regulate dead cell clearance to maintain tissue fitness.

Billions of cells are eliminated daily from our bodies. Although macrophages and dendritic cells are dedicated to migrating and engulfing dying cells and debris, many epithelial and mesenchymal tissue cells can digest nearby apoptotic corpses. How these non-motile, non-professional phagocytes sense and eliminate dying cells while maintaining their normal tissue functions is unclear.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection outbreak in Guangzhou, China after COVID-19 pandemic.

Backgrounds: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is a common pathogen causing respiratory diseases in children. This study aimed to characterize epidemiological and disease severity shifts of M.

Interaction of ncRNAs and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway: Implications for osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, and is characterized by high heterogeneity, high malignancy, easy metastasis, and poor prognosis. Recurrence, metastasis, and multidrug resistance are the main problems that limit the therapeutic effect and prognosis of OS. PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is often abnormally activated in OS tissues and cells, which promotes the rapid development, metastasis, and drug sensitivity of OS.

Automated generation of consistent annual maximum NDVI on coal bases with a new algorithm.

Coal is one of the most important fossil energy sources and is ensuring global energy security. Annual maximum NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) data is an important indicator for the research in balancing coal mining and vegetation conservation. However, the existing annual maximum NDVI data displayed lower values with temporally inconsistent and a noticeable mosaic line.