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We demonstrate monolithically grown germanium-tin (GeSn) on silicon avalanche photodiodes (APDs) for infrared light detection. A relatively thinner Ge buffer design was adopted to allow effective photo carriers to transport from the GeSn absorber to the Si multiplication layer such that clear punch-through behavior and a saturated primary responsivity of 0.3 A/W at 1550 nm were observed before avalanche breakdown in GeSn/Si APDs for the first time. The spectral response covers 1500 to 1700 nm. The measured punch-through and breakdown voltages are 15 and 17 V, respectively. Undisputed multiplication gain was obtained with the maximum value of 4.5 at 77 K, and 1.4 at 250 K, directly in reference to the saturated primary responsivity from the same device rather than a different GeSn p-i-n photodiode in previous reports. A peak responsivity was measured as 1.12 A/W at 1550 nm and 77 K.

Germanium-tin (GeSn) alloys are promising materials for infrared photonics due to their tunable direct bandgap and compatibility with silicon technology. However, implantation doping of GeSn layers to achieve more sophisticated doping profiles faces challenges, particularly in restoring crystallinity after ion implantation. In this work, we investigate the recrystallization of ion-implanted GeSn thin films through rapid thermal annealing (RTA) and laser annealing. We propose a model for Sn diffusion pathways that lead to surface segregation based on distinct surface segregation patterns in GeSn layers with varying degrees of amorphization. Our results demonstrate that RTA at 400 °C effectively restores the crystallinity for GeSn thin films with up to 10.7 at.% Sn composition, despite a small amount of Sn surface segregation, while 532 nm wavelength CW laser annealing at a threshold power density above 52 kW/cm2 also achieves recrystallization without Sn segregation. These findings contribute to understanding Sn segregation mechanisms and optimizing recrystallization conditions for GeSn after implantation, advancing its potential for infrared photonics applications.

Owing to its true direct bandgap and tunable bandgap energies, GeSn alloys are increasingly attractive as gain media for mid-IR lasers that can be monolithically integrated on Si. Demonstrations of optically pumped GeSn laser operating at room temperature under pulsed excitation and at cryogenic temperature under continuous-wave excitation show great promise of GeSn lasers to be efficient electrically injected light sources on Si. Here we report electrically injected GeSn lasers using Fabry-Perot cavity with 20 μm, 40 μm, and 80 μm ridge widths. A lasing threshold of 0.756 kA/cm2 at 77 K, emitting wavelength of 2722 nm, and maximum operating temperature of 140 K were obtained. The lower threshold current density compared to previous works was achieved by reducing optical loss and improving the optical confinement. The peak power was measured as 2.2 mW/facet at 77 K.

An inner Helmholtz plane (IHP) structure regulation strategy can be achieved by low-cost and non-toxic maltitol additive; hence the HER, corrosive, and dendrite issues in aqueous Zn-based batteries have been effectively restrained.

This perspective discusses the advantages and disadvantages of advanced aqueous battery recycling, proposing insights and recommendations for the development of truly green and sustainable batteries throughout their lifecycle.

Ordered layered structures serve as essential components in lithium (Li)-ion cathodes1–3. However, on charging, the inherently delicate Li-deficient frameworks become vulnerable to lattice strain and structural and/or chemo-mechanical degradation, resulting in rapid capacity deterioration and thus short battery life2,4. Here we report an approach that addresses these issues using the integration of chemical short-range disorder (CSRD) into oxide cathodes, which involves the localized distribution of elements in a crystalline lattice over spatial dimensions, spanning a few nearest-neighbour spacings. This is guided by fundamental principles of structural chemistry and achieved through an improved ceramic synthesis process. To demonstrate its viability, we showcase how the introduction of CSRD substantially affects the crystal structure of layered Li cobalt oxide cathodes. This is manifested in the transition metal environment and its interactions with oxygen, effectively preventing detrimental sliding of crystal slabs and structural deterioration during Li removal. Meanwhile, it affects the electronic structure, leading to improved electronic conductivity. These attributes are highly beneficial for Li-ion storage capabilities, markedly improving cycle life and rate capability. Moreover, we find that CSRD can be introduced in additional layered oxide materials through improved chemical co-doping, further illustrating its potential to enhance structural and electrochemical stability. These findings open up new avenues for the design of oxide cathodes, offering insights into the effects of CSRD on the crystal and electronic structure of advanced functional materials.

