bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plasma‐Enhanced Atomic Layer Deposition of Amorphous Tantalum Thin Films for Copper Interconnects Using an Organometallic Precursor
Authors: Tian Xu , Ding Yuancan , Chai Gaoda , Tang Yupu , Lei Renbo , Jia Guodong , Zhang Yuanju , Li Jinxiong , Zhou Yi , Wang Xinwei
Published: December 2023

As integrated circuits continue to shrink in size, the demand for high‐quality adhesive layers in copper Damascene interconnects has increased. However, tantalum (Ta) films, used as liners, prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) from metal halide precursors, are prone to corrosion and exhibit issues such as low film density and unstable performance. In this study, Ta films are successfully fabricated using a plasma‐enhanced ALD (PEALD) process with an organometallic precursor of Ta(NtBu)(NEt2)3 (TBTDET). The study of the growth conditions reveals that introducing 10% Ar in Ar‐H2 mixed gas leads to continuous high‐quality Ta films. The deposited Ta films are free of halogen impurities, which can avoid the detrimental impact on the stability of the Cu interconnects. Although the films contain some carbon and nitrogen impurities, they do not affect the film adhesive properties. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the Ta films are amorphous, and the amorphous Ta films exhibit superior barrier properties. Moreover, highly uniform Ta films can be conformally deposited into narrow interconnect structures using this PEALD process. These findings suggest that the Ta films prepared by the organometallic precursor can offer a promising solution to address the issues related to the halogen elements in the adhesive layer preparation.
A Hierarchical Polyoxometalate/Pd/Mos2 Hybrid: Developing an Efficient Novel Bifunctional Catalyst for Water Splitting
Authors: Guillen‐Soler Melanie , Vassilyeva Natalia V. , Quirós‐Díez Eugenia Pilar , Vila‐Fungueiriño Jose M. , Forment‐Aliaga Alicia , Gimenez‐Lopez Maria del Carmen
Published: December 2023

Catalytic water splitting is a promising approach to produce clean hydrogen fuel from renewable energy sources. However, developing hybrid heterostructures capable of efficiently breaking down water into its constituent elements, hydrogen, and oxygen, presents a considerable challenge. In this study, a novel hierarchical POM/Pd/MoS2 hybrid heterostructure, composed of sheets of MoS2 modified with Pd nanoparticles and combined with a cobalt‐based polyoxometalate (POM), serving as bifunctional catalyst for water splitting is reported. Through a synergistic synthetic approach, MoS2, acting as a reducing agent, triggers the nucleation and growth of Pd nanoparticles, which, in turn, serve as anchoring sites for the polymerization of the cobalt‐based POM into fibers. POM/Pd/MoS2 hybrid exhibits an enhanced oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity, comparable to the benchmark catalysts Ir/C and IrO2/C in alkaline media, being its hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity similar to the activated Pd/MoS2 hybrid. The intriguing electrocatalytic capability of the resulting material for producing hydrogen and oxygen through electrochemical means arises from the enhanced charge storage capacity and conductivity of MoS2, the multi‐electron transfer facilitated by the POM, and the high electrocatalytic activity of the metals.
Variable Stiffness Fibers Enabled Universal and Programmable Re‐Foldability Strategy for Modular Soft Robotics
Authors: Luan Hengxuan , Wang Meng , Zhang Qiang , You Zhong , Jiao Zhongdong
Published: December 2023

Origami is a rich source of inspiration for creating soft actuators with complex deformations. However, implementing the re‐foldability of origami on soft actuators remains a significant challenge. Herein, a universal and programmable re‐foldability strategy is reported to integrate multiple origami patterns into a single soft origami actuator, thereby enabling multimode morphing capability. This strategy can selectively activate and deactivate origami creases through variable stiffness fibers. The utilization of these fibers enables the programmability of crease pattern quantity and types within a single actuator, which expands the morphing modes and deformation ranges without increasing their physical size and chamber number. The universality of this approach is demonstrated by developing a series of re‐foldable soft origami actuators. Moreover, these soft origami actuators are utilized to construct a bidirectional crawling robot and a multimode soft gripper capable of adapting to object size, grasping orientation, and placing orientation. This work represents a significant step forward in the design of multifunctional soft actuators and holds great potential for the advancement of agile and versatile soft robots.
Intrinsic Activity of Metalized Porphyrin‐based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction
Authors: Hu Hongyin , Miao Runyang , Yang Fulin , Duan Fang , Zhu Han , Hu Yiming , Du Mingliang , Lu Shuanglong
Published: December 2023

Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction (NO3RR) to ammonia is a promising alternative to the traditional Haber–Bosch process for the removal of widespread nitrate pollutants. Understanding the structure–activity correlations of the NO3RR is essential for developing efficient catalysts. Herein, metalized porphyrin‐based covalent organic frameworks (COFs) containing optional metal centers and linking units are used to reveal the reaction pathway and intrinsic structure–performance relationship of the NO3RR. The experimental results show that Fe porphyrin‐based COFs have the highest activity and ammonia selectivity (FENH3 = 85.4%, NH3 yield rate = 1883.6 µmol h−1 mg−1COF) among COFs with different investigated metal centers. Moreover, the higher electron density at the Fe center as regulated by the linking units significantly decreased the selective reduction ability from nitrate to ammonia of the COFs. Theoretical calculations confirmed that the reaction pathway and *NO to *NHO are potential‐dependent steps. More importantly, the adsorbed energy of NO on the metal centers (G*NO) is proposed as a highly matched thermodynamic descriptor for evaluating catalytic performance and may be extended to more NO3RR catalysts with well‐defined structures. This work illustrates the intrinsic structure–activity relationship of metalized COFs for the NO3RR, which may provide useful guidance for designing efficient electrocatalysts.
Functionalized Electrode Additive for Simultaneously Reinforcing Chemo‐Mechanical Properties of Millimeter‐Thick Dry‐Electrode for High‐Energy All‐Solid‐State Batteries
Authors: Kim Hyun‐seung , Jung Jae Yup , Kim KyungSu , Hwang Chihyun , Yu Jisang , Park Min‐Sik , Cho Woosuk
Published: December 2023

Voids are widely disseminated in a powder when mixed, and hence the typical dry‐electrode preparation method yields a sparse dry‐electrode because the external pressure applied to the surface of the mixed powder is not evenly distributed. Consequently, particle cracking and void remnants appear in the electrode after calendaring. This study introduces a practically applicable bi‐functionalized electrode additive to simultaneously reinforce the chemo‐mechanical properties of millimeter‐thick dry electrodes. The agyrodite Li6PS5Cl solid electrolyte and lithium difluorophosphate (LiPO2F2) additive have different sizes, as demonstrated by their densification from their elaborate bimodal structure, which is densely packed. Because the additive is filled into the interparticle voids in the electrode sheet during electrode fabrication, a decrease in electrode cracking after calendaring is possible because of the uniform distribution of external pressure. Hence, a thin, highly ionic/electronic‐conductive electrode can be constructed by the addition of LiPO2F2 additive. Furthermore, during the formation, the active material surface‐contacted LiPO2F2 promptly produces a surface layer comprising LiF and LixPFy. Thus, the addition of LiPO2F2 further reduces the degradation of Li6PS5Cl solid electrolytes. As a result, the LiPO2F2 additive simultaneously improves the electrochemical and physicochemical properties of millimeter‐thick dry‐electrodes for high‐energy all‐solid‐state battery systems.
Exploring the role of interest rates, macroeconomic environment, agricultural cycle, and gender on loan demand in the agricultural sector: Evidence from Mali
Authors: Ölkers Tim , Mußhoff Oliver
Published: December 2023

Formal credit plays an important role for the development of the agriculture sector in developing countries because many farmers are characterized as liquidity constrained. Access to credit can increase farmers' purchasing power for inputs and agricultural technology, thus raising the overall productivity. Farmers in Mali are particularly vulnerable to shocks, such as heavy precipitation events. Access to liquidity to increase the resilience of the agricultural sector is essential. Therefore, higher financing volumes are required, which make the analysis of loan demand in agriculture of interest. The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the role of the interest rate, the macroeconomic environment, the agricultural cycle and the gender of the farmer on the loan demand in the agricultural sector from a country in the Sahel. Unique and comprehensive loan data at the farm level, provided by a commercial Malian bank, is used for this analysis. The analysis covers the period from 2010 to 2020. Two different estimation strategies are combined. First, an ordinary least square regression is applied with the granted loan amount as the dependent variable. Second, the machine learning technique, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, is applied to select the most relevant features to be used as explanatory variables in the estimation. The results reveal that the interest rate, the gross value added, the farmer's gender as well as the agricultural cycle have statistically significant effects on the granted loan demand in agriculture. These results are of interest to policymakers, who deal with financial inclusion as well as market failures, and agricultural financial institutions who could incorporate such information in the design of future loan products to stimulate farmers' loan demand, especially for female farmers. [EconLit Citations: G20, G21, O13, O16, Q14, Q18].
The role of genotypic and climatic variation at the range edge: A case study in winegrapes
Authors: Jones Faith A. M. , Bogdanoff Carl , Wolkovich E. M.
Published: December 2023

Premise

Changes in habitat suitability due to climate change are causing range shifts, with new habitat potentially available at cold range edges. We must predict these range shifts, but forecasters have limited knowledge of how genetic differences in plant physiological tolerances influence range shifts. Here, we focus on a major determinant of species ranges—physiological tolerance to extreme cold—to ask how warming over recent decades and genetic variation shape expansion across complex landscapes.

Methods

We examined how genotypes vary in maximum cold tolerance from 9 years of cold hardiness data across 18 genotypes from 13 sites, using winegrapes (Vitis vinifera subsp. vinifera) as a case study. Combining a Bayesian hierarchical dose‐response model with gridded climate data, we then project changes in climatic suitability near winegrapes’ current cold range‐edge between 1949 and 2016.

Results

Plants increased maximum cold hardiness non‐linearly with decreasing air temperature (maximum cold hardiness: –23.6°C), but with substantial (by 2°C) variation across genotypes. Our results suggest, since the 1980s, decreasing freeze injury risk has made conditions more favorable for all genotypes at the cold range‐edge, but conditions remained more favorable for more cold hardy genotypes and in warmer areas. There was substantial spatial variation in habitat suitability, with the majority of suitably warm habitat located in a narrow north‐south oriented strip.

