bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MOTYWACJE NOSZENIA ODZIEŻY PATRIOTYCZNEJ PRZEZ MŁODYCH POLAKÓW I POLKI
Authors: Baran Jowita Sara
Published: March 2021

Artykuł prezentuje wyniki badań jakościowych, których celem było poznanie motywacji noszenia odzieży patriotycznej przez młodych Polaków i Polki. W pracy zaprezentowany został również wątek znaczeń, jakie respondenci przypisują tym ubraniom. Autorka poszukiwała odpowiedzi na pytanie, czym są dla użytkowników ubrania patriotyczne i w jakim celu wybiera się tę szczególną odzież. Omawiane motywacje respondentów uznane zostały za wskaźnik przynależności praktyki noszenia odzieży patriotycznej do gorącego lub zimnego bieguna nacjonalizmu według teorii Michaela Billiga. W analizie zebranego materiału odwołano się także do innych koncepcji: na teoretyczną bazę pracy składa się także koncepcja późnej nowoczesności Anthony’ego Giddensa i opis procesów globalizacyjnych zachodzących we współczesnym świecie.
#ISLAM #MUZUŁMANKA – ANALIZA SPOSOBÓW WYKORZYSTANIA MEDIÓW SPOŁECZNOŚCIOWYCH JAKO GŁOSU NIESŁYSZANYCH
Authors: Stojkow Maria
Published: March 2021

Celem artykułu jest przeanalizowanie muzułmańskich grup w mediach społecznościowych pod kątem funkcji, jakie pełnią w życiu muzułmanów, a zwłaszcza muzułmanek żyjących w Polsce. Społeczność muzułmańska nie jest w Polsce znacząca liczebnie, zatem kontakty interpersonalne w realu mogą być utrudnione. Muzułmanie, a zwłaszcza muzułmanki doświadczają opresji i dyskryminacji w życiu codziennym, zatem internet może być miejscem, gdzie będą szukać zrozumienia i wsparcia, a także sposobu na rozwiązanie własnych problemów. Płaszczyzn, na których Internet, a zwłaszcza media społecznościowe będą wspomagały muzułmanki, jest potencjalnie bardzo wiele. Aby je odkryć, zostanie dokonana analiza treści wybranych grup facebookowych skierowanych do muzułmanów i muzułmanek
TRANSFORMACJE POSTAW WOBEC ARABÓW W SPOŁECZEŃSTWIE POLSKIM Z PERSPEKTYWY CZŁONKÓW SPOŁECZNOŚCI ARABSKIEJ I MUZUŁMAŃSKIEJ
Authors: Pędziwiatr Konrad
Published: March 2021

Pomimo licznych badań postaw społeczeństwa polskiego wobec wyznawców islamu, w tym Arabów, lub badań tego, jak polskie media kształtują obraz muzułmanów i islamu, brakuje analiz ukazujących, jak te postawy i obrazy są odbierane przez grupę mniejszościową. Celem artykułu jest uzupełnienie tej luki i analiza postrzegania zmian postaw we współczesnym społeczeństwie polskim wobec Arabów z perspektywy członków krajowej społeczności arabskiej i muzułmańskiej. Ramę analityczną stanowią koncepcje socjologiczne problematyzujące grupowe poczucie obcości i swojskości w kontekście ludzkiej mobilności oraz w oderwaniu od tego kontekstu. W szczególności tekst ukazuje użyteczność koncepcji inności i obcości rozwijanej przez Ewę Nowicką w końcu latach dziewięćdziesiątych ubiegłego wieku do analizy następującej w ostatnich dwu dekadach transformacji postaw wobec Arabów i muzułmanów w społeczeństwie polskim.
WOLONTARIUSZ NIEPEŁNOSPRAWNY – Z POTRZEBY WŁASNEJ CZY MYŚLENIA O INNYCH
Authors: Król Katatrzyna
Published: March 2021

„Najbardziej niezmiennym i ważnym pytaniem życia jest: Co robisz dla innych?” (Martin Luther King Jr). To właśnie jest istota wolontariatu, która polega na świadomej oraz bezinteresownej pracy na rzecz społeczności, to okazywanie pomocy, ale też lekcja proszenia o nią. Odpowiedź na tak postawione pytanie nie jest łatwa, zwłaszcza dla osoby niepełnosprawnej. Celem artykułu jest próba odpowiedzi na pytanie, czy osoba niepełnosprawna może być również dawcą działań wolontariackich, a nie tylko ich biorcą. Szczególne miejsce w analizie aktywności społecznej, jaką jest między innymi wolontariat, mają kwestie dotyczące osób niepełnosprawnych. Uczestnictwo społeczne, związane z nim mechanizmy integracji lub wykluczenia są zjawiskami o charakterze procesualnym. Prowadzone przeze mnie badania niepełnosprawnych wolontariuszy są próbą odpowiedzi na pytania: jakie czynniki, procedury czy mechanizmy stoją za podjęciem aktywności społecznej lub jej brakiem, czy działalność wolontariacka osób niepełnosprawnych jest pożądaną drogą wyjścia z kręgu osób biernych, wykluczonych. Dla osób z ograniczeniami sprawności, aktywność społeczna mogłaby bowiem stać się alternatywnym źródłem pozyskiwania pomocy, wsparcia, a także pozytywnym „lustrem”, mogącym wpłynąć na podniesienie ich samooceny. Badanie skoncentrowałam na wolontariuszach z niepełnosprawnością ruchową.
SEARCH FOR UNIVERSALISM IN A REGIONAL NARRATIVE. THE CASE OF THE NEW PERMANENT HISTORICAL EXHIBITION IN THE SILESIAN MUSEUM1 IN KATOWICE
Authors: Jodliński Leszek Janusz
Published: March 2021

