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Ferroelectric catalysts are known for altering surface catalytic activities by changing the direction of their electric polarizations. This study demonstrates polarization-switchable electrochemistry using layered bismuth oxyselenide (L-Bi2O2Se) bifunctional microreactors through ferroelectric modulation. A selective-area ionic liquid gating is developed with precise control over the spatial distribution of the dipole orientation of L-Bi2O2Se. On-chip microreactors with upward polarization favor the oxygen evolution reaction, whereas those with downward polarization prefer the hydrogen evolution reaction. The microscopic origin behind polarization-switchable electrochemistry primarily stems from enhanced surface adsorption and reduced energy barriers for reactions, as examined by nanoscale scanning electrochemical cell microscopy. Integrating a pair of L-Bi2O2Se microreactors consisting of upward or downward polarizations demonstrates overall water splitting in a full-cell configuration based on a bifunctional catalyst. The ability to modulate surface polarizations on a single catalyst via ferroelectric polarization switching offers a pathway for designing catalysts for water splitting.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are at the forefront of nanophotonics because of their exceptional optical characteristics. The 2D architecture of TMDCs facilitates efficient light absorption and emission, holding tantalizing potential for next-generation nanophotonic and quantum devices. Yet, the atomic thinness limits their interaction volume with light, affecting light-matter interaction and quantum efficiency. The light coupling in the 2D layered TMDCs can be enhanced by integration with photonic structure, and the metasurfaces supporting bound states in the continuum (BICs) offer strong confinement of optical fields, ideal for coupling with 2D TMDCs. Here, we demonstrate enhanced light-matter coupling by integrating TMDC monolayers, including WSe2and MoS2, with a finite-area membrane metasurface, leading to amplified and high-quality-factor (Q-factor) spontaneous emission from quasi-BIC-coupled TMDC monolayers. The high-Q-factor emission extends over an area with a scale of a few micrometers while maintaining the high-Qfactor across the emission area. Notably, the suspended finite-area membrane metasurface, which is freestanding in air rather than positioned atop a substrate, minimizes radiation loss while enhancing light-matter interaction in the TMDC monolayer. Furthermore, the predominantly in-plane dipole orientation of excitons within TMDC monolayers results in distinctive enhancement behaviors for emission, contingent on the excitation power, when coupled with quasi-BIC modes exhibiting TE and TM resonances. This work introduces a nanophotonic platform for robust coupling of membrane metasurfaces with 2D materials, offering possibilities for developing 2D material-based nanophotonic and quantum devices.

Manipulating electronic polarizations such as ferroelectric or spin polarizations has recently emerged as an effective strategy for enhancing the efficiency of photocatalytic reactions. This study demonstrates the control of electronic polarizations modulated by ferroelectric and magnetic approaches within a two-dimensional (2D) layered crystal of copper indium thiophosphate (CuInP2S6) to boost the photocatalytic reduction of CO2. We investigate the substantial influence of ferroelectric polarization on the photocatalytic CO2reduction efficiency, utilizing the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition and polarization alignment through electrical poling. Additionally, we explore enhancing the CO2reduction efficiency by harnessing spin electrons through the synergistic introduction of sulfur vacancies and applying a magnetic field. Several advanced characterization techniques, including piezoresponse force microscopy, ultrafast pump–probe spectroscopy, in situX-ray absorption spectroscopy, and in situdiffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transformed spectroscopy, are performed to unveil the underlying mechanism of the enhanced photocatalytic CO2reduction. These findings pave the way for manipulating electronic polarizations regulated through ferroelectric or magnetic modulations in 2D layered materials to advance the efficiency of photocatalytic CO2reduction.

ABSTRACTIn this paper, an automatic direct digital design approach for compensators is presented to achieve a lookup table proportional – integral – derivative controller. Additionally, a correlation-based stability margin monitor with adaptive sliding window smoothing is proposed to increase the identifiable range for bandwidth detection. The proposed automatic compensator design approach meets the expected phase margin and crossover frequency and considers limit-cycle oscillation conditions throughout the design process. The digital controller with the direct digital design was implemented on a field programmable gate array to validate the approach and alternative design capabilities. Experimental results show that the direct digital design yields a higher crossover frequency than digital redesign. The best transient response performance can be obtained if a proper integral gain is designed. The digital controller with ASWS was fabricated using the TSMC 1P6M 0.18-μm standard CMOS process. Further experimental results show that the proposed ASWS provides a significantly more accurate identified frequency response by using narrow windows at low frequencies and expansive windows at high frequencies.

