bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the clinico‐immunological profile of patients with obesity and chronic rhinosinusitis
Authors: Chaaban Mohamad R. , Asosingh Kewal , Comhair Suzy , Hoying David
Published: November 2023

Background

No studies have investigated the systemic and local sinonasal profile of obesity‐related chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), despite its observed association in recent retrospective studies. The objectives of our study were to assess the impact of obesity on the clinical and cytokine profile of patients with CRS and evaluate treatment response with functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study at the Cleveland Clinic that included patients with CRS (n = 54) between December 2021 and September 2022. Data collection included demographics, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, baseline sinonasal outcome test scores, baseline radiologic scores (Lund–Mackay), postoperative sinonasal outcome test scores (at 3–4 months), and local and systemic alarmins/T‐helper cytokines.

Results

Out of the 54 CRS patients, there were 20 CRS patients without nasal polyps (37%) and 34 with nasal polyps (63%). Patients were categorized based on obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). Obese CRS patients had lower systemic alarmins (interleukin [IL]‐33 and Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)) compared to non‐obese CRS patients (IL‐33: 744.2 ± 1164.6 pg/mL vs. 137.5 ± 320.0 pg/mL, p = 0.005; TSLP: 627.7 ± 1806.3 pg/mL vs. 28.1 ± 85.4 pg/mL, p = 0.017). CRS patients with nasal polyps with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 had higher postoperative sinonasal outcome test scores and lower levels of nasal eotaxin‐3 and IL‐33 compared to BMI <30 kg/m2 counterparts.

Conclusions

In conclusion, patients with obese CRS and nasal polyps displayed diminished levels of intranasal alarmins and reduced intranasal eotaxin‐3. These results potentially imply the presence of a unique, obese type 2‐low CRS phenotype that warrants further exploration.
Noise‐Based Damping of Chaotic Entanglement in Pulsed Driven Two‐Qubit System
Authors: Abd‐Rabbou M. Y. , Khalil E. M. , Al‐Awfi Saud
Published: November 2023

This paper investigates the entanglement dynamics of a two‐qubit system in the presence of n‐sequential ‐pulse shape. The study explores entanglement under two scenarios: when the system is completely isolated from the environment and when it interacts with one of the surrounding environments, namely the thermal environment and the common dephasing environment. The authors quantify entanglement through concurrence while systematically examining the effects of initial state preparation, qubit coupling strength, laser‐qubit interaction intensity, pulse sequences, and decohering environments. The results highlight that the entanglement of the two‐qubit system strongly depends on the initial state. Increasing the coupling strength between the qubits and the n‐sequential pulse enhances the maximum values of entanglement. Conversely, augmenting the laser‐qubits coupling or introducing the influence of the environment diminishes the entanglement.
Nitrogen‐bridged Fe‐Cu Atomic Pair Sites for Efficient Electrochemical Ammonia Production and Electricity Generation with Zn‐NO2 Batteries
Authors: Bi Zenghui , Hu Jiao , Xu Ming , Zhang Hua , Zhou Yingtang , Hu Guangzhi
Published: November 2023

The development of environmentally sustainable and highly efficient technologies for ammonia production is crucial for the future advancement of carbon‐neutral energy systems. The nitrite reduction reaction (NO2RR) for generating NH3 is a promising alternative to the low‐efficiency nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR), owing to the low N=O bond energy and high solubility of nitrite. In this study, we designed a highly efficient dual‐atom catalyst with Fe‐Cu atomic pair sites (termed FeCu DAC), and the as‐developed FeCu DAC was able to afford a remarkable NH3 yield of 24,526 μg h−1 mgcat.−1 at −0.6 V, with a Faradaic Efficiency (FE) for NH3 production of 99.88 %. The FeCu DAC also exhibited exceptional catalytic activity and selectivity in a Zn‐NO2 battery, achieving a record‐breaking power density of 23.6 mW cm−2 and maximum NH3 FE of 92.23 % at 20 mA cm−2. Theoretical simulation demonstrated that the incorporation of the Cu atom changed the energy of the Fe 3d orbital and lowered the energy barrier, thereby accelerating the NO2RR. This study not only demonstrates the potential of galvanic nitrite‐based cells for expanding the field of Zn‐based batteries, but also provides fundamental interpretation for the synergistic effect in highly dispersed dual‐atom catalysts.
Methylene C(sp3)−H Arylation Enables the Stereoselective Synthesis and Structure Revision of Indidene Natural Products
Authors: Kudashev Anton , Vergura Stefania , Zuccarello Marco , Bürgi Thomas , Baudoin Olivier
Published: November 2023

The divergent synthesis of two indane polyketides of the indidene family, namely (±)‐indidene A (11 steps, 1.7 %) and (+)‐indidene C (13 steps, 1.3 %), is reported. The synthesis of the trans‐configured common indane intermediate was enabled by palladium(0)‐catalyzed methylene C(sp3)−H arylation, which was performed in both racemic and enantioselective (e.r. 99 : 1) modes. Further elaboration of this common intermediate by nickel‐catalyzed dehydrogenative coupling allowed the rapid installation of the aroyl moiety of (±)‐indidene A. In parallel, the biphenyl system of (±)‐ and (+)‐indidene C was constructed by Suzuki–Miyaura coupling. These investigations led us to revise the structures of indidenes B and C.
Segmental interactions, interfacial polarization, and gigantic dielectric permittivity in ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer‐carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Mittal Sakshey , Mondal R. K. , Dubey K. A. , Bhardwaj Y. K.
Published: November 2023

