Two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is attractive for several emerging applications. Ion bombardment can be used to modify the hBN properties. However, the understanding of radiation damage buildup in hBN remains limited. Here, we investigate the effects of the dose rate and ion mass on radiation damage buildup by studying 40 nm-thick hBN films bombarded at room temperature with 500 keV 4He, 15N, 40Ar, and 129Xe ions and comparing with results for ion bombardment of polycrystalline hBN ceramics. Raman spectroscopy is used to quantify damage buildup, and transmission electron microscopy is used for microstructural analysis. Experiments are complemented by molecular dynamics simulations of the formation and evolution of point defects. Lighter ions are found to be more efficient at disordering hBN than heavier ions. This observation points to a critical role of intracascade defect processes. In contrast, a negligible dose rate effect observed suggests limited intercascade defect dynamic annealing processes for these irradiation conditions. These findings provide a fundamental basis for hBN defect engineering.
In daily life, we are constantly bombarded with sensory information from multiple sources. Our ability to combine these cues into a single perceptual experience is known as multisensory integration. Research is starting to show that multisensory integration may be altered in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, most studies have focused on clinical populations, leaving little known about how multisensory integration related to ADHD traits along a dimensional spectrum, consistent with the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) approach. The present study examined associations between ADHD traits and multisensory integration in university students using three different behavioural tasks (i.e., Sound-Induced Flash Illusion [SIFI], McGurk, and speech-in-noise). ADHD traits were assessed dimensionally, including overall ADHD traits, as well as inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive trait dimensions. Participants were also divided into High ADHD and Low ADHD trait groups for categorical comparisons. Results indicated no significant associations between overall, inattentive, or hyperactive-impulsive ADHD traits and performance on any of the multisensory tasks. Similarly, no group differences were observed between High and Low ADHD trait groups. These findings suggest that multisensory integration differences reported in previous research may emerge only when ADHD traits reach clinical severity, rather than existing across the broader continuum of traits. This study highlights the importance of considering both dimensional and categorical approaches when examining cognitive mechanisms in ADHD. Future work should explore developmental and contextual factors that may shape multisensory integration in clinically significant ADHD.
The modification of graphene oxide by energetic ion beams offers a promising alternative to conventional reduction techniques, providing spatially controlled tuning of the structural and electrochemical properties. In this study, we investigate the effect of focused Cu ion beam irradiation on free-standing graphene oxide foils using a comprehensive suite of characterization methods, including scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and scanning electrochemical microscopy. Cu ion bombardment was found to induce partial reduction of graphene oxide, evidenced by a decrease in oxygen content, an increased C/O ratio, and enhancement of graphitic carbon features. Scanning electrochemical microscopy measurements using the [Ru(NH3)6]3+ redox probe revealed significantly enhanced electrochemical activity in and around the irradiated regions. This enhancement is likely influenced by local thinning of the graphene oxide layer and the increased exposure of reactive edge regions generated during irradiation rather than adsorption effects being the dominant factor. Elemental mapping confirmed a depletion of the Ru signal within bombarded stripes, supporting the structural origin of activity enhancement. These findings establish Cu-ion irradiation as a reagent-free, maskless approach for nanoscale patterning of electrochemically active regions in graphene oxide, with potential applications in sensing, catalysis, and electronic devices.
Manganese Mercury Thiocyanate (MMTC) and Manganese Mercury Thiocyanate Di Methyl Sulfoxide (MMTD) crystals were prepared from aqueous solution using a slow evaporation process. The pure MMTC and MMTD were bombarded with electrons of 8 MeV energy in the free air environment. The samples were kept at a distance of 30 cm from the beam exit point, where an almost uniform electron beam distribution exists for an area of 8 cm x 8 cm. The dose rate was adjusted with a current of 20 mA, and the accelerator was operated in pulsed mode at a repetition frequency of 50 Hz. The samples were exposed to a graded electron beam dose of 6 kGy and 8 kGy. Electron beam irradiation is an efficient process whereby high-energy electrons are embedded into a pristine crystal lattice to induce changes in its microscopic structural and electronic environment. The changes after electron beam irradiation are compared with those of pure crystals for Bandgap energy, Urbach energy, Photoconductivity and AC conductivity, and the graphs and tables of comparison are added.
