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Multilayer networks are used to represent the interdependence between the relational data of individuals interacting with each other via different types of relationships. To study the information-theoretic phase transitions in detecting the presence of planted partition among the nodes of a multilayer network with additional nodewise covariate information and diverging average degree, Ma and Nandy (2023, IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory , 69, 3203–3239) introduced Multi-Layer Contextual Stochastic Block Model. In this paper, we consider the problem of detecting planted partitions in the Multi-Layer Contextual Stochastic Block Model, when the average node degrees for each network are greater than |$1$|⁠. We establish the sharp phase transition threshold for detecting the planted bi-partition. Above the phase-transition threshold testing the presence of a bi-partition is possible, whereas below the threshold no procedure to identify the planted bi-partition can perform better than random guessing. We further establish that the derived detection threshold coincides with the threshold for weak recovery of the partition and provides a quasi-polynomial time algorithm to estimate it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract SQUAMOSA promoter binding-like proteins (SPLs) are important transcription factors that influence growth phase transition and reproduction in plants. SPLs are targeted by miR156 but the SPL/miR156 module is completely unknown in oat. We identified 28 oat SPL genes (AsSPLs) distributed across all 21 oat chromosomes except for 4C and 6D. The oat- SPL gene family represented six of eight SPL phylogenetic groups, with no AsSPLs in groups 3 and 7. A novel oat miR156 (AsmiR156) family with 21 precursors divided into 7 groups was characterized. A total of 16 AsSPLs were found to be targeted by AsmiR156. Intriguingly, AsSPL3s showed high transcript abundance during early inflorescence (GS-54), as compared to the lower abundance of AsmiR156, indicating their role in reproductive development. Unravelling the SPL/miR156 regulatory hub and alterations in expression patterns of AsSPLs could provide an essential toolbox for genetic improvement in the cultivated oat.

The RNA tailing machinery adds nucleotides to the 3'-end of RNA molecules that are implicated in various biochemical functions, including protein synthesis and RNA stability. Here, we report a role for the RNA tailing machinery as enzymatic modifiers of intracellular amyloidogenesis. A targeted RNA interference screen identified Terminal Nucleotidyl-transferase 4b (TENT4b/Papd5) as an essential participant in the amyloidogenic phase transition of nucleoli into solid-like Amyloid bodies. Full-length-and-mRNA sequencing uncovered starRNA, a class of unusually long untemplated RNA molecules synthesized by TENT4b. StarRNA consists of short rRNA fragments linked to long, linear mixed tails that operate as polyanionic stimulators of amyloidogenesis in cells and in vitro. Ribosomal intergenic spacer noncoding RNA (rIGSRNA) recruit TENT4b in intranucleolar foci to coordinate starRNA synthesis driving their amyloidogenic phase transition. The exoribonuclease RNA Exosome degrades starRNA and functions as a general suppressor of cellular amyloidogenesis. We propose that amyloidogenic phase transition is under tight enzymatic control by the RNA tailing and exosome axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, high-temperature solid-phase techniques are used to prepare pristine and Mg-modified LiNiO 2 cathode materials. Various characterizations are performed to analyze the morphology, structure, and electrical state of the two materials. Electrochemical tests show that Mg doping effectively improves the electrochemical properties of the materials. In particular, the modified sample exhibits a higher specific discharge capacity of 244.5 mA h g−1 than the pristine sample. Moreover, its maximum capacity retention after 304 cycles at 1 C is 54.1%. In situ X-ray powder diffraction imaging reveals that the modified material has better phase-transition reversibility than the pristine material. Density functional theory calculations indicate that Mg-doped Li sites can accelerate Li+ transport. Atomic force microscopy results demonstrate that Mg-doped Li sites act as supportive skeletons that enhance the mechanical properties of the material. Therefore, the proposed strategy for the Mg doping of Li sites can improve the architecture of LiNiO 2 cathode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study shows the beneficial properties of using (Li 2 Mn 4)O(CO 3) 4 ·H 2 O (P–LiMn 2 O 4) as an anti-ablation additive in silicone rubber, effectively inhibiting ablation at all temperature ranges studied, indicating its potential as a valuable material. The experimental results show that P–LiMn 2 O 4 enhances the anti-ablation process of silicone rubber through several mechanisms, including dehydration, decarbonization, gas production, and solid-solid phase change. These mechanisms induce heat absorption, gas film formation and ceramic phase formation. Furthermore, P–LiMn 