Topologically Protected Photovoltaics in Bi Nanoribbons.

Photovoltaic efficiency in solar cells is hindered by many unwanted effects. Radiative channels (emission of photons) sometimes mediated by nonradiative ones (emission of phonons) are principally responsible for the decrease in exciton population before charge separation can take place. One such mechanism is electron-hole recombination at surfaces or defects where the in-gap edge states serve as the nonradiative channels. In topological insulators (TIs), which are rarely explored from an optoelectronics standpoint, we show that their characteristic surface states constitute a nonradiative decay channel that can be exploited to generate a protected photovoltaic current. Focusing on two-dimensional TIs, and specifically for illustration purposes on a Bi(111) monolayer, we obtain the transition rates from the bulk excitons to the edge states. By breaking the appropriate symmetries of the system, one can induce an edge charge accumulation and edge currents under illumination, demonstrating the potential of TI nanoribbons for photovoltaics.

Franckeite as an Exfoliable Naturally Occurring Topological Insulator.

Franckeite is a natural superlattice composed of two alternating layers of different composition which has shown potential for optoelectronic applications. In part, the interest in franckeite lies in its layered nature which makes it easy to exfoliate into very thin heterostructures. Not surprisingly, its chemical composition and lattice structure are so complex that franckeite has escaped screening protocols and high-throughput searches of materials with nontrivial topological properties. On the basis of density functional theory calculations, we predict a quantum phase transition originating from stoichiometric changes in one of franckeite composing layers (the quasihexagonal one). While for a large concentration of Sb, franckeite is a sequence of type-II semiconductor heterojunctions, for a large concentration of Sn, these turn into type-III, much alike InAs/GaSb artificial heterojunctions, and franckeite becomes a strong topological insulator. Transmission electron microscopy observations confirm that such a phase transition may actually occur in nature.

Strong modulation of optical properties in rippled 2D GaSe via strain engineering.

Few-layer GaSe is one of the latest additions to the family of two-dimensional semiconducting crystals whose properties under strain are still relatively unexplored. Here, we study rippled nanosheets that exhibit a periodic compressive and tensile strain of up to 5%. The strain profile modifies the local optoelectronic properties of the alternating compressive and tensile regions, which translates into a remarkable shift of the optical absorption band-edge of up to 1.2 eV between crests and valleys. Our experimental observations are supported by theoretical results from density functional theory calculations performed for monolayers and multilayers (up to seven layers) under tensile and compressive strain. This large band gap tunability can be explained through a combined analysis of the elastic response of Ga atoms to strain and the symmetry of the wave functions.

Branimycins B and C, Antibiotics Produced by the Abyssal Actinobacterium Pseudonocardia carboxydivorans M-227.

Two new antibiotics, branimycins B (2) and C (3), were produced by fermentation of the abyssal actinobacterium Pseudonocardia carboxydivorans M-227, isolated from deep seawater of the Avilés submarine Canyon. Their structures were elucidated by HRMS and NMR analyses. These compounds exhibit antibacterial activities against a panel of Gram-positive bacteria, including Corynebacterium urealyticum, Clostridium perfringens, and Micrococcus luteus, and against the Gram-negative bacterium Neisseria meningitidis. Additionally, branimycin B displayed moderate antibacterial activity against other Gram-negative bacteria such as Bacteroides fragilis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Escherichia coli, and branimycin C against the Gram-positive Enterococcus faecalis and methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methods for determining the antimicrobial susceptibility of mycobacteria. / Métodos de determinación de sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos en micobacterias.

Mycobacteria are a large group of microorganisms, multiple species of which are major causes of morbidity and mortality, such as tuberculosis and leprosy. At present, the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are one of the most serious health problems worldwide. Furthermore, in contrast to M. tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae, non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are more frequently isolated and, in many cases, treatment is based on drug susceptibility testing. This article is a review of the different methods to determine the in vitro drug susceptibility of M. tuberculosis complex and the most relevant NTM isolates. The molecular techniques currently used for rapid detection of resistance of clinical specimens are also analysed.

Risk factors for tuberculosis in inflammatory bowel disease: anti-tumor necrosis factor and hospitalization.