In 2012 politicians and some historians blocked the first (after 1989) permanent exhibition of the history of Upper Silesia. Its history turned out to be much more controversial and went beyond the framework of storytelling in a museum. Guidelines of the exhibition scenario have been consulted from 2010 with specialists and in the course of focus surveys. Result of the research and experts’ opinions defined modern history (19th and 20th c.) as key period for understanding the heritage of the region. The authors of the project wanted to replace national and regional myths by new categories of two leading universal interpretation such as modernity and industrialization The authors wanted to show the history of Silesia from the perspective of Poland, Germany and Czechia for their cultural presence etc. was significant in its history. The project was rejected and the script resigned from a multinational and European perspective.
Network dynamics underlying OFF responses in the auditory cortex
Authors: Bondanelli Giulio , Deneux Thomas , Bathellier Brice , Ostojic Srdjan
Published: March 2021

Across sensory systems, complex spatio-temporal patterns of neural activity arise following the onset (ON) and offset (OFF) of stimuli. While ON responses have been widely studied, the mechanisms generating OFF responses in cortical areas have so far not been fully elucidated. We examine here the hypothesis that OFF responses are single-cell signatures of recurrent interactions at the network level. To test this hypothesis, we performed population analyses of two-photon calcium recordings in the auditory cortex of awake mice listening to auditory stimuli, and compared them to linear single-cell and network models. While the single-cell model explained some prominent features of the data, it could not capture the structure across stimuli and trials. In contrast, the network model accounted for the low-dimensional organization of population responses and their global structure across stimuli, where distinct stimuli activated mostly orthogonal dimensions in the neural state-space.
Processing of motion boundary orientation in macaque V2
Authors: Ma Heng , Li Pengcheng , Hu Jiaming , Cai Xingya , Song Qianling , Lu Haidong D
Published: March 2021

Human and nonhuman primates are good at identifying an object based on its motion, a task that is believed to be carried out by the ventral visual pathway. However, the neural mechanisms underlying such ability remains unclear. We trained macaque monkeys to do orientation discrimination for motion boundaries (MBs) and recorded neuronal response in area V2 with microelectrode arrays. We found 10.9% of V2 neurons exhibited robust orientation selectivity to MBs, and their responses correlated with monkeys’ orientation-discrimination performances. Furthermore, the responses of V2 direction-selective neurons recorded at the same time showed correlated activity with MB neurons for particular MB stimuli, suggesting that these motion-sensitive neurons made specific functional contributions to MB discrimination tasks. Our findings support the view that V2 plays a critical role in MB analysis and may achieve this through a neural circuit within area V2.
Glia actively sculpt sensory neurons by controlled phagocytosis to tune animal behavior
Authors: Raiders Stephan , Black Erik Calvin , Bae Andrea , MacFarlane Stephen , Klein Mason , Shaham Shai , Singhvi Aakanksha
Published: March 2021

Glia in the central nervous system engulf neuron fragments to remodel synapses and recycle photoreceptor outer segments. Whether glia passively clear shed neuronal debris or actively prune neuron fragments is unknown. How pruning of single-neuron endings impacts animal behavior is also unclear. Here, we report our discovery of glia-directed neuron pruning in Caenorhabditis elegans. Adult C. elegans AMsh glia engulf sensory endings of the AFD thermosensory neuron by repurposing components of the conserved apoptotic corpse phagocytosis machinery. The phosphatidylserine (PS) flippase TAT-1/ATP8A functions with glial PS-receptor PSR-1/PSR and PAT-2/α-integrin to initiate engulfment. This activates glial CED-10/Rac1 GTPase through the ternary GEF complex of CED-2/CrkII, CED-5/DOCK180, CED-12/ELMO. Execution of phagocytosis uses the actin-remodeler WSP-1/nWASp. This process dynamically tracks AFD activity and is regulated by temperature, the AFD sensory input. Importantly, glial CED-10 levels regulate engulfment rates downstream of neuron activity, and engulfment-defective mutants exhibit altered AFD-ending shape and thermosensory behavior. Our findings reveal a molecular pathway underlying glia-dependent engulfment in a peripheral sense-organ and demonstrate that glia actively engulf neuron fragments, with profound consequences on neuron shape and animal sensory behavior.
Neural basis of corruption in power-holders
Authors: Hu Yang , Hu Chen , Derrington Edmund , Corgnet Brice , Qu Chen , Dreher Jean-Claude
Published: March 2021

Corruption often involves bribery, when a briber suborns a power-holder to gain advantages usually at a cost of moral transgression. Despite its wide presence in human societies, the neurocomputational basis of bribery remains elusive. Here, using model-based fMRI, we investigated the neural substrates of how a power-holder decides to accept or reject a bribe. Power-holders considered two types of moral cost brought by taking bribes: the cost of conniving with a fraudulent briber, encoded in the anterior insula, and the harm brought to a third party, represented in the right temporoparietal junction. These moral costs were integrated into a value signal in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was selectively engaged to guide anti-corrupt behaviors when a third party would be harmed. Multivariate and connectivity analyses further explored how these neural processes depend on individual differences. These findings advance our understanding of the neurocomputational mechanisms underlying corrupt behaviors.
Tachykinin signaling inhibits task-specific behavioral responsiveness in honeybee workers
Authors: Han Bin , Wei Qiaohong , Wu Fan , Hu Han , Ma Chuan , Meng Lifeng , Zhang Xufeng , Feng Mao , Fang Yu , Rueppell Olav , Li Jianke
Published: March 2021