2 O 4 effectively improves the resistance of silicone rubber to ablation without compromising its mechanical properties. This study presents a method to enhance ablation resistance through multiple pathways, which can extend the application of phase change materials under extreme thermal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2D van der Waals (vdW) magnets provide the ideal platform for studying magnetism at low dimensions, where the magnetic properties can be further tuned by intercalating magnetic species and manipulating their stoichiometry and local atomic configuration. However, achieving stoichiometric intercalated 2D magnets necessitates precise control of growth parameters to avoid local compositional variations, which fosters phase coexistence that significantly impacts magnetic properties. Here a comprehensive scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) examination of the structural evolution in chemical vapor deposition (CVD)‐grown self‐intercalated V1+xSe2 nanoplates is shown, exploring their response to annealing temperature variations and the subsequent influence on magnetic properties. By combining ex situ and in situ post‐growth annealing, the rearrangement of intercalants is directly observed at the interlayer and identify a structural phase transition of the nanodomains embedded in the VSe2 matrix from V3Se4 to a V5Se8 structure occurring at ≈250 °C. The interlayer reconstruction is manifested by a positive‐to‐negative cross‐over in the magnetoresistance and an upturn in resistivity at low temperatures. The results provide new ways for tailoring 2D vdW magnets through post‐growth thermal annealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract As a group of emerging liquid‐like thermoelectric materials for waste heat recovery into useful energy, di‐chalcogenides Cu2(S, Se, Te) have been considered as superionic thermoelectric materials. Due to their highly disordered degree of Cu‐ion in the crystal lattice, Cu2(S, Se, Te) compounds can exhibit ultralow thermal conductivity, and in the meantime, their rigid sublattice can decently maintain the electrical performance, making them distinct from other state‐of‐the‐art thermoelectric materials. This review summarizes the well‐designed strategies to realize the impressive performance in thermoelectric materials and their modules by linking the adopted approaches such as defect engineering, interfaces, nano‐porous inclusions, thin films, dislocations, nano‐inclusions, and polycrystalline bulks etc., with the moderate design of the device. Some recent reports are selected to outline the fundamentals, underlined challenges, outlooks, and future development of Cu2(S, Se, Te) liquid‐like thermoelectric materials. We expect that this review covers the needs of future researchers in choosing some potential materials to explore thermoelectricity and other efficient energy conversion technologies.

Scientific research based on the self-assembly behavior of block copolymers (BCs) comprising charged-neutral segments has emerged as a novel strategy mainly looking for the optimization of efficiency in the generation and storage of electrical energy. The sulfonation reaction re- presents one of the most commonly employed methodologies by scientific investigations to reach the desired amphiphilic character, leading to enough ion concentration to modify and control the entire self-assembly behavior of the BCs. Recently, several works have studied and exploited these changes, inducing improvement on the mechanical properties, ionic conduction capabilities, colloidal solubility, interface activity, and stabilization of dispersed particles, among others. This review aims to present a description of recent works focused on obtaining amphiphilic block copolymers, specifically those that were synthesized by a living/controlled polymerization method and that have introduced the amphiphilic character by the sulfonation of one of the segments. Additionally, relevant works that have evidenced morphological and/or structural changes regarding the pristine BC as a result of the chemical modification are discussed. Finally, several emerging practical applications are analyzed to highlight the main drawbacks and challenges that should be addressed to overcome the development and understanding of these complex systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halide perovskite materials stand out in the field of photoelectricity because of their excellent luminescence and variable discoloration luminescence properties, which is mainly due to their diverse phase transition phenomenon of halide perovskites and their derivatives materials. This work focused on the introduction of various phase-transition chromotropic properties of halide perovskite materials, including photochromism, piezochromism and thermochromic properties. The intrinsic phase-transition mechanism of the chromotropic properties induced by various external factors is mainly analyzed. Finally, the future research and application prospects of the chromotropic properties of halide perovskite materials are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to characterize the