Two novel emissive amphiphilic molecules with intramolecular charge transfer character (HAPMP and HAPEOP) were synthesized, and their self-assembled particles were obtained in an aqueous solution. SAXS analysis and TEM observation showed that these self-assemblies exhibited vesicle-like structures. Analysis using the indirect Fourier transformation (IFT) method for their bilayer structures indicated that HAPMP was arranged in a vertical orientation relative to the bilayer plane, whereas HAPEOP adopted a tilted orientation. The maximum emission wavelengths in their vesicle states were red-shifted compared with those in the monomeric state. Time-resolved emission spectroscopy revealed prolonged emission lifetimes, suggesting that they formed an excimer in the bilayers.

The human visual system is sensitive to statistical regularities in natural images. This includes general properties like the characteristic 1/f power-spectrum fall-off coefficient observed across diverse natural scenes and category-specific properties like the bias favoring horizontal contrast energy for face recognition. Here, we examined the sensitivity of face pareidolia in adult observers to these image properties using fractal noise images and an unconstrained pareidolic face detection task. We presented participants in separate experiments with (Experiment 1) noise patterns with varying spectral fall-off coefficients and (Experiment 2) noise patterns with bandpass orientation filtering such that either horizontal or vertical contrast energy was limited. In both experiments, we found that face pareidolia rates were sensitive to these manipulations. In Experiment 1, we found that fractal noise patterns with steeper fall-off coefficients (favoring coarser appearance) led to lower rates of pareidolic face detection. In Experiment 2, we found that despite the clear bias favoring horizontal contrast energy in a wide range of face recognition tasks, both horizontal and vertical orientation bandpass filtering reduced rates of face pareidolia relative to isotropic images. We suggest that these results indicate that detecting pareidolic faces depends on the availability of face-like information across many low-level channels rather than a favored scale or orientation that is face-specific.

Wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are employed for tandem solar cells. Understanding the crystallization mechanism of mixed-halide WBG perovskite will contribute to achieving the high-performance photovoltaics. Herein, we demonstrate that the asynchronous halide insertion is accompanied by random crystal facets and orientations, restricting the efficient carrier extraction. Guided by density functional theory calculations, we construct a π-conjugated molecular wall structure using o-phenylenediamine (OPD). The molecular wall at the grain boundary induces templated perovskite crystallization through the ortho-diamine group, enabling synchronous [PbBr6]4- and [PbI6]4- halide insertion. The OPD-treated perovskite film exhibits a preferred (100) facet and a highly vertical orientation. Benefited from the improved carrier extraction, the resulting WBG PSC (1.69 eV) achieves a power conversion efficiency of 24.13% (certified 23.43%), representing one of the highest values among WBG PSCs. Meanwhile, the improved perovskite crystal quality ensures the enhanced operational stability of the PSCs.

Human gingival fibroblast responses to additively and subtractively manufactured zirconia: An in vitro study.

Comparative study on wave response to vertical baffle orientation for resonant sloshing suppression in an upright cylindrical tank

This study presents a novel strategy for controlling the orientation of MoS2 films on thick metallic substrates through precise regulation of the sulfur flux alone. In contrast to previous approaches that rely on substrate modifications or complex parameter tuning, orientation control is achieved here solely by adjusting the sulfur concentration during the sulfurization of 400 nm RF-sputtered Mo films. The metallic Mo substrate also allows potential film transfer via selective etching—analogous to the graphene/Cu system—providing a viable route for device integration on arbitrary substrates. Analyses (XRD, Raman, and TEM) reveal that low sulfur flux (30–50 sccm) favors horizontal growth, whereas high flux (>300 sccm) induces vertical orientation. To rationalize this behavior, a reaction-diffusion model based on the Thiele modulus was developed, quantitatively linking sulfur flux to film orientation and identifying critical thresholds (~50 and ~300 sccm) governing the horizontal-to-vertical transition. This unified approach enables the realization of distinct MoS2 orientations using identical materials and processes, analogous to the orientation control in graphene growth on copper. The ability to grow orientation-controlled MoS2 on non-noble metal substrates opens new opportunities for integrating electronic (horizontal) and catalytic (vertical) functionalities, thereby advancing scalable manufacturing of TMDC-based technologies.

