bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra‐Efficient Heat Transport Across a “2.5D” All‐Carbon sp2/sp3 Hybrid Interface
Authors: Qiu Lin , Li Haimo , Yuan Xiaolu , Li Fengcheng , Feng Yanhui , Li Chengming , Liu Jinlong , Zhang Xiaohua
Published: October 2024

Single‐ and few‐layer graphene‐based thermal interface materials (TIMs) with extraordinary high‐temperature resistance and ultra‐high thermal conductivity are very essential to develop the next‐generation integrated circuits. However, the function of the as‐prepared graphene‐based TIMs would undergo severe degradation when being transferred to chips, as the interface between the TIMs and chips possesses a very small interfacial thermal conductance. Here, a “2.5D” all‐carbon interface containing rich covalent bonding, namely a sp2/sp3 hybrid interfaces is designed and realized by a plasma‐assisted chemical vapor deposition with a function of ultra‐rapid quenching. The interfacial thermal conductance of the 2.5D interface is excitingly very high, up to 110–117 MWm−2 K−1 at graphene thickness of 12–25 nm, which is even more than 30 % higher than various metal/diamond contacts, and orders of magnitude higher than the existing all‐carbon contacts. Atomic‐level simulation confirm the key role of the efficient heat conduction via covalent C−C bonds, and reveal that the covalent‐based heat transport could contribute 85 % to the total interfacial conduction at a hybridization degree of 22 at %. This study provides an efficient strategy to design and construct 2.5D all‐carbon interfaces, which can be used to develop high performance all‐carbon devices and circuits.
Regulating Intermolecular Hydrogen Bonds in Organic Cathode Materials to Realize Ultra‐stable, Flexible and Low‐temperature Aqueous Zinc‐organic Batteries
Authors: Ding Chaojian , Zhao Yuxuan , Yin Weifeng , Kang Fangyuan , Huang Weiwei , Zhang Qichun
Published: October 2024

Rational design of molecular structures is one of the effective strategies to obtain high‐performance organic cathode materials. However, besides the optimization of single‐molecule structures, the influence of the “weak” interaction forces (e.g. hydrogen bonds) in organic cathode materials on the performance of batteries should be fully considered. Herein, three organic small molecules with different numbers of hydroxyl groups (namely nitrogen heterocyclic tetraketone (DAB), monohydroxyl nitrogen heterocyclic dione (HDA), dihydroxyl nitrogen heterocyclic dione (DHT)) were selected as the cathodes of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs), and the effect of the intermolecular hydrogen bonds on their electrochemical performance was studied for the first time. Clearly, the stable hydrogen‐bond networks built through the hydroxyl groups significantly enhance the cycle stability of organic small‐molecule cathodes and facilitate rapid proton conduction between the hydrogen‐bond networks through the Grotthuss mechanism, thereby endowing them with excellent rate performance. In addition, a larger and more dense two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network can be constructed through multiple hydroxyl groups, further enhancing the structural stability of organic small‐molecule cathodes, giving them better cycle tolerance, excellent rate performance, and extreme environmental tolerance.
An Experimental Mice Model for Ovalbumin‐Induced Allergic Rhinitis Imbued With Copper Oxide Green Nanoparticles From Leaf Extract of Laurus nobilis
Authors: Liu Tao , Zhou Changming , Gao Ying , Du Xi
Published: October 2024

This study aims to develop a safer and more effective treatment for allergic rhinitis using green‐synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) derived from Laurus nobilis (L. nobilis), addressing the limitations of current therapies. The environmentally friendly CuO NPs were evaluated for their antiallergic, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Various analytical techniques confirmed the successful synthesis of CuO NPs. Phytoconstituents were identified using GC–MS, and molecular docking studies indicated that eugenol and 1H‐cyclopropazulen‐7‐ol, present in L. nobilis leaf extract, could be potential therapeutics targeting the FGFR2 protein. The antibacterial activity of CuO NPs was significant against Gram‐positive (Bacillus subtilis [B. subtilis] and Staphylococcus aureus [S. aureus]) and Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli [E. coli] and Klebsiella pneumoniae [K. pneumoniae]) bacterial strains. In a mouse model, the antiallergic effects were demonstrated by a significant reduction in symptoms like rubbing and sneezing and a decrease in inflammatory cell counts and mediators, including neutrophils, eosinophils, macrophages, lymphocytes, RORc, IL‐17A, IL‐5, IL‐13, and IL‐6. The preclinical results suggest that CuO NPs possess promising antibacterial, antiallergenic, and anti‐inflammatory properties.
Half‐Sandwich Iron Chalcogenopropargylcarbonato Complexes as CO‐Releasing Molecules
Authors: Al‐Shboul Tareq M. A. , El‐khateeb Mohammad , Jazzazi Taghreed M. A. , Quraan Lama , Alsabah Diana , Yasaka Soichiro , Yoshida Yukihiro , Kitagawa Hiroshi
Published: October 2024

