Multiple-symmetry-protected lantern-like nodal walls in lithium-rich compound LiRuO2

Topological semimetals have attracted wide attention due to their potential applications, such as electronic devices and electrocatalysis. Herein, based on the first-principles calculations and symmetry analysis, we first report that ternary compound pnnm-type LiRuO2 is a typical lantern-like nodal wall semimetal. Specifically, without considering spin-orbit coupling (SOC), one-dimensional (1D) two-fold degenerate bands on the ki = ±π (i = x, y) planes form the two-dimensional (2D) topological state (namely, nodal surface) under the constraint of multiple symmetry operations. In addition, the symmetry-enforced nodal network is formed on the kz = ±π planes. Finally, these nodal networks and nodal surfaces are coupled together to form lantern-like nodal walls. Remarkably, these topological states are protected by multiple symmetries, namely, nonsymmorphic two-fold screw-rotational symmetry [S2i (i = x, y)], time-reversal symmetry (T), inversion symmetry (I), glide plane symmetry (σz), and two-fold rotational symmetry (C2x/y). In addition, we further discuss the effect of spin-orbit coupling on the lantern-like nodal walls. We find that even if LiRuO2 contains S2z and T symmetries, these nodal surfaces and nodal networks are still broken. Then, due to the existence of I and T symmetries, Dirac nodal lines and Dirac points are formed in the low-energy region. Therefore, our work indicates that LiRuO2 is an excellent material platform for researching multiple topological states

Two-dimensional Mo decorated borophenes: high critical temperature, large magnetic anisotropy, and stacking-dependent magnetism

Two-dimensional magnetic materials with high critical temperature, large magnetic anisotropy energy and intrinsic magnetism hold great promise for advancements in spintronics. However, synergizing these attributes within a single material remains challenging. Through the application of swarm-intelligence-based structure searching along with first-principles calculations, we identify two Mo decorated borophene variants, denoted as MoB _4 and MoB _6 , are such candidates with high thermal and dynamical stabilities. MoB _4 and MoB _6 are characterized as either ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic metals. Notably, both MoB _4 and MoB _6 display sizable magnetic anisotropy energy—924 and 932 μ eV per Mo atom, respectively—surpassing that of the widely studied CrI _3 monolayer, which measures 685 μ eV per Cr atom. Monte Carlo simulation suggests the Curie temperature of MoB _4 sheet is 390 K, which is above room temperature. Our examination uncovers that bilayer Mo _x B _y formations exhibit layer-specific van der Waals interactions, contrasting with bilayer borophenes produced experimentally, which display robust interlayer chemical bonding. We determine that the stacking order profoundly influence both the magnetic anisotropy energy and critical temperatures of the material. Specifically, the magnetic anisotropy energy for both structures doubles in their bilayer configurations, with AB-stacked MoB _4 and AC-stacked MoB _6 demonstrating critical temperatures of 550 K and 320 K, respectively. The exceptional electronic and magnetic characteristics of the Mo _x B _y monolayers position them as favorable candidates for future spintronic devices

<i>Luffa cylindrica</i> Intercropping with <i>Semen cassiae</i>—A Production Practice of Improving Land Use in Soil Contaminated with Arsenic

In recent years, research on the safe utilization and green remediation of contaminated soil by intercropping has become common. In this study, the growth of an intercropping system of Luffa cylindrica–Semen cassiae in soil contaminated with medium amounts of arsenic (As) was studied using field (91.60 mg kg−1) and pot (83.34 mg kg−1) experiments. The field experiments showed that intercropping significantly increased the yield per plant of L. cylindrica by 27.36%, while the yield per plant of S. cassiae decreased by 21.66%; however, this difference was not significant. Intercropping reduced the concentration of As in all organs of L. cylindrica but increased the concentration of As in all parts of S. cassiae. The accumulation of As per plant of L. cylindrica was reduced by 20.72%, while that in a single plant of S. cassiae was increased by 201.93%. In addition, the concentration of As in the fruit of these two crops in these two planting modes was low enough to meet the National Food Safety Standard of China (GB2762-2017). In addition, the land equivalent ratio and As metal removal equivalent ratio of the intercropping mode was 1.03 and 2.34, indicating that the intercropping mode had advantages in land use and As removal. In the pot experiment, the biomass and As concentration of L. cylindrica and S. cassiae were roughly consistent with those in the field experiment. During the sampling period, intercropping reduced the concentration of As in the rhizosphere soil solution of L. cylindrica by 3.1–23.77%, while it increased the concentration of As in the rhizosphere soil solution of S. cassiae by 13.30–59.40%. The changes in pH and redox potential were also closely related to the content of water-soluble As in the rhizosphere environment, which affects the absorption of As by plants. In general, the L. cylindrica–S. cassiae intercropping system is a planting mode that can effectively treat soil that is moderately contaminated with As and remove it from the soil to an extent

Chronic Lead Exposure and Mixed Factors of Gender×Age×Brain Regions Interactions on Dendrite Growth, Spine Maturity and NDR Kinase.