thermomechanical transitions of meat-analog (MA) based coated fried foods. Wheat and rice flour-based batters were used to coat the MA and fried at 180 °C in canola oil for 2, 4 and 6 min. Glass-transition-temperature (Tg) of the coatings were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry, directly after frying or after post-fry holding. Mechanical texture analyzer and X-ray microtomography were employed to assess textural attributes and internal microstructure, respectively. Batter-formulation substantially impacted the Tg of fried foods coating i.e., crust. Tg of fried foods crust were ranged between −20 °C to −24 °C. Tg was positively correlated with frying time and internal microporosity (%), whereas negatively correlated with moisture content. Internal microstructure greatly influenced the textural attributes (hardness, brittleness, crispiness). Post-fry textural stability considerably impacted by Tg. Negative Tg value explains post-fry textural changes (hard-to-soft, brittle-to-ductile, crispy-to-soggy) of MA-based coated products at room-temperature (25 °C) and under IR-heating (65 °C). • Formulations and frying time regulates glass-transition-temperature (Tg) of batter coated products. • Lower Tg value was observed for high-moisture containing fried products. • Moisture and fat both acts as plasticizer in meat-analog based batter coated fried product. • Internal microstructure greatly impacts the Tg of coated fried products. • Texture of fried products changes at a temperature higher than their intrinsic Tg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dependence on the radius of Pb nanoparticles' melting and freezing temperatures. • Thermal expansion of Pb nanocrystals and nanodroplets in glass determined using SAXS. • Thermal expansion of liquid Pb nanodroplets is much lower than that of bulk Pb. • Undercooling of Pb nanoparticles reaches over 140 K. We investigated the thermal behavior of Pb nanocrystals and Pb nanodroplets embedded in lead-borate glass by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Analyzing the SAXS intensities recorded in situ during the heating and cooling processes we determined the dependence on the radius of the melting and freezing temperatures of Pb nanoparticles embedded in the glass. Modeled SAXS intensity functions yielded several parameters associated with the theoretical functions characterizing the relationships between nanoparticle radius and melting and freezing temperatures. The temperature-dependent SAXS intensity profiles were further employed to determine the thermal expansion coefficients of Pb nanocrystals and nanodroplets within the glass matrix. Our findings reveal that the coefficient of thermal expansion for solid Pb nanocrystals exceeds that of bulk Pb crystals, underscoring distinctive thermal behavior at the nanoscale. Conversely, the coefficient of thermal expansion for liquid Pb nanodroplets is notably lower than that observed for bulk liquid Pb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quark-nova is a hypothetical stellar evolution branch where a neutron star converts explosively into a quark star. Here, we discuss the intimate coupling between the micro-physics and macro-physics of the quark-nova and provide a prescription for how to couple the Burn-UD code to the stellar evolution code in order to simulate neutron-star-to-quark-star burning at stellar scales and estimate the resulting energy release and ejecta. Once formed, the thermal evolution of the proto-quark star follows. We found much higher peak neutrino luminosities (>10 55 erg/s) and a higher energy neutrino (i.e., harder) spectrum than previous stellar evolution studies of proto-neutron stars. We derived the neutrino counts that observatories such as Super-Kamiokande-III and Halo-II should expect and suggest how these can differentiate between a supernova and a quark-nova. Due to the high peak neutrino luminosities, neutrino pair annihilation can deposit as much as 10 52 ergs in kinetic energy in the matter overlaying the neutrinosphere, yielding relativistic quark-nova ejecta. We show how the quark-nova could help us understand many still enigmatic high-energy astrophysical transients, such as super-luminous supernovae, gamma-ray bursts and fast radio bursts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assembly of anisotropic nanocrystals into ordered superstructures is an area of intense research interest due to its relevance to bring nanocrystal properties to macroscopic length scales and to impart additional collective properties owing to the superstructure. Numerous routes have been explored to assemble such nanocrystal superstructures ranging from self-directed to external field-directed methods. Most of the approaches require sensitive control of experimental parameters that are largely environmental and require extra processing steps, increasing complexity and limiting reproducibility. Here, we demonstrate a simple approach to assemble colloidal nanorods in situ, wherein dopant incorporation during the particle synthesis results in the formation of preassembled 2D sheets of close-packed ordered arrays of vertically oriented nanorods in solution.

