Molecular rectification induced by magnetization alignment in organic-ferromagnetic devices

Spin-dependent transport in ferromagnet/organic-ferromagnet/ferromagnet junctions is investigated theoretically under different alignment of magnetization orientations. The results demonstrate a significant current rectification at low bias voltages, and the rectifying direction relies on the relative magnetization orientation in each component. The orbital analysis demonstrates two underlying mechanisms for the rectification, the slight structural asymmetry of the molecule from spin radicals and distinct spin match between conducting electrons and the magnetic molecule upon the reversal of bias. The latter is responsible for the strong low-bias rectification and relies on the magnetization alignment. The effects of parameter strength, temperature and size on the rectification are discussed. This work explores a new route to achieve high-performance molecular rectifiers operating at low bias with controlled rectifying direction.

Enhanced Intrinsic Anomalous Valley Hall Effect Induced by Spin-Orbit Coupling in MXene Monolayer M3N2O2 (M = Y, La)

The limitation of suitable anomalous valley Hall effect (AVHE) materials has seriously hindered the booming development and the widespread application of valleytronics. Here, through the first-principles calculations, we propose a MXene monolayer Y₃N₂O₂ with spontaneous valley polarization (VP) of 21.3 meV, which induces intrinsic AVHE. The VP can be modulated linearly, which provides a route of effective control of the valley signals. Importantly, VP can be enhanced by adjusting up the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) based on a SOC Hamiltonian model and the first-principles calculations. From this physics underlying, we substitute the Y atom with the La atom and further propose the monolayer La₃N₂O₂, in which the heavy atom La will provide stronger SOC than Y atom. The spontaneous VP in La₃N₂O₂ is enhanced to 100.4 meV, so AVHE can be easily achieved. Our work not only provides compelling candidates for AVHE materials but also offers a novel mindset for finding suitable valleytronic devices.

Type-II Band Alignment and Tunable Optical Absorption in MoSSe/InS van der Waals Heterostructure

In this work, we study the electronic structure, the effective mass, and the optical properties of the MoSSe/InS van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) by first-principles calculations. The results indicate that the MoSSe/InS vdWH is an indirect band gap semiconductor and has type-Ⅱ band alignment in which the electrons and holes located at the InS and the MoSSe side, respectively. The band edge position, the band gap and the optical absorption of the MoSSe/InS vdWH can be tuned when biaxial strains are applied. In addition, compared with MoSSe and InS monolayers, the optical absorption of the MoSSe/InS vdWH is improved both in the visible and the ultraviolet regions. These findings indicate that the MoSSe/InS vdWHs have potential applications in optoelectronic devices.

Tuning electronic and optical properties of monolayer PdSe2 by introducing defects: first-principles calculations

Based on the density functional theory, the electronic and optical properties of pristine monolayer PdSe2 with Pd or Se vacancy-defect are investigated. Our results show that the Se defect is energetically more favorable than that of Pd defect. The band gap reduces, and some new midgap states appear after the Pd or Se defects are introduced. In terms of the optical properties, the prominent anisotropic characters are remained. The obvious new peaks of the dielectric constant appear after introducing defects. The light absorption in the visible energy range expands based on the appearance of the midgap states induced by the Pd or Se defects. The changes of the refractive index and reflectivity are similar with those of the dielectric constants and the light absorption. The energy loss spectrum of the PdSe2 with Pd or Se defects is obviously different, which can be used to identify different defects in PdSe2. These findings provide effective strategies to tune electronic and optical properties of monolayer PdSe2 by introducing defects.

Vitamin D and micro-inflammatory state in hemodialysis patients: a mini review and meta-analysis

There is growing evidence that vitamin D (VitD) plays a role in the pathophysiological mechanism of every patient undergoing hemodialysis, and this role is significantly altered in a microinflammatory state. However, it is unclear whether supplementation dosage or route of administration should be altered due to this state. Thus, the objective of our mini review and meta-analysis was to re-consider supplementation of VitD in HD patients exhibiting micro-inflammatory state. Pubmed, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched up to January 19, 2016. We included studies that evaluated supplementation in HD patients with micro-inflammatory state. One reviewer extracted data and one reviewer verified the data accuracy. We qualitatively summarized the main results and meta-analyzed data on comparable outcomes across studies. The main outcome measures were serum levels of VitD. Ten eligible studies were published between 2002 and 2016, involving a total 1,239 patients. Average vintage of hemodialysis was 35.36 (±31.08) months. We identified a high degree of clinical diversity (interventions and outcomes) and methodological heterogeneity (sample size and risk of bias) in included trials. The studies we reviewed provide some weak evidence to support VitD supplementation in patients on hemodialysis exhibiting micro-inflammatory state. We recommend that future trials focus on our main outcome measures (that is variable comparable across studies).

High gain Ga₂O₃ solar-blind photodetectors realized via a carrier multiplication process

Ga2O3 photodetectors with interdigitated electrodes have been designed and fabricated, and the Ga2O3 area exposed to illumination acts as the active layer of the photodetector, while the area covered by Au interdigital electrode provide an arena for carrier multiplication. The photodetectors show a maximum responsivity at around 255 nm and a cutoff wavelength of 260 nm, which lies in the solar-blind region. The responsivity of the photodetector reaches 17 A/W when the bias voltage is 20 V, which corresponds to a quantum efficiency of 8228%, amongst the best value ever reported in Ga2O3 film based solar-blind photodetectors.

Propofol pretreatment attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in rats by activating the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/Akt pathway

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of propofol pretreatment on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and the role of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway in this procedure. Survival was determined 48 h after LPS injection. At 1 h after LPS challenge, the lung wet- to dry-weight ratio was examined, and concentrations of protein, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined using the bicinchoninic acid method or ELISA. Lung injury was assayed via lung histological examination. PI3K and p-Akt expression levels in the lung tissue were determined by Western blotting. Propofol pretreatment prolonged survival, decreased the concentrations of protein, TNF-α, and IL-6 in BALF, attenuated ALI, and increased PI3K and p-Akt expression in the lung tissue of LPS-challenged rats, whereas treatment with wortmannin, a PI3K/Akt pathway specific inhibitor, blunted this effect. Our study indicates that propofol pretreatment attenuated LPS-induced ALI, partly by activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

[Construction of transgenic rice populations by inserting the maize transponson Ac/Ds and genetic analysis for several mutants]

An efficient and rapid gene transformation system of rice mediated by Agrobacterium tumefaciens was used. Calli induced from immature and mature embryos of Zhonghua No. 11, a japonic rice variety, were cultured with the A. tumefaciens strain EHA105 harboring the superbinary plasmid pDsBar1300 or pUBITs separately, and more than 400 independent transgenic lines inserted Ds element or Ac fragment were obtained. Some visible mutants in T0 or T1 generation were found, consisting of disease resistance, albino, dwarf, male sterile, chlorosis, early heading, late heading, stripe, etc. From the phenotype analysis, a few mutants such as dwarf and male sterile seemed to be linked to the Basta resistance and the transposon.