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At least 1,405 records · Page 78

Charge carrier dynamics in nanocrystalline Dy substituted ceria based oxygen ion conductors

Nano-crystalline Ce{sub 1-x}Dy{sub x}O{sub 2-δ} (x = 0.1-0.5) materials were prepared using the low temperature citrate auto-ignition method. The Rietveld analysis of the XRD data confirmed the single phase cubic fluorite structure. The particle sizes of the sintered samples are in nano range and lattice parameter increases with Dy concentration. Polydispersed and agglomerated particles are observed by SEM. The EDAX spectra show good stoichiometry of the different atoms in the samples. The conductivity is found to have both grain and grain boundary contribution and shows highest value at x= 0.2. The frequency dependence of dielectric permittivity has been analyzed using Havrilliak-Negami formalism. The variation in different electrical properties has been explained by formation defect associates and their interaction with charge carriers.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Genomic analysis of Klebsiella aerogenes circulating in New Mexico

Klebsiella aerogenes is an opportunistic pathogen and a growing cause of healthcare-associated infections, characterized by multidrug resistance and the emergence of global high-risk clones. However, regional genomic surveillance data remain limited. Here, we sought to characterize the population structure, transmission dynamics and resistance mechanisms of clinical K. aerogenes in Albuquerque, New Mexico. We sequenced 177 clinical isolates collected between 2021 and 2023. We also developed a novel, species-specific PopPUNK database to facilitate rapid, high-resolution typing. The New Mexico K. aerogenes population was diverse but dominated by two global pandemic lineages, ST93 (47.5%) and ST4 (7.9%), which were significantly enriched for the virulence factors yersiniabactin and colibactin. Genomic evidence for recent local transmission was rare, with only four putative transmission pairs identified. The resistome was characterized by intrinsic and adaptive mutations. Nearly all isolates possessed gyrA mutations associated with decreased fluoroquinolone susceptibility. Mutations in the AmpC regulator AmpD and the outer membrane porin Omp36 were common, particularly within the dominant ST93 lineage. These mutations have been associated with increased AmpC-mediated carbapenem resistance. Our findings underscore the critical importance of genomic surveillance to monitor the transmission and evolution of adaptive resistance.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Identification of key parameters controlling demographically structured vegetation dynamics in a Land Surface Model

This dataset includes outputs of 5000 simulations of CLM4.5(ED) to quantify the sensitivity of the model outputs to changes in model parameters using the Fourier Amplitude Sensitivity Test (FAST). Each simulation is generated by simultaneously sampling from 15% deviations of the default values of >80 vegetation parameters. This dataset includes 1) model codes of CLM4.5(ED) used for the sensitivity analysis; 2) the parameter samples; and 3) the corresponding model outputs of vegetation status (e.g., Gross Primary Production, Leaf Area Index and Biomass) and demography (e.g., diameter growth and mortality rates). The outputs are organized to the format of the FAST toolbox (https://sites.google.com/site/xuchongang/uasatoolbox).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Elucidation of the Structure and Vibrational Spectroscopy of Synthetic Metaschoepite and Its Dehydration Product

We confirm that synthetic uranyl hydroxide hydrate metaschoepite [(UO)2 4 O(OH) 6 ]·5H 2 O is unstable against dehydration under dry conditions, and we present a structural and vibrational spectroscopic study of synthetic metaschoepite and its ambient temperature dehydration product. Complementary structural (X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction) and vibrational spectroscopic techniques (Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and inelastic neutron scattering) are used to probe different components of these species. Analysis of the dehydration product suggests that it contains both pentagonally coordinated and hexagonally coordinated uranyl ions, necessitating that some uranyl ions undergo a coordination change during the dehydration of pentagonally coordinated metaschoepite. Vibrational spectra of metaschoepite and its dehydration product are interpreted with power spectra generated from ab initio molecular dynamics trajectories, allowing assignment of all major features. We identify the uranyl symmetric stretching modes of the four distinct uranyl ions in synthetic metaschoepite and clarify the assignment of lower energy Raman modes in both structures. Finally, the coanalysis of experimental and computational data reveals a strong coupling between the uranyl stretching modes and hydroxide bending modes in the anhydrous structure, leading to the presence of several high-energy combination bands in the inelastic neutron scattering data.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

