Tuning Exciton Emission via Ferroelectric Polarization at a Heterogeneous Interface between a Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenide and a Perovskite Oxide Membrane.

We demonstrate the integration of a thin BaTiO3 (BTO) membrane with monolayer MoSe2 in a dual-gate device that enables in situ manipulation of the BTO ferroelectric polarization with a voltage pulse. While two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) offer remarkable adaptability, their hybrid integration with other families of functional materials beyond the realm of 2D materials has been challenging. Released functional oxide membranes offer a solution for 2D/3D integration via stacking. 2D TMD excitons can serve as a local probe of the ferroelectric polarization in BTO at a heterogeneous interface. Using photoluminescence (PL) of MoSe2 excitons to optically read out the doping level, we find that the relative population of charge carriers in MoSe2 depends sensitively on the ferroelectric polarization. This finding points to a promising avenue for future-generation versatile sensing devices with high sensitivity, fast readout, and diverse applicability for advanced signal processing.

Air- and Moisture Robust Surface Modification for Ni-Rich Layered Cathode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries.

The mainstream of high-energy cathode development is focused on increasing the Ni-ratio in layered structured cathode materials. The increment of the Ni portion in the layered cathode material escalates not only the deliverable capacity but also the structural degradation. High-Ni layered cathodes are highly vulnerable to exposure to air that contains CO2 and H2 O, forming problematic residual lithium compounds at the surface. In this work, a novel air- and moisture robust surface modification is reported for LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 (NCM811) via the sol-gel coating method that selectively coats the internal surface area of the polycrystalline morphology secondary particles. Bare-, Li2 SnO3 -coated and LiCoO2 -coated NCM811 are exposed to different ambient environments (air, hot-air, and moisture-air) to systematically investigate the correlation between the internal/external coating morphology and performance degradations. The LiCoO2 -coated NCM811s exhibit high-capacity retention after exposure to all environments, due to the internal surface coating that prevents the penetration of harmful compounds into the polycrystalline NCM811. On the other hand, the Li2 SnO3 -coated NCM811s exposed to the ambient environments show gradual capacity fading, implying the occurrence of internal degradation. This paper highlights the impact of the internal degradation of polycrystalline NCM811 after environmental exposure and the correct coating mechanisms required to successfully prevent it.

Analysis of Electrochemical Performance with Dispersion Degree of CNTs in Electrode According to Ultrasonication Process and Slurry Viscosity for Lithium-Ion Battery.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) continue to dominate the battery market with their efficient energy storage abilities and their ongoing development. However, at high charge/discharge C-rates their electrochemical performance decreases significantly. To improve the power density properties of LIBs, it is important to form a uniform electron transfer network in the cathode electrode via the addition of conductive additives. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with high crystallinity, high electrical conductivity, and high aspect ratio properties have gathered significant interest as cathode electrode conductive additives. However, due to the high aggregational properties of CNTs, it is difficult to form a uniform network for electron transfer within the electrode. In this study, to help fabricate electrodes with well-dispersed CNTs, various electrodes were prepared by controlling (i) the mixing order of the conductive material, binder, and active material, and (ii) the sonication process of the CNTs/NMP solution before the electrode slurry preparation. When the binder was mixed with a well sonicated CNTs/NMP solution, the CNTs uniformly adsorbed to the then added cathode material of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 and were well-dispersed to form a flowing uniform network. This electrode fabrication process achieved > 98.74% capacity retention after 50 cycles at 5C via suppressed polarization at high current densities and a more reversible H1-M phase transition of the active material. Our study presents a novel design benchmark for the fabricating of electrodes applying well-dispersed CNTs, which can facilitate the application of LIBs in high current density applications.

Three-Dimensional Changes in the Mandibular Proximal Segment After Using a Surgery-First Approach in Patients With Class III Malocclusion and Facial Asymmetry.

ABSTRACT: This study was performed to evaluate condylar position and angulation after asymmetric mandibular setback between a conventional (CA) and surgery-first approach (SFA) using three-dimensional analysis. The condylar positions of 30 patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion and facial asymmetry who underwent 1-jaw (sagittal split ramus osteotomy) or 2-jaw orthognathic surgery (Le Fort I osteotomy and sagittal split ramus osteotomy) with CA (n = 18) or SFA (n = 12) from 2 university hospitals were studied. The three-dimensional assessment of condylar changes was performed using computed tomography images at the initial time point (T0) and at least 6 months after surgery (T1). Segmentation of condyles and cranial base assessment from cone-beam computed tomography images were performed using ITK-SNAP software (version 3.4.0). Condylar position and angulation changes were calculated using 3D Slicer software (version 4.10.2), and statistical analysis was performed. No significant translational or rotational condylar changes were observed between the deviated and non-deviated sides in each group or between the CA and SFA groups except yaw ( p = 0.014). Linear mixed-model analysis and multi-variate analysis showed no significant difference between the CA and SFA groups. Surgery-first approach might not be associated with more harmful effects on the condylar position and angulation changes as compared with CA.

