bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Red Carbon”: A Rediscovered Covalent Crystalline Semiconductor
Authors: Odziomek Mateusz , Giusto Paolo , Kossmann Janina , Tarakina Nadezda V. , Heske Julian , Rivadeneira Salvador M. , Keil Waldemar , Schmidt Claudia , Mazzanti Stefano , Savateev Oleksandr , Perdigón‐Toro Lorena , Neher Dieter , Kühne Thomas D. , Antonietti Markus , López‐Salas Nieves
Published: August 2022

Carbon suboxide (C3O2) is a unique molecule able to polymerize spontaneously into highly conjugated light‐absorbing structures at temperatures as low as 0 °C. Despite obvious advantages, little is known about the nature and the functional properties of this carbonaceous material. In this work, the aim is to bring “red carbon,” a forgotten polymeric semiconductor, back to the community's attention. A solution polymerization process is adapted to simplify the synthesis and control the structure. This allows one to obtain this crystalline covalent material at low temperatures. Both spectroscopic and elemental analyses support the chemical structure represented as conjugated ladder polypyrone ribbons. Density functional theory calculations suggest a crystalline structure of AB stacks of polypyrone ribbons and identify the material as a direct bandgap semiconductor with a medium bandgap that is further confirmed by optical analysis. The material shows promising photocatalytic performance using blue light. Moreover, the simple condensation–aromatization route described here allows the straightforward fabrication of conjugated ladder polymers and can be inspiring for the synthesis of carbonaceous materials at low temperatures in general.
Monolithic Integration of Perovskite Photoabsorbers with IGZO Thin‐Film Transistor Backplane for Phototransistor‐Based Image Sensor
Authors: Chen Tong , Wang Chunyun , Yang Guoshen , Lou Qiang , Lin Qingping , Zhang Shengdong , Zhou Hang
Published: August 2022

Monolithic integration of perovskite materials and their optoelectronic devices with well‐developed thin‐film transistor (TFT) backplane is leading to new applications in displays and image sensors. Herein, a scalable polyimide assisted patterning approach for monolithic integration of perovskite based high‐sensitive phototransistor array on indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) active matrix backplane is introduced. Polyimide vias are first formed by conventional photolithography process, through which uniform perovskite films of arbitrary patterns with feature size less than 20 µm are fabricated by spin‐on‐patterning method. Using this technique, patterns of quasi 2D perovskite photoabsorbing layer are precisely deposited onto the channel area of the photosensing IGZO TFT, forming high‐performance phototransistors with responsivity and detectivity reaching 835.7 A W−1 and 5.4 × 1012 Jones, respectively. An image sensor with 8 × 8 pixels array containing both photosensing perovskite/IGZO transistors and switching IGZO transistors is demonstrated, in which the switching IGZO transistor elements on the backplane are protected by the non‐patterned region of the polyimide encapsulation layer. This whole fabrication process is compatible with TFT manufacturing process and will significantly reduce the cost needed for constructing next generation high‐resolution image sensors.
Highly Durable Compact Sleeve Triboelectric–Electromagnetic Hybrid Nanogenerator for Broadband Triggered Energy Harvesting and Active Wind Speed Sensing
Authors: Rui Pinshu , Li Dongpeng , Zi Zhenfa , Zhao Yan
Published: August 2022

Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has great potential in harvesting low‐frequency environmental mechanical energy, but the unavoidable friction between tribo‐layers limits the frequency range and efficiency of energy harvesting. Herein, a lower friction and high‐performance triboelectric–electromagnetic hybrid nanogenerator (TE‐HNG) is proposed to harvest broadband rotation energy. The compact sleeve multi‐unit TENG and electromagnetic generator are integrated to achieve respective complementary in electrical output and energy harvesting frequencies. The charge‐supplement type TENG with a single arched fluorinated ethylene propylene film design can not only supplement the charge dissipation of the Nylon surface in time but also ensure the stable output of TENG. The influences of the rotation speed on the electrical output and optimal load of TENG are systematically studied. As a self‐powered active wind speed sensor, the TE‐HNG device can detect the wind speed as low as 1 m s−1, which indicates that the TE‐HNG can harvest broadband wind energy (≈1 m s−1). Triggered by the wind, the TE‐HNG device can not only power the temperature/humidity sensor to work steadily and continuously but also realize the full‐automatic and self‐powered operation of the environmental meteorological monitoring system by combining the energy management and wireless transmission module.
Hierarchical Graphene‐Dye Bilayers for Multimodal Optoelectronic Sensing and Decoupling of Complex Stimuli
Authors: Khatib Muhammad , Rapoport Shelley , Zohar Orr , Mansour Elias , Zheng Youbin , Tang Ning , Saliba Walaa , Mulytin Yana , Huynh Tan‐Phat , Haick Hossam
Published: August 2022

Signals obtained by chemical or calorimetric sensors are highly coupled and complex, making it very challenging to precisely detect and discriminate between simultaneous stimuli. The development of sensors that provide multiple sensory outputs is a good way to tackle such a long‐lasting challenge. Herein, a new design of multimodal sensors capable of generating both colorimetric and electrical sensory outputs is introduced. This is achieved by coupling two functional nanolayers, graphene (electrically active) and dyes (colorimetric) in which each layer can work either autonomously or in conjugation with the other sensing layer. It is shown that the interfacial interaction of graphene with the wide variety of dyes creates unique interfacial sensing sites for the detection of chemicals. This endows each sensor or sensor array, in the format of (opto)electronic nose, with a “fingerprint” of varying bonding possibilities, enlarging the spectrum of gas–sensor interactions. Furthermore, it is shown that the hierarchical nanobilayer structure allows the separation and discrimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) based on their diffusion kinetics. Taken together, the bilayer design qualifies as a superior sensor compared to unimodal devices by offering improved detection limits, wider dynamic ranges, and higher sensitivity and selectivity in the binary discrimination of a wide range of stimuli (temperature, relative humidity, and VOCs).
Constructing Soft Perovskite–Substrate Interfaces for Dynamic Modulation of Perovskite Film in Inverted Solar Cells with Over 6200 Hours Photostability
Authors: Lv Wenxuan , Hu Zhaoying , Qiu Wei , Yan Dongdong , Li Meicheng , Mei Anyi , Xu Ligang , Chen Runfeng
Published: August 2022

High‐performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs) depend heavily on the quality of perovskite films, which is closely related to the lattice distortion, perovskite crystallization, and interfacial defects when being spin‐coated and annealed on the substrate surface. Here, a dynamic strategy to modulate the perovskite film formation by using a soft perovskite–substrate interface constructed by employing amphiphilic soft molecules (ASMs) with long alkyl chains and Lewis base groups is proposed. The hydrophobic alkyl chains of ASMs interacted with poly(triarylamine) (PTAA) greatly improve the wettability of PTAA to facilitate the nucleation and growth of perovskite crystals, while the Lewis base groups bound to perovskite lattices significantly passivate the defects in situ. More importantly, this soft perovskite–substrate interface with ASMs between PTAA and perovskite film can dynamically match the lattice distortion with reduced interfacial residual strain upon perovskite crystallization and thermal annealing owing to the soft self‐adaptive long‐chains, leading to high‐quality perovskite films. Thus, the inverted PSCs show a power conversion efficiency approaching 20% with good reproducibility and negligible hysteresis. More impressively, the unencapsulated device exhibits state‐of‐the‐art photostability, retaining 84% of its initial efficiency under continuous simulated 1‐sun illumination for more than 6200 h at elevated temperature (≈65 °C).
Advances of Various Heterogeneous Structure Types in Molecular Junction Systems and Their Charge Transport Properties
Authors: Shin Jaeho , Eo Jung Sun , Jeon Takgyeong , Lee Takhee , Wang Gunuk
Published: August 2022