Interaction of iron chalcogenides (μ‐Ex)[CpFe(CO)2]2 (E = S; x = 2–4, E = Se, x = 1) with propargyl chloroformate (ClCO2CH2C≡CH) in diethyl ether yielded iron(II) chalcogenopropargylcarbonato complexes CpFe(CO)2ECO2CH2C≡CH (E = S (1), Se (2)). These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, UV–Vis, IR, and 1H‐ and 13C{1H}‐NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal x‐ray diffraction techniques. Further, the suitability of complexes 1 and 2 as CO‐releasing molecules (CORMs) for the administration of carbon monoxide has been studied. CO gas is released upon irradiation of THF solution of these complexes in the presence of hemoglobin.
A biodegradable bi‐layer nano fibrous membrane fabricated by centrifugal spinning for active food packaging
Authors: Chen Dongchen , Li Yan , Li Jinzhe , Wang Yaru , Ye Hao , Zhao Mengyao , Li Wanjing , Yang Bin , Li Xianglong
Published: October 2024

To solve the problem of cytotoxicity for most antimicrobial agents loaded in packaging materials, we developed a novel bi‐layer fibrous membrane by using centrifugal spinning, which of the outer layer was submicron native potato starch/polyvinyl alcohol (ST/PVA) composite fibers loaded with ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) for providing high antibacterial activity. The inner layer was nano‐based calcium alginate/polyethylene oxide (CA/PEO) fiber for providing excellent biocompatibility. The addition of ZnO caused the semicrystalline structures of ST/PVA fibers, while the CA/PEO fibers were shown semicrystalline structures due to the PEO. Fourier transform infrared indicated that posttreatment had not effect on the structures of ST/PVA/ZnO fiber, but the structure of CA/PEO fibers were affected by interaction between COO groups of alginate and Ca2+ ions. The results of mechanical property demonstrated that CA/PEO fibers showed highest stress of 3.83 ± 0.25 MPa and helpful for improving the stress of bi‐layer fibrous membrane. The obtained fibrous membrane had excellent antibacterial property with diameters of bacteriostatic zone against E. coli and S. aureus of 20.5 and 21.5 mm, respectively. On this basis, the shelf life of strawberry was improved up to 6th day by inhibit the growth of microorganisms, which indicated that the obtained fibrous membrane showed great potential for food packaging.
One‐Step Electrodeposition of Iron Oxyhydroxide Onto 3D Porous Graphene Substrates for on Chip Asymmetric Micro‐Supercapacitors
Authors: Braga Filipe , Casano Gabriel , Sonni Manel , Finch Harry , Dhanak Vinod R. , Caffio Marco , Hardwick Laurence J.
Published: October 2024

Electrochemical capacitors based on redox active materials can achieve greater capacitance values than traditional electric double layer composites. Herein, electrodeposition of iron oxyhydroxide from a mildly acidic acetate precursor is reported. The one‐step deposition resulted in a submicron film composed of FeOOH phase, which was confirmed via Raman and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The capacitance increased linearly with loading amount and achieved a maximum at 1600 mC deposition with 120 mF cm−2 at 25 mV s−1 after which the film became more resistive, limiting electrolyte access to the porous graphene substrate. The deposited FeOOH demonstrated promising rate capability and good cycling stability, without phase changes, retaining 82 % of the initial capacitance after 5000 consecutive charge/discharge cycles. The charge storage mechanism of FeOOH was determined via in situ Raman spectroscopy, which followed reversible iron oxygen vibration changes upon cycling which become more intense upon reduction as a result of sodium ion intercalation. Furthermore, an asymmetric configuration full cell combining FeOOH/MnO2 allowed the working voltage to be extended to 2 V, maintaining an ideal capacitor behaviour, and achieving a maximum energy and power density of 21 μWh cm−2 and 2.5 mW cm−2 respectively.
Trends and challenges in hydrogen production for a sustainable energy future
Authors: da Silva Sousa Patrick , Neto Francisco Simão , de França Serpa Juliana , de Lima Rita Karolinny Chaves , de Souza Maria Cristiane Martins , Melo Rafael Leandro Fernandes , de Matos Filho José Roberto , dos Santos José Cleiton Sousa
Published: October 2024

Recurring environmental challenges and the global energy crisis have led to intensified research on alternative energy sources. Hydrogen has emerged as a promising solution, produced through electrochemical, thermochemical, and biological methods. This study presents the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies. It also provides pertinent data on hydrogen production, identifying world‐leading countries in hydrogen production, such as the USA, Japan, and China, and the government policies that they have adopted. It reports market trends such as hydrogen synthesis by water electrolysis, the high cost of the electrolyzers used, and incentives for the carbon market to become competitive with other alternative energy sources. It also highlights startups from around the world that are developing innovative methodologies for producing hydrogen. The study concludes that integrating hydrogen production concepts with social, environmental, and industry interests is essential.
Activism as education in and through the youth climate justice movement
Authors: Trott Carlie D.
Published: October 2024

