Dual Properties Research Articles

Enhancement of dual autofocusing ability for ring Pearcey edge dislocation beams

Abstract When the ring with the maximum intensity deviates from the central point, the dual autofocusing performance of the ring Pearcey edge dislocation (RPED) beams in free space is gradually destroyed. To address the degradation in the dual autofocusing ability, we investigate the propagation dynamics of the RPED beams in a system with fractional diffraction effect or parabolic potential. The simulation results show that there exists a critical value for the Lévy index, that results in the RPED beams exhibiting an obvious dual autofocusing phenomenon with equal focusing intensities. When the Lévy index is near the critical value, the RPED beams have dual autofocusing characteristics, and the focusing intensity and focal distance can be controlled by changing the Lévy index. The introducing of the parabolic potential leads to the periodic evolution of the RPED beams, and the dual autofocusing property of the RPED beams with smaller radius can be restored within one evolution cycle by changing the potential depth. Moreover, the positions of the edge dislocation affect the focusing intensity, but have no effect on the number of foci. Our research provides some inspiration for the control of dual autofocusing beams, and has potential applications in optical manipulation and optical trapping.

Exosomes as carriers to stimulate an anti-cancer immune response in immunotherapy and as predictive markers.

During this era of rapid advancements in cancer immunotherapy, the application of cell-released small vesicles that activate the immune system is of considerable interest. Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles that show great promise for the immunological treatment of cancer because of their immunogenicity and molecular transfer capacity. Recent technological advancements have enabled the identification of functional functions that exosome cargoes perform in controlling immune responses. Exosomes are originated specifically from immune cells and tumor cells and they show unique composition patterns directly related to the immunotherapy against cancer. Exosomes can also deliver their cargo to particular cells, which can affect the phenotypic and immune-regulatory functions of those cells. Exosomes can influence the course of cancer and have therapeutic benefits by taking part in several cellular processes; as a result, they have the dual properties of activating and restraining cancer. Exosomes have tremendous potential for cancer immunotherapy; they may develop into the most powerful cancer vaccines and carriers of targeted antigens and drugs. Comprehending the potential applications of exosomes in immune therapy is significant for regulating cancer progression. This review offers an analysis of the function of exosomes in immunotherapy, specifically as carriers that function as diagnostic indicators for immunological activation and trigger an anti-cancer immune response. Moreover, it summarizes the fundamental mechanism and possible therapeutic applications of exosome-based immunotherapy for human cancer.

High-efficient U(VI) removal from organic wastewater through polarization electric field enhanced photocatalysis with In2Se3@Ag3PO4 heterojunction

Effective catalytic methods and catalysts for the simultaneous removal of coexisting organic pollutants and heavy metal ions are crucial for sustainable and environmentally friendly water purification. Herein, flower-like S-scheme In2Se3@Ag3PO4 heterojunctions were synthesized by a two-step hydrothermal method for simultaneous removal of uranium (VI) (U(VI)) and organic pollutants using piezo-photocatalysis. Characterization and theoretical calculations confirmed the formation of the heterojunction, highlighting the significance of InO and SeP bonds in the S-scheme for enhancing photocatalytic reactions by improving charge carrier separation and migration. Additionally, the piezoelectric polarization electric field can also improve photocatalytic performance. The optimized In2Se3@Ag3PO4–3 catalyst demonstrated superior piezo-photocatalytic performance in synergistically removing U(VI) and degrading organics, such as tetracycline (TC), bisphenol A (BPA), carbamazepine (CBZ), levofloxacin (LVX), and norfloxacin (NOR). Particularly, in the presence of TC, the catalyst achieved 98.7 % U(VI) removal, and 94.1 % TC degradation within 30 min. This study introduces a promising strategy and a novel heterojunction catalyst with dual functional properties for the simultaneous treatment of wastewater containing organic pollutants and U(VI).

