bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lower grass stomatal conductance under elevated CO2 can decrease transpiration and evapotranspiration rates despite carbon fertilization
Authors: Ahmad Sate , Yiotis Charilaos , Xu Weimu , Knappe Jan , Gill Laurence , McElwain Jennifer
Published: October 2024

Anthropogenic increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) affects plant physiology. Plant responses to elevated CO2 typically include: (1) enhanced photosynthesis and increased primary productivity due to carbon fertilization and (2) suppression of leaf transpiration due to CO2‐driven decrease in stomatal conductance. The combined effect of these responses on the total plant transpiration and on evapotranspiration (ET) has a wide range of implications on local, regional, and global hydrological cycles, and thus needs to be better understood. Here, we investigated the net effect of CO2‐driven perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) physiological responses on transpiration and evapotranspiration by integrating physiological and hydrological (water budget) methods, under a controlled environment. Measurements of the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, leaf mass per area, aboveground biomass, and water balance components were recorded. Measured variables under elevated CO2 were compared with those of ambient CO2. As expected, our results show that elevated CO2 significantly decreases whole‐plant transpiration rates (38% lower in the final week) which is a result of lower stomatal conductance (57% lower in the final week) despite a slight increase in aboveground biomass. Additionally, there was an overall decline in evapotranspiration (ET) under elevated CO2, indicating the impact of CO2‐mediated suppression of transpiration on the overall water balance. Although studies with larger sample sizes are needed for more robust conclusions, our findings have significant implications for global environmental change. Reductions in ET from ryegrass‐dominated grasslands and pastures could increase soil moisture and groundwater recharge, potentially leading to increased surface runoff and flooding.
Impact of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment on Native and Glycated Collagen
Authors: Zende Ritu , Bharati Ashim J. , Sankaranarayanan Kamatchi
Published: October 2024

Collagen is a major structural protein in the body, providing critical stability to the skin. Recent advancements have highlighted cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) as a versatile tool for various applications, including biomolecule modification, sterilization, food preservation, and wound healing. This study investigates the effects of CAP on both native and glycated collagen, analyzing the resulting changes. SEM and AFM analyses reveal that CAP induces protein self‐assembly in both glycated and non‐glycated collagen. Thioflavin assays further demonstrate that CAP‐treated glycated collagen exhibits greater fluorescence intensity compared to untreated glycated samples, indicating an increase in β‐sheet content and suggesting enhanced self‐assembly. These findings provide insights into the potential applications of CAP in modulating protein structures and understanding various biological processes and diseases.
Ni‐MOF‐74 Derived Carbon‐Based Ni Catalysts for Efficient Catalytic Ammonia Synthesis via Pulsed DBD Plasma
Authors: Song Qinlong , Yin Xianyi , Zhang Haibao
Published: October 2024

Designing efficient noble metal‐free catalysts for plasma‐catalytic ammonia synthesis is significant and challenging. Carbon‐based metal catalysts were prepared at different pyrolysis temperatures using the Ni‐MOF‐74 precursor. The effects of Ni‐MOF‐74 and its derived carbon‐based metal catalysts on pulsed dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma ammonia synthesis were investigated. The results showed that Ni‐MOF‐74‐300 with both the MOF structure and nickel metal particles exhibited the best catalytic performance for ammonia synthesis. The ammonia synthesis rate reached 41.38 mmol g−1 h−1, whereas the nitrogen conversion rate was as high as 1.54% with an energy yield of 3.04 g kWh−1. Compared to the situation of plasma only, the ammonia synthesis rate, nitrogen conversion rate, and energy yield were increased by 28.46 times, 5.7 times, and 5.5 times, respectively.
Phenology of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus in the UK under past, current and future climate conditions
Authors: Webb Cerian R. , Blake Max , Gilligan Christopher A.
Published: October 2024

Societal Impact Statement

In 2018, a breeding population of the European spruce bark‐beetle, Ips typographus, was discovered in woodland in southeast England. Ips typographus is a major forest pest in continental Europe; however, despite previous findings at ports and sawmills, this was the first recorded infestation in the UK. The number of generations per year (voltinism) varies with latitude and altitude. Applying a phenological model, we find that the current climate in southern UK could support two generations, while temperature accumulation in parts of Scotland may be insufficient to support one generation. Global warming will increase voltinism and hence the risk of establishment.

The European spruce bark‐beetle, Ips typographus, is a major pest of Norway spruce across mainland Europe; however, until 2018, it was considered absent from the United Kingdom (UK). The finding of a breeding population of I. typographus in Kent, England, in 2018 and subsequent findings in pheromone traps across the southeast of England, has led to an urgent need to improve understanding of environmental suitability across the UK.

Two distinct published phenological models for I. typographus, developed in Sweden and Austria, were adapted for use in the UK and validated against pheromone trap data collected at the original site of infestation and in the surrounding area from 2019 to 2022.

Both models captured some, but not all, of the within‐season variation in trap catches. One, the PHENIPS model, more accurately captured early season flight patterns. The climate in the southeast of England is mild enough to facilitate two generations of the beetle, while further north the pest is expected to be univoltine. At high altitude in Scotland, there is insufficient thermal warming within a season for the completion of one annual generation.

