bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complexity Economics and Workaday Economic Policy
Authors: Colander David
Published: May 2017

This chapter argues that complexity theory has significant implications for workaday economic policy. The complexity vision, which pictures an economy as a complex evolving system undergoing continual evolutionary change, has direct relevance for their workaday applied policy. Good applied policy is not applied science but rather more like engineering. This chapter explains why applied policy should not be viewed as applied science and explores some implications and examples of how using a complexity frame for economic policy changes workaday applied economic policy analysis. It argues that complexity policy opens up economics to a wide range of policies that go beyond the standard allocation policies and supplements them with a set of policies designed to influence the ecostructure within which individuals operate. This adds what might be called formation policy to allocation policy. Formation policy views the market and government not as opposites, but as coevolving institutions, and is designed to influence that coevolution. An example of how complexity policy differs from standard policy can be seen in distribution policy, which tends to focus on redistributive taxes. The complexity policy approach to distribution focuses more on modifying the length and nature of evolving property rights as embedded in patent and copyright law.
Advancing Agent_Zero
Authors: Epstein Joshua M. , Chelen Julia
Published: May 2017

Agent_Zero is a mathematical and computational individual that can generate important, but insufficiently understood, social dynamics from the bottom up. First published by Epstein (2013), this new theoretical entity possesses emotional, deliberative, and social modules, each grounded in contemporary neuroscience. Agent_Zero’s observable behavior results from the interaction of these internal modules. When multiple Agent_Zeros interact with one another, a wide range of important, even disturbing, collective dynamics emerge. These dynamics are not straightforwardly generated using the canonical rational actor which has dominated mathematical social science since the 1940s. Following a concise exposition of the Agent_Zero model, this chapter offers a range of fertile research directions, including the use of realistic geographies and population levels, the exploration of new internal modules and new interactions among them, the development of formal axioms for modular agents, empirical testing, the replication of historical episodes, and practical applications. These may all serve to advance the Agent_Zero research program.
Nominal Anchoring with Liquid Monetary Policy Assets
Authors: Calvo Guillermo
Published: May 2017

The chapter shows that existence of a unique Rational Expectations equilibrium can be ensured even if the Taylor Principle – stating that the policy interest rate increases by more than the increase in the expected rate of inflation – does not hold. This is shown by extending a barebones' central bank monetary model to the case in which liquidity is produced by both money and public bonds. The discussion concludes that liquidity considerations may have a critical impact on the monetary policy implications derived from the mainstream model.
Introduction to Part II
Authors: Calvo Guillermo
Published: May 2017

This section offers an introduction to the empirical material covered in Chapters 6 and 7. Moreover, it summarizes research based on Chapter 7 and that develops a methodology for the determination for the optimal level of international reserves, if the authorities' objective is to soften the severe blow caused by Sudden Stop.
Breakdowns and Failure Modes
Authors: Redish A. David , Gordon Joshua A.
Published: May 2017

Psychiatry faces a number of challenges due largely to the complexity of the relationship between mind and brain. Starting from the now well-justified assumption that the mind is instantiated in the physical substrate of the brain, understanding this relationship is going to be critical to any understanding of function and dysfunction. Key to that translation from physical substrate to mental function and dysfunction is the computational perspective: it provides a way of translating knowledge and understanding between levels of analysis (Churchland and Sejnowski 1994). Importantly, the computational perspective enables translation to both identify emergent properties (e.g., how a molecular change in a receptor affects behavior) and consequential properties (e.g., how an external sociological trauma can lead to circuit changes in neural processing). Given that psychiatry is about treating harmful dysfunction interacting across many levels (from subcellular to sociological), this chapter argues that the computational perspective is fundamental to understanding the relationship between mind and brain, and thus offers a new perspective on psychiatry.
What Does Computational Psychiatry Need to Explain to Capture Mechanisms of Psychopathology?
Authors: Barch Deanna M.
Published: May 2017

This chapter provides specific research examples on the neurobiology of mental illness—using psychosis as a case in point—that may begin to rise to the level of “facts,” or at least “almost facts” or strong “hints,” about important etiological mechanisms that need to be explained to capture key components of at least some facets of mental illness. These examples are then used to illustrate where computational psychiatry approaches may help. In particular, there is an opportunity to provide links across different levels of analysis (e.g., behavior, systems level, specific circuits and even genetic influences) in ways that can lead to a more unified framework for understanding the apparent multitude of impairments present in psychosis, which may in turn lead to the identification of new treatment or even prevention targets. This chapter also discusses some of the known conundrums about the etiology of mental illness that need to be accounted for in computational frameworks, including the presence of heterogeneity within current diagnostic categories, the vast degree of comorbidity across current diagnostic categories, and the need to reconceptualize the dimensionality versus categorical nature of mental illness.
Current State of Psychiatric Nosology
Authors: First Michael B.
Published: May 2017

