BINA

Raman spectroscopy is an extremely powerful laser-based method for characterizing materials based on their unique inelastic scattering spectrum. Ultimately, the power of the technique is limited by the resolution of the spectrometer. Here we introduce a new method for achieving Super-Spectral-Resolution Raman Spectroscopy (SSR-RS), by angle-tuning a Fabry–Pérot (F-P) etalon filter that we incorporated in a micro-Raman setup. A monolithically coated F-P etalon structure, only 1.686 mm in thickness, was mounted onto an angle-tunable motorized stage, and Raman spectra were automatically acquired for many different angles of the etalon. Using a low-resolution grating of 150 g/mm by itself, without the F-P etalon, we obtained a best-case regular Raman spectral linewidth of 44 cm−1 for the characteristic Raman peak from a diamond sample. When we applied the SSR-RS technique to diamond, we obtained …

BackgroundAngelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurodevelopmental genetic disorder caused by the loss of function of the ubiquitin ligase E3A (UBE3A) gene, affecting approximately 1: 15,000 live births. We have recently shown that mitochondrial function in AS is altered during mid to late embryonic brain development leading to increased oxidative stress and enhanced apoptosis of neural precursor cells. However, the overall alterations of metabolic processes are still unknown. Hence, as a follow-up, we aim to investigate the metabolic profiles of wild-type (WT) and AS littermates and to identify which metabolic processes are aberrant in the brain of AS model mice during embryonic development.MethodsWe collected brain tissue samples from mice embryos at E16. 5 and performed metabolomic analyses using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1 H-NMR) spectroscopy. Multivariate and Univariate analyses …

Weak values and Kirkwood--Dirac (KD) quasiprobability distributions have been independently associated with both foundational issues in quantum theory and advantages in quantum metrology. We propose simple quantum circuits to measure weak values, KD distributions, and spectra of density matrices without the need for post-selection. This is achieved by measuring unitary-invariant, relational properties of quantum states, which are functions of Bargmann invariants, the concept that underpins our unified perspective. Our circuits also enable experimental implementation of various functions of KD distributions, such as out-of-time-ordered correlators (OTOCs) and the quantum Fisher information in post-selected parameter estimation, among others. An upshot is a unified view of nonclassicality in all those tasks. In particular, we discuss how negativity and imaginarity of Bargmann invariants relate to set coherence.

The quest for renewable energy storage solutions highlights the need for systems prioritizing safety, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility of materials and compartments. Unlike traditional flow systems requiring frequent upkeep and extensive space, the static setup of rechargeable zinc-bromide batteries (RZBBs) in an aqueous environment emerges as a promising option due to its component abundance, secure setup, and compact storage volume. This study focuses on the interplay between zinc-bromide complexes and the pores of the carbon cathodes' scaffold. We uncover noteworthy insights by meticulously controlling the porous structure of the carbon scaffold and the ZnBr2 concentration in the electrolyte while upholding a high Coulombic efficiency (≥96 %). In materials with small pore volumes, even relatively low concentrations and the highest conductivity (3M) lead to space occupation by the complexes …

In this comprehensive review, we delve into super-resolution optical imaging techniques and their diverse applications. Our primary focus is on linear optics super-resolution methods, encompassing a wide array of concepts ranging from time multiplexing, ptychography, and deep learning-based microscopy to compressive sensing and random phase encoding techniques. Additionally, we explore compressed sensing, non-spatial resolution improvement, and sparsity-based geometric super-resolution. Furthermore, we investigate various methods based on field of view, wavelength, coherence, polarization, gray level, and code division multiplexing, as well as localization microscopy. Our review extends to stimulated emission depletion microscopy via pump-probe super-resolution techniques, providing a detailed analysis of their working applications. We then shift our attention to near-field scanning optical …

