bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
One Year After Dobbs—Vast Changes to the Abortion Legal Landscape
Authors: Gostin Lawrence O. , Wetter Sarah , Reingold Rebecca B.
Published: August 2023

This JAMA Forum discusses state-level abortion restrictions and protections, emergency care, abortion medication, and abortion counseling 1 year after the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v Wade.
Analysis of Time to Treatment and Survival Among Adults Younger Than 50 Years of Age With Colorectal Cancer in Canada
Authors: Castelo Matthew , Paszat Lawrence , Hansen Bettina E. , Scheer Adena S. , Faught Neil , Nguyen Lena , Baxter Nancy N.
Published: August 2023

Importance

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is uncommon in adults younger than 50 years of age, so this population may experience delays to treatment that contribute to advanced stage and poor survival.

Objective

To investigate whether there is an association between time from presentation to treatment and survival in younger adults with CRC.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study used linked population-based data in Ontario, Canada. Participants included patients with CRC aged younger than 50 years who were diagnosed in Ontario between 2007 and 2018. Analysis was performed between December 2019 and December 2022.

Exposure

Administrative and billing codes were used to identify the number of days between the date of first presentation and treatment initiation (overall interval).

Main Outcomes and Measures

The associations between increasing overall interval, overall survival (OS), and cause-specific survival (CSS) were explored with restricted cubic spline regression. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were also fit for OS and CSS, adjusted for confounders. Analyses were repeated in a subset of patients with lower urgency, defined as those who did not present emergently, did not have metastatic disease, did not have cross-sectional imaging or endoscopy within 14 days of first presentation, and had an overall interval of at least 28 days duration.

Results

Among 5026 patients included, the median (IQR) age was 44.0 years (40.0-47.0 years); 2412 (48.0%) were female; 1266 (25.2%) had metastatic disease and 1570 (31.2%) had rectal cancer. The lower-urgency subset consisted of 2548 patients. The median (IQR) overall interval was 108 days (55-214 days) (15.4 weeks [7.9-30.6 weeks]). Patients with metastatic CRC had shorter median (IQR) overall intervals (83 days [39-183 days]) compared with those with less advanced disease. Five-year overall survival was 69.8% (95% CI, 68.4%-71.1%). Spline regression showed younger patients with shorter overall intervals (<108 days) had worse OS and CSS with no significant adverse outcomes of longer overall intervals. In adjusted Cox models, overall intervals longer than 18 weeks were not associated with significantly worse OS or CSS compared with those waiting 12 to 18 weeks (OS: HR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.67-1.03]; CSS: HR, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.69-1.18]). Results were similar in the subset of lower-urgency patients, and when stratified by stage.

Conclusions and relevance

In this cohort study of 5026 patients with CRC aged younger than 50 years of age in Ontario, time from presentation to treatment was not associated with advanced disease or poor survival. These results suggest that targeting postpresentation intervals may not translate to improved outcomes on a population level.
Comparison of Emergency Department Use Between Pregnant People With and Without Disabilities in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Brown Hilary K. , Varner Catherine , Ray Joel G. , Scime Natalie V. , Fung Kinwah , Guttmann Astrid , Havercamp Susan M. , Vigod Simone N. , Lunsky Yona
Published: August 2023

Importance

Emergency department (ED) use in pregnancy is common and occurs for a variety of reasons, including obstetrical complications, exacerbated underlying conditions, and inadequate outpatient health care access. People with disabilities have elevated rates of certain medical, psychiatric, and obstetrical conditions as well as inadequate access to prenatal care; their risk of ED use in pregnancy is not known, however.

Objective

To compare the risk of ED use in pregnancy among people with physical, sensory, and intellectual or developmental disabilities with those without disabilities.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Population-based cohort study leveraging linked administrative health data sets in Ontario, Canada, April 2003 to March 2019. Analysis included all recognized pregnancies to people with a preexisting physical, sensory, intellectual or developmental, or 2 or more (multiple) disabilities, and those without a disability. Data were analyzed from May 2022 to January 2023.

Exposure

Disability was ascertained using algorithms applied to 2 or more outpatient physician visits or 1 or more ED visits or hospitalizations before conception.

Main outcomes and measures

Modified Poisson regression–generated adjusted relative risks (aRR) and 95% CIs for any ED visit in pregnancy, from the estimated conception date up to the end of the pregnancy, adjusted for age, parity, income quintile, rurality, immigrant status, and preexisting chronic conditions, mental illness, and substance use disorders.

Results

The cohort included 2 659 895 pregnant people with physical (221 739 participants; mean [SD] age, 29.8 [6.1] years), sensory (71 891 participants; mean [SD] age, 29.1 [6.4] years), intellectual or developmental (3877 participants; mean [SD] age, 26.1 [6.7] years), and multiple disabilities (14 359 participants; mean [SD] age, 29.5 [6.5] years), and pregnant people without a disability (2 348 023 participants; mean [SD] age, 29.4 [5.9] years). The rate of ED visits in pregnancy was 25.4% in people without a disability (596 771 visits). Relative to these individuals, the aRR for ED use was elevated in people with physical (aRR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.25-1.27), sensory (aRR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.14-1.17), intellectual or developmental (aRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.28-1.38), and multiple disabilities (aRR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.40-1.46).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this population-based study, people with disabilities were at elevated risk of ED use in pregnancy. This finding underscores the need for research on the benefits of proactive strategies to manage preexisting conditions in these individuals, improve their access to outpatient obstetrical and medical care, and prepare them for when ED visits occur.
Impact of lipid profiles on parenchymal hemorrhage and early outcome after mechanical thrombectomy
Authors: Li Jie , Long Ling , Zhang Heng , Zhang Junliu , Abulimiti Adilijiang , Abulajiang Nuerbiya , Lu Qingbo , Yan Wei , Nguyen Thanh N. , Cai Xiaodong
Published: August 2023

