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We study phase-separation kinetics of symmetric diblock copolymer (BCP) melt in $3d$ 3 d subjected to sequential light on/off cycles. The incompatible blocks of each BCP chain are connected by a photosensitive bond, which undergoes breakage during photo-illumination (on-cycle) and recombination during the off-cycle. We set a shorter fixed time limit for each on-cycles and focus on analysing how the much longer duration of the light off-cycles affects the segregation kinetics. We explore two scenarios for each off-cycle time variation: one with equal and another with increasing durations. For both cases, we determine the rate constants for bond formation and degradation reactions and assess their influence on the dynamical scaling functions and the growth scale of evolving morphologies. The average domain size typically exhibits diffusive growth ($R\lpar t\rpar \sim t^{1/3}$ R (t) ∼ t 1 / 3 ) for a couple of cycles in the beginning. However, the domain growth nearly freezes during the rest of the cycles, resulting in bicontinuous and nearly frozen isotropic morphologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

nArgBP2, a protein whose disruption is implicated in intellectual disability, concentrates in excitatory spine-synapses. By forming a triad with GKAP and SHANK, it regulates spine structural rearrangement. We here find that GKAP and SHANK3 concentrate close to the synaptic contact, whereas nArgBP2 concentrates more centrally in the spine. The three proteins collaboratively form biomolecular condensates in living fibroblasts, exhibiting distinctive layered localizations. nArgBP2 concentrates in the inner phase, SHANK3 in the outer phase, and GKAP partially in both. Upon co-expression of GKAP and nArgBP2, they evenly distribute within condensates, with a notable peripheral localization of SHANK3 persisting when co-expressed with either GKAP or nArgBP2. Co-expression of SHANK3 and GKAP with CaMKIIα results in phasein-phase condensates, with CaMKIIα at the central locus and SHANK3 and GKAP exhibiting peripheral localization. Additional co-expression of nArgBP2 maintains the layered organizational structure within condensates. Subsequent CaMKIIα activation disperses a majority of the condensates, with an even distribution of all proteins within the extant deformed condensates. Our findings suggest that protein segregation via phase separation may contribute to establishing layered organization in dendritic spines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blending different types of polymers with traces of a telechelic macromolecule that is end‐functionalized with excimer‐forming chromophores affords materials that display a highly sensitive, reversible, and strain‐dependent mechanochromic response. Confocal microscopy imaging reveals that the additive forms discrete, phase‐separated inclusions in host polymers such as poly(ε‐caprolactone), poly‐isoprene, poly(styrene‐b‐butadiene‐b‐styrene), and different thermoplastic polyurethanes. A comprehensive analysis shows that the mechanochromism of the blends originates from the distortion of the inclusions, which, independent of the additive content and chemical composition of the matrix, deform homogeneously and reversibly in response to the applied macroscopic strain. These findings support the conclusion that such excimer‐forming, telechelic macromolecules can be used as universal additives that allow the straightforward fabrication of a wide range of mechanochromic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a well-known biodegradable bio-based polymer but can be brittle. Polymer blending of PHB with polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) has been proposed to improve the mechanical properties. Compatibilizers have been considered to improve the performance of the polymer blend with PHB; however, the effect of compatibilizers on biodegradation is controversial. In the present study, the PHB polymer was blended with PP, a non-biodegradable synthetic polymer, and spun into fiber form. Furthermore, the effect of increased interaction between the polymers was investigated by increasing the miscibility with compatibilizer, maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP). The biodegradation of PHB in the blends was investigated in aquatic aerobic conditions with a closed respirometer with activated sludge as inoculum. Since PP is not a biodegradable polymer, the PHB-based biodegradation was calculated based on the ratio of oxygen consumption to the theoretical oxygen