Behavioral specialization is key to the success of social insects and leads to division of labor among colony members. Response thresholds to task-specific stimuli are thought to proximally regulate behavioral specialization, but their neurobiological regulation is complex and not well understood. Here, we show that response thresholds to task-relevant stimuli correspond to the specialization of three behavioral phenotypes of honeybee workers in the well-studied and importantApis melliferaandApis cerana. Quantitative neuropeptidome comparisons suggest two tachykinin-related peptides (TRP2 and TRP3) as candidates for the modification of these response thresholds. Based on our characterization of their receptor binding and downstream signaling, we confirm a functional role of tachykinin signaling in regulating specific responsiveness of honeybee workers: TRP2 injection and RNAi-mediated downregulation cause consistent, opposite effects on responsiveness to task-specific stimuli of each behaviorally specialized phenotype but not to stimuli that are unrelated to their tasks. Thus, our study demonstrates that TRP signaling regulates the degree of task-specific responsiveness of specialized honeybee workers and may control the context specificity of behavior in animals more generally.
Characteristics of the gut microbiome in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Zhang Zewen , Tian Tian , Chen Zhen , Liu Lirong , Luo Tao , Dai Jianghong
Published: March 2021

Background

Gut microbiome has recently been identified as a new potential risk factor in addition to well-known diabetes risk factors. The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in the composition of gut microbiome in prediabetes(PreDM), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-diabetic controls.

Methods

A total of 180 participants were recruited for this study: 60 with T2DM, 60 with PreDM and 60 non-diabetics (control group). Fecal samples were collected from the participants and genomic DNA was extracted. The composition and diversity of gut microbiome were investigated in fecal DNA samples using Illumina sequencing of the V3∼V4 regions of 16sRNA.

Results

There were significant differences in the number of bacteria among patients with PreDM and T2DM and the control group. Compared with the control group, Proteobacteria bacteria were significantly higher in the PreDM group (P = 0.006). On the genus level, Compared with the control group, the relative abundance of Prevotella and Alloprevotella was significantly higher in the T2DM group (P = 0.016, P = 0.018), and the relative abundance of Paraprevotella in T2DM and PreDM groups was lower than that in the control group (P = 0.011, P = 0.045). Compared with the PreDM group and the control group, the relative abundance of Bacteroides in the T2DM group was significantly lower (P = 0.019, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

The present study found significant differences in the gut microbiome between PreDM, T2DM and non-diabetic individuals, specifically at the genus level, suggesting that early intervention in PreDM patients could have implications for gut flora transitioning to T2DM. In addition, these results may be valuable for developing strategies to control T2DM by modifying the gut microbiome.
Continuously Variable Transmission Vehicle Modeling and Control Algorithm Considering Fuel Efficiency and Driveline Efficiency
Authors:   Transilvania University of Brasov, Department of Product Design, Mechatronics and Environment, Brasov, Romania, Cotoros Diana , Stanciu Anca , Hutini Alexandra
Published: March 2021

The device presented in this paper was designed in order to give a hand to the deaf-mute community, by helping them to reintegrate in the society, using the modern technologies. We aim at manufacturing an intelligent glove based on the use of sensors in order to obtain a communication bridge with a decent speech level between the persons suffering hearing loss and the persons with normal hearing. The development and design of the glove represents an endeavor that aims at obtaining pertinent data from fingers’ motion. The prototype functionality can be easily compared with gloves for virtual applications as they work on the same principle, namely sensory activity and test subjects will verify the concept objectives.
Effectiveness of Solvent Extraction on Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities from Fresh and Dried Wheatgrass
Authors: Ove Towkir Ahmed , Khatun Anwara Akter , Saifullah Said Bin , Ahmed Maruf
Published: March 2021

Aims: This study was intended to investigate and quantify the phytochemicals and the antioxidant activities of fresh and powdered wheatgrass.

Study Design:  The experiment was performed by solvent extraction technique for determining the phytochemicals of wheatgrass samples.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Food engineering laboratory in Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh between June 2018 and December 2018.

Methodology: Fresh and powdered wheatgrass were used for the experiment. Methanol and ethanol solutions were separately utilized, in an attempt to assume the efficient solvent for extraction. UV-Vis spectrophotometric methods were employed in general throughout the study. Total phenolic contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), DPPH scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the total chlorophyll contents of both solvent extracts were analyzed.

Results: Phytochemicals and antioxidant activity were found lower in both solvent extracts of powdered wheatgrass than fresh leaves. Phenolic content and Chlorophyll were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in fresh samples (extracts). Due to heating, a significant decrease was observed in the DPPH radical scavenging activity of powdered extracts. Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in methanolic extracts than in ethanolic extracts. No significant (P > 0.05) difference was observed in total flavonoids contents.