Acoustic-directed assembly is a modular and flexible bottom-up technique with the potential to pattern a wide range of materials. Standing acoustic waves have been previously employed for patterning preformed metal particles, however, direct patterning of metallic structures from precursors remains unexplored. Here, we investigate utilization of standing waves to exert control over chemical reaction products, while also exploring their potential in the formation of multi-layered and composite micro-structures. Periodic metallic micro-structures were formed in a single step, simplifying microstructure fabrication. Concentric structures were obtained by introducing a metal precursor salt and a reducing agent into a cylindrical piezoelectric resonator that also served as a reservoir. In addition, we introduce an innovative approach to directly fabricate metallic multi-layer and composite structures by reducing different metal ions or adding nanoparticles during the reduction step. Fewer steps are needed, compared with other methods, and there is no need to stabilize the nanoparticles or to ensure chemical affinity between the metallic matrix and inorganic nanoparticles. This innovative approach is promising for production of complex microstructures with enhanced functionality and controlled properties.

The hexatic phase is an intermediate stage in the melting process of a 2D crystal due to topological defects. Recently, this exotic phase was experimentally identified in the vortex lattice of 2D weakly disordered superconducting MoGe by scanning tunneling microscopic measurements. Here we study this vortex state by the Nernst effect, which is an effective and sensitive tool to detect vortex motion, especially in the superconducting fluctuation regime. We find a surprising Nernst sign reversal at the melting transition of the hexatic phase. We propose that they are a consequence of vortex dislocations in the hexatic state which diffuse preferably from the cold to hot.

The quest for renewable energy storage solutions highlights the need for systems prioritizing safety, cost-effectiveness, and accessibility of materials and compartments. Unlike traditional flow systems requiring frequent upkeep and extensive space, the static setup of rechargeable zinc-bromide batteries (RZBBs) in an aqueous environment emerges as a promising option due to its component abundance, secure setup, and compact storage volume. This study focuses on the interplay between zinc-bromide complexes and the pores of the carbon cathodes' scaffold. We uncover noteworthy insights by meticulously controlling the porous structure of the carbon scaffold and the ZnBr2 concentration in the electrolyte while upholding a high Coulombic efficiency (≥96 %). In materials with small pore volumes, even relatively low concentrations and the highest conductivity (3M) lead to space occupation by the complexes …

The grapheme breakthrough in 2004 led to extensive research into the family of twodimensional semiconducting materials (2D SCMs)[1]. The growing attention toward 2D semiconductors can be attributed to the challenges in achieving a substantial bandgap in graphene [1]. Despite its great properties, graphene lacks a bandgap that limits its targeted applications. 2D SCMs are emerging semiconductor materials that promise to overcome this limitation and offer new properties for specific applications [2]. Intriguingly, they have excellent performance even at the monolayer. The complex band structures and the heterostructures free of lattice-mismatch offer potential avenues for tailoring specific mechanisms to cater to the requirements of diverse electronic systems. Over hundreds of distinct 2D SCMs have been successfully isolated through experimentation, exhibiting bandgap values ranging from a few millielectronvolts to several electronvolts [2]. Additionally, several other semiconductors are expected to be extracted soon. Thanks to the wide range of available 2D materials, one can use a specific SCM for tailored applications. Researchers have successfully produced single layers of different materials like boron nitride, silicon, boron, germanium, phosphorus, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs)[3]. Additionally, heterostructures of these 2D SCMs have been synthesized by simply integrating multiple layers of these specific materials [4]. Engineering 2D SCMs in the nanoscale dimensions provides unprecedented opportunities for advancing nextgeneration technologies. The confinement observed in reduced dimensionality systems …

Lytic replication is essential for persistent infection of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and the pathogenesis of related diseases, and many cellular pathways are hijacked by KSHV proteins to initiate and control the lytic replication of this virus. However, the mechanism involved in KSHV lytic replication from the early to the late phases remains largely undetermined. We previously revealed that KSHV open reading frame 45 (ORF45) plays important roles in late transcription and translation. In the present study, we revealed that the Forkhead box proteins FoxK1 and FoxK2 are ORF45-binding proteins and are essential for KSHV lytic gene expression and virion production, and that depletion of FoxK1 or FoxK2 significantly suppresses the expression of many late viral genes. FoxK1 and FoxK2 directly bind to the promoters of several late viral genes, ORF45 augments the promoter binding and …