This study reports copolymer composition tailored wrapping of carbon nanotubes, leading to a gigantic dielectric permittivity and peculiar nonlinear rheological response in a nonfluoro copolymer/carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid system. Specifically, we observed a strong interfacial polarization effect in ethylene vinyl acetate (EVAc) copolymer/CNT nanocomposites, resulting in a dielectric permittivity of approximately 4000 at 10 Hz and 450 (dielectric loss <1) at 1 kHz, with only 1% volume fraction of CNTs and 40% vinyl acetate (VAc) content. No such effect was observed in EVAc with 12% VAc. Extensive amplitude oscillatory rheology studies prompted us to propose a novel hook‐wrap‐type mechanism, wherein polar interactions act as hooks and nonpolar segments allow wrapping, depending on the optimal interactions between the CNT and copolymer. Raman spectroscopy, small‐angle x‐ray scattering, and relaxation studies also revealed a significant change in segmental dynamics and mass fractal compactness with a change in the VAc content. This work provides a melt processing‐based scalable route to develop polymer dielectrics while advancing the fundamental understanding of polymer‐CNT interactions and the underlying mechanisms of dielectric behavior in nanocomposites.
Reliability of automated brain volumetric analysis: A test by comparing NeuroQuant and volBrain software
Authors: Koussis Panagiotis , Toulas Panagiotis , Glotsos Demetrios , Lamprou Eleni , Kehagias Demetrios , Lavdas Eleftherios
Published: November 2023

Background and purpose

Brain volume analysis from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is gaining an important role in neurological diagnosis. This study compares the volumes of brain segments measured by two automated brain analysis software, NeuroQuant (NQ), and volBrain (VB) in order to test their reliability in brain volumetry.

Methods

Using NQ and VB software, the same brain segment volumes were calculated and compared, taken from 56 patients scanned under the same MRI sequence. These segments were intracranial cavity, putamen, thalamus, amygdala, whole brain, cerebellum, white matter, and hippocampus. The paired t‐test method has been used to determine if there was a significant difference in these measurements. The interclass correlation (ICC) is used to test inter‐method reliability between the two software. Finally, regression analysis was used to examine the possibility of linear correlation.

Results

In all brain segments tested but hippocampus, significant differences were found. ICC presents satisfactory to excellent reliability in all brain segments except thalamus and amygdala for which reliability has been proven to be poor. In most cases, linear correlation was found.

Conclusions

The significant differences found in the majority of the tested brain segments are raising questions about the reliability of automated brain analysis as a quantitative tool. Strong linear correlation of the volumetric measurements and good reliability indicates that, each software provides good qualitative information of brain structures size.
Consumers' promotion focus mitigates the negative effects of chatbots on purchase likelihood
Authors: Khan Hiba , Sararueangpong Pasit , Mathmann Frank , Wang Di
Published: November 2023

Marketers and consumers are adopting chatbots widely. However, the benefits of this technology remain unclear due to a lack of understanding about individual differences in consumers' purchase decisions when interacting with chatbots. This research investigates the influence of individual differences in promotion focus on purchase likelihood for the products recommended by chatbots. Two experiments demonstrated that consumers generally report a lower purchase likelihood for products recommended by chatbots (vs humans). However, compared to consumers with a low promotion focus, consumers with a high promotion focus report a higher purchase likelihood for the products. The findings also suggest that the relationship between consumer individual differences in promotion focus and purchase likelihood is mediated by engagement. By applying both regulatory focus and regulatory fit theories, the present study provides insights into how promotion focus influences purchase likelihood for products recommended by chatbots. Marketers can utilise both chronic and situational promotion focus to improve consumers' reactions to chatbots using segmentation and promotion‐focus‐related words, respectively.
One‐pot Heterogeneous Biocatalysis under Thermal Decay for Fructose Production from Lactose using Co‐Immobilized Enzymes: Modeling and Simulation
Authors: Silva Pablo , Illanes Andrés , Wilson Lorena , Conejeros Raúl
Published: November 2023

Multi‐enzyme reaction systems have become an interesting option to avoid transformation and purification steps in productive reactor‐based systems; when carried out in a single vessel, they are termed one‐pot systems. This novel work aims to model and simulate the behavior of a one‐pot heterogeneous catalysis system in a batch‐stirred bioreactor and in a continuous stirred bioreactor with co‐immobilized enzymes to determine the compromise operation temperature that maximizes the volumetric productivity, considering thermal decay of the biocatalyst. The production of fructose from lactose is considered a case study, using co‐immobilized
‐galactosidase (
‐gal) and glucose‐isomerase (GI) in a spherical particle. A diffusion and reaction mathematical model was used to calculate the effectiveness factor for every reaction species considering the thermal decay of both enzymes. Simulations in both batch and continuous operation were done at temperatures ranging from 40 to 60 °C, for initial enzyme activity load ratios ranging from 0.1 to 0.9 IUGI IU
. Resulting effectiveness factors were close to one, indicating no significant limitations on reaction rates due to internal diffusional constraints. In both cases, temperature exerted a more substantial effect than the initial enzyme activity load ratio, showing different scenarios of high volumetric productivity (batch) or amount of produced fructose (continuous).
Photo‐Catalyzed Acyl Azolium Promoted Selective α‐C(sp3)−H Acylation of Acetone via HAT: Access to Thermodynamically Less Favoured (Z)‐α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones
Authors: Sivaraj Chandrasekaran , Maiti Debabrata , Gandhi Thirumanavelan
Published: November 2023