Single ion conducting, polymerized ionic liquid triblock copolymer films: high capacitance electrolyte gates for n-type transistors.

There has been impressive progress in the fabrication and characterization of p-type organic electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs). Unfortunately, despite the importance of n-type organic transistors for complementary circuits, fewer investigations have focused on developing electrolytes as gate dielectrics for n-type organic semiconductors. Here, we present a novel single ion conductor, a polymerized ionic liquid (PIL) triblock copolymer (PS-PIL-PS) composed of styrene (PS) and 1-[(2-acryloyloxy)ethyl]-3-butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (PIL), that conducts only the TFSI anion. This triblock copolymer acts as a gate dielectric to allow low-voltage n-type organic EGT operation. Impedance characterization of PS-PIL-PS reveals that there are three polarization regions: (1) dipolar relaxation, (2) ion migration, and (3) electric double layer (EDL) formation. These polarization regions are controlled by film thickness, and rapid EDL formation can be obtained in thinner polyelectrolyte films. In particular, a 500 nm-thick polyelectrolyte film exhibits a large capacitance of ∼1 µF/cm(2) at 10 kHz. Employing this single ion conducting PIL triblock copolymer as the gate insulator, we achieved low voltage operation (<1 V supply) of poly{[N,N'-bis(2-octyldodecyl)-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5'-(2,2'-bithiophene)} (P(NDI2OD-T2)) n-type organic EGTs (electron mobility of ∼0.008 cm(2)/(V·s) and ON/OFF current ratio of ∼2 × 10(3)) by preventing electrochemical doping. Furthermore, the recognition that the performance of n-type organic EGTs is diminished by 3D electrochemical doping suggests that it may be necessary to have a unipolar electrolyte to gate n-type organic semiconductors. Finally, we highlight that the use of PIL block copolymer electrolytes as gate insulators opens unique opportunities to explore the role of ion penetration in n-type organic EGTs by tuning the extent of electrochemical doping.

High capacitance, photo-patternable ion gel gate insulators compatible with vapor deposition of metal gate electrodes.

A facile fabrication route to pattern high-capacitance electrolyte thin films in electrolyte-gated transistors (EGTs) was demonstrated using a photoinitiated cross-linkable ABA-triblock copolymer ion gel. The azide groups of poly(styrene-r-vinylbenzylazide) (PS-N3) end-blocks can be chemically cross-linked via UV irradiation (λ = 254 nm) in the self-assembly of poly[(styrene-r-vinylbenzylazide)-b-ethylene oxide-b-(styrene-r-vinylbenzylazide)] (SOS-N3) triblock copolymer in the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMI][TFSI]). Impedance spectroscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering revealed that ion transport and microstructure of the ion gel are not affected by UV cross-linking. Using a photoinduced cross-linking strategy, photopatterning of ion gels through a patterned mask was achieved. Employing a photopatterned ion gel as the high-capacitance gate insulator in thin film transistors (TFTs), arrays of TFTs exhibited uniform and high device performance. Specifically, both p-type (poly(3-hexylthiophene)) (P3HT) and n-type (ZnO) transistors displayed high carrier mobility (hole mobility of ∼ 1.4 cm(2)/ (V s) and electron mobility of ∼ 0.7 cm(2)/ (V s) and ON/OFF current ratio (∼ 10(5)) at supply voltages below 2 V. This study suggests that photopatterning is a promising candidate to conveniently incorporate high-capacitance ion gels into TFTs in the fabrication of printed electronics.

Expression of keratin 10 in rat organ surface primo-vascular tissues.

The primo-vascular system is described as the anatomical structure corresponding to acupuncture meridians and has been identified in several tissues in the body, but its detailed anatomy and physiology are not well understood. Recently, the presence of keratin 10 (Krt10) in primo-vascular tissue was reported, but this finding has not yet been confirmed. In this study, we compared Krt10 expression in primo-vascular tissues located on the surface of rat abdominal organs with Krt10 expression on blood and lymphatic vessels. Krt10 protein (approximately 56.5 kDa) was evaluated by western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Krt10 (IR) in the primo-node was visualized as patchy spots around each cell or as a follicle-like structure containing a group of cells. Krt10 IR was also identified in vascular and lymphatic tissues, but its distribution was diffuse over the extracellular matrix of the vessels. Thus Krt10 protein was expressed in all three tissues tested, but the expression pattern of Krt10 in primo-vascular tissue differed from those of blood and lymphatic vascular tissues, suggesting that structural and the regulatory roles of Krt10 in primo-vascular system are different from those in blood and lymphatic vessels.