Objective

We aimed to investigate the association of lipid parameters with parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) and early neurological improvement (ENI) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in stroke patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent MT between January 2019 and February 2022 at a tertiary stroke center. PH was diagnosed and classified as PH‐1 and PH‐2 according to the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study definition. ENI was defined as a decrease in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score by ≥8 or an NIHSS score of ≤1 at 24 h after MT.

Results

Among 155 patients, PH occurred in 41 (26.5%) patients, and 34 (21.9%) patients achieved ENI. In multivariate analysis, lower triglyceride to high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL‐C) value (OR = 0.51; 95% CI 0.30–0.89; p = 0.017) and higher HDL‐C level (OR = 5.83; 95% CI 1.26–26.99; p = 0.024) were independently associated with PH. The combination of TG <0.77 mmol/L and HDL‐C ≥ 0.85 mmol/L was the strongest predictor of PH (OR = 10.73; 95% CI 2.89–39.87; p < 0.001). A low HDL‐C level was an independent predictor of ENI (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02–0.95; p = 0.045), and PH partially accounts for the failure of ENI in patients with higher HDL‐C levels (estimate: −0.05; 95% CI: −0.11 to −0.01; p = 0.016).

Interpretation

The combination of lower TG level and higher HDL‐C level can predict PH after MT. Postprocedural PH partially accounts for the failure of ENI in patients with higher HDL‐C levels. Further studies into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this observation are of interest.
Magnetic Second‐Order Topological Insulator: An Experimentally Feasible 2D CrSiTe3
Authors: Wang Xiaotian , Li Xiao‐Ping , Li Jianghua , Xie Chengwu , Wang Jianhua , Yuan Hongkuan , Wang Wenhong , Cheng Zhenxiang , Yu Zhi‐Ming , Zhang Gang
Published: August 2023

2D second‐order topological insulators (SOTIs) have sparked significant interest, but currently, the proposed realistic 2D materials for SOTIs are limited to nonmagnetic systems. In this study, for the first time, a single layer of chalcogenide CrSiTe3—an experimentally realized transition metal trichalcogenide is proposed with a layer structure—as a 2D ferromagnetic (FM) SOTI. Based on first‐principles calculations, this study confirms that the CrSiTe3 monolayer exhibits a nontrivial gapped bulk state in the spin‐up channel and a trivial gapped bulk state in the spin‐down channel. Based on the higher‐order bulk–boundary correspondence, it demonstrates that the CrSiTe3 monolayer exhibits topologically protected corner states with a quantized fractional charge () in the spin‐up channel. Notably, unlike previous nonmagnetic examples, the topological corner states of the CrSiTe3 monolayer are spin‐polarized and pinned at the corners of the sample in real space. Furthermore, the CrSiTe3 monolayer retains SOTI features when the spin–orbit coupling (SOC) is considered, as evidenced by the corner charge and corner states distribution. Finally, by applying biaxial strain and hole doping, this study transforms the magnetic insulating bulk states into spin‐gapless semiconducting and half‐metallic bulk states, respectively. Importantly, the topological corner states persist in the spin‐up channel under these conditions.
Photochargeable Semiconductors: in “Dark Photocatalysis” and Beyond
Authors: Rogolino Andrea , Savateev Oleksandr
Published: August 2023

Photochargeable semiconductors enable energy harvesting and storage in a single material. Charges separated upon absorption of photons can accumulate in highly energetic trap states if morphology, size, and chemical composition are appropriately chosen. For example, electrons can survive for several hours if hole scavengers are used to prevent their recombination with photogenerated holes, and their negative charge is balanced by positive counter‐ions. The first database of charge‐storing semiconductors is recently released, containing information from more than 50 publications within the past 40 years. Now, the database has been updated with more than 90 entries from the latest works on the topic. These materials have been largely utilized in the context of “dark photocatalysis”, that is, redox reactions enabled by photocharged semiconductors long after cessation of light irradiation. Nevertheless, a variety of further potential applications have not received enough visibility, including memory storage, steel anti‐corrosion, sensors, and micromotors. In this review, the key figures of merit of photocharged semiconductors and the empirical relationships found between them is highlighted. After showing the latest advances in dark photocatalysis, it is discussed how other application fields may benefit from these materials. For each area, promising research directions based on the findings from the database are recommended.
High‐Speed Operation of Electrochemical Logic Circuits Depending on 3D Construction of Transistor Architectures
Authors: Moon Jung Woo , Lim Dong Un , Kim Young No , Kim Jung Hyun , Kim Jin Hyeon , Jo Sae Byeok , Cho Jeong Ho
Published: August 2023