Gly m 4 is a major allergen in soy milk and cross-reacts with Bet v 1, the primary birch pollen allergen. To reduce Gly m 4 allergenicity, we performed site-directed mutagenesis of the Gly m 4 gene in soybean through a DNA-free in planta bombardment method using ribonucleoproteins (iPB-RNP). Although a mutant line (Gly m 4-2del ) was generated by targeting the Gly m 4-2 gene, immunoblot analysis revealed that translation products from other homologs still accumulated in the seed tissues. Subsequent gene expression analysis identified Gly m 4-L1, one of eight Gly m 4 homologs in the soybean genome, as the primary target for further mutagenesis. Ribonucleoprotein complexes loaded with either a single guide RNA (gRNA) or two distinct gRNAs targeting Gly m 4-L1 were introduced into the shoot apical meristems. Sequencing analysis identified three mutant lines: an 8-bp deletion (Gly m 4-L18-del ), a 128-bp insertion (Gly m 4-L1128-ins ), and a complete gene deletion (Gly m 4-L1null ). Immunoblot analysis confirmed the absence of Gly m 4 protein accumulation in the seeds of these mutants. To evaluate immunoglobulin E (IgE) reactivity, protein extracts from Gly m 4-2del , Gly m 4-L1null , and wild-type plants were incubated with sera from patients positive for Gly m 4-specific IgE. Protein extracts from the Gly m 4-L1null line showed markedly reduced IgE binding compared with Gly m 4-2del and wild-type samples. These findings demonstrate that Gly m 4-L1 is the key gene responsible for Gly m 4 allergen production in soybean seeds.
Multiscenario adaptability is a core target of emerging human-machine interaction (HMI) technologies, but conventional visual HMI relies on ambient light illumination, failing to adapt to low-/no-light scenarios. Here, we propose a static-electricity-induced luminescence (SEL) trajectory tracking model, and develop a portable SEL platform integrated with SrAl2O4:Eu2+/polydimethylsiloxane film, featuring 5 to 50 kV operating voltage, 13 mm noncontact distance, ≥150-day stability, 400 K thermal tolerance, and <1 nA body current for high biosafety. Comprehensive mechanism investigations offer a deep and scientific mechanistic understanding of SEL, focusing on the interactions between air ionization, electron bombardment, and trap-state dynamics. Integration with a centroid displacement tracking algorithm and convolutional neural network, it achieves high-accuracy digit recognition and complex robot arm interactive motions, with 2.4× shorter training time and two orders of magnitude faster recognition speed (6.6 ms versus 730 ms in 192.5 lux) than mainstream gesture recognition. This work not only breaks illumination constraints for adaptive HMI but also provides a promising SEL-based HMI paradigm.
Epilepsy is a multifactorial neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Although various diagnostic approaches are available, no single technique serves as a gold standard. Radiotracer-based positron emission tomography (PET) offers a non-invasive strategy for localizing epileptic foci. However, the currently available tracers have limited specificity and pharmacokinetic performance. In this work, report the radiosynthesis and preliminary evaluation of [18F]rufinamide as a potential PET tracer for epilepsy imaging. Microwave-assisted (µE) radiosynthesis (120 °C, 20 min) afforded quantitative conversion with a total synthesis time of 40 min from the end of bombardment (EOB), and a two-step procedure completed with 20 ± 5%, radiochemical yield and >95% radiochemical purity. The physicochemical profiling revealed a lipophilic nature (log D 7.4) and high plasma protein binding (82.5 ± 2.1%). PET imaging and biodistribution studies in normal Wistar rats confirmed brain uptake and renal clearance. These findings demonstrate that [18F]rufinamide possesses favorable radiochemical and pharmacological characteristics, supporting its potential as a novel PET probe for non-invasive imaging of epileptic brain regions.