AUTOMATIC DETECTION AND TRACKING OF CORONAL MASS EJECTIONS. II. MULTISCALE FILTERING OF CORONAGRAPH IMAGES

Studying coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in coronagraph data can be challenging due to their diffuse structure and transient nature, and user-specific biases may be introduced through visual inspection of the images. The large amount of data available from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO), and future coronagraph missions also makes manual cataloging of CMEs tedious, and so a robust method of detection and analysis is required. This has led to the development of automated CME detection and cataloging packages such as CACTus, SEEDS, and ARTEMIS. Here, we present the development of a new CORIMP (coronal image processing) CME detection and tracking technique that overcomes many of the drawbacks of current catalogs. It works by first employing the dynamic CME separation technique outlined in a companion paper, and then characterizing CME structure via a multiscale edge-detection algorithm. The detections are chained through time to determine the CME kinematics and morphological changes as it propagates across the plane of sky. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by its application to a selection of SOHO/LASCO and STEREO/SECCHI images, as well as to synthetic coronagraph images created from a model corona with a variety of CMEs. The algorithms described in this article are being applied to the whole LASCO and SECCHI data sets, and a catalog of results will soon be available to the public.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Sm 2 Ru 3 Sn 5 : A Noncentrosymmetric Cubic Member of the Ln 2 M 3 X 5 Family

An optimized synthetic method is presented for Sm 2 Ru 3 Sn 5 and investigate its physical properties and electronic structure. Sm 2 Ru 3 Sn 5 is prepared by arc-melting stoichiometric ratios of the elements and is confirmed by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction. An antiferromagnetic transition is observed at T N = 3.8 K. A modified Curie-Weiss fit to the data in the range 50–150 K yields a Curie-Weiss temperature: θ CW = −36.6 K and an effective magnetic moment: μ eff = 0.83 μ B , in agreement with a Sm 3+ oxidation state. Field-dependent magnetization up to H = 7 T at 2 K shows a maximum response of 0.06 μ B , which is significantly lower than the expected Sm 3+ saturation moment (0.71 μ B ). Resistivity measurements indicate metallic behavior, and analysis of the magnetic entropy from the heat capacity reveals a doublet ground state due to crystal electric field splitting. The electronic structure and density of states are calculated with density function theory and further supported by the local density approximation with dynamical mean-field theory. Finally, the experimental and computational results highlight localized Sm 3+ moments and suggest a possible interplay between Ruddelman–Kitel–Kasuya–Yosida and Kondo interactions, positioning Sm 2 Ru 3 Sn 5 as a promising material for studying topology and complex physical phenomena.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

Elementary Energy Transfer Pathways in Allochromatium vinosum Photosynthetic Membranes

Allochromatium vinosum (formerly Chromatium vinosum) purple bacteria are known to adapt their light-harvesting strategy during growth according to environmental factors such as temperature and average light intensity. Under low light illumination or low ambient temperature conditions, most of the LH2 complexes in the photosynthetic membranes form a B820 exciton with reduced spectral overlap with LH1. To elucidate the reason for this light and temperature adaptation of the LH2 electronic structure, we performed broadband femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy as a function of excitation wavelength in A. vinosum membranes. A target analysis of the acquired data yielded individual rate constants for all relevant elementary energy transfer (ET) processes. We found that the ET dynamics in high-light-grown membranes was well described by a homogeneous model, with forward and backward rate constants independent of the pump wavelength. Thus, the overall B800→B850→B890→ Reaction Center ET cascade is well described by simple triexponential kinetics. In the low-light-grown membranes, we found that the elementary backward transfer rate constant from B890 to B820 was strongly reduced compared with the corresponding constant from B890 to B850 in high-light-grown samples. The ET dynamics of low-light-grown membranes was strongly dependent on the pump wavelength, clearly showing that the excitation memory is not lost throughout the exciton lifetime. The observed pump energy dependence of the forward and backward ET rate constants suggests exciton diffusion via B850→ B850 transfer steps, making the overall ET dynamics nonexponential. Our results show that disorder plays a crucial role in our understanding of low-light adaptation in A. vinosum.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Additional complexity in the Raman spectra of U 3 O 8

