Thermodynamic equilibrium between locally excited and charge-transfer states through thermally activated charge transfer in 1-(pyren-2′-yl)-o-carborane

Reversible conversion between excited-states plays an important role in many photophysical phenomena. Using 1-(pyren-2′-yl)-o-carborane as a model, we studied the photoinduced reversible charge-transfer (CT) process and the thermodynamic equilibrium between the locally-excited (LE) state and CT state, by combining steady state, time-resolved, and temperature-dependent fluorescence spectroscopy, fs- and ns-transient absorption, and DFT and LR-TDDFT calculations. Our results show that the energy gaps and energy barriers between the LE, CT, and a non-emissive ‘mixed’ state of 1-(pyren-2′-yl)-o-carborane are very small, and all three excited states are accessible at room temperature. The internal-conversion and reverse internal-conversion between LE and CT states are significantly faster than the radiative decay, and the two states have the same lifetimes and are in thermodynamic equilibrium.

Reversible conversion between excited-states is key to many photophysical phenomena. We studied the equilibrium between LE and CT states by time-resolved and temperature-dependent fluorescence, fs- and ns-transient absorption, and LR-TDDFT calculations.     

The Pathophysiology of Long COVID throughout the Renin-Angiotensin System

COVID-19 has expanded across the world since its discovery in Wuhan (China) and has had a significant impact on people’s lives and health. Long COVID is a term coined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to describe a variety of persistent symptoms after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. Long COVID has been demonstrated to affect various SARS-CoV-2-infected persons, independently of the acute disease severity. The symptoms of long COVID, like acute COVID-19, consist in the set of damage to various organs and systems such as the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, endocrine, urinary, and immune systems. Fatigue, dyspnea, cardiac abnormalities, cognitive and attention impairments, sleep disturbances, post-traumatic stress disorder, muscle pain, concentration problems, and headache were all reported as symptoms of long COVID. At the molecular level, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is heavily involved in the pathogenesis of this illness, much as it is in the acute phase of the viral infection. In this review, we summarize the impact of long COVID on several organs and tissues, with a special focus on the significance of the RAS in the disease pathogenesis. Long COVID risk factors and potential therapy approaches are also explored.     

Bioavailability Enhancement of Cepharanthine via Pulmonary Administration in Rats and Its Therapeutic Potential for Pulmonary Fibrosis Associated with COVID-19 Infection

Cepharanthine (CEP) has excellent anti-SARS-CoV-2 properties, indicating its favorable potential for COVID-19 treatment. However, its application is challenged by its poor dissolubility and oral bioavailability. The present study aimed to improve the bioavailability of CEP by optimizing its solubility and through a pulmonary delivery method, which improved its bioavailability by five times when compared to that through the oral delivery method (68.07% vs. 13.15%). An ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for quantification of CEP in rat plasma was developed and validated to support the bioavailability and pharmacokinetic studies. In addition, pulmonary fibrosis was recognized as a sequela of COVID-19 infection, warranting further evaluation of the therapeutic potential of CEP on a rat lung fibrosis model. The antifibrotic effect was assessed by analysis of lung index and histopathological examination, detection of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interleukin-6 (IL-6), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and hydroxyproline level in serum or lung tissues. Our data demonstrated that CEP could significantly alleviate bleomycin (BLM)-induced collagen accumulation and inflammation, thereby exerting protective effects against pulmonary fibrosis. Our results provide evidence supporting the hypothesis that pulmonary delivery CEP may be a promising therapy for pulmonary fibrosis associated with COVID-19 infection.     

激光照明水下目标距离选通成像系统的研制

基于水下目标探测的应用需求,研制开发了一套激光水下距离选通成像系统。系统采用波长532 nm、最大单脉冲能量400 mJ的Nd:YAG脉冲激光器作为照明光源,采用最小选通门宽3 ns、像元10241024的ICCD相机作为门选通器件和图像记录器件,利用DG535型数字脉冲发生器作为精确延时和同步控制器件实现激光脉冲和ICCD相机选通门的同步以实现距离选通功能。利用该系统在某水库进行了水下目标探测实验,实验结果表明,该系统可在6.5倍的衰减长度上识别目标,在8倍衰减长度上发现目标。     

Transfer of quantum entangled states between superconducting qubits and microwave field qubits

Transferring entangled states between matter qubits and microwave-field (or optical-field) qubits is of fundamental interest in quantum mechanics and necessary in hybrid quantum information processing and quantum communication. We here propose a way for transferring entangled states between superconducting qubits (matter qubits) and microwave-field qubits. This proposal is realized by a system consisting of multiple superconducting qutrits and microwave cavities. Here, „qutrit” refers to a three-level quantum system with the two lowest levels encoding a qubit while the third level acting as an auxiliary state. In contrast, the microwave-field qubits are encoded with coherent states of microwave cavities. Because the third energy level of each qutrit is not populated during the operation, decoherence from the higher energy levels is greatly suppressed. The entangled states can be deterministically transferred because measurement on the states is not needed. The operation time is independent of the number of superconducting qubits or microwave-field qubits. In addition, the architecture of the circuit system is quite simple because only a coupler qutrit and an auxiliary cavity are required. As an example, our numerical simulations show that high-fidelity transfer of entangled states from two superconducting qubits to two microwave-field qubits is feasible with present circuit QED technology. This proposal is quite general and can be extended to transfer entangled states between other matter qubits (e.g., atoms, quantum dots, and NV centers) and microwave- or optical-field qubits encoded with coherent states.     