Phenological modelling does not explain why the pest failed to establish in England prior to 2018 including when a large amount of infested material was imported to sawmills in the 1940s. Under 2 and 3°C global warming scenarios, we might expect to see an increase in potential voltinism across the UK in the next few decades, increasing the risk of large outbreaks of I. typographus were it allowed to establish.
Hot node limitations and impact of taxonomic resolution on phylogenetic divergence patterns: A case study on Ecuadorian ethnomedicinal flora
Authors: Atienza‐Barthelemy Darío , Macía Manuel J. , Molina‐Venegas Rafael
Published: October 2024

Societal Impact Statement

Novel phylogenetic approaches have emerged in recent years to study traditional medicinal plants, aiming to identify potential sources of new drugs. This line of research holds considerable promise yet remains in its early stages. Here, we examine the prevalent methods employed in the field, revealing the impact of methodological choices that have often been made arbitrarily. We also highlight a widespread misconception regarding ‘hot node analysis’, a tool gaining popularity for identifying plants with high bioactive potential. Our findings should advance future research aimed at guiding the selection of promising candidates for bioprospection.

Advances in phylogenetics offer a ground‐breaking approach to analysing ethnobotanical data. This line of research typically involves calculating the degree of phylogenetic clustering (i.e. phylogenetic divergence) of a set of medicinal plants and identifying clades with a significant overabundance of these plants, known as hot nodes, which are purportedly responsible for the clustering patterns. However, despite showing great promise, the adequacy of this procedure remains to be tested, and the results have so far been inconclusive and, at times, contradictory.

Here, we examine two key elements through a case study of Ecuadorian medicinal flora: the impact of taxonomic resolution (species‐ and genus‐level data) on phylogenetic divergence metrics (Mean Pairwise Distance; MPD, and Mean Nearest Taxon Distance; MNTD), and the efficacy of the hot node analysis in identifying clades that significantly influence these metrics. To identify clades with a significant impact on MPD and MNTD, we implemented a jackknifing procedure and compared outcomes with the hot nodes.

Phylogenetic divergence was strongly dependent on the taxonomic resolution, with clustering mainly revealed by MPD at the genus level. Further, the hot nodes incompletely matched those with significant influence on MPD and MNTD according to the jackknifing analysis.

We highlight the impact of taxonomic resolution on commonly used phylogenetic divergence metrics and the limitations of hot nodes in identifying influential clades, stressing the potential of alternative jackknifing techniques. We recommend the use of the most resolved tree possible and combining jackknifing with hot node analyses as complementary sources to pinpoint clades for bioprospection.
Pulmonary Pasteurella multocida infection with tree‐in‐bud appearance
Authors: Tokuyasu Hirokazu , Arai Katsunori , Sueda Yuriko , Sakai Hiromitsu , Yamasaki Akira
Published: October 2024

Key message

Here, we report a case of zoonosis pulmonary Pasteurella multocida infection with a tree‐in‐bud appearance. In cases showing a tree‐in‐bud appearance on chest CT images, pulmonary P. multocida infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially in patients with pets.
Autonomous Positioning for Mobile Vehicles Based on Visual‐Inertial Fusion in Challenging Dark Roadway Scenes
Authors: Cui Yuming , Pu Jiajun , Hu Ningning , Guo Yongbo , Zhou Yanxun , Liu Songyong
Published: October 2024

Accurate positioning for autonomous driven underground mining vehicles (UMVs) and coal mine robots (CMRs) is indeed one of the cores in the intelligentization of coal mining. Completely different from positioning on the ground and in parking scenes, there will be great difficulties in realizing the accurate active positioning for UMVs shuttled in dark and narrow roadways. We propose an effective visual and inertial fusion positioning method for autonomous CMRs and roadheaders in challenging roadway scenarios based on the odometer‐aided inertial navigation system and visual pose estimation system. Velocity information of the odometer is adapted to restrain the error accumulation of inertial positioning based on a Kalman filter. The hybrid visual feature detection algorithm is put forward to improve the accuracy and robustness of visual observation information in a dark environment. Autonomous experiments for CMRs and roadheaders are separately performed in the narrow roadway and dark passageway to demonstrate the applicability of our localization method. The proposed approach outperforms the subsystems and existing methods in accuracy and has outstanding stability.
Dynamic Random Intersection Graph: Dynamic Local Convergence and Giant Structure
Authors: Milewska Marta , van der Hofstad Remco , Zwart Bert
Published: October 2024

Random intersection graphs containing an underlying community structure are a popular choice for modeling real‐world networks. Given the group memberships, the classical random intersection graph is obtained by connecting individuals when they share at least one group. We extend this approach and make the communities dynamic by letting them alternate between an active and inactive phase. We analyse the new model, delivering results on degree distribution, local convergence, largest connected component, and maximum group size, paying particular attention to the dynamic description of these properties. We also describe the connection between our model and the bipartite configuration model, which is of independent interest.
Accuracy and Confidence of Irish General Practitioners in Diagnosing Skin Disease in Patients with Darkly Pigmented Skin
Authors: Rey Rachel , Duggan Eileen , O’Connor Cathal
Published: October 2024

Managing skin conditions in patients with darkly pigmented skin (DPS) can be challenging due to inadequate exposure to dermatology in DPS in clinical training. In this study, Irish GPs were less likely to correctly diagnose common skin conditions in patients with DPS (p < 0.001) and had lower confidence levels in diagnosis in DPS (p < 0.001). Lower diagnostic accuracy and confidence with common skin conditions in DPS in primary care may lead to misdiagnosis, suboptimal treatment and increased referrals to dermatology.
Aerobic Oxidation of Vanillyl Alcohol to Vanillin Over CeO2‐Co3O4 Catalyst
Authors: Manojkumar Palnati , Yogendra Kamma , Sai Megana V. , Nazeer Silligandla , Sitaramulu Palli , Chandrashekar Pendem , Reddy Benjaram M. , Venkateshwar Rao Tumula
Published: October 2024