Conclusion: These findings endorsed that both solvents demonstrate competitive potentials to extract bioactive compounds from wheatgrass and its derivatives and hence can be chosen specifically according to the components.
Detection of phenotype‐specific therapeutic vulnerabilities in breast cells using a CRISPR loss‐of‐function screen
Authors: Barkovskaya Anna , Goodwin Craig M. , Seip Kotryna , Hilmarsdottir Bylgja , Pettersen Solveig , Stalnecker Clint , Engebraaten Olav , Briem Eirikur , Der Channing J. , Moestue Siver A. , Gudjonsson Thorarinn , Mælandsmo Gunhild M. , Prasmickaite Lina
Published: March 2021

Cellular phenotype plasticity between the epithelial and mesenchymal states has been linked to metastasis and heterogeneous responses to cancer therapy, and remains a challenge for the treatment of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, we used isogenic human breast epithelial cell lines, D492 and D492M, representing the epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, respectively. We employed a CRISPR‐Cas9 loss‐of‐function screen targeting a 2240‐gene ‘druggable genome’ to identify phenotype‐specific vulnerabilities. Cells with the epithelial phenotype were more vulnerable to the loss of genes related to EGFR‐RAS‐MAPK signaling, while the mesenchymal‐like cells had increased sensitivity to knockout of G2‐M cell cycle regulators. Furthermore, we discovered knockouts that sensitize to the mTOR inhibitor everolimus and the chemotherapeutic drug fluorouracil in a phenotype‐specific manner. Specifically, loss of EGFR and fatty acid synthase (FASN) increased the effectiveness of the drugs in the epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes, respectively. These phenotype‐associated genetic vulnerabilities were confirmed using targeted inhibitors of EGFR (gefitinib), G2‐M transition (STLC), and FASN (Fasnall). In conclusion, a CRISPR‐Cas9 loss‐of‐function screen enables the identification of phenotype‐specific genetic vulnerabilities that can pinpoint actionable targets and promising therapeutic combinations.
Salipiger
Authors: Wang Tao , Wirth Joseph S. , Whitman William B.
Published: March 2021

Sa.li.pi'ger. L. masc. n.
sal
salt; L. masc. adj.
piger
lazy; N.L. masc. n.
Salipiger
lazy halophile.

Proteobacteria / Alphaproteobacteria / Rhodobacterales / Rhodobacteraceae / Salipiger

Gram‐negative‐staining, obligately aerobic or facultatively anaerobic, non‐spore‐forming, catalase‐ and oxidase‐positive rods, or ovoid morphology. Optimal growth typically occurs between 25 and 38°C, 2 and 11% (w/v) NaCl, and pH 6 and 8.5. Generally capable of utilizing a large variety of organic carbon compounds. Some species are capable of chemolithoheterotrophic growth with thiosulfate. The major fatty acid is C
18:1
ω7
c
or summed feature 8 (C
18:1
ω7
c
and/or C
18:1
ω6
c
). The major quinone is ubiquinone 10 (Q‐10). Species have been isolated globally from saline environments including seawater, marine sediments, tidal flats, and hypersaline soil. Members of the family
Rhodobacteraceae
. The type species is
Salipiger mucosus
.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 64.3–67.4.

Type species:
Salipiger mucosus
Martínez‐Cánovas et al. 2004
VP
.
Cell Fragment Formation, Migration, and Force Exertion on Extracellular Mimicking Fiber Nanonets
Authors: Padhi Abinash , Danielsson Brooke E. , Alabduljabbar Deema S. , Wang Ji , Conway Daniel E. , Kapania Rakesh K. , Nain Amrinder S.
Published: March 2021

Cell fragments devoid of the nucleus play an essential role in intercellular communication. Mostly studied on flat 2D substrates, their origins and behavior in native fibrous environments remain unknown. Here, cytoplasmic fragments’ spontaneous formation and behavior in suspended extracellular matrices mimicking fiber architectures (parallel, crosshatch, and hexagonal) are described. After cleaving from the parent cell body, the fragments of diverse shapes on fibers migrate faster compared to 2D. Furthermore, while fragments in 2D are mostly circular, a higher number of rectangular and blob‐like shapes are formed on fibers, and, interestingly, each shape is capable of forming protrusive structures. Absent in 2D, fibers’ fragments display oscillatory migratory behavior with dramatic shape changes, sometimes remarkably sustained over long durations (>20 h). Immunostaining reveals paxillin distribution along fragment body‐fiber length, while Forster Resonance Energy Transfer imaging of vinculin reveals mechanical loading of fragment adhesions comparable to whole cell adhesions. Using nanonet force microscopy, the forces exerted by fragments are estimated, and peculiarly small area fragments can exert forces similar to larger fragments in a Rho‐associated kinase dependent manner. Overall, fragment dynamics on 2D substrates are insufficient to describe the mechanosensitivity of fragments to fibers, and the architecture of fiber networks can generate entirely new behaviors.
Colossal Barocaloric Effect by Large Latent Heat Produced by First‐Order Intersite‐Charge‐Transfer Transition
Authors: Kosugi Yoshihisa , Goto Masato , Tan Zhenhong , Fujita Asaya , Saito Takashi , Kamiyama Takashi , Chen Wei‐Tin , Chuang Yu‐Chun , Sheu Hwo‐Shuenn , Kan Daisuke , Shimakawa Yuichi
Published: March 2021

Materials which show novel thermal properties can be used to make highly efficient and environmentally friendly energy systems for thermal energy storage and refrigeration through caloric effects. An A‐site‐ordered quadruple perovskite‐structure oxide, NdCu3Fe4O12, is found to release significant latent heat, 25.5 kJ kg−1 (157 J cc−1), at the intersite‐charge‐transfer transition temperature near room temperature. The transition is first‐order and accompanied by an unusual magnetic ordering and a large negative‐thermal‐expansion‐like volume change, and thus, it causes a large entropy change (84.2 J K−1 kg−1). The observed entropy change is comparable to the largest changes reported in inorganic solid materials, and more importantly, it is utilized through a colossal barocaloric effect. The adiabatic temperature change by applying 5.1 kbar pressure is estimated to reach 13.7 K, which means efficient refrigeration can be realized through this effect.
Printing Reconfigurable Bundles of Dielectric Elastomer Fibers
Authors: Chortos Alex , Mao Jie , Mueller Jochen , Hajiesmaili Ehsan , Lewis Jennifer A. , Clarke David R.
Published: March 2021