Young people worldwide are increasingly participating in a global movement for climate justice, yet to date, little research has examined how youth climate justice activists conceive of and experience activism as education. The present study used in‐depth, semi‐structured interviews with 16 US climate justice activists (aged 15–17) to address the research question: How do youth climate justice activists explain and experience the educative power of their activism? The results of reflective thematic analysis bring to light youths' dual roles as ‘learners of the movement’ and ‘climate justice educators’. As learners, youth described gaining awareness of climate justice directly from the movement, as well as learning a variety of skills (e.g., organising, communication, conflict resolution) through their activist engagement. Simultaneously, youth described their role as educators through a range of activities intended to raise awareness among adult and youth audiences, including educational workshops and trainings, school visits, teach‐ins, curriculum development, talk shows and interviews, creating digital resources, social media outreach and public protest (e.g., strikes, marches and demonstrations). Beyond spreading knowledge of climate in/justice, youth activists were also educators of action and social change processes—noting that learning about governmental institutions and political processes enabled them to exercise their democratic citizenship and equip and embolden other young people to do the same (e.g., via political advocacy trainings). The findings of the present study have implications for creating climate justice curricula that not only attend to the scientific and technological dimensions of the climate crisis, but also enable learners' justice‐driven action and democratic participation.
A Highly Sensitive Inclusion Complex Based Spectrofluorimetric Method for the Determination of Certain Sodium Glucose Cotransporter‐2 Inhibitors: Greenness Assessment and Application to Different Biological Fluids
Authors: Rushdy Doaa H. , Atia Noha N. , Ali Marwa F. B. , El‐Gizawy Samia M.
Published: October 2024

This study introduces a remarkably simple, green, and highly sensitive inclusion complex based spectrofluorimetric method for analyzing two sodium glucose cotransporter‐2 (SGLT2) inhibitors: empagliflozin (EGF) and dapagliflozin (DGF). The method utilizes beta‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) complexation to enhance the native fluorescence of EGF and DGF in aqueous solutions, resulting in 11.0‐fold and 9.0‐fold intensity increases, respectively. Fluorescence measurements were conducted at 301 nm emission following 230 nm excitation for both drugs. The method demonstrates excellent linearity (0.9994 for EGF and 0.9993 for DGF) over concentration ranges of 5.0–250.0 ng/mL and 10.0–300.0 ng/mL, with low detection limits of 1.05 and 1.38 ng/mL for EGF and DGF, respectively. The method's versatility was validated through successful application in pharmaceutical formulations, content uniformity testing, and biological fluids. This eco‐friendly approach primarily uses water as a solvent and requires minimal reagents. The method's environmental impact was comprehensively evaluated using the analytical eco‐scale, green analytical procedure index (GAPI), and analytical greenness metric (AGREE).
A Hybrid Model Simulating Multi‐Stage Continuous Fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Zhu Huidong , Xia Jianye
Published: October 2024

The performance of industrial strains has gradually improved with the rapid development of synthetic biotechnology. The production efficiency of traditional batch and fed‐batch culture is limited and product quality varies since both are dynamic processes, whereas multi‐stage continuous culture can maximise the production efficiency of specific fermentation processes and achieve consistent product quality. However, each single‐stage fermentation under multi‐stage continuous fermentation requires accurate steady‐state control, and a model with adequate accuracy is required for designing and controlling a multi‐stage continuous fermentation process. At present, there are few reports on kinetic models for the control of multi‐stage continuous fermentation. In this work, we constructed a hybrid model for Saccharomyces cerevisiae multi‐stage continuous culture, taking both oxygen limitation and Crabtree effect. The accuracy of the model was ∼80%, the advantages and limitations of the model are discussed and a potential improvement strategy is proposed.
Temporal Effect on PD‐L1 Detection and Novel Insights Into Its Clinical Implications in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Pathak Gopal P. , Shah Rashmi , Castonguay Mathieu , Cheng Angela , Fris John , Murphy Rowan , Darling Gail , Ednie Alexander , French Daniel , Henteleff Harry , Mujoomdar Aneil , Plourde Madelaine , Wallace Alison , Xu Zhaolin
Published: October 2024

Objectives

Several studies rely on archived tissue blocks to assess the PD‐L1 scores; however, a detailed analysis of potential variations of scores between fresh and archived tissue blocks still lacks. In addition, the prognostic implications of PD‐L1 in lung cancers have not yet been completely understood. Here, we aimed to investigate the temporal variation in PD‐L1 scores from clinical samples and the clinical implications of PD‐L1 in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

NSCLC cases from January 2005 to June 2023 were considered for this study, and PD‐L1 scores in archived and fresh tissue blocks were analyzed. Association of PD‐L1 with various driver mutations was explored, and implications of PD‐L1 in progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Results

Our study revealed a significant disparity in PD‐L1 scores between archived and fresh tissue blocks, and a temporal variation in scores within 6 months of tissue acquisition. Advanced‐stage primary tumors, metastatic lymph nodes, and visceral pleural invasion revealed higher PD‐L1 expression as presented by tumor proportion score (TPS). Notably, in fully resected stage I/II NSCLC cases, OS was better in the high PD‐L1 (≥ 50% TPS) cohort with driver mutations compared to cases without driver mutations (hazard ratio—0.5129, 95% confidence interval 0.2058–1.084, p = 0.0779). In contrast, high PD‐L1 was associated with worse OS compared to no PD‐L1 (< 1% TPS) (hazard ratio—2.431, 95% confidence interval 1.144–6.656, p = 0.0242) in the cohort without driver mutations. Furthermore, the presence of a KRAS mutation favored the outcome of anti‐PD‐L1/PD1 immunotherapy in advanced NSCLC.