Uranium oxides are readily amenable to investigation using Raman spectroscopy, and this approach is frequently used as a chemical analysis tool. We show, in triuranium octoxide (U 3 O 8 ), the presence of previously unreported Raman peaks located below 100 cm ₋1 . By maximum intensity, the strongest peak in U 3 O 8 appears at 54 cm ₋1 and is resolution limited, making this mode an ideal candidate for chemically identifying U 3 O 8 using Raman spectroscopy. Detailed peak analysis suggests that the main spectral feature between 300 and 500 cm ₋1 is more accurately described by a septet than a triplet. Two samples of differing oxygen content show only minor differences in bulk crystal structure, but subtle changes in lattice dynamics are suggestive of defect scattering in analogy to UO 2+x .

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Temperature-dependent formation of gradient structures with anomalous hardening in an Al–Si alloy

The temperature effect on forming gradient structure in an Al-Si alloy during surface severe deformation is studied in this report. The intermediate temperature (473 K) produces the steepest gradient structure by an anomalous hardening on the top layer compared to lower (300 K) and higher temperature (673 K) counterparts. Our analysis shows profuse aluminum oxide particles in the top layer of the gradient structure under 473 K and thus lead to anomalous hardening by oxide-dispersion strengthening. Here, the counterintuitive enhancement of strengthening at the intermediate temperature is explained by the dynamic interplay between thermal-driven, mechanical-aided oxidation and the wear-induced loss of surface materials as a function of temperature, which yields a critical processing temperature to achieve the steepest gradient structure.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Phase structure in segmented polyurethanes having fatty acid-based soft segments

Abstract: Structural studies on two segmented polyurethanes prepared form the modified oleic acid soft segments and butane diol/diphenylmethane diisocyanate hard segments, were carried out. Polyurethanes were thermoplastic elastomers with soft segment concentration (SSC) of 50% (TPU-50) and 70% (TPU-70). Dynamic mechanical analysis revealed the co-continuous morphology in TPU-50 and dispersed hard domains in the soft matrix in TPU-70. AFM revealed the micron size globules in TPU-70 ascribed to hard segment-rich spherulites and alternating small soft and hard domains in TPU- 50, with lateral dimensions of about 15 nm with local modulus deviations from 40 to 50 MPa, consistent with co-continuous morphology. The dispersed hard domains in the soft matrix for TPU-70, and co-continuous phases in TPU-50 morphology was confirmed. USAXS showed the domain spacing for TPU-50 was about 13.3 nm and about 11.3 nm for TPU-70. USAXS revealed that the interface between phase-separated domains exhibit a surface-fractal-like behavior.

fatty acid↗

Accurate Modeling of Bromide and Iodide Hydration with Data-Driven Many-Body Potentials

Ion–water interactions play a central role in determining the properties of aqueous systems in a wide range of environments. However, a quantitative understanding of how the hydration properties of ions evolve from small aqueous clusters to bulk solutions and interfaces remains elusive. Here, we introduce the second generation of data-driven many-body energy (MBnrg) potential energy functions (PEFs) representing bromide–water and iodide–water interactions. The MB-nrg PEFs use permutationally invariant polynomials to reproduce two-body and three-body energies calculated at the coupled cluster level of theory, and implicitly represent all higher-body energies using classical many-body polarization. Further, a systematic analysis of the hydration structure of small Br - (H 2 O) n and I - (H 2 O) n clusters demonstrates that the MBnrg PEFs predict interaction energies in quantitative agreement with “gold standard” coupled cluster reference values. Importantly, when used in molecular dynamics simulations carried out in the isothermal-isobaric ensemble for single bromide and iodide ions in liquid water, the MB-nrg PEFs predict extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra that accurately reproduce the experimental spectra, which thus allows for characterizing the hydration structure of the two ions with high level of confidence.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Charge Recombination Dynamics in Sensitized SnO 2 /TiO 2 Core/Shell Photoanodes