AIMS: To determine risk factors for active tuberculosis in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. METHODS: Retrospective, case-control study at 4 referral hospitals in Spain. Cases developed tuberculosis after a diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. Controls were inflammatory bowel disease patients who did not develop tuberculosis. For each case, we randomly selected 3 controls matched for sex, age (within 5 years) and time of inflammatory bowel disease diagnosis (within 3 years). Inflammatory bowel disease characteristics, candidate risk factors for tuberculosis and information about the tuberculosis episode were recorded. Multivariate analysis and a Chi-squared automatic interaction detector were used. RESULTS: Thirty-four cases and 102 controls were included. Nine of the 34 cases developed active tuberculosis between 1989 and 1999, and 25 became ill between 2000 and 2012. Multivariate regression showed an association between active tuberculosis and anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) therapy in the previous 12 months (OR 7.45; 95% CI, 2.39-23.12; p = .001); hospitalization in the previous 6 months (OR 4.38; 95% CI, 1.18-16.20; p = .027); and albumin levels (OR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.95; p = .001). The median time between the start of biologic therapy and the onset of active tuberculosis was 13 (interquartile range, 1-58) months. Tuberculosis developed after a year of anti-TNF therapy in 53%, and late reactivation occurred in at least 3 of 8 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The main risks factors for developing tuberculosis were anti-TNF therapy and hospitalization. Over half the cases related to anti-TNF treatment occurred after a year.

The Kondo effect in ferromagnetic atomic contacts.

Iron, cobalt and nickel are archetypal ferromagnetic metals. In bulk, electronic conduction in these materials takes place mainly through the s and p electrons, whereas the magnetic moments are mostly in the narrow d-electron bands, where they tend to align. This general picture may change at the nanoscale because electrons at the surfaces of materials experience interactions that differ from those in the bulk. Here we show direct evidence for such changes: electronic transport in atomic-scale contacts of pure ferromagnets (iron, cobalt and nickel), despite their strong bulk ferromagnetism, unexpectedly reveal Kondo physics, that is, the screening of local magnetic moments by the conduction electrons below a characteristic temperature. The Kondo effect creates a sharp resonance at the Fermi energy, affecting the electrical properties of the system; this appears as a Fano-Kondo resonance in the conductance characteristics as observed in other artificial nanostructures. The study of hundreds of contacts shows material-dependent log-normal distributions of the resonance width that arise naturally from Kondo theory. These resonances broaden and disappear with increasing temperature, also as in standard Kondo systems. Our observations, supported by calculations, imply that coordination changes can significantly modify magnetism at the nanoscale. Therefore, in addition to standard micromagnetic physics, strong electronic correlations along with atomic-scale geometry need to be considered when investigating the magnetic properties of magnetic nanostructures.

[Dengue, chikungunya and the mosquito vector at the Southern limit of distribution during the 2023 epidemic, Argentina]. / Dengue, chikungunya y el mosquito vector en el límite sur de distribución durante la epidemia 2023, Argentina.

OBJECTIVES: To monitor the oviposition activity of the mosquito Aedes aegypti and of dengue and chikungunya cases in four localities of temperate Argentina, during the 2023 epidemic. METHODS: During the summer and autumn of 2023, the oviposition activity of the mosquito vector was monitored weekly using ovitraps, and the arrival of cases with dengue or chikungunya in Tandil, Olavarría, Bahía Blanca and Laprida were registered. RESULTS: Monthly variations of the percentage of positive traps were similar in the first three locations; in Laprida the mosquito was not detected. On the contrary, a significant difference was observed in the percentage of total traps that ever tested positive in each locality, being higher in Olavarría (83.3%) than in Bahía Blanca (68.6%) and Tandil (48.7%). Regarding diseases, 18 imported cases of dengue and 3 of chikungunya were registered. In addition, the first autochthonous case of dengue in the region was recorded, being the southernmost until known. CONCLUSION: It is essential to raise awareness and train the members of the health systems of the new regions exposed to Ae. aegypti for early detection of cases, and to the general population to enhance prevention actions.

OBJETIVOS: Monitorear la actividad de oviposición del mosquito Aedes aegypti y de casos de dengue y chikungunya en cuatro localidades de Argentina templada, durante la epidemia del 2023. Métodos: Durante el verano y otoño del 2023, se monitoreó semanalmente mediante ovitrampas la actividad de oviposición del mosquito vector, y se registró el arribo de casos con dengue o chikungunya a Tandil, Olavarría, Bahía Blanca y Laprida. RESULTADOS: La variación mensual del porcentaje de trampas positivas fue similar en las tres primeras localidades; en Laprida no se detectó el mosquito. Por el contrario, se observó una diferencia significativa del porcentaje de trampas que alguna vez resultó positiva en cada localidad, siendo mayor en Olavarría (83%), que en Bahía Blanca (67%) y Tandil (49%). Respecto a las enfermedades, se registraron 18 casos importados de dengue y 3 de chikungunya. Además, se registró el primer caso autóctono de dengue en la región, siendo el más austral hasta el momento. Conclusión: Es imprescindible sensibilizar y capacitar a los integrantes de los sistemas de salud de las nuevas regiones expuestas al Ae. aegypti para la detección temprana de casos, y a la población en general para potenciar las acciones de prevención.

A molecular platinum cluster junction: a single-molecule switch.