Controlling the digestibility of cellulosic biomass is important for its efficient use. We generated intragenic rice plants showing enhanced saccharification yield of rice straw. The rice cytokinin biosynthesis gene, LONELY GUY, under the control of the rice senescence-inducible STAY GREEN promoter, was introduced into the rice genome via particle bombardment. The rice-derived herbicide resistance gene ALS(G95A) was used as a selection marker gene. Regenerated intragenic rice plants with no foreign sequences showed enhanced saccharification yields from the leaves at harvest, whereas no significant differences were observed at the heading stage. Because the saccharification yields of rice straw are reduced after senescence, which is suppressed by cytokinin, we propose that the enhanced saccharification yields of intragenic rice plants are caused by the delay in senescence of the rice leaves due to the expression of the introduced cytokinin biosynthesis gene upon senescence.
Individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes (HCS) face significant healthcare challenges, as they require lifelong surveillance for a multitude of at-risk organs. Despite the existence of HCS programs, literature has not elucidated the patient perspective of living with an HCS and the care journey. This study aimed to inform clinical practice by exploring the care experiences of HCS patients. HCS patients were purposely sampled from cancer/genetic clinics across three Canadian provinces to reflect demographic and clinical variations. Data collection included qualitative, semi-structured interviews. Analysis used interpretive descriptive methodology. Seventy-three participants were interviewed (39 Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome, 34 Lynch syndrome; 51 females, 21 males, 1 gender-diverse; aged 25-80). Participants described a sense of disorientation after their HCS diagnosis, with a sense of navigating a road without a map. These feelings emerged from the "fragmentation" of their care, bodies, and information from healthcare practitioners. Consequently, participants described experiencing uncertainty and distress, and desired care integration in the form of consistent, knowledgeable practitioners and a holistic approach to care. Key timepoints were revealed where increased psychological support may be required: following HCS diagnosis, when obtaining imaging results, and when undergoing risk-reducing surgery. This study highlights the need for a comprehensive, person-centered approach to HCS management.
Vast amounts of genome sequencing data generated from large-scale research studies like HostSeq provide an opportunity to summarise the spectrum of pathogenic variation in a subset of the Canadian population. Sharing variant-level data with public databases, like ClinVar, is crucial for advancing our understanding of genomic variants related to Mendelian diseases. However, such entries are often incomplete or contain discrepancies which render interpretation and classifications less useful. The GENCOV and HostSeq cohorts were annotated and summarised using custom workflows to identify variants with a pathogenic and likely pathogenic (P/LP) classification in ClinVar. These variants were further filtered using custom gene panels, gnomAD frequency, variant type, gene-disease relationship and the number of reputable ClinVar laboratory submissions. Manually assessed variants from the GENCOV study were compared with ClinVar classifications to identify discrepancies. A total of 1956 unique variants were manually classified as P/LP through the GENCOV study. Of these, 65% (1276) were also identified in ClinVar, and among those, 69% (889) had concordant P/LP classifications. The manual assessment of unique exonic variants in GENCOV yielded a higher number of putative P/LP variants (1595), including truncating and missense variants compared with the 127 unique exonic P/LP variants in HostSeq. These results highlight that a large proportion of P/LP variation is either absent or has conflicting evidence for pathogenicity in ClinVar, emphasising the importance of periodic reassessment, discrepancy resolution and updates to ensure completeness and accuracy of public databases.
Helicobacter pylori infection causes peptic ulcer disease that affects a huge population of the world. The resistance to antibiotics is increasing so fast that the efficacy of the traditional eradication therapies is declining, as the bacterium can develop protective biofilms, and mutations in the genes 23SrRNA (responding to clarithromycin), and rdxA (responding to metronidazole) are emerging. This review discusses how polysaccharide- coated nanoemulsions (PCNs) can be a promising new way of drug delivery to address these major problems. In this review, the preclinical information on PCN development and application is gathered. Colloidal mixtures of oil and water (so-called nanoemulsions (NEs)) could be produced by high-energy processes (high-pressure homogenization and ultrasonication) or by low-energy processes (phase inversion temperature). NEs enhance the bioavailability and solubility of poorly soluble antibiotics or natural bioactive compounds (curcumin). The polysaccharide coating is advantageous in two aspects: Mucoadhesion, the association to the gastric negative mucosa, which increases gastroretention, thereby prolonging the period of contact of the drug where the infection is occurring. Increased penetration, through which the small size and polymer properties of the nanocarrier enable its penetration through bacterial biofilms, which is a major cause of therapy failure. This breach and bombardment strategy can attain high local levels of drugs, overcoming resistance mechanisms such as efflux pumps and getting rid of persisting bacteria by co-encapsulating antibiotics with biofilm-disrupting agents. PCNs come out as an alternative that can help enhance the eradication rates of H. pylori. This nanoformulation can be an effective answer to improve clinical outcomes in the management of peptic ulcers by improving drug stability, targeting the gastric mucosa, and overcoming the issue of antibiotic resistance, as well as biofilm challenges.