Studies have been conducted to examine the mechanisms of charge recombination in dye-sensitized SnO 2 /TiO 2 core/shell films. Nanostructured SnO 2 /TiO 2 core/shell films varying in TiO 2 shell thicknesses were prepared via atomic layer deposition and sensitized with a phosphonate-derivatized ruthenium chromophore [Ru(bpy) 2 (4,4$'$-(PO 3 H 2 ) 2 bpy)] 2+ . Transient absorption spectroscopy was used to study the interfacial charge recombination dynamics for these core/shell materials. Charge recombination for sensitized, as-deposited SnO 2 /TiO 2 core/shell systems is dominated by a tunneling mechanism for shell thicknesses between 0 and 3.2 nm, with $β$ = 0.25 Å–1. For shell thicknesses greater than 3.2 nm, recombination primarily proceeds directly via electrons localized in the relatively thick TiO 2 shell. Annealing the SnO 2 /TiO 2 core/shell structure at 450°C affects the recombination dynamics substantially; charge recombination dynamics for the annealed films do not show a dependence on shell thickness and are comparable to ZrO 2 /TiO 2 control samples, suggesting the annealing process perturbs the core/shell interface. This analysis of charge recombination dynamics indicates that there is an optimum shell thickness to maximize charge separation lifetimes in dye-sensitized core/shell photoanodes and that the nature of the core/shell interface influences the efficacy of these materials.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Imaging and structure analysis of ferroelectric domains, domain walls, and vortices by scanning electron diffraction

Direct electron detectors in scanning transmission electron microscopy give unprecedented possibilities for structure analysis at the nanoscale. In electronic and quantum materials, this new capability gives access to, for example, emergent chiral structures and symmetry-breaking distortions that underpin functional properties. Quantifying nanoscale structural features with statistical significance, however, is complicated by the subtleties of dynamic diffraction and coexisting contrast mechanisms, which often results in a low signal-to-noise ratio and the superposition of multiple signals that are challenging to deconvolute. Here we apply scanning electron diffraction to explore local polar distortions in the uniaxial ferroelectric Er(Mn,Ti)O 3 . Using a custom-designed convolutional autoencoder with bespoke regularization, we demonstrate that subtle variations in the scattering signatures of ferroelectric domains, domain walls, and vortex textures can readily be disentangled with statistical significance and separated from extrinsic contributions due to, e.g., variations in specimen thickness or bending. The work demonstrates a pathway to quantitatively measure symmetry-breaking distortions across large areas, mapping structural changes at interfaces and topological structures with nanoscale spatial resolution.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

A mechanistic study of the dopant-induced breakdown in halide perovskites using solid state energy storage devices

Doping halide perovskites (HPs) with extrinsic species, such as alkali metal ions, plays a critical, albeit often elusive role in optimising optoelectronic devices. Here, we use solid state lithium ion battery inspired devices with a polyethylene oxide-based polymer electrolyte to dope HPs controllably with lithium ions. We perform a suite of operando material analysis techniques while dynamically varying Li doping concentrations. We determine and quantify three doping regimes; a safe regime, with doping concentrations of <10 20 cm –3 (2% Li : Pb mol%) in which the HP may be modified without detrimental effect to its structure; a minor decomposition regime, in which the HP is partially transformed but remains the dominant species; and a major decomposition regime in which the perovskite is superseded by new phases. We provide a mechanistic description of the processes mediating between each stage and find evidence for metallic Pb (0) , LiBr and LiPbBr 2 as final decomposition products. Combining results from synchrotron X-ray diffraction measurements with in situ photoluminescence and optical reflection microscopy studies, we distinguish the influences of free charge carriers and intercalated lithium independently. We find that the charge density is equally as important as the geometric considerations of the dopant species and thereby provide a quantitative framework upon which the future design of doped-perovskite energy devices should be based.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Influence of core size on the upconversion luminescence properties of spherical Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+}@SiO{sub 2} particles with core-shell structures