Molecular electronics that can produce functional electronic circuits using a single molecule or molecular ensemble remains an attractive research field because it not only represents an essential step toward realizing ultimate electronic device scaling but may also expand our understanding of the intrinsic quantum transports at the molecular level. Recently, in order to overcome the difficulties inherent in the conventional approach to studying molecular electronics and developing functional device applications, this field has attempted to diversify the electrical characteristics and device architectures using various types of heterogeneous structures in molecular junctions. This review summarizes recent efforts devoted to functional devices with molecular heterostructures. Diverse molecules and materials can be combined and incorporated in such two‐ and three‐terminal heterojunction structures, to achieve desirable electronic functionalities. The heterojunction structures, charge transport mechanisms, and possible strategies for implementing electronic functions using various hetero unit materials are presented sequentially. In addition, the applicability and merits of molecular heterojunction structures, as well as the anticipated challenges associated with their implementation in device applications are discussed and summarized. This review will contribute to a deeper understanding of charge transport through molecular heterojunction, and it may pave the way toward desirable electronic functionalities in molecular electronics applications.
Long‐Duration and Non‐Invasive Photoacoustic Imaging of Multiple Anatomical Structures in a Live Mouse Using a Single Contrast Agent
Authors: Khadria Anjul , Paavola Chad D. , Zhang Yang , Davis Samuel P. X. , Grealish Patrick F. , Maslov Konstantin , Shi Junhui , Beals John M. , Oladipupo Sunday S. , Wang Lihong V.
Published: August 2022

Long‐duration in vivo simultaneous imaging of multiple anatomical structures is useful for understanding physiological aspects of diseases, informative for molecular optimization in preclinical models, and has potential applications in surgical settings to improve clinical outcomes. Previous studies involving simultaneous imaging of multiple anatomical structures, for example, blood and lymphatic vessels as well as peripheral nerves and sebaceous glands, have used genetically engineered mice, which require expensive and time‐consuming methods. Here, an IgG4 isotype control antibody is labeled with a near‐infrared dye and injected into a mouse ear to enable simultaneous visualization of blood and lymphatic vessels, peripheral nerves, and sebaceous glands for up to 3 h using photoacoustic microscopy. For multiple anatomical structure imaging, peripheral nerves and sebaceous glands are imaged inside the injected dye‐labeled antibody mass while the lymphatic vessels are visualized outside the mass. The efficacy of the contrast agent to label and localize deep medial lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes using photoacoustic computed tomography is demonstrated. The capability of a single injectable contrast agent to image multiple structures for several hours will potentially improve preclinical therapeutic optimization, shorten discovery timelines, and enable clinical treatments.
Chemical Strain Engineering of MAPbI3 Perovskite Films
Authors: Yalcinkaya Yenal , Hermes Ilka M. , Seewald Tobias , Amann‐Winkel Katrin , Veith Lothar , Schmidt‐Mende Lukas , Weber Stefan A.L.
Published: August 2022

This study introduces a new chemical method for controlling the strain in methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite crystals by varying the ratio of Pb(Ac)2 and PbCl2 in the precursor solution. To observe the effect on crystal strain, a combination of piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) is used. The PFM images show an increase in the average size of ferroelastic twin domains upon increasing the PbCl2 content, indicating an increase in crystal strain. The XRD spectra support this observation with strong crystal twinning features that appear in the spectra. This behavior is caused by a strain gradient during the crystallization due to different evaporation rates of methylammonium acetate and methylammonium chloride as revealed by time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy and grazing incidince X‐ray diffraction measurements. Additional time‐resolved photoluminescence shows an increased carrier lifetime in the MAPbI3 films prepared with higher PbCl2 content, suggesting a decreased trap density in films with larger twin domain structures. The results demonstrate the potential of chemical strain engineering as a simple method for controlling strain‐related effects in lead halide perovskites.
Kinetically guided high‐yield and rapid production of ε‐caprolactone in a microreactor system
Authors: Yang Yue , Du Wei , Qian Gang , Duan Xuezhi , Gu Xiongyi , Zhou Xinggui , Yang Zhirong , Zhang Jing
Published: August 2022