Incorporation of carbon-11 radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging requires close coordination between cyclotron operation, radiochemistry production, quality control, and clinical administration. A persistent challenge exists is the minimization of the carbon-12 isotopologue mass of the radiotracer, which reduces molar activity and can compromise PET image quality. This challenge can be particularly acute at facilities where cyclotron operation and carbon-11 radiochemistry are realized by separate organizations with distinct operational priorities. Here, we describe how the Radiochemistry Group at New York University Grossman School of Medicine and Siemens Healthineers have developed an integrated operational framework for consistent, high-quality carbon-11 production within an academic-industry partnership. Cyclotron target maintenance and conditioning protocols, remote chemistry module maintenance schedules, a validated radio-HPLC method (UV LOD = 0.9 µg/mL, UV LOQ = 3.0 µg/mL) for trending methyl iodide isotopologue mass, and structured inter-team communication protocols are presented in this manuscript. Quality analysis demonstrates molar activities consistently exceeding the recommended minimum of 40 GBq/µmol for reversibly binding radiotracers used in human PET studies. This work is intended as a practical resource for radiochemists, cyclotron engineers, and facility managers working to establish or improve institutional carbon-11 programs.
Understanding and engineering atomic defects in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) provides a powerful platform for realizing solid-state quantum emitters and spin qubits, advancing the field of quantum information science and technologies. However, the full potential of such quantum defects remains locked by the critical lack of a deterministic structure-property relationship at the atomic scale. Here, we demonstrate a strategy to atomically engineer and decipher quantum defects in hBN by integrating scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) and noncontact atomic force-microscopy with a CO-functionalized tip. We implemented controllable argon ion bombardment to create both boron vacancies (VB) and nitrogen vacancies (VN) in submonolayer hBN grown on Cu(111). Simultaneously, encapsulated Ar species trapped between hBN and Cu(111) locally lift the hBN to form nanobubbles, thereby decoupling atomic vacancies from the metal substrate and enabling direct probing of their electronic states. For the on-bubble VN, STS measurement reveals a prominent in-gap state with a phonon replica. Furthermore, with aid of STM tip-assisted manipulation, we demonstrate that the tuning of nanobubble sizes modulates their strain profile, thereby modulating the energetic positions of electronic states in on-bubble defects, corroborated by density functional calculations. Our studies offer insight into the intrinsic defect structures in hBN and quantum defect engineering via local strain engineering.
The deliberate functionalization of defects represents a largely unexplored frontier in advanced optoelectronics. Within Einstein's photoelectric framework, we elucidate how deep-level defects in CsPbBr3 films act as functional mediators to govern carrier transport, interfacial electron escape, and quantum efficiency multiplication via a defect-mediated tunneling process. First, in solid-state photonics, it overcomes strong exciton binding in an Au/CsPbBr3/Au transistor, yielding a >70-fold photoconductive gain at sub-nA dark current and a spectral response extension of >0.88 eV. Second, in vacuum electronics, electron beam bombardment creates localized electropositive centers, forming a defect-functionalized activation layer that induces pronounced band bending and shifts interface dominance from luminescence to photoemission, offering a robust alternative to chemical methods. Thirdly, we demonstrate transient quantum efficiency multiplication that reaches 16.8% under 266 nm pulsed excitation and achieves a 34 dB gain at 355 nm, functionally establishing a photoemissive comparator. By transforming the conventional role of defects from detrimental to functional, this work represents "defect-functionalized optoelectronics" as an alternative design route for advanced nonlinear device function.