Psychiatric classifications categorize how patients present to mental health care professionals and are necessarily utilitarian. From the clinician’s perspective, the most important goal of a psychiatric classification is to assist them in managing their patients’ psychiatric conditions by facilitating the selection of effective interventions and predicting management needs and outcomes. Due to the field’s lack of understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the psychiatric disorders in both the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), diagnosis and treatment are only loosely related, thus limiting clinical utility. Both DSM and the chapter on mental and behavioral disorders in ICD adopted a descriptive atheoretical categorical approach that defines mental disorders according to syndromal patterns of presenting symptoms. This chapter discusses the fundamental challenges that underlie this decision. It then reviews the Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) project, a research framework established by the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to assist researchers in relating the fundamental domains of behavioral functioning to their underlying neurobiological components. Designed to support the acquisition of knowledge of causal mechanisms underlying mental disorders, RDoC may facilitate a future paradigm shift in the classification of mental disorder.
The Computation of Collapse
Authors: MacDonald Angus W. , Zick Jennifer L. , Netoff Theoden I. , Chafee Matthew V.
Published: May 2017

Computational modeling in psychiatry has generally followed from efforts to understand cognitive processes (McClelland and Rumelhart 1986) or the nervous system (Hodgkin and Huxley 1952). This stands to reason: psychiatric disorders are disorders of thought and central nervous system activity. This chapter argues that the computational science of collapse, which describes the manner and likelihood of failures in complex systems, provides a framework in which to use computational modeling for relating mechanisms to behavioral outcomes. This science, known as reliability engineering, is a branch of applied probability theory that has now been used for almost a century to help understand and predict how inorganic, complex systems break down. The idea of a fault tree analysis is introduced, a tool developed in reliability engineering which may be able to incorporate and provide a broader structure for more traditional computational models. Finally, some of the current challenges of psychiatric classification are unpacked, and discussion follows on how this framework might be adapted to provide a unifying framework for classification and etiology.
A Novel Framework for Improving Psychiatric Diagnostic Nosology
Authors: Flagel Shelly B. , Pine Daniel S. , Ahmari Susanne E. , First Michael B. , Friston Karl J. , Mathys Christoph , Redish A. David , Schmack Katharina , Smoller Jordan W. , Thapar Anita
Published: May 2017

This chapter proposes a new framework for diagnostic nosology based on Bayesian principles. This novel integrative framework builds upon and improves the current diagnostic system in psychiatry. Instead of starting from the assumption that a diagnosis describes a specific unitary dysfunction that causes a set of symptoms, it is assumed that the underlying disease causes the clinician to make a diagnosis. Thus, unlike the current diagnostic system, this framework treats both symptoms and diagnostic classification as consequences of the underlying pathophysiology. Comorbidities are therefore easily incorporated into the framework and inform, rather than hinder, the diagnostic process. Further, the proposed framework provides a bridge that links putative constructs related to pathophysiology and clinical diagnoses related to signs and symptoms. Crucially, this novel framework explicitly provides an iterative approach, updating and selecting the best model, based on the highest-quality available evidence at any point. It can account for and incorporate the longitudinal course of an illness. This chapter details its theoretical basis and provides clinical examples to illustrate its utility and application. It is hoped that the framework will enhance our understanding of individual differences in brain function and behavior and ultimately improve treatment outcomes in psychiatry.
There Are No Killer Apps but Connecting Neural Activity to Behavior through Computation Is Still a Good Idea
Authors: Montague P. Read
Published: May 2017

The quest to understand the relationship between neural activity and behavior has been ongoing for well over a hundred years. Although research based on the stimulus-and-response approach to behavior, advocated by behaviorists, flourished during the last century, this view does not, by design, account for unobservable variables (e.g., mental states). Putting aside this approach, modern cognitive science, cognitive neuroscience, neuroeconomics, and behavioral economics have sought to explain this connection computationally. One major hurdle lies in the fact that we lack even a simple model of cognitive function. This chapter sketches an application that connects neuromodulator function to decision making and the valuation that underlies it. The nature of this hypothesized connection offers a fruitful platform to understand some of the informational aspects of dopamine function in the brain and how it exposes many different ways of understanding motivated choice.
Call for Pragmatic Computational Psychiatry
Authors: Paulus Martin P. , Huang Crane , Harlé Katia M.
Published: May 2017

Biological psychiatry is at an impasse. Despite several decades of intense research, few, if any, biological parameters have contributed to a significant improvement in the life of a psychiatric patient. It is argued that this impasse may be a consequence of an obsessive focus on mechanisms. Alternatively, a risk prediction framework provides a more pragmatic approach, because it aims to develop tests and measures which generate clinically useful information. Computational approaches may have an important role to play here. This chapter presents an example of a risk-prediction framework, which shows that computational approaches provide a significant predictive advantage. Future directions and challenges are highlighted.
Clinical Heterogeneity Arising from Categorical and Dimensional Features of the Neurobiology of Psychiatric Diagnoses
Authors: Krystal John H. , Anticevic Alan , Murray John D. , Glahn David , Driesen Naomi , Yang Genevieve , Wang Xiao-Jing
Published: May 2017

