Epitaxial growth is of significant importance over the past decades, given it has been the key process of modern technology for delivering high-quality thin films. For conventional heteroepitaxy, the ...selection of proper single crystal substrates not only facilitates the integration of different materials but also fulfills interface and strain engineering upon a wide spectrum of functionalities. Nevertheless, the lattice structure, regularity and crystalline orientation are determined once a specific substrate is chosen. Here, we reveal the growth of twisted oxide lateral homostructure with controllable in-plane conjunctions. The twisted lateral homostructures with atomically sharp interfaces can be composed of epitaxial "blocks" with different crystalline orientations, ferroic orders and phases. We further demonstrate that this approach is universal for fabricating various complex systems, in which the unconventional physical properties can be artificially manipulated. Our results establish an efficient pathway towards twisted lateral homostructures, adding additional degrees of freedom to design epitaxial films.
Human genetic and genomic studies have supported a strong causal role of
deficiency in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the molecular mechanism underlying
deficiency resulting in ASD is not ...fully understood. Recently, the zebrafish has become an attractive organism to model ASD because of its high efficiency of genetic manipulation and robust behavioral phenotypes. The orthologous gene to human
is duplicated in the zebrafish genome and has two homologs,
and
. Previous studies have reported
morphants in zebrafish using the morpholino method. Here, we report the generation and characterization of
mutant zebrafish in larval and adult stages using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technique.
CRISPR/Cas9 was applied to generate a
loss-of-function mutation (
) in zebrafish. A series of morphological measurements, behavioral tests, and molecular analyses were performed to systematically characterize the behavioral and molecular changes in
mutant zebrafish.
zebrafish exhibited abnormal morphology in early development. They showed reduced locomotor activity both as larvae and adults, reduced social interaction and time spent near conspecifics, and significant repetitive swimming behaviors. Additionally, the levels of both postsynaptic homer1 and presynaptic synaptophysin were significantly reduced in the adult brain of
deficient zebrafish.
We generated the first inheritable
mutant zebrafish model using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing approach.
zebrafish displayed robust autism-like behaviors and altered levels of the synaptic proteins homer1 and synaptophysin. The versatility of zebrafish as a model for studying neurodevelopment and conducting drug screening will likely have a significant contribution to future studies of human
function and ASD.
Tin‐based perovskites with excellent optoelectronic properties and suitable band gaps are promising candidates for the preparation of efficient lead‐free perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, it is ...challenging to prepare highly stable and efficient tin‐based PSCs because Sn2+ in perovskites can be easily oxidized to Sn4+ upon air exposure. Here we report the fabrication of air‐stable FASnI3 solar cells by introducing hydroxybenzene sulfonic acid or its salt as an antioxidant additive into the perovskite precursor solution along with excess SnCl2. The interaction between the sulfonate group and the Sn2+ ion enables the in situ encapsulation of the perovskite grains with a SnCl2–additive complex layer, which results in greatly enhanced oxidation stability of the perovskite film. The corresponding PSCs are able to maintain 80 % of the efficiency over 500 h upon air exposure without encapsulation, which is over ten times longer than the best result reported previously. Our results suggest a possible strategy for the future design of efficient and stable tin‐based PSCs.
Protective coating: A tin‐based perovskite solar cell with significantly improved stability to oxidation was prepared by introducing hydroxybenzene sulfonic acid or a salt thereof as an antioxidant additive into the perovskite precursor solution. The resulting perovskite grains are encapsulated by a SnCl2–additive complex layer.
Although 5-methylcytosine (m
C) is a widespread modification in RNAs, its regulation and biological role in pathological conditions (such as cancer) remain unknown. Here, we provide the ...single-nucleotide resolution landscape of messenger RNA m
C modifications in human urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). We identify numerous oncogene RNAs with hypermethylated m
C sites causally linked to their upregulation in UCBs and further demonstrate YBX1 as an m
C 'reader' recognizing m
C-modified mRNAs through the indole ring of W65 in its cold-shock domain. YBX1 maintains the stability of its target mRNA by recruiting ELAVL1. Moreover, NSUN2 and YBX1 are demonstrated to drive UCB pathogenesis by targeting the m
C methylation site in the HDGF 3' untranslated region. Clinically, a high coexpression of NUSN2, YBX1 and HDGF predicts the poorest survival. Our findings reveal an unprecedented mechanism of RNA m
C-regulated oncogene activation, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for UCB.
In a heterogeneous cellular network (HetNet), consider that a base station in the HetNet is able to simultaneously schedule and serve K users in the downlink by performing the power-domain ...non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) scheme. This paper aims at the preliminary study on the downlink coverage and throughput performances of the HetNet with the non-coordinated NOMA and the proposed coordinated joint transmission NOMA (JT-NOMA) schemes. First, the coverage probability and link throughput of K users in each cell are studied and their accurate expressions are derived for the noncoordinated NOMA scheme in which no BSs are coordinated to jointly transmit the NOMA signals for a particular user. We show that the coverage and link throughput can be largely reduced if transmit power allocations among the K users do not satisfy the constraint derived. Next, we analyze the coverage and link throughput of K users for the coordinated JT-NOMA scheme in which the void BSs without users are coordinated to enhance the farthest NOMA user in a cell. The derived accurate results show that coordinated JT-NOMA can significantly improve the coverage and link throughput of all users. Finally, we show that there exist optimal power allocation schemes that maximize the average cell coverage and throughput under some derived power allocation constraints and numerical results validate our analytical findings.