NDR1/2 kinase is essential in dendrite morphology and spine formation, which is regulated by cellular Ca2+. Lead (Pb) is a potent blocker of L-type calcium channel and our recent work showed Pb exposure impairs dendritic spine outgrowth in hippocampal neurons in rats. But the sensitivity of Pb-induced spine maturity with mixed factors (gender×age×brain regions) remains unknown. This study aimed to systematically investigate the effect of Pb exposure on spine maturity in rat brain with three factors (gender×age×brain regions), as well as the NDR1/2 kinase expression. Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to Pb from parturition to postnatal day 30, 60, 90, respectively. Golgi-Cox staining was used to examine spine maturity. Western blot assay was applied to measure protein expression and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay was used to examine mRNA levels. The results showed chronic Pb exposure significantly decreased dendritic length and impaired spine maturity in both rat hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. The impairment of dendritic length induced by Pb exposure tended to adolescence > adulthood, hippocampus > medial prefrontal cortex and female > male. Pb exposure induced significant damage in spine maturity during adolescence and early adult while little damage during adult in male rat brain and female medial prefrontal cortex. Besides, there was sustained impairment from adolescence to adulthood in female hippocampus. Interestingly, impairment of spine maturity followed by Pb exposure was correlated with NDR1/2 kinase. The reduction of NDR1/2 kinase protein expression after Pb exposure was similar to the result of spine maturity. In addition, NDR2 and their substrate Rabin3 mRNA levels were significantly decreased by Pb exposure in developmental rat brain. Taken together, Pb exposure impaired dendrite growth and maturity which was subject to gender×age×brain regions effects and related to NDR1/2 signal expression

Multi‐Dimensional Topological Fermions in Electrides

Abstract Topological electrides have attracted extensive attention in various fields, for example, electrocatalysis, spintronics, electron emitters, etc., due to their non‐trivial topological surface states and unique electronic properties. It is well known that topologically protected nontrivial surface states are not broken by external perturbations and further exhibit high carrier mobility and high electron density on some specific surfaces. In addition, electrides usually possess a lower work function due to the presence of approximately loose excess electrons. In this case, topological electrides not only build a bridge between topological materials and electrides, but also couple various excellent properties of these two materials. Since the concept of topological electrides was first proposed, several novel types of topological electrides have been reported in the last few years. Therefore, it is necessary to give a comprehensive review of these topological electrides. In this review, the history of the development of topological electrides and their current status is systematically summarized. In addition, relevant insights into the challenges and opportunities facing topological materials are provided

Multi-dimensional inorganic electrides for energy conversion and storage

Reflecting on the course of global development, the progress of high-performance new materials has played a pivotal role in human history. Researchers are vigorously developing new materials with superior performance, of which inorganic electrides are a typical example. Inorganic electrides, due to their unique physical and chemical properties, e.g., non-trivial topological states, high electron mobility, low work function, etc., exhibit essential application prospects in energy storage and conversion. In this review, we provide a systematic review of the development process, the formation mechanism, judgment indicators, classifications, physical and chemical properties, and potential applications of inorganic electrides, especially in the fields of energy conversion and storage, e.g., ammonia synthesis, metal ion (Li/Na/K) batteries, hydrogen evolution reaction, etc. Finally, relevant insights are provided on the challenges and opportunities facing multi-dimensional (0-, 1-, 2-, 3D) inorganic electrides

Zero-Dimensional Interstitial Electron-Induced Spin–Orbit Coupling Dirac States in Sandwich Electride

The development of inorganic electrides offers new possibilities for studying topological states due to the nonnuclear-binding properties displayed by interstitial electrons. Herein, a sandwich electride 2[CaCl]+:2e− is designed, featuring a tetragonal lattice structure, including two atomic lattice layers and one interstitial electron layer. The interstitial electrons form nonsymmorphic-symmetry-protected Dirac points (DPs) at the X and M points, which are robust against the spin–orbit coupling effect. DPs exhibit an approximately elliptical shape, characterized by a relatively high anisotropy, resulting from the interplay between the electron and atomic layers. In addition, 2[CaCl]+:2e− possesses a lower work function (WF) (3.43 eV), endowing it with robust electron-supplying characteristics. Due to the low WF and interstitial electrons, 2[CaCl]+:2e− loaded Ru shows outstanding catalytic performance for N2 cleavage. A potential research platform for exploring the formation of topological states and promoting nitrogen cracking in electrides is provided