Clinical heterogeneity presents important challenges to optimizing psychiatric diagnoses and treatments. Patients clustered within current diagnostic schema vary widely on many features of their illness, including their responses to treatments. As outlined by the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM), psychiatric diagnoses have been refined since DSM was introduced in 1952. These diagnoses serve as the targets for current treatments and supported the emergence of psychiatric genomics. However, the Research Domain Criteria highlight DSM’s shortcomings, including its limited ability to encompass dimensional features linking patients across diagnoses. This chapter considers elements of the dimensional and categorical features of psychiatric diagnoses, with a particular focus on schizophrenia. It highlights ways that computational neuroscience approaches have shed light on both dimensional and categorical features of the biology of schizophrenia. It also considers opportunities and challenges associated with attempts to reduce clinical heterogeneity through categorical and dimensional approaches to clustering patients. Finally, discussion will consider ways that one might work with both approaches in parallel or sequentially, as well as diagnostic schema that might integrate both perspectives.
Data Processing in a Bureau Drawer
Authors: Morison Elting E.
Published: May 2017

This chapter discusses the nature of bureaucracy and the things associated with a bureaucratic organization. It first considers various definitions of bureaucracy before turning to two or three things that come to anyone's mind when he is presented with the word “bureaucracy.” In particular, it looks at the career of General Fred Crayton Ainsworth, who made his reputation for his skill in the collection, the filing, and the organization of paper. Here, it becomes apparent that the real point of bureaucracy is data processing. After addressing paper work in bureaucracy, the chapter examines the impersonality of bureaucracy as well as red tape and regulations and those who work in the bureaucratic situation. It suggests that what we call bureaucracy, with its interest in fixed and uniform solutions, thrives best in static environments, but that science and technology constantly interfere to throw the bureaucratic balance of things out of balance.
Men and Machinery
Authors: Morison Elting E.
Published: May 2017

This chapter tells the strange story of what happened in the U.S. Navy when a new steamship, the Wampanoag, was put into service in the 1860s. It first describes the physical characteristics of the U.S.S. Wampanoag before sharing some biographical remarks about the man who conceived of, designed, and built her: Benjamin Franklin Isherwood. It considers the case of Isherwood to illustrate the circumstances that produce what may be called intellectual or professional heroism. It also examines the naval officers' criticism of the steam engine and suggests that if you have a clear enough scheme of things, a firm enough regulatory system, a culture, you can exert a restraining influence, modify the design of the machinery to keep it doing useful work within the cultural and human boundaries.
Divergent evolutionary histories of DNA markers in a Hawaiian population of the coral Montipora capitata
Authors: Putnam Hollie M. , Adams Diane K. , Zelzion Ehud , Wagner Nicole E. , Qiu Huan , Mass Tali , Falkowski Paul G. , Gates Ruth D. , Bhattacharya Debashish
Published: May 2017

We investigated intra- and inter-colony sequence variation in a population of the dominant Hawaiian coral Montipora capitata by analyzing marker gene and genomic data. Ribosomal ITS1 regions showed evidence of a reticulate history among the colonies, suggesting incomplete rDNA repeat homogenization. Analysis of the mitochondrial genome identified a major (M. capitata) and a minor (M. flabellata) haplotype in single polyp-derived sperm bundle DNA with some colonies containing 2–3 different mtDNA haplotypes. In contrast, Pax-C and newly identified single-copy nuclear genes showed either no sequence differences or minor variations in SNP frequencies segregating among the colonies. Our data suggest past mitochondrial introgression in M. capitata, whereas nuclear single-copy loci show limited variation, highlighting the divergent evolutionary histories of these coral DNA markers.
A comparison of freezing-damage during isochoric and isobaric freezing of the potato
Authors: Lyu Chenang , Nastase Gabriel , Ukpai Gideon , Serban Alexandru , Rubinsky Boris
Published: May 2017

Background

Freezing is commonly used for food preservation. It is usually done under constant atmospheric pressure (isobaric). While extending the life of the produce, isobaric freezing has detrimental effects. It causes loss of food weight and changes in food quality. Using thermodynamic analysis, we have developed a theoretical model of the process of freezing in a constant volume system (isochoric). The mathematical model suggests that the detrimental effects associated with isobaric freezing may be reduced in an isochoric freezing system. To explore this hypothesis, we performed a preliminary study on the isochoric freezing of a produce with which our group has experience, the potato.

Method

Experiments were performed in an isochoric freezing device we designed. The device is robust and has no moving parts. For comparison, we used a geometrically identical isobaric freezing device. Following freezing and thawing, the samples were weighed, examined with colorimetry, and examined with microscopy.

Results

It was found that potatoes frozen to −5 °C in an isochoric system experienced no weight loss and limited enzymatic browning. In contrast the −5 °C isobaric frozen potato experienced substantial weight loss and substantial enzymatic browning. Microscopic analysis shows that the structural integrity of the potato is maintained after freezing in the isochoric system and impaired after freezing in the isobaric system.

Discussion

Tissue damage during isobaric freezing is caused by the increase in extracellular osmolality and the mechanical damage by ice crystals. Our thermodynamic analysis predicts that during isochoric freezing the intracellular osmolality remains comparable to the extracellular osmolality and that isochoric systems can be designed to eliminate the mechanical damage by ice. The results of this preliminary study seem to confirm the theoretical predictions.