Osteon tilt, defined as the combination of an osteon’s vertical angle and horizontal orientation, remains poorly characterized due to technical limitations in large-scale 3D bone microarchitecture analysis. This study developed a methodology combining traditional serial sectioning using circularly polarized light microscopy with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to visualize and quantify osteon tilt across the entire femoral cortex. Spatial variation of osteon tilt was analyzed using 1219 osteons across 8 octants and 3 circumferential rings. Vertical osteon angle varied regionally, with acute angles in the anterolateral region and obtuse angles in the posterior region. Osteons demonstrated a general posterior inclination with opposite orientations on the medial and lateral cortices. Vertical angle positively correlated with osteon volume, with the strongest correlation found in the anterior and lateral regions. A paired sample t-test showed no significant difference between serial sections, confirming the preservation of sectional alignment. Osteon tilt patterns may reflect the femur’s complex loading environment: smaller, acutely angled osteons predominate in tension-bearing regions, while larger, obtusely angled osteons occur in compression-bearing regions. This GIS-based method enables a quantitative, comprehensive assessment of osteon morphology and provides insights into bone’s adaptive remodeling response to biomechanical forces.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-25378-6.

Abstract The Mongolian script, the world’s only surviving vertical alphabetic system, is written from left to right with letters joined vertically. Used in China’s Inner Mongolia, it became Mongolia’s co-official script alongside Cyrillic in 2025. Despite its official status, it remains one of the few living language scripts that is digitally unsearchable. No search engines or web browsers support its vertical orientation, and there is no universal standard to ensure accurate letter joining or consistent display of compatible digital content. This article explores the ethnographic dimensions of the Mongolian script’s digitisation within the Unicode standard, focusing on its social, historical and political implications for language use. Rather than engaging with the intricate technicalities of Unicode encoding, the analysis highlights three key factors: state involvement and support, methodological limitations or biases in Unicode-related research, and cross-national collaboration between Mongolia and China. Through this framework, the study traces the origins of the digitisation initiative in Inner Mongolia, the subsequent adoption of the current Unicode model for the Mongolian script, and the roles played by both the Mongolian and the Chinese governments. It further examines how the sociopolitical environments and language policies of each country have shaped the contemporary status and usage of the Mongolian script and language within their respective territories. The article concludes by offering recommendations to improve the visibility, accessibility and functional integration of the Mongolian script in digital spaces.

Abstract The present research provides a comparative evaluation of the tribological behavior of LPBF-printed AlSi10Mg alloy produced in different build directions—vertical, horizontal, and inclined (45°) in comparison with conventionally wrought Al6061-T6. LPBF allows the fabrication of intricate geometries and tailored microstructures. In the present study, LPBF test samples were produced with optimized process parameters: 400 W laser power, scan speed of 1200 mm/s, scan distance of 0.12 mm, and layer thickness of 40 μm. The Pin-on-Disc tribometer was used to measure wear rates and friction coefficients under dry sliding conditions, considering the effects of sliding velocity, load, and track diameter. Findings reveal that LPBF-produced AlSi10Mg has enhanced wear resistance than wrought Al6061-T6. Interestingly, build orientation has a pronounced effect on tribological performance; inclined and vertical orientations show improved wear resistance, whereas horizontal orientation and wrought samples demonstrate higher wear loss and inconsistent friction behavior. These results show that LPBF technology presents a feasible option to produce wear-resistant components for high-performance applications. The capability to customize microstructures using build orientation in LPBF processes provides practical guidance in the selection of materials and process optimization in industries under severe service conditions.

Low-n-member quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) Sn perovskites, particularly those based on a Dion-Jacobson (DJ) phase, have attracted attention for their enhanced stability and Pb-free composition. However, their practical application is limited by poor out-of-plane crystallographic orientation and high defect densities, which hinder efficient charge transport. To address these challenges, we introduce a mixed-cation engineering strategy combining N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediammonium (DMPhDA2+) and phenylethylammonium (PEA+) spacers. PEA+ acts as an orientation-directing spacer that reduces steric hindrance in the DMPhDA-based framework, facilitating vertical growth and enhancing crystallographic alignment. This approach effectively modulates crystallization, enhances vertical orientation, and suppresses both structural defects and Sn2+ oxidation. As a result, the optimized low-n quasi-2D DJ/RP perovskite solar cells exhibit improved performance, achieving an outstanding power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.76%. This work provides a viable route to overcome orientation- and defect-related limitations in low-n Sn-based perovskites, advancing the development of stable and efficient Pb-free solar cells.