Natural fibrous gypsum is a kind of high-quality gypsum resources, whose high-value added utilization pathway is to be transformed to α -calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α -HH), a cementitious material that can react with water to form pastes with mechanical strength. In this work, α -HH was prepared from natural fibrous gypsum in KCl mediated glycerol-water solution under mild condition. KCl played a simultaneous function on regulating the phase-transition kinetics, morphology and comprehensive strength of α -HH. Addition of low concentration of KCl prominently retarded the nucleation and growth rate of α -HH and decreased its aspect ratio due to the formation of syngenite on the side faces. While further increase of KCl concentration accelerated the nucleation and growth rate and decreased the crystal sizes. In the presence of 0.04 M KCl, the prepared α -HH presented a hexagonal prism shape with a length / width of 257.69–579.71 μm / 13.13–36.61 μm, and its dry comprehensive strength had reached 38.1 MPa that was comparable to those prepared in commercial, chloride and nitrate system. Altogether, the foreign ion-free glycerol-water solution contributed to transforming natural fibrous gypsum to α -HH with high purity and high mechanical strength. • Transformation of natural fibrous gypsum to α -HH in glycerol-water solution. • Regulation of KCl on phase-transition kinetics, morphology and mechanical strength. • Hexagonal prism shape α -HH with high aspect ratio presents high mechanical strength. • α -HH paste with high mechanical strength has a compact microstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing a green and three energy-driven portable small electronic device that not only relies on electricity is becoming an imperative trend and symbolizing the critical development direction in the future electronic equipment field. To actualize the breakthrough of multifunctional materials in the development path of integrated electronic technology, we insightfully propose an innovative scheme, ingeniously combining the lightweight nano-membrane and high elastomer hydrogel and imaginatively fabricated a "membrane-hydrogel" dual-module structure in coaxial electrospinning, liquid-phase polymerization, and eco-friendly freeze-thaw cycle methods, gathering thermal energy, solar energy, and piezoresistive sensing thanks to phase-transition paraffin, polypyrrole (PPy), and Silver nanowires (AgNWs), respectively. AgNWs collaborate with PPy to increase thermal conduction pathways, enhance photothermal conversion ability, and remarkably improve the conductivity of PW/PPy/Pg@Ag (σ=0.148 S m−1), in particular, the microarray structure at the hydrogel bottom endows it an ultra-high piezoresistive response range (440.6 kPa), tremendously inspiring the advanced dual-module material design strategy and paving the way for the multifunctional expanding of electronic devices that can attach thermal energy, solar energy, and electrical energy. [Display omitted] • A "nanofiber membrane-microarray hydrogel" structure was fabricated via a brief and eco-friendly strategy. • The dual-module structure gathered thermal energy, solar energy, and piezoresistive sensing performance. • Synergistic enhancement of AgNWs and polypyrrole exhibits great potential in thermal management electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the applicability of liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing technology in rock mass excavations, the principles of CO2 phase-transition fracturing were analyzed, and field tests of liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing were performed. An "Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) camera shooting + Microstructure Image Processing System (MIPS) analyzing" method was used to acquire the rock mass characteristics. Further, the Hilbert–Huang Transform (HHT) energy analysis principle was adopted to analyze the characteristics of fracturing vibration waves. The experimental results showed that during the process of fracturing, there were both dynamic actions of rock breakage due to excitation stress wave impacts, and quasi-static actions of rock breakage caused by gasification expansion wedges. In semi-infinite spaces, rock-breakage zones can mainly be divided into crushing zones, fracture zones, and vibration zones. At the same time, under ideal fracturing effects and large volumes, the fracturing granularity will be in accordance with the fractal laws. For example, the larger the fractal dimensions, the higher the proportion of small fragments, and vice versa. Moreover, the vibration waves of the liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing have short durations, fast attenuation, and fewer high-frequency components. The dominant frequency band of energy will range between 0 and 20 Hz. The liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing technology has been observed to overcome the shortcomings of traditional explosive blasting methods and can be applied to a variety of rock types. It is a safe and efficient method for rock-breaking excavations; therefore, the above technology effectively provides a new method for the follow-up of similar engineering practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the electrical and magnetic properties of the compounds LaPt2As, LaPt2As2, and BaPt2As2 prepared by conventional solid-state reaction, in the temperature range of 5–300 K, up to the field of H = 9 T. The zero-field cooled magnetization (MZFC) and field cooled magnetization (MFC) split into two branches at the bifurcation temperatures due to large thermal hysteresis effects. A huge diamagnetic magnetization has been manifested on the MZFC branches in both samples. We describe different possible scenarios of the negative magnetization-like behavior. First, this huge diamagnetic signal may arise from some local nano-sized ferromagnetic clusters subjected to the negative internal field, which is originated from the local distortions in the electronic structure due to the inhomogeneous Pt atoms distributions. The second is suggested as an alternative model, so that the present phenomenon was not a true negative magnetization, the observed negative magnetization, in fact, is relative change in the magnetization. It may arise from the freezing spins at lower temperatures. The magnetic analysis reveals the development of superconductivity with a filamentary character at temperatures below 10 K for the sample LaPt2As and 22 K for the sample LaPt2As2. In order to prove the observed superconductivity, their critical current density, Jc(H), and the normalized pinning force, Fp/Fp,max, are obtained as a function of the applied field, and the types of flux pinning centers are identified using the conventional Beans and Dew-Hughes models. We report the resistivity data in the same temperature interval. The resistivity curves are fitted to the form ρ (T) = ρ0 + ρ1Tα + ρ2exp (− To/T) over the entire range of the measurement temperatures. The last term presents a magnon-assisted inter-band electron–phonon electron scattering mechanism. In addition, we observe an anomaly around 115 K in LaPt2As2 associated with the charge density (CDW) phase transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Controlling Bernal (AB) to rhombohedral (ABC) stacking-transitions has recently become an important goal towards manipulation of the electronic properties of highly- oriented-pyrolytic-graphite (HOPG) and graphene.In this letter we report a novel investigation of AB to ABC stacking transitions in exfoliated-HOPG-lamellae with variable thickness. The samples were produced by employing I) an edge-tape-exfoliation-method to extrude lamellae of ∼ 80–140 μm thickness and 2) a manual-exfoliation-method, which yielded samples of ∼ 300–450 μm thickness. Characterization was carried out by employing Raman-point/mapping-spectroscopy in certain selected defective-regions of the samples. We demonstrate an abrupt enhancement of the rhombohedral-phase-content within dense- and thick-staircase-sublattices, indicative of a possible crucial role of the sublattice-defect-thickness in preventing ABC to AB post-exfoliation stacking-relaxation. Relaxation of the produced ABC stacks was then found after approximately four weeks from exfoliation (in thick lamellae).