Film optimization using high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) currently faces challenges in process control, primarily due to its reliance on empirical trial-and-error adjustment of the macroscopic parameters as well as the insufficient understanding of the underlying mechanisms. To address these issues, this study adopts concentration ratios of monovalent ions over divalent ions of the same metallic element (i.e., Me+/Me2+) in plasma as a function of key controlled discharge parameters. A mass spectrometer was employed for the in situ diagnostics of ionic species in HiPIMS discharges of Cr, Ti, and Al targets. The influence of discharge parameters on Me+/Me2+ ratios was systematically investigated. Combined with film characterization, the correlations of discharge parameters, ion concentrations, microstructure evolution, and mechanical properties were established. Results demonstrated that Me+/Me2+ ratios could be tuned significantly by varying discharge parameters. Decreasing the Me+/Me2+ ratio suppressed growth of columnar grains and promoted film densification due to enhanced high-energy bombardment. This study reveals the dominant role of the charge state distribution of metallic ions in HiPIMS on the microstructure and properties of nitride films, thereby providing a novel approach to deposition-process optimization, which can also be used as guidance for studies on ternary as well as high-entropy nitride films.
Chalcogenide perovskites, particularly BaZrS3, hold great promise for optoelectronic applications. Lowering the synthesis temperature of high-quality BaZrS3 films has been a long pursuit that has recently yielded significant progress. However, achieving reproducible, device-grade films at moderate temperatures below 600 °C remains a significant challenge. This difficulty is primarily driven by three limiting factors that conventionally hinder BaZrS3 crystallization: the formation of deep binary thermodynamic sinks, the inherently low atomic mobility of Zr ions, and competing reactions with O. In this work, we use a two-step process of reactive sputtering and post-annealing to demonstrate that the choice of S source in the first step dictates the crystallization pathway in the second. A directional evaporated S2 beam provides a high chemical potential, which effectively suppresses O incorporation, but risks trapping the system in a rigid intermediate phase. In contrast, diffuse H2S gas is likely to supply additional kinetic energy to the growing film through energetic ion bombardment. This promotes intimate atomic mixing within the amorphous precursor, bypassing binary phase separation and enabling crystallization in the subsequent post-annealing step even in the presence of O. Ultimately, the diffuse H2S route decouples perovskite crystallization from the need for S-rich intermediate phases, while the directional beam creates a highly S-rich environment directly within the sputtering process. Both methods offer practical approaches to integrating these materials into optoelectronic devices by crystallizing films at 600 °C and potentially below, each with distinct advantages.
Gallium-67 remains a relevant radionuclide for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and radiopharmaceutical development as a longer-lived 68Ga surrogate. In this work, the use of gold and gold-coated aluminum backings was evaluated for the cyclotron-based production of this radionuclide via the 68Zn(p,2n)67Ga nuclear reaction. Using such targets, activities of 2.1-2.6 GBq were achieved for irradiation times of 120-150 min at end of proton bombardment, corresponding to saturation yields of 2900-3800 MBq/μA. A radiochemical separation based on two chromatographic resins, combined with an anion-exchange step, was evaluated to recover over 70 % of the [67Ga]GaCl3 in 0.5 mL. Radionuclidic purity exceeded 98 % at end of purification and increased with time due to the decay of the shorter-lived 66Ga. Trace metal analysis and test radiolabelling with NOTA confirmed apparent molar activities between 13 and 70 GBq/μmol, depending on the purification scheme. The suitability of the produced [67Ga]GaCl3 for radiopharmaceutical applications was further validated by the successful synthesis of six 67Ga-labelled radioligands, namely [67Ga]Ga-PSMA-11, [67Ga]Ga-PSMA-I&T, [67Ga]Ga-FAPI-46, [67Ga]Ga-FAP-2286, [67Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE, and [67Ga]Ga-DPI-4452. Gold-coated aluminum backings demonstrated good irradiation stability, although further optimization is required to improve reusability.