Additive manufacturing (AM) can ensure the fabrication of complex structures as well as replace conventional parts for extensive modification and cheaper alternatives. Although the mechanical behaviors of different lattice structures have been studied extensively, the corresponding mechanical performances of integrated-manufactured structures with complex infills should be systematically investigated as the usage of 3D-printed parts replacing metals for strength applications can be seen more than ever. The main objective of this study was to investigate how printing factors like infill lattice structure and printing orientation affects the mechanical characteristics of printed samples. Samples were produced via an FDM 3D printer with similar conditions for each case. Kelvin and Octet lattice structures were compared on both horizontal and vertical printed orientations. The test was conducted on a specific geometry, 60mm cubic infill area with top and bottom wall and open sides. The comparison was done based on strength-to-weight characteristics of the samples with fixed weights for all cases. Compression tests using a universal testing machine (UTM) were done on the printed samples. The results of this study demonstrate that infill lattice structure and orientation significantly affect the compression strength of the PLA+ printed samples. The result shows that the lattice structure with unit cell of Octet lattice can withstand higher loads before failure, and the Kelvin lattice structure shows more ductile properties. It can also be seen that the horizontal printing orientation results in superior mechanical properties subjected to top loads than vertical orientation of printing. The research findings are helpful in understanding greater mechanical and physical characteristics that would undoubtedly assist designers and manufacturers worldwide as the FDM 3D printer becomes increasingly crucial in manufacturing engineering parts.

Marine biofouling presents a significant challenge to vessel performance by increasing hydrodynamic drag, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the use of antifouling coatings is essential. This study investigates how environmental exposure and panel orientation influence the degradation and effectiveness of self-polishing antifouling coatings over time. Three commercially available coatings were selected and applied to aluminum panels prepared according to industry standards and manufacturers’ guidelines. The coated panels were positioned in vertical and horizontal orientations and exposed to two conditions: natural intertidal zones and laboratory tanks simulating seawater. Over three months, regular inspections were conducted to assess coating thickness, surface degradation and biofouling accumulation. The results showed that coating erosion and biofouling varied significantly with panel orientation and exposure type; vertical panels generally exhibited less degradation than horizontal ones and those placed in laboratory conditions. Samples exposed to the intertidal zone demonstrated greater variability in coating performance. These findings suggest that both environmental conditions and panel orientation play critical roles in the long-term durability and efficiency of self-polishing antifouling coatings, providing valuable insights for optimizing their application in the maritime industry.

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a novel and environmentally friendly technology for wastewater treatment and pollutant resource utilization. Although advances have been made in various aspects including electrode materials and synthetic biology approaches, the overall performance of MFC still requires improvement, with mass transfer efficiency and structural stability of biofilms emerging as key bottlenecks constraining their practical applications. This study investigated the regulation of substrate type and electrode potential during bioanode culture to optimize biofilm structure and enhance MFC performance. Results demonstrated that bioanodes cultured with glucose at −0.3 V formed vertically ordered biofilms that exhibited significant advantages in mass transfer characteristics, electrocatalytic activity, and structural stability. Under these culture conditions, enriched fermentative microorganisms facilitated the construction of porous biofilm scaffolds, while the electric field generated by the −0.3 V potential further induced vertical orientation and ordered arrangement of the biofilm. The superior mass transfer characteristics enabled the inner, middle, and outer layers of the biofilm to maintain high microbial activity (>50%), thereby maximizing the catalytic activity of electroactive microorganisms in each layer and enhancing biofilm structural stability. This study proposes a bioanode culture strategy centered on biofilm structural optimization, providing new theoretical foundations and technical pathways for achieving long-term stable and efficient MFC operation.