demand of PHB polymer in the blends. The fibers with a concentration of PHB below 75% showed a significant decrease in PHB biodegradation. This result confirms that non-biodegradable polymers in the blend can hinder the biodegradation of biodegradable polymers. Additionally, this blending is shown herein to have unintended consequences, creating micro and nano pollution of residual synthetic PP material. MAPP has an effect of increasing the miscibility between PP and PHB; however, this increased miscibility rendered the PHB biodegradation to be very low, less than 25%. This result suggests that even though increased miscibility can improve mechanical performance, it can decrease the biodegradation of biodegradable polymers in non-biodegradable/biodegradable polymer blends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the complex 3D architecture of mammalian genomes poses, at a more fundamental level, the problem of how two or multiple genomic sites can establish physical contacts in the nucleus of the cells. Beyond stochastic and fleeting encounters related to the polymeric nature of chromatin, experiments have revealed specific, privileged patterns of interactions that suggest the existence of basic organizing principles of folding. In this review, we focus on two major and recently proposed physical processes of chromatin organization: loop-extrusion and polymer phase-separation, both supported by increasing experimental evidence. We discuss their implementation into polymer physics models, which we test against available single-cell super-resolution imaging data, showing that both mechanisms can cooperate to shape chromatin structure at the single-molecule level. Next, by exploiting the comprehension of the underlying molecular mechanisms, we illustrate how such polymer models can be used as powerful tools to make predictions in silico that can complement experiments in understanding genome folding. To this aim, we focus on recent key applications, such as the prediction of chromatin structure rearrangements upon disease-associated mutations and the identification of the putative chromatin organizing factors that orchestrate the specificity of DNA regulatory contacts genome-wide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by accumulation of aberrantly differentiated hematopoietic myeloid progenitor cells. The karyotyping-silent NUP98-NSD1 fusion is a molecular hallmark of pediatric AML and is associated with the activating FLT3-ITD mutation in > 70% of the cases. NUP98-NSD1 fusion protein promotes myeloid progenitor self-renewal in mice via unknown molecular mechanism requiring both the NUP98 and the NSD1 moieties. Methods We used affinity purification coupled to label-free mass spectrometry (AP-MS) to examine the effect of NUP98-NSD1 structural domain deletions on nuclear interactome binding. We determined their functional relevance in NUP98-NSD1 immortalized primary murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) by inducible knockdown, pharmacological targeting, methylcellulose assay, RT-qPCR analysis and/or proximity ligation assays (PLA). Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and b-isoxazole assay were performed to examine the phase transition capacity of NUP98-NSD1 in vitro and in vivo. Results We show that NUP98-NSD1 core interactome binding is largely dependent on the NUP98 phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeat domains which mediate formation of liquid-like phase-separated NUP98-NSD1 nuclear condensates. We identified condensate constituents including imitation switch (ISWI) family member SMARCA5 and BPTF (bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor), both members of the nucleosome remodeling factor complex (NURF). We validated the interaction with SMARCA5 in NUP98-NSD1+ patient cells and demonstrated its functional role in NUP98-NSD1/FLT3-ITD immortalized primary murine hematopoietic cells by genetic and pharmacological targeting. Notably, SMARCA5 inhibition did not affect NUP98-NSD1 condensates suggesting that functional activity rather than condensate formation per se is crucial to maintain the transformed phenotype. Conclusions NUP98-NSD1 interacts and colocalizes on the genome with SMARCA5 which is an essential mediator of the NUP98-NSD1 transformation in hematopoietic cells. Formation of NUP98-NSD1 phase-separated nuclear condensates is not sufficient for the maintenance of transformed phenotype, which suggests that selective targeting of condensate constituents might represent a new therapeutic strategy for NUP98-NSD1 driven AML.

The polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were synthesized using immersion precipitation technique. The effect of four solvents, N, N-dimethyl formamide (DMF), N, N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on the water flux and beef serum albumin (BSA) rejection efficiency was reported. The structure and morphology of PVDF membranes were studied using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and water contact angle measurements. The cross-section of a membrane formed in a DMF as a solvent exhibit a spongy/fingerlike hybrid structure, while DMSO favors the formation of more porous structure. The increase in the solvent mass fraction facilitates liquid phase separation and solution casting, and changes the structure of PVDF membrane from denser, bicontinuous structure to a looser, stacked structure. Moreover, the results revealed that the properties of PVDF membranes sub-layer are controlled by the diffusion rate of the nonsolvent. The membrane with the best performance was prepared using 80% DMF (mass fraction) as a solvent, and it reached water flux of 66 L·m−2·h−1, and 91.53% BSA rejection efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within cell nuclei, several biophysical processes occur in order to allow the correct activities of the genome such as transcription and gene regulation. To quantitatively investigate such processes, polymer physics models have been developed to unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying genome functions. Among these, phase-separation plays a key role since it controls gene activity and shapes chromatin spatial structure. In this paper, we review some recent experimental and theoretical progress in the field and show that polymer physics in synergy with numerical simulations can be helpful for several purposes, including the study of molecular condensates, gene-enhancer dynamics, and the three-dimensional reconstruction of real genomic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by accumulation of aberrantly differentiated hematopoietic myeloid progenitor cells. The karyotyping-silent NUP98-NSD1 fusion is a molecular hallmark of pediatric AML and is associated with the activating FLT3-ITD mutation in > 70% of the cases. NUP98-NSD1 fusion protein promotes myeloid progenitor self-renewal in mice via unknown molecular mechanism requiring both the NUP98 and the NSD1 moieties. Methods: We used affinity purification coupled to label-free mass spectrometry (AP-MS) to examine the effect of NUP98-NSD1 structural domain deletions on nuclear interactome binding. We determined their functional relevance in NUP98-NSD1 immortalized primary murine hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) by inducible knockdown, pharmacological targeting, methylcellulose assay, RT-qPCR analysis and/or proximity ligation assays (PLA). Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching and b-isoxazole assay were performed to examine the phase transition capacity of NUP98-NSD1 in vitro and in vivo. Results: We show that NUP98-NSD1 core interactome binding is largely dependent on the NUP98 phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeat domains which mediate formation of liquid-like phase-separated NUP98-NSD1 nuclear condensates. We identified condensate constituents including imitation switch (ISWI) family member SMARCA5 and BPTF (bromodomain PHD finger transcription factor), both members of the nucleosome remodeling factor complex (NURF). We validated the interaction with SMARCA5 in NUP98-NSD1+ patient cells and demonstrated its functional role in NUP98-NSD1/FLT3-ITD immortalized primary murine hematopoietic cells by genetic and pharmacological targeting. Notably, SMARCA5 inhibition did not affect NUP98-NSD1 condensates suggesting that functional activity rather than condensate formation per se is crucial to maintain the transformed phenotype. Conclusions: NUP98-NSD1 interacts and colocalizes on the genome with SMARCA5 which is an essential mediator of the NUP98-NSD1 transformation in hematopoietic cells. Formation of NUP98-NSD1 phase-separated nuclear condensates is not sufficient for the maintenance of transformed phenotype, which suggests that selective targeting of condensate constituents might represent a new therapeutic strategy for NUP98-NSD1 driven AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the mechanisms underlying the complex 3D architecture of mammalian genomes poses, at a more fundamental level, the problem of how two or multiple genomic sites can establish physical contacts in the nucleus of the cells. Beyond stochastic and fleeting encounters related to the polymeric nature of chromatin, experiments have revealed specific, privileged patterns of interactions that suggest the existence of basic organizing principles of folding. In this review, we focus on two major and recently proposed physical processes of chromatin organization: loop-extrusion and polymer phase-separation, both supported by increasing experimental evidence. We discuss their implementation into polymer physics models, which we test against available single-cell super-resolution imaging data, showing that both mechanisms can cooperate to shape chromatin structure at the single-molecule level. Next, by exploiting the comprehension of the underlying molecular mechanisms, we illustrate how such polymer models can be used as powerful tools to make predictions in silico that can complement experiments in understanding genome folding. To this aim, we focus on recent key applications, such as the prediction of chromatin structure rearrangements upon disease-associated mutations and the identification of the putative chromatin organizing factors that orchestrate the specificity of DNA regulatory contacts genome-wide.

Procyanidin extracted from fruits, such as apples, has been shown to improve lipid metabolization. Recently, studies have revealed that procyanidin interacts with lipid molecules in membranes to enhance lipid metabolism; however, direct evidence of the interaction between procyanidin and lipid membranes has not been demonstrated. In this study, the phase behaviors and changes in the membrane fluidity of cell-sized liposomes containing apple procyanidin, procyanidin B2 (PB2), were demonstrated for the first time. Phase separation in 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC)/1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC)/cholesterol ternary membranes significantly decreased after the addition of PB2. The prospect of applying procyanidin content measurements, using the results of this study, to commercial apple juice was also assessed. Specifically, the PB2 concentrations were 50%, 33%, and 0% for pure apple juice, 2-fold diluted apple juice, and pure water, respectively. The results of the actual juice were correlated with PB2 concentrations and phase-separated liposomes ratios, as well as with the results of experiments involving pure chemicals. In conclusion, the mechanism through which procyanidin improves lipid metabolism through the regulation of membrane fluidity was established.