Industrial production of ε‐caprolactone, the monomer of biodegradable polycaprolactone, consists of acetic acid peroxidation and the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone in semi‐batch reactors. The strong exothermic feature of the latter and ease of ε‐caprolactone hydrolysis significantly affects the production efficiency. Here, collective effects of kinetic studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal activation energy of the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation is higher than that of ε‐caprolactone hydrolysis and the hydrolysis barrier is controlled by hydrogen bond energy of the reaction medium. Then, we developed a microreactor system to intensify heat transfer thereby allowing safe and efficient production of ε‐caprolactone. A yield of 99.6% was achieved within minutes via consecutive two‐step reactions of peroxidation and the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation, as compared with state‐of‐the‐art yield of 96% in hours of industrial operation. The high selectivity is attributed to high reaction temperature allowed by the microreactor and DFT‐guided choice of solvent to mitigate the hydrolysis.
Topology, Oxidation States, and Charge Transport in Ionic Conductors
Authors: Pegolo Paolo , Baroni Stefano , Grasselli Federico
Published: August 2022

Recent theoretical advances, based on a combination of concepts from Thouless' topological theory of adiabatic charge transport and a newly introduced gauge‐invariance principle for transport coefficients, have permitted to connect (and reconcile) Faraday's picture of ionic transport—whereby each atom carries a well‐defined integer charge—with a rigorous quantum description of the electronic charge‐density distribution, which hardly suggests its partition into well defined atomic contributions. In this paper, these progresses are reviewed; in particular, it is shown how, by relaxing some general topological conditions, charge may be transported in ionic conductors without any net ionic displacements. After reporting numerical experiments which corroborate these findings, a new connection between the topological picture and the well‐known Marcus–Hush theory of electron transfer is introduced in terms of the topology of adiabatic paths drawn by atomic trajectories. As a significant byproduct, the results reviewed here permit to classify different regimes of ionic transport according to the topological properties of the electronic structure of the conducting material. Finally, a few recent applications to energy materials and planetary sciences are reported.
Order‐dependent and delay‐dependent conditions for stability and stabilization of fractional‐order time‐varying delay systems using small gain theorem
Authors: Jin Xiao‐Chuang , Lu Jun‐Guo
Published: August 2022

In this paper, the stability and stabilization problems for fractional‐order time‐varying delay systems are investigated. Firstly, by casting the stability problem as one of robust stability analysis problems and utilizing the small gain theorem, an order‐dependent and delay‐dependent stability condition for fractional‐order time‐varying delay systems is developed. Taking advantage of the information of order and delay, the stability condition is less conservative than the existing results. Then, state feedback controllers that stabilize fractional‐order time‐varying delay systems are developed. To tackle the computational difficulty of the controller design method, a local optimization algorithm is proposed. Finally, numerical examples are provided to illustrate that the proposed criteria are valid and less conservative than the existing ones.
Microglia activation in the mPFC mediates anxiety‐like behaviors caused by Staphylococcus aureus strain USA300
Authors: Zou Jiao , Shang Weilong , Yang Ling , Liu Tianyao , Wang Lian , Li Xin , Zhao Jinghui , Rao Xiancai , Gao Junwei , Fan Xiaotang
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is considered as one of the major causative agents of serious hospital‐ and community‐acquired infections. Recent studies have reported that S. aureus infection induced neuroinflammation and was linked with some mental disorders. To evaluate the effects of S. aureus infection on abnormal behaviors, we conducted the present study.

Methods: A S. aureus USA300‐infected mouse model was established using bacterial suspension injection into tail vein. A series of behavioral tests were performed after USA300 infection. The expression of cytokines was detected in serum and mPFC. The number and some morphological parameters of microglia were also evaluated by immunofluorescence staining.