Conclusion

This is a preliminary exploratory study on isochoric freezing of food. We have shown that the quality of a food product preserved by isochoric freezing is better than the quality of food preserved to the same temperature in isobaric conditions. Obviously, more extensive research remains to be done to extend this study to lower freezing temperatures and other food items.
StrainSeeker: fast identification of bacterial strains from raw sequencing reads using user-provided guide trees
Authors: Roosaare Märt , Vaher Mihkel , Kaplinski Lauris , Möls Märt , Andreson Reidar , Lepamets Maarja , Kõressaar Triinu , Naaber Paul , Kõljalg Siiri , Remm Maido
Published: May 2017

Background

Fast, accurate and high-throughput identification of bacterial isolates is in great demand. The present work was conducted to investigate the possibility of identifying isolates from unassembled next-generation sequencing reads using custom-made guide trees.

Results

A tool named StrainSeeker was developed that constructs a list of specific k-mers for each node of any given Newick-format tree and enables the identification of bacterial isolates in 1–2 min. It uses a novel algorithm, which analyses the observed and expected fractions of node-specific k-mers to test the presence of each node in the sample. This allows StrainSeeker to determine where the isolate branches off the guide tree and assign it to a clade whereas other tools assign each read to a reference genome. Using a dataset of 100 Escherichia coli isolates, we demonstrate that StrainSeeker can predict the clades of E. coli with 92% accuracy and correct tree branch assignment with 98% accuracy. Twenty-five thousand Illumina HiSeq reads are sufficient for identification of the strain.

Conclusion

StrainSeeker is a software program that identifies bacterial isolates by assigning them to nodes or leaves of a custom-made guide tree. StrainSeeker’s web interface and pre-computed guide trees are available at http://bioinfo.ut.ee/strainseeker. Source code is stored at GitHub: https://github.com/bioinfo-ut/StrainSeeker.
Associations between Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) and common native species in an African savanna
Authors: Ssali Fredrick , Baluku Robert , Drileyo Gilbert , Muhumuza Moses
Published: October 2024

Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae) is recognised as a problematic invasive alien plant species in many parts of the world. To eradicate or control this global invader, we need to understand the drivers of its spread and impacts and the potential for native recovery after the invader has been removed.

Here, we tested for species associations between L. camara and native plant species and large herbivores in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. We inventoried 40,100‐m2 nested plots spread over a 1 × 1‐km grid cell in the park's savanna landscape, with 11 plots located in uninvaded areas. Most of the plots (30 of 40) had been affected by fire.

Lantana camara covered 29 (73%) plots, 11 (38%) of which were in open grassland. Of the large herbivores that frequented areas free of L. camara, the Ugandan kob Adenota kob thomasi Sclater tended to avoid the areas invaded. The floristic composition of invaded areas differed significantly from that of noninvaded areas, with several palatable species rare or absent from L. camara‐invaded areas.

Practical implication: These observations indicate the presence of potential recovery constraints that will need to be overcome after L. camara has been removed. Sustained efforts will be needed to suppress the invader and subsequently enrich and bolster native recovery.
In Situ Characterization of Thermal‐Induced Evolution of Structure/Optical Properties of Heterogeneous 3D Chiral Soft Photonic Crystal Polymer
Authors: Zheng Chenglin , Yang Wenjie , Chen Yujie , Li Xiuhong , Sun Wentao , Li Laifeng , Guan Bo , Wang Jingxia , Jiang Lei
Published: October 2024

Polymer stabilized blue phase (PSBP) liquid crystal has aroused wide attention due to its broad temperature range and potential applications in flexible display, multi‐mode monitor, and mirrorless laser based on its well‐compatible stability and multi‐responsiveness, such as electricity, humidity, and temperature. Temperature produces an important effect on the structure/optical properties of PSBP, but there lack of detailed investigation on thermal‐induced deformation and its influence on the optical performance of PSBP. Here, the thermal‐induced evolution of structure/optical properties of PSBP with different polymer content is in situ characterized by variable‐temperature ultra‐small‐angle X‐ray diffraction, Kossel diffraction, and polarized optical microscopy. A restricted deformation of PSBP cubic lattice is revealed by the shift of reflective wavelength and evolution of Kossel diagrams, which is mainly attributed to the thermal‐induced phase transition/separation of non‐polymerized components. The thermal stability of PSBP is improved by increased polymer content based on the limited deformation ability. This work is significant for the design of novel functional material, which paves the way for the preparation of photonic crystal soft materials with high stability and optical quality.
Exploiting the Base‐Triggered Thiol/Vinyl Ether Addition to Prepare Well‐Defined Microphase Separated Thermo‐Switchable Adhesives
Authors: Lamas Aritz , Polo Fonseca Lucas , Moussard Cécile , Zanata Daniela de Morais , Perli Gabriel , Ximenis Marta , Lopez de Pariza Xabier , Seychal Guillem , Caliari Marco , Itxaso Miren , Aguirresarobe Robert , Calvo Iñigo , Sardon Haritz
Published: October 2024