Unveiling the potential of dual-extrinsic/intrinsic self-healing lignin-based coatings for anticorrosion applications

The development of self-healing ecofriendly coatings for anticorrosion applications provides stronger protection than passive coatings and mitigates the environmental pollution resulting from petroleum-derived coatings. Due to its intrinsic anticorrosion characteristics, lignin is a viable precursor for the formulation of self-healing anticorrosion coatings. However, the structural rigidity of lignin and the lack of self-healing functionalities in pristine lignin-based coatings hinder the comprehensive application of lignin in this field. Accordingly, we introduced Diels-Alder (DA)-based self-healing functions in the lignin-based coatings and meanwhile, the coatings were chemically conjugated with corrosion inhibitors to further improve the anticorrosion performance. A thin layer (16 μm) of the coating increased the Ecorr from −481 mV (for bare steel) to +91 mV and reduced the corrosion rate (CR) >4000 times. The dual self-healing properties of the coating are attributed to the synergistic action of the DA adduct and the conjugated corrosion inhibitor. Practically, in response to the emergence of microcracks in the coating structure, trace amounts of the corrosion inhibitor are released into the microcracks to form a protective layer on the unveiled metal surface. Simultaneously, DA adducts undergo reversible reactions at specific temperatures (80–120 °C) promoting complete restoration of the microcrack.

Controlled release of magnesium ions from PLA microsphere-chitosan hydrogel complex for enhancing osteogenic and angiogenic activities in vitro

Magnesium ions (Mg2+) play an essential role in the metabolism and regeneration of bone tissue. Appropriate amounts of Mg2+ have been shown to promote osteogenic differentiation of bone-derived cells and angiogenesis of endothelial cells. However, the initial burst release of Mg2+ may compromise the osteogenic effect, so the controlled release of Mg2+ is the critical consideration of the magnesium-containing tissue-engineered bone materials. This study proposes a microsphere-hydrogel complex to enhance the sustained-release effect and prolong the release cycle of Mg2+. For the initial release of Mg2+, polylactic acid (PLA) microspheres containing MgO and MgCO3 were fabricated with uniform morphology. Further microspheres were incorporated into the chitosan-based hydrogel to form microsphere- hydrogel complex for extended release. The complex demonstrated effective sustained release of Mg2+ over a period exceeding 28 days. In vitro cell experiments, CS/PLA@MgO-MgCO3 significantly enhanced migration and osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1. Meanwhile, it can facilitate the generation of blood vessels in HUVECs. In conclusion, the magnesium-loaded microsphere-hydrogel complex achieves excellent dual sustained-release properties with an extended-release cycle while enhancing vascularized osteogenic activity in vitro, showing promising prospects for clinical application in bone defect treatment.

Multifunctional acoustic and mechanical metamaterials prepared from continuous CFRP composites.

The imperative advance towards achieving "carbon neutrality" necessitates the development of porous structures possessing dual acoustic and mechanical properties in order to mitigate energy consumption. Nevertheless, enhancing various functionalities often leads to an increase in the structural weight, which limits the feasibility of using such structures in weight-sensitive applications. In accordance with the outlined specifications, a novel structural design incorporating carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites alongside mechanical and acoustic metamaterials has been introduced for the first time. This innovative construction exhibits a lightweight composition with excellent mechanical and acoustic characteristics. Experimental findings demonstrate that with meticulous planning and fabrication, CFRP composite structures can achieve a balance of lightweight construction, high strength, exceptional energy absorption, and remarkable resilience. By introducing membrane and reasonable cavity design, the structure can produce low broadband noise reduction performance by a local resonance effect and impedance matching mechanism of metamaterials. The structural sound insulation capability breaks traditional mass law, resulting in an exceptionally broadband sound insulation peak (bandwidth of nearly 1000 Hz). Furthermore, the sound absorption characteristic of the structure surpasses that of the melamine sponge at frequencies below 300 Hz, demonstrating superior low-frequency sound absorption properties. The proposed structure provides new approaches for the design of multifunctional lightweight superstructures.