The drive to enhance enzyme performance in industrial applications frequently clashes with the practical limitations of exhaustive experimental screening, underscoring the urgency for more refined and strategic methodologies in enzyme engineering. In this study, xylanase Xyl-1 was used as the model, coupling evolutionary insights with energy functions to obtain theoretical potential mutants, which were subsequently validated experimentally. We observed that mutations in the nonloop region primarily aimed at enhancing stability and also encountered selective pressure for activity. Notably, mutations in this region simultaneously boosted the Xyl-1 stability and activity, achieving a 65% success rate. Using a greedy strategy, mutant M4 was developed, achieving a 12 °C higher melting temperature and doubled activity. By integration of spectroscopy, crystallography, and quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics molecular dynamics, the mechanism behind the enhanced thermal stability of M4 was elucidated. It was determined that the activity differences between M4 and the wild type were primarily driven by dynamic factors influenced by distal mutations. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the pivotal role of evolution-based approaches in augmenting the stability and activity of the enzymes. It sheds light on the unique adaptive mechanisms employed by various structural regions of proteins and expands our understanding of the intricate relationship between distant mutations and enzyme dynamics.

Mixed components of formamidinium(FA) and cesium (Cs)-based perovskite solar cells are the most hopeful for commercialization owing to their excellent operational and phase stabilities, especially for devices with inverted structure. The nonradiative recombination of carriers can be effectively suppressed through interface optimization, therefore, the performance of devices can be improved. Notably, the buried interface emerges as critical aspects such as charge transport, charge recombination kinetics, and morphology of perovskite films. This study focuses on a straightforward yet effective approach to overcome buried interface challenges between organic polymers (poly(-triarylamine) (PTAA) and FACs-based perovskite films. The PTAA substrate is pretreated with a Lewis base known as 2-butynoic acid (BA) with a C═O functional group. First, it can be an interfacial buffering layer, harmonizing stress mismatch between the perovskite and PTAA layers, consequently optimizing crystallization and improving perovskite film quality. Second, Pb2+defect can be passivated at the buried interface of the perovskite film through binding with the C═O group of the BA molecule. This dual-function strategy leads to a substantial enhancement in both photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) and stability of devices. Finally, the PCE of the device-modified buried interface with BA reaches an impressive 23.33%. Furthermore, unencapsulated devices with BA treatment maintain approximately 94% of their initial efficiency after aging at maximum power point tracking for 1000 h.

Since December 2019, COVID-19 has occurred unexpectedly and emerged as a health problem worldwide. Despite the rapidly increasing number of cases in subsequent weeks, the clinical characteristics of pediatric cases are rarely described. A cross-sectional multicenter study was carried out in 10 hospitals across Hubei province. A total of 25 confirmed pediatric cases of COVID-19 were collected. The demographic data, epidemiological history, underlying diseases, clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiological data, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed. Of 25 hospitalized patients with COVID-19, the boy to girl ratio was 1.27:1. The median age was 3 years. COVID-19 cases in children aged <3 years, 3.6 years, and ≥6-years patients were 10 (40%), 6 (24%), and 9 (36%), respectively. The most common symptoms at onset of illness were fever (13 [52%]), and dry cough (11 [44%]). Chest CT images showed essential normal in 8 cases (33.3%), unilateral involvement of lungs in 5 cases (20.8%), and bilateral involvement in 11 cases (45.8%). Clinical diagnoses included upper respiratory tract infection (n=8), mild pneumonia (n=15), and critical cases (n=2). Two critical cases (8%) were given invasive mechanical ventilation, corticosteroids, and immunoglobulin. The symptoms in 24 (96%) of 25 patients were alleviated and one patient had been discharged. It was concluded that children were susceptible to COVID-19 like adults, while the clinical presentations and outcomes were more favorable in children. However, children less than 3 years old accounted for majority cases and critical cases lied in this age group, which demanded extra attentions during home caring and hospitalization treatment.

Alkanes, ideal raw materials for industrial chemical production, typically exhibit limited reactivity due to their robust and weakly polarized C–H bonds. The challenge lies in selectively activating these C–H bonds under mild conditions. To address this challenge, various C–H activation mechanisms have been developed. Yet, classifying these mechanisms depends on the overall stoichiometry, which can be ambiguous and sometimes problematic. In this study, we utilized density functional theory calculations combined with intrinsic bond orbital (IBO) analysis to examine electron flow in the four primary alkane C–H activation mechanisms: oxidative addition, σ-bond metathesis, 1,2-addition, and electrophilic activation. Methane was selected as the representative alkane molecule to undergo C–H heterolytic cleavage in these reactions. Across all mechanisms studied, we find that the CH3moiety in methane consistently uses an electron pair from the cleaved C–H bond to form a σ-bond with the metal. Yet, the electron pair that accepts the proton differs with each mechanism: in oxidative addition, it is derived from the d-orbitals; in σ-bond metathesis, it resulted from the metal–ligand σ-bonds; in 1,2-addition, it arose from the π-orbital of the metal–ligand multiple bonds; and in electrophilic activation, it came from the lone pairs on ligands. This detailed analysis not only provides a clear visual understanding of these reactions but also showcases the ability of the IBO method to differentiate between mechanisms. The electron flow discerned from IBO analysis is further corroborated by results from absolutely localized molecular orbital energy decomposition analysis, which also helps to quantify the two predominant interactions in each process. Our findings offer profound insights into the electron dynamics at play in alkane C–H activation, enhancing our understanding of these critical reactions.