Switchable adhesives are materials of utmost importance due to their capability of having their adhesion/cohesion properties reversibly triggered upon stimuli, allowing on‐demand surface attaching/detaching. Still, several challenges mainly associated with complex uncontrolled chemical processes hinders their production. In this study, it is found that unexpectedly vinyl ethers are able to react with thiols in the presence of a catalytic concentration of base, which allows the preparation of well‐defined phase‐separated switchable adhesives. Indeed, these findings show that base‐catalyzed thiol‐acrylate and thiol‐vinyl ether are highly orthogonal, making the acrylate reaction faster. This is explored to react in the first stage thiols with acrylates in the presence of vinyl ethers to end‐cap all the oligomers with stable vinyl ethers and suppress undesirable disulfide formation. In a second stage the UV‐triggered thiol‐ene “click reaction” is carried out, forming the network. It is shown that the network prepared by this approach presents superior adhesion due to greater backbone length, a controlled crosslinking motif, and better‐defined microphase separation. Additionally, the adhesives made by this strategy are thermo‐switchable due to the temperature‐triggered base‐catalyzed thioether dynamic covalent character at 200 °C. Despite providing superior adhesive properties, the proposed technology endows scalable, thermo‐switchable, and O2‐resistant adhesives with huge industrialization potential.
Defect‐Mediated Efficient and Tunable Emission in van der Waals Integrated Light Sources at Room Temperature
Authors: Fu Qiang , Wang Shixuan , Zhou Bojian , Xia Weiqiao , Liu Xiaoya , Han Xu , Duan Zhexing , Liu Tianqi , Sun Xudong , Yuan Xueyong , Huang Yuan , Lin Junhao , Zhang Qi , Hu Zhenliang , Lu Junpeng , Ni Zhenhua
Published: October 2024

Despite defect‐mediated states in monolayer semiconductors have been considered as efficient emitters in cryogenic conditions, they are severely quenched at room temperature (RT) because of multiple thermal‐induced non‐radiative channels, hindering their practical use. Here, robust and tunable defect‐mediated emissions at RT, designated as D1 (1.82 eV) and D2 (1.62 eV), are discovered in monolayer WS2 through argon plasma treatment, which, via multiple corroborative experiments, are attributed to distinct physical processes: bound excitons associated with sulfur vacancies (Vs) and the band‐to‐acceptor recombination, respectively. Remarkably, the defective sample exhibits over ten‐fold increase in both photoluminescence quantum yield and full‐width at half‐maximum (FWHM) compared to its intrinsic counterpart. Leveraging these pronounced edges, light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) functioning at RT achieve broadband (FWHM: 490 meV) and continuously tunable emission from 1.6 to 2.0 eV, as well as the highest electroluminescence (EL) external quantum efficiency (EQE) of ≈1.39% among transient LEDs based on monolayer semiconductors to date, thereby unveiling a new strategy for emission tailoring at the atomic‐scale limit.
Biohybrid Micro/Nanorobots: Pioneering the Next Generation of Medical Technology
Authors: Zarepour Atefeh , Khosravi Arezoo , Iravani Siavash , Zarrabi Ali
Published: October 2024

Biohybrid micro/nanorobots hold a great potential for advancing biomedical research. These tiny structures, designed to mimic biological organisms, offer a promising method for targeted drug delivery, tissue engineering, biosensing/imaging, and cancer therapy, among other applications. The integration of biology and robotics opens new possibilities for minimally invasive surgeries and personalized healthcare solutions. The key challenges in the development of biohybrid micro/nanorobots include ensuring biocompatibility, addressing manufacturing scalability, enhancing navigation and localization capabilities, maintaining stability in dynamic biological environments, navigating regulatory hurdles, and successfully translating these innovative technologies into clinical applications. Herein, the recent advancements, challenges, and future perspectives related to the biomedical applications of biohybrid micro/nanorobots are described. Indeed, this review sheds light on the cutting‐edge developments in this field, providing researchers with an updated overview of the current potential of biohybrid micro/nanorobots in the realm of biomedical applications, and offering insights into their practical applications. Furthermore, it delves into recent advancements in the field of biohybrid micro/nanorobotics, providing a comprehensive analysis of the current state‐of‐the‐art technologies and their future applications in the biomedical field.
Hydrogen‐Bonded Ionic Co‐Crystals for Fast Solid‐State Zinc Ion Storage
Authors: Hong Hu , Wang Yu , Zhang Yaqin , Han Bing , Li Qing , Guo Xun , Guo Ying , Chen Ao , Wei Zhiquan , Huang Zhaodong , Zhao Yuwei , Fan Jun , Zhi Chunyi
Published: October 2024