Scientific research based on the self-assembly behavior of block copolymers (BCs) comprising charged-neutral segments has emerged as a novel strategy mainly looking for the optimization of efficiency in the generation and storage of electrical energy. The sulfonation reaction re- presents one of the most commonly employed methodologies by scientific investigations to reach the desired amphiphilic character, leading to enough ion concentration to modify and control the entire self-assembly behavior of the BCs. Recently, several works have studied and exploited these changes, inducing improvement on the mechanical properties, ionic conduction capabilities, colloidal solubility, interface activity, and stabilization of dispersed particles, among others. This review aims to present a description of recent works focused on obtaining amphiphilic block copolymers, specifically those that were synthesized by a living/controlled polymerization method and that have introduced the amphiphilic character by the sulfonation of one of the segments. Additionally, relevant works that have evidenced morphological and/or structural changes regarding the pristine BC as a result of the chemical modification are discussed. Finally, several emerging practical applications are analyzed to highlight the main drawbacks and challenges that should be addressed to overcome the development and understanding of these complex systems.

Two‐dimensional (2D) materials are known to owe exceptional properties which are prerequisites for the future applications. Despite significant efforts and unprecedented achievements to realize resourceful beyond‐graphene 2D materials, the comprehensive knowledge on such materials is lacking due to which several device grade applications are still in pipeline. This work was carried out with motivation to investigate the thermal stability of contemporary 2D monolayered materials including graphene, borophene, aluminene, germanene, BN, SiC and MoS2 using Molecular Dynamics simulations. The thermal broadening, bond breakage and bond formation for the slabs are analyzed on the basis of radial distribution function (RDF). It is found that several materials out of the list are capable to withstand high temperatures depicting the essential thermal stability. The values of thermal stability of the materials were compared by plotting the temperature and energy curves whereas phase transition temperature and heat capacity of the slabs were found by taking germanene as benchmark. The phase transition temperatures are found as 4510 K, 2273 K, 933 K, 1670 K, 3246 K, 4050 K, and 1460 K for graphene, borophene, aluminene, germanene, BN, SiC, and MoS2 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The correlation between high-entropy composition/structure and high-voltage electrochemical performance is fully revealed. • The undesirable phase transitions are completely suppressed by high-entropy stabilization effect. • High-entropy Mn-Cu-HEO exhibits outstanding cycling stability and excellent rate capability in high-voltage range. • The superior performance of Mn-Cu-HEO arises from its advanced high-entropy structure and unique composition. High-entropy layered oxides have emerged as a new class of cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries by providing infinite possibilities to tailor energy storage capabilities. However, owing to the lack of advanced high-entropy layered material, the influence of configurational entropy/compositional disorder on the high-voltage electrochemical performance of sodium-based layered cathode has seldom been explored. In this work, a Ni/Co-free high-entropy layered oxide P2-Na 0.65 Mn 0.65 Cu 0.2 Li 0.06 Mg 0.015 Ti 0.015 Al 0.015 Zr 0.015 Y 0.015 La 0.015 O 2 (Mn-Cu-HEO) was prepared by stirring hydrothermal method, and investigated as a new cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. It is found that high configurational entropy and strong M−O configurations (M = Ti, Al, Zr, Y, and La) greatly stabilize the layered framework structure and MnO6 octahedral local structure, restraining the deleterious phase transition and large volume change during high-voltage cycling, thus resulting in high reversible cationic/anionic redox. In the meantime, disordered atomic arrangement in transition metal layer efficaciously mitigates Na+/vacancy