Conclusion

PD‐L1 detection from tissue blocks was found to vary temporally, urging for a prioritized consideration for patients with marginal scores when archived blocks are employed for its detection. Prognostic roles of PD‐L1 were associated with driver mutations, and KRAS mutations favored the outcome of anti‐PD‐L1/PD1 therapy in advanced NSCLC.
Exploring the Utility of the Modified Hospitalized‐Patient One‐Year Mortality Risk Score to Trigger Referrals to Palliative Care for Inpatients With Cancer
Authors: Ghoshal A. , Prince R. , Downar J. , Lapenskie J. , Subramaniam S. , Wegier P. , Le L. W. , Hannon B.
Published: October 2024

Background

Estimating prognosis can be a barrier to timely palliative care involvement. The modified Hospitalized‐patient One‐year Mortality Risk (mHOMR) score uses hospital admission data to calculate the risk of death within 12 months and may be a useful tool to trigger a referral to palliative care.

Methods

The mHOMR tool was retrospectively applied to consecutive acute admissions to a quaternary cancer center in Toronto, Canada from March 1 to May 31, 2018. The study aimed to investigate the association between dichotomized mHOMR scores (the cohort median score of 0.27 and the developer‐recommended score of 0.21) and the risk of death, and whether these could be used to identify patients who may benefit from timely palliative care involvement.

Results

Of 269 inpatients, 87 were elective admissions and excluded from further analyses. At the median mHOMR score of 0.27, 91/182 patients (50%) were categorized as high‐risk of death within 12 months (mHOMR+), 53 (58%) were referred to palliative care. At the lower cut‐off of 0.21, 103 patients were mHOMR+, of whom 57 (55.3%) were referred to palliative care. The higher mHOMR was significantly associated with mortality (29.7% mHOMR− vs. 39.8% mHOMR+ at 12 months, log‐rank p < 0.05). The association between the developer‐recommended mHOMR cut‐off (≥ 0.21) and mortality was not significant (p = 0.15).

Conclusions

A higher mHOMR score was significantly associated with the risk of mortality in patients with advanced cancer. However, the developer‐recommended mHOMR cut‐off of 0.21 failed to identify a statistically significant difference between patients with advanced cancer at low versus high scores. While mHOMR may be a useful tool to augment clinical judgment and identify inpatients with advanced cancer at high risk of death, who in turn may benefit from referral to palliative care, the optimal mHOMR cutoff may warrant adjustment for this population.
Targeting Mitochondria: Influence of Metabolites on Mitochondrial Heterogeneity
Authors: Joof Amie N. , Ren Fangyuan , Zhou Yan , Wang Mengyu , Li Jiani , Tan Yurong
Published: October 2024

Mitochondria are vital organelles that provide energy for the metabolic processes of cells. These include regulating cellular metabolism, autophagy, apoptosis, calcium ions, and signaling processes. Despite their varying functions, mitochondria are considered semi‐independent organelles that possess their own genome, known as mtDNA, which encodes 13 proteins crucial for oxidative phosphorylation. However, their diversity reflects an organism's adaptation to physiological conditions and plays a complex function in cellular metabolism. Mitochondrial heterogeneity exists at the single‐cell and tissue levels, impacting cell shape, size, membrane potential, and function. This heterogeneity can contribute to the progression of diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, and cancer. Mitochondrial dynamics enhance the stability of cells and sufficient energy requirement, but these activities are not universal and can lead to uneven mitochondria, resulting in heterogeneity. Factors such as genetics, environmental compounds, and signaling pathways are found to affect these cellular processes and heterogeneity. Additionally, the varying roles of metabolites such as NADH and ATP affect glycolysis's speed and efficiency. An imbalance in metabolites can impair ATP production and redox potential in the mitochondria. Therefore, this review will explore the influence of metabolites in shaping mitochondrial morphology, how these changes contribute to age‐related diseases and the therapeutic targets for regulating mitochondrial heterogeneity.
Exploring the Role of Titanate Perovskites in the Oxidation of Amines via Photocatalysis
Authors: Lopes Joana C. , Sampaio Maria J. , Silva Cláudia G. , Faria Joaquim L.
Published: October 2024

Considering that structural differences could affect the photocatalytic efficiency of titanate perovskites, cubic SrTiO3 (STO) and tetragonal CaTiO3 (CTO) were synthesised as models to elucidate the structure‐activity relationship. STO and CTO materials were produced through hydrothermal approaches, adjusting parameters such as temperature and pressure to optimise material purity. Among the perovskite photocatalysts, two stand out for their exceptional photocatalytic capacity and crystalline purity: CaTiO3, prepared at 180 °C for 36 h, and SrTiO3, synthesised at 200 °C for 24 h. Notably, we explore the selective ability of these materials for the photocatalytic oxidative self‐coupling of benzylamine (BZA) to produce N‐benzylidenebenzylamine (BZI), with CaTiO3 emerging as the most efficient catalyst for this reaction. The CTO material prepared at 180 °C for 36 h (CTO180T‐36) achieved a peak BZI production of 0.5 mM, with a total conversion of BZA after 7 h of irradiation. This study also emphasises the crucial role of reaction conditions and perovskite morphologies in fine‐tuning photocatalytic performance. These findings highlight opportunities for developing efficient and selective photocatalytic processes, holding the compromise for applications in organic synthesis and sustainable green chemistry.
Engineering Interfacial Molecular Interactions on Ag Hollow Fibre Gas Diffusion Electrodes for High Efficiency in CO2 Conversion to CO
Authors: Kuang Yizhu , Chen Guoliang , Mudiyanselage Dimuthu Herath , Rabiee Hesamoddin , Ma Beibei , Dorosti Fatereh , Nanjundan Ashok Kumar , Zhu Zhonghua , Wang Hao , Ge Lei
Published: October 2024