The development of new ionic conductors meeting the requirements of current solid‐state devices is imminent but still challenging. Hydrogen‐bonded ionic co‐crystals (HICs) are multi‐component crystals based on hydrogen bonding and Coulombic interactions. Due to the hydrogen bond network and unique features of ionic crystals, HICs have flexible skeletons. More importantly, anion vacancies on their surface can potentially help dissociate and adsorb excess anions, forming cation transport channels at grain boundaries. Here, it is demonstrated that a HIC optimized by adjusting the ratio of zinc salt and imidazole can construct grain boundary‐based fast Zn2+ transport channels. The as‐obtained HIC solid electrolyte possesses an unprecedentedly high ionic conductivity at room and low temperatures (≈11.2 mS cm−1 at 25 °C and ≈2.78 mS cm−1 at −40 °C) with ultra‐low activation energy (≈0.12 eV), while restraining dendrite growth and exhibiting low overpotential even at a high current density (<200 mV at 5.0 mA cm−2) during Zn symmetric cell cycling. This HIC also allows solid‐state Zn||covalent organic framework full cells to work at low temperatures, providing superior stability. More importantly, the HIC can even support zinc‐ion hybrid supercapacitors to work, achieving extraordinary rate capability and a power density comparable to aqueous solution‐based supercapacitors. This work provides a path for designing facilely prepared, low‐cost, and environmentally friendly ionic conductors with extremely high ionic conductivity and excellent interface compatibility.
Jamming Giant Molecules at Interface in Organic Photovoltaics to Improve Performance and Stability
Authors: Zhang Ming , Wang Zaiyu , Zhu Lei , Zeng Rui , Xue Xiaonan , Liu Sha , Yan Jun , Yang Zhiyuan , Zhong Wenkai , Zhou Guanqing , Kan Lixuan , Xu Jinqiu , Zhang Anyang , Deng Jiawei , Zhou Zichun , Song Jingnan , Jing Hao , Xu Shengjie , Zhang Yongming , Liu Feng
Published: October 2024

A novel approach for depositing the giant molecule acceptor (GMA) at the donor–acceptor interface to enhance the efficiency and stability of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices through a designed interface‐enhanced layer‐by‐layer device fabrication protocol is proposed. The giant molecule acceptor DQx‐Ph is mixed with the polymer donor in the bottom layer to form a polymer donor fibril phase and a mixed phase, followed by subsequent deposition of the main acceptor L8‐BO. The L8‐BO solution swells the bottom layer and alters the localized morphology of the mixing phase, introducing L8‐BO fibrillar crystallization and pushing DQx‐Ph giant molecules outwards to the fibril interfaces. Through this approach, the localized morphology and optoelectronic property of the bulk heterojunction are optimized. This configuration maintains the superior transport properties of L8‐BO while integrating the high open‐circuit voltage characteristics of DQx‐Ph. Additionally, exciton dissociation and charge generation are simultaneously enhanced, with suppressed energy losses. A power conversion efficiency of 19.9% with improved operational stability is achieved, underscoring the importance of GMA interface jamming in advancing OPV technology. This study provides new insights into the development of ancillary OPV materials to overcome the critical limitations in OPV, revealing innovative approaches for photovoltaic technologies.
Pulse Duration Dependent Formation of Laser‐Induced Periodic Surface Structures in Atomic Layer Deposited MoS2
Authors: Becher Malte J. M. J. , Ullrich Jonas B. , Jagosz Julia , Kostka Aleksander , Bock Claudia , Ostendorf Andreas , Gurevich Evgeny L.
Published: October 2024

In this paper, the formation of laser‐induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on atomic‐layer deposited MoS2 layers are studied experimentally. The process parameters (laser fluence and the pulse overlap) corresponding to formation of low‐ and high‐spatial frequency LIPSS as well as ablation and modification of the layers are identified for different pulse durations in the range from 0.2 to 10 ps. The role of the temperature accumulation is evaluated by changing the repetition rate from 0.2 to 2 MHz. The negative accumulation effect, i.e., the ablation of the layers becomes more difficult at higher laser pulse overlaps, is also observed. A simple model explaining the transition between different types of the LIPSS and the decrease of the ablation efficiency with the pulse overlap is suggested.
The Recent Progress of Photothermal Evaporation for Lithium Extraction
Authors: Gu Chen , Luo Yixiang , Xu Keyu , Zhang Anlei , Luo Zhongzhong , Wang Longlu
Published: October 2024

Over the past few decades, the demand for lithium resources has increased significantly with the rapid development and extensive application of lithium‐ion batteries. Extracting lithium from salt‐lake brine is of significance because of its abundance in brines. Common methods for directly extracting lithium from salt lakes include precipitation, electrodialysis, and photothermal evaporation. Among these methods, lithium extraction using photothermal evaporation is considered an efficient and clean approach to addressing lithium shortages. In recent years, a lot of progress is made regarding lithium extraction with photothermal evaporation, so it is urgent to review the mechanistic basis and application of lithium extraction with photothermal evaporation. In this review, first, the mechanism of lithium extraction with photothermal evaporation is fully summarized, involving membrane separation, lithium‐ion sieves, and separated crystallization. Second, a series of strategies for designing various evaporators with highly efficient lithium adsorption characteristics based on photothermal materials are further discussed in detail. Finally, recommendations and perspectives on the larger‐scale development of lithium adsorbents by photothermal evaporation are proposed. Overall, this review not only offers in‐depth insight into lithium extraction from brines with low Li+ concentration, but also inspires the development and design of next‐generation lithium extraction evaporators with unprecedented properties.
Effects of Dynamic Surface Transformation on the Activity and Stability of Mixed Co‐Mn Cubic Spinel Oxides in the Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Media
Authors: He Biao , Hosseini Pouya , Escalera‐López Daniel , Schulwitz Jonas , Rüdiger Olaf , Hagemann Ulrich , Heidelmann Markus , DeBeer Serena , Muhler Martin , Cherevko Serhiy , Tschulik Kristina , Li Tong
Published: October 2024