ordering during de-/sodiation, enhancing the Na+ transport kinetics. Benefiting from the high-entropy stabilization effect, complex atomic arrangement, and multielemental composition, Mn-Cu-HEO displays splendid cyclic stability (87.2 % capacity retention after 500 cycles, very small change in cell volume (0.53 %) after 100 cycles), excellent rate capability (55.5 mAh g−1 at 10C), and a usable reversible capacity of 85.1 mAh g−1 at 1C in high-voltage range of 2.0–4.5 V. This work expands the horizons of high-entropy layered materials, providing new insight in the design and construction of highly stable and high-voltage sodium ion host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quark-nova is a hypothetical stellar evolution branch where a neutron star converts explosively into a quark star. Here, we discuss the intimate coupling between the micro-physics and macro-physics of the quark-nova and provide a prescription for how to couple the Burn-UD code to the stellar evolution code in order to simulate neutron-star-to-quark-star burning at stellar scales and estimate the resulting energy release and ejecta. Once formed, the thermal evolution of the proto-quark star follows. We found much higher peak neutrino luminosities (>1055 erg/s) and a higher energy neutrino (i.e., harder) spectrum than previous stellar evolution studies of proto-neutron stars. We derived the neutrino counts that observatories such as Super-Kamiokande-III and Halo-II should expect and suggest how these can differentiate between a supernova and a quark-nova. Due to the high peak neutrino luminosities, neutrino pair annihilation can deposit as much as 1052 ergs in kinetic energy in the matter overlaying the neutrinosphere, yielding relativistic quark-nova ejecta. We show how the quark-nova could help us understand many still enigmatic high-energy astrophysical transients, such as super-luminous supernovae, gamma-ray bursts and fast radio bursts.

Short‐lived micro‐sized thermal gradients are challenging to measure. Especially, in thin film processes and devices, it is important to know the exact temperature profile to assure process parameters and the stability of sensitive materials. Many theoretical models try to describe the occurring temperatures, but still lack in profound experimental data. Here, a facile approach is presented, which allows to measure confined temperature gradients with millisecond and micrometer precision. By casting a thin alkane film onto a substrate of interest, it is possible to reconstruct local temperature gradients by imaging the phase behavior and morphology of the alkane film with a simple optical microscope setup. Alkanes are inert and their melting and boiling temperatures depend on the chain length. This allows to measure temperatures between 37 and 522 °C on any surface. Furthermore, after thorough characterization of laser‐induced temperature gradients, this approach can be used to measure the phase transition behavior of complex thin film polymer mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mn/Fe-based layered oxides are deemed to be a highly suitable cathode for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to their high capacity and abundant Mn/Fe resources, but they still suffer from a complicated phase transition and large volume variation. To conquer these problems, high-entropy Mn/Fe-based layered oxide P2-Na 0.67 Mn 0.5 Fe 0.334 Cu 0.045 Mg 0.014 Ti 0.014 Al 0.014 Zr 0.014 Sn 0.014 O 2 (Mn-Fe-HEO) is rationally designed and fabricated. When used as a cathode for SIB, high-entropy Mn-Fe-HEO exhibits much higher reversible capacity and better rate capability than low-entropy Na 0.67 Mn 0.5 Fe 0.334 Cu 0.164 O 2 (Mn-Fe-LEO) within a wide voltage range of 1.5-4.3 V. Ex situ X-ray diffraction combined with diffusion kinetics tests and microstructural characterizations demonstrate that high-entropy enhanced structural stability effectively prevents the Jahn-Teller distortion of Mn 3+ , stabilizes the Na + diffusion channels, and enables the smooth transfer of more working Na + . These lead to a stable and fast redox electrochemistry in high-entropy Mn-Fe-HEO. This work deepens the understanding of the relationship between high-entropy structure and performance and provides important guidance for the rational design of future high-entropy layered cathodes.