The emergence of organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) has opened a new era of printable electronics and bioelectronics, due to their unique advantages including innately superior transconductance and biocompatibility. Despite the foreseeable advancements available from their further implementations in fundamental logic circuitry, however, insufficient operation speeds and short compatibilities to scaling‐down have so far hindered advanced integrations other than biosensing and biosignal amplifications. Here, a 3D‐construction‐dependent operational analysis of OECTs is reported, with which an all‐vertical architectural design enabled unprecedentedly high operating speed and a facile expansion to large‐area and high‐density 3D crossbar arrays. A simple vertical channel architecture completed with solid‐state Ag/AgCl top‐gate electrodes enables an ultrafast redistribution of ions within channels, yielding a state‐of‐the‐art operation frequency reaching 12 MHz V−1. Various printed logic circuit arrays, including NOT, NAND, and NOR gates, with high stability and reproducibility.
A Promising Radiation Thermal Protection Coating Based on Lamellar Porous Ca‐Cr co‐Doped Y3NbO7 Ceramic
Authors: Chen Guoliang , Fu Haoyang , Zou Yongchun , Wang Shuqi , Gao Yongwang , Yue Tongtong , Cao Jianyun , Wang Yaming , Qiu Jun , Zhao Junming , Ouyang Jiahu , Jia Dechang , Shuai Yong , Zhou Yu
Published: August 2023

Dissipation of heat efficiently from a hot object via radiation while minimizing the inward heat conduction is the key requirement of radiation thermal protection. In this study, a Ca‐Cr co‐doped Y3NbO7 coating with lamellar porous structure is fabricated, which shows an ultra‐low thermal conductivity (<0.7 W m−1 K−1) and near‐unity emissivity (>0.9) across a broad wavelength range of ≈1–24 µm. This record high emissivity to thermal conductivity ratio (≈1.3) is experimentally and theoretically revealed from a multi‐scale perspective. The diffusoin‐mediated thermal conduction feature of niobates combined with lamellar porous structure of the coating reduces its thermal conductivity to an impressive 0.5 W m−1 K−1 at 25 °C, surpassing the theoretical amorphous limitation of 0.72 W m−1 K−1. Experiments and FDTD calculation results demonstrate that the intrinsic emissivity dips at shallow extinction wavelengths (1 and 8 µm) and strong phonon‐polariton resonances wavelengths (>13 µm) can be effectively compensated by the multiple scattering/absorption and gradual modulation of conical shape/effective refractive index induced by surface micro‐protrusion structures, respectively. Furthermore, the coating exhibits robust mechanical and thermal stability with a high bonding strength (18.3 MPa) and thermal expansion coefficient (≈11 × 10−6 K−1 at 1200 °C) comparable to YSZ, showing great potential in the radiation thermal protection field.
Tailoring the Atomic‐Local Environment of Carbon Nanotube Tips for Selective H2O2 Electrosynthesis at High Current Densities
Authors: Long Yongde , Lin Jinguo , Ye Fenghui , Liu Wei , Wang Dan , Cheng Qingqing , Paul Rajib , Cheng Daojian , Mao Baoguang , Yan Riqing , Zhao Linjie , Liu Dong , Liu Feng , Hu Chuangang
Published: August 2023

The atomic‐local environment of catalytically active sites plays an important role in tuning the activity of carbon‐based metal‐free electrocatalysts (C‐MFECs). However, the rational regulation of the environment is always impeded by synthetic limitations and insufficient understanding of the formation mechanism of the catalytic sites. Herein, the possible cleavage mechanism of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through the crossing points during ball‐milling is proposed, resulting in abundant CNT tips that are more susceptible to be modified by heteroatoms, achieving precise modulation of the atomic environment at the tips. The obtained CNTs with N,S‐rich tips (N,S‐TCNTs) exhibit a wide potential window of 0.59 V along with H2O2 selectivity for over 90.0%. Even using air as the O2 source, the flow cell system with N,S‐TCNTs catalyst attains high H2O2 productivity up to 30.37 mol gcat.−1 h−1@350 mA cm−2, superior to most reported C‐MFECs. From a practical point of view, a solid electrolyzer based on N,S‐TCNTs is further employed to realize the in‐situ continuous generation of pure H2O2 solution with high productivity (up to 4.35 mmol cm−2 h−1@300 mA cm−2; over 300 h). The CNTs with functionalized tips hold great promise for practical applications, even beyond H2O2 generation.
Flexible Optoelectronic Multimodal Proximity/Pressure/Temperature Sensors with Low Signal Interference
Authors: Wang Shan , Wang Xiaoyu , Wang Qi , Ma Shuqi , Xiao Jianliang , Liu Haitao , Pan Jing , Zhang Zhang , Zhang Lei
Published: August 2023