An atomic‐scale understanding of how electrocatalyst surfaces reconstruct and transform during electrocatalytic reactions is essential for optimizing their activity and longevity. This is particularly important for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), where dynamic and substantial structural and compositional changes occur during the reaction. Herein, a multimodal method is developed by combining X‐ray fine structure absorption and photoemission spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atom probe tomography with electrochemical measurements to interrogate the temporal evolution of oxidation states, atom coordination, structure, and composition on Co2MnO4 and CoMn2O4 cubic spinel nanoparticle surfaces upon OER cycling in alkaline media. Co2MnO4 is activated at the onset of OER due to the formation of ≈2 nm Co‐Mn oxyhydroxides with an optimal Co/Mn ratio of ≈3. As OER proceeds, Mn dissolution and redeposition occur for the CoMn oxyhydroxides, extending the OER stability of Co2MnO4. Such dynamic dissolution and redeposition are also observed for CoMn2O4, leading to the formation of less OER‐active Mn‐rich oxides on the nanoparticle surfaces. This study provides mechanistic insights into how dynamic surface reconstruction and transformation affect the activity and stability of mixed CoMn cubic spinels toward OER.
Super Chloride Ionic Conductivity in CsSnCl3‐Based Perovskite Compound and Its Application for Solid‐State Chloride Batteries
Authors: Zhao Liwei , Inoishi Atsushi , Miki Hidenori , Motoyama Megumi , Okada Shigeto , Asano Takamasa , Sakuda Atsushi , Hayashi Akitoshi , Sakaebe Hikari
Published: October 2024

A CsSnCl3‐based solid electrolyte in which 5% of Sn sites are occupied by Y ions, CsSn0.95Y0.05Cl3.05 (CSYC), is developed using a one‐step mechanical ball‐milling method. CSYC exhibits a stable cubic perovskite crystal structure and a high chloride ion conductivity of 4.9 mS cm−1. The relative density of a CSYC pellet following cold pressing without heat treatment is 97.5%. The high relative density and ionic conductivity are considered to originate from the high mechanical plasticity of the pellets, as evidenced by a low Young's modulus of 8.2 GPa. An all‐solid‐state chloride ion battery cell using CSYC as the electrolyte, BiCl3 as the active cathode material, and Sn as the anode is confirmed to operate at room temperature. The cell shows a large initial discharge capacity of 178 mAh g−1, ≈70% utilization, and good capacity retention with a reversible capacity of 100 mAh g−1 after 40 cycles. The mechanical plasticity of CSYC is considered to be a major contributor to its high ionic conductivity and good battery cycling performance.
Machine Learning‐Aided Discovery of Low‐Pt High Entropy Intermetallic Compounds for Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhang Longhai , Zhang Xu , Chen Changsheng , Zhang Jiaxi , Tan Weiquan , Xu Zhihang , Zhong Ziying , Du Li , Song Huiyu , Liao Shijun , Zhu Ye , Zhou Zhen , Cui Zhiming
Published: October 2024

Advancing the design of cathode catalysts to significantly maximize platinum utilization and augment the longevity has emerged as a formidable challenge in the field of fuel cells. Herein, we rationally design a high entropy intermetallic compound (HEIC, Pt(FeCoNiCu)3) for catalyzing oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) by an efficient machine learning stategy, where crystal graph convolutional neural networks are employed to expedite the multicomponent design. Based on a dataset generated from first‐principles calculations, the model can achieve a high prediction accuracy with mean absolute errors of 0.003 for surface strain and 0.011 eV atom−1 for formation energy. In addition, we identify two chemical features (atomic size difference and mixing enthalpy) as new descriptors to explore advanced ORR catalysts. The carbon supported Pt(FeCoNiCu)3 catalyst with small particle size is successfully synthesized by a freeze‐drying‐annealing technology, and exhibits ultrahigh mass activity (4.09 A mgPt−1) and specific activity (7.92 mA cm−2). Meanwhile, The catalyst also shows significantly enhanced electrochemical stability which can be ascribed to the sluggish diffussion effect in the HEIC structure. Beyond offering a promising low‐Pt electrocatalysts for fuel cell cathode, this work offers a new paradigm to rationally design advanced catalysts for energy storage and conversion devices.
Integrated enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in radical cystectomy for bladder tumour—A retroprospective study
Authors: Ashraf Waseem , Hamid Arif , Malik Sajad Ahmad , Khawaja Rouf , Para Sajad Ahmad , Wani Mohammad Saleem , Mehdi Saqib
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) is a patient‐centerd, evidence‐based approach to improve postoperative outcomes. The protocol involves multidisciplinary collaboration and standardisation of perioperative interventions. ERAS has shown positive results in reducing hospitalisation and complications.