A promising CeO2‐Co3O4 (9 : 1 mole ratio based on oxides) non‐noble metal based mixed oxide catalyst was explored for selective oxidation of vanillyl alcohol with molecular oxygen to produce vanillin under atmosphere pressure. In particular, to enhance its efficiency, this catalyst was prepared by adopting different preparation methods namely, template assisted, coprecipitation with and without surfactant, wet‐impregnation, and solution combustion. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, Raman, BET surface area, ICP‐OES, FE‐SEM, HR‐TEM, H2‐TPR, and XPS. Among various catalysts investigated, the template assisted synthesized catalyst exhibited superior activity (100 % conversion and selectivity) and high stability. The better activity of this catalyst was found to be due to reduced crystallite size, high specific surface area (92 m2/g), more surface oxygen, and improved redox behaviour as confirmed from XRD, BET surface area, XPS, and H2‐TPR analysis, respectively. The stability of the catalyst was tested by reusability test and was observed that there is not much decrease in the catalytic activity up to five cycles. Further, the catalytic activity was optimized by varying the reaction parameters such as time, solvent, temperature, and catalyst weight.
Development of β‐Carboline‐Coumarin Based Hybrids as Potential Cytotoxic and Topoisomerase IIα Inhibitors
Authors: Khan Mursalim A. , Sharma Anamika , Bora Darshana , Sindhuja Rachiraju H. , Gawali Rakhi , Nagesh Narayana , Shankaraiah Nagula
Published: October 2024

Cancer remains a global health concern, prompting extensive efforts to develop novel inhibitors targeting the enzyme topoisomerase IIα as potential anti‐cancer agents. Herein, we strategically combined the pharmacophores from natural (β‐carboline) and (coumarin) sources, diversifying them at two distinct points. The in vitro evaluation of cytotoxic properties were estimated on human cancer cell lines, reveals that among the tested compounds, 13 r (isopropyl‐substituted β‐carboline) exhibited remarkable potency with IC50 value of 4.37 μM in the HCT116 cell line. Its selectivity for cancer cells was validated against normal keratinocyte cells, establishing a favourable selectivity index. Further, SAR studies indicate that no substitution (13 r) at C‐6 and C‐7 of β‐carboline, enhance anticancer activity. Assays confirmed its ability to intercalate with DNA, inhibit topoisomerase IIα, induce apoptosis, and disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential in HCT116 cells. Flow cytometric assays gauged the induction of apoptosis using Annexin‐V/PI dual staining and the disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential through JC staining. Results demonstrated that compound 13 r induced apoptosis and dose‐dependent depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane in HCT116 cells. Molecular docking studies further validated that compound 13 r binds within the active site of DNA when complexed with topo IIα, and this binding was stabilized through interactions with DNA base pairs and amino acid residues.
Solanum dulcamara Fruit Extract: A Promising Natural Therapy for Diabetes Management?
Authors: Gadewar Manoj M. , Krishna Prashanth Gopala , Rao Srilatha , Lalithamba H. S. , Bhagya N. P. , Nagarajaiah Shobha
Published: October 2024

The study aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of S. dulcamara extract (SDE) in managing type II diabetes‐related parameters, including blood glucose levels, α‐amylase activity, and modulation of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, CAT). Diabetes was induced in rats using streptozocin, and the anti‐diabetics effect was evaluated by the administration of S. dulcamara extract at different doses. Blood glucose levels, α‐amylase activity, and endogenous antioxidants were estimated and found to be significant (P<0.05) in the rats treated with the extract of S. dulcamara at a dose of 200 mg/kg. The extract showed dose‐dependent inhibition of α‐amylase suggesting the potential benefits in glycemic control. Moreover, the study demonstrated a modulation in the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, CAT). Importantly, the fruit extract showed no significant hemolysis or acute toxicity at varying concentrations (12.5 and 25 mg/mL) indicating the safe and biocompatible nature, as confirmed by normal biochemical parameters and histopathological examination. In conclusion, the methanolic fruit extract of S. dulcamara shows significant anti‐diabetic activity by alleviating oxidative stress associated with type II diabetes and its complications.
Highly Efficient Sunlight‐Driven Photocatalytic Activity of Cu‐Doped BiOBr/g‐C3N4 Nanocomposite via Z‐Scheme Design
Authors: Bagherzadeh Shima , Asadpour Saied , Karimi‐Nazarabad Mahdi , Naderi Marzieh
Published: October 2024

Pharmaceutical pollutants introduce highly intricate compounds into the environment due to extensive structural and functional alterations resulting in adverse health effects on organisms. Herein, a novel nanocomposite is designed comprising Cu‐doped BiOBr nanoflakes and g‐C3N4 to form a dual absorber based on the organic‐inorganic electronic interface for photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC). With incorporating Cu in BiOBr and compositing with g‐C3N4, the band gap decreased from 2.74 eV to 2.36 eV for BiOBr:Cu/g‐C3N4, and also light harvesting ability increased. The investigation into the degradation rate considered factors such as pH, TC concentration, photocatalyst dosage, and irradiation time, resulting in a TC degradation efficiency of 98 % within 60 min. In the prepared nanocomposite, photo‐generated electrons of BiOBr can recombine via Cu atoms as a mediator with holes in the valence band of g‐C3N4 due to their band structure position which leads to improved electron/hole separation and enhanced photocatalytic activity. The predominant active species involved in the degradation process were found to be superoxide radicals. Additionally, the photocatalyst exhibited excellent stability, retaining 88 % of its photocatalytic activity after four cycles.
Green Synthesis of Some 2‐Amino‐4 h‐Benzo[H]Chromene Derivatives in the Presence of Bimetallic Nanocomposite Based on Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles at Ambient Conditions
Authors: Ahmadi Atieh , Moradi Leila
Published: October 2024