We present a theoretical study of electron transport through single-molecule junctions incorporating a Pt(6) metal cluster bound within an organic framework. The insertion of this molecule between a pair of electrodes leads to a fully atomically engineered nanometallic device with high conductance at the Fermi level and two sequential high on/off switching states. The origin of this property can be traced back to the existence of a degenerate HOMO consisting of two asymmetric orbitals with energies close to the Fermi level of the metal leads. The degeneracy is broken when the molecule is contacted to the leads, giving rise to two resonances that become pinned to the Fermi level and display destructive interference.

Theoretical Approach for Electron Dynamics and Ultrafast Spectroscopy (EDUS).

In this manuscript, we present a theoretical framework and its numerical implementation to simulate the out-of-equilibrium electron dynamics induced by the interaction of ultrashort laser pulses in condensed-matter systems. Our approach is based on evolving in real time the density matrix of the system in reciprocal space. It considers excitonic and nonperturbative light-matter interactions. We show some relevant examples that illustrate the efficiency and flexibility of the approach to describe realistic ultrafast spectroscopy experiments. Our approach is suitable for modeling the promising and emerging ultrafast studies at the attosecond time scale that aim at capturing the electron dynamics and the dynamical electron-electron correlations via X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Unlocking the Potential of Nanoribbon-Based Sb2S3/Sb2Se3 van-der-Waals Heterostructure for Solar-Energy-Conversion and Optoelectronics Applications.

High-performance nanosized optoelectronic devices based on van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures have significant potential for use in a variety of applications. However, the investigation of nanoribbon-based vdW heterostructures are still mostly unexplored. In this study, based on first-principles calculations, we demonstrate that a Sb2S3/Sb2Se3 vdW heterostructure, which is formed by isostructural nanoribbons of stibnite (Sb2S3) and antimonselite (Sb2Se3), possesses a direct band gap with a typical type-II band alignment, which is suitable for optoelectronics and solar energy conversion. Optical absorption spectra show broad profiles in the visible and UV ranges for all of the studied configurations, indicating their suitability for photodevices. Additionally, in 1D nanoribbons, we see sharp peaks corresponding to strongly bound excitons in a fashion similar to that of other quasi-1D systems. The Sb2S3/Sb2Se3 heterostructure is predicted to exhibit a remarkable power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 28.2%, positioning it competitively alongside other extensively studied two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures.

Constrained DFT for Molecular Junctions.

We have explored the use of constrained density functional theory (cDFT) for molecular junctions based on benzenediamine. By elongating the junction, we observe that the energy gap between the ionization potential and the electronic affinity increases with the stretching distance. This is consistent with the trend expected from the electrostatic screening. A more detailed analysis shows how this influences the charge distribution of both the individual metal layers and the molecular atoms. Overall, our work shows that constrained DFT is a powerful tool for studying screening effects in molecular junctions.

Isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains with a silent mutation in rpoB leading to potential misassignment of resistance category.

Our study provides an alert regarding the transmission of rifampin-susceptible strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis with a silent substitution in codon 514 of rpoB. Among 1,450 cases, we identified 12 isolates sharing this mutation and related restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) types. The mutation impaired hybridization with the wild-type probes in three independent commercial assays, which could lead to misassignment of resistance.

Magnetoresistance and magnetic ordering fingerprints in hydrogenated graphene.

Spin-dependent features in the conductivity of graphene, chemically modified by a random distribution of hydrogen adatoms, are explored theoretically. The spin effects are taken into account using a mean-field self-consistent Hubbard model derived from first-principles calculations. A Kubo transport methodology is used to compute the spin-dependent transport fingerprints of weakly hydrogenated graphene-based systems with realistic sizes. Conductivity responses are obtained for paramagnetic, antiferromagnetic, or ferromagnetic macroscopic states, constructed from the mean-field solutions obtained for small graphene supercells. Magnetoresistance signals up to ∼7% are calculated for hydrogen densities around 0.25%. These theoretical results could serve as guidance for experimental observation of induced magnetism in graphene.

Exfoliation of Alpha-Germanium: A Covalent Diamond-Like Structure.

2D materials have opened a new field in materials science with outstanding scientific and technological impact. A largely explored route for the preparation of 2D materials is the exfoliation of layered crystals with weak forces between their layers. However, its application to covalent crystals remains elusive. Herein, a further step is taken by introducing the exfoliation of germanium, a narrow-bandgap semiconductor presenting a 3D diamond-like structure with strong covalent bonds. Pure α-germanium is exfoliated following a simple one-step procedure assisted by wet ball-milling, allowing gram-scale fabrication of high-quality layers with large lateral dimensions and nanometer thicknesses. The generated flakes are thoroughly characterized by different techniques, giving evidence that the new 2D material exhibits bandgaps that depend on both the crystallographic direction and the number of layers. Besides potential technological applications, this work is also of interest for the search of 2D materials with new properties.

