Enhanced Energy Harvesting and Human-Machine Interaction Sensing via the Tribo-Photovoltaic Effect in a Metal/n-Type GaAs Triboelectric Nanogenerator.

This study presents a novel photovoltaic triboelectric nanogenerator (PTENG) that operates on sliding contacts between n-type (gallium arsenide) GaAs and metal electrodes in the presence of periodic light illumination, which offers harvesting energy synergistically by integrating both photovoltaic and triboelectric effects to enhance the energy output. Using an in-house built test setup with provision of laser illumination, the open-circuit voltage () and short-circuit current () were measured for the n-GaAs semiconductors with different metal contacts (Al and Cu). Under both laser light (630 nm) and without laser light conditions, n-GaAs with aluminum contacts exhibited the highest and values, reaching up to 11.

Does Pelvic Fixation in Neuromuscular Scoliosis Correction Affect Radiological and Functional Outcomes?

Pelvic fixation is commonly used in neuromuscular scoliosis patients with pelvic obliquity (PO) >15°, yet its benefit over shorter constructs remains unclear. This systematic review analyzed five studies comprising 230 patients (120 with pelvic fixation (WPF), 110 without pelvic fixation (WoPF)) to assess radiological, functional, and surgical outcomes. Radiographic correction was similar between groups: Cobb angle improved from 62.

Exciton-Phonon-Plasmon Interplay in Hot Carrier Relaxation Dynamics in Perovskite Crystals.

Enhancing light-matter interaction in nanostructures using metallic surface plasmons is a dependable route for improving efficiencies in optoelectronic applications. Plasmonic interfaces of organic cation-based halide perovskites that show high quantum efficiency and enhanced carrier lifetimes are seen as a technologically important avenue for new-age photovoltaics and quantum emitters. Here, several interesting multi-particle interplays in hybrid structures of Ga nanodroplets and FAPbBr crystals (Ga-NCs) having novel practical applications are reported.

Self-Powered Wearable TENG Sensors Using NiCoO/ZnO Cofiller-Embedded Multilayered Electrospun Fiber-Mat for Human-Machine Interaction.

In the Internet of Things era, research is ramping up to develop sustainable green technologies to combat environmental degradation and the depletion of fossil fuels. A high-performance flexible Triboelectric Nanogenerator (TENG) has been developed and tested to fabricate wearable bioelectronics. The TENG device comprises two triboelectric layers: a stacked multilayered composite fiber-mat with poly(vinylidene difluoride) and a Super P carbon black intercalated textured Polydimethylsiloxane film.

Determination of Surface Charge Density and Charge Mapping of CYTOP Film in Air using Electrostatic Force Microscopy.

Cyclic transparent optical polymer (CYTOP), a fluoropolymer, finds a plethora of applications in microelectronic devices for sustainable energy harvesting and memory devices. By and large, these devices demand high voltage breakdown, a high dielectric constant, transparency, charge storage, and retention capabilities. Despite many efforts, comprehensive investigation of the charge distribution, retention, and discharge studies conducted on the CYTOP film at the micro-scale remains elusive.

Comparison of traditional growth rods and magnetically controlled growing rods in early-onset scoliosis: a case-matched mid term follow-up study.

Purpose: Early-onset scoliosis (EOS) has always been a challenging situation for spine surgeons. The aim of treatment is to control the direction of curve progression to allow for the complete development of lungs. Among all the growth constructs available, traditional growth rods (TGR) and magnetically controlled growth rods (MCGR) are most widely used.

Design and development of a horizontal contact separated (HCS) test setup for measuring the performance of triboelectric nanogenerator for sustainable energy harvesting applications.

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) can play a pivotal role in harnessing non-utilized reciprocating motion and convert it into electrical energy that can later be stored in a battery or capacitor to power various Internet of Things-based smart electronic and wearable devices. Herein, we designed a cost-effective instrumental test bed focused on investigating the output performance of a horizontal contact separation mode triboelectric nanogenerator by varying the input parameters, such as applied force, motor speed, triboplate separation, and frequency of instrumental setup. The test bed mainly consists of three major parts: (i) application of force, (ii) tapping of TENG sample, and (iii) output parameters measurement.