The prevalence and incidence of Crohn's disease (CD) in Asia is rising, and it is important to know the risk factors of mortality. In our study, CD patients diagnosed and treated in the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou branch were enrolled from January 1989 to October 2019. The collected data included age, sex, disease duration, location and behavior of the disease, biochemical parameters at admission, medication history, surgical history, and comorbidities. The mean age at diagnosis was 35.7 ± 16.1 years old and the male‐to‐female ratio was 2.4. The penetrating type of CD was the most common (41.3%) of disease behavior. The ileocolonic area is the most common location of disease involvement (79%). 7.7% of patients had low serum albumin levels (<3 g/dL). 16.8% of patients had hemoglobin levels less than 10 g/dL. Of the patients included, 4 died during the follow‐up period. Low serum albumin levels at admission (p= .0307) are an independent predictor for mortality. In conclusion, it is important in perioperative care, especially for CD patients with hypoalbuminemia.

This study addresses a significant gap by investigating the environmental impacts of Germany’s pioneering energy transition (“Energiewende”) over 1973–2022. Motivated by the need to inform global low-carbon policymaking through empirical evidence, it leverages robust econometric techniques to evaluate the ecological outcomes of this national strategy spanning five decades. By utilizing the Load Capacity Factor (LCF) metric encompassing both resource demand and ecosystem replenishment capacity dynamics, the analysis offers a nuanced assessment of income-energy-environment interlinkages during this transition. It examines the impacts of nuclear, fossil fuel and renewable energy consumption on Germany's LCF amidst the Energiewende’s structural changes. While the U-shaped income-ecology relationship posited under the Load Capacity Curve (LCC) hypothesis is invalidated over the period. However, renewables exhibit positive environmental effects, increasing Germany’s LCF 0.03% and validating their role for sustainable transitions. In contrast, fossil fuels substantially reduce LCF, underscoring the need for restrictions. Nuclear’s negligible impact suggests its gradual phase-out is feasible. Thus, evidence strongly advocates expanding renewables and limiting fossil fuel use to progress Germany’s decarbonization objectives. Although contextual factors constrain generalizability, insights from the complex transitions underway in industrial economies like Germany remain vital for global policymaking. As nations craft balanced strategies to align economic, energy and environmental priorities, this timely analysis illuminates viable pathways.

• Provide a microstructure design strategy for biodegradable Mg alloys. • Micro-galvanic corrosion between large and small grains has been confirmed. • JDBM tubes with fine equiaxed grains show the lowest corrosion rates of 0.17 mm/year. • JDBM tubes with bimodal microstructures exhibit the best strength-ductility balance. Biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys have received much attention due to their biocompatibility and biodegradation. In this study, to uncover the effects of grain morphologies, including grain size and distribution on mechanical and corrosion properties, biodegradable Mg-2.1Nd-0.2Zn-0.5Zr (wt.%) (denoted as JDBM) alloy mini-tubes for stent application with three typical microstructures were achieved successfully by adjusting drawing parameters. Samples with the bimodal structure exhibit the highest strength-ductility balance attributed to the combined effects of fine grains and coarse grains, but show the fastest corrosion rate of about 1.00 ± 0.136 mm/year mainly due to the formation of micro galvanic couples between coarse and fined grains. Samples with fine equiaxed grains show the lowest corrosion rate of about 0.17 ± 0.059 mm/year, as well as uniform corrosion mode and mechanical properties of yield strength (YS) 256 ± 5.7 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) 266 ± 3.8 MPa, and elongation to failure (EL) 13.5% ± 1.8%, attributed to the high-density grain boundaries. Samples with coarse equiaxed grains exhibit medium corrosion resistance and mechanical properties of about 175 ± 4.8 MPa, 221 ± 4.0 MPa, and 21.53% ± 4.1%. Considering the mechanical and in vitro corrosion properties, biodegradable JDBM alloy implants are recommended to be composed of fine equiaxed grains, which can be used as microstructural targets for fabrication and processing. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 20-day-old soybean plants were watered with 100 mL of 100 mM NaCl solution and sprayed with silica nanoparticles (SiO2NPs) or potassium silicate every 3 days over 15 days, with a final dosage of 12 mg of SiO2per plant. We assessed the alterations in the plant’s growth and physiological traits, and the responses of bacterial microbiome within the leaf endosphere, rhizosphere, and root endosphere. The result showed that the type of silicon did not significantly impact most of the plant parameters. However, the bacterial communities within the leaf and root endospheres had a stronger response to SiO2NPs treatment, showing enrichment of 24 and 13 microbial taxa, respectively, compared with the silicate treatment, which led to the enrichment of 9 and 8 taxonomic taxa, respectively. The rhizosphere bacterial communities were less sensitive to SiO2NPs, enriching only 2 microbial clades, compared to the 8 clades enriched by silicate treatment. Furthermore, SiO2NPs treatment enriched beneficial genera, such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Variovoraxin the leaf and root endosphere, likely enhancing plant growth and salinity stress resistance. These findings highlight the potential of SiO2NPs for foliar application in sustainable farming by enhancing plant-microbe interactions to improve salinity tolerance.