In this research, some of 2‐amino‐4H‐benzo[h]chromene derivatives were synthesized by multicomponent reaction of 1‐naphthol, benzaldehyde derivatives and malononitrile. The reaction was performed under green conditions using water as the solvent in the presence of heterogeneous nano catalyst containing Co(II) and Cu(II) stabilized on magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles/tannic acid (M–MSN/TA/Co(II),Cu(II)) at room temperature. The prepared catalyst showed excellent efficiency and its magnetic properties allow easy separation. The structure and morphology of prepared catalyst was identified using Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), elemental mapping, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and vibrating‐sample magnetometry (VSM) analysis. All of products were obtained in high to excellent yields (78–94 %) after short reaction times (20–45 min) in optimal conditions and their structures were confirmed using FT‐IR and Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopic techniques. This study shows that the M–MSN/TA/Cu(II), Co(II) presents a good catalytic activity, reusability and stability compared to other catalysts.
Structure and Bonding of Titanium Alanate
Authors: Wu Junlin , Ma Li , Liu Jiang , Chen Hongshan , Chen Xiaofeng , Zhang Sa , Wang Xiaoxia
Published: October 2024

Titanium alanate Ti(AlH4)4 is a candidate material for high‐density hydrogen storage that thus far has been scarcely investigated. This study determines the low energy structures of Ti(AlH4)4 by adopting a global optimization algorithm combined with density functional theories, and systematically compares their stabilities, electronic structures, and bonding properties with Mg(AlH4)2 and Ca(AlH4)2. Compared to other compounds, Ti(AlH4)4 is less stable and the Ti−H bond is of covalent nature with strong polarities. The covalent Ti−H interaction can weaken the Al−H bonds. Because both the ionic and covalent interactions of the Al−H bonds are the weakest in Ti(AlH4)4, it is favorable for the desorption of hydrogen.
One‐Pot Synthesis of Fused Isoxazolo[4′,5′:3,4]pyrrolo[2,1‐b] Quinazolines as Potent EGFR Targeting Anticancer Agents
Authors: Lavunuri Subbareddy , Nadh Ratnakaram Venkata
Published: October 2024

In response to the need for scaffolds for medical applications, synthetic chemists have developed simple and efficient methods for optimal synthesis. To investigate the synthesis of fused isoxazoles in the presence of [3+2] cycloaddition followed by C−N bond formation reaction between 3‐((4‐iodo‐3‐phenylisoxazol‐5‐yl)methyl)quinazolin‐4(3H)‐one and various nitrile oxides was carried out by previously reported conditions. The cancer activities of the synthesized compounds were then tested in vitro against two cancer cell lines, MCF‐7 and A‐549. Three of the compounds, 3‐(3,5‐dichlorophenyl) isoxazolo[4′,5′:3,4]pyrrolo[2,1‐b]quinazolin‐9(11H)‐one, 3‐(4‐fluorophenyl)isoxazolo[4′,5′:3,4]pyrrolo[2,1‐b]quinazolin‐9(11H)‐one, and 3‐(4‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)isoxazolo[4′,5′:3,4] pyrrolo[2,1‐b] quinazolin‐9(11H)‐one has shown superior activity against the non‐small‐cell lung cancer cell line (A‐549) than the standards 5‐fluorouracil and erlotinib. Later, in vitro EGFR results revealed that a more potent compound was more effective than the conventional medicine, erlotinib. In silico investigations of more potent compounds and erlotinib on the EGFR protein indicated that more potent compounds had comparable binding energies and inhibition constants to erlotinib.
DABCO‐Saccharin Acetate as a Novel, Recyclable and Metal‐Free Catalyst for Eco‐Friendly Synthesis of Various Pyridazino[1,2‐a]indazole and 1H‐indazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine Heterocycles Under Solvent‐Free Conditions
Authors: Pouramiri Behjat , Hadadianpour Elahe , Parhami Azadeh
Published: October 2024

In this research various pyridazino[1,2‐a]indazole and 1H‐indazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine and 1H‐indazolo[1,2‐b]phthalazine derivatives were produced with a high yield via a multi‐component reaction of dimedone, aldehyde, hydrazine and anhydride compounds in the presence of a novel DABCO‐Saccharin acetate ([DABCOH][Sac‐CH3CO2]) ionic liquid under microwave irradiation. The applied method for producing these heterocyclic compounds demonstrated a number of desirable traits, including quick reactions, high yields of the final product, and straightforward separation of the product and catalyst from the reaction mixture.
Time‐Dependent Electrical Active and Ultrasound‐Responsive Calcium Titanate Implant Coating with Immunomodulation, Osteogenesis, and Customized Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Dai Xianglin , Li Tianze , Wei Peng , Xu Yingying , Jiang Chenxinyan , Zhang Xuyue , Zhang Xianhua , Liao Lan , Wang Xiaolei
Published: October 2024