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) occurs at the nanoscale interface of the electrode‐electrolyte. Therefore, tailoring the interfacial properties in the interface microenvironment provides a powerful strategy to optimise the activity and selectivity of electrocatalysts towards the desired products. Here, the microenvironment at the electrode‐electrolyte interface of the flow‐through Ag‐based hollow fibre gas diffusion electrode (Ag HFGDE) is modulated by introducing surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as the electrolyte additive. The porous hollow fibre configuration and gas penetration mode facilitate the CO2 mass transfer and the formation of the triple‐phase interface. Through the ordered arrangement of hydrophobic long‐alkyl chains, CTAB molecules at the electrode/electrolyte interface promoted CO2 penetration to active sites and repelled water to reduce the activity of competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). By applying CTAB‐containing catholyte, Ag HFGDE achieved a high CO Faradaic efficiency (FE) of over 95 % in a wide potential range and double the partial current density of CO. The enhancement of CO selectivity and suppression of hydrogen was attributed to the improvement of charge transfer and the CO2/H2O ratio enhancement. These findings highlight the importance of adjusting the local microenvironment to enhance the reaction kinetics and product selectivity in the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction CO2RR.
Application of MgO based‐nanofluid for controlling the growth of asphaltene flocs under static and micromodel dynamic conditions
Authors: Najjar Pourya A. M. Z. , Mirzayi Behruz , Mohammadi Saber , Hemmat Alimohammad , Mahmoudi Alemi Fatemeh , Ghanbarpour Omid
Published: October 2024

In this study, the impact of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles on the control of asphaltene aggregates growth was examined. The investigation began with static testing, followed by dynamic testing, where nanofluid was injected into a constructed glass micromodel simulating a porous medium. The results obtained from light microscopy and asphaltene dispersant tests demonstrated that the MgO nanoparticles with an average diameter of 50 nm postpone the asphaltene onset point (AOP) and delay the growth of asphaltene aggregates in crude oil. Also, the results obtained from these experiments illustrated the performance of synthesized nanoparticles in various concentrations on inhibition of asphaltene deposit in the crude oil medium, in the order of 750 > 1500 > 100 > 1000 > 500 ppm. The results from both microscopy and ADT experiments strongly validate the effectiveness of MgO nanoparticles across varying concentrations, highlighting the optimal dosage of 750 ppm. Images of nanofluid flooding at the optimal concentration in the glass micromodel demonstrate effective nanoparticle inhibition and enhanced oil recovery from the porous medium. These findings corroborate the results obtained from ADT and microscopy tests. The results of FT‐IR analysis show the adsorption of asphaltene particles on the surfaces of MgO nanoparticles in wavelengths of 2900–3000 cm−1. Moreover, dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis results indicated that the average diameter of suspended particles was 3580 nm before adsorption and 6230 nm after adsorption, indicating the controlled adsorption of asphaltene onto the surface of MgO nanoparticles. The findings from this study can be applied to manage asphaltene formation across all stages of oil processing and production.
ASCL: Accelerating semi‐supervised learning via contrastive learning
Authors: Liu Haixiong , Li Zuoyong , Wu Jiawei , Zeng Kun , Hu Rong , Zeng Wei
Published: October 2024

SSL (semi‐supervised learning) is widely used in machine learning, which leverages labeled and unlabeled data to improve model performance. SSL aims to optimize class mutual information, but noisy pseudo‐labels introduce false class information due to the scarcity of labels. Therefore, these algorithms often need significant training time to refine pseudo‐labels for performance improvement iteratively. To tackle this challenge, we propose a novel plug‐and‐play method named Accelerating semi‐supervised learning via contrastive learning (ASCL). This method combines contrastive learning with uncertainty‐based selection for performance improvement and accelerates the convergence of SSL algorithms. Contrastive learning initially emphasizes the mutual information between samples as a means to decrease dependence on pseudo‐labels. Subsequently, it gradually turns to maximizing the mutual information between classes, aligning with the objective of semi‐supervised learning. Uncertainty‐based selection provides a robust mechanism for acquiring pseudo‐labels. The combination of the contrastive learning module and the uncertainty‐based selection module forms a virtuous cycle to improve the performance of the proposed model. Extensive experiments demonstrate that ASCL outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods in terms of both convergence efficiency and performance. In the experimental scenario where only one label is assigned per class in the CIFAR‐10 dataset, the application of ASCL to Pseudo‐label, UDA (unsupervised data augmentation for consistency training), and Fixmatch benefits substantial improvements in classification accuracy. Specifically, the results demonstrate notable improvements in respect of 16.32%, 6.9%, and 24.43% when compared to the original outcomes. Moreover, the required training time is reduced by almost 50%.
Stretch‐Induced Ordering of Prochiral Dimethyl Sulfoxide in Anisotropic Hydrogels Analysed by 1H and 2H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Elliott Stuart J. , Kuchel Philip W. , Eykyn Thomas R.
Published: October 2024