The significant heterogeneity of Wilms’ tumors between different patients is thought to arise from genetic and epigenetic distortions that occur during various stages of fetal kidney development in a way that is poorly understood. To address this, we characterized the heterogeneity of alternative mRNA splicing in Wilms’ tumors using a publicly available RNAseq dataset of high-risk Wilms’ tumors and normal kidney samples. Through Pareto task inference and cell deconvolution, we found that the tumors and normal kidney samples are organized according to progressive stages of kidney development within a triangle-shaped region in latent space, whose vertices, or “archetypes,” resemble the cap mesenchyme, the nephrogenic stroma, and epithelial tubular structures of the fetal kidney. We identified a set of genes that are alternatively spliced between tumors located in different regions of latent space and found that many of these genes are associated with the Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) and muscle development. Using motif enrichment analysis, we identified putative splicing regulators, some of which are associated with kidney development. Our findings provide new insights into the etiology of Wilms’ tumors and suggest that specific splicing mechanisms in early stages of development may contribute to tumor development in different patients.

The formation of stable interphases on the electrodes is crucial for rechargeable lithium (Li) batteries. However, next-generation high-energy batteries face challenges in controlling interphase formation due to the high reactivity and structural changes of electrodes, leading to reduced stability and slow ion transport, which accelerate battery degradation. Here, we report an approach to address these issues by introducing multicomponent grain-boundary-rich interphase that boosts the rapid transport of ions and enhances passivation toward prolonged lifespan. This is guided by fundamental principles of solid-state ionics and geological crystallization differentiation theory, achieved through improved solvation chemistry. Demonstrations showcase how the introduction of the interphase substantially impacts the Li-ion transport across the interphase and the electrode–electrolyte compatibility in cost-effective electrolyte …

Recent progress has boosted the resolving power of optical microscopies to spatial dimensions well below the diffraction limit. Yet, axial super-resolution and axial single-molecule localisation typically require more complicated implementations than their lateral counterparts. In the present work, we propose a simple solution for axial metrology by providing a multi-layered single-excitation, dual-emission test slide, in which axial distance is colour-encoded. Our test slide combines on a standard microscope coverslip substrate two flat, thin, uniform and brightly emitting fluorophore layers, separated by a nanometric transparent spacer layer having a refractive index close to a biological cell. The ensemble is sealed in an index-matched protective polymer. As a proof-of-principle, we estimate the light confinement resulting from evanescent-wave excitation in total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. Our test sample permits, even for the non-expert user, a facile axial metrology at the sub-100-nm scale, a critical requirement for axial super-resolution, as well as near-surface imaging, spectroscopy and sensing.

The closed topology of spherical crystals renders the presence of topological defects inevitable. These defects can organize in a plethora of different structures, such as “clouds” or grain boundary “scars”, challenging for theoretical modeling and experimental visualization. Visualizing the defects by fluorescent dye adsorption, we reveal ion concentration control of a clouds-to-scars transition, which we attribute to commonly neglected defects' core energy. The consequent line tension energy probes the defects' molecular scale energetics, enabling pattern tuning for future applications.

We present a method for improving the performance of microwave coplanar resonators in magnetic fields, by using narrow superconducting strips of width close to the London penetration depth. In a range of low fields, the narrow strips inhibit the presence of magnetic vortices, thus preventing the generation of losses caused by their motion, leading to enhanced resistance to magnetic fields. Our method provides a more straightforward solution compared to previously proposed techniques designed to restrict vortex motion, holding potential for the development of improved devices based on microwave resonators.