Conclusions

We highlight the importance of genotypic differences in physiological tolerances when assessing range shift potential with climate change. Habitat improvements were unevenly distributed over the spatially complex landscape, though, emphasizing the importance of dispersal in range expansion.
RASopathies are the most common set of monogenic syndromes identified by exome sequencing for nonimmune hydrops fetalis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Makhamreh Mona M. , Shivashankar Kavya , Araji Sarah , Critchlow Elizabeth , O'Brien Barbara M. , Wodoslawsky Sascha , Berger Seth I. , Al‐Kouatly Huda B.
Published: December 2023

RASopathies are a group of malformation syndromes known to lead to nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) in severe presentations. Pathogenic variants can be de novo or parentally inherited. Despite being a known frequent presentation, the fraction of monogenic NIHF cases due to RASopathies is limited in the literature. Also, the specific parental contribution of RASopathies to NIHF is not well described. Our objective was to review pooled exome sequencing (ES) diagnostic yield of RASopathies for NIHF and to determine the parental contribution of RASopathy to NIHF. We performed a systematic review of prenatal ES studies from January 1, 2000 to August 1, 2022. Thirty‐six studies met inclusion criteria. Cases with RASopathy gene variants were reviewed. NIHF cases were further classified as isolated or non‐isolated. Thirty‐six ES studies including 46 pregnancies with NIHF and a diagnosed RASopathy were reviewed. Forty‐four diagnostic variants and 2 variants of uncertain significance in 12 RASopathy genes were identified. Expanding on what was previously published, a total of 506 NIHF cases were extracted with 191 cases yielding a positive diagnosis by ES. The overall rate of RASopathy diagnosis in clinically diagnosed NIHF cases was 9% (44/506). The rate of RASopathy diagnosis among NIHF cases with positive genetic diagnosis by ES was 23% (44/191). Of the 46 cases identified, 13 (28%) variants were parentally inherited; specifically, 5/13 (38%) maternal, 3/13 (23%) paternal, 2/13 (15%) biparental, and 3/13 (23%) unspecified. Majority of NIHF cases 29/46 (63%) were isolated. Among NIHF cases with positive ES diagnoses, RASopathy diagnostic yield by ES was 23%. NIHF secondary to RASopathies was parentally inherited in 28% of cases. Most cases of NIHF due to RASopathy were isolated, with no prenatal detection of associated anomalies.
Causal relationship between lipid profile and muscle atrophy: A bi‐directional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chen Kun , Gao Peng , Fang Xiaoxiang , Tang Kexing , Ouyang Pan , Li Zongchao , Li Liangjun , Deng Zhenhan
Published: December 2023

Background

The aim of this study was to analyze the bi‐directional causal relationship between lipid profile and characteristics related to muscle atrophy by using a bi‐directional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods

The appendicular lean mass (ALM), whole body fat‐free mass (WBFFM) and trunk fat‐free mass (TFFM) were used as genome‐wide association study (GWAS) data for evaluating muscle mass; the usual walking pace (UWP) and low grip strength (LGS) were used as GWAS data for evaluating muscle strength; and the triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), apolipoprotein A‐1 (Apo A‐1), and apolipoprotein B (Apo B) were used as GWAS data for evaluating lipid profile. For specific investigations, we mainly employed inverse variance weighting for causal estimation and MR‐Egger for pleiotropy analysis.

Results

MR results showed that the lipid profile predicted by genetic variants was negatively correlated with muscle mass, positively correlated with UWP, and was not causally correlated with LGS. On the other hand, the muscle mass predicted by genetic variants was negatively correlated with lipid profile, the UWP predicted by genetic variants was mainly positively correlated with lipid profile, while the LGS predicted by genetic variants had no relevant causal relationship with lipid profile.

Conclusions

Findings of this MR analysis suggest that hyperlipidemia may affect muscle mass and lead to muscle atrophy, but has no significant effect on muscle strength. On the other hand, increased muscle mass may reduce the incidence of dyslipidemia.
Design and Catalytic Asymmetric Synthesis of Furan‐Indole Compounds Bearing both Axial and Central Chirality
Authors: Wang Jing‐Yi , Gao Cong‐Hui , Ma Cheng , Wu Xin‐Yue , Ni Shao‐Fei , Tan Wei , Shi Feng
Published: December 2023

In the chemistry community, catalytic asymmetric synthesis of furan‐based compounds bearing both axial and central chirality has proven to be a significant but challenging issue owing to the importance and difficulty in constructing such frameworks. In this work, we have realized the first catalytic asymmetric synthesis of five‐five‐membered furan‐based compounds bearing both axial and central chirality via organocatalytic asymmetric (2+4) annulation of achiral furan‐indoles with 2,3‐indolyldimethanols with uncommon regioselectivity. By this strategy, furan‐indole compounds bearing both axial and central chirality were synthesized in high yields with excellent regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselectivities. Moreover, theoretical calculations were conducted to provide an in‐depth understanding of the reaction pathway, activation mode, and the origin of the selectivity.
A RuCl3 complex catalytic system for hydroesterification of ethylene, carbon monoxide, and ethanol
Authors: Jin Huaihu , Cao Qi , Wu Dongfang
Published: December 2023