Nuclear spins in small molecules dissolved in stretched hydrogels typically have population‐averaged residual interactions. The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of these systems often show additional peaks and splittings compared with free solutions. Residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) and quadrupolar couplings (RQCs) are observed for guest 1H and 2H nuclear spins, respectively. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an exquisitely sensitive probe of such biologically relevant environments since it is prochiral and becomes effectively chiral when embedded in anisotropic gelatin‐based hydrogels. Measured 1H RDCs and 2H RQCs were used to estimate bond order parameters over a wide range of stretching extents. At the largest extent of stretching, the 2H splittings were −73.0 and −9.4 Hz, similar to those found for guest molecules in liquid crystals. Inhomogeneous line broadening of the 2H resonances was related to the size of the RQC due to a spatial distribution of RQCs, which was revealed using a one‐dimensional slice selective imaging experiment along the stretching direction. 1H NMR spectra exhibited homogeneous line broadening, with resonance integrals that indicated concealed multiplet structure. Understanding molecular bond ordering in mechanically oriented environments provides a conceptual framework for investigating more complex systems including zeolites and those found in vivo.
Design of PtSn Nanocatalysts for Fuel Cell Applications
Authors: Distaso Monica , Abella Erika
Published: October 2024

The challenges in the fuel cell industry lie in the cost, performance, and durability of the electrode components, especially the platinum‐based catalysts. Alloying has been identified as an effective strategy to reduce the cost of the catalyst and increase its efficiency and durability. So far, most studies focused on the design of PtM bimetallic nanocatalyst, where M is a transition metal. The resulting PtM materials show higher catalytic activity, but their stability remained challenging. In addition, most of the transition metals M are expensive or low abundant. Tin (Sn) has gained attention as alloying element due to its versatility in manufacturing both anode and cathode electrodes. If used as anode catalyst, it is able to overcome poisoning from CO and related intermediates. As cathode catalyst, it improves the kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Additionally, Sn is an abundant and cheap element. The current contribution outlines the state of the art on the alloy and shape effect on PtSn activity and stability, demonstrating its high potential to develop cheaper, more efficient and durable catalysts for fuel‐cell electrodes. Additionally, in situ analytical and spectroscopic studies can shed light on the elementary steps involved in the use of PtSn catalytic systems. Finally, this intriguing material can be used as a parent system for the synthesis of high‐entropy‐alloys and intermetallics materials.
Cannabis and first episode psychosis: Which came first?
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: October 2024

The typical conundrum with cannabis use by adolescents and first episode psychosis — which came first? — was discussed by Steven Batki, M.D. in a plenary session at the Cape Cod Symposium on Addictive Disorders (CCSAD) in September. Bakti, who is professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco Weill Institute for Neurosciences, presented his conclusions allowing the audience of some 1,000 to ask questions as he went along.
Spring nitrogen and plant growth regulator effects on seed yield of orchardgrass
Authors: Anderson Nicole P. , Morad Mohammed M. , Chastain Thomas G.
Published: October 2024

Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is an important forage seed crop, but unlike other cool‐season grasses, seed yields have not increased over time. Seed yield increases in orchardgrass may be possible with plant growth regulators (PGRs) such as trinexapac‐ethyl (TE) and chlormequat chloride (CCC). Field trials were conducted at Hyslop Experimental Farm near Corvallis, Oregon, over three crop years (2017–2019) to examine the effects of spring nitrogen (N) and PGRs on seed production characteristics in orchardgrass. Spring N treatments included 0, 112, 157, and 202 kg N ha−1 and PGR applications were timed using the BBCH (Biologische Bundesanstalt, Bundessortenamt und Chemische Industrie) scale. Four PGR treatments included an untreated control, 210 g TE ha−1 at BBCH 32, 210 g TE ha−1 at BBCH 51, and 105 g TE ha−1 + 1500 g CCC ha−1 at BBCH 32. An interaction of spring N and PGR increased seed yields in 2 years, while spring N and PGR increased seed yield independently in the other year. The combination of TE and CCC PGRs did not increase seed yield over TE alone. Seed yield increases from spring N were due to an increase in seed number m−2, while increases in seed yield attributable to PGRs were the result of increased seed number m−2 and harvest index. This study suggests that the combination of 112 kg ha−1 spring N and 210 g ha−1 TE PGR is the best practice to maximize seed yield in orchardgrass.
Two‐Dimensional Boridene Nanosheets for Efficient Electrochemical Nitrogen Fixation Under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Lai Jinhua , Li Tan , Ding Liang‐Xin , Chen Gao‐Feng , Wang Haihui
Published: October 2024