Active soft materials that change shape on demand are of interest for a myriad of applications, including soft robotics, biomedical devices, and adaptive systems. Despite recent advances, the ability to rapidly design and fabricate active matter in complex, reconfigurable layouts remains challenging. Here, the 3D printing of core‐sheath‐shell dielectric elastomer fibers (DEF) and fiber bundles with programmable actuation is reported. Complex shape morphing responses are achieved by printing individually addressable fibers within 3D architectures, including vertical coils and fiber bundles. These DEF devices exhibit resonance frequencies up to 700 Hz and lifetimes exceeding 2.6 million cycles. The multimaterial, multicore‐shell 3D printing method opens new avenues for creating active soft matter with fast programable actuation.
Full‐Temperature All‐Solid‐State Ti3C2Tx/Aramid Fiber Supercapacitor with Optimal Balance of Capacitive Performance and Flexibility
Authors: Liu Qi , Zhao Anran , He Xuexia , Li Qi , Sun Jie , Lei Zhibin , Liu Zong‐Huai
Published: March 2021

Full‐temperature all‐solid‐state flexible symmetrical fiber supercapacitors (FSCs) are assembled by using montmorillonite flake/polyvinyl alcohol organic hydrogel (F‐MMT/PVA OHGE) as the electrolyte and separator and Ti3C2Tx/ANF‐5% (T/A‐5) fiber as the electrode, in which T/A‐5 fiber is prepared by using delaminated Ti3C2Tx nanosheets as assembled units and 5% of aramid nanofiber (ANF) as the functional additive using a wet spinning method in a coagulated bath with 0.5 m FeCl2 solution. The T/A‐5 hybrid fiber exhibits a specific capacity of 807 F cm−3 in 3 m H2SO4 electrolyte, a superior mechanical strength of 104 MPa, and a high conductivity of 1025 S cm−1. The assembled F‐MMT/PVA OHGE T/A‐5 FSC not only shows a specific capacitance of 295 F cm−3 and a capacitance retention of 91% at a current density of 5 A cm−3 after 10 000 charging/discharging cycles, but also a maximum volumetric energy density of 26.2 mWh cm−3. Meanwhile, the assembled device displays good flexibility and excellent capacitance in a wide temperature range of −40 to 80 °C, the electrochemical performance of the FSC is maintained under varying degrees of bending. This study provides an effective strategy for designing and assembling of full‐temperature all‐solid‐state symmetrical flexible FSCs with the optimal balance of capacitive performance and flexibility.
Magneto‐Electrically Enhanced Intracellular Catalysis of FePt‐FeC Heterostructures for Chemodynamic Therapy
Authors: Zhang Huilin , Li Jinjin , Chen Yang , Wu Jiyue , Wang Kun , Chen Lijie , Wang Ya , Jiang Xingwu , Liu Yanyan , Wu Yelin , Jin Dayong , Bu Wenbo
Published: March 2021

Intracellular catalytic reactions can tailor tumor cell plasticity toward high‐efficiency treatments, but the application is hindered by the low efficiency of intracellular catalysis. Here, a magneto‐electronic approach is developed for efficient intracellular catalysis by inducing eddy currents of FePt‐FeC heterostructures in mild alternating magnetic fields (frequency of f = 96 kHz and amplitude of B ≤ 70 mT). Finite element simulation shows a high density of induced charges gathering at the interface of FePt‐FeC heterostructure in the alternating magnetic field. As a result, the concentration of an essential coenzyme—β‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide—in cancer cells is significantly reduced by the enhanced catalytic hydrogenation reaction of FePt‐FeC heterostructures under alternating magnetic stimulation, leading to over 80% of senescent cancer cells—a vulnerable phenotype that facilitates further treatment. It is further demonstrated that senescent cancer cells can be efficiently killed by the chemodynamic therapy based on the enhanced Fenton‐like reaction. By promoting intracellular catalytic reactions in tumors, this approach may enable precise catalytic tumor treatment.
Target Reprogramming Lysosomes of CD8+ T Cells by a Mineralized Metal–Organic Framework for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Zhao Qin , Gong Zijian , Li Zhihao , Wang Jinyang , Zhang Jinglun , Zhao Zifan , Zhang Peng , Zheng Shihang , Miron Richard J. , Yuan Quan , Zhang Yufeng
Published: March 2021

T cell immunotherapy holds significant challenges in solid tumors, mainly due to the T cells’ low activation and the decreased synthesis–release of therapeutic proteins, including perforin and granzyme B, which are present in lysosomes. In this study, a lysosome‐targeting nanoparticle (LYS‐NP) is developed by way of a mineralized metal–organic framework (MOF) coupled with a lysosome‐targeting aptamer (CD63‐aptamer) to enhance the antitumor effect of T cells. The MOF synthesized from Zn2+ and dimethylimidazole has good protein encapsulation and acid sensitivity, and is thus an ideal lysosomal delivery vector. Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is used to induce MOF mineralization, improve the composite material's stability in encapsulating therapeutic protein, and provide calcium ions with synergistic effects. Before mineralization, perforin and granzyme B—T cell‐needed therapeutic proteins for tumors—are preloaded with the MOF. Moreover, T cells are pretreated with processed tumor‐specific antigens to activate or produce memory before reprogramming the lysosomes, facilitating the T cell receptor (TCR) for release of the therapeutic proteins. Using T cells recombined by LYS‐NPs, a significant enhancement of breast cancer control is confirmed.
Au(111) Surface Contamination in Ambient Conditions: Unravelling the Dynamics of the Work Function in Air
Authors: Turetta Nicholas , Sedona Francesco , Liscio Andrea , Sambi Mauro , Samorì Paolo
Published: March 2021