Multimodal tactile sensors are a crucial part of intelligent human‐machine interaction and collaboration. Simultaneous detection of proximity, pressure, and temperature on a single sensor can greatly promote the safety, interactivity, and compactness of interaction systems. However, severe signal interference and complex decoupling algorithms hinder the actual applications. Here, this work reports a flexible optoelectronic multimodal sensor capable of detecting and decoupling proximity/pressure/temperature by integrating a light waveguide and an interdigital electrode (IDE) into a compact fibrous sensor. Negligible signal interference is realized by combining heterogeneous sensing mechanisms of optics and electronics, which encodes proximity into capacitance, pressure into light intensity and temperature into resistance. The sensor exhibits a large sensing distance of 225 mm with fast responses for proximity detection, a pressure sensitivity of 0.42 N−1, and a temperature sensitivity of 7% °C−1. As a proof of concept, a doll equipped with the sensor can accurately discriminate and detect various stimuli, thus achieving safe and immersive interactions with the user. This work opens up promising paths for self‐decoupled multimodal sensors and related human/machine/environment interaction applications.
On‐Chip Fluorescent Sensor for Chemical Vapor Detection
Authors: Wang Bo , Deng Zhuo , Fu Yanyan , Kerman Sarp , Xu Wei , Li Huizi , Liu Huan , He Qingguo , Chen Chang , Cheng Jiangong
Published: August 2023

Organic thin‐film fluorescent sensor is an efficient tool for detecting trace chemical vapor, such as illegal drugs, explosives, nerve agents, and other dangerous substances due to its high sensitivity and quick response. However, most of the current device structures rely on space optics, which makes it challenging to integrate with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology, and hence difficult for achieving chip‐level implementation. On the other hand, silicon nitride waveguide‐based photonics have recently shown strong potential for developing commercial‐scale fully integrated on‐chip gas sensors. In this work, to the best of the knowledge, the first chemical vapor detector based on fluorescence sensing is reported by the evanescent field of the waveguide on integrated photonic platform. By the simultaneous excitation and collection with the same waveguide, a detection limit of 0.19 and 93.7 ppb for methamphetamine and aniline, respectively, is achieved. Thanks to the good compatibility with CMOS fabrication processes, this on‐chip optical sensor can achieve production scalability as well as ease of integration with wearable electronic devices to meet the demands of portable, rapid detection. The technical route presented in this work provides a promising solution for compact, low‐cost fluorescence‐based gas sensors.
Extremely Large Polymer Light‐Emitting Electrochemical Cells with Concentric Circular Electrodes
Authors: Goyal Abhishake , Wang Dongze , Gao Jun
Published: August 2023

Planar polymer light‐emitting electrochemical cells (LECs) with concentric circle electrodes are demonstrated. With a fixed outer electrode radius of 6.8 mm, the inner electrode radius is varied from 1 to 3 mm. All cells can be activated with a 40 V bias at 360 K. The extremely large electrode gap size allows for time‐lapsed imaging of the in situ electrochemical p‐ and n‐doping processes. When the advancing p‐ and n‐doping fronts meet, a light‐emitting junction in the shape of a jagged ring is formed near the center of the electrode gap. Reversing bias polarity pushes the light‐emitting junction outward to near the negative electrode. It is possible to achieve a perfectly centered emitting junction by fine tuning the inner electrode radius. The sensitivity of junction position to relative electrode radius indicates the p‐ and n‐doping reactions are strongly coupled. The concentric circular electrode configuration offers a cross sectional view of an LEC‐based light‐emitting fiber. In any fiber shaped light‐emitting device, the inner and outer electrodes always differ in size. This electrode asymmetry should be considered and exploited to achieve optimal cell performance.
Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Shortwave Infrared Up‐conversion Imaging Devices with Ultra‐high Refresh Rate and Excellent Resolution
Authors: Zhang Meng , Xu Shuaiquan , Ding Ke , Chen Shuai , Wang Jinwen , Wang Chaoqiang , Pan Jing , Zhang Xiujuan , Jie Jiansheng
Published: August 2023

Shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging devices have gained increasing importance in various fields, including security monitoring, biomedical imaging, advanced driver assistance, and semiconductor industry. However, complex technological processes of epitaxial growth and flip‐chip bonding hinder the development of high‐performance and low‐cost SWIR imaging devices. Herein, a novel organic–inorganic hybrid optical up‐conversion (OUC) imaging device by stacking a phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diode (OLED) with a NiSix/Si Schottky barrier diode (SBD) is developed. The pyramidal microstructures of silicon are utilized to greatly enhance light absorption of the NiSix/Si SBD, enabling the device to respond to a broadband SWIR light of 1064, 1310, and 1550 nm that are beyond the bandgap limit of silicon. Significantly, the device demonstrates excellent up‐conversion imaging behaviors at SWIR light with an ultra‐fast refresh rate of over 3000 Hz and a high‐resolution imaging capability of 508 ppi. This work paves the way toward the fabrication of high‐performance, low‐cost silicon‐based OUC devices for SWIR imaging applications.
Spectrally Stable Deep‐Blue Perovskite Light‐Emitting Diodes Enabled by a Deep Eutectic Solvent
Authors: Zhang Yong‐Wen , Chen Ji‐Yang , Zhao Long , Cui Tingting , Tan Wan‐Yi , Min Yonggang
Published: August 2023