Within cell nuclei, several biophysical processes occur in order to allow the correct activities of the genome such as transcription and gene regulation. To quantitatively investigate such processes, polymer physics models have been developed to unveil the molecular mechanisms underlying genome functions. Among these, phase-separation plays a key role since it controls gene activity and shapes chromatin spatial structure. In this paper, we review some recent experimental and theoretical progress in the field and show that polymer physics in synergy with numerical simulations can be helpful for several purposes, including the study of molecular condensates, gene-enhancer dynamics, and the three-dimensional reconstruction of real genomic regions.

Vapor co-deposited metal nanocomposites with immiscible components have shown to have several superior properties including mechanical performance, radiation tolerance, and enhanced functionalities. The morphology and structural design of these nanocomposites are important in determining the expression of these properties. The conditions used to deposit thin film nanocomposites are the governing factors in determining the final nanostructure. In this work, we link the effects of process gas pressure, substrate temperature, and sputtering target power on resultant Cu/Nb thin film nanostructures. We find that for films with equiatomic phase fractions of Cu and Nb, inhomogeneous precipitate segregation dominated the structure at lower substrate temperature depositions while higher temperatures distributed the Cu and Nb phases more uniformly. Increasing process gas pressure during deposition lead to a spatially homogeneous, nanocrystalline structure of Cu/Nb. In situ annealing of this sample shows that the phase separated morphology of the two immiscible materials depends on the initial composition. Finally, compositions of Cu and Nb that were highly disparate lead to interface segregation of the minority phase. The morphological evolution observed in the Cu/Nb system is compatible with modified structural zone models for immiscible thin film systems. • Substrate temperatures above 100 °C led to inhomogeneous Cu/Nb segregation. • Increasing process pressure allowed a homogeneous structure of Cu/Nb to dominate. • Highly concentrated compositions drove interface segregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most severe type of DNA damage. Previously, we demonstrated that RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) phosphorylated at the tyrosine 1 (Y1P) residue of its C-terminal domain (CTD) generates RNAs at DSBs. However, the regulation of transcription at DSBs remains enigmatic. Here, we show that the damage-activated tyrosine kinase c-Abl phosphorylates hSSB1, enabling its interaction with Y1P RNAPII at DSBs. Furthermore, the trimeric SOSS1 complex, consisting of hSSB1, INTS3, and c9orf80, binds to Y1P RNAPII in response to DNA damage in an R-loop-dependent manner. Specifically, hSSB1, as a part of the trimeric SOSS1 complex, exhibits a strong affinity for R-loops, even in the presence of replication protein A (RPA). Our in vitro and in vivo data reveal that the SOSS1 complex and RNAPII form dynamic liquid-like repair compartments at DSBs. Depletion of the SOSS1 complex impairs DNA repair, underscoring its biological role in the R-loop-dependent DNA damage response. [Display omitted] • Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most severe type of DNA damage • c-Abl phosphorylates hSSB1 (SOSS1), enabling its interaction with Y1P RNAPII at DSBs • The trimeric SOSS1 complex is present at DSBs in an R-loop-dependent manner • The SOSS1 complex and RNAPII form dynamic liquid-like repair compartments at DSBs Double-strand breaks (DSBs) are the most severe type of DNA damage. Long et al. show that hSSB1 is modified and forms a trimeric SOSS1 complex that comes to DSBs in an R-loop-dependent manner. At DSBs, SOSS1 and RNA polymerase II form liquid-like repair compartments. Depletion of the SOSS1 impairs DNA repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protein clustering plays numerous roles in cell physiology and disease. However, protein oligomers can be difficult to detect because they are often too small to appear as puncta in conventional fluorescence microscopy. Here, we describe a fluorescent reporter strategy that detects protein clusters with high sensitivity called CluMPS (clusters magnified by phase separation). A CluMPS reporter detects and visually amplifies even small clusters of a binding partner, generating large, quantifiable fluorescence condensates. We use computational modeling and optogenetic clustering to demonstrate that CluMPS can detect small oligomers and behaves rationally according to key system parameters. CluMPS detected small aggregates of pathological proteins where the corresponding GFP fusions appeared diffuse. CluMPS also detected and tracked clusters of unmodified and tagged endogenous proteins, and orthogonal CluMPS probes could be multiplexed in cells. CluMPS provides a powerful yet straightforward approach to observe higher-order protein assembly in its native cellular context. A record of this paper's transparent peer review process is included in the supplemental information., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

