Intrinsic supercurrent non-reciprocity coupled to the crystal structure of a van der Waals Josephson barrier.

Non-reciprocal electronic transport in a spatially homogeneous system arises from the simultaneous breaking of inversion and time-reversal symmetries. Superconducting and Josephson diodes, a key ingredient for future non-dissipative quantum devices, have recently been realized. Only a few examples of a vertical superconducting diode effect have been reported and its mechanism, especially whether intrinsic or extrinsic, remains elusive.

Designing multi-target-directed flavonoids: a strategic approach to Alzheimer's disease.

The underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remain a mystery, with multiple pathological components, including oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase, amyloid-β, and metal ions, all playing a role. Here we report a strategic approach to designing flavonoids that can effectively tackle multiple pathological elements involved in AD. Our systematic investigations revealed key structural features for flavonoids to simultaneously target and regulate pathogenic targets.

The effect of objective structured clinical examinations for nursing students.

Twenty core nursing skills have been identified by the Korean Accreditation Board of Nursing Education. Proficiency in these skills is essential for all nursing professions, and many educational strategies exist to develop these skills in nursing students, including the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). To date, no study on the effects of the OSCE on nursing education has been published.

Chiral antiferromagnetic Josephson junctions as spin-triplet supercurrent spin valves and d.c. SQUIDs.

Spin-triplet supercurrent spin valves are of practical importance for the realization of superconducting spintronic logic circuits. In ferromagnetic Josephson junctions, the magnetic-field-controlled non-collinearity between the spin-mixer and spin-rotator magnetizations switches the spin-polarized triplet supercurrents on and off. Here we report an antiferromagnetic equivalent of such spin-triplet supercurrent spin valves in chiral antiferromagnetic Josephson junctions as well as a direct-current superconducting quantum interference device.

Zero-field polarity-reversible Josephson supercurrent diodes enabled by a proximity-magnetized Pt barrier.

Simultaneous breaking of inversion and time-reversal symmetries in a conductor yields a non-reciprocal electronic transport, known as the diode or rectification effect, that is, low (ideally zero) conductance in one direction and high (ideally infinite) conductance in the other. So far, most of the diode effects observed in non-centrosymmetric polar/superconducting conductors and Josephson junctions require external magnetic fields to break the time-reversal symmetry. Here we report zero-field polarity-switchable Josephson supercurrent diodes, in which a proximity-magnetized Pt layer by ferrimagnetic insulating YFeO serves as the Rashba(-type) Josephson barrier.

High-Performance, Flexible NO Chemiresistors Achieved by Design of Imine-Incorporated n-Type Conjugated Polymers.

Flexible and mechanically robust gas sensors are the key technologies for wearable and implantable electronics. Herein, the authors demonstrate the high-performance, flexible nitrogen dioxide (NO ) chemiresistors using a series of n-type conjugated polymers (CPs: PNDIT2/IM-x) and a polymer dopant (poly(ethyleneimine), PEI). Imine double bonds (C = N) are incorporated into the backbones of the CPs with different imine contents (x) to facilitate strong and selective interactions with NO .

Effects of the Selective Alkoxy Side Chain Position in Quinoxaline-Based Polymer Acceptors on the Performance of All-Polymer Solar Cells.

The effects of the position of alkoxy side chains in quinoxaline (Qx)-based polymer acceptors (s) on the characteristics of materials and the device parameters of all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs) are investigated. The alkoxy side chains are selectively located at the , , and both positions in pendant benzenes of Qx units, constructing s denoted as P(QxCN-T2)-, P(QxCN-T2)-, and P(QxCN-T2), respectively. Among them, P(QxCN-T2)- exhibits the deepest energy levels owing to the enhanced electron-withdrawing effect of -positioned alkoxy chains, which is in contrast to P(QxCN-T2)- where -positioned alkoxy chains have an electron-donating property.

Cyano-Functionalized Quinoxaline-Based Polymer Acceptors for All-Polymer Solar Cells and Organic Transistors.