Surgical site infection and insufficient osseointegration are notable risks factors associated with oral implant surgery. In this study, the development of a polarized calcium titanate (CT‐P) coating for titanium surfaces is proposed as a solution to these problems. The coating generated electrical stimulation (ES) can inhibit pro‐inflammatory M1‐type macrophage polarization and promote anti‐inflammatory M2‐type macrophage polarization, resulting in favorable bone immunomodulation. The ES generated by the coating can match the physiological electrical potential that will change during bone repair, thereby promoting osseointegration in vivo. In addition, the system can also achieve on‐demand antibacterial activity, mainly depending on the CT‐P coating responding to ultrasound (US) irradiation to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and remove Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) on the surface of the implant. In conclusion, this work provides valuable insights for the development and clinical application of highly efficient electroactive coatings, as well as novel solutions for the selective treatment of bacterial infections in the surgical area.
Redox Oxygen Species‐Responsive Nanotheranostics with Dual‐Channel Fluorescent Turn‐On for Early Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy of Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Guo Qian , Wang Tianying , Qian Christopher , Wang Xinyu
Published: October 2024

Current diagnosis and treatment strategies mainly focus on the pathologies of the mid‐to‐late stage of AD (Alzheimer's disease), with clinical outcomes that are far from ideal. Herein, we developed the ROS (reactive oxygen species)‐responsive brain neuronal targeting nanotheranostic platforms that possess the dual‐channel fluorescent “turn‐on” properties and release drugs in AD neurons in response to ROS, thereby simultaneously facilitating the diagnosis and therapy of early AD. Through the modification of acetylcholine receptor targeting RVG29 peptide, the nanotheranostics penetrated BBB and accumulated into diseased neurons in an intact form, consequently maximizing the diagnostic and therapeutic performance. The anti‐oxidative drug baicalein conjugated onto the surface of nanotheranostics via ROS‐cleavable boronate ester linkage rapidly released for ROS scavenging, while the encapsulated fluorophores turned on their fluorescence for AD diagnosis upon microenvironment stimuli. This nanotheranostic strategy exhibited highly sensitivity with a ROS detection limit of up to 100 µm and accurately early detection of ROS in 3×Tg AD mice at 6 months of age in vivo. In addition, it could also rescue memory defects, scavenge oxidative stress, attenuate neuroinflammation and enhance neuroprotective effect in 3×Tg AD mice. This work opens up a promising and smart strategy for early diagnosis and therapy in neurodegenerative disease.
Rebooting the Adaptive Immune Response in Immunotherapy‐Resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma Using a Supramolecular Albumin
Authors: Li Fanni , Wang Jingmei , Liu Tianya , Yang Wenguang , Li Yong , Sun Qi , Yan Jin , He Wangxiao
Published: October 2024

Despite the availability of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICBs) significantly prolonging the life expectancy of some lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patients, their implementation and long‐term effectiveness are hampered by the growing issue of acquired resistance. Herein, the bioinformatics analysis of immunotherapy‐resistant LUAD patients and the system analysis of Anti‐PD1‐resistant mice models once again validate that the resistance‐associated Wnt/β‐catenin pathway offers a promising avenue for ICB sensitization. Consequently, a mild and convenient self‐assembly between albumin and carnosic acid (CA), a Wnt inhibitor is employed, to develop a supramolecular albumin known as ABCA, serving as a reactivator for ICB. As anticipated, ABCA effectively suppress the Wnt/β‐catenin cascade in vitro and leads to significant inhibition of cell proliferation while promoting apoptosis. Most notably, ABCA restores the anticancer efficacy of Anti‐PD1 in immunotherapy‐resistant LUAD orthotopic allografting mice models by reinvigorating the adaptive immune response mediated by T lymphocytes. Furthermore, ABCA exhibits minimal adverse effects during treatment and high‐dose toxicity tests, underscoring its excellent potential for clinical translation. Collectively, the present work possesses the potential to provide innovative perspectives on the advancement of optimized immunotherapies targeting drug resistance, while also presenting a promising avenue for translating Wnt inhibitors into immunotherapeutic drugs for their clinical application.
High Efficiency Ultra‐Narrow Emission Quantum Dot Light‐Emitting Diodes Enabled by Microcavity
Authors: Zhang Fengjuan , Li Gege , Zhou Penghao , Chen Zhuoyue , Zhou Jungui , Fang Ningxiao , Kong Lingheng , Lin Qingli , Roth Stephan V. , Shen Huaibin
Published: October 2024

A wide‐color‐gamut display enableby a narrow emission linewidth facilitates a visually immersive experience akin to the real world. Quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs) with excellent color purity and high efficiency hold great promise as future candidates for high‐definition displays. However, most devices typically exhibit emission linewidths exceeding 20 nm, and lack a universal strategy for further enhancing the color purity. In this study, a planar microcavity structure for realizing ultra‐narrow emissions is developed by incorporating a distributed Bragg reflector into normal electroluminescent devices. By leveraging the strong optical resonance effect derived from this microcavity structure, red QLEDs are successfully fabricated with an extraordinary full width at half maximum of 11 nm in the normal direction, beyond the BT.2020 color coordinates. The fabricated red‐microcavity QLEDs exhibit a considerable enhancement in the external quantum efficiency, which increases from 28.2% to 35.6%, together with an extended operating lifetime. The strategy adopted herein will serve as an effective reference for achieving ultra‐narrow emission and high‐efficiency QLEDs.
Molybdenum Disulfide‐Based Catalysts in Organic Synthesis: State of the Art, Open Issues, and Future Perspectives
Authors: Morant‐Giner Marc , Gentile Giuseppe , Prato Maurizio , Filippini Giacomo
Published: October 2024

