Machine learning-guided design of high-performance Mg-based thermoelectrics: insights into thermal expansion effects.

Mg-based thermoelectric materials are becoming ideal candidates for thermoelectric applications, owing to their eco-friendliness and abundant availability. To overcome the limitations of conventional experimental methods and accelerate the development of high-performance thermoelectric materials, this study leverages high-throughput computing and machine learning to perform a comprehensive and systematic evaluation of a vast array of Mg-based thermoelectric materials. Our findings highlight the pivotal role of thermal expansion in modulating the thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) in Mg-based systems.

Fluorine-Engineered Membranes Break the Conductivity-Selectivity Trade-Off in Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries.

Ion exchange membranes constitute critical components in aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs), yet face a fundamental trade-off. High-ion-affinity membranes achieve high conductivity but endure swelling-induced low selectivity due to co-uptake of water and organic active species. To address it, we develop a fluorine-engineered polymer architecture strategy, demonstrated via fluorinated poly(arylene alkylene) anion exchange membranes.

Data-Driven Design of High-Temperature-Resistant Polyimides Using Hierarchical Gaussian Process Regression.

Accurate prediction of Tg for polyimides (PIs) is essential for assessing material performance in high-temperature applications in aerospace, electronics, microelectronics, and flexible display technology. However, experimental measurements remain critically challenging due to the labor-intensive synthesis, conventional instrument limits, and time-consuming characterization processes. Meanwhile, force field limitations, timescale discrepancy, and validation difficulties exist in the prediction of Tg for PIs using molecular dynamic simulation.

Experimental Study on the Pore Structure Evolution of Sandstone Under Brine Erosion.

The mechanical properties of sandstone, a common building material, are influenced by a variety of factors. In the coastal areas of China, groundwater has gradually become salinized into brine, which inevitably alters the original microstructure of rocks and affects the stability of underground structures. To clarify the evolution of the rock microstructure under brine erosion, this study used NMR technology to investigate the pore evolution characteristics of red sandstone under brine erosion.

Neonatal sevoflurane anesthesia induces persistent cognitive deficits in mice through CypD-dependent mitochondrial impairment in parvalbumin interneurons.

Repeated neonatal sevoflurane anesthesia induces cognitive impairment in adulthood, but its neuropathological mechanisms remain unclear. Parvalbumin (PV) interneurons, which rely heavily on mitochondrial stability, are susceptible to anesthesia. Mitochondrial matrix protein Cyclophilin D (CypD) is involved in cognition by regulating the mitochondrial function.

Technical evaluation of Turbuhaler use in children with bronchial asthma: combination of a checklist and inhalation parameters.

Background: The Turbuhaler is a dry powder inhaler (DPI) that is commonly used in the treatment of asthmatic patients aged 5 years and above. Nevertheless, the technique of using the Turbuhaler in the real world remains ambiguous. This study aims to evaluate techniques in using Turbuhaler by combining a checklist with inhalation parameters and to investigate the association between the patient characteristics and inhaler technique.

Rotation Lifting and Spinning for Durable Ceramic Aerogel Fiber.

Aerogel fibers have attracted significant interest due to their low thermal conductivity and notable flexibility. This flexibility enables them to be bent, tied, and woven into fabrics, thereby broadening their applications. However, current aerogel fibers suffer from limited environmental stability and a complex manufacturing process.

Gradient Impedance All-Ceramic Aerogels: Resolving the Trade-Off Between Broadband and Strong Microwave Absorption.

Balancing superb impedance matching and strong attenuation capacity still remains a critical challenge in the development of microwave-absorbing materials (MAM). Here, we report a multiscale design strategy to fabricate gradient impedance all-ceramic aerogels, achieving both excellent impedance matching and enhanced attenuation. The composite aerogel, composed of hybrid SiC/SiN nanowire networks, features a multilayer gradient impedance structure that ensures a smooth electromagnetic wave transition from free space to the material, minimizing reflection while enabling efficient wave attenuation.

Dexmedetomidine alleviates renal ischemia reperfusion injury via suppressing SLC2A1-mediated glycolysis.

Renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a significant factor in perioperative acute kidney injury (AKI), which in turn predisposes to acute renal failure. Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is an anesthetic drug with sedative and analgesic effects, and clinical evidence supports its renoprotective properties. However, the exact molecular mechanism of Dex's renoprotection remains unclear.