Mono α‐acylation of acetone has been achieved for the first time by reacting with bench‐stable acyl azolium salts under violet‐LED light at room temperature. The intermolecular hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from acetone to triplet state of azolium salts under violet LED irradiation resulted in thermodynamically less favourable (Z)‐α,β‐unsaturated ketones with up to 99 : 1 selectivity via C−C bond formation. This compelling protocol access the desired α‐C(sp3)−H acylation product under metal‐, ligand‐ and oxidant‐free conditions on a wide range of substrates.
Cascading effects of earthworm invasion increase graminoid density and rodent grazing intensities
Authors: Jonsson Hanna , Olofsson Johan , Blume‐Werry Gesche , Klaminder Jonatan
Published: November 2023

Human‐mediated dispersal of non‐native earthworms can cause substantial changes to the functioning and composition of ecosystems previously earthworm‐free. Some of these earthworm species have the potential to “geoengineer” soils and increase plant nitrogen (N) uptake. Yet the possible consequences of increased plant N concentrations on rodent grazing remains poorly understood. In this study, we present findings from a common garden experiment with two tundra communities, meadow (forb dominated) and heath (shrub dominated), half of them subjected to 4 years of earthworm presence (Lumbricus spp. and Aporrectodea spp.). Within four summers, our earthworm treatment changed plant community composition by increasing graminoid density by, on average, 94% in the heath vegetation and by 49% in the meadow. Rodent winter grazing was more intense on plants growing in soils with earthworms, an effect that coincided with higher N concentrations in plants, indicating a higher palatability. Even though earthworms reduced soil moisture, plant community productivity, as indicated by vegetation greenness (normalized difference vegetation index), was not negatively impacted. We conclude that earthworm‐induced changes in plant composition and trophic interactions may fundamentally alter the functioning of tundra ecosystems.
Out‐of‐sample volatility prediction: Rolling window, expanding window, or both?
Authors: Feng Yuqing , Zhang Yaojie , Wang Yudong
Published: November 2023

Estimation windows, either rolling or expanding, are used for volatility forecasting. In this study, we propose a new approach relying on both estimation windows. Our method is based on how well these two windows performed in terms of prediction during a recent period of past time. We will continue to use whichever one has performed better in the past. Results show that our strategy significantly outperforms the individual and mean combination models. Whether the window is rolling or expanding, the relatively better performance is persistent. In other words, we document the existence of the momentum of predictability (MoP). A mean–variance investor can achieve the highest utility gains using our strategy for volatility forecasting. Moreover, the results pass a series of robustness tests.
Exploring the potential human pathogenic bacteria in selected ready‐to‐eat leafy greens sold in Dhaka City, Bangladesh: Estimation of bacterial load and incidence
Authors: Ferdous Raihan , Sultana Nazneen , Hossain Md. Belal , Sultana Rifat Ara , Hoque Sanzida
Published: November 2023

This study was designed to investigate the presence of potential human pathogenic bacteria, bacterial load, and their incidence in ready‐to‐eat leafy greens viz., coriander, lettuce, and mint leaves sold at diverse marketplaces in Dhaka City. Multiple identification methods including cultural, morphological, biochemical, and molecular analysis were employed in the Plant Pathology Laboratory of Sher‐e‐Bangla Agricultural University to identify the human pathogenic bacteria. In molecular analysis, the DNA samples were put through PCR using bacterial primer 27F: AGAGTTTGATCMTGGCTGAG and universal primer 1942R: CGGTTACCTTGTTACGACTT. Initially, nine different bacterial genera viz. Bacillus, Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Neisseria, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Shigella, Vibrio, and Staphylococcus were detected, and their incidence was 93%, 67%, 44%, 30%, 26%, 26%, 11%, 7%, and 7% respectively. A total of twelve bacteria have been identified from these genera out of which 7 bacteria viz. Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella spp., were reported as human pathogenic bacteria in several pieces of literature. The highest colony‐forming units per gram were shown in mint (4.27 ± 2.35 × 109) followed by lettuce (2.87 ± 0.76 × 109) and coriander (2.43 ± 1.32 × 109). Considering marketplaces, the highest colony‐forming units per gram were observed in the samples of street markets (5.0 ± 1.72 × 109) and the lowest was in supermarkets (1.87 ± 0.46 × 109) followed by local markets (2.7 ± 0.91 × 109). All the leafy green samples crossed the acceptable level of bacterial load (106 CFU/g). The findings of the study highlight the urgency for improved food safety protocols in their production and distribution in Dhaka city.
Long‐term oral administration of burdock fructooligosaccharide alleviates DSS‐induced colitis in mice by mediating anti‐inflammatory effects and protection of intestinal barrier function
Authors: Ma Qunfei , Zhang Xiujuan , Xu Xuan , Lu Yan , Chen Qiang , Chen Yiru , Liu Chunyan , Chen Kaoshan
Published: November 2023

Background

Ulcerative colitis, a typical subtype of inflammatory bowel disease, can cause many serious complications. Burdock fructooligosaccharide (BFO), a linear inulin with a purity of 99.439% and a molecular weight of 2345 Da, demonstrates anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Methods

The Kunming mice were divided into two experimental models: a normal pretreatment model and a colitis experimental model. During the experimental treatment period, we assessed changes in weight and disease activity index (DAI), quantified the intestinal index, and determined myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and reactive oxide species (ROS) levels in colitis mice. We also photographed colon morphology to investigate alterations in the integrity of the intestinal barrier function. Finally, we performed ELISA and qRT‐PCR to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effect of BFO treatment on colitis mice.