In the field of heterogeneous organic catalysis, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is gaining increasing attention as a catalytically active material due to its low toxicity, earth abundance, and affordability. Interestingly, the catalytic properties of this metal‐based material can be improved by several strategies. In this Perspective, through the analysis of some explicative examples, the main approaches used to prepare highly efficient MoS2‐based catalysts in relevant organic reactions are summarized and critically discussed, namely: i) increment of the specific surface area, ii) generation of the metallic 1T phase, iii) introduction of vacancies, iv) preparation of nanostructured hybrids/composites, v) doping with transition metal ions, and vi) partial oxidation of MoS2. Finally, emerging trends in MoS2‐based materials catalysis leading to a richer organic synthesis are presented.
Understanding the Relationship of Closed Pore Structure in Biomass‐ derived Hard Carbon with Cellulose Regulating Strategy
Authors: Zhou Siyu , Tang Zhi , Jin Guanhua , Tu Junjie , Dhmees Abdelghaffar S. , Tang Yougen , Sun Dan , Zhang Rui , Wang Haiyan
Published: October 2024

Recycling waste biomass to pyrolytic carbon has become a development direction of sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) anodes. However, it remains a challenge to precisely control the composition and structure of biomass to modify the properties of derived carbon. Herein, a strategy of hydrolyzing cellulose in phellem with sulfuric acid is proposed, which can promote cellulose fracture, reduce the graphitization and increase the content of closed pores in hard carbon. Accordingly, after the regulation of closed pore structure, the reversible capacity increased from 207 to 330 mAh g−1 at 20 mA g−1, realizing an increase of ≈130 mAh g−1 in the plateau region and the initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) is enhanced from 78% to 90%. When applied in full cell with O3‐Na[Ni1/3Fe1/3Mn1/3]O2, it showed an energy density of 247 Wh kg−1. This strategy has certain universality, and it provides the feasibility to use low‐value cellulose‐containing biomass to fabricate high‐performance hard carbon materials.
Integrating MXene Film With Recyclable Polyethylene Glycol‐co‐Polyphosphazene Copolymer as Solid–Solid Phase Change Material for Versatile Applications
Authors: Wang Yongkang , Lin Husitu , Huang Meijie , Zhou Shiliang , Zhou Yang , Zhang Xinfang , Liu Huan , Wu Zhanpeng , Wang Xiaodong
Published: October 2024

Phase‐change materials (PCMs) stand a pivotal advancement in thermal energy storage and management due to their reversible phase transitions to store and release an abundance of heat energy. However, conventional solid–liquid PCMs suffer from fluidity and leakage in their molten state, limiting their applications at advanced levels. Herein, a novel Zn2+‐crosslinked polyethylene glycol‐co‐polyphosphazene copolymer (PCEPN‐Zn) as a solid–solid PCM through dynamic metal‐ligand coordination is first designed and synthesized. The as‐synthesized PCEPN‐Zn is further integrated with an MXene film to construct a double‐layered phase‐change composite through layer‐by layer adhesion. Owing to the introduction of MXene film with low emissivity, good light absorptivity, and nonflammability, the resultant phase‐change composite not only presents a high latent‐heat capacity, good thermal stability, high thermal reliability, and excellent shape stability, but also exhibits a superior self‐healing ability, good recyclability, high adhesivity, and good flame‐retardant performance. It can be easily adhered to on most objects for various application scenarios. With a combination of the excellent functions derived from PCEPN‐Zn and MXene film, the developed phase‐change composite exhibits broad prospects for versatile applications in the thermal management of CPUs and Li‐ion batteries, thermal infrared stealth of high‐temperature objects, heat therapy in the clinic, and fire‐safety for various scenarios.
N, S‐Codoped 3D Carbon Protected Nanoporous MnS With Record High Sodium Ion Storage Performance for Potential Industry Applications
Authors: Miao Jun , Ci Naixuan , Cao Boxuan , Xie Guoqiang , Liu Xingjun , Qiu Hua‐Jun
Published: October 2024

With a high theoretical capacity, the MnS anode, however, exhibits a rather complex sodium diffusion kinetics and poor mechanical stability that hinder its application in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). In this work, a simple, economical, and scalable strategy is developed to inherently coat nanoporous MnS with a 3D N, S co‐doped thin carbon layer by using commercially available MnCO3 as precursors. Specifically, the strategy involves a two‐step annealing process, which converts the MnCO3 microparticles into nanoporous Mn2O3 and MnS step by step. The 3D N, S codoped carbon layer is in situ formed during the second annealing process by first coating the nanoporous Mn2O3 with a polyaniline layer. Due to the inherent 3D carbon protection and the strong electronic interaction between N, S dopants and MnS, the N, S codoped carbon protected MnS obtained at 900 °C (NS‐C@MnS‐900) anode displays a high specific capacity of 845 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, which is higher than all reported MnS‐based SIB anodes. It also shows an outstanding cyclability and rate performance, maintaining a stable capacity of ≈493 mAh g−1 after 1300 cycles at 10 A g−1, which is also the best according to knowledge. These exceptional electrochemical performances and the scalable/simple/low‐cost synthesis make the NS‐C@MnS‐900 attractive for industry application.
A Wide Color Gamut and Noniridescent Zinc‐Anode Asymmetric Electrochromic Device for Self‐Sustaining Color‐Adaptive Bio‐Camouflage System
Authors: Qin Shihua , Cao Sheng , Liu Yuwei , Chen Junyao , Li Huiying , Yang Tao , Liu Guanlin , Zhao Jialong , Zou Bingsuo
Published: October 2024