Apple Glomerella leaf spot (GLS) is a severe foliar disease of apples trees, prevalent in several countries including China, Brazil, and United States. Colletotrichum fructicolais a predominant pathogen responsible for global GLS outbreaks. C. fructicolainfects apple leaves through penetration pegs that are generated from melanized appressoria, and the melanization process is crucial for their proper functioning. Scytalone dehydratase is a key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis. The role of melanin in the biology and pathogenicity of C. fructicolais poorly understood up to nowadays. In the present study, we successfully identified the gene CfSCD1encoding scytalone dehydratase in C. fructicolaisolate 030206. The expression level of CfSCD1in germinated conidia exhibited a remarkable increase to approximately tenfold at 6 hpi, followed by a decrease to around five-fold at 12 hpi, and then stabilized from 12 to 24 hpi. The appressoria exhibited a complete morphology at 6 hpi, followed by deep melanization at 12 hpi and subsequent production of primary hyphae from the appressoria at 24 hpi. A CfSCD1deletion mutant was generated to further elucidate gene function, revealing a significant reduction in melanin content in the ΔCfSCD1strain. The growth of ΔCfSCD1mycelium was inhibited by UV irradiation, and no regular appressorium formatted from the germinated conidia of ΔCfSCD1. In addition, the germinated conidia hyphae of ΔCfSCD1exhibited a loss in their ability to invade apple leaves. CfSCD1was identified as a crucial gene associated with conidial invasion, and its expression level may serve as an indicator of C. fructicolaisolate pathogenicity.

Currently, the development of calcium-ion batteries (CIBs) is still in its infancy and greatly plagued by the absence of satisfactory cathode materials and compatible electrolytes. Herein, an acetonitrile–water hybrid electrolyte is first developed in CIB chemistry, in which, the strong lubricating and shielding effect of water solvent significantly boosts the swift transport of bulky Ca2+, thus contributing to large capacity storage of Ca2+in layered vanadium oxides (Ca0.25V2O5·nH2O, CVO). Meanwhile, the acetonitrile component noticeably suppresses the dissolution of vanadium species during repeated Ca2+-ion uptake/release, endowing the CVO cathode with a robust cycle life. More importantly, spectral characterization and molecular dynamics simulation confirm that the water molecules are well stabilized by the mutual hydrogen bonding with acetonitrile molecules (O–H···N), endowing the aqueous hybrid electrolyte with high electrochemical stability. By using this aqueous hybrid electrolyte, the CVO electrode shows a high specific discharge capacity of 158.2 mAh g–1at 0.2 A g–1, an appealing capacity of 104.6 mAh g–1at a high rate of 5 A g–1, and a capacity retention of 95% after 2000 cycles at 1.0 A g–1, which is a record-high performance for CIBs reported so far. A mechanistic study exemplifies the reversible extraction of Ca2+from the gap of VO polyhedral layers, which are accompanied by the reversible V–O and V–V skeleton change as well as reversible variation of layer spacing. This work constitutes a major advance in developing high-performance Ca-ion batteries.

Ankle pump exercises (APE) have been widely used in clinical practice. However, best practices for APE have not been established. Recognize the most effective frequency of APE for improving lower extremity hemodynamics and establish recommendations in clinical practice.

There are abundant wind resources in cold regions. Therefore, it is essential to systematically study some icing situation of wind turbines blades (especially the blade tip area) to reduce the loss of wind turbines blades caused by faults, which has important significance to the development and utilization of superior wind power resources in alpine regions in the future. An S8025 airfoil blade was used as this research object to research this influence of different loads on this typical vibration performance of a wind turbines with blade tip icing. The results display that the tip area of these wind turbines will be covered with ice because of the small chord length. Blade tip icing results in an increase in blade mass, blade stiffness, blade torsional stiffness, and other parameters, and the low-order vibration frequencies decreases while the high-order vibration frequencies increases. The centrifugal force load significantly affects the vibration performance of a wind turbines with blade tip icing. The results can be used as a reference to improve the deicing of wind turbines blade tips.