Full‐color LED display requires Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) 1931 coordinates of (0.14, 0.08), based on the National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) blue standard. However, such deep‐blue perovskite light‐emitting diodes (PeLEDs) still lag far behind in terms of device efficiency. Moreover, spectral stability remains a big challenge. To settle these issues, a kind of deep eutectic solvent (DES) is introduced as the perovskite precursor solvent additive, which is formed from a hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) choline chloride and a hydrogen bond donor (HBD) urea via the hydrogen bond interaction. The incorporation of DES has multiple advantages, shown as follows: 1) improves the solubility of CsCl to yield dense perovskite morphology, 2) inhibits the growth of the perovskite crystal to achieve low‐n phases with narrow distribution, and 3) stabilizes the halide anions in the lattice to ensure stable electroluminescence (EL) spectra. As a result, the as‐prepared PeLED shows the maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 2.71% with a CIE coordinate of (0.134, 0.055). With the increase in the DES concentration, the spectra stability is also obviously enhanced.
Reconfigurable Spatiotemporal Optical Signal Processors
Authors: Zhou Yi , Zhan Junjie , Shao Yifan , Wang Yubo , Dang Yongdi , Zhang Sen , Hernandez‐Figueroa Hugo E. , Ma Yungui
Published: August 2023

Analogue optical computing offers a promising approach for developing super‐fast computation techniques, benefiting from its extraordinary parallel processing capability, low energy consumption, and high integrability compared to digital electronic technologies. In this work, a reconfigurable spatiotemporal optical signal processor using the phase‐change material vanadium dioxide (VO2) to further expand the processing bandwidth and enrich the operation functions is demonstrated. As a specific example, a meta‐device is designed that can switch between a first‐order differentiator and a good reflector in the spatiotemporal domain by controlling the operation temperature. It is shown that the spatiotemporal transfer functions can be precisely engineered to meet the requirements for ideal first‐order differentiation and bright‐field imaging. This approach enables high‐accuracy spatial and temporal signal processing, as demonstrated by inspecting Gaussian signals. The theoretical evaluation determines the resolution limits of spatial and temporal edge detection. It also highlights that the device can perform spatiotemporal signal processing for pulses with complex profiles. The presented reconfigurable spatiotemporal optical signal processor holds great potential in applications such as remote sensing and fast imaging processing, among others.
Exceeding 10 000 h of Lifetime in Blue Fluorescent Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes by Introducing an Electron Leakage Pathway
Authors: Song You Na , Kang Sunwoo , Kim Taekyung
Published: August 2023

Electron leakage is one of the most critical factors for the degradation of blue fluorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (FOLEDs), as it occurs when electrons injected from the cathode flow to an electron‐blocking layer (EBL) without being entirely consumed within an emissive layer (EML). To address this issue, this study introduces the concept of an electron leakage‐pathway (ELP). Anthracene core materials, used as hosts for blue FOLEDs were doped in the EBL to prevent its direct damage to the EBL molecules by constructing the ELP. This study shows that using an anthracene core with high bond dissociation energy (BDE) in the anionic state as the ELP is the most effective way to increase the lifetime of the FOLED, demonstrating over 400 h. of LT90 (the time taken for the luminance to decrease to 90% of its initial value), which corresponds to an increase of 33% compared to the lifetime without the ELP. Remarkably, under a commonly used brightness level of 500 cd m−2 in smartphones, an LT50 of over 10 000 h was obtained. Ultimately, this study outlines a strategy for increasing the lifetime of blue FOLEDs through simple modifications to the device structure, without requiring the development of EBL materials or complex device engineering.
Selective Enhancement of Crystal‐Field‐Split Narrow f‐f Emission Lines of Europium Ions by Electric and Magnetic Purcell Effect of Mie Resonant Silicon Nanosphere
Authors: Kasai Hiroki , Sugimoto Hiroshi , Fujii Minoru
Published: August 2023

Narrow‐band Purcell enhancement for electric and magnetic dipole emitters by high‐order Mie resonances up to the magnetic and electric octupole modes of a silicon nanosphere antenna is experimentally demonstrated. Eu3+ complexes are attached on the surface of a silicon nanosphere 160 to 316 nm in diameter, and the photoluminescence and scattering properties are investigated. It is shown that the branching ratio of the 5D0→7Fj (j = 0–4) f‐f transitions of Eu3+ is controlled in a wide range by tuning the resonance wavelength of a silicon nanosphere by the size. Because of the high‐quality factor resonances, not only a specific 5D0→7Fj transition, but also a specific Stark sublevel transition whose spectral separation is 3–9 nm can be selectively enhanced by precisely controlling the size of a silicon nanosphere with the accuracy of ≈2 nm.
The First Proof of Concept Demonstration of Nanowarming in Coral Tissues
Authors: Daly Jonathan , Bouwmeester Jessica , Perry Riley , Page Chris , Khosla Kanav , Kangas Joseph , Lager Claire , Hardy Katherine , Bischof John C. , Hagedorn Mary
Published: August 2023