Inspired by camouflage‐colored organisms, the development of bio‐camouflage systems using electrochromic (EC) technology has gained significant interest. However, existing EC systems struggle with achieving a wide color gamut, noniridescent colors, and self‐sustainability. Herein, a self‐sustainable color‐adaptive bio‐camouflage system integrating EC and nanogenerator (NG) technologies, enabling environmental color adaptation, and thermal regulation without an external power source is proposed. The system is based on a zinc‐anode EC device (ZECD) with an asymmetric structure, incorporating flexible tungsten oxide and vanadium oxide electrodes. During the EC process, tungsten oxide shifts between blue and transparent, allowing near‐infrared thermal modulation, while the vanadium oxide transitions from yellow to transparent. This design enables reversible near‐infrared modulation and noniridescent color conversion among black, blue, green, yellow, and transparent. For the self‐sustainability of the system, an electromagnetic and triboelectric hybrid NG that collects biomechanical energy is developed. In a typical driven cycle, the integrated system transitions colors and achieves significant near‐infrared spectral modulation, demonstrating environmental adaptability and thermal regulation. Experiments on human skin and simulated chameleon color changes further confirm the system's effectiveness. This work highlights the potential of integrating EC and NG technologies to advance color‐adaptive camouflage systems, opening new an avenue for bio‐camouflage design.
Optimization of Cell Membrane Purification for the Preparation and Characterization of Cell Membrane Liposomes
Authors: de Weerd Sander , Ruiter Emma A. , Calicchia Eleonora , Portale Giuseppe , Schuringa Jan Jacob , Roos Wouter H. , Salvati Anna
Published: October 2024

Cell membrane nanoparticles have attracted increasing interest in nanomedicine because they allow to exploit the complexity of cell membrane interactions for drug delivery. Several methods are used to obtain plasma membrane to generate cell membrane nanoparticles. Here, an optimized method combining nitrogen cavitation in isotonic buffer and sucrose gradient fractionation is presented. The method allows to obtain cell membrane fractions of high purity from both suspension and adherent cells. Comparison with other common methods for membrane extraction, where mechanical lysis using cell homogenizers is performed in isotonic or hypotonic buffers, shows that the optimized procedure yields high purity membrane in a robust and reproducible way. Procedures to mix the purified membrane with synthetic lipids to obtain cell membrane liposomes (CMLs) are presented and indications on how to optimize these steps are provided. CMLs made using crude membrane isolates or the purified membrane fractions show different uptake by cells. The CMLs made with the optimized procedure and liposomes of the same composition but without cell membrane components are thoroughly characterized and compared for their size, zeta potential, bilayer and mechanical properties to confirm membrane protein inclusion in the CMLs. Cell uptake studies confirm that the inclusion of membrane components modifies liposome interactions with cells.
Thoughts on the Rational Design of MOF‐Guest Interactions for Future Intelligent Materials
Authors: Asselin Paul , Harvey Pierre D.
Published: October 2024

The MOF‐guest relationship is broken down in elementary phases, descriptors, and parameters. These descriptors and parameters allow precise descriptions of processes, whether they occur at the point when the guest enters the MOF, during the stay, or at the point of exiting. Description of these three phases is possible according to the location of the guest inside the MOF, the activity between MOF and guest, whether stimuli can be used, and whether a selective action can be exercised. The vocabulary provided herein can be useful to better formulate requirements when designing host‐guest interactions in, and building new classes of, intelligent materials.
Site‐level factors affecting nursing home implementation of a personalized music intervention: Qualitative analyses from Music & Memory: A Pragmatic Trial for Nursing Home Residents with Alzheimer's Disease (METRIcAL)
Authors: Natalie Davoodi , Miranda Olson , Rebecca Uth , Rosa Baier , James Rudolph , Esme Zediker , Renee Shield , McCreedy Ellen
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

Non‐pharmacological interventions (NPIs) are preferred alternatives to using antipsychotic medications to manage disruptive behaviors in nursing home (NH) residents living with dementia. However, the implementation of these interventions is often complex in the NH environment. In this qualitative analysis of data from an embedded pragmatic clinical trial (ePCT) of a personalized music intervention, we describe NH‐level implementation barriers and facilitators.

METHODS

In a 54‐facility trial, we randomized 27 NHs from four US corporations to the personalized music intervention. In this qualitative analysis, we analyzed barriers and facilitators at 9 of the 27 intervention NHs, using (1) routinely collected data collector observations and (2) semi‐structured interviews with NH staff. We iteratively developed codes to best describe these data and generated themes.

RESULTS

We found five qualitative themes related to the variation of intervention implementation across NHs: (1) turnover and institutional changes interfered with implementation; (2) consistent with pragmatic implementation, delivery strategies varied across NHs; (3) family members influenced residents’ participation; (4) non‐clinical program champions needed clinical buy‐in, which was challenging and required demonstrating the intervention's clinical benefits; and (5) technological barriers among staff and residents impeded implementation.

CONCLUSIONS

Qualitative results from nine facilities participating in a NH ePCT of personalized music intervention highlight the importance of identifying an intervention's key components to ensure fidelity, while allowing the flexibility necessary for pragmatic implementation. Engaging family caregivers may improve the implementation of NPIs in the NH setting. Results may be helpful to other researchers implementing NPIs to manage neuropsychiatric symptoms for people living with dementia in NHs.

Highlights

This was a real‐world trial of a personalized music for nursing home (NH) residents with dementia.