Methods

The study conducted in the Department of Urology was a retro‐prospective study. It included an ERAS cohort group of 47 patients, studied prospectively from May 2021 to May 2023. These patients were compared to a historical cohort of 47 consecutive patients who underwent radical cystectomy with traditional care before the ERAS pathway was implemented. The primary outcome was hospital length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included perioperative management, time to recovery milestones and complications.

Results

Implementation of ERAS pathway for radical cystectomy was associated with reduced hospital LOS (mean LOS 16.19 ± 2.53 days vs. 10.26 ± 3.33 days 7 days; p < 0.0001), reduced time to key recovery milestones, including days to first flatus (3.17 vs. 2.68; p = 0.013) and days to first solid food (5.19 vs. 3.45 p value < 0.0001), first stool (5.53 vs. 4.23; p < 0.0001), reductions in some complications like postoperative ileus (p value = 0.021) and need for total parental nutrition (p value = 0.023).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the implementation of the integrated approach facilitates a more efficient recovery process, potentially reducing healthcare costs and enhancing patient comfort.
Sequence Context in DNA i‐Motifs Can Nurture Very Stable and Persistent Kinetic Traps
Authors: Minasyan Alexander S. , Peacey Merlin , Allen Te'Kara , Nesterova Irina V
Published: October 2024

I‐motifs are non‐canonical DNA structures with recognized biological significance and a proven utility in material engineering. Consequently, understanding and control of i‐motif properties is essential to sustain progress across both disciplines. In this work, we systematically investigate how proximity to the most common form of DNA, a double‐stranded duplex, influences the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of adjacent i‐motifs. We demonstrate that double‐stranded stems in i‐motif loops promote kinetic trapping of very stable and persistent partially folded conformations. Further, we investigate pathways toward rational control over a folding topology makeup.
Oxidative stress disrupts vascular microenvironmental homeostasis affecting the development of atherosclerosis
Authors: Shao Ruifei , Chen Rui , Zheng Qiang , Yao Mengyu , Li Kunlin , Cao Yu , Jiang Lihong
Published: October 2024

Atherosclerosis is primarily an inflammatory reaction of the cardiovascular system caused by endothelial damage, leading to progressive thickening and hardening of the vessel walls, as well as extensive necrosis and fibrosis of the surrounding tissues, the most necessary pathological process causing cardiovascular disease. When the body responds to harmful internal and external stimuli, excess oxygen free radicals are produced causing oxidative stress to occur in cells and tissues. Simultaneously, the activation of inflammatory immunological processes is followed by an elevation in oxygen free radicals, which directly initiates the release of cytokines and chemokines, resulting in a detrimental cycle of vascular homeostasis abnormalities. Oxidative stress contributes to the harm inflicted upon vascular endothelial cells and the decrease in nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide is crucial for maintaining vascular homeostasis and is implicated in the development of atherosclerosis. This study examines the influence of oxidative stress on the formation of atherosclerosis, which is facilitated by the vascular milieu. It also provides an overview of the pertinent targets and pharmaceutical approaches for treating this condition.
Ir(III) Diamine Transfer Hydrogenation Catalysts in Cancer Cells
Authors: Fry Millie E. , Alsaif Sitah A. , Khanom Yasmin , Keirle Alice K. , Pheasey Chloe E. , Song Ji Inn , Bedford Rebecca A. , Romero‐Canelon Isolda , Sadler Peter J. , Coverdale James P. C.
Published: October 2024

The development of catalytic metallodrugs is an emerging field that may offer new approaches to cancer chemotherapeutic design. By exploiting the unique properties of transition metal complexes, in‐cell catalysis can be applied to modulate the cellular redox balance as part of a multi‐targeting mechanism of action. We describe the synthesis and characterization of six coordinatively unsaturated iridium(III) diamine catalysts that are stable at physiological pH in aqueous solution. Reduction of the colorimetric substrate 2,6‐dichlorophenolindophenol by transfer hydrogenation under biologically compatible conditions achieved turnover frequencies up to 63 ± 2 h−1 and demonstrated that the source of hydride (sodium formate) is the limiting reagent, despite being in a 1000‐fold excess of the catalyst. The catalyst showed low in vivo acute toxicity in zebrafish embryos and modest in vitro potency towards cancer cells. When administered alone, the catalyst generated oxidative stress in cells (an effect that was conserved in vivo), but co‐treatment with a nontoxic dose of sodium formate negated this effect. Co‐treatment with sodium formate significantly enhanced catalyst potency in cancer cells (A2780 ovarian and MCF7 breast cancer cells) and drug‐resistant cells (A2780cis and MCF7‐TAMR1) but not in non‐tumorigenic cells (MRC5), demonstrating that a redox‐targeting mechanism may generate selectivity for cancer cells.