On the unique temperature-dependent interplay of a B-exciton and its trion in monolayer MoSe.

Plasmonics in metal nanoparticles can enhance their near field optical interaction with matter, promoting emission into selected optical modes. Here, using Ga nanoparticles with carefully tuned plasmonic resonance in proximity to MoSe monolayers, we show selective photoluminescence enhancement from the B-exciton and its trion with no observable A-exciton emission. The nanoengineered substrate allows for the first direct experimental observation of the B-trion binding energy in semiconducting monolayers.

Use of intra-operative internal distraction for the application of magnetically controlled growth rods (MCGR): a technique for maximizing correction in the rigid immature spine during index surgery.

Objective: Operative treatment of early onset scoliosis (EOS) with Magnetically Controlled Growing Rod (MCGR) in moderate-to-severe curves poses a challenge due to the limited amount of force and length available with the implant. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of the intra-operative internal spine distraction using Harrington Outrigger, before definitive implantation of MCGR, with regard to initial correction, maintenance of correction, truncal balance, and complication rates.

Patients And Methods: 16 EOS patients treated with the application of MCGR using the intra-operative internal distractor technique were included in the study.

Cardiotoxicity in yew berry poisoning.

Yew plants (Taxus species) represent a genus of plants known to be highly toxic, though lethal intoxication is rare. The majority of deaths in yew berry poisonings occur due to its cardiotoxic effect, mediated through generation of a number of fatal tachy- and brady-arrhythmias. However, there are no guidelines on the most effective management in these cases, and interventions vary greatly between published reports.

Mapping the surface potential, charge density and adhesion of cellulose nanocrystals using advanced scanning probe microscopy.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are the focus of significant attention in the broad area of sustainable technologies for possessing many desirable properties such as a large surface area, high strength and stiffness, outstanding colloidal stability, excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, low weight and abundance in nature. Yet, a fundamental understanding of the micro- and nanoscale electrical charge distribution on nanocellulose still remains elusive. Here we present direct quantification and mapping of surface charges on CNCs at ambient condition using advanced surface probe microscopy techniques such as Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) and force-distance (F-D) curve measurements.

Synthesis and Characterization of Zinc Phthalocyanine-Cellulose Nanocrystal (CNC) Conjugates: Toward Highly Functional CNCs.

We report highly fluorescent cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) formed by conjugating a carboxylated zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) to two different types of CNCs. The conjugated nanocrystals (henceforth called ZnPc@CNCs) were bright green in color and exhibited absorption and emission maxima at ∼690 and ∼715 nm, respectively. The esterification protocol employed to covalently bind carboxylated ZnPc to surface hydroxyl group rich CNCs was expected to result in a monolayer of ZnPc on the surface of the CNCs.

Consistently High Values in p-i-n Type Perovskite Solar Cells Using Ni-Doped NiO Nanomesh as the Hole Transporting Layer.

Leading edge p-i-n type halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) severely underperform n-i-p PSCs. p-i-n type PSCs that use PEDOT:PSS hole transport layers (HTLs) struggle to generate open-circuit photovoltage values higher than 1 V. NiO HTLs have shown greater promise in achieving high values albeit inconsistently.

Heterojunctions of halogen-doped carbon nitride nanosheets and BiOI for sunlight-driven water-splitting.

A fluorine-doped, chlorine-intercalated carbon nitride (CNF-Cl) photocatalyst has been synthesized for simultaneous improvements in light harvesting capability along with suppression of charge recombination in bulk g-CN. The formation of heterojunctions of these CNF-Cl nanosheets with low bandgap, earth abundant bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) was achieved, and the synthesized heterojunctions were tested as active photoanodes in photoelectrochemical water splitting experiments. BiOI/CNF-Cl heterojunctions exhibited extended light harvesting with a band-edge of 680 nm and generated photocurrent densities approaching 1.

Robust Polymer Nanocomposite Membranes Incorporating Discrete TiO Nanotubes for Water Treatment.