Rational molecular design at the perovskite/charge transport layer interface offers an effective approach for suppressing non-radiative recombination in perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSC). However, the design involves a tradeoff between defect passivation and charge transport, as multi-site passivation molecules always introduce a resistive barrier. Herein, we employ a triple-site planar molecule, 3-amino-4-chlorobenzenesulfonic acid (3A4Cl-BZS), as a multifunctional modifier that can concurrently suppress non-radiative recombination and enhance electron transfer. Specifically, functionalizing the benzene ring with sulfonic acid (-SO3H) and amino (-NH2) groups enhances the passivation of undercoordinated Pb2+ and I- defects via coordination and hydrogen bonding, respectively, and incorporating a chlorine group promotes the parallel adsorption on the perovskite surface. The parallel configuration, rather than vertical orientation, minimizes the distance between the active site and the perovskite defects, significantly boosting passivation efficacy and mitigating the resistive barrier. Consequently, 1.67eV bandgap perovskite solar cells achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.55%. Furthermore, integrating this cell into perovskite/silicon TSC yields a high voltage of over 2 volts and a PCE of 31.42% adopting a planar silicon sub-cell. Remarkably, encapsulated tandem devices retain over 80% of their initial PCE after 1960 h of maximum power point tracking under 1-sun illumination at 25 °C.

Abstract Rational molecular design at the perovskite/charge transport layer interface offers an effective approach for suppressing non‐radiative recombination in perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells (TSC). However, the design involves a tradeoff between defect passivation and charge transport, as multi‐site passivation molecules always introduce a resistive barrier. Herein, we employ a triple‐site planar molecule, 3‐amino‐4‐chlorobenzenesulfonic acid (3A4Cl‐BZS), as a multifunctional modifier that can concurrently suppress non‐radiative recombination and enhance electron transfer. Specifically, functionalizing the benzene ring with sulfonic acid (‐SO 3 H) and amino (‐NH 2 ) groups enhances the passivation of undercoordinated Pb 2+ and I − defects via coordination and hydrogen bonding, respectively, and incorporating a chlorine group promotes the parallel adsorption on the perovskite surface. The parallel configuration, rather than vertical orientation, minimizes the distance between the active site and the perovskite defects, significantly boosting passivation efficacy and mitigating the resistive barrier. Consequently, 1.67 eV bandgap perovskite solar cells achieve a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 23.55%. Furthermore, integrating this cell into perovskite/silicon TSC yields a high voltage of over 2 volts and a PCE of 31.42% adopting a planar silicon sub‐cell. Remarkably, encapsulated tandem devices retain over 80% of their initial PCE after 1960 h of maximum power point tracking under 1‐sun illumination at 25 °C.

Molecular dynamics of Lys49 PLA2-like toxins: Insights into solution and membrane-bound conformations.

This study investigates the bond strength of fifteen cement-based adhesive mortars used for expanded polystyrene (EPS) in External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS). Field surveys and contractor interviews (170 questionnaires) found that adhesive layer thicknesses in real applications typically range from 15–20 mm and frequently exceed 20 mm, in contrast to the smaller values most often recommended by guidelines and technical instructions. Laboratory testing was conducted using two approaches: the standardized pull-off procedure according to EAD 040083-00-0404 (EAD and EAD′ variants) and an in-house pull-off procedure designed to reflect practical conditions of substrate type (concrete slab, silicate block), substrate orientation (horizontal, vertical), and adhesive layer thickness (10 and 20 mm). The results showed that adhesive bond strength is strongly influenced by adhesive layer thickness, substrate type, and substrate orientation. Increasing thickness from 10 mm to 20 mm on concrete substrates typically reduced bond strength by about 65–75%, while vertical orientation lowered adhesion to about half of that obtained in horizontal placement. Silicate substrates exhibited generally lower bond strength but higher variability, occasionally with ratios above unity due to their greater porosity. In some configurations, detachment occurred already during specimen preparation, underlining the variability of performance. The combined effect of increased thickness and vertical orientation on concrete substrates reduced adhesion by about 85% compared to the 10 mm horizontal baseline, highlighting the severity of unfavorable application conditions, whereas on silicate blocks, the effect was weaker but accompanied by large variability. The findings indicate that adhesive layer thickness has a stronger impact on bond strength than orientation and that substrate properties play an important role. The study provides a comparative perspective on current and alternative testing approaches, revealing significant differences in the results. The author’s testing method makes it possible to account for, in laboratory conditions, primarily the geometric shape and orientation of samples that are close to the actual form of adhesive mortar application in real insulation installations. This allows for the assessment of the properties of mortars and substrates that were not exposed under the conditions of current testing methods. The above provides a basis for further discussion on the inclusion of realistic application conditions in the evaluation of adhesive mortars used for bonding thermal insulation in ETICS, and for the validation assessment of an additional testing method, which is currently of an experimental nature.