Gold is an inert noble metal displaying superior chemical stability that renders it a suitable component for the manufacturing of electrodes for various types of devices. Despite being widely employed, the variation of gold surface properties occurring upon the material's exposure to ambient conditions have been often disregarded. While it is well‐known that the contamination of a metallic surface can have a dramatic impact on its properties, the process of contamination itself is poorly understood. Changes of the work function by fractions of an electron‐volt are commonly observed in gold surfaces that are processed at ambient laboratory conditions, but an exhaustive comprehension and control of this phenomenon are still lacking. Here, a multiscale characterization of Au(111) surfaces aiming to unravel the surface dynamics underlying the air contamination is presented. The visualization of the adventitious carbon contamination on Au(111) surface by atomic force microscopy is key to rationalize the mechanisms of surface reorganization ruling the change of Au work function between 5.25 and 4.75 eV by solely changing the storage conditions. Such a huge variation must be taken into account when optimizing the Au surface for both controlling its fundamental surface and interfacial physical processes, as well as its functional applications.
Natural Clay‐Based Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion Applications
Authors: Lan Ye , Liu Yiyang , Li Jianwei , Chen Dajun , He Guanjie , Parkin Ivan P.
Published: March 2021

Among various energy storage and conversion materials, functionalized natural clays display significant potentials as electrodes, electrolytes, separators, and nanofillers in energy storage and conversion devices. Natural clays have porous structures, tunable specific surface areas, remarkable thermal and mechanical stabilities, abundant reserves, and cost‐effectiveness. In addition, natural clays deliver the advantages of high ionic conductivity and hydrophilicity, which are beneficial properties for solid‐state electrolytes. This review article provides an overview toward the recent advancements in natural clay‐based energy materials. First, it comprehensively summarizes the structure, classification, and chemical modification methods of natural clays to make them suitable in energy storage and conversion devices. Then, the particular attention is focused on the application of clays in the fields of lithium‐ion batteries, lithium–sulfur batteries, zinc‐ion batteries, chloride‐ion batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells, and fuel cells. Finally, the possible future research directions are provided for natural clays as energy materials. This review aims at facilitating the rapid developments of natural clay‐based energy materials through a fruitful discussion from inorganic and materials chemistry aspects, and also promotes the broad sphere of clay‐based materials for other utilization, such as effluent treatment, heavy metal removal, and environmental remediation.
Polycrystalline and Single Crystalline NCM Cathode Materials—Quantifying Particle Cracking, Active Surface Area, and Lithium Diffusion
Authors: Trevisanello Enrico , Ruess Raffael , Conforto Gioele , Richter Felix H. , Janek Jürgen
Published: March 2021

Representatives of the LixNi1−y−zCoyMnzO2 (NCM) family of cathode active materials (CAMs) with high nickel content are becoming the CAM of choice for high performance lithium‐ion batteries. In addition to high specific capacities, these layered oxides offer high specific energy, power, and long cycle life. Recently, the development of single crystalline particles of NCM has enabled even longer lifetimes due to achieving higher Coulomb efficiencies. In this work, the performance of NCM materials with different particle size and morphology is explored in terms of key parameters such as the charge‐transfer resistance and the chemical diffusion coefficient of lithium. Cracking of secondary particles leads to liquid electrolyte infiltration in the CAM, lowering the charge‐transfer resistance and increasing the apparent diffusion coefficient by more than one order of magnitude. In contrast, these effects are not observed with single‐crystalline NCM, which is mostly free of cracks after cycling. Consequently, severe kinetic limitations are observed when cycling large “uncracked” secondary particles at low potential and capacity. These results demonstrate that cracking of polycrystalline particles of NCM is not solely detrimental but helps to achieve high reversible capacities and rate capability. Thus, optimization of CAMs size and morphology is decisive to achieve good rate capability with high‐nickel NCMs.
Data‐Driven Safety Risk Prediction of Lithium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Jia Yikai , Li Jiani , Yuan Chunhao , Gao Xiang , Yao Weiran , Lee Minwoo , Xu Jun
Published: March 2021

Inevitable safety issues have pushed battery engineers to become more conservative in battery system design; however, battery‐involved accidents still frequently are reported in headlines. Identifying, understanding, and predicting safety risks have become priorities to further accelerate technology and industry development. However, diverse loading scenarios, significantly varied stress‐induced short circuit mechanisms, and highly coupled mechanical–electrochemical safety behaviors have remained grand challenges. Herein, the safety risk is termed as the probability of the mechanical triggering of an internal short circuit, to reflect the safety related behaviors of lithium‐ion batteries. Based on a mechanical model and experimental results, a sufficient dataset is generated consisting of strain states and their corresponding safety risks, covering both cylindrical and pouch cells, various states of charges, and loading conditions. Machine‐learning tools combined with the established finite element mechanical model are applied to predict the safety risks of the cells. The results achieve a high level of accuracy on the test data (the relative error of the average short circuit prediction deviation is less than 6.2%.). This work underpins the safety risk concept and highlights the promise of physics combined with data‐driven modeling methodology to predict the safety behaviors of energy storage systems.
Challenges to the Success of Commercial Organic Photovoltaic Products
Authors: Moser Maximilian , Wadsworth Andrew , Gasparini Nicola , McCulloch Iain
Published: March 2021