Polyethersulfone (PES) is a polymeric permeable material used in ultrafiltration (UF) membranes due to its high thermomechanical and chemical stability. The hydrophobic nature of PES membranes renders them prone to fouling and restricts the practical applications of PES in the fabrication of water treatment membranes. The present study demonstrates a non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) approach to modifying PES membranes with different concentrations of discrete TiO nanotubes (TNTs).

CN: A Low Bandgap Semiconductor Containing an Azo-Linked Carbon Nitride Framework for Photocatalytic, Photovoltaic and Adsorbent Applications.

Modification of carbon nitride based polymeric 2D materials for tailoring their optical, electronic and chemical properties for various applications has gained significant interest. The present report demonstrates the synthesis of a novel modified carbon nitride framework with a remarkable 3:5 C:N stoichiometry (CN) and an electronic bandgap of 1.76 eV, by thermal deammoniation of the melem hydrazine precursor.

Anomalous interfacial stress generation during sodium intercalation/extraction in MoS thin-film anodes.

Although the generation of mechanical stress in the anode material is suggested as a possible reason for electrode degradation and fading of storage capacity in batteries, only limited knowledge of the electrode stress and its evolution is available at present. Here, we show real-time monitoring of the interfacial stress of a few-layer MoS system under the sodiation/desodiation process using microcantilever electrodes. During the first sodiation with a voltage plateau of 1.

Preferentially oriented TiO nanotube arrays on non-native substrates and their improved performance as electron transporting layer in halide perovskite solar cells.

Anodically formed TiO nanotube arrays (TNTAs) constitute an optoelectronic platform that is being studied for use as a photoanode in photoelectrocatalytic cells, as an electron transport layer (ETL) in solar cells and photodetectors, and as an active layer for chemiresistive and microwave sensors. For optimal transport of charge carriers in these one-dimensional polycrystalline ordered structures, it is desirable to introduce a preferential texture with the grains constituting the nanotube walls aligned along the transport direction. Through x-ray diffraction analysis, we demonstrate that choosing the right water content in the anodization electrolyte and the use of a post-anodization zinc ion treatment can introduce a preferential texture in sub-micron length transparent TNTAs formed on non-native substrates.

Quantitative Characteristics of Consecutive Lengthening Episodes in Early-onset Scoliosis (EOS) Patients With Dual Growth Rods.

Study Design: A prospective single-center study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to record the characteristic forces and lengths observed during distraction episodes in early-onset scoliosis (EOS), and analyze their interdependencies on the key variability among the patients.

Summary Of Background Data: The goal of the growing-rod technique is to achieve deformity correction alongside maintaining growth of the spine.

Direct-current triboelectricity generation by a sliding Schottky nanocontact on MoS multilayers.

The direct conversion of mechanical energy into electricity by nanomaterial-based devices offers potential for green energy harvesting . A conventional triboelectric nanogenerator converts frictional energy into electricity by producing alternating current (a.c.

Rapid and Rigorous IL-17A Production by a Distinct Subpopulation of Effector Memory T Lymphocytes Constitutes a Novel Mechanism of Toxic Shock Syndrome Immunopathology.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is caused by staphylococcal and streptococcal superantigens (SAgs) that provoke a swift hyperinflammatory response typified by a cytokine storm. The precipitous decline in the host's clinical status and the lack of targeted therapies for TSS emphasize the need to identify key players of the storm's initial wave. Using a humanized mouse model of TSS and human cells, we herein demonstrate that SAgs elicit in vitro and in vivo IL-17A responses within hours.

Staged Anterior Release and Posterior Instrumentation in Correction of Severe Rigid Scoliosis (Cobb Angle >100 Degrees).

Purpose: Severe rigid curves present a big challenge to the treating spine surgeon. We evaluated the outcome of staged anterior release and posterior instrumentation for rigid scoliosis.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with an average age of 14.

Early onset scoliosis with intraspinal anomalies: management with growing rod.

Objective: To evaluate clinical and radiological outcomes of growing rod (GR) in the management of Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS) with intraspinal anomalies.

Background Data: The effect of repeated distractions following GR, in the presence of intraspinal anomalies has not been studied.

Methods: During 2007-2012, 46 patients underwent fusionless surgery.