In this paper we study the Maki-Thompson rumor model on infinite Cayley trees. The basic version of the model is defined by assuming that a population represented by a graph is subdivided into three classes of individuals: ignorants, spreaders and stiflers. A spreader tells the rumor to any of its (nearest) ignorant neighbors at rate one. At the same rate, a spreader becomes a stifler after a contact with other (nearest neighbor) spreaders, or stiflers. In this work we study this model on infinite Cayley trees, which is formulated as a continuous-times Markov chain, and we extend our analysis to the generalization in which each spreader ceases to propagate the rumor right after being involved in a given number of stifling experiences. We study sufficient conditions under which the rumor either becomes extinct or survives with positive probability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-pressure behaviour of meyerhofferite [ideally Ca2B6O6(OH)10·2(H2O), with a ~ 6.63 Å, b ~ 8.34 Å, c ~ 6.47 Å, α = 90.8°, β = 102°, γ = 86.8°, Sp. Gr. P 1 ¯ ], a B-bearing raw material (with B2O3 ≈ 46 wt%) and a potential B-rich aggregate, has been studied by single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction up to 9 GPa, under hydrostatic conditions. Meyerhofferite undergoes a first-order phase transition to meyerhofferite-II, likely iso-symmetric, bracketed between 3.05 and 3.48 GPa, with a spectacular unit-cell volume discontinuity (i.e., ΔV ~ 30 Å3). The isothermal bulk modulus (KV0 = β−1P0,T0, where βP0,T0 is the volume compressibility coefficient) of meyerhofferite, was found to be KV0 = 31.6(5) GPa, and a marked anisotropic compressional pattern, with K(a)0: K(b)0: K(c)0 ~ 1.5:1:3, was observed. The bulk modulus of meyerhofferite-II increases to 55(2) GPa and, differently to the majority of the borates studied at high pressure so far, the anisotropic compressional pattern of meyerhofferite decreases markedly in the high-pressure form. The P-induced deformation mechanisms controlling, at the atomic scale, the bulk compression of meyerhofferite are here described. Considerations about the use of meyerhofferite as a potential B-based aggregate in concretes, mortars or resins, are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to investigate the influence of the mineralizers chlorine ion (Cl-) and fluorine ion (F-) on the structure formation of porous chromium-benzenedicarboxylates (Cr-BDCs). It was proved that Cl- plays a role as mineralizer which is similar to F- that can increase the crystallinity of MIL-101. In contrast, the MIL-101 phase cannot be transformed into the MIL-53 phase without mineralizer. The phase-transition occurs only after the addition of the mineralizer (Cl- or F-) to the system. The results suggest that the mineralizer is the key component affecting the phase-transition of Cr-BDCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to determine the applicability of liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing technology in rock mass excavations, the principles of CO2 phase-transition fracturing were analyzed, and field tests of liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing were performed. An “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) camera shooting + Microstructure Image Processing System (MIPS) analyzing” method was used to acquire the rock mass characteristics. Further, the Hilbert–Huang Transform (HHT) energy analysis principle was adopted to analyze the characteristics of fracturing vibration waves. The experimental results showed that during the process of fracturing, there were both dynamic actions of rock breakage due to excitation stress wave impacts, and quasi-static actions of rock breakage caused by gasification expansion wedges. In semi-infinite spaces, rock-breakage zones can mainly be divided into crushing zones, fracture zones, and vibration zones. At the same time, under ideal fracturing effects and large volumes, the fracturing granularity will be in accordance with the fractal laws. For example, the larger the fractal dimensions, the higher the proportion of small fragments, and vice versa. Moreover, the vibration waves of the liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing have short durations, fast attenuation, and fewer high-frequency components. The dominant frequency band of energy will range between 0 and 20 Hz. The liquid CO2 phase-transition fracturing technology has been observed to overcome the shortcomings of traditional explosive blasting methods and can be applied to a variety of rock types. It is a safe and efficient method for rock-breaking excavations; therefore, the above technology effectively provides a new method for the follow-up of similar engineering practices.