CO, ethylene, and CH3CH2OH can be converted to ethyl propionate by ethylene hydroesterification. The RuCl3 complex catalytic system (RuCl3‐DMF‐NaI‐NaOH) is reported for ethylene hydroesterification in this paper. The function mechanisms of each substance of the catalytic system have been analyzed. The catalytic activity of RuCl3 is increased by DMF (N,N‐dimethylformamide) as the ligand. The formation of 3‐pentanone is prevented by NaI by accelerating the termination rate at which ethyl attacks the propionyl species, while the formation of acetal is inhibited by NaOH. The formation mechanism of ethyl propionate has been analyzed. In‐depth researches have been done on the reaction temperature, catalyst concentration, and other factors influencing the performance of catalytic system. In RuCl3‐DMF‐NaI‐NaOH catalytic system, at reaction conditions (180°C, P(C2H4) = P(CO) = 1.5 MPa), after 4 h reaction, the conversion of ethylene reaches 87.1% with 92.8% selectivity of ethyl propionate. This work provides a neoteric catalytic system for the synthesis of ethyl propionate by ethylene hydroesterification.
Effect of the shape of hydrogel samples on their stretch‐fracture properties
Authors: Feng Shi , Liu Zhihan , Yang Jing , Liu Yuwei , Yan Meiling , Xiang Xu
Published: December 2023

Hydrogels have broad application prospects, but the measurement of their mechanical properties often lacks stability. This study investigates the mechanical properties of hydrogels, with a specific focus on the influence of sample geometry on the tensile‐fracture testing results. In the process of stretching the hydrogel along its length, increasing the width and thickness will result in uneven stress distribution. When the width of PAM hydrogel is three times that of initial sample (5 mm of width), the elastic modulus, maximum stress, and maximum strain of PAM hydrogel are reduced by about 16.8%, 69.2%, and 26.5%, respectively. Similarly, compared to the initial sample (1 mm of thickness), the elastic modulus of the triple thickness sample was reduced by about 6.5%, the maximum stress was reduced by 31%, and the maximum strain was reduced by 18.3%. In contrast, increasing the length of the hydrogel can improve the tensile properties of the hydrogel. Finite element calculations support these findings that the size increase in the loading direction improves the stress dispersion uniformity. These results indicate that the shape (length, width and thickness) of the hydrogel sample affects the tensile properties of the hydrogel and should be paid attention in related studies.
Consumer price evaluation strategies: Internal references, external references, and price images in consumer price perception
Authors: Hamilton Ryan
Published: December 2023

Consumers have available to them several potential strategies they might use to evaluate a given price. Research suggests they might compare an observed price to internal reference prices (IRPs) drawn from memory. Alternatively, consumers might evaluate a price relative to external reference prices (ERPs) available in the immediate environment. Finally, a consumer might use the seller's price image (PI), the overall impression that consumers form of the price level of a store, as a heuristic to evaluate prices. This paper briefly reviews previous research on these three evaluation strategies, as well as work investigating how these strategies interact with each other. Building on previous work, these insights are organized into a framework for predicting the factors likely to influence consumers' use of each of these strategies. It is argued that the selection of a price evaluation strategy will be based on the relative accessibility and perceived diagnosticity of IRPs, ERPs, and PIs, as well as the consumers' motivations and type of judgment the consumers are making.
The challenges of using lignocellulosic biomass in pioneer industrial plants
Authors: Corrêa Carlos E. F. , Santos Daniel de C. L. P. , Bomtempo José V. , Alves Flavia C.
Published: December 2023

To use residual biomass in industrial plants it is necessary to fulfill conditions that have proven challenging when developing production processes based on renewable sources. Relatively recent efforts to produce second‐generation ethanol (2GE) have led to some caveats regarding obstacles that can arise in the large‐scale conversion of residual lignocellulosic biomass to biofuel. Even after years of research to develop technological packages that would make the production of 2GE feasible, the first plants installed could not operate continuously within the design, and they failed to meet market expectations. By interviewing managers from the 2GE pioneer plants, the research reported in this paper identified the methods used by the 2GE pioneers, from decision‐making processes to startup and plant operation. Analyzing the challenges they faced and their relationships with innovation processes, it found that industrial handling of lignocellulosic biomass was the main reason for the relative operational failure of the pioneer 2GE production plants. It also found that changes of policy and lack of efficient communication between the equipment suppliers and the users might also lead to the failure of the pioneer plants. Based on these findings, this paper considers the significance of these projects for biobased industries using lignocellulosic biomass in pioneer plants. The conclusions suggest that filling the knowledge gap related to the industrial handling of lignocellulosic biomass, as well as understanding that new relationships between biorefineries and their equipment suppliers may generate new paths for innovation processes, should be fundamental for the implementation of first‐of‐a‐kind plants within the scope of bioeconomy.
Functionalized 2D transition metal dichalcogenide inks via liquid‐phase exfoliation for practical applications
Authors: Jeong Yeonsu , Samorì Paolo
Published: December 2023