Result

The long‐term oral administration of BFO alone exhibited protective effects by preventing disruption of the intestinal functional structure and increasing the colon index in mice. However, in a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced colitis mouse model, BFO administration facilitated quick recovery of body weight and effectively reduced the DAI, especially in the BFO‐H group (500 mg/kg/day). BFO treatment maintained the integrity of the intestinal barrier by attenuating the crypt distortion and increasing the goblet cells count It restored the DSS‐induced colon shortening and reduced the symptoms of colitis. These effects may be attributed to the appropriate concentrations of BFO effectively inhibiting MPO activity, clearing excessive ROS, and relieving spleen abnormalitie. BFO also attenuated the overexpression and excessive secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and MCP‐1) induced by DSS, reduced intestinal inflammation, and consequently protected the intestinal barrier function.

Conclusion

BFO effectively alleviated the symptoms of DSS‐induced colitis by mediating anti‐inflammatory effects and protecting the intestinal barrier integrity, thereby potentially facilitating the utilization of safer and more efficacious polysaccharides for managing chronic inflammatory diseases.
Deep learning network selection and optimized information fusion for enhanced COVID‐19 detection
Authors: Ali Muhammad Umair , Zafar Amad , Tanveer Jawad , Khan Muhammad Attique , Kim Seong Han , Alsulami Mashael M. , Lee Seung Won
Published: November 2023

This study proposes a wrapper‐based technique to improve the classification performance of chest infection (including COVID‐19) detection using X‐rays. Deep features were extracted using pretrained deep learning models. Ten optimization techniques, including poor and rich optimization, path finder algorithm, Henry gas solubility optimization, Harris hawks optimization, atom search optimization, manta‐ray foraging optimization, equilibrium optimizer, slime mold algorithm, generalized normal distribution optimization, and marine predator algorithm, were used to determine the optimal features using a support vector machine. Moreover, a network selection technique was used to select the deep learning models. An online chest infection detection X‐ray scan dataset was used to validate the proposed approach. The results suggest that the proposed wrapper‐based automatic deep learning network selection and feature optimization framework has a high classification rate of 97.7%. The comparative analysis further validates the credibility of the framework in COVID‐19 and other chest infection classifications, suggesting that the proposed approach can help doctors in clinical practice.
Team innovation: The role of team capabilities and team decision‐making
Authors: Singh Anjali , Jha Sumi
Published: November 2023

Drawing on the team‐member exchange theory, in this paper, we examine how the knowledge‐based three team capabilities (team knowledge management capacity, team absorptive capacity, adaptive team capacity), when shared among team members, will influence the effectiveness of team decision‐making and team innovation. The study was conducted in Indian organizations. Data collected from 112 team members (with experience in innovation projects) were analyzed using structural equation modeling and bootstrapping procedure. The findings reveal that team members' capability (knowledge management capacity, adaptive capacity) plays a significant role in team innovation when there is team decision‐making. However, the study found no significant relationship between absorptive capacity and team innovation. The study contributes to the literature on team innovation by offering fresh insights into how the high‐quality Team‐member exchange leads to better capitalization of distinct team capabilities leading to effective team decision‐making, culminating in the generation of creative and novel ideas and solutions.
Acid‐induced conformation regulation of peanut polysaccharide and its effect on stability and digestibility of oil‐in‐water emulsion
Authors: Ye Jianfen , Hua Xiao , Shao Xingfeng , Yang Ruijin
Published: November 2023

BACKGROUND

Developing the stable and healthy emulsion‐based food is in accord with the needs of people for health. In the present study, acidification at pH 3.0 of peanut polysaccharide (APPSI) was employed to regulate its conformation and further improve its advantages in preparing oil‐in‐water emulsion.

RESULTS

The results indicated that acidification induced conversion of PPSI aggregates into linear chains. Increasing concentration promoted formation of cross‐linked network structure shown in transmission electron microscopy images. Consequently, the viscosity, yield stress, storage modulus and flow activation energy significantly increased, further fabricating gel structure. Moreover, aggregation behavior suggested that more exposed proteins were involved in gel structure, thereby forming many hydrophobic cores as verified by fluorescence spectroscopy of pyrene. Afterwards, emulsion characteristics indicated that APPSI produced strong and thick steric hindrance around oil droplets and the coil‐like interweaved chains locked the continuous phase, bringing strong elasticity and resistance to stress and creaming. Meanwhile, the lower fatty acid in APPSI‐emulsion was released after simulated gastrointestinal digestion, mainly as a result of the high retention ratio of emulsion droplets. Furthermore, the elastic and viscous Lissajous curves suggested that the structure strength of APPSI‐emulsion was similar to that of the salad dressing within the strain 53.22%.