Recent advances in the development of organic photovoltaic (OPV) materials has led to significant improvements in device performance; now closing in on the 20% efficiency threshold. Despite these improvements in performance, the commercial viability of organic photovoltaic products remains elusive. In this perspective, the current limitations of high performing blends are uncovered, particularly focusing on the industrial upscaling considerations of these materials, such as synthetic scalability, active layer processing, and device stability. Moreover, a simplified metric, namely, the scalability factor (SF), is introduced to evaluate the scale‐up potential of specific OPV materials and blends thereof. Of the most popular molecular design strategies investigated in recent times, it is found that the use of Y‐series nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) and synthetically simple materials, such as PTQ‐10 and ternary blends, are most effective at maximizing the efficiency without negatively impacting the SF. Furthermore, the improvements that are needed, in terms of device processability and stability, are considered for industrial scale‐up and final product application. Finally, an outlook of organic photovoltaics is provided both from a perspective of important research avenues and applications that can be exploited.
Tailoring the Dimensionality of Hybrid Perovskites in Mesoporous Carbon Electrodes for Type‐II Band Alignment and Enhanced Performance of Printable Hole‐Conductor‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chen Xiayan , Xia Yongkang , Huang Qingyi , Li Zhe , Mei Anyi , Hu Yue , Wang Ti , Cheacharoen Rongrong , Rong Yaoguang , Han Hongwei
Published: March 2021

Printable hole‐conductor‐free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have attracted intensive research attention due to their high stability and simple manufacturing process. However, the cells have suffered severe potential loss in the absence of the hole transporting layer. The dimensionality of the perovskite absorber in the mesoporous carbon electrodes by conducting post‐treatments is reduced. The low‐dimensional perovskites possess wide‐bandgaps and form type‐II band alignment, favoring directional charge transportation and thus enhancing the device performance. For the cells using MAPbI3 (MA = methylammonium) as the light absorber, the open‐circuit voltage (VOC) is significantly enhanced from 0.92 to 0.98 V after posttreatment, delivering an overall efficiency of 16.24%. For the cells based on FAPbI3 (FA = formamadinium), a high efficiency of 17.47% is achieved with VOC of 1.02 V, which are both the highest reported values for printable hole‐conductor‐free PSCs. This strategy provides a facile method for tuning the energy level alignment for mesoscopic perovskite‐based optoelectronics.
3D Confinement Strategy for Dendrite‐Free Sodium Metal Batteries
Authors: Li Zhaopeng , Zhu Kunjie , Liu Pei , Jiao Lifang
Published: March 2021

Sodium metal batteries (SMBs) are attracting extensive attention for large‐scale energy storage due to the abundant reserves and low cost of sodium. However, the inevitable side reactions and uncontrollable dendrite growth in SMBs result in a continuous deterioration of the electrochemical performance and induce serious safety concerns, which severely restrict its practical application in the future. Among various improvement strategies, the 3D confinement strategy demonstrates great potential for stabilizing the Na anode owing to its optimized ion/electron transportation, lower deposition overpotential, and superior structural stability. Herein, first, the recent progress in SMBs which use the 3D confinement strategy to improve the electrochemical cycling stability of Na anode are outlined, and the potential regulation mechanism, including the transport/deposition behavior of Na+, interface engineering, and some advanced characterization techniques, are summarized. Furthermore, critical challenges and new perspectives are emphasized in detail. This review provides a deeper insight to enable construct ion of more comprehensive and effective Na metal anodes for advanced SMBs.
The political economy of COVID‐19
Authors: Kaplan Scott , Lefler Jacob , Zilberman David
Published: March 2021

We assess the economic and health costs of COVID and policy responses to COVID. Based on initial estimates of health and economic costs, social distancing policies were justified, but these estimates now seem too high because of learning by doing. Significant differences in mortality rates across US states and countries can be explained by population density, climate, exposure, and policy. Regions that were able to contain the disease early have seen fewer deaths and lower economic losses. Some developing countries initially imposed drastic, costly measures, perhaps motivated by political economy. We also find that there has been underinvestment in prevention and mitigation that could have reduced the cost of adaptation and suggest that there is a lesson for climate change policies.
Determining site occupancy of acetaminophen covalent binding to target proteins in vitro
Authors: Geib Timon , Lento Cristina , Marensi Vanessa , Thulasingam Madhuranayaki , Haeggström Jesper Z. , Olsson Magnus , Wilson Derek J. , Leslie Elaine M. , Sleno Lekha
Published: March 2021

Acetaminophen (APAP)‐related toxicity is caused by the formation of N‐acetyl p‐benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), a reactive metabolite able to covalently bind to protein thiols. A targeted liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method, using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM), was developed to measure APAP binding on selected target proteins, including glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs). In vitro incubations with CYP3A4 were performed to form APAP in the presence of different proteins, including four purified GST isozymes. A custom alkylation agent was used to prepare heavy labeled modified protein containing a structural isomer of APAP on all cysteine residues for isotope dilution. APAP incubations were spiked with heavy labeled protein, digested with either trypsin or pepsin, followed by peptide fractionation by HPLC prior to LC‐MRM analysis. Relative site occupancy on the protein‐level was used for comparing levels of modification of different sites in target proteins, after validation of protein and peptide‐level relative quantitation using human serum albumin as a model system. In total, seven modification sites were quantified, namely Cys115 and 174 in GSTM2, Cys15, 48 and 170 in GSTP1, and Cys50 in human MGST1 and rat MGST1. In addition, APAP site occupancies of three proteins from liver microsomes were also quantified by using heavily labeled microsomes spiked into APAP microsomal incubations. A novel approach employing an isotope‐labeled alkylation reagent was used to determine site occupancies on multiple protein thiols.
The superiority of cuprous chloride to iodide in the selective aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols at ambient temperature
Authors: Ma Ruonan , Xiao Zhiyin , Zhong Wei , Lu Chunxin , Shen Zhongquan , Zhao Dan , Liu Xiaoming
Published: March 2021