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are promising 2D materials which are attracting significant interest because of their distinctive physicochemical properties. The possibility of being exfoliated and dispersed in liquid solutions offers a viable pathway to scalable production. This personal account focuses on recent advancements in 2D TMD inks produced by liquid‐phase exfoliation (LPE) methods and intercalation‐based electrochemical exfoliation. In particular, different LPE production strategies, like ultrasonication LPE, high‐shear mixing exfoliation, and microfluidization, are introduced alongside a broad range of liquid media employed to provide functionalized TMD inks. The main advantage of TMD inks is its scalability, for practical applications in printed optoelectronics, energy storage, and conversion. Furthermore, the chemical functionalization of TMD inks can solve the poor electrical conductivity attributed to edge defects inherent in TMD inks. Finally, the ultimate orientations for future applications of chemically functionalized TMD devices are forecasted, with a specific focus on wearable and flexible printed electronics.
Distribution of regional lymph nodes metastasis in 870 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and the suggestions for individualized elective prophylactic neck irradiation with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy
Authors: Wang Lei , Wu Zheng , He Qian , Li Yiting , Wang Subin , Li Feiping , Wang Hui , Li Wenhui , Han Yaqian
Published: December 2023

Purpose

To explore the feasibility of individualized elective prophylactic neck irradiation (iEPNI) for optimizing current approach by investigating metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) distribution in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Materials and Methods

Records of 870 NPC patients without distant metastasis in Hunan Cancer Hospital from January 2019 to December 2019 were reviewed. LNs' locations were identified based on the 2013 guidelines. The intra‐regional lymphatic drainage (IRLD) areas included Station 1st (level VIIa and II), Station 2nd (level III and Va), and Station 3rd (level IV, Vb, and Vc). Other levels were categorized as extra‐regional areas.

Results

Among the 870 patients, 94.5% cases exhibited LNs metastasis, including unilateral metastasis in 198 patients and bilateral metastasis in 624 patients. In the whole cohort, the most common involved IRLD areas were level IIb (87.1%), VIIa (80.0%), IIa (61.8%), Va (30.6%), IV (21.4%), Vb (8.9%), and Vc (1.1%). Besides, rates of LNs metastasis in Station 1st, 2nd, and 3rd were 94.3%, 61.1%, and 22.9%, respectively. Only four patients (4, 0.5%) revealed skipping metastasis among the three stations.

Conclusions

Lymph node metastasis follows an organized pattern from Station 1st to 3rd with scarce skipping metastasis. A potential iEPNI strategy of prophylactic neck irradiation to the ipsilateral latter node‐negative station appears promising in NPC patients. Further prospective investigations are warranted to validate the approach.
Actinobacteria as Microbial Cell Factories and Biocatalysts in The Synthesis of Chiral Intermediates and Bioactive Molecules; Insights and Applications
Authors: Salama Sara , Mostafa Heba Sayed , Husseiny Samah , Sebak Mohamed
Published: December 2023

Actinobacteria are one of the most intriguing bacterial phyla in terms of chemical diversity and bioactivities of their reported biomolecules and natural products, including various types of chiral molecules. Actinobacterial genera such as Detzia, Mycobacterium, and Streptomyces are among the microbial sources targeted for selective reactions such as asymmetric biocatalysis catalyzed by whole cells or enzymes induced in their cell niche. Remarkably, stereoselective reactions catalyzed by actinobacterial whole cells or their enzymes include stereoselective oxidation, stereoselective reduction, kinetic resolution, asymmetric hydrolysis, and selective transamination, among others. Species of actinobacteria function with high chemo‐, regio‐, and enantio‐selectivity under benign conditions, which could help current industrial processing. Numerous selective enzymes were either isolated from actinobacteria or expressed from actinobacteria in other microbes and hence exploited in the production of pure organic compounds difficult to obtain chemically. In addition, different species of actinobacteria, especially Streptomyces species, function as natural producers of chiral molecules of therapeutic importance. Herein, we discuss some of the most outstanding contributions of actinobacteria to asymmetric biocatalysis, which are important in the organic and/or pharmaceutical industries. In addition, we highlight the role of actinobacteria as microbial cell factories for chiral natural products with insights into their various biological potentialities.
Phytochemistry and Micromorphology of Epicuticular Waxes in Four Juniper Species With Fragmented Distribution in the Balkans
Authors: Rajčević Nemanja , Dodoš Tanja , Janković Smiljana , Novaković Jelica , Zheljazkov Valtcho , Semerdjieva Ivanka , Marin Petar D.
Published: December 2023

The cuticle is important in the interaction between the plant and its environment, especially in the dry areas. Four species of junipers from the section Sabina wild growing in the Balkans were selected to study leaf wax composition using GC/MS and GC‐FID and its surface morphology under SEM to understand the correlation between the distribution and/or habitat of these species and their cuticles. SEM micrographs showed continuous, smooth epicuticular layers with crusts in all species but with a species‐specific distribution of different 3D crystalloid types and different cuticle thickness. n‐C33 alkane was the most abundant compound, followed by n‐C29, n‐C31, and n‐C35, depending on the species and the site. The average chain length (N) was the lowest in J. phoenicea, but with the greatest dispersion around it. At the same time, the two most continental species (J. foetidissima and J. excelsa) show the N with the lowest dispersion around it. The statistical analyses confirmed the significance of climate on the evolution of the specific epicuticular wax composition in studied junipers.
The evaluations of the inhibition of orlistat on Clostridium perfringens sialidase (NanI) activity by in vitro and in silico approaches
Authors: Ertik Onur , Yanardag Refiye
Published: December 2023