The aim of the work was to determine the possibility of not taking into account the orientation (vertical or horizontal) of the studied elements of steel-reinforced concrete slabs with a corrugated profile during their heating in a modular small-sized fire furnace. The work investigated the temperature distributions on the outer surface of the corrugated ceiling profile of a steel-reinforced concrete slab of horizontal orientation simulated in the fire furnace chamber. To create geometric models of the fire furnace chamber and the studied element, a CAD software complex was used. To solve the heat engineering problem, mathematical (numerical) methods were used, based on solving systems of differential equations of continuous media such as the Navier-Stokes equation and the Fourier heat conductivity equation. According to the results obtained, the temperature distribution on the outer surface of the steel profile of the reinforced concrete slab is uniform, the temperature deviation in different places on the surface does not exceed 7 %. The maximum temperature on the heating surface of the steel profile of the reinforced concrete slab in the last minute of computer simulation reached 921 °С and the average temperature at this time over the entire surface of the structure was 917 °С. To determine the appropriate orientation of the test sample during fire tests, a comparison of the obtained temperature distributions on the outer surface of the corrugated profile of a horizontally placed reinforced concrete slab with the temperature distributions on the outer surface of the corrugated profile of a vertically placed reinforced concrete slab, which were given in the previous work was made. Analysis of the average surface temperatures of the corrugated profile of a reinforced concrete slab of horizontal and vertical orientation showed that the temperature distribution over the surface of the profile was uniform in both cases and the results obtained show good reproducibility of the experiment during computer simulation. And the orientation of the tested elements does not affect the temperature distribution over the outer surface of the corrugated profile of a reinforced concrete slab in the simulated furnace.

Previous studies have suggested that faces with direct gazes are perceived more quickly than are those with averted gazes under the breaking continuous flash suppression (b-CFS) paradigm. Although averted gazes are typically examined in the horizontal orientation (leftwards and rightwards), their effects in the vertical orientation (upwards and downwards) remain underexplored. To investigate how gaze direction influences face awareness and perception in both horizontal and vertical orientations under the b-CFS paradigm, 68 participants observed faces with downwards, upwards, leftwards, rightwards, or direct gazes. These faces were presented to one eye, while a dynamic Mondrian pattern was shown to the other through a binocular separator. The participants first detected the face and then identified its gaze direction. The results indicated that the detection time for faces with downwards gazes was shorter than was the detection time for faces with the other four gaze types. However, the accuracy of gaze discrimination for downwards gazes was lower than was that for the other four gaze types. These findings suggest that downwards gazes are perceived more easily but are discriminated less easily than other gaze directions are during unconscious face processing.

Abstract. Induced microseismicity has been detected in the Decatur CO2 sequestration area, providing critical constraints on the stress state at the reservoir. We invert the full stress tensor with two subsets of source mechanisms from the induced microseismic events. To achieve this, we incorporate additional information on the vertical stress gradient and instantaneous shut-in pressure (ISIP) measured in the area. Additionally, our results demonstrate that constraining the intermediate stress tensor to a vertical orientation is essential to achieve a consistent stress inversion. The inverted stress is then used to estimate the minimum activation pressure required to trigger seismicity on fault planes identified by the source mechanisms. The comparison of the minimum activation pressure with injection pressure indicates one of three possibilities: the ISIP pressures are significantly lower than predicted (approximately 28–29 MPa), the maximum horizontal principal stress is extremely high (exceeding 120 MPa), or the coefficient of friction is significantly lower than 0.6 on a large number of activated faults. Our analysis also shows that poorly constrained source mechanisms do not lead to reasonable stress constraint estimates, even when considering alternative input parameters such as ISIP and vertical stress. We conclude that induced microseismicity can effectively be used to estimate the stress field when source mechanisms are also well constrained. For future CO2 sequestration projects, measuring and constraining ISIP pressure and maximum horizontal stress in the reservoir will ensure that more accurate estimates of stress state from moment tensor inversions can be obtained for improved prediction of the long-term reservoir response to injection.