Quinoxaline (Qx) derivatives are promising building units for efficient photovoltaic polymers owing to their strong light absorption and high charge-transport abilities, but they have been used exclusively in the construction of polymer donors. Herein, for the first time, Qx-based polymer acceptors (P s) were developed by introducing electron-withdrawing cyano (CN) groups into the Qx moiety (QxCN). A series of QxCN-based P s, P(QxCN-T2), P(QxCN-TVT), and P(QxCN-T3), were synthesized by copolymerizing the QxCN unit with bithiophene, (E)-1,2-di(thiophene-2-yl)ethene, and terthiophene, respectively.

Synthesis of Sodium Cobalt Fluoride/Reduced Graphene Oxide (NaCoF/rGO) Nanocomposites and Investigation of Their Electrochemical Properties as Cathodes for Li-Ion Batteries.

In this study, sodium cobalt fluoride (NaCoF)/reduced graphene oxide (NCF/rGO) nanocomposites were fabricated through a simple one-pot solvothermal process and their electrochemical performance as cathodes for Li-ion batteries (LIBs) was investigated. The NCF nanoclusters (NCs) on the composites (300-500 nm in size) were formed by the assembly of primary nanoparticles (~20 nm), which were then incorporated on the surface of rGO. This morphology provided NCF NCs with a large surface area for efficient ion diffusion and also allowed for close contact with the conductive matrix to promote rapid electron transfer.

Solid-State Organic Electrolyte-Gated Transistors Based on Doping-Controlled Polymer Composites with a Confined Two-Dimensional Channel in Dry Conditions.

We report comprehensive and comparative studies on chemical and electrochemical controls of doping characteristics of various poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) composites complexed with sulfonates. Chemical treatment of PEDOT composites was conducted with a dedoping agent, tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene (TDAE), resulting in the changes in conformation and bulk charge-carrier density. Electrochemical control of doping states was done with a solid-state ionogel based on an ionic liquid dispersed in a polymer matrix.

Impact of Chlorination Patterns of Naphthalenediimide-Based Polymers on Aggregated Structure, Crystallinity, and Device Performance of All-Polymer Solar Cells and Organic Transistors.

The aggregation properties of conjugated polymers can play a crucial role in their thin film structures and performance of electronic devices. Control of these aggregated structures is particularly important in producing efficient all-polymer solar cells (all-PSCs), considering that strong demixing of the polymer donor and polymer acceptor typically occurs during film formation because of the low entropic contribution to the thermodynamics of the system. Here, three naphthalenediimide (NDI)-based polymer acceptors with different backbone chlorination patterns are developed to investigate the effect of the chlorination patterns on the aggregation tendencies of the polymer acceptors, which greatly influence their crystalline structures, electrical properties, and device performances of the resultant all-PSCs and organic field-effect transistors (OFETs).

A Review of Functional Separators for Lithium Metal Battery Applications.

Lithium metal batteries are considered "rough diamonds" in electrochemical energy storage systems. Li-metal anodes have the versatile advantages of high theoretical capacity, low density, and low reaction potential, making them feasible candidates for next-generation battery applications. However, unsolved problems, such as dendritic growths, high reactivity of Li-metal, low Coulombic efficiency, and safety hazards, still exist and hamper the improvement of cell performance and reliability.

Mesoporous carbon host material for stable lithium metal anode.

Lithium (Li) metal is a promising anode material for next-generation batteries because of its low standard reduction potential (-3.04 V vs. SHE) and high specific capacity (3860 mA h g-1).

Thienoisoindigo-Based Semiconductor Nanowires Assembled with 2-Bromobenzaldehyde via Both Halogen and Chalcogen Bonding.

We fabricated nanowires of a conjugated oligomer and applied them to organic field-effect transistors (OFETs). The supramolecular assemblies of a thienoisoindigo-based small molecular organic semiconductor (TIIG-Bz) were prepared by co-precipitation with 2-bromobenzaldehyde (2-BBA) via a combination of halogen bonding (XB) between the bromide in 2-BBA and electron-donor groups in TIIG-Bz, and chalcogen bonding (CB) between the aldehyde in 2-BBA and sulfur in TIIG-Bz. It was found that 2-BBA could be incorporated into the conjugated planes of TIIG-Bz via XB and CB pairs, thereby increasing the π - π stacking area between the conjugated planes.