Results: Anxiety‐like behaviors, instead of locomotor activity impairment or depression‐like behaviors, were observed in mice infected with S. aureus USA300 compared with control. S. aureus USA300 infection caused overexpression of IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β in serum, resulted in microglial over‐activation and excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines in the mPFC. In addition, overexpression of TLR2 accompanied by increased GLS1 and p‐STAT3 was observed in the mPFC of mice infected with S. aureus USA300.

Conclusion: This study provides evidence that S. aureus USA300 infection can lead to neuroinflammation in the mPFC of mice, which may contribute to the development of anxiety.
The association between body mass index and efficacy of pembrolizumab as second‐line therapy in patients with recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Xinyi , Rui Mengyu , Lin Chao , Li Zhi , Wei Dongliang , Han Ruxue , Ju Houyu , Ren Guoxin
Published: August 2022

Background

Recent evidence suggested a potential correlation between BMI and the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of the body mass index (BMI) in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) patients treat with pembrolizumab.

Methods

The current retrospective cohort study enrolled 49 R/M HNSCC patients underwent at least one cycle of pembrolizumab as second‐line treatment from June 2018 to October 2020. Survival analysis of immunotherapy prognosis and risk factor analysis of age, gender, BMI, ECOG‐PS, CPS, rT‐stage, tumor site, and tube feeding.

Results

Among the 49 patients, the BMI at the time of immunotherapy ranged from 14.5 to 32.0 kg/m2. The Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the BMI was significantly correlated with overall survival time (OS, p = 0.0007) and progression‐free survival time (PFS, p = 0.0012). BMI, gender, prior treatment, serum albumin level, ECOG‐PS, CPS and rT‐stage were analyzed in multivariate Cox regression model analysis after adjusted for potential confounding clinical variables. Patients with underweight (OS:HR = 6.862, 95% CI:1.566–30.064, p = 0.011; PFS:HR = 5.672, 95% CI:1.364–23.586, p = 0.017);ECOG≥2 (OS:HR = 0.250, 95% CI:0.086–0.731, p = 0.011;PFS:HR = 0.284, 95% CI:0.101–0.805, p = 0.018); CPS <1(OS: HR = 4.34, 95% CI:1.271–15.464, p = 0.019; PFS:HR = 3.859, 95% CI:1.180–12.618, p = 0.025) and rT4‐stage(OS:HR = 4.380, 95% CI:1.452–13.209, p = 0.009;PFS: HR = 3.799, 95% CI:1.240–11.638, p = 0.019) suffered higher risk of mortality.

Conclusions

The BMI at the time of clinical diagnosis was showed to be an independent predictive factor for R/M HNSCC patients receiving pembrolizumab. Compared with normal weight patients, underweight patients have worse clinical prognosis.
The Unprecedented [S4N2O10]2−Anion in the Molecular Gold Complexes [Au2Br2(S4N2O10)2] and [Au2Cl2(S4N2O10)2](S2O5Cl2)
Authors: Rennebaum Tobias , van Gerven David , Wickleder Mathias S.
Published: August 2022

The reaction of hexachlorophosphazene, P3N3Cl6, with SO3and the gold halides AuCl3and AuBr3, respectively, leads to the new cyclic anionic tetramer, [S4N2O10]2−, which is coordinated to Au3+in the dimeric complexes [Au2X2(S4N2O10)2] (X=Cl, Br). The [S4N2O10]2−anion can be seen as the condensation product of two sulfate anions, [SO4]2−,and two amidosulfate anions, [NH2SO3]−.
Use of O3 and O3/H2O2 for degradation of organic matter from Bayer liquor towards new resource management: Kinetic and mechanism
Authors: Pastor Miguel Antonio Soplin , Botelho Junior Amilton Barbosa , Tenório Jorge Alberto Soares , Espinosa Denise Crocce Romano , Baltazar Marcela dos Passos Galluzzi
Published: August 2022