Coral reefs are threatened by anthropogenic climate change, which causes ocean acidification and warming that can result in coral death and the loss of genetic diversity on reefs around the world. Global efforts to secure the genetics of threatened populations using cryopreservation and biobanking are underway but are limited to coral sperm and larvae, available only during brief annual spawning events. Methods to cryopreserve adult coral tissues to enable biobanking activities year‐round are urgently needed, but are challenging due to the presence of a calcium carbonate skeleton and algal symbionts within the tissues, and chill sensitivity. In this study, vitrification and laser nanowarming permitted successful recovery of adult coral tissues in a novel sample type, the single‐polyp microfragment. Fluorescence and confocal microscopy shows clearly defined green fluorescent protein auto‐fluorescence around the polyp mouth post‐warming, with an overall survival rate of 39.7 ± 7.4% at 24 h post‐warming and 23.3 ± 9.7% at 1 month, but relatively few algal symbionts are present in the tissues, indicating poor survival of these cells. These proof‐of‐concept results provide a basis for continued research and development of a field‐ready protocol for cryopreservation of adult coral tissues, which will be essential to prevent extinctions and support reef restoration.
Capitalization of Graphene/Chitosan Nanocomposites as Intriguing Vehicles for Targeted Anti‐Cancer Drug Delivery
Authors: Kourti Malamati , Theodorakis Antigonos , Skouras Athanasios , Chrissopoulou Kiriaki , Anastasiadis Spiros H. , Stylianakis Minas M.
Published: August 2023

The effective combination of various polysaccharides with graphene derivatives toward the formation of nanocomposites has gained enormous interest for a number of emerging biological and biomedical applications. The intriguing properties of the individual materials are further improved upon the realization of (nano)composites, thus providing new insights and property enhancement in terms of durability, flexibility, biocompatibility, low‐toxicity, and antibacterial/antimicrobial behavior. Therefore, novel (nano)composite agents are prepared and investigated to serve as ideal carriers or scaffold materials in regenerative medicine, biosensing, disease diagnosis and treatment, drug delivery, as well as stem cell and tissue engineering applications. This topical review summarizes the most recent studies published during the last quinquennium (2018–2022), on the development of anticancer drug delivery systems (DDSs) based on graphene/chitosan (CS) nanocomposites. The followed synthetic routes and the integrated properties of the composite materials are analyzed, discussing the impact of their utilization in the field of drug delivery for the treatment of various cancer types. The prospects and future research trends in the field are also discussed.
Ligand‐dependent aggregation‐enhanced photoacoustic of atomically precise metal nanocluster
Authors: Zhou Changlin , Wang Meng , Yao Qiaofeng , Zhou Yu , Hou Chuantao , Xia Jianfei , Wang Zonghua , Chen Jishi , Xie Jianping
Published: August 2023

Atomically precise metal nanoclusters (MNCs), as a potential type of photoacoustic (PA) contrast agent, are limited in application due to their low PA conversion efficiency (PACE). Here, with hydrophilic Au25SR18 (SR = thiolate) as model NCs, we present a result that weakly polar solvent induces aggregation, which effectively enhances PA intensity and PACE. The PA intensity and PACE are highly dependent on the degree of aggregation, while the aggregation‐enhanced PA intensity (AEPA) positively correlates to the protected ligands. Such an AEPA phenomenon indicates that aggregation actually accelerates the intramolecular motion of Au NCs, and enlarges the proportion of excited state energy dissipated through vibrational relaxation. This result conflicts with the restriction of intramolecular motion mechanism of aggregation‐induced emission. Further experiments show that the increased energy of AEPA originates from the aggregation inhibiting the intermolecular energy transfer from excited Au NCs to their surrounding medium molecules, including solvent molecule and dissolved oxygen, rather than restricting radiative relaxations. This study develops a new strategy for enhancing the PA intensity of Au NCs, and contributes to a deeper understanding of the origin of the PA signal and the excited state energy dissipation processes for MNCs.
Total Biosynthesis of Melleolides from Basidiomycota Fungi: Mechanistic Analysis of the Multifunctional GMC Oxidase Mld7
Authors: Fukaya Mitsunori , Nagamine Shota , Ozaki Taro , Liu Yaping , Ozeki Miina , Matsuyama Taro , Miyamoto Kazunori , Kawagishi Hirokazu , Uchiyama Masanobu , Oikawa Hideaki , Minami Atsushi
Published: August 2023

Mushroom terpenoids are biologically and chemically diverse fungal metabolites. Among them, melleolides are representative sesquiterpenoids with a characteristic protoilludane skeleton. In this study, we applied a recently established hot spot knock‐in method to elucidate the biosynthetic pathway leading to 1α‐hydroxymelleolide. The biosynthesis of the sesquiterpene core involves the cytochrome P450 catalyzing stepwise hydroxylation of the Δ6‐protoilludene framework and a stereochemical inversion process at the C5 position catalyzed by short‐chain dehydrogenase/reductase family proteins. The highlight of the biosynthesis is that the flavoprotein Mld7 catalyzes an oxidation‐triggered double‐bond shift accompanying dehydration and acyl‐group‐assisted substitution with two different nucleophiles at the C6 position to afford the Δ7‐protoilludene derivatives, such as melleolide and armillarivin. The complex reaction mechanism was proposed by DFT calculations. Of particular importance is that product distribution is regulated by interaction with the cell membrane.
Molecular dynamics of vegetable oil extraction and degumming: Analysis of micelles and phospholipid bilayers in different solvents
Authors: Biasi Lilian Caroline Kramer , Rodrigues Christianne Elisabete da Costa , Pessoa Filho Pedro de Alcântara
Published: August 2023