Cuprous halides, best described as (CuX)n (X = Cl−, Br−, and I−) in their solid state, catalyse selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols with the assistance of both NMI (N‐methylimidazole) and TEMPO (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl), and the iodide generally demonstrates the highest activity, for example, in the oxidation of 1‐octanol at ambient temperature under 24 h' reaction. However, in the aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols, the chloride showed superiority to the iodide in that the aerobic oxidation was quantitatively completed within 3 h at ambient temperature whereas the iodide showed only about half the activity of the chloride analogue. By probing the system using electrochemistry, electric conductivity, and 1H NMR titration, it was revealed that the surprising anomaly was due to the difference in the rate of forming active species, [Cu (NMI)2X(MeCN)], from the polymeric solid in a two‐stage process. Substrates expansion of 11 benzylic alcohols indicated that CuCl/NMI/TEMPO system demonstrated quantitative conversion of benzylic alcohols into corresponding aldehydes within 3 h and showed great tolerance to the substituents on the phenyl ring of the substrates. Furthermore, electron‐withdrawing substituent was beneficial to the oxidation and could offset the steric effect at orthro‐substituent. Such a behaviour suggested that in the catalysis, increasing the acidity of the hydroxyl group (OH) of the substrates could ease the oxidation, which implied that the deprotonation via an internal pathway might be one of the rate‐determining steps. Our results also showed that the anion halide participated actively in the catalysis by coordinating to Cu(I) in the active species.
Impact of the upper/lower furnace depth ratio on the strengthened low‐NOx combustion performance in a two‐stage W‐shaped flame furnace
Authors: Zhao Xiaojuan , Kuang Min , Liu Sheng , Wu Haiqian , Wang Xiu , Du Lin
Published: March 2021

For achieving the strengthened low‐NOx combustion plus high burnout in W‐shaped flame furnaces, a cascade‐arch low‐NOx and high‐burnout configuration (CLHC) is realized by positioning two burner layers in a 600 MWe furnace. The gas/particle flow, combustion, and NOx emission characteristics in the furnace are numerically evaluated at four upper/lower furnace depth ratios of CW = 0.458, 0.500, 0.529, and 0.558 (CW signifying the furnace throat shrinkage level) so as to disclose the impact of the furnace throat shrinkage level on the overall furnace performance and meanwhile establish an available CW setup. Increasing CW initially updates but then deteriorates the low‐NOx combustion performance. At the narrowest CW = 0.485 setup, the gained slightly asymmetric combustion shows relatively lower burnout loss but higher NOx emissions, while the widest CW = 0.558 setup forms severely asymmetric combustion with apparently raised carbon in fly ash but relatively lower NOx emissions. At moderate setups of CW = 0.500 and 0.529, a symmetrical combustion pattern develops, showing the low‐NOx and high‐burnout performance characterized as NOx emissions of 700–707 mg/m3 (6% O2) and carbon content in fly ash of 5.4–5.5%. In comparison to CW = 0.500, the larger downward flame penetration, higher flame fullness, and lower CO emission at CW = 0.529 suggest that a reasonable upper/lower furnace depth ratio prefers CW = 0.529. Compared with a currently advanced low‐NOx combustion technology, the CLHC lowers again NOx emissions by about 200 mg/m3 (6% O2) while maintaining high burnout, which confirms the CLHC's availability.
Ionic liquid modified graphene oxide for enhanced flame retardancy and mechanical properties of epoxy resin
Authors: Wan Mei , Shen Jiahui , Sun Chunfeng , Gao Ming , Yue Lina , Wang Yuxin
Published: March 2021

In this work, to improve its dispersion and flame retardancy, graphene oxide (GO) was functionalized by silane coupling agent KH550 and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazole hexafluorophosphate (PF6‐ILs), and characteristics of the PF6‐ILs@GO was obtained by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Then, the synergistic flame retardant of GO or PF6‐ILs@GO and melamine pyrophosphate (MPP) were applied for epoxy resin (EP) materials. Specifically, the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of EP with 0.1 wt% PF6‐ILs@GO was increased to 29.2% from 27.5% of EP/MPP composites, and the UL‐94 test reached the V‐0 rating. The CCT results showed that the total heat release (THR) and total smoke release (TSP) of EP/MPP/PF6‐ILs@GO composites were significantly 24.4% and 53.4% lower than that of EP/MPP composites. Besides, the thermal behavior investigated by TGA indicated that the char‐forming effect of GO and PF6‐ILs@GO was great, the residual char of EP/MPP/PF6‐ILs@GO composites was as high as 19.5% at 700°C, and its thermal stability was higher than that of EP/MPP composites. On the other hand, the tensile strength of EP/MPP/GO and EP/MPP/PF6‐ILs@GO composites were increased by 15.6% and 28.3% compared with EP/MPP composites. According to SEM analysis, the EP/MPP/GO composites formed a good protective char layer, which can effectively improve flame retardancy of EP. This research represents a new method of flame retardant modified GO to improve the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of polymers.