Organic Crystal with Anti‐Stokes Photoluminescent Excitation and Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Features

Thermal activation process utilizes environmental thermal energy to help supplement energy for the nonspontaneous energy‐consuming upconversion physical transitions with positive free energy change (ΔG > 0). Reverse intersystem crossing (rISC) and hot band absorption are two kinds of thermal activation transitions. Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials with rISC have significantly propelled advancements in organic semiconductors. Hot band absorption, enables anti‐Stokes photoluminescence, offering a promising route for efficient photon upconversion. In this work, we constructed a crystal consisting of a donor‐acceptor type TADF molecule, DPQ‐DPAC, demonstrating dual thermal activation properties of hot band absorption with a notable 0.1 eV anti‐Stokes shift emission and proficient TADF performance. Only in the crystal TADF efficiency facilitates and the photoluminescence quantum yield elevates to an impressive 90.8%. Combining the extended absorption spectrum, these enhancements collectively realize anti‐Stokes photoluminescence in crystal. Experimental and theoretical results on the DPQ‐DPAC crystal indicate optimizations in its conformational and vibrational modes, resulting in enhancements to its properties. This finding provides insight into crafting organic materials with thermally activated functionalities and contributes to fully exploiting the potential of organic materials, further advancing versatile materials applications.

Organic Crystal with Anti-Stokes Photoluminescent Excitation and Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Features.

Thermal activation process utilizes environmental thermal energy to help supplement energy for the nonspontaneous energy-consuming upconversion physical transitions with positive free energy change (ΔG > 0). Reverse intersystem crossing (rISC) and hot band absorption are two kinds of thermal activation transitions. Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials with rISC have significantly propelled advancements in organic semiconductors. Hot band absorption, enables anti-Stokes photoluminescence, offering a promising route for efficient photon upconversion. In this work, we constructed a crystal consisting of a donor-acceptor type TADF molecule, DPQ-DPAC, demonstrating dual thermal activation properties of hot band absorption with a notable 0.1 eV anti-Stokes shift emission and proficient TADF performance. Only in the crystal TADF efficiency facilitates and the photoluminescence quantum yield elevates to an impressive 90.8%. Combining the extended absorption spectrum, these enhancements collectively realize anti-Stokes photoluminescence in crystal. Experimental and theoretical results on the DPQ-DPAC crystal indicate optimizations in its conformational and vibrational modes, resulting in enhancements to its properties. This finding provides insight into crafting organic materials with thermally activated functionalities and contributes to fully exploiting the potential of organic materials, further advancing versatile materials applications.

Hydrogen Bond-Mediated Self-Assembly of Carbon Dots Enabling Precise Tuning of Particle and Cluster Luminescence for Advanced Optoelectronic Applications.

The effective control over the self-assembly process of carbon dots (CDs) and their cluster luminescence in the aggregated state is of paramount significance and challenge. This study, for the first time, systematically explores the photoluminescent behavior of CDs in their aggregated state, which is less understood compared to their discrete state. By investigating the effects of concentration and solvent environment, it's demonstrated that CDs could exhibit dual emission properties, shifting from blue particle emissions to red cluster emissions as they aggregate. The key to this tunable luminescence lies in hydrogen bonding, which drives the self-assembly of CDs and modulates their photo physical properties. These findings reveal that through precise control of aggregation, CDs can be engineered for advanced optoelectronic applications, including tunable light-emitting diodes (LEDs), secure information encryption, and fingerprint authentication. This report not only deepens the understanding of the underlying mechanisms governing CDs' cluster luminescence but also introduces a novel approach to exploiting their unique properties for technological innovation.

Dual receptor-binding, infectivity, and transmissibility of an emerging H2N2 low pathogenicity avian influenza virus.

The 1957 H2N2 influenza pandemic virus [A(H2N2)pdm1957] has disappeared from humans since 1968, while H2N2 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are still circulating in birds. It is necessary to reveal the recurrence risk and potential cross-species infection of these AIVs from avian to mammals. We find that H2 AIVs circulating in domestic poultry in China have genetic and antigenic differences compared to the A(H2N2)pdm1957. One H2N2 AIV has a dual receptor-binding property similar to that of the A(H2N2)pdm1957. Molecular and structural studies reveal that the N144S, and N144E or R137M substitutions in hemagglutinin (HA) enable H2N2 avian or human viruses to bind or preferentially bind human-type receptor. The H2N2 AIV rapidly adapts to mice (female) and acquires mammalian-adapted mutations that facilitated transmission in guinea pigs and ferrets (female). These findings on the receptor-binding, infectivity, transmission, and mammalian-adaptation characteristics of H2N2 AIVs provide a reference for early-warning and prevention for this subtype.