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is a bacterium that causes serious problems in humans and animals such as food poisoning, gas gangrene and infections. C. perfringens has three sialidases (NanH, NanI, NanJ) and inhibition of NanI constitutes an approach in the treatment of C. perfringens since NanI provides the carbohydrate source necessary for the growth of bacteria. In our study, the inhibition effect of some drugs belonging to different drug groups on NanI activity was investigated. Among these drugs, orlistat (0.21±0.05 μM) was determined to have a lower IC50 value than the positive control quercetin (15.58±1.59 μM). It was determined in vitro by spectrofluorometric method. Additionally, NanI molecular docking studies with orlistatand quercetin were performed using iGemdock, DockThor and SwissDock. Orlistat (−93.93, −8.649 and −10.03 kcal/mol, respectively) was found to have a higher binding affinity than quercetin (−92.68, −7.491 and −8.70 kcal/mol, respectively), and the results were in line with in vitro studies. The results may suggest that orlistat is a molecule with drug potential for C. perfringens because it inhibits the drug target NanI, and that the inhibition efficiency can be increased by studies with orlistat derivatives.
Degrading characteristics of oil‐degrading bacteria and its study of petroleum hydrocarbon metabolites
Authors: Ma Yufei , Zhu Huan , Liu Hongwei , Xie Yali , Zhang Dan , Cheng Yan , Feng Ruyi , Zhang Jianping , Yang Shengke
Published: December 2023

Exploring the community characteristics of petroleum degrading bacteria and revealing the types of petroleum metabolites produced by degrading bacteria play an important role in solving the problem of oil pollution. In this study, the bacterial suspension was extracted from the sludge of the sewage treatment plant, and the efficient dominant bacteria were enriched and cultured by microbial screening. The optimal environmental conditions and kinetic behavior of microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in groundwater were discussed, and the metabolites of microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons were analyzed. The results showed that the optimum degradation conditions of the strain were as follows: bacterial suspension inoculum: 2%, pH: 7, temperature: 30°C, initial concentration of contaminated water sample: 500 mg/L. Under these conditions, the microbial petroleum hydrocarbon degradation efficiency was 84.7% and followed the first‐order kinetics; qualitative and quantitative statistical analysis of the metabolites of the microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons by gas chromatography‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was performed. A total of 10 significantly upregulated products and 12 significantly downregulated products were screened, which were significantly different from the metabolites of the control group. Further microbial community analysis showed that Pseudomonas was dominant in the bacterial suspension, more than 99.5%, which was significantly different from the sludge sample, providing data support for the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons by Pseudomonas. This study has provided a scientific basis for in situ remediation of petroleum pollution in groundwater.
Human papillomavirus infection affects treatment outcomes and the immune microenvironment in patients with advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma receiving programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor–based combination therapy
Authors: Wei Lichao , Li Zaishang , Guo Shengjie , Ma Huali , Shi Yanxia , An Xin , Huang Kangbo , Xiong Longbin , Xue Ting , Zhang Zhiling , Yao Kai , Luo Junhang , Han Hui
Published: December 2023

Background

Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated malignancy. Immunotherapy is emerging as a potential treatment for advanced PSCC. In this study, the authors analyzed the association of HPV status with outcomes and the immune microenvironment in patients with advanced PSCC undergoing programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) inhibitor–based combination therapy (PCT).

Methods

HPV status was assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in 87 patients with advanced PSCC treated with PCT. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in the HPV+ and HPV– groups were compared. Additionally, bulk RNA sequencing was performed to investigate the potential impact of HPV on the immune microenvironment in advanced PSCC.

Results

Among patients receiving first‐line PCT, ORR (91.7% vs. 64.6%, p = .014) and DCR (100.0% vs. 79.2%, p = .025) in the HPV+ group were higher compared to the HPV– group. Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated that the HPV+ group exhibited superior PFS (p = .005) and OS (p = .004) for patients in the first‐line setting. However, these advantages of HPV infection were not observed in multi‐line PCT (p > .050). HPV status remained an independent prognostic factor for predicting better ORR (p = .024), PFS (p = .002), and OS (p = .020) in the multivariate analyses. Landmark analyses showed that the HPV‐induced superiority of PFS occurred at an early stage (within 3 months) and OS occurred at a relatively late stage (within 9 months). Bioinformatic analyses identified potential immune‐activated genes (GLDC, CYP4F12, etc.) and pathways (RAGE, PI3K/AKT, etc.), antitumor immune cell subtypes, and lower tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion scores in HPV+ tissues.

Conclusions

HPV infection may confer treatment efficacy and survival benefits in patients with advanced PSCC receiving first‐line PCT because of the possible stimulation of the antitumor immune microenvironment.

Plain Language Summary

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may induce better objective response rate, progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) for advanced penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) patients receiving first‐line programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor–based combination therapy (PCT) instead of multi‐line PCT.

HPV infection‐induced PFS advantage occurs at an early stage (within 3 months) whereas OS superiority occurs at a relatively late stage (within 9 months).