Since the quality of bauxite resources has decreased and the organic carbon content has increased, different approaches are explored to remove the organic matter in alumina production. Advanced oxidative processes (AOPs) represent a possibility since they are widely used as an alternative for treating wastewaters to degrade organic pollutant molecules and in hydrometallurgy processes. For this reason, the goal of the project was the ozonation of Bayer liquor for organic matter removal. The ozone concentration was evaluated over time, as well as the H2O2 concentration and temperature. Results showed that the total organic carbon (TOC) removal achieved 19% in the most optimized condition with a kinetic rate of 0.0157 h−1 –21.9 mg/L O3, 0.05 mol/L H2O2 at 80°C. The colour of the liquor changed from dark brown to white‐yellow, indicating that the size of the organic compounds had decreased. Also, 95.4% of degraded TOC formed CO2, and almost 50% of the organic matter was oxalate compounds. The energy required for ozone production versus removed organic matter demonstrated that the technique proposed might be technically and economically feasible to be applied in the Bayer process. The study demonstrates the application of AOP in an extremely alkaline condition.
Bacillus subtilis‐based microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) in polymer microfluidic chip
Authors: Liu Jingji , Gao Kexin , Zhang Yajun , Fan Yiqiang
Published: August 2022

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is a tertiary oil recovery process that manipulates the microbial environment inside oil reservoirs to modify the physical/chemical properties of the reservoirs to enhance the oil recovery. Up to now, the detailed MEOR mechanism is still not entirely clear due to the multiple influence factors (e.g., pH, nutrients, temperature, porosity, and permeability) on microbial growth and reproduction, as well as the lack of understanding of microbial's influencing mechanism on the oil recovery process. In this study, a Bacillus subtilis‐based MEOR process was conducted in a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)‐based microfluidic device to mimic the MEOR process in the reservoir. The porous microstructure based on real sandstone slice images was fabricated with laser ablation on a PMMA substrate. Two different MEOR approaches were conducted in the PMMA‐based microfluidics devices: the direct injection of displacing reagent (biosurfactant produced by bacteria) into the microfluidic chip for the oil recovery (ex‐situ), and the incubation of bacteria solution inside the chip followed with brine flooding (in‐situ). The result indicates the ex‐situ MEOR process with B. subtilis can reach a recovery rate of 38.56%, while the in‐situ MEOR process with B. subtilis reached a recovery rate of 40.27%. The proposed study provides a new tool for understanding the MEOR process, with advantages in visibility and accurate fluid control during the MEOR process.
Direct conversion of poor‐quality residual oil to light gases in electricity‐driven thermal plasma reactor
Authors: Ali Mehran , Cheng Yi , Li Yue , An Hang , Jin Yong
Published: August 2022

Nowadays, the utilization of non‐conventional oil resources has become an increasingly attractive solution for producing valuable chemicals and materials due to the depletion of conventional oil resources. Plasma technology, powered by renewable energy sources, provides a potential way to convert low‐grade residual oil into lighter hydrocarbons in an environmentally friendly fashion. This study has developed a laboratory‐scale plasma pyrolysis system to investigate the impacts of residual oil characteristics and operating variables such as residual oil‐specific enthalpy, arc gas flow rate, arc gas composition, quenching, and plasma configuration. The results show that the higher specific enthalpy of the residual oil leads to higher yields of C1, C2, and H2, particularly C2H2. An increment in the arc gas flow rate improves the pyrolysis impact; however, an excessively high arc gas flow rate lowers the thermal plasma jet's temperature, causing a limited pyrolysis effect. In the composition of arc gas, the increasing concentration of H2 can enhance the specific enthalpy and improve carbon conversion from residual oil to gas products, both of which result in a higher yield of light gases. Furthermore, ethane gas has been used as a quenching medium after plasma pyrolysis. The results reveal that ethane can be cracked into ethylene and other products by taking full use of the heat energy of the gas. Meanwhile, the sharp decrease in the gas temperature inhibits the further pyrolysis of the main valuable products.
Recent Advances in Asymmetric Transformations of Unactivated Alkanes and Cycloalkanes through Direct C—H Functionalization
Authors: Cheng Shiyan , Li Qianyu , Cheng Xiuliang , Lin Yu‐Mei , Gong Lei
Published: August 2022