TMF1‐regulated nuclear protein 1 (Trnp1) has been shown to exert potent roles in neural development affecting neural stem cell self‐renewal and brain folding, but its molecular function in the nucleus is still unknown. Here, we show that Trnp1 is a low complexity protein with the capacity to phase separate. Trnp1 interacts with factors located in several nuclear membrane‐less organelles, the nucleolus, nuclear speckles, and condensed chromatin. Importantly, Trnp1 co‐regulates the architecture and function of these nuclear compartments in vitro and in the developing brain in vivo. Deletion of a highly conserved region in the N‐terminal intrinsic disordered region abolishes the capacity of Trnp1 to regulate nucleoli and heterochromatin size, proliferation, and M‐phase length; decreases the capacity to phase separate; and abrogates most of Trnp1 protein interactions. Thus, we identified Trnp1 as a novel regulator of several nuclear membrane‐less compartments, a function important to maintain cells in a self‐renewing proliferative state. Synopsis: How the developmental protein Trnp1 controls neural stem cell (NSC) self‐renewal and brain folding has remained unclear. A combination of biochemistry, super‐resolution microscopy and in vivo work now finds it to phase‐separate and orchestrate membrane‐less organelles (MLO) in the nucleus. Trnp1 self‐assembles and induces phase‐separated droplets.The conserved N‐terminal 16 amino acids of Trnp1 determine nucleolar size and NSC proliferation in the developing cortex.Trnp1 directly interacts with MLO proteins, regulating nucleoli, chromatin architecture and nuclear speckles.Trnp1 alters nucleolar dynamics during the cell cycle and shortens mitosis.Trnp1 affects MLO size and function including splicing and translation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials best-suited for direct application exhibit a high thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) close to unity, from room temperature to ∼ 400 K. In this work, we investigated the thermoelectric behavior of Ag2Se, and a sulfur substituted Ag2Se system, i.e. Ag2S0.2Se0.8 and Ag2S0.4Se0.6 , in the temperature range of 300 K to 500 K. With strong anharmonic lattice vibration and semiconducting electronic structure, these materials showed thermal conductivity less than 1 W m−1 K−1, electrical resistivity ∼ 1 mΩ cm, together with moderate Seebeck coefficient values of ∼ − 140 μV K−1 in the low-temperature phase. We were able to achieve ZT equal to unity in a wide temperature range of 350–400 K, with a maximum value of ZT = 1.08 at 350 K for the Ag2S0.4Se0.6 material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocaloric refrigeration material with good comprehensive performance such as large temperature change (ΔT), coefficient of performance (COP) and electrocaloric coefficient (ΔT/ΔE), is very attractive in the design of commercial refrigeration devices. Here, a large positive (ΔT ∼ 12.3 K with ΔS ∼ 13.6 J K−1kg−1 at 293 K) at 10 kHz and negative EC effects (ΔT ∼ - 5.8 K with ΔS ∼ - 4.5 J K−1kg−1 at ∼ 425 K) at 100 Hz are obtained in the Nb-doped Pb 0.99 (Zr 0.65 Sn 0.3 Ti 0.05) 0.98 O 3 antiferroelectric thin film by using a sol-gel route. Moreover, the large positive and negative EC effects are sensitive and dependent to the applied frequencies. As the applied frequency increases, the positive EC effect intends to increase. However, the negative EC effect intends to decrease as the applied frequency increases. This interesting phenomenon is ascribed to the co-coupling between the phase-transition (nanoscale tetragonal transferring into rhombohedral along the direction which is vertical to the surface of the thin film, namely the [111]) & defect dipoles. Moreover, the COP (3.37) and ΔT/ΔE (0.01 K⋅cmkV−1) are also comparable to those of previous research works. These breakthroughs and findings enable the Nb-doped PZST thin film an ideal candidate for application of next-generation solid-state cooling devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-phase Ba 1-x Sr x TiO 3 (BST) perovskite ceramics with 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.4 were prepared from powders synthesized via sol-gel route. The compositions have the ferroelectric-paraelectric phase transition close to room temperature. At 20 °C the BST ceramics are ferroelectric for 0.3 ≤ x ≤ 0.35 and paraelectric for x = 0.375 and x = 0.40. The study follows the relation between the structural changes produced when increasing the Sr content and the dielectric properties at low intensity electric fields. It is found that the grain size and tetragonality decreases as the Sr content increases. Analyses of complex permittivity and impedance spectroscopy reveal the temperature and frequency dependencies of the dielectric properties. The phase transitions seem to be of first order for all compositions, with a thermal hysteresis that decreases with increasing the Sr content, fact attributed to the corresponding increase of the grain boundaries weight allowing a more efficient stress relaxation in the structure during the change of the symmetry from cubic to tetragonal. The diffusiveness degree during the phase transition is increasing with Sr content, suggesting some relaxor-type contribution attributed to smaller grain size. The ac conductivity follows the universal Jonscher law, with an ac component having the power parameter s independent of Sr content, and a dc component that it is thermally activated with an activation energy of about 0.7–0.77 eV attributed to oxygen vacancies acting as donor-like defects. The fit of impedance spectra at different temperatures and frequencies is obtained by using an equivalent circuit accounting the grains, grain boundaries, electrode interfaces and the local contributions produced by reorientation of defect dipoles or defect clusters. All the component circuits have significant variations around phase transitions. These are discussed in relation to structural changes occurring during transition and considering the changes in the distribution of various charges when polarization vanishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]