TEA-sensitive currents contribute to membrane potential of organ surface primo-node cells in rats.

The primo-vascular (Bonghan) tissue has been identified in most tissues in the body, but its structure and functions are not yet well understood. We characterized electrophysiological properties of the cells of the primo-nodes (PN) on the surface of abdominal organs using a slice patch clamp technique. The most abundant were small round cells (~10 µm) without processes. These PN cells exhibited low resting membrane potential (-36 mV) and did not fire action potentials. On the basis of the current-voltage (I-V) relationships and kinetics of outward currents, the PN cells can be grouped into four types. Among these, type I cells were the majority (69%); they showed strong outward rectification in I-V relations. The outward current was activated rapidly and sustained without decay. Tetraethylammonium (TEA) dose-dependently blocked both outward and inward current (IC(50), 4.3 mM at ± 60 mV). In current clamp conditions, TEA dose-dependently depolarized the membrane potential (18.5 mV at 30 mM) with increase in input resistance. The tail current following a depolarizing voltage step was reversed at -27 mV, and transient outward current like A-type K(+) current was not expressed at holding potential of -80 mV. Taken together, the results demonstrate for the first time that the small round PN cells are heterogenous, and that, in type I cells, TEA-sensitive current with limited selectivity to K(+) contributed to resting membrane potential of these cells.

Viability assessment of primo-node slices from organ surface primo-vascular tissues in rats.

The primo-vascular system is a novel thread-like structure which is recently rediscovered, but its cellular properties are largely unknown. In this study, a slice preparation for primo-nodes was developed to facilitate study of the cellular properties of primo-node cells in vitro. Slices (4-8 slices; 200 µm thick) were sectioned from single primo-nodes collected from the abdominal organ surface of rats and incubated in oxygenated Krebs solution at 25°C or 31°C for up to 7 hours. Trypan blue staining and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were performed to estimate the viability of cells in the slices. Viability was largely maintained during the first 3 hours, but subsequently decreased (from 80% to 21%, p < 0.001). In addition, the viability of slices incubated at 31°C was higher than those incubated at 25°C (80%vs. 47%, p < 0.001). In whole-cell patch-clamp experiments, high resistance seals readily formed and primo-node cells showed a mean resting membrane potential (-38 mV) comparable to that recorded with sharp electrodes and outwardly-rectifying current-voltage relationships. The results show that the primo-node slices developed in this study maintained viability for up to 4 hours in vitro.

Comparative antihypertensive activities of losartan and HM70186 in rats with hepatic dysfunction.

HM70186, a medoxomil ester of EXP3174 which is an active metabolite of angiotensin II receptor blocker losartan, was synthesized, and its antihypertensive efficacy was evaluated in rats with hepatic dysfunction. Male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with 0.5 mL/kg of carbon tetrachloride to cause hepatic injury, and implanted with an osmotic minipump containing angiotensin II (0.4 mg/kg/day) to induce hypertension. After confirmation of both hepatic damage and hypertension, the rats were orally administered losartan or HM70186, and then blood pressure and heart rate were monitored for 24 h. In normal animals, angiotensin II-induced hypertension was lowered by losartan, resulting in an ED(-30 mmHg) of 9.05 mg/kg. HM70186 also immediately decreased the blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner, exhibiting an ED(-30 mmHg) of 0.89 ng/kg (10,000 times the potency observed with losartan). Moreover, HM70186 (3 ng/kg) exerted a strong antihypertensive effect even in rats with hepatic injury, while losartan (10 microg/kg) was ineffective. These results suggest that HM70186 could be a promising candidate for the treatment of hypertension accompanied by hepatic dysfunction.

DiI staining of fine branches of Bonghan ducts on surface of rat abdominal organs.

Novel thread-like structures and corpuscles, designated Bonghan ducts (BHDs) and corpuscles (BHCs), are known to form a system of networked channels. Here, we tested the effectiveness of a fluorescent carbocyanine dye, DiI (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate), in staining BHDs and BHCs. DiI solution was infused into a BHC on the surface of a rat abdominal organ at a steady rate and the resulting labeling of neighboring BHCs connected via BHDs was examined, as identified by the red fluorescence of DiI. BHDs diameters tapered away from BHCs and formed tree-like branches with fine arborizations embedded in the membranous tissues at their terminal parts. In the proximal parts, DiI fluorescence appeared as continuous lines within BHDs, but a large portion of BHDs remained unstained. In the distal parts of BHDs, discontinuous elongated DiI microparticles were identified along the sinuses within BHDs. The results showed that inner spaces within the BHDs allowed DiI to flow and that BHDs have tree-like branches and terminal arborizations. In conclusion, DiI can be used in visualizing BHDs fine structures.