Fast-charging lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been severely hampered by the slow development of their electrolytes. Herein, we demonstrate that the size effect of solvent sheath would pose a great effect on the fast-charging performance of LIBs. Three similar ethers, including diethyl ether (DEE), dipropyl ether (DPE), and dibutyl ether (DBE), were mixed with 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl-2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl ether (TTE) and lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (1 M) to form an electrolyte for fast-charging LIBs, respectively. The results showed that it is more difficult to form ternary graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) in the electrolyte with a larger solvation sheath. The DEE electrolyte can form stable GICs and generate an inner LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), lowering the diffusion barrier of Li+. Therefore, the graphite anode powered by the DEE electrolyte can maintain a capacity of 190 mAh g–1at 4 C after 500 cycles. This kind of size effect of solvation sheath is also applicable to lithium metal batteries.

Herein, we construct a Ti-rich interface of a LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2(NCA) secondary particle using titanium nitride (TiN) nanopowders as a dopant to reduce interfacial reaction. Results show that Ti ions integrate into the layered lattice during the dissociation of Ti–N and was enriched within the surface layer. The solid Ti–O bonding effectively enhances the interface stability and reduces lattice change toward an improved cycle stability. As a result, continuous growth of CEI film and dissolution of transition metal elements were depressed. Both thinner cathode–electrolyte interphases (CEI) and phase transition layers form on the surface of particles after a long cycle. The Ti-doping NCA cathode (NCATiN) provides a better capacity retention of 90.9% over 200 cycles.

Improving the reversibility of lithium metal batteries is one of the challenges in current battery research. This requires better fundamental understanding of the evolution of the lithium deposition morphology, which is very complex due to the various parameters involved in different systems. Here, we clarify the fundamental origins of lithium deposition coverage in achieving highly reversible and compact lithium deposits, providing a comprehensive picture in the relationship between the lithium microstructure and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) for lithium metal batteries. Systematic variation of the salt concentration offers a framework that brings forward the different aspects that play a role in cycling reversibility. Higher nucleation densities are formed in lower concentration electrolytes, which have the advantage of higher lithium deposition coverage; however, it goes along with the formation of an organic-rich instable SEI which is unfavorable for the reversibility during (dis)charging. On the other hand, the growth of large deposits benefiting from the formation of an inorganic-rich stable SEI is observed in higher concentration electrolytes, but the initial small nucleation density prevents full coverage of the current collector, thus compromising the plated lithium metal density. Taking advantages of the paradox, a nanostructured substrate is rationally applied, which increases the nucleation density realizing a higher deposition coverage and thus more compact plating at intermediate concentration (∼1.0 M) electrolytes, leading to extended reversible cycling of batteries.

As an emerging new type of battery chemistry, the anion shuttle battery (ASB), based on the shuttling and storage of anions, is considered a sustainable alternative to gigawatt-scale energy storage due to the associated resource abundance, low cost, high safety, and high energy density. Although significant progress has been achieved, practical applications of ASBs are still hindered by tough challenges, such as short lifetime, limited reversible capacity, and low Coulombic efficiency. Therefore, it is very necessary to design and explore new electrolyte systems with high electrochemical/chemical stability, sufficient compatibility towards electrodes, and excellent kinetics/reversibility for anion electrochemical reactions. Here, we review the recent achievements and main challenges in developing electrolytes for ASBs, which include solid, non-aqueous, and aqueous electrolytes. We mainly focus on the unique properties and basic principles of designing these electrolytes, and their various performance parameters. Perspectives on design strategies for ASB electrolytes are also presented, which could facilitate the development of advanced ASBs for grid-scale energy storage.