Antitumor immune microenvironment could be stimulated by HPV infection in advanced PSCC tissues.
In‐Situ Colloidal Synthetic Route to Monodispersed NiCo2S4 Nanoparticles over Nickel Foam for High‐Performance Supercapacitive Charge Storage
Authors: Wang Ye , Yu Junling , Yang Fengyi , Yang Qing
Published: December 2023

One‐step colloidal synthetic route was adopted to in‐situ grow monodispersed NiCo2S4 nanoparticles (NPs) on nickel foam (NF) from metallic salts with benzyl disulfide in the media of oleylamine and octadecene. Owing to the favorable dispersion and considerable redox activity of NiCo2S4 along with tight and binder‐free connection with NF, the obtained battery‐type supercapacitor delivered a specific capacitance of 1790.8 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 via a three‐electrode system. Simultaneously, it just degraded 40 % at 20 A g−1 and maintained 86.8 % of initial specific capacitance (C0) after 2000 cyclic trials at 10 A g−1. When the NiCo2S4 NPs were assembled with active carbon (AC) forming an asymmetric capacitor device of NiCo2S4 NPs//AC, it delivered an energy density (E) of 48.7 W h kg−1 at a power density (P) of 161.1 W kg−1, and kept 21.9 W h kg−1 at a high P of 8.05 kW kg−1. Meanwhile, the capacitor manifested preeminent cycling life (C=94.5 % C0 after 5000 cyclic trials) at 5 A g−1. The in‐situ grown NiCo2S4 NPs on NF without any binder exhibited high performance in energy storage, providing a feasible way to improve the electrochemical performance of the electrode materials.
A robust transformer GAN for unpaired data makeup transfer
Authors: Chen Yan , Xie Jiajian , Xue Jiajun , Wang Hui
Published: December 2023

The objective of makeup transfer is to apply the makeup style of, thereby creating the similar appearance as if it was professionally done. This technique has significant practical applications in fashion, beauty, and video special effects industries. However, there are several challenges faced by current makeup transfer models: (1) Low‐resolution images can only achieve partial makeup transfer in mainstream models. (2) Difficulty arises in obtaining paired data consisting of both makeup and non‐makeup images. (3) Spatial displacement occurs due to differences in subject and pose between reference and source images, affecting corresponding feature regions. (4) Mainstream models primarily focus on local feature characteristics while lacking global feature perception. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a nonpaired data makeup transfer model based on swin transformer generative adversarial networks. Additionally, an improved progressive generative adversarial network model (PSC‐GAN), incorporating semantic perception and channel attention mechanisms, is proposed to enhance the effectiveness of makeup transfer.
Production rates and destruction frequencies of ammonia in inductively coupled H2O/N2 and H2/N2 plasmas
Authors: Takahashi Jin , Sasaki Koichi
Published: December 2023

We compared the production rates and the destruction frequencies of ammonia in inductively coupled H2O/N2 and H2/N2 plasmas. We observed that the production rates of ammonia ranged between 4 and 7 μmol/s both in the H2O/N2 and H2/N2 plasmas generated at rf powers between 100 and 160 W, corresponding to the energy cost of 23–25 mol/MJ. Almost the same production rates suggest the usefulness of H2O as the resource for hydrogenation of atomic nitrogen adsorbed on surfaces. On the other hand, the destruction frequency was 2–4 times higher in the H2O/N2 than H2/N2 plasmas. Although the H2O/N2 plasma has a drawback in the destruction frequency, the present work shows its potential for the direct synthesis of ammonia from water with skipping the production of hydrogen.
Mukherjee, Souvik. 2022. Videogames in the Indian Subcontinent. Development, Culture(s) and Representations. Bloomsbury
Authors: Zeiler Xenia
Published: December 2023

The book Videogames in the Indian Subcontinent. Development, Culture(s) and Representations is the first ever comprehensive presentation and discussion of material spanning over all nations of South Asia, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Discussed by the leading expert on the theme, it offers both an overview of as well as numerous detailed examples of both, historical and contemporary developments. Appropriately, this work also situates the regional characteristics in larger global contexts and cultural flows, and contemporary developments in historical contexts.
Embryonic development of the neotropical pit viper Bothrops atrox (Serpentes: Viperidae: Crotalinae), with emphasis on pit organ morphogenesis and its evolution in snakes
Authors: Silva Fernanda Magalhães , Guerra‐Fuentes Ricardo Arturo , Blackburn David C. , Prudente Ana L. Costa
Published: December 2023

Background

Bothrops atrox is a pit viper with a loreal pit organ, and its embryological development remains undescribed. Here, we provide a comprehensive description of the embryology of B. atrox, focusing on the loreal pit organ and cephalic scales.

Results

We characterized 13 developmental stages of B. atrox based on external features consistent with the embryogenesis of previously described snake species. The loreal pit organ originates from the circumorbital region and migrates to its final position. In Crotalinae, the pit organ first becomes visible at stage 28, whereas in Pythonidae labial, pit organs appear at Stage 35. Pit organs evolved independently three times in Serpentes, encompassing Boidae, Pythonidae, and Crotalinae. Boidae lacks embryological information for pit organs. Furthermore, we observed that head scalation onset occurs at Stage 33 in B. atrox, with fusion of scales surrounding the loreal pit organ.