Optical spectroscopy the measurement of electromagnetic spectra is fundamental to various scientific domains and serves as the building block of numerous technologies. Computational spectrometry is an emerging field that employs an array of photodetectors with different spectral responses or a single photodetector device with tunable spectral response, in conjunction with numerical algorithms, for spectroscopic measurements. Compact single photodetectors made from layered materials are particularly attractive, since they eliminate the need for bulky mechanical and optical components used in traditional spectrometers and can easily be engineered as heterostructures to optimize device performance. However, compact tunable photodetectors are typically nonlinear devices and this adds complexity to extracting optical spectra from the device response. Here, we report on the training of an artificial neural network (ANN) to recover the full nonlinear spectral photoresponse of a nonlinear problem of high dimensionality of a single GeSe-InSe p-n heterojunction device. We demonstrate the functionality of a calibrated spectrometer in the spectral range of 400-1100 nm, with a small device footprint of ~25X25 micrometers, and we achieve a mean reconstruction error of 0.0002 for the power-spectrum at a spectral resolution of 0.35 nm. Using our device, we demonstrate a solution to metamerism, an apparent matching of colors with different power spectral distributions, which is a fundamental problem in optical imaging.

Natural and anomalous diffusion are widely observed and used to explore causes and consequences of movement across organisms, resulting in extensive use of the mean and mean-squared displacement (MSD). Using high-resolution data from over 70 million localizations of young and adult free-ranging Barn Owls (\textit{Tyto alba}), we demonstrate the necessity of a broad spectrum of displacement moments to characterize bird movement across scales. The mean and MSD -- interchangeable with moments and 2 -- are insufficient special cases. We reveal empirical strong anomalous diffusion as a nonlinear growth of displacement moments according to . The moment spectrum function displays piecewise linearity with a critical moment marking the crossover point between two scaling regimes, linked to a combination of age-specific behavioral modes. A critical timescale of five minutes marks an unexpected transition from a convex to a concave , related to environmental and behavioral constraints. Using two stochastic models of varying ecological complexity, we demonstrate that strong anomalous diffusion may be widespread in animal movement, underscoring the importance of expanding analysis beyond the average and MSD.

The magnetic state of an antiferromagnetic (AFM) insulator can be read and manipulated in spintronics devices using bilayers of an AFM and a conducting layer, making it useful for spintronics devices. To date, research has focused on single crystals of AFMs, which enables the study of properties related to different crystallographic surfaces. However, combining single-crystal AFMs in spintronics devices may be problematic due to substrate selectivity and deposition conditions. In this work, we study the properties of polycrystalline Fe 2 O 3 coupled with Pt as the conducting layer, asking how the magnetoresistive behavior differs in polycrystalline AFMs. We report on the angle dependent magnetoresistance and transverse magnetoresistance properties as a function of temperature and magnetic fields, comparing Fe 2 O 3/Pt and Fe 2 O 3/Cu/Pt thin films, in addition to magnetometry and structural characterization …

Intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements comprise an essential tool in modern medicine for the early diagnosis of glaucoma, the second leading cause of human blindness. The world's highest prevalence of glaucoma is in low-income countries.Current diagnostic methods require experience in running expensive equipment as well as the use of anesthetic eye drops. We present herein a remote photonic IOP biomonitoring method based on deep learning of secondary speckle patterns, captured by a fast camera, that are reflected from eye sclera stimulated by an external sound wave. By combining speckle pattern analysis with deep learning, high precision measurements are possible.

A critical current challenge in the development of all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) is reducing the cost of fabrication without compromising the performance. Here we report a sulfide ASSLB based on a high-energy, Co-free LiNiO2 cathode with a robust outside-in structure. This promising cathode is enabled by the high-pressure O2 synthesis and subsequent atomic layer deposition of a unique ultrathin LixAlyZnzOδ protective layer comprising a LixAlyZnzOδ surface coating region and an Al and Zn near-surface doping region. This high-quality artificial interphase enhances the structural stability and interfacial dynamics of the cathode as it mitigates the contact loss and continuous side reactions at the cathode/solid electrolyte interface. As a result, our ASSLBs exhibit a high areal capacity (4.65 mAh cm−2), a high specific cathode capacity (203 mAh g−1), superior cycling stability (92% capacity retention …