Cyclized polyacrylonitrile (cPAN) with decently flexible, elastic, and conductive properties is a promising substrate or binder material for flexible devices. However, it is infeasible to accommodate the large volume expansion and contribute the exceptional rate capability of silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries only counting on the limited elasticity and conductivity of cPAN. Herein, we report a robust silicon/carbon-cPAN-graphene (SC-CP-G) composite membrane with excellent flexibility based on a multifunctional structure design in multiple dimensions, which can be used as a free-standing integrated anode for lithium ion batteries. In this integrated electrode, silicon nanoparticles are encapsulated in porous carbon with in situ formed confined space, and the silicon/carbon particles are further embedded in cPAN nanofibers, which are inextricably interwoven with a reduced graphene oxide film, forming an interpenetrating network architecture. The unique hierarchical and functional structure design greatly improves the mechanical performance, cycling stability, and capacity accessibility of silicon electrodes, delivering a specific capacity of 1847 mA h g–1at 2 A g–1and a capacity retention of 87% after 150 cycles.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that lncRNA Taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) plays an important role in regulation of cell morphology, migration, proliferation and apoptosis. Our aim was to evaluate the oncogenic role of TUG1 in type I Endometrial Carcinoma (EC) and explore the precise mechanism of TUG1 involved in tumor progression.

Graphite is the most commonly used anode material for not only commercialized lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) but also the emerging potassium-ion batteries (PIBs). However, the graphite anode in PIBs using traditional dilute ester-based electrolyte systems shows obvious capacity fading, which is in contrast with the extraordinary cyclic stability in LIBs. More interestingly, the graphite in concentrated electrolytes for PIBs exhibits outstanding cyclic stability. Unfortunately, this significant difference in cycling performance has not raised concern up to now. In this work, by comparing the cyclic stability and graphitization degree of the graphite anode upon cycling, we reveal that the underlying mechanism of the capacity fading of the graphite anode in PIBs is not the larger volume expansion of graphite caused by the intercalation of potassium ions but the continual accumulation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the surface of graphite. By X-ray photoelectron and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies combined with chemical synthesis, it is concluded that the accumulation of the SEI may mainly come from the continual deposition of a kind of oligomer component, which blocks intercalation and deintercalation of potassium ions in graphite anodes. The designed SEI-cleaning experiment further verifies the above conclusion. This finding clarifies the crucial factor determining the cyclic stability of graphite and provides scientific guidance for application of the graphite anode for PIBs.

The progress of electric vehicles is highly inhibited by the limited energy density and growth of dendrite Li in current power batteries. Breakthroughs and improvements in electrolyte chemistry are highlighted to directly address the above issues, namely, the development of electrolytes with a high lithium-ion transference number (tLi+), enabling one to effectively restrict the concentration polarization during repetitious cycling. Herein, we propose a novel ether-based copolymer-based gel polymer electrolyte (ECP-based GPE) by in situ copolymerization as an intriguing strategy to achieve a high tLi+of ∼0.64. Molecular dynamics simulations and finite element method analyses illustrate the enhanced Li+diffusion process (DLi+, ∼1.76 × 10–10m2s–1) in ECP-based GPE with a homogeneous electric potential accommodated around the lithium metal anode. Therefore, such a high-tLi+-based electrolyte renders a high reversibility of dendrite-free lithium plating/stripping at a high areal capacity (5 mA cm–2/5 mA h cm–2) in an Li||Li symmetric cell and facilitates superior cycling performances (over 1000 cycles) at a high rate (5 C) with a capacity retention of ∼91.1% in Li||LiFePO4batteries, promoting the practical application of solid-state lithium metal batteries.