[Peritoneal tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis in a cirrhotic patient]. / Tuberculosis peritoneal por Mycobacterium bovis en paciente cirrótico.

Isolated peritoneal tuberculosis is an uncommon extrapulmonary form of presentation of tuberculosis in industrialized countries. In most cases, this disease is the result of reactivation and secondary hematogenous spread of a latent infection. Although the suspected diagnosis is given by clinical manifestations and analysis of ascitic fluid (lymphocytic predominance, albumin gradient between serum and ascitic fluid 1g/dl and adenosine deaminase concentration > or = 39 U/L), microbiologic assessment is required for the definitive diagnosis. Mycobacterium bovis causes tuberculosis in animals. Transmission to humans is rare in developed areas, given that it usually occurs through ingestion of unpasteurized contaminated milk. We present a patient with cirrhosis who developed ascites caused by an exceptional infection in our setting.

Cervical tularaemia in a non-endemic area.

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis. The microorganism is transmitted to humans by contact with, or ingestion of, infected animal tissues, by insect bites, consumption of contaminated food or water, or from inhalation of aerolized bacteria. In this report we describe a case of tularemia presenting with multiple cervical lymphadenitis in Asturias (Spain). Final diagnosis was established based on a serological test. The patient was successfully managed with surgery and streptomycin for 2 weeks. The ulceroglandular form of tularemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenitis, particularly in those not responding to penicillin treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first case described in Asturias, a north coast county of Spain.

Long-range vortex transfer in superconducting nanowires.

Under high-enough values of perpendicularly-applied magnetic field and current, a type-II superconductor presents a finite resistance caused by the vortex motion driven by the Lorentz force. To recover the dissipation-free conduction state, strategies for minimizing vortex motion have been intensely studied in the last decades. However, the non-local vortex motion, arising in areas depleted of current, has been scarcely investigated despite its potential application for logic devices. Here, we propose a route to transfer vortices carried by non-local motion through long distances (up to 10 micrometers) in 50 nm-wide superconducting WC nanowires grown by Ga+ Focused Ion Beam Induced Deposition. A giant non-local electrical resistance of 36 Ω has been measured at 2 K in 3 µm-long nanowires, which is 40 times higher than signals reported for wider wires of other superconductors. This giant effect is accounted for by the existence of a strong edge confinement potential that hampers transversal vortex displacements, allowing the long-range coherent displacement of a single vortex row along the superconducting channel. Experimental results are in good agreement with numerical simulations of vortex dynamics based on the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equations. Our results pave the way for future developments on information technologies built upon single vortex manipulation in nano-superconductors.

Recent Progress on Antimonene: A New Bidimensional Material.

Antimonene, defined in sensu stricto as a single layer of antimony atoms, is recently the focus of numerous theoretical works predicting a variety of interesting properties and is quickly attracting the attention of the scientific community. However, what places antimonene in a different category from other 2D crystals is its strong spin-orbit coupling and a drastic evolution of its properties from the monolayer to the few-layer system. The recent isolation of this novel 2D material pushes the interest for antimonene even further. Here, a review of both theoretical predictions and experimental results is compiled. First, an account of the calculations anticipating an electronic band structure suitable for optoelectronics and thermoelectric applications in monolayer form and a topological semimetal in few-layer form is given. Second, the different approaches to produce antimonene-mechanical and liquid phase exfoliation, and epitaxial growth methods-are reviewed. In addition, this work also reports the main characterization techniques used to study this exotic material. This review provides insights for further exploring the appealing properties of antimonene and puts forward the opportunities and challenges for future applications from (opto)electronic device fabrication to biomedicine.

High Electrical Conductivity of Single Metal-Organic Chains.

Molecular wires are essential components for future nanoscale electronics. However, the preparation of individual long conductive molecules is still a challenge. MMX metal-organic polymers are quasi-1D sequences of single halide atoms (X) bridging subunits with two metal ions (MM) connected by organic ligands. They are excellent electrical conductors as bulk macroscopic crystals and as nanoribbons. However, according to theoretical calculations, the electrical conductance found in the experiments should be even higher. Here, a novel and simple drop-casting procedure to isolate bundles of few to single MMX chains is demonstrated. Furthermore, an exponential dependence of the electrical resistance of one or two MMX chains as a function of their length that does not agree with predictions based on their theoretical band structure is reported. This dependence is attributed to strong Anderson localization originated by structural defects. Theoretical modeling confirms that the current is limited by structural defects, mainly vacancies of iodine atoms, through which the current is constrained to flow. Nevertheless, measurable electrical transport along distances beyond 250 nm surpasses that of all other molecular wires reported so far. This work places in perspective the role of defects in 1D wires and their importance for molecular electronics.