IMPORTANCE: Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and cotrimoxazole (CTX), a fixed-dose combination of SMX and trimethoprim in a 5:1 ratio, are antibacterial sulfonamides commonly used for treating various diseases. A substantial prevalence of severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) following the administration of these drugs has been reported. However, the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes and SMX/CTX-induced SCARs has remained unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between HLA genotypes and SMX/CTX-induced SCARs. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search was conducted in CENTRAL (Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, and Embase from inception to January 17, 2023. STUDY SELECTION: Case-control studies that recruited patients who had experienced SCARs following SMX or CTX were included, and HLA alleles were analyzed. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two independent authors extracted data on study characteristics and outcome data. The Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) reporting guideline and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines were followed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for case-control studies was used to assess study quality. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using a random-effects model for meta-analysis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The prespecified outcome was the OR comparing SMX/CTX-induced SCARs with healthy or SMX/CTX-tolerant controls based on different HLA alleles. RESULTS: Six studies involving 322 patients with SCAR were included, including 236 patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis, 86 with drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, 8448 healthy controls, and 229 tolerant controls. Significant associations were found in HLA-A*11:01 (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.11-4.00), HLA-B*13:01 (OR, 5.96; 95% CI, 1.58-22.56), HLA-B*15:02 (OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.20-4.14), HLA-B*38:02 (OR, 3.47; 95% CI, 1.42-8.48), and HLA-C*08:01 (OR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.07-6.44) compared with tolerant controls. In the Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis subgroup, significant associations were found in HLA-B*15:02 (OR, 3.01; 95% CI, 1.56-5.80) and HLA-B*38:02 (OR, 5.13; 95% CI, 1.96-13.47). In the drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms subgroup, significant associations were found in HLA-A*68:01 (OR, 12.86; 95% CI, 1.09-151.34), HLA-B*13:01 (OR, 23.09; 95% CI, 3.31-161.00), HLA-B*39:01 (OR, 4.56; 95% CI, 1.31-15.82). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that multiple HLA alleles (HLA-A*11:01, HLA-B*13:01, HLA-B*15:02, HLA-B*38:02, and HLA-C*0801) are associated with SMX/CTX-induced SCARs.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of anti‐pandemic measures, including wearing a face mask and receiving vaccinations, on interpersonal distance (IPD) during the normalization stage of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Virtual reality (VR) technology was used to simulate the experimental environment and a confederate in different conditions. Thirty‐one participants were asked to approach the virtual confederate, who could exhibit three vaccination states and two mask‐wearing conditions, actively and passively in both indoor and outdoor environments. ANOVA results showed that the participants kept a smaller IPD from the confederate wearing a face mask (IPD = 125.6 cm) than from the one without a face mask (IPD = 154.2 cm). The effects of vaccination states were significant, with the largest distance for an unvaccinated confederate (IPD = 182.3 cm) and the smallest distance for the confederate who had received a booster vaccine (IPD = 111.5 cm). Significant effects of environment were also found, with the participants maintaining a larger IPD in an outdoor environment (IPD = 143.4 cm) than in an indoor room (IPD = 136.4 cm). Additionally, the IPD collected when the participants were passively approached (IPD = 149.6 cm) was significantly larger than that obtained when they actively approached the confederate (IPD = 130.3 cm). Moreover, when the participants faced a confederate who had received a booster vaccine and wore a mask, the IPD was not significantly different from that collected before the COVID‐19 pandemic in both the active and passive patterns. These findings help us to better understand the nature of IPD and human behaviors during the normalization stage of the pandemic and provide scientific suggestions for policymakers to develop pandemic‐prevention measures.