High efficiency giant magnetoresistive device based on two-dimensional MXene (Mn2NO2)

Due to the unique electronic structure of half-metals, characterized by the conductivity of majority-spin and the band gap of minority-spin, these materials have emerged as suitable alternatives for the design of efficient giant magnetoresistive (GMR) devices. Based on the first-principles calculations, an excellent GMR device has been designed by using two-dimensional (2D) half-metal Mn₂NO₂. The results show that Mn₂NO₂ has sandwiched between the Au/nMn₂NO₂ (n = 1, 2, 3)/Au heterojunction and maintains its half-metallic properties. Due to the half-metallic characteristics of Mn₂NO₂, the total current of the monolayer device can reach up to 1500 nA in the ferromagnetic state. At low voltage, the maximum GMR is observed to be 1.15 × 10³¹ %. Further, by increasing the number of layers, the ultra-high GMR at low voltage is still maintained. The developed device is a spintronic device exhibiting the highest magnetoresistive ratio reported theoretically so far. Simultaneously, a significant negative differential resistance (NDR) effect is also observed in the heterojunction. Owing to its excellent half-metallic properties and 2D structure, Mn₂NO₂ is an ideal energy-saving GMR material.     

High power-added-efficiency AlGaN/GaN HEMTs fabricated by atomic level controlled etching

An atomic-level controlled etching(ACE)technology is invstigated for the fabrication of recessed gate AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors(HEMTs)with high power added efficiency.We compare the recessed gate HEMTs with conventional etching(CE)based chlorine,Cl₂-only ACE and BCl³/Cl₂ACE,respectively.The mixed radicals of BCl₃/Cl₂were used as the active reactants in the step of chemical modification.For ensuring precise and controllable etching depth and low etching damage,the kinetic energy of argon ions was accurately controlled.These argon ions were used precisely to remove the chemical modified surface atomic layer.Compared to the HEMTs with CE,the characteristics of devices fabricated by ACE are significantly improved,which benefits from significant reduction of etching damage.For BCl₃/Cl₂ACE recessed HEMTs,the load pull test at 17 GHz shows a high power added efficiency(PAE)of 59.8%with an output power density of 1.6 W/mm at Vd=10 V,and a peak PAE of 44.8%with an output power density of 3.2 W/mm at Vd=20 V in a continuous-wave mode.     

基于数学形态学的表面原子熔融相的 STM图像识别算法

高温扫描隧道显微镜(HT-STM)可以实时原位地捕捉到表面原子的熔化相变过程.在这一原位变温实验中,快速可靠地识别出每帧STM图像中的熔融相十分关键.传统的手工统计方法存在效率低下、随意性大等问题.我们发展出一套基于数学形态学的算法,来自动快速地识别.与人工方法相比,该算法消除了人为主观误差,使确定的边界更加准确、光滑,处理效率提高了266倍.     

Thermal conductivity of micro/nano-porous polymers: Prediction models and applications

Micro/nano-porous polymeric material is considered a unique industrial material due to its extremely low thermal conductivity, low density, and high surface area. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an accurate thermal conductivity prediction model suiting their applicable conditions and provide a theoretical basis for expanding their applications. In this work, the development of the calculation model of equivalent thermal conductivity of micro/nano-porous polymeric materials in recent years is summarized. Firstly, it reviews the process of establishing the overall equivalent thermal conductivity calculation model for micro/nanoporous polymers. Then, the predicted calculation models of thermal conductivity are introduced separately according to the conductive and radiative thermal conductivity models. In addition, the thermal conduction part is divided into the gaseous thermal conductivity model, solid thermal conductivity model and gas–solid coupling model. Finally, it is concluded that, compared with other porous materials, there are few studies on heat transfer of micro/ nanoporous polymers, especially on the particular heat transfer mechanisms such as scale effects at the micro/nanoscale. In particular, the following aspects of porous polymers still need to be further studied: micro scaled thermal radiation, heat transfer characteristics of particular morphologies at the nanoscales, heat transfer mechanism and impact factors of micro/nanoporous polymers. Such studies would provide a more accurate prediction of thermal conductivity and a broader application in energy conversion and storage systems.     

The D'Alembert type waves and the soliton molecules in a (2+1)-dimensional Kadomtsev-Petviashvili with its hierarchy equation

For a one (2+1)-dimensional combined Kadomtsev-Petviashvili with its hierarchy equation, the missing D'Alembert type solution is derived first through the traveling wave transformation which contains several special kink molecule structures. Further, after introducing the Bäcklund transformation and an auxiliary variable, the N-soliton solution which contains some soliton molecules for this equation, is presented through its Hirota bilinear form. The concrete molecules including line solitons, breathers and a lump as well as several interactions of their hybrid are shown with the aid of special conditions and parameters. All these dynamical features are demonstrated through the different figures.