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Transverse thermoelectric effect, the conversion of longitudinal heat current into transverse electric current, or vice versa, offers a promising energy harvesting technology. Materials with axis-dependent conduction polarity, known as p  ×  n -type conductors or goniopolar materials, are potential candidate, because the non-zero transverse elements of thermopower tensor appear under rotational operation, though the availability is highly limited. Here, we report that a ternary metal LaPt 2 B with unique crystal structure exhibits axis-dependent thermopower polarity, which is driven by mixed-dimensional Fermi surfaces consisting of quasi-one-dimensional hole sheet with out-of-plane velocity and quasi-two-dimensional electron sheets with in-plane velocity. The ideal mixed-dimensional conductor LaPt 2 B exhibits an extremely large transverse Peltier conductivity up to ∣ α y x ∣ = 130 A K −1 m −1 , and its transverse thermoelectric performance surpasses those of topological magnets utilizing the anomalous Nernst effect. These results thus manifest the mixed-dimensionality as a key property for efficient transverse thermoelectric conversion. The conversion between longitudinal heat flow and transverse charge current is a promising energy harvesting technology. Here, the authors show the large transverse thermoelectric effect induced by the mixed-dimensionality of Fermi surfaces.

The recently discovered superconductorUTe2, with a superconducting transition temperatureTcbetween 1.5 and 2 K, is attracting much attention due to strong suspicion of spin-triplet and topological superconductivity. Its properties under magnetic field are also remarkable, with field-reinforced (H∥b) and field-induced [Hin the(b,c)plane] superconducting phases. Here, we report the first complete thermodynamic determination of the phase diagram for fields applied along the three crystallographic directions. For field along the easyaaxis, we uncover a strong negative curvature of the upper critical field very close toTc, revealing a strong suppression of the pairing strength at low magnetic fields. By contrast, measurements performed up to 36 T along the hard magnetizationbaxis confirm a bulk field-reinforced superconducting phase. Most of all, they also reveal the existence of a phase transition line within the superconducting phase. Drastic differences occur between the low-field and high-field phases pointing to different pairing mechanisms. Detailed analysis suggests a possible transition between a low-field spin-triplet to high-field spin-singlet state, a unique case among superconductors.

The mystery of the hidden-order phase in the correlated electron paramagnet URu 2 Si 2 is still unsolved. To address this problem, one strategy is to search for clues in the subtle competition between this state and neighbouring magnetically ordered states. It is now well established that long-range antiferromagnetic order can be stabilized in this metal when it is under pressure and that a spin-density wave manifests when a magnetic field is applied along the easy magnetic axis c. However, the full boundaries of the hidden-order phase in the pressure–magnetic-field plane have not been determined so far. Here we present a systematic investigation of URu 2 Si 2 under combined high pressures and intense magnetic fields. The boundaries of the hidden-order, antiferromagnetic and spin-density-wave phases are mapped out, indicating an intricate three-dimensional phase diagram. We show that the field-induced spin-density-wave and hidden-order phases disappear in favour of antiferromagnetism at high pressure. Interestingly, a large number of phase boundaries are controlled by the field and pressure dependences of a single parameter. This gives new constraints for theories that model the electronic correlations and ordered phases in URu 2 Si 2 . The nature of the hidden order in URu 2 Si 2 is still unknown. Here detailed measurements of the phase diagram of this material produce constraints for theories that aim to describe that phase.

Superconductivity induced by a magnetic field near metamagnetism is a striking manifestation of magnetically-mediated superconducting pairing. After being observed in itinerant ferromagnets, this phenomenon was recently reported in the orthorhombic paramagnet UTe 2 . Here we explore the phase diagram of UTe 2 under two magnetic-field directions: the hard magnetization axis b , and a direction titled by ≃25-30° from b in the ( b , c ) plane. Zero-resistivity measurements confirm that superconductivity is established beyond the metamagnetic field H m in the tilted-field direction. While superconductivity is locked exactly at fields either smaller (for H  | |  b ), or larger (for H tilted by ≃27° from b to c ), than H m , the variations of the Fermi-liquid coefficient in the electrical resistivity and of the residual resistivity are similar for the two field directions. The resemblance of the normal states for the two field directions puts constraints for theoretical models of superconductivity and implies that some subtle ingredients must be in play. In a magnetic field, superconductivity can be induced or reinforced near a metamagnetic transition, where ferromagnetic fluctuations are suspected to mediate the pairing strength of the Cooper pairs. Here, the authors investigate the superconductor UTe 2 and report on the variation in the superconducting properties as the magnetic field is applied along two particular crystallographic axes and their relation to metamagnetism.

The nearly ferromagnetic superconductor UTe 2 shows several intriguing phenomena, including an extraordinary reinforcement of superconductivity in very strong magnetic fields. Here we show that pressure tunes the system to a more correlated state and probable magnetic order. The superconducting critical temperature is also strongly enhanced, reaching almost 3 K, a new record for U-based heavy fermion superconductors. Most spectacularly under pressure we find a transition within the superconducting state, putting UTe 2 among the very rare systems having multiple superconducting phases. UTe 2 under pressure is a treasure trove of several of the most fascinating phenomena in unconventional superconductivity and may well be a keystone in their understanding. The recent discovery of superconductivity with an unusually high upper critical field in the heavy fermion system UTe2 has incited enormous interest in this material as one of the rare known spin-triplet superconductors with potentials for topological superconductivity and quantum computing. In this work, the authors report evidence for enhanced superconductivity and multiple superconducting phases in UTe2 under hydrostatic pressure, revealing a very rich phase landscape in this material.