A corrugated edge tapered slot dual polarized MIMO antenna for phased array systems

ABSTRACT In this paper, a corrugated-edged slot antenna with dual linear polarisation properties is presented. The antenna incorporates corrugations along the outer edges between the elements to control the complex mutual coupling effect at high scan angles, resulting in nearly linear polarised waves in the two principal E and H planes. The dual-polarised antenna structure is accomplished by incorporating two orthogonal tapered slot Vivaldi antennas in a cross-shaped configuration, ensuring there is no galvanic contact between them. The proposed four-element antenna is compact in size and has a low profile of L × W × h = 30 × 25.5 × 1 mm3. The antenna optimised dimensions have been determined through meticulous parametric studies, ensuring its suitability for operation within the desired frequency band. The proposed antenna diversity performance characteristics are analysed with regard to parameters such as envelope correlation coefficient (ECC), diversity gain (DG), mean effective gain (MEG), total active reflection coefficient (TARC) and channel capacity loss (CCL). The corresponding values obtained are 0.02, 9.97 dB, ±3 dB, −6 dB and 0.09 bits/s/Hz, respectively. To validate the design, a prototype of the four-element antenna model is fabricated and measured. The results demonstrate that the return losses (S11) are lower than −10 dB across the operational frequency band. The isolation (S21) between the antenna ports is better than -30 dB and achieved a maximum measured gain of 7.1 dB at 18 GHz.

Recyclable, high strength and electrical-mechanical self-healing wearable ionic hydrogel sensor

Ionic hydrogels are ideal materials for wearable sensors on the human body, typically requiring excellent mechanical properties, adhesion, self-healing, and sensing capabilities. However, traditional methods to enhance the mechanical properties of ionic hydrogels often compromise their self-healing and sensing performance. Considering this, in this study, we developed a high-strength, recyclable hydrogel with a wide monitoring range, formulated from acrylic acid, hexahydrate aluminum chloride, and polyquaternium-10. By employing a simple freeze-thaw process, the tensile strength of the hydrogel was significantly increased from 0.3 MPa to 1.89 MPa, and the elongation at break was enhanced from 900 % to 1400 %. Additionally, the hydrogel demonstrates exceptional adhesion to various substrates and possesses mechanical-electrical dual self-healing properties. The hydrogel's broad strain detection range (1%–400 %) further underscores its potential for high-performance sensing applications. Furthermore, the reconfigurable, high-density supramolecular network of hydrogels enables the reprocessing of discarded material into value-added products through a straightforward water swelling treatment. We believe that our approach offers a straightforward and efficient strategy for enhancing the mechanical properties of acrylic acid-based hydrogel sensors and, more significantly, contributes to the sustainable utilization of hydrogel materials.

Optimizing Materials to Boost the Valorization of CO2: Tuning Cobalt-Cobalt Interactions on In2O3-Based Photothermal Catalysts.

The valorization of CO2 is an important challenge within the current panorama, since this molecule is probably the main contributor to climate change. In this study, the synthesis of materials based on a nanostructured batonnet-type indium oxide is carried out. In them, different amounts of Co are introduced, varying between 2 and 8% mol. It is verified that the most active sample in the transformation of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide contains 6 mol %. of Co. This sample's activity under dual excitation exceeds the thermal counterpart by more than 30%. After carrying out a complete physical and chemical characterization with the help of X-ray absorption spectroscopy and other techniques, it is shown that catalysts with amounts of cobalt equal to or below 4 mol % contain isolated single-atom species, while those with higher amounts of metal display a Co-Co interaction which triggers the evolution of the samples under reaction conditions. The optimum control of this Co-Co interaction and the nature of the final cobalt-containing species determine dual photothermal catalytic properties. This work establishes a structure-activity relationship to interpret the catalytic behavior of highly dispersed subnanometric cobalt species, and thus an avenue to optimize the photothermal valorization of carbon dioxide.