CONCLUSION

The conformation of PPSI after acidification at pH 3.0 was suitable for preparing the stable emulsion. The obtained emulsion could resist digestion and maintain a strong structure, comprising a cholesterol‐free and low‐fat salad dressing substitute. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Extractions of aerial parts of Hippomarathrum scabrum with conventional and green methodologies: Chemical profiling, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and anti‐cancer effects
Authors: Nilofar  , Duran Tugce , Uba Abdullahi Ibrahim , Cvetanović Kljakić Aleksandra , Božunović Jelena , Gašić Uroš , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Yıldiztugay Evren , Ferrante Claudio , Zengin Gokhan
Published: November 2023

Hippomarathrum scabrum L. is an endemic medicinal plant in Turkey; however, there have been few studies investigating the phytochemistry and biological properties of these plants has not been investigated. The aim of this work is to determine the chemical composition of different extracts (extracts obtained by using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, homogenizer‐assisted extraction, microwave‐assisted extraction, and ultrasound‐assisted extraction from Hippomarathrum scabrum L., and evaluate their biological properties. The analysis revealed that 5‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid, rutin, and isorhamnetin 3‐O‐rutinoside were the main bioactive compounds. The extract obtained by accelerated extraction contains the highest concentration of 5‐O‐Caffeoylquinic acid (7616.74 ± 63.09 mg/kg dry extract) followed by the extract obtained by homogenizer‐assisted extraction (6682.53 ± 13.04 mg/kg dry extract). In antioxidant tests, all extracts expressed significant antioxidant activity. Also, cytotoxic and anticancer effects of these plant extracts were detected in the human prostate cancer cell line. Intrinsic apoptotic genes were up‐regulated and anti‐apoptotic genes were down‐regulated in human prostate cancer cells after inhibition concentration dose treatment. The findings are promising, and suggest the use of these plant extracts could be used as natural sources with different biological activities, as well as anticancer agents.
X‐Ray Excited Luminescence Materials for Cancer Diagnosis and Theranostics
Authors: Ma Qingjie , Cao Yixi , Ge Xiaoguang , Zhang Zhining , Gao Shi , Song Jibin
Published: November 2023

X‐rays are rays that penetrate the human tissue and are capable of penetrating water, air, and oxygen in various biological tissues or tumors. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the research of X‐ray‐excited luminescent materials for cancer diagnosis and treatment. In this study, the application of X‐ray‐excited luminescent materials is reviewed for tumor imaging and therapy. First, two classes of luminescent materials are briefly introduced for a form of enhanced X‐ray computed tomography, X‐ray‐excited optical luminescence imaging. Subsequently, the design of multifunctional hybrid materials is evaluated for radiotherapy and other treatments and their synergistic effects under X‐ray excitation are studied. Finally, current key issues and solutions in the field are discussed in detail.
Red‐Emitting Cordierite Ceramic Enabling General Healthy Warm White Laser Lighting
Authors: Chen Weibin , Wang Yuzhen , Xu Jian , Chen Xinrong , Jensen Ole B. , Zhang Qinyuan , Xia Zhiguo
Published: November 2023

Laser‐driven phosphor‐converted white‐laser diodes are supposed to be next‐generation high‐brightness lighting sources for their unparalleled photoelectric efficiency and light quality, yet a significant obstacle hitherto has resided in the shortage and serious laser‐induced luminescence saturation of red emitters. Here, a hot‐pressing synthesis route to obtain high‐performance red‐emitting cordierite (Mg2Al4Si5O18:Eu2+) ceramic is developed, which enables the in situ formation of bulk specimens with high crystallinity (>90%) from the counterpart glass powders. A preeminent saturation threshold of 21 W mm−2 is realized in a red‐emitting Mg2Al4Si5O18:Eu2+ ceramic film converter. More importantly, the luminous exitance reaches 209 lm mm−2, which is 5 times that of commercial red phosphor‐converted‐LED, indicating breakthrough progress in the comprehensive light‐emitting performance of red converters. This work innovates the solid‐state synthesis of laser bulk converters from glass to meet the demanding requirements of advanced warm white laser lighting.
Functionalized Electron‐Rich Pyridines as Initiators for the Epoxy Homopolymerization
Authors: Edinger David , Fischer Susanne M. , Slugovc Christian
Published: November 2023

A simple and modular dialkylation of two electron‐rich pyridine derivatives, namely 4‐aminopyridine or 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydropyrido[3,4‐b]pyrazine, is achieved by aza‐Michael reactions with electron‐poor olefins (ethyl acrylate and acrylonitrile). Reducing the ester groups in the ethyl acrylate‐derived compounds yielded the corresponding hydroxyl‐containing derivatives. Subsequently, homopolymerization of phenyl glycidyl ether as well as an epoxy‐alcohol polyaddition are catalyzed using the introduced compounds. As a reference catalyst, 4‐dimethylaminopyridine is used. It is found that in all cases an irreversible termination of the polymerization at temperatures above 100 °C occurred. The decomposition is particularly rapid in the case of pyridine derivatives containing hydroxyl groups. In contrast, at a constant temperature of 100 °C, the latter compounds gave the fastest phenyl glycidyl ether homopolymerization and high conversions are found for all electron‐rich pyridine derivatives. However, testing the catalysts at high alcohol concentrations at temperatures higher than 100 °C resulted in similarly moderate conversions in all cases.
Sulfonated Polyimide Membranes Constructed by Main‐Chain and Molecular‐Network Engineering Strategy for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
Authors: Fan Hang , Xie Tiantian , Pang Yang , Zhu Shiyang , Feng Pengju , Zhu Xuanbo , Zhao Chengji , Guan Shaowei , Yao Hongyan
Published: November 2023