This study investigates the feasibility of obtaining high-temperature (2000-2200 °C) measurements using thermionic emission from a W-La2O3 cathode in a low-pressure argon glow discharge environment. Compared to a vacuum environment, the cathode emission characteristics and temperature variation patterns in a plasma environment exhibit significant differences. These differences arise primarily from the competitive interplay between the thermionic emission cooling (TEC) effect and the ion bombardment heating (IBH) effect. Among the discharge parameters (temperature, applied bias voltage, and background pressure), the applied bias voltage is the key factor influencing this competitive interplay. Consequently, the cathode surface temperature exhibits three distinct regions as a function of bias voltage: the TEC-dominated region (10-20 V), the transition region (20-40 V), where TEC and IBH are nearly in equilibrium, and the IBH-dominated region (40-60 V). The results indicate that by adjusting the discharge parameters to place thermionic emission in the transition region, the TEC and IBH effects can be mutually offset. Under these conditions, the cathode temperature can be unambiguously determined from the measured emission current using the modified Schottky equation. This approach simplifies the functional relationship between emission current and temperature (J-T), thereby enabling high-temperature measurements to be obtained.
Pirin (PRN) is subfamily protein of the Cupin superfamily and have been implicated in flavonol accumulation and developmental signaling in plants, but whether they regulate ROS-flavonol homeostasis during pollen tube growth remains unknown. To test this hypothesis, we investigated PRN genes in Rosaceae, focusing on pear pollen tubes. We identified 25 PRN genes in Arabidopsis and seven Rosaceae species. The PbrPRN genes were grouped into three clades based on phylogenetic topology and gene structure characteristics. As candidate regulators, we found that PbrPRN2 and PbrPRN3 are highly expressed in pear pollen tubes by transcriptome data and qRT-PCR. Following particle bombardment, both PbrPRN2 and PbrPRN3 were localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm. Separate overexpression of PbrPRN2 or PbrPRN3 in pollen grains significantly inhibited pollen tube growth, whereas individual knockdown of PbrPRN2 and PbrPRN3 markedly promoted pollen tube growth, increased ROS production, and decreased flavonol content. These results reveal that PbrPRN2 and PbrPRN3 regulate pollen tube growth by controlling flavonol and ROS levels, establishing a basis for understanding the roles of PRN family genes in pollen tubes across Rosaceae.
Hordeum brevisubulatum 'Mengnong No. 2' is a new forage variety developed using traditional group selection breeding techniques. It features notable advantages in plant height, tillering capacity, and overall biomass yield. However, key molecular breeding techniques such as molecular marker identification and genetic manipulation have yet to be established for this variety, limiting improvements in important traits. Consequently, we assessed the biomass of 'Mengnong No. 2' against 'Mengnong No. 1', the most widely cultivated variety in the central and western regions of Inner Mongolia, China. We report that fresh forage, dry forage, and seed yields of 'Mengnong No. 2' increased by 20.6%, 31.78%, and 34.35%, respectively, compared with the control variety, indicating broad prospects for its application and promotion. To enable rapid identification of 'Mengnong No. 2' during its promotion and to prevent production losses caused by variety admixture, we used three screened SSR primer pairs (GST25, GST37, GST127) to construct a DNA fingerprint for five H. brevisubulatum varieties, including 'Mengnong No. 2'. With the percentage of polymorphic bands exceeding 95%, these profiles enabled precise identification of the 'Mengnong No. 2' variety. Furthermore, callus regeneration in H. brevisubulatum represents a bottleneck for directed molecular breeding techniques such as genetic transformation and gene editing. Accordingly, we selected the inflorescences of 'Mengnong No. 2' as explants and investigated the callus induction and regeneration capacity of inflorescences at different developmental stages. We found that explants at the spikelet primordia differentiation stage exhibited the highest callus induction and regeneration efficiencies, reaching 62.7% and 72.8%, respectively. The resulting embryogenic callus lines can serve as recipients for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation or gene gun bombardment, facilitating the development of subsequent high-efficiency genetic transformation and gene-editing systems. The SSR-based variety identification system and the highly efficient regeneration technology using inflorescence-derived callus established in this study lay a solid foundation for the development of a molecular breeding system for 'Mengnong No. 2'.