Influence of carbon dots as modifier and SiO2 shell coating as a protecting layer in YAlO3:Cr3+ phosphors for multimodal applications

This study focuses on the synthesis of SiO2-coated carbon dots (CDs) grafted onto YAlO3:Cr3+ (YAP:Cr3+) nanophosphors (NPs) through a combustion method. The CDs enhance the absorption cross-section of Cr3+ ions, significantly boosting the luminescence of YAP:Cr3+ by 19.29-fold. Further improvement is achieved with a SiO2 coating, leading to a 48.73-fold increase in photoluminescence intensity. The NCs are colour tunable, with emissions ranging from pinkish-red to blue, depending on the concentration of CDs and the excitation wavelength. These properties make them suitable for diverse applications, such as ratio metric fluorescence sensors for detecting Fe3+ ions within the 0–350 µM range, with high sensitivity (0.2 µM) and a low detection limit (4.93 μM). Additionally, they serve as material for white light-emitting diodes (W-LEDs), achieving CIE coordinates of (0.31, 0.30) and a rendering index of 94. The NCs also function as an optical thermometer with a sensitivity of 0.31 % K−1 at 320 K, making them ideal for temperature sensing applications. Moreover, their stability and dual-emissive nature make them highly effective in latent fingerprints (LFPs) detection, enabling high-resolution, level III fingerprint analysis. The dual emission properties of CDs and Cr3+ ions position these NCs as multifunctional materials, suitable for optical sensing, lighting, and security applications.

Fluorescent Carbon Dots with Red Emission: A Selective Sensor for Fe(III) Ion Detection

We present a procedure for the synthesis and purification of p-phenylenediamine-based carbon dots that can be used for the recognition of Fe(III) ions. Carbon dots have an approximately spherical shape with an average size of 10 nm and are composed of a carbonaceous core surrounded by functional groups attached to it, both of which are responsible for their dual fluorescence properties. The emission bands have a different behavior, with a blue band dependent and a red emission independent of the excitation wavelength, respectively. Red emission is appropriate for the detection of ions and other molecules in biological environments because this high wavelength prevents the occurrence of processes such as resonance energy transfer and internal filter effects. In particular, the presence of Fe(III) ions produces an important quenching phenomenon that can be applied to the fabrication of a sensor. The platform is very sensitive, with a detection limit of 0.85 µM, which is within the lowest values reported for this ion, and a high selectivity that is believed to be due to the formation of a specific complex in the ground state through specific interactions of Fe (III) ions with pyridinic and amino groups on the surface of the nanomaterials.

Bigels as Novel Drug Delivery Systems: A Systematic Review on Efficiency and Influential Factors.

Bigles are novel formulation merging two phase of hydrogel and organogel revealing dual properties to release active agents based on their lipophilic or hydrophilic nature. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and ISI Web of Science to find eligible studies evaluating the efficiency of bigels in drug release. 20 articles were included in the analysis based on the defined criteria. The results indicated that several different natural materials were used for bigel making. Span (52.38%) and Sunflower oil (23.80%) were the most solvents used for organogel formation. Also, gelatin, agar, gums, and other types of biopolymer were used as hydroglators. Most research (33.33%) focused on the release of metronidazole from bigel structure. Also, the range of drug release rates was 1.59 - 100% and in 42.85% of studies was >90%. The nature, content, and properties of both organogel and hydrogel and some process variables such as temperature, mixing speed and storage conditions were highlighted as the main influential factors on bigel formation and its bioactivity. Bigels are an innovative structure that provides desired physicochemical and rheological properties for industrial applications. Excellent biocompatibility and in vitro / ex vivo results have been documented for developed bigels. In this regard, an optimal preparation method is very important to show superior therapeutic effects.