Excessive swelling is one important factor that leads to high fuel permeability and limited operating concentration of methanol for proton exchange membranes. Herein, a collaborative strategy of main‐chain and molecular‐network engineering is applied to lower swelling ratio and improve methanol resistance for highly sulfonated polyimide. Two m‐phenylenediamine monomers (4‐(2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐4‐vinylphenoxy)benzene‐1,3‐diamine and 4,6‐bis(2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐4‐vinylphenoxy)benzene‐1,3‐diamine) with tetrafluorostyrol groups are designed and synthesized. Two series of cross‐linked sulfonated polyimides (CSPI‐Ts, CSPI‐Bs) are prepared from the two diamines, 4,4′‐diaminostilbene‐2,2′‐disulfonic acid and 1,4,5,8‐naphthalenetetracarboxylicdianhydride. The rigid main‐chain structure is cornerstone for wet CSPI‐Ts and CSPI‐Bs remaining stable at elevated temperatures. The introduction of hydrophobic cross‐linked network further improves their dimensional stability and methanol resistance. CSPI‐Ts and CSPI‐Bs show obviously improved performances containing high proton conductivity (121 ± 0.27–158 ± 0.35 S cm−1), low swelling ratio (9.6 ± 0.40%–16.1 ± 0.01%) and methanol permeability (4.14–7.69 × 10−7 cm2 s−1) at 80 °C. The direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is assembled from CSPI‐T‐10 with balanced properties, and it exhibits high maximum power density (PDmax) of 82.3 and 72.6 mW cm−2 in 2 and 10 m methanol solution, respectively. The ratio of PDmax in 10 m methanol solution to the value in 2 m methanol solution is as high as 88%. The CSPI‐T‐10 is promising proton exchange membrane candidate for DMFC application.
Long‐term complete remission and peripheral biomarkers in Hodgkin lymphoma patients after decitabine‐plus‐camrelizumab epi‐immunotherapy and treatment cessation
Authors: Wang Chunmeng , Pan Yuting , Liu Yang , Guo Bing , Shi Jinhong , Rong Guanghua , Guo Zhipeng , Li Zhifang , Yang Qingming , Nie Jing , Han Weidong
Published: November 2023

Patients with relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) achieve complete response (CR) after decitabine‐plus‐camrelizumab therapy, while long‐term outcome especially after treatment discontinuation remains unclear. We present a retrospective analysis of 87 relapsed/refractory cHL patients who acquired CR after decitabine‐plus‐camrelizumab. Patients were divided into two groups and received consolidation treatment every 3–4 or 6–12 weeks, and 1‐year of continuous CR was guaranteed for treatment cessation. At a median follow‐up of 5.3 years, the median relapse‐free survival (RFS) after achieving CR with decitabine‐plus‐camrelizumab therapy was 4.5 years, and patients underwent consolidation per 3–4 weeks might have longer RFS. The baseline percentage of peripheral central memory T cells was not associated with RFS, while patients with higher pretreatment serum levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) had significantly shorter RFS and increased risk for disease recurrence. Fifty‐seven patients completed and discontinued decitabine‐plus‐camrelizumab, and their median RFS had not been reached. The 2‐year RFS rate after treatment cessation was 78% (95% CI, 67–90%). Patients in the high‐risk subgroup with higher pretreatment IL‐6 and LDH levels showed poor treatment‐free remission. Moreover, decitabine‐plus‐camrelizumab therapy was safe and cost‐effective. In conclusion, patients who obtained CR with decitabine‐plus‐camrelizumab and received consolidation per 3–4 weeks can achieve long‐term remission after treatment discontinuation.
Chain trajectories, domain shapes, and terminal boundaries in block copolymers
Authors: Greenvall Benjamin R. , Dimitriyev Michael S. , Grason Gregory M.
Published: November 2023

The packing geometry of macromolecules in complex mesophases is of key importance to self‐organization in synthetic and biological soft materials. While approximate or heuristic models rely on often‐untested assumptions about how flexible molecules “fit in” to distinct locations of complex assemblies, physical assemblies derive from ensembles of fluctuating conformations, obscuring the connection between mesophase geometry and the underlying arrangements. Here, we present an approach to extract and analyze features of molecular packing in diblock block copolymer (BCP) melts, a prototypical soft matter system, based on the statistical description of chain conformations in self‐consistent field (SCF) theory. We show how average BCP chain trajectories in ordered morphologies can be analyzed from the SCF‐derived orientational order parameter of chain segments. We use these extracted trajectories to analyze the features of local packing geometry, including chain bending and tilt, as well as the terminal boundaries that delineate distinct domains in ordered BCP morphologies. We illustrate this analysis by focusing on measurable features of packing frustration in 2D (columnar) and 3D (spherical and bicontinuous) morphologies, notably establishing an explicit link between chain conformations in complex morphologies and their medial geometry.
Molecular interactions between perlecan LG3 and the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein receptor binding domain
Authors: Gressett Timothy E. , Hossen Md Lokman , Talkington Grant , Volic Milla , Perez Hugo , Tiwari Purushottam B. , Chapagain Prem , Bix Gregory
Published: November 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has caused a global health crisis with significant clinical morbidity and mortality. While angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the primary receptor for viral entry, other cell surface and extracellular matrix proteins may also bind to the viral receptor binding domain (RBD) within the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein. Recent studies have implicated heparan sulfate proteoglycans, specifically perlecan LG3, in facilitating SARS‐CoV‐2 binding to ACE2. However, the role of perlecan LG3 in SARS‐CoV‐2 pathophysiology is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the binding interactions between the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein RBD and perlecan LG3 through molecular modeling simulations and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments. Our results indicate stable binding between LG3 and SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein RBD, which may potentially enhance RBD‐ACE2 interactions. These findings shed light on the role of perlecan LG3 in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and provide insight into SARS‐CoV‐2 pathophysiology and potential therapeutic strategy for COVID‐19.
Role of surface glycans in enveloped RNA virus infections: A structural perspective
Authors: Pandey Bhawna , S. Srividhya , Chatterjee Ananya , Mangala Prasad Vidya
Published: November 2023