Transfer Learning-Enhanced Prediction of Glass Transition Temperature in Bismaleimide-Based Polyimides.

The glass transition temperature (T) was a pivotal parameter governing the thermal and mechanical properties of bismaleimide-based polyimide (BMI) resins. However, limited experimental data for BMI systems posed significant challenges for predictive modeling. To address this gap, this study introduced a hybrid modeling framework leveraging transfer learning.

Optimizing Zn-Mn Flow Batteries with Aminonaphthalene Sulfonic Acid via Hydrogen Bond Disruption and Interface.

Irreversible MnO dissolution into "dead MnO" limits capacity, efficiency, and cycle life in Mn⁺/MnO-based flow batteries. This study introduces organic additives with sulfonic acid and amino groups into an MnSO electrolyte to achieve a reversible Mn⁺/MnO process, with hydrogen bonding and electrode-electrolyte interface regulation playing critical roles. Specifically, 5-amino-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid adsorbs onto the electrode surface, enhancing hydrophilicity and ensuring uniform Mn⁺ deposition, while coordinating with Mn⁺ in solution to disrupt hydrogen bonds and refine solvation structure, thus optimizing both electrode interface and electrolyte dynamics.

Strain-driven lone pair electron expression for thermal transport in BiCuSeO.

The stereochemical activity of lone-pair electrons critically influences lattice anharmonicity and thermal transport in crystals. However, traditional chemical substitution methods lack continuity and reversibility. We propose a strain-engineered bond angle distortion strategy in layered BiCuSeO to continuously modulate lone-pair electrons.

Inhibitors of p53 Apoptosis-Stimulating Protein Mitigate Acute Kidney Injury by Modulating the HIF-1α/SLC7A11 Pathway to Suppress Ferroptosis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex disease caused by different causes, especially ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Ferroptosis is the main form of I/R-induced organ injury, and blocking ferroptosis has demonstrated therapeutic potential in ameliorating organ injury. We investigated the roles of apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (iASPP) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in ferroptosis during renal I/R injury.

Response of Litopenaeus vannamei to dietary Isothiocyanate: Growth, biochemistry, immunity and gene expression related to hepatopancreas and intestinal health.

The application of rapeseed meal (RM) in aquatic animals is commonly limited by excessive anti-nutritional factors. Isothiocyanate (ITC) is a metabolite of the anti-nutritional factor glucosinolate, and its effect on shrimp growth and health is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary RM, fermented rapeseed meal (FRM) and ITC on the growth performance, serum antioxidant indices, thyroid hormone concentration and hepatopancreas morphology of Litopenaeus vannamei, and to explore the mechanism of action of ITC.

Strong and Tough Porous Silicon Carbide Ceramics.

Porous silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics are considered promising materials for structural applications under severe conditions. However, the inadequate mechanical strength and fracture toughness restrict their further applications. Here, we report the development of strong and tough porous SiC ceramics with highly cross-linked SiC nanowire networks as reinforcements.

Amine-Functionalized Defective MOFs for Direct Air Capture by Postsynthetic Modification.

Amine-functionalized defective metal-organic frameworks (DM) showed promise for direct air capture (DAC) of CO under ambient conditions. In this work, chromium-based DM was functionalized via a two-step postsynthetic modification with ethylenediamine (EDA), tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (TAEA), and polyethylene-polyamines (PEPA). Characterization by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed successful synthesis and structural integrity.

Gradient Lamellar SiC Nanowire Networks with Dense Coating for High-Performance Reusable Thermal Protection Materials.

As space exploration advances, reusable thermal protection materials are essential for spacecraft that must withstand extreme aerodynamic heating during reentry. SiC nanowire aerogels offer a combination of ultralow density, excellent thermal insulation, and inherent oxidation resistance, but their application is limited by insufficient thermal stability above 1200 °C in oxygen-rich environments. In this study, a layered SiC nanowire network was fabricated by hot-pressing to enhance nanowire cross-linking and reduce pore size.

Surface Laser Texturing and Alloying: Front-End Design Optimization of Zinc Metal Anode for Dendrite-Free Deposition.