We report acute antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 in 285 patients with COVID-19. Within 19 days after symptom onset, 100% of patients tested positive for antiviral immunoglobulin-G (IgG). ...Seroconversion for IgG and IgM occurred simultaneously or sequentially. Both IgG and IgM titers plateaued within 6 days after seroconversion. Serological testing may be helpful for the diagnosis of suspected patients with negative RT-PCR results and for the identification of asymptomatic infections.
Naja atra envenomation is one of the most significant clinical snakebite concerns in Taiwan. Taiwanese freeze-dried neurotoxic antivenom (FNAV) is currently used clinically for the treatment of cobra ...snakebite, and has been shown to limit the mortality of cobra envenomation to less than 1%. However, more than half of victims (60%) require surgery because of local tissue necrosis, a major problem in patients with cobra envenomation. Although the importance of evaluating the neutralizing effect of FNAV on this pathology is recognized, whether FNAV is able to prevent the local necrosis extension induced by N. atra venom has not been investigated in detail. Cytotoxins (CTXs) are considered as the major components of N. atra venom that cause necrosis. In the current study, we isolated CTXs from whole cobra venom and used both whole venom and purified CTXs to develop animal models for assessing the neutralization potential of FNAV against venom necrotizing activity. Local necrotic lesions were successfully produced in mice using CTXs in place of whole N. atra venom. FNAV was able to rescue mice from a subcutaneously injected lethal dose of cobra venom; however, it was unable to prevent CTX-induced dermo-necrosis. Furthermore, using the minimal necrosis dose (MND) of CTXs and venom proteome data, we found a dose of whole N. atra venom suitable for FNAV and developed a workable protocol for inducing local necrosis in rodent models that successfully imitated the clinical circumstance of cobra envenoming. This information provides a more comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of N. atra envenomation, and serves as a guide for improving current antivenom strategies and advancing clinical snakebite management in Taiwan.
As the first example of a photocatalytic system for splitting water without additional cocatalysts and photosensitizers, the comparatively cost‐effective Cu2I2‐based MOF, Cu‐I‐bpy ...(bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) exhibited highly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production (7.09 mmol g−1 h−1). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations established the electronic structures of Cu‐I‐bpy with a narrow band gap of 2.05 eV, indicating its semiconductive behavior, which is consistent with the experimental value of 2.00 eV. The proposed mechanism demonstrates that Cu2I2 clusters of Cu‐I‐bpy serve as photoelectron generators to accelerate the copper(I) hydride interaction, providing redox reaction sites for hydrogen evolution. The highly stable cocatalyst‐free and self‐sensitized Cu‐I‐bpy provides new insights into the future design of cost‐effective d10‐based MOFs for highly efficient and long‐term solar fuels production.
No additives required: A low‐cost Cu2I2‐based MOF exhibits efficient photocatalytic H2 production without additional photosensitizers and cocatalysts. DFT calculations reveal a good band alignment with the water redox energy levels. The proposed mechanism demonstrates that Cu2I2 clusters in Cu‐I‐bpy (bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) serve as photoelectron generators to accelerate copper(I) hydride interaction for hydrogen evolution.
Chemotherapy used to treat cancer may cause irreversible premature ovarian failure (POF). Of late, amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) provide a novel source for regenerative medicine because of their ...primitive stage, low immunogenicity, and easy accessibility. In this study, we isolated AFSCs from transgenic mice that ubiquitously express enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP). These AFSCs exhibited morphologies, immunophenotypes, and mesoderm trilineage differentiation potentials similar to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Further, AFSCs proliferated faster than MSCs and expressed OCT4, a marker for pluripotency. To investigate their potential in recovering fertility in POF model, AFSCs were transplanted into the ovaries of mice with POF six weeks post induction using chemotherapeutic drugs, busulfan and cyclophosphamide. AFSCs could rescue the reproductive ability of mice with POF by preventing follicle atresia and sustaining the healthy follicles. Notably, the transplanted AFSCs did not differentiate into granulosa and germline cells in vivo. After one month, the decreased numbers of transplanted AFSCs accompanied with the reduced beneficial effects indicated that the therapeutic efficacy were directly from AFSCs. These findings demonstrated the therapeutic effects of AFSCs and suggested the promise of AFSCs for treating infertility and POF caused by chemotherapy.
Atomically thin two‐dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as promising candidates for efficient energy harvesting from ionic gradients. However, the exploration of robust 2D atomically thin ...nanopore membranes, which hold sufficient ionic selectivity and high ion permeability, remains challenging. Here, the single‐layer hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanopores are demonstrated as various high‐performance ion‐gradient nanopower harvesters. Benefiting from the ultrathin atomic thickness and large surface charge (also a large Dukhin number), the hBN nanopore can realize fast proton transport while maintaining excellent cation selectivity even in highly acidic environments. Therefore, a single hBN nanopore achieves the pure osmosis‐driven proton‐gradient power up to ≈3 nW under 1000‐fold ionic gradient. In addition, the robustness of hBN membranes in extreme pH conditions allows the ionic gradient power generation from acid‐base neutralization. Utilizing 1 m HCl/KOH, the generated power can be promoted to an extraordinarily high level of ≈4.5 nW, over one magnitude higher than all existing ionic gradient power generators. The synergistic effects of ultrathin thickness, large surface charge, and excellent chemical inertness of 2D single‐layer hBN render it a promising membrane candidate for harvesting ionic gradient powers, even under extreme pH conditions.
An atomically thin 2D hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanopore with an ultrahigh surface charge for highly efficient ionic gradient power harvesting is demonstrated. Benefiting from ultrafast ion transport and excellent cation selectivity, a single hBN nanopore reaches an unprecedented nanowatt level under various ionic gradients, more than ten times higher than all the state‐of‐the‐art single‐pore devices.
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