Survey of outcomes in a faculty development program on simulation pedagogy.

Although many nursing programs use simulation as a teaching-learning modality, there are few systematic approaches to help nursing educators learn this pedagogy. This study evaluates the effects of a simulation pedagogy nursing faculty development program on participants' learning perceptions using a retrospective pre-course and post-course design. Sixteen Thai participants completed a two-day nursing faculty development program on simulation pedagogy.

Integrating Problem-Based Learning and Simulation: Effects on Student Motivation and Life Skills.

Previous research has suggested that a teaching strategy integrating problem-based learning and simulation may be superior to traditional lecture. The purpose of this study was to assess learner motivation and life skills before and after taking a course involving problem-based learning and simulation. The design used repeated measures with a convenience sample of 83 second-year nursing students who completed the integrated course.

Relationship between symptom clusters and quality of life in patients at stages 2 to 4 chronic kidney disease in Korea.

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the relationship between symptom clusters and quality of life (QOL) in patients with stages 2 to 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Korea.

Methods: Using self-reported questionnaires, data were collected from 143 patients who underwent treatment for CKD at one hospital in Korea. The 17-item Patient Outcome Scale was used to measure symptoms, and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey Instrument Version 2 (SF-36v2) was used to measure the QOL.

Eudoraea chungangensis sp. nov., isolated from an aquafarm waste water sludge.

A Gram-stain negative, non-spore-forming, non-motile, strictly aerobic bacterial strain, designated CAU 1296(T), was isolated from an aquafarm waste water sludge and its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Cells of strain CAU 1296(T) grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.5 and in the presence of 4 % (w/v) NaCl.

First experiences of high-fidelity simulation training in junior nursing students in Korea.

Aim: This study was conducted to explore first experiences of high-fidelity simulation training in Korean nursing students, in order to develop and establish more effective guidelines for future simulation training in Korea.

Methods: Thirty-three junior nursing students participated in high-fidelity simulation training for the first time. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, data were collected from reflective journals and questionnaires of simulation effectiveness after simulation training.

Health behaviors and risk factors associated with chronic kidney disease in Korean patients with diabetes: the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify health behavior and risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Korean patients with diabetes.

Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2007-2009). Of the 24,871 participants, 1,239 aged over 19 years with diagnosis of diabetes were included.

Gender differences in the relationship between physical functioning and depressive symptoms in low-income older adults living alone.

This study examined gender differences in the relationship between physical functioning and depressive symptoms in low-income older adults living alone in Korea, and the variables influencing these symptoms. Data from a total of 317 older adults in the 2011 Korean National Survey were used. Upper limb mobility, lower limb mobility, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and depressive symptoms were measured.

Factors influencing learner satisfaction with team-based learning among nursing students.

In this study, learner satisfaction was described, and factors influencing satisfaction with team-based learning were identified. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive survey study. Two separate 2 h team-based, learning sessions, consisting of preparation, readiness assurance, and application, were given to a cohort of 139 second year nursing students in 2010 and 263 students in 2011, respectively.

Effects of high-fidelity patient simulation on nursing students' resuscitation-specific self-efficacy.

The purpose of this study was to assess the difference in measures of pretest and posttest self-efficacy following simulation-based training and to compare differences in self-efficacy between nursing students exposed to medium- or high-fidelity patient simulations. This study used a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. A convenience sample of 163 second-year nursing students was assigned to either the high-fidelity patient simulation group (n = 28) or medium-fidelity simulation group (n = 135).

Factors influencing quality of chest compression depth in nursing students.

The purpose of the study was to identify factors influencing quality of chest compression depth in nursing students. A convenience sample of 102 female nursing students enrolled in a cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills training session. Each student performed 3 min of chest compression skills on a Resusci Anne SkillReporter manikin for measurements of both depth and rate.