A critical barrier to commercializing aqueous Zn-metal batteries lies in the dual challenges of dendritic Zn growth and parasitic side reactions at the anode/electrolyte interface. Here, this study presents a front-end design optimization strategy for Zn metal anodes (ZMAs), combining surface laser texturing with alloying treatment to stabilize the interfacial chemistry. Specifically, laser texturing creates a geometrically ordered microstructure on the Zn surface, while subsequent chemical permeation induces the in situ transformation of this microstructured layer into a CuZn alloy, forming the LT-Zn@CuZn anode.

Tailoring SiC Nanowire Aerogel in Phase Change Composites with Multiresponsive Thermal Energy Storage.

Phase change materials have demonstrated attractive application prospects in various thermal energy storage and management systems. However, the design and manufacture of high-performance phase change composites with tunable thermal properties and multiresponsive thermal energy storage remain a great challenge. Herein, a SiC nanowire aerogel with tailorable porosity and surface was used to encapsulate stearic acid for fabricating phase change composites.

Propylene-Bridged Associative Bis(bipyridinium) Electrolytes for Long-Lifetime Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries.

Aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) represent a potent technology in low-cost storage and grid-scale adoption of renewable electricity, whereas bipyridinium derivatives, the most extensively adopted anolyte, undergo diverse side reactions causing severe loss of battery lifetime. Here, we propose a strategy to promote the formation of intramolecular radical π dimers of reduced bipyridinium electrolytes and stabilize the radical intermediates during charge and discharge, resulting in significant improvements in battery lifetime. Density functional theory calculations reveal that proof-of-concept electrolytes, M-bisV and TMAP-bisV, demonstrate Gibbs free energy change of -101.

Acoustic Properties of Vowel Production in Mandarin-Speaking Patients With Parkinson Disease-Related Hypokinetic Dysarthria.

Objective: The objective of the present study is to identify acoustic parameters for speech evaluation in patients who speak Mandarin, with Parkinson disease-related hypokinetic dysarthria (PDHD).

Methods: The authors' sample included 31 patients with PDHD and 38 neurologically normal adults in a similar age range. The authors recorded each participant articulating a list of Mandarin monosyllables that included 6 monophthong vowels (i.

Influence of Length-to-Diameter Ratio on Static and Dynamic Behavior of Rocks: A Review and Perspective.

The size effect in rock mechanics has long been a challenging issue, with the length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio emerging as a critical factor that has received substantial attention. Understanding the L/D ratio effect is essential for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of laboratory tests. This paper presents a comprehensive review of studies on the L/D ratio effect in rocks, examining its influence on static and dynamic mechanical behavior.

Quantifying the fate of biogenic elements in mangrove aquifers: Insights from reactive transport modeling under saltwater-freshwater mixing.

Saltwater-freshwater mixing in mangrove wetlands drives complex biogeochemical processes that regulate the cycling and transformation of key elements. Yet, the detailed quantification of biogenic element cycling and transformations under saltwater-freshwater interactions remains insufficiently explored. This study developed a field-scale reactive transport model, constrained by multi-level monitoring and hydrochemical data, to investigate the migration, transformation, and fluxes of biogenic elements (C, N, S, Fe) in the Dongzhai Harbor mangrove wetland aquifer.

Deciphering the Blood-Brain Barrier Paradox in Brain Metastasis Development and Therapy.

Gatekeeper or accomplice? That is the paradoxical role of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in developing brain metastasis (BM). BM occurs when cancerous cells from primary cancer elsewhere in the body gain the ability to metastasize and invade the brain parenchyma despite the formidable defense of the BBB. These metastatic cells manipulate the BBB's components, changing them from gatekeepers of the brain to accomplices that aid in their progression into the brain tissue.

High spin-orbit torque efficiency induced by engineering spin absorption for fully electric-driven magnetization switching.

Realizing spin-orbit torque (SOT)-driven magnetization switching offers promising opportunities for the advancement of next-generation spintronics. However, the relatively low charge-spin conversion efficiency accompanied by an ultrahigh critical switching current density () remains a significant obstacle to the further development of SOT-based storage elements. Herein, spin absorption engineering at the ferromagnet/nonmagnet interface is firstly proposed to achieve high SOT efficiency in Pt/Co/Ir trilayers.