Three-dimensional (3D) porous hosts play pivotal roles in realizing dendrite-free lithium metal anodes (LMAs) owing to their high specific area. However, uneven local electric field and lack of lithiophilic sites on the reactive interface cause nonuniform lithium ion (Li+) deposition, leading to Li dendrite growth and parasitic reactions. These issues will inevitably incur short cycling life and severe safety hazards of lithium metal batteries. Herein, a 3D self-supporting host composed of hollow carbon nanofibers incorporated with silicon (Si) nanoparticles inside (Si-HCF) is constructed as Li metal host by a scalable coaxial electrospinning technique. During the first cycle, the Si nanoparticles is alloyed with Li+to form lithiophilic Li-Si alloy, contributing to deliver a low nucleation overpotential and homogeneous surface potential confirmed by Kelvin probe force microscopy, finally guiding Li+flux homogeneously throughout the fibrous mat. As expected, the Li metal can percolate through Si-HCF host reversibly without uncontrollable Li dendrites and the Si-HCF exhibits a stable cycle life of Li plating/stripping over 1400 h. Additionally, the full cell combined with LiFePO4cathodes presents steady cycling over 400 cycles with a high average coulombic efficiency of 99.4 %. This work provides new insights for the synthesis of 3D hosts with controllable nucleation sites to homogenize Li+deposition in LMAs.

The analysis of genomic variations in offspring after implantation has been infrequently studied. In this study, we aim to investigate the extent of de novomutations in humans from developing fetus to birth. Using high-depth whole-genome sequencing, 443 parent-offspring trios were studied to compare the results of de novomutations (DNMs) between different groups. The focus was on fetuses and newborns, with DNA samples obtained from the families’ blood and the aspirated embryonic tissues subjected to deep sequencing. It was observed that the average number of total DNMs in the newborns group was 56.26 (54.17–58.35), which appeared to be lower than that the multifetal reduction group, which was 76.05 (69.70–82.40) (F = 2.42, P= 0.12). However, after adjusting for parental age and maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), significant differences were found between the two groups. The analysis was further divided into single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and insertion/deletion of a small number of bases (indels), and it was discovered that the average number of de novoSNVs associated with the multifetal reduction group and the newborn group was 49.89 (45.59–54.20) and 51.09 (49.22–52.96), respectively. No significant differences were noted between the groups (F = 1.01, P= 0.32). However, a significant difference was observed for de novoindels, with a higher average number found in the multifetal reduction group compared to the newborn group (F = 194.17, P< 0.001). The average number of de novoindels among the multifetal reduction group and the newborn group was 26.26 (23.27–29.05) and 5.17 (4.82–5.52), respectively. To conclude, it has been observed that the quantity of de novoindels in the newborns experiences a significant decrease when compared to that in the aspirated embryonic tissues (7–9 weeks). This phenomenon is evident across all genomic regions, highlighting the adverse effects of de novoindels on the fetus and emphasizing the significance of embryonic implantation and intrauterine growth in human genetic selection mechanisms.

Despite the dominated anode materials of graphite for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the poor rate capability and inferior cyclability restain their applications under extreme conditions due to their deficient interfacial chemistry. Herein, an ultrathin but Li2CO3-rich solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is manipulated by the decomposition of ethylene carbonate (EC) on graphite anode with nitrogenous amorphous carbon coating (denoted as GMIB-2P). Specifically, Li2CO3can enable a decreased charge transfer resistance and faster Li+diffusion capability. In addition, we demonstrate the catalytic effect of pyrrolic-N on graphite surface with prominent wettability induces the rapid decomposition of EC with low reaction energy barrier through density function theory (DFT) calculation. Consequently, GMIB-2P delivers an outstanding capacity retention ratio of 90.82% after 300 cycles at 1 C and an improved initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE, 90.77% vs. 85.35%). More importantly, GMIB-2P possesses durable-cycling capability even with lean electrolytes of 5 μL mg-1and as well as 85.68% capacity retention for over 300 cycles at 60 ℃. Our work highlights the key role of EC in tailoring interfacial chemistry from structure regulations and provides new guidelines to design more reliable anodes for LIBs under extreme conditions.

In this study, we summarize the clinical characteristics and neonatal outcomes of patients with pregnancy luteomas that were identified incidentally at cesarean section in our hospital. We also provide a review of the existing literature relating to this condition.