nArgBP2, a protein whose disruption is implicated in intellectual disability, concentrates in excitatory spine-synapses. By forming a triad with GKAP and SHANK, it regulates spine structural rearrangement. We here find that GKAP and SHANK3 concentrate close to the synaptic contact, whereas nArgBP2 concentrates more centrally in the spine. The three proteins collaboratively form biomolecular condensates in living fibroblasts, exhibiting distinctive layered localizations. nArgBP2 concentrates in the inner phase, SHANK3 in the outer phase, and GKAP partially in both. Upon co-expression of GKAP and nArgBP2, they evenly distribute within condensates, with a notable peripheral localization of SHANK3 persisting when co-expressed with either GKAP or nArgBP2. Co-expression of SHANK3 and GKAP with CaMKIIα results in phase-in-phase condensates, with CaMKIIα at the central locus and SHANK3 and GKAP exhibiting peripheral localization. Additional co-expression of nArgBP2 maintains the layered organizational structure within condensates. Subsequent CaMKIIα activation disperses a majority of the condensates, with an even distribution of all proteins within the extant deformed condensates. Our findings suggest that protein segregation via phase separation may contribute to establishing layered organization in dendritic spines., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Lee and Chang.)

The gelation mechanism of agarose solution on cooling has been successfully elucidated by measurements from macroscopic to microscopic scales using a dynamic rheometer, the multiple particle tracking with two different diameters and the pulsed-field-gradient stimulated echo (PGSTE) 1H NMR. The dynamic rheometer detected the gradual increase of G ' in the temperature range from 55 to 40 °C before the steep increase at the gelation temperature. The time-averaged mean square displacement (msd) obtained by multiple particle tracking for particles with diameter of 270 nm and 1000 nm revealed the generation of micro domains with the network structure obstructing particle diffusion. Further, the NMR measurements gave detailed information about the change of molecular mobility for agarose chains during the formation of the micro domains and the macroscopic overall network structure. These results suggest a gelation mechanism and gel network structure including the formation of micro domains in the temperature range from 55 to 40 °C and the connection among the micro domains by agarose aggregates to form the overall network structure at the gelation temperature. [Display omitted] • Particle tracking detected the formation of micro domain of network before gelation. • Particles with different sizes were used to elucidate the network structure with different length scale. • Gradient NMR gave the information about the formation of aggregates during gelation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relying on a square lattice, the quantum phases of a three-components Bose–Hubbard model are studied under spin–orbit-coupling. With the help of an inhomogeneous Gutzwiller variational method, we discovered phase-separation in stripe phase as well as in the superfluid and supersolid phase. Concretely, three components can simultaneously present striped and commensurate structures to bring up a stripe phase of the total system. They would also come to different types of supersolid states, such as 'composite supersolid' and 'array supersolid', resulting in a supersolid phase on the whole. We further find that the superfluid phase divides into different supersolid states for three components in the phase-separation under strong spin–orbit-coupling. • We study three-components bosons under spin orbit coupling on Bose–Hubbard model. • This work discovers the 'composite supersolid' and 'array supersolid' phase. • We shows the transition from the stripe phase to supersolid phase. • This work reveals the phase-separation in both stripe state and supersolid state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In the radiative cooling test, the films achieved an average 14.9 °C lower than the sub-ambient. • The average emissivity is 0.95 in the 8–13 μm, and the average reflectance is above 0.7 in the 0.3–2.5 μm. • The simple fabrication process of porous PDMS films can be used for efficient large-scale PDRC. • The porous PDMS film is extremely flexible and can adhere to the surface of soft objects. Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) is a technology without requiring additional energy that cools objects by reflecting sunlight and radiating heat into outer space. However, the design process of PDRC films is relatively complicated or costly, which is not conducive to large-scale fabrication. For this, we fabricated a flexibly hierarchical porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) radiative cooling film, which is simple and fast to fabricate and can be used for efficient large-scale production. It can reach the average emissivity of 0.95 in the transparent atmospheric window (8–13 μm). The average reflectance is above 0.7 in the solar wavelength band (0.3–2.5 μm), which is nearly 9 times of the non-porous structure. Thus, the porous PDMS films realize excellent sub-ambient temperature drop of 14.9 °C at the solar intensity of 910 W/m2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We numerically investigated the dynamics of a mixture of finite-size active and passive disks in a linear array of two-dimensional convection rolls. The interplay of advection and steric interactions produces a number of interesting effects, like the stirring of a passive colloidal fluid by a small fraction of slow active particles, or the separation of the mixture active and passive colloidal fractions by increasing the motility of the active one, which eventually clusters in stagnation areas along the array walls. These mechanisms are quantitatively characterized by studying the dependence of the diffusion constants of the active and passive particles on the parameters of the active mixture fraction., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Procyanidin extracted from fruits, such as apples, has been shown to improve lipid metabolization. Recently, studies have revealed that procyanidin interacts with lipid molecules in membranes to enhance lipid metabolism; however, direct evidence of the interaction between procyanidin and lipid membranes has not been demonstrated. In this study, the phase behaviors and changes in the membrane fluidity of cell-sized liposomes containing apple procyanidin, procyanidin B2 (PB2), were demonstrated for the first time. Phase separation in 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC)/1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC)/cholesterol ternary membranes significantly decreased after the addition of PB2. The prospect of applying procyanidin content measurements, using the results of this study, to commercial apple juice was also assessed. Specifically, the PB2 concentrations were 50%, 33%, and 0% for pure apple juice, 2-fold diluted apple juice, and pure water, respectively. The results of the actual juice were correlated with PB2 concentrations and phase-separated liposomes ratios, as well as with the results of experiments involving pure chemicals. In conclusion, the mechanism through which procyanidin improves lipid metabolism through the regulation of membrane fluidity was established.

Quantum phases of three-components Bose-Hubbard model are explored in a square lattice, subject to an external magnetic field. By employing an inhomogeneous Gutzwiller variational method, three types of stripe phases are discovered, including the vertical stripe, titled stripe, and horizontal stripe phase. We further identify the phase-separation in these stripe phases, where one of three components is vanishing in density, and the other two components come to stripe phases commensurately. Moreover, theoretical analysis manifests that the orientation of stripe is susceptible to magnetic flux. And an increasing magnetic flux can further transfer the vanishing density from one specific component to another. • We identify the stripe phase induced by magnetic flux in a three-components square lattice. • We figure out the vertical, titled, and horizontal stripe phases site by site. • In phase-separation, one component is vanishing, and the other two components are commensurate. • The increasing magnetic flux can alter the orientation of stripe phase sensitively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new hydrophilic–hydrophobic comb-type anion exchange membrane (AEM) was prepared from SEBS grafted with hexyl quaternary ammonium (HQA) and fluorobenzoyl. As confirmed by XRD and TEM, a better phase separation was obtained by adding a highly hydrophobic fluorine-substituted pendant as an enhanced hydrophobic spacer to the conducting head group (which contained a hexyl spacer as a hydrophilic unit). The HQA-F 1 -SEBS and HQA-F 5 -SEBS membranes, with fluorobenzoyl and pentafluorobenzoyl pendants, respectively, showed enhanced hydrophobicity compared to their non-fluorinated counterpart (HQA-SEBS). The highest hydroxide ion conductivity (87.0 in water and 14.37 mS cm-1 at 95% RH) was obtained at 80 °C with HQA-F 5 -SEBS, which exhibited the most thermodynamic incompatibility between hydrophilic and hydrophobic units. The mechanical properties (tensile strength and Young's Modulus) of the HQA-F 5 -SEBS membrane were also improved; they were almost 2.5 times higher than those of the HQA-SEBS. The HQA-F 5 -SEBS showed a current density of 500 mA cm-2 at a potential of 0.6 V and a peak power density of 354 mW cm-2. It also showed stable-cell durability for up to 100 h. Compared with the typical hydrophilic comb-type SEBS membrane and the previously reported SEBS-based AEM, its cell performance was significantly higher. [Display omitted] • Hydrophilic–hydrophobic comb-type SEBS prepared as novel materials for anion exchange membranes. • Hexyl quaternary ammonium- and