Pragmatic adaptations to intervention delivery may have compromised fidelity.

Family caregivers are important to the success of behavioral interventions in NHs.
Winning of inhomogeneous bad for curves
Authors: Datta Shreyasi , Shao Liyang
Published: October 2024

We prove the absolute winning property of weighted inhomogeneous badly approximable vectors on nondegenerate analytic curves. This answers a question by Beresnevich, Nesharim, and Yang. In particular, our result is an inhomogeneous version of the main result in (Duke Math J 171(14), 2022) by Beresnevich, Nesharim, and Yang. Also, the generality of the inhomogeneous part that we considered extends the previous result in An et al. (Adv Math 324:148–202, 2018). Moreover, our results even contribute to classical results, namely establishing the inhomogeneous Schmidt’s conjecture in arbitrary dimensions.
Hopfian wreath products and the stable finiteness conjecture
Authors: Bradford Henry , Fournier-Facio Francesco
Published: October 2024

We study the Hopf property for wreath products of finitely generated groups, focusing on the case of an abelian base group. Our main result establishes a strong connection between this problem and Kaplansky’s stable finiteness conjecture. Namely, the latter holds true if and only if for every finitely generated abelian group A and every finitely generated Hopfian group $$\Gamma $$
Γ
the wreath product $$A \wr \Gamma $$

A
≀
Γ

is Hopfian. In fact, we characterize precisely when $$A \wr \Gamma $$

A
≀
Γ

is Hopfian, in terms of the existence of one-sided units in certain matrix algebras over $${\mathbb {F}}_p[\Gamma ]$$

F
p

[
Γ
]

, for every prime p occurring as the order of some element in A. A tool in our arguments is the fact that fields of positive characteristic locally embed into matrix algebras over $$\mathbb {F}_p$$

F
p

thus reducing the stable finiteness conjecture to the case of $$\mathbb {F}_p$$

F
p

. A further application of this result shows that the validity of Kaplansky’s stable finiteness conjecture is equivalent to a version of Gottschalk’s surjunctivity conjecture for additive cellular automata.
Metric compatibility and determination in complete metric spaces
Authors: Daniilidis Aris , Le Tri Minh , Salas David
Published: October 2024

The local slope operator was introduced in De Giorgi et al. (Atti Accad Naz Lincei Rend Cl Sci Fis Mat Nat 68:180–187, 1980) to study gradient flow dynamics in metric spaces. This tool has now become a cornerstone in metric evolution equations (see, e.g., Ambrosio et al. (Gradient flows in metric spaces and in the space of probability measures, Lectures in Mathematics. Birkhauser, 2008). Very recently, in Daniilidis and Salas (Proc Am Math Soc 150:4325–4333, 2022), it was established that Lipschitz inf-compact functions are uniquely determined by their local slope and critical values. Compactness played a paramount role in this result, ensuring in particular the existence of critical points. We hereby emancipate from this restriction and establish a determination result for merely bounded from below functions, by adding an assumption controlling the asymptotic behavior. This assumption is trivially fulfilled if f is inf-compact. In addition, our result is not only valid for the (De Giorgi) local slope, but also for the main paradigms of average descent operators as well as for the global slope, case in which the asymptotic assumption becomes superfluous. Therefore, the present work extends simultaneously the metric determination results of Daniilidis and Salas (Proc Am Math Soc 150:4325–4333, 2022) and Thibault and Zagrodny (Commun Contemp Math 25(7):2250014, 2023).
Avoidance and attraction responses of kittiwakes to three offshore wind farms in the North Sea
Authors: Pollock Christopher J. , Johnston Daniel T. , Boersch-Supan Philipp H. , Thaxter Chris B. , Humphreys Elizabeth M. , O’Hanlon Nina J. , Clewley Gary D. , Weston Ewan D. , Shamoun-Baranes Judy , Cook Aonghais S. C. P.
Published: October 2024

Seabird collision risk is a key concern in relation to the environmental impacts associated with offshore wind farms (OWFs). Understanding how species respond both to the wind farm itself, and individual turbines within the wind farm, is key to enabling better quantification and management of collision risk. Collision risk is of particular concern for the black-legged kittiwake, Rissa tridactyla, where modelling predicts unsustainable population level impacts. In this study 20 adult breeding kittiwakes, were tracked with GPS from Whinnyfold, Scotland (57°23′07″N, 001°52′11″W) during the breeding season in 2021. An Avoidance-Attraction Index (AAI) was estimated at several bands within macro- and meso-scales (0–4 km from outer boundary and 0–400 m from turbines, respectively), and the Avoidance Rate (AR; used in environmental impact assessments) at macro-scale to estimate avoidance behaviour to three operational OWFs within their foraging range. One offshore wind farm and its buffer zone (0–4 km from outer boundary) was visited more frequently by the majority of tracked individuals (19/20 birds), despite being twice as far as the closest OWF (17.3 and 31.9 km respectively), whilst 10 or less individuals used the remaining two OWFs. At the most frequented OWF we found macro-scale attraction to the closest band (0–1 km) trending towards avoidance in the furthest band (3–4 km). At the meso-scale we found avoidance of areas below the rotor height range (RHR, a.k.a. rotor swept area/zone) up to 120 m from individual turbines, which decreased to 60 m when within the RHR. Our results indicate that kittiwakes may be slightly attracted to the area around OWFs or aggregate here due to displacement but avoid individual turbines. Increased productivity in the OWF area may potentially be drawing birds into the general area, with aversion to individual turbines being responsible for meso-scale observations.