The carbon‐free electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) is an alternative technology to the current Haber‐Bosch method, that can be conducted under ambient conditions, and directly converting water and nitrogen (N₂) into ammonia (NH₃). However, the limited activity and selectivity of NH₃ electrosynthesis hinder the practical applications of NRR. In this study, we present a novel type of electrocatalyst called boridene nanosheets enriched with metal vacancies that are specifically designed for efficient electrocatalytic NRR under ambient conditions. Electrochemical testing in a 0.1 M phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) electrolyte demonstrates that boridene exhibits a high Faradaic efficiency of 66.7 % for NH₃ production at −0.2 V vs. RHE, with a maximum NH₃ yield rate of 23.6 μg h−1 mgcat−1 at −0.4 V vs. RHE. Durability tests show that boridene maintains significant stability throughout multiple cycles of NRR. Mechanistic insights are obtained through in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, revealing that boridene exhibits a preference for the distal pathway during the process of NRR. These findings highlight the potential of boridene as an efficient and stable catalyst for sustainable NH₃ synthesis.
High Resource Overlap and a Consistently Generalised Pattern of Interactions in a Bat–Flower Network in a Seasonally Dry Landscape
Authors: Tremlett Constance J. , Chapman Mark , Maher Kathryn H. , Keller Alexander , Blüthgen Nico , Peh Kelvin S.‐H. , Zamora‐Gutierrez Veronica
Published: October 2024

Pollination is an ecosystem process that is crucial to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem function. Bats are important pollinators in the tropics and are an integral part of complex plant–pollinator interaction networks. However, network analysis–based approaches are still scarce at the plant species and bat community levels. We used metabarcoding to identify plant taxa present in pollen from fur and faecal samples collected across 1 year from three nectar‐feeding bat roosts in central Mexico. We calculated the frequency of occurrence of plant taxa and assembled a zoocentric network of bat–plant interactions. We constructed a year‐long network, encompassing the entire period of sampling, two seasonal networks comprising the wet and dry seasons, and six individual networks from sampling at two‐month intervals across the year. Four species of nectar‐feeding bats interacted with 36 plant species from 16 families. We found highly generalised interaction patterns across networks corresponding with opportunistic feeding behaviour by bats, with little seasonal variation in network structure. There was high resource overlap between bat species, and bats visited a diverse range of plant species even during periods with a high abundance of particular resources in the landscape. The diverse diet of nectar‐feeding bats emphasises the importance of floristically rich natural habitats in the landscape to provide reliable foraging resources year‐round in a seasonally variable system. While a generalised network structure is thought to increase robustness, further research is necessary to understand how fluctuations in pollinator abundance and diversity in the face of land use and climate change may impact bat–flower networks and the consequences to plant communities.
A Method for Conveying Confidence in iNaturalist Observations: A Case Study Using Non‐Native Marine Species
Authors: Ackland Sarah J. , Richardson David M. , Robinson Tamara B.
Published: October 2024

Concerns and limitations relating to data quality, reliability and accuracy hamper the use of citizen science initiatives in research and conservation. Valued for their cost‐effective and large data acquisition potential, citizen science platforms such as iNaturalist have been highlighted as beneficial tools to supplement monitoring using traditional data sources. However, intrinsic uncertainties in unverified observations stem from the nature of species being identified, the quality of uploaded media and georeferencing; these factors can limit the value of the data as they can result in inaccurate records. Verification of data prior to use is critical. This process can, however, be laborious and time‐consuming, with bias associated with the individual responsible for the task. To address this challenge this study developed a protocol for assigning confidence in iNaturalist observations, using marine alien and cryptogenic species observations from South Africa as a case study. A positive relationship was found between the accuracy of observations and confidence score. The inherent data quality assessment in iNaturalist, termed quality grade, was found to be an inadequate proxy for accuracy. The results of this study highlight the importance of the expert verification phase when using citizen science data. The confidence score facilitates a streamlined approach to the verification process by reducing the time taken to validate records, while assessing the three levels of uncertainty within observations and reducing researcher bias. It is recommended that this confidence score be used as an essential tool when using citizen science derived data.
Body Mass Shapes Most Life History Traits and a Fast‐Slow Continuum in Amphibians
Authors: Cejp Benjamin , Griebeler Eva Maria
Published: October 2024

Amphibians have the least studied life histories among vertebrates, although they have unique and the most diverse life histories within this group. We compiled a new dataset on adult body mass and 16 other life history traits of 2069 amphibian species across three orders (1796 frogs, 236 salamanders, 37 caecilians). These traits characterise fecundity, offspring development from egg deposition to metamorphosis and adult life. We established allometric models on traits for all amphibians and each of the three orders to assess a potential scaling of traits to body mass and then checked whether allometric slopes were consistent with two different metabolic scaling exponents. Further, we examined a possible fast‐slow continuum in all amphibians, as well as in each of the two orders frogs and salamanders by applying principal component analysis (PCA) to five traits. Our allometric models indicated a positive scaling to body mass for 11 traits across all amphibians, 12 in frogs, and 10 in salamanders, and for five out of eight traits analysed in caecilians. Allometric slopes on most traits characterising offspring development were not significant. All slopes did not support a three‐quarter metabolic scaling exponent, whereas slopes on age at maturity and maximum longevity were consistent with an amphibian metabolic scaling exponent of 0.88. As in fishes, reptiles, birds, and mammals, the first axes of our PCAs indicated a body mass‐dependent fast‐slow continuum in amphibians. Amphibian species of slow life histories have larger body masses, later sexual maturities and longer lifespans and lay more and larger eggs than species of fast life histories, a pattern also known from reptiles. The second axes indicated a trade‐off between egg size and number. As this trade‐off was nearly independent of body mass, we hypothesise that amphibians have occupied a broad range of ecological niches without evolutionary changes in body mass.
Chromosome‐Level Genome Assembly for the Chinese Serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii) Provides Insights Into Its Taxonomic Status and Evolution
Authors: Li Anning , Yang Qimeng , Li Rongrong , Cai Keli , Zhu Li , Wang Xiaoyu , Cheng Gong , Wang Xihong , Lei Yinghu , Jiang Yu , Zan Linsen
Published: October 2024