fluorobenzoyl-grafted SEBS were prepared. • The effect of the fluorine content of the hydrophobic pendant was investigated. • Enhanced hydrophobicity helped to form a phase-separated morphology and enhance conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forming an ideal bulk heterojunction (BHJ) morphology is a critical issue governing the photon to electron process in organic solar cells (OSCs). Complementary to the widely-used blend casting (BC) method for BHJ construction, sequential casting (SC) can also enable similar or even better morphology and device performance for OSCs. Here, BC and SC methods on three representative donor:acceptor (D:A) blends are utilized, that is, PM6:PC 71 BM, PM6:IT-4F and PM6:L8-BO. Higher power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) in all cases by taking advantage of beneficial morphology from SC processing are achieved, and a champion PCE of 18.86% (certified as 18.44%) based on the PM6:L8-BO blend is reached, representing the record value among binary OSCs. The observations on phase separation and vertical distribution inspire the proposal of the swelling-intercalation phase-separation model to interpret the morphology evolution during SC processing. Further, the vertical phase segregation is found to deliver an improvement of device performance via affecting the charge transport and collection processes, as evidenced by the D:A-ratio-dependent photovoltaic properties. Besides, OSCs based on SC processing show advantages on device photostability and upscale fabrication. This work demonstrates the versatility and efficacy of the SC method for BHJ-based OSCs., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The network structure of mixed κ- (KC) and ι- (IC) carrageenan gels were investigated using particle tracking in a long time observation. The Brownian motion of 100 nm particles tracked for ~1400 s was utilized to probe the microenvironment in the mixed gels. The individual mean square displacement (msd) of particles in different mixing ratios of KC/IC showed a broad distribution, indicating spatial heterogeneity in the particle diffusion, suggesting the phase-separated network structure with KC-rich and IC-rich domains. The broad distribution of msd further suggests fast-moving particles in IC-rich and slow-moving particles in KC-rich domains. The distribution of displacement for each of the fast-moving particles showed a non-Gaussian distribution indicating the heterogeneous diffusion behavior. The time-course of the radius of gyration in a sliding time window with a duration time for the mobile particles revealed multiple confinement events. These were attributed to the sterical hindrance or the interaction with the surface of the KC-rich domain, which tolerates the breakaway from the confinement by the Brownian motion. Simulation of particle diffusion was performed to understand the interaction that causes the confinement period. Results revealed that the confinement was caused by the interaction between the particle and the KC-rich domain covered with KC chains. The KC chains have the negatively charged sulfonic group, but salt ions of KCl should satisfyingly shield the repulsive interaction by the sulfonic group to have cohesive interaction with the particle. [Display omitted] • Particle tracking in an extended timescale observation revealed transient in particle diffusion. • The distribution of displacement for the fast-moving particles showed a non-Gaussian distribution indicating heterogeneity. • Transient particle diffusion in mixtures was due to the sterical hindrance or interaction with the surface of the KC domain. • Our findings provide new insights on the phase-separated structure of mixture carrageenan gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proteomics is a data-rich science with complex experimental designs and an intricate measurement process. To obtain insights from the large data sets produced, statistical methods, including machine learning, are routinely applied. For a quantity of interest, many of these approaches only produce a point estimate, such as a mean, leaving little room for more nuanced interpretations. By contrast, Bayesian statistics allows quantification of uncertainty through the use of probability distributions. These probability distributions enable scientists to ask complex questions of their proteomics data. Bayesian statistics also offers a modular framework for data analysis by making dependencies between data and parameters explicit. Hence, specifying complex hierarchies of parameter dependencies is straightforward in the Bayesian framework. This allows us to use a statistical methodology which equals, rather than neglects, the sophistication of experimental design and instrumentation present in proteomics. Here, we review Bayesian methods applied to proteomics, demonstrating their potential power, alongside the challenges posed by adopting this new statistical framework. To illustrate our review, we give a walk-through of the development of a Bayesian model for dynamic organic orthogonal phase-separation (OOPS) data.