Spherical SiO{sub 2} particles with different sizes (30, 80, 120, and 180 nm) have been coated with Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+} layers by a heterogeneous precipitation method, leading to the formation of core-shell structural Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+}@SiO{sub 2} particles. The samples were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, upconversion (UC) emission spectra, and fluorescent dynamical analysis. The obtained core-shell particles have perfect spherical shape with narrow size distribution. Under the excitation of 980 nm diode laser, the core-shell samples showed size-dependent upconversion luminescence (UCL) properties. The inner SiO{sub 2} cores in core-shell samples were proved to have limited effect on the total UCL intensities of Er{sup 3+} ions. The UCL intensities of core-shell particles were demonstrated much higher than the values obtained in pure Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}:Yb{sup 3+}/Er{sup 3+} with the same phosphor volume. The dependence of the specific area of a UCL shell on the size of its inner SiO{sub 2} particle was calculated and analyzed for the first time. It was confirmed that the surface effect came from the outer surfaces of emitting shells is dominant in influencing the UCL property in the core-shell samples. Three-photon UC processes for the green emissions were observed in the samples with small sizes of SiO{sub 2} cores. The results of dynamical analysis illustrated that more nonradiative relaxation occurred in the core-shell samples with smaller SiO{sub 2} core sizes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Robustness of cluster synchronous patterns in small-world networks with inter-cluster co-competition balance

All edges in the classical Watts and Strogatz's small-world network model are unweighted and cooperative (positive). By introducing competitive (negative) inter-cluster edges and assigning edge weights to mimic more realistic networks, this paper develops a modified model which possesses co-competitive weighted couplings and cluster structures while maintaining the common small-world network properties of small average shortest path lengths and large clustering coefficients. Based on theoretical analysis, it is proved that the new model with inter-cluster co-competition balance has an important dynamical property of robust cluster synchronous pattern formation. More precisely, clusters will neither merge nor split regardless of adding or deleting nodes and edges, under the condition of inter-cluster co-competition balance. Numerical simulations demonstrate the robustness of the model against the increase of the coupling strength and several topological variations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Mapping the structural–mechanical landscape of amorphous carbon with ReaxFF molecular dynamics

We use ReaxFF molecular dynamics (MD) to investigate the relationship between structural and mechanical properties in bulk and nanostructured amorphous carbon (a-C). The liquid-quench MD method is used to generate isotropic bulk samples with mass densities ranging from 0.96 to 3.29 g/cm3. Structural analysis identifies two types of structures with distinct short- and medium-range order: lower-density sp2-dominated a-C, which is characterized by a bimodal ring-size distribution, and higher-density sp3-dominated tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C), exhibiting a unimodal ring-size distribution. Stress–strain MD simulations and analysis reveal how an atomistic structure impacts elastic properties and post-yield atomic rearrangements. All stretched structures demonstrate elastic isotropy and plasticity driven by a ring-size expansion mechanism reflected in changes in ring statistics. The plastic region is substantially larger in ta-C than in a-C due to the post-yield shift from sp3 to sp2 C dominant bonding. In both a-C and ta-C, ultimate failure occurs when a reactive crack, traversed by long sp chains, forms and propagates predominantly perpendicular to the direction of the applied strain. Oxygen infiltration into the fractured region significantly reduces stress resistance, primarily through the early rupture of long sp chains. MD simulations and analysis are extended to a-C slabs, a-C nanotubes, and partially a-C nanotubes. The latter nanostructure highlights the differences between the elastically isotropic a-C walls, which develop circumferential cracking, and the crystalline walls, which tear along crystallographic directions. These results provide a strong foundation for further computational characterization of a-C materials.

Dernov, A. (ORCID:0009000004220973)↗

Temperature and nutrients drive eco-phenotypic dynamics in a microbial food web

Anthropogenic increases in temperature and nutrient loads will likely impact food web structure and stability. Although their independent effects have been reasonably well studied, their joint effects—particularly on coupled ecological and phenotypic dynamics—remain poorly understood. Here we experimentally manipulated temperature and nutrient levels in microbial food webs and used time-series analysis to quantify the strength of reciprocal effects between ecological and phenotypic dynamics across trophic levels. We found that (1) joint—often interactive—effects of temperature and nutrients on ecological dynamics are more common at higher trophic levels, (2) temperature and nutrients interact to shift the relative strength of top-down versus bottom-up control, and (3) rapid phenotypic change mediates observed ecological responses to changes in temperature and nutrients. Our results uncover how feedback between ecological and phenotypic dynamics mediate food web responses to environmental change. As a result, this suggests important but previously unknown ways that temperature and nutrients might jointly control the rapid eco-phenotypic feedback that determine food web dynamics in a changing world.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