Enveloped RNA viruses have been causative agents of major pandemic outbreaks in the recent past. Glycans present on these virus surface proteins are critical for multiple processes during the viral infection cycle. Presence of glycans serves as a key determinant of immunogenicity, but intrinsic heterogeneity, dynamics, and evolutionary shifting of glycans in heavily glycosylated enveloped viruses confounds typical structure–function analysis. Glycosylation sites are also conserved across different viral families, which further emphasizes their functional significance. In this review, we summarize findings regarding structure–function correlation of glycans on enveloped RNA virus proteins.
Topological descriptors, entropy measures and NMR spectral predictions for nanoporous graphenes with [14]annulene pores
Authors: Arockiaraj Micheal , Raza Zahid , Fiona J. Celin , Abraham Jessie , Shalini Arul Jeya , Balasubramanian Krishnan
Published: November 2023

Porous two‐dimensional (2D) nanographene structures are materials with vast potentials in several areas of research with varied applications. The porous structures of these 2D‐materials offer multiple applications in the field of nanochemistry including sequestration of toxic metal ions as they possess large surface areas, enhanced electrical and electronic properties, and high mechanical flexibility. Their porous structures facilitate the creation of highly efficient electrodes, which could significantly improve the performance of batteries and other energy storage technologies. Topological descriptors are powerful tools for characterizing their structures and predicting the properties of molecules and thus have a number of applications. We compute the analytical expressions for degree‐based and Szeged‐type topological descriptors and their information‐theoretic entropies. In addition, we perform a comparative analysis of the scaled bond‐wise entropies between nanoporous graphenes and rectangular kekulene structures with comparable sizes. Furthermore, we predict the C and proton NMR spectral patterns of these materials using graph‐theoretical techniques.
Spatially‐correlated time series clustering using location‐dependent Dirichlet process mixture model
Authors: Jung Junsub , Kim Sungil , Kim Heeyoung
Published: November 2023

The Dirichlet process mixture (DPM) model has been widely used as a Bayesian nonparametric model for clustering. However, the exchangeability assumption of the Dirichlet process is not valid for clustering spatially correlated time series as these data are indexed spatially and temporally. While analyzing spatially correlated time series, correlations between observations at proximal times and locations must be appropriately considered. In this study, we propose a location‐dependent DPM model by extending the traditional DPM model for clustering spatially correlated time series. We model the temporal pattern as an infinite mixture of Gaussian processes while considering spatial dependency using a location‐dependent Dirichlet process prior over mixture components. This encourages the assignment of observations from proximal locations to the same cluster. By contrast, because mixture atoms for modeling temporal patterns are shared across space, observations with similar temporal patterns can be still grouped together even if they are located far apart. The proposed model also allows the number of clusters to be automatically determined in the clustering procedure. We validate the proposed model using simulated examples. Moreover, in a real case study, we cluster adjacent roads based on their traffic speed patterns that have changed as a result of a traffic accident occurred in Seoul, South Korea.
Robust estimation of mean‐variance relation
Authors: Li Mushan , Ma Yanyuan
Published: November 2023

Accurate assessment of the mean‐variance relation can benefit subsequent analysis in biomedical research. However, in most biomedical data, both the true mean and the true variance are unavailable. Instead, raw data are typically used to allow forming sample mean and sample variance in practice. In addition, different experimental conditions sometimes cause a slightly different mean‐variance relation from the majority of the data in the same data set. To address these issues, we propose a semiparametric estimator, where we treat the uncertainty in the sample mean as a measurement error problem, the uncertainty in the sample variance as model error, and use a mixture model to account for different mean‐variance relations. Asymptotic normality of the proposed method is established and its finite sample properties are demonstrated by simulation studies. The data application shows that the proposed method produces sensible results compared with methods either ignoring the uncertainty in the sample means or ignoring the potential different mean‐variance relations.
Dual‐acceptor engineering of donor‐acceptor type molecules for all‐round boosting anti‐tumor phototherapy
Authors: Gu Hua , Sun Wen , Du Jianjun , Fan Jiangli , Peng Xiaojun
Published: November 2023