Understanding the molecular‐level mechanisms of vegetable oil extraction and degumming remains limited. This study aimed to investigate these processes using molecular dynamics (MD), with a focus on the challenges associated with replacing n‐hexane with ethanol. MD simulations with a coarse‐grained force field (Martini 3) were conducted to examine the behavior of phospholipid mono/bilayers with and without triacylglycerol in various solvents, including water, absolute and aqueous ethanol (with 0%–10% water content by weight), and n‐hexane. Trilinolein and phospholipids with 16–18 carbon tails and 0–2 unsaturations were considered. The degree of unsaturation and tail size of phospholipids did not significantly affect bilayer formation in water. However, they influenced bilayer organization, as measured by the order parameter, bilayer thickness, and area. The phospholipid bilayer, composed of 1‐palmitoyl‐2‐oleoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (POPC), exhibited a well‐defined structure in water, partial disruption in ethanol, and complete disruption in n‐hexane. The presence of triacylglycerol had no effect on phospholipid monolayers in water but increased lipid disorder in ethanol. Minor amounts of water in ethanol did not significantly alter the behavior of the lipid layers. MD simulations, combined with artificial intelligence, identified and quantified the formation of micelles during the degumming process, both in conjunction with n‐hexane extraction and independently as a function of water concentration. The volume and number of micelles were strongly influenced by the water content. Molecular dynamics in food engineering is relatively limited and scarce because of the complex nature of the systems. However, this study successfully demonstrates its applicability in this context.
Phenoxazine‐benzimidazolium ionic hole transport material for perovskite solar cells
Authors: Shin Jong Chan , Kim Moonhoe , Lee Minjae , Yang JungYup
Published: August 2023

A novel organic ionic material, hole transport material‐1 (HTM‐I), was synthesized and characterized as a hole transport material for perovskite solar cells (PSCs), with the aim of replacing 2,2',7,7'‐Tetrakis[N,N‐di(4‐methoxyphenyl)amino]‐9,9'‐spirobifluorene (Spiro‐OMeTAD). HTM‐I was designed to incorporate both phenoxazine and benzimidazolium iodide salt structures, and its chemical structure was confirmed using 1H NMR and high‐resolution mass spectrometry. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that HTM‐I maintained an amorphous phase throughout the temperature range of −60 – 200 °C, and thermogravimetric analysis showed good thermal stability up to 220 °C. To evaluate its potential as a hole transport layer, perovskite solar cells were fabricated using a fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO)/compact‐TiO2/(Cs/FA/MA)Pb(I/Br)3/hole transport layer/Au configuration. The resulting n–i–p planar structure exhibited a power conversion efficiency of 10.4%.
ZrIV complexation for stability enhancement of polydopamine coatings and rapid grafting of amine compounds
Authors: Lee Arisu , Kim Inho , Kang Sung Min
Published: August 2023

Polydopamine is extensively researched in multiple disciplines due to its ability to coat various solid substrates and undergo secondary functionalization. However, a drawback of polydopamine is its tendency to degrade under strong alkaline conditions. This study aims to address this limitation. Specifically, it is observed that the stability of polydopamine significantly increases when it forms a complex with zirconium (IV). Furthermore, the polydopamine/zirconium (IV) complex demonstrates efficient incorporation of amine compounds, opening up possibilities for further applications.
Problematic Internet Use in adolescents: New psychometric evidence for the Spanish short form of the Compulsive Internet Use Scale
Authors: Pérez‐Sáenz Julia , Ortuño‐Sierra Javier , Pérez‐Albéniz Alicia , Mason Oliver , Fonseca‐Pedrero Eduardo
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Problematic Internet Use (PIU) has become a worldwide problem in recent years. Among screening instruments for PIU, the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS) is perhaps the most widely used. Psychometric properties of the full CIUS are not convincing, however, and the short form (CIUS‐S) has shown promising results, albeit limited to the English version, with little evidence in Spanish. Therefore, the aim of the present work was to study the psychometric properties of the CIUS‐S scores in a large sample of Spanish adolescents.

Method

The sample consisted of 1790 participants, 816 male (45.6%), 961 female (53.7%), and 13 other (0.7%) . Mean age was 15.70 years (SD = 1.26).

Results

The five‐items one‐dimensional model displayed appropriate goodness‐of‐fit indices. Strong measurement invariance model across age and partial across gender was found. Furthermore, the CIUS‐S was positively associated with several indicators of poor well‐being and mental health, and negatively associated with prosocial behavior, self‐esteem, and feeling of belonging.

Conclusion

Overall, the CIUS‐S scores appear reliable and valid in its Spanish version for adolescent populations, supporting its aim to detect and prevent a problem that has become a major worldwide issue in the last years.
Functional changes in the salience network of patients with amnesic mild cognitive impairment before and after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Yuan Qianqian , Xue Chen , Liang Xuhong , Qi Wenzhang , chen Shanshan , Song Yu , Wu Huimin , Zhang Xulian , Xiao Chaoyong , Chen Jiu
Published: August 2023

Background

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is considered to be the prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The precuneus (PCUN) may be an imaging marker for monitoring the progression of AD. Meanwhile, cognitive impairment in AD patients is closely related to functional connectivity (FC) changes in the salience network (SN). We hypothesize that there are specific neuroimaging biomarkers in the SN and that FC changes in aMCI patients after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) intervention are associated with cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to first investigate the pattern of functional changes in aMCI patients and healthy controls (HCs) and then compare the functional changes in aMCI patients before and after rTMS targeting to PCUN and its correlation with cognitive function.