Conclusions

The embryology of pit organs in Pythonidae and Boidae species remains poorly understood. Our detailed embryological descriptions are critical for proposing developmental scenarios for pit organs and guiding future research on these structures.
Clinical phenogroup diversity and multiplicity: Impact on mechanisms of exercise intolerance in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Larson Kathryn , Omar Massar , Sorimachi Hidemi , Omote Kazunori , Alogna Alessio , Popovic Dejana , Tada Atsushi , Doi Shunichi , Naser Jwan , Reddy Yogesh N.V. , Redfield Margaret M. , Borlaug Barry A.
Published: December 2023

Aims

We aimed to clarify the extent to which cardiac and peripheral impairments to oxygen delivery and utilization contribute to exercise intolerance and risk for adverse events, and how this relates to diversity and multiplicity in pathophysiologic traits.

Methods and results

Individuals with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and non‐cardiac dyspnoea (controls) underwent invasive cardiopulmonary exercise testing and clinical follow‐up. Haemodynamics and oxygen transport responses were compared. HFpEF patients were then categorized a priori into previously‐proposed, non‐exclusive descriptive clinical trait phenogroups, including cardiometabolic, pulmonary vascular disease, left atrial myopathy, and vascular stiffening phenogroups based on clinical and haemodynamic profiles to contrast pathophysiology and clinical risk. Overall, patients with HFpEF (n = 643) had impaired cardiac output reserve with exercise (2.3 vs. 2.8 L/min, p = 0.025) and greater reliance on peripheral oxygen extraction augmentation (4.5 vs. 3.8 ml/dl, p < 0.001) compared to dyspnoeic controls (n = 219). Most (94%) patients with HFpEF met criteria for at least one clinical phenogroup, and 67% fulfilled criteria for multiple overlapping phenogroups. There was greater impairment in peripheral limitations in the cardiometabolic group and greater cardiac output limitations and higher pulmonary vascular resistance during exertion in the other phenogroups. Increasing trait multiplicity within a given patient was associated with worse exercise haemodynamics, poorer exercise capacity, lower cardiac output reserve, and greater risk for heart failure hospitalization or death (hazard ratio 1.74, 95% confidence interval 1.08–2.79 for 0–1 vs. ≥2 phenogroup traits present).

Conclusions

Though cardiac output response to exercise is limited in patients with HFpEF compared to those with non‐cardiac dyspnoea, the relative contributions of cardiac and peripheral limitations vary with differing numbers and types of clinical phenotypic traits present. Patients fulfilling criteria for greater multiplicity and diversity of HFpEF phenogroup traits have poorer exercise capacity, worsening haemodynamic perturbations, and greater risk for adverse outcome.
Research on high efficiency and retarded autogenous mud acid for plugging removal in a sandstone reservoir—Example of Bai 823 well area
Authors: Li Huan , Yang Shuai , Li Guoliang , Yang Tingting , Fu Haoran
Published: December 2023

Acidification, as an effective measure to remove blockages and restore oil well productivity, has received widespread concern. However, conventional acid systems can only be used to unblock near‐wellbore zones and are difficult to act on far‐wellbore reservoirs. In this article, scanning electron microscope, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscope, and X‐ray diffractometer were used to analyze the blockages in the Bai 823 well area, and it was determined that their main components were CaCO3 and FeCO3, which provided the basis for the construction of the unblocking formula. Then, the acid dissolution experiments on the plugging materials showed that the dissolution rate of 10% HCl can reach more than 85% for the scale sample; the acid dissolution experiments on the rock sample showed that the autogenous mud acid has better dissolution performance and better retardation performance for the rock sample, and the effective action time is longer, so it can be used for deeper unplugging of the reservoir. Finally, the process parameters such as the optimal acid concentration, acid dosage, and discharge volume were optimized by establishing the fracture‐matrix acid flow reaction model. Research results indicate that the autogenous mud acid can act on the blockage in the far‐wellbore area to improve the acidification effect.
Electric machine sizing consideration for ePumps in mobile hydraulics
Authors: Assaf Hassan , Sarode Shanmukh , Vacca Andrea , Sudhoff Scott D.
Published: December 2023

Environmental concerns have pushed toward electrified technologies for off‐road vehicle actuations that can lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy consumption. Replacing a central diesel engine with a dedicated electric machine (EM) as a prime mover for the hydraulic supply offers several opportunities for so‐called ePumps (aka electric‐driven pumps) to maximize energy efficiency and limit the usage of electric materials. This paper discusses the impact of different choices for the ePumps architecture (i.e., fixed vs. variable displacement pump; variable speed vs. fixed speed electrical machine), and on their main design parameters in terms of size and efficiency. Although the procedure followed in the study could be extended to different types of electric and hydraulic units, the paper particularly considers ePumps based on permanent magnet synchronous machines combined with axial piston machines. The importance of properly considering the ePump drive cycle and its cooling requirements is taken into account while addressing energy efficiency, mass, and overall compactness of the solution. The results show that an ePump based on a variable displacement pump, when compared to fixed displacement ePumps, reduces the electrical machine size both in volume and mass up to 40%, when the high‐pressure demand is not combined with high flow rate demand, thus decreasing the cost of the EM. In all drive cycles, the variable speed EM–fixed displacement pump architecture has a higher efficiency, ranging from 1% to 5%, compared to the case of fixed speed EM–variable displacement pump. Finally, the paper compares the advantages and shortcomings of each ePump architecture presented, based on representative drive cycles.