The integration of robust photon‐absorption capacity, high reactive oxygen species yields and photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) into a single phototheranostic nano‐agents is ideal but rarely reported. This study employed a dual‐acceptor engineering strategy utilizing isoindigo and selenium‐substituted [1,2,5]thiadiazolo[3,4‐c]pyridine to augment the molar extinction coefficient and spin‐orbit coupling effect, respectively, resulting in a substantial enhancement of photon‐absorption ability and non‐radiative decay energy‐release process of donor‐acceptor type phototherapy molecules. As the optimal phototherapy agent, IID‐PSe exhibited a high molar extinction coefficient two times that of photosensitizer, excellent 1O2 yield (15%) and PCE (34%), exhibiting great potential for phototherapy. After encapsulating with DSPE‐PEG2000, IID‐PSe NPs showed excellent anti‐tumor phototherapy ability both in vitro and in vivo. This work provides an effective idea for designing high‐performance photosensitive dyes with high efficiency phototherapy output.
Sb Doping and Amorphization Co‐Induced High Capacity and Excellent Durability of Tin Sulfide‐Based Anode for K‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Guo Liping , Jiang Zhongqing , Deng Binglu , Wang Yongjie , Jiang Zhong‐Jie
Published: November 2023

The carbon nanotubes (CNTs) supported amorphous Sb doped substoichiometric tin dulfide (Sb─SnSx) with a carbon coating (the C/Sb─SnSx@CNTs‐500) is reported to be an efficient anode material for K+ storage. The formation of the C/Sb─SnSx@CNTs‐500 is simply achieved through the thermally induced desulfurization of tin sulfide via a controlled annealing of the C/Sb─SnS2@CNTs at 500 °C. When used for the K+ storage, it can deliver stable reversible capacities of 406.5, 305.7, and 238.4 mAh g−1 at 0.1, 1.0, and 2.0 A g−1, respectively, and shows no capacity drops when potassiated/depotassiated at 1.0 and 2.0 A g−1 for >3000 and 2400 cycles, respectively. Even at 10, 20, and 30 A g−1, it can still deliver stable reversible capacities of 138.5, 85.1, and 73.8 mAh g−1, respectively. The unique structure, which combines the advantageous features of carbon integration/coating, metal doping, and desulfurization‐induced amorphous structure, is the main origin of the high performance of the C/Sb─SnSx@CNTs‐500. Specifically, the carbon integration/coating can increase the electric conductivity and stability of the C/Sb─SnSx@CNTs‐500. The density function theory calculation indicates that the Sb doping and the desulfurization can facilitate the potassiation and increase the electric conductivity of Sb─SnSx. Additionally, the desulfurization can increase the K+ diffusivity in Sb─SnSx.
Solution‐Processable Two‐Dimensional MoSe2 Quantum Dots as a Hole Transport Layer for Highly Efficient and Stable Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Dou Zhitao , Cheng Xiaozhe , Qin Zhitao , Wang Kai , Xia Weizhen , Qu Yongquan , Lian Hong , Yan Feng , Dong Qingchen
Published: November 2023

Hole transport materials are critical to carrier separation, hole extraction, and stability of organic solar cells (OSCs). Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has been popularly used as hole transport layers (HTLs) in high‐efficiency OSCs, while the device stability is relatively low due to interfacial chemical reactions between active layer and PEDOT:PSS. Herein, two‐dimensional MoSe2 quantum dots (QDs) are employed as a subphoto sensitizer and pinhole‐free HTL to replace PEDOT:PSS in OSCs. The power conversion efficiencies of PBDB‐T: 3,9‐bis(2‐methylene(3‐(1,1‐dicyanomethylene) ‐indanone))‐5,5,11,11‐tetrakis(4‐hexylphenyl)dithieno‐[2,3‐d:2′,3′‐d′]‐s‐indaceno[1,2‐b:5,6‐b′]dithiophene (ITIC), PM6:Y6, and PM6:L8‐BO‐based OSCs with MoSe2 QDs HTLs are 9.34%, 15.36%, and 18.29%, respectively, which are comparable to those (9.31%, 15.51%, and 18.22%) of the control devices with PEDOT:PSS HTLs. More importantly, superior device stability is achieved in the OSCs with MoSe2 QDs HTLs due to suppressed interfacial chemical reactions. These results indicate that ultrathin MoSe2 QDs are a promising candidate material for HTL, providing a novel approach to further improving the performance of OSCs.
dS2 supergravity
Authors: Anninos Dionysios , Genolini Pietro Benetti , Mühlmann Beatrix
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We construct two-dimensional supergravity theories endowed with a positive cosmological constant, that admit de Sitter vacua. We consider the cases of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 as well as $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetry, and couple the supergravity to a superconformal field theory with the same amount of supersymmetry. Upon fixing a supersymmetric extension of the Weyl gauge, the theories are captured, at the quantum level, by supersymmetric extensions of timelike Liouville theory with $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 and $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 supersymmetry respectively. The theories exhibit good ultraviolet properties and are amenable to a variety of techniques such as systematic loop expansions and, in the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 case, supersymmetric localization. Our constructions offer a novel path toward a precise treatment of the Euclidean gravitational path integral for de Sitter, and in turn, the Gibbons-Hawking entropy of the de Sitter horizon. We argue that the supersymmetric localization method applied to the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 theory must receive contributions from boundary terms in configuration space. We also discuss how these theories overcome several obstructions that appear upon combining de Sitter space with supersymmetry.