URu Si is one of the most enigmatic strongly correlated electron systems and offers a fertile testing ground for new concepts in condensed matter science. In spite of >30 years of intense research, no consensus on the order parameter of its low-temperature hidden-order phase exists. A strong magnetic field transforms the hidden order into magnetically ordered phases, whose order parameter has also been defying experimental observation. Here, thanks to neutron diffraction under pulsed magnetic fields up to 40 T, we identify the field-induced phases of URu Si as a spin-density-wave state. The transition to the spin-density wave represents a unique touchstone for understanding the hidden-order phase. An intimate relationship between this magnetic structure, the magnetic fluctuations and the Fermi surface is emphasized, calling for dedicated band-structure calculations.

URu 2 Si 2 is one of the most enigmatic strongly correlated electron systems and offers a fertile testing ground for new concepts in condensed matter science. In spite of >30 years of intense research, no consensus on the order parameter of its low-temperature hidden-order phase exists. A strong magnetic field transforms the hidden order into magnetically ordered phases, whose order parameter has also been defying experimental observation. Here, thanks to neutron diffraction under pulsed magnetic fields up to 40 T, we identify the field-induced phases of URu 2 Si 2 as a spin-density-wave state. The transition to the spin-density wave represents a unique touchstone for understanding the hidden-order phase. An intimate relationship between this magnetic structure, the magnetic fluctuations and the Fermi surface is emphasized, calling for dedicated band-structure calculations. The strongly-correlated electron system URu 2 Si 2 possesses a hidden-order phase whose order parameter remains unidentified. Here, the authors demonstrate the development of spin-density-wave phases in URu 2 Si 2 under high magnetic fields, providing a potential in-road to understanding this system.

Background: Although T-cell immunity is thought to be involved in the prognosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients, immunosuppressive conditions hamper antitumour immune responses. Thus, their mechanisms and overcoming strategies need to be investigated. Methods: The role of NF- κ B in human EOC cells and macrophages was evaluated by in vitro production of immunosuppressive IL-6 and IL-8 by EOC cells and in vivo analysis of immune responses in nude mice implanted with human EOC cells using an NF- κ B inhibitor DHMEQ. Results: In EOC patients, increased plasma IL-6, IL-8, and arginase were observed. The NF- κ B inhibitor DHMEQ inhibited the production of IL-6 and IL-8 by EOC cell lines. Immunosuppression of human DCs and macrophages by culture supernatant of EOC cells was reversed with the pretreatment of DHMEQ. Administration of DHMEQ to nude mice implanted with human EOC resulted in the restoration of T-cell stimulatory activity of murine DCs along with the reduction of tumour accumulation and arginase expression of MDSCs. Nuclear factor- κ B inhibition in tumour-bearing mice also enhanced antitumour effects of transferred murine naive T cells. Conclusions: NF- κ B is involved in the immunosuppression induced by human EOC, and its inhibitor may restore antitumour immune responses, indicating that NF- κ B is an attractive target for EOC treatment.

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for various organogenesis and is often implicated during tumorigenesis. Dysregulated β-catenin signaling is associated with the formation of endometrial adenocarcinomas (EACs), which is considered as the common form of endometrial cancer in women. In the current study, we investigate the downstream target of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the uterine epithelia and the mechanism leading to the formation of endometrial hyperplasia. We report that conditional ablation and activation of β-catenin in the uterine epithelia lead to aberrant epithelial structures and endometrial hyperplasia formation, respectively. We demonstrate that β-catenin regulates Foxa2 with its candidate upstream region for the uterine epithelia. Furthermore, knockdown of Foxa2 leads to defects in cell cycle regulation, suggesting a possible function of Foxa2 in the control of cell proliferation. We also observe that β-catenin and Foxa2 expression levels are augmented in the human specimens of complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia, which is considered to have a greater risk of progression to EACs. Thus, our study indicates that β-catenin regulates Foxa2 expression, and this interaction is possibly essential to control cell cycle progression during endometrial hyperplasia formation. Altogether, the augmented expression levels of β-catenin and Foxa2 are essential features during the formation of endometrial hyperplasia.

Endometriosis is a common gynaecological disease associated with pelvic pain and infertility. Current treatments include oral contraceptives combined with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or surgery to remove lesions, all of which provide a temporary but not complete cure. Here we identify an endometriosis-targeting peptide that is internalized by cells, designated z13, using phage display. As most endometriosis occurs on organ surfaces facing the peritoneum, we subtracted a phage display library with female mouse peritoneum tissue and selected phage clones by binding to human endometrial epithelial cells. Proteomics analysis revealed the z13 receptor as the cyclic nucleotide-gated channel β3, a sorting pathway protein. We then linked z13 with an apoptosis-inducing peptide and with an endosome-escaping peptide. When these peptides were co-administered into the peritoneum of baboons with endometriosis, cells in lesions selectively underwent apoptosis with no effect on neighbouring organs. Thus, this study presents a strategy that could be useful to treat peritoneal endometriosis in humans. Endometriosis is a painful condition in which endometrial cells are found outside the womb. Here, the authors identify a peptide that specifically binds to a receptor expressed on endometrial epithelial cells and use it to induce apoptosis in both cultured cells and baboons with endometriosis.