Chinese serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii) is mainly distributed in the south of Yellow River in China, which has been listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, the reference genome of serow has not been reported and its taxonomic status is still unclear. Here, we first constructed a high‐quality chromosome‐level reference genome of C. milneedwardsii using PacBio long HiFi reads combined with Hi‐C technology. The assembled genome was ~2.83 Gb in size, with a contig N50 of 100.96 Mb and scaffold N50 of 112.75 Mb, which were anchored onto 24 chromosomes. Furthermore, we found that the Chinese serow was more closely related to muskox, which diverged from ~4.85 million years ago (Mya). Compared to the karyotype of goat (2n = 60), we found the Chinese serow (2n = 48) experienced six chromosome fusions, which resulted in the formation of six central centromere chromosomes. We also identified two positively selected genes (MYH6 and DCSTAMP) specific to Chinese serow, which were involved in ‘viral myocarditis’ and ‘Cardiac muscle contraction’. Interestingly, compared to other Caprinae animals, the MYH6 protein of Chinese serow occurred two mutations (E1520S and G1521S), which might be related to hypoxia tolerance. The high‐quality reference genome of C. milneedwardsii provides a valuable information for protection of serows and insights into its evolution.
Testing source elevation versus genotype as predictors of sugar pine performance in a post‐fire restoration planting
Authors: Moran Emily V. , DeSilva Rainbow , Canning Courtney , Wright Jessica W.
Published: October 2024

Climate change is motivating a reassessment of how seeds are selected for reforestation, as rapid environmental change can lead to local maladaptation in trees. Genetic association studies and past seed source climate both have the potential to help identify appropriate planting stock, but these techniques have not been compared and tested as part of an operational planting program. In this study, we combined an analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with environmental gradients in sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) with an analysis of post‐fire seedling survival and growth in a restoration experiment. Our genotype–environment association (GEA) tests of 92 individuals from varying climates within CA revealed 829 SNPs (out of 300,604) with significant association with climate gradients, especially April snowpack. Of these, 323 either had annotations that suggested potential functional importance or were identified by two different methods. We then built Bayesian models of survival and growth for all seedlings in a separate post‐fire planting experiment, to test the relative predictive ability of source elevation (a common proxy for source climate) versus the proportion of seedling alleles expected to be locally advantageous based on GEA. Across three sites within the King Fire scar in Eldorado National Forest in 2017, 2018, and 2019, 1774 seedlings were planted. Of these, 206 had enough green needles in 2020 to allow sample collection, and 161 were successfully genotyped. We found that source elevation was generally better at predicting seedling performance than genotype indices, perhaps because of the limited scope of the association analysis. Seed sources from 500 to 1800 ft (152.4–548.6 m) lower in elevation, and one seed zone further south generally performed as well or better than local seed sources. This result, and those of similar previous studies, suggest that “climate matching” using past climate information for existing seed sourcing units is a reasonable starting point for finding seedlings suited to already‐altered planting site climate conditions. However, further tests with more extensive genomic and performance data may improve the utility of genotype information for seed selection.
Similarity learning networks uniquely identify individuals of four marine and terrestrial species
Authors: Kabuga Emmanuel , Langley Izzy , Arso Civil Monica , Measey John , Bah Bubacarr , Durbach Ian
Published: October 2024

Estimating the size of animal populations plays an important role in evidence‐based conservation and management. Some methods for estimating population size rely on animals being individually identifiable. Traditionally, this has been done by marking physically captured animals, but increasingly, animals with distinctive natural markings are surveyed noninvasively using cameras. Animal reidentification from photographs is usually done manually, which is expensive, laborious, and requires considerable skill. An alternative is to develop computer vision methods that can support or replace the manual identification task. We developed an automated approach using deep learning to identify whether a pair of photographs is of the same individual or not. The core of the approach is a similarity learning network that uses paired convolutional neural networks with a triplet loss function to summarize image pairs and decide whether they are from the same individual. Prior to the main matching step, two additional convolutional neural networks perform image segmentation, cropping the animal object within the image, and orientation prediction, deciding which side of the animal was photographed. We applied the approach to four species, with images of the same individual often spanning several years: systematic surveys of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, 2008–2019) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina, 2015–2019), a citizen science dataset of western leopard toads (Sclerophrys pantherina, unknown dates), and a publicly available repository of humpback whale images (Megaptera novaeangliae, unknown dates). For these species, our best‐performing models were able to identify whether a pair of images were from the same individual or different individuals in 95.8%, 94.6%, 88.2%, and 83.8% of the cases, respectively. We found that triplet loss functions outperformed binary cross‐entropy loss functions and that data augmentation and additional manual curation of training data provided small but consistent improvements in performance. These results demonstrate the potential of deep learning to replace or, more likely, support and facilitate manual individual identification efforts.