Dual-emissive carbon dots with high-color purity from sweet basil leaves: synthesis, characterization and optical properties

Abstract In this study, we synthesized dual-emission carbon dots (CDs) from sweet basil leaves dissolved in hexane using the hydrothermal method. Extensive analyses were carried out on their morphology, structure, and optical properties. The CDs show a spherical shape and highly disordered structure with an average diameter of 2 nm. They predominantly comprise carbon surrounded by a dense shell layer of oxygen and nitrogen-related functional groups. Under excitation at a single wavelength of 380 nm, the CDs emit two distinct peaks at 450 and 675 nm demonstrating a narrow bandwidth emission with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 72 and 27 nm, respectively. The emission characteristics of the CDs are ascribed to the combined effects of radiative recombination of the carbon-core and fully passivated surface states, resulting in two distinct emission peaks and excitation-independent emission property. We present a highly effective and eco-friendly approach approach to fabricate luminescent CDs exhibiting dual emission properties derived from sustainable resources, holding promise for utilization in bioimaging.

Synthesis and evaluation of MMT/TiO2 nanotube photocatalysts for enhanced degradation of organic dyes in wastewater

This study aims to synthesize a nanocomposite photocatalyst from naturally sourced clay (montmorillonite, MMT) and titanium dioxide nanotubes (TNTs) to efficiently degrade organic dyes in wastewater under UVC light. The TNTs were synthesized through the hydrothermal method and were randomly attached to both the surface and interlayer spaces of the MMT sheets. Pristine MMT was found to exhibit good adsorption properties, while the TNTs demonstrated strong photocatalytic activity. The combination of these materials in the MMT/TNT nanocomposite resulted in a material that exhibited both adsorption and photocatalytic properties. The dye degradation efficiency of the MMT/TNT nanocomposite reached 95%, which is significantly higher than that of pristine MMT (50%) and TNTs alone (60%). This enhanced performance can be attributed to the synergistic effect between the adsorption capacity of MMT and the photocatalytic activity of TNTs. The study highlights the potential of using naturally sourced materials like MMT in the development of advanced photocatalysts for environmental remediation. The MMT/TNT nanocomposite offers a sustainable and efficient solution for the removal of organic pollutants from wastewater. These findings provide a pathway for further development of high-performance nanocomposites that combine the dual functional properties of adsorption and photocatalysis, contributing to more efficient wastewater treatment technologies.

Rational Askey–Wilson Bernstein bases and a multirational Askey–Wilson blossom

We introduce and study the properties of new negative degree rational Bernstein bases associated with the Askey–Wilson operator and we use these bases to define new types of rational Bernstein-Bézier curves. We also introduce a new type of blossom, the multirational Askey–Wilson blossom. We prove that four axioms uniquely characterize this blossom and we provide an explicit formula for this multirational blossom involving a right inverse of the Askey–Wilson operator. A formula for the coefficients of a function expanded in a rational Askey–Wilson Bernstein basis in terms of certain values of the Askey–Wilson operator is derived. We also establish a dual functional property that expresses the coefficients of these new types of rational Bernstein–Bézier curves in terms of values of their multirational Askey–Wilson blossom.

Free-radical-induced grafting of rice starch with gallic acid and evaluation of the reaction products' ability to stabilize Pickering emulsions

Pickering emulsions can be stabilized with native rice starch (NRS), but their hydrophobicity is low. Gallic acid (GA) has a simple molecular structure and a rich variety of functional groups. Pickering emulsions can be made more stable by hydrophobically modifying the esterification reaction of NRS with GA to improve its dual wetting properties. In this study, the free radical-induced grafting method was used to prepare rice starch–GA graft copolymer (NRS-g-GA). The addition of GA could improve the crystallinity and orderliness of NRS. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1H NMR indicated that GA was successfully grafted onto NRS. After modification, the contact angle of NRS increased from 18.2° to 60.2° (NRS-g-GA; 1:1). The emulsion prepared from NRS-g-GA showed better stability than NRS, improving the emulsification of NRS. Its stable emulsion exhibited an emulsion system dominated by elasticity. Thus, GA could be grafted onto NRS to enhance its emulsifying properties, opening up new applications for GA and NRS and promoting the development of starch-based Pickering emulsions in the future.