Methods

Thirty‐six HCs and 61 aMCIs were recruited for our study. Eleven people in the aMCI group received rTMS intervention 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Using the right anterior insula as the seed‐of‐interest, we first compared FC changes in HC and aMCI patients and then compared cognitive function in aMCI patients before and after rTMS. The above is the functional connection analysis of seed‐to‐voxel. Moreover, we investigated the FC changes in aMCI patients after rTMS intervention and its correlation with cognitive function.

Results

Compared with HC, the aMCI group showed altered FC in bilateral parahippocampal gyrus, bilateral inferior parietal lobule, left middle frontal gyrus, and left middle temporal gyrus. Moreover, rTMS at PCUN improved the cognitive function of aMCI patients, which was related to the altered FC in posterior cerebellar lobes (CPL).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that rTMS targeting PCUN is a promising, noninvasive approach to ameliorating cognitive dysfunction in aMCI patients, and that this cognitive improvement is accompanied by brain connectivity modulation.
White matter hyperintensities influence distal cortical β‐amyloid accumulation in default mode network pathways
Authors: Ali Doaa G. , Bahrani Ahmed A. , El Khouli Riham H. , Gold Brian T. , Jiang Yang , Zachariou Valentinos , Wilcock Donna M. , Jicha Gregory A.
Published: August 2023

Background and purpose

Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) has been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Yet, the role of SVD in potentially contributing to AD pathology is unclear. The main objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that WMHs influence amyloid β (Aβ) levels within connected default mode network (DMN) tracts and cortical regions in cognitively unimpaired older adults.

Methods

Regional standard uptake value ratios (SUVr) from Aβ‐PET and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volumes from three‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging FLAIR images were analyzed across a sample of 72 clinically unimpaired (mini‐mental state examination ≥26), older adults (mean age 74.96 and standard deviation 8.13) from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI3). The association of WMH volumes in major fiber tracts projecting from cortical DMN regions and Aβ‐PET SUVr in the connected cortical DMN regions was analyzed using linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, ApoE, and total brain volumes.

Results

The regression analyses demonstrate that increased WMH volumes in the superior longitudinal fasciculus were associated with increased regional SUVr in the inferior parietal lobule (p = .011).

Conclusion

The findings suggest that the relation between Aβ in parietal cortex is associated with SVD in downstream white matter (WM) pathways in preclinical AD. The biological relationships and interplay between Aβ and WM microstructure alterations that precede overt WMH development across the continuum of AD progression warrant further study.
A soft, bioinspired artificial lymphatic system for interactive ascites transfer
Authors: Wang Peng , Fu Ji , Jin Peng , Zeng Jin , Miao Xiaohui , Wang Heling , Ma Yinji , Feng Xue
Published: August 2023

Low‐flow removal of refractory ascites is critical to treating cirrhosis and digestive system tumor, and thus, commercial ascites pump emerged lately. The rigid structure of clinically available pumps rises complication rate and lack of flow rate monitoring hinders early warning of abnormalities. Herein, a soft artificial system was proposed inspired by lymph for interactive ascites transfer with great biocompatibility. The implantable system is composed of pump cavity, valves and tubes, which are soft and flexible made by silica gel. Therefore, the system possesses similar modulus to tissues and can naturally fit surrounding tissues. The cavity with magnetic tablet embedded is driven by extracorporeal magnetic field. Subsequently, the system can drain ascites with a top speed of 23 mL min−1, much higher than that of natural lymphatic system and state‐of‐art devices. Moreover, integrated flexible sensors enable wireless, real‐time flow rate monitoring, serving as proof of treatment adjustment, detection and locating of malfunction at early stage. The liver function of experimental objects was improved, and no severe complications occurred for 4 weeks, which proved its safety and benefit to treatment. This artificial lymphatic system can serve as a bridge to recovery and pave the way for further clinical research.
Effects of intrapericardial administration after catheter drainage on malignant pericardial effusion in non‐small cell lung cancer: A real‐world study
Authors: Wei Jingwen , Shi Zheng , Song Zhengbo
Published: August 2023

Background

Malignant pericardial effusion (MPE) is a serious complication of cancer that can be potentially deadly. It usually occurs in advanced or terminal stages of the disease, and as a result, patients with MPE often have a poor prognosis. There is a limited amount of research available that directly compares the effectiveness and safety of intrapericardial drug administration following pericardial drainage versus catheter drainage alone in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who have MPE.

Methods

We retrospectively included 86 patients with NSCLC with MPE at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. Survival and recurrence estimates were determined with the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

We divided the 86 patients with NSCLC into two groups: a pericardial drainage group (34 out of 86, 39.5%) and an intrapericardial administration group (52 out of 86, 60.5%). The response rates were 70.6% and 76.9% (p = 0.510), respectively. The median OS was 132.0 and 234.0 days (p = 0.579), respectively. The median time to recurrent drainage was 43.0 and 104.0 days (p = 0.170), respectively. The incidence of adverse events (AEs) was 44.1% and 61.5% (p = 0.113), respectively. The most frequent AEs were pain (27.9%) and fever (24.4%). Additionally, two patients in the intrapericardial administration group died of cardiac arrest.

Conclusions

Compared with catheter drainage alone, intrapericardial medication infusion during catheter drainage did not have significantly different effects. AEs require close monitoring and management.