Comprehensive Summary

The direct conversion of unactivated alkanes and cycloalkanes into structurally diverse molecules through aliphatic C—H functionalization is a useful process, which has attracted intense interest from academia and industry. Methods to control chemo‐ and site‐selectivity, combined with asymmetric catalysis, provide appealing access to high value‐added enantiomer‐enriched compounds but are far less developed. This review focuses on recent progress in (i) asymmetric reactions of alkanes or cycloalkanes with prochiral substrates which generate a stereocenter adjacent to the cleaved C(sp3)–H bond, and (ii) C(sp3)–H enantiodiscriminatory reactions creating a new stereogenic center on the carbon of a cleaved C(sp3)–H bond. Elegant strategies are discussed, including (a) metal carbene‐induced C—H insertions by chiral rhodium catalysts, (b) metal‐oxo‐mediated C—H oxidation by biomimetic manganese catalysts, (c) enzyme catalysis by cytochromes P450 variants, and (d) dual catalysis by a photocatalyst and a chiral Lewis acid (CLA) or a chiral phosphoric acid (CPA). These catalytic systems can not only precisely recognize primary, secondary and tertiary C—H bonds at specific positions in alkanes and cycloalkanes, but also support a high level of stereoselectivity in the reactions. It is expected that the advances will stimulate further progress in asymmetric catalysis, synthetic methodology, pharmaceutical development and industrial processes.
The role of MiRNA‐433 in malignant tumors of digestive tract as tumor suppressor
Authors: Tang Jie , Chen Jiawei , Wang Yongqiang , Zhou Shaobo
Published: August 2022

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non‐coding RNAs with a length of approximate 22 nuclei acids that can be expressed both as an oncogene and tumor suppressor gene in human cancers. MiRNAs can participate in the post‐ transcriptional regulation of gene expression, and regulate the several cancer‐related processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, metastasis, etc.

Recent findings

Expression of miRNA‐433 has been reported to vary in different tumors and affected by various factors. We have summarized the different previous studies and found that miRNA‐433 can significantly inhibit the growth of the cancer cells not only in malignant tumors of the digestive tract, but also in lung cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, renal carcinoma, glioma, retinoblastoma and osteosarcoma.

Conclusion

When the expression of miRNA‐433 was up‐regulated, the proliferation, metastasis and invasion abilities of the malignant tumor cells were significantly inhibited. At the same time, the potential mechanisms through which miRNA‐433 can suppress the growth and metastasis of the cancer cells were found to be basically the same, and involved modulation of the specific signaling pathways or target genes in the malignant tumors. Overall, it can be concluded that miRNA‐433 can serve as potential and valuable therapeutic target.
Resonances at Fundamental and Harmonic Frequencies for Selective Imaging of Sine‐Wave Illuminated Reversibly Photoactivatable Labels
Authors: Pellissier‐Tanon Agnès , Chouket Raja , Zhang Ruikang , Lahlou Aliénor , Espagne Agathe , Lemarchand Annie , Croquette Vincent , Jullien Ludovic , Le Saux Thomas
Published: August 2022

We introduce HIGHLIGHT as a simple and general strategy to selectively image a reversibly photoactivatable fluorescent label associated with a given kinetics. The label is submitted to sine‐wave illumination of large amplitude, which generates oscillations of its concentration and fluorescence at higher harmonic frequencies. For singularizing a label, HIGHLIGHT uses specific frequencies and mean light intensities associated with resonances of the amplitudes of concentration and fluorescence oscillations at harmonic frequencies. Several non‐redundant resonant observables are simultaneously retrieved from a single experiment with phase‐sensitive detection. HIGHLIGHT is used for selective imaging of four spectrally similar fluorescent proteins that had not been discriminated so far. Moreover, labels out of targeted locations can be discarded in an inhomogeneous spatial profile of illumination. HIGHLIGHT opens roads for simplified optical setups at reduced cost and easier maintenance.
In Vitro Transformation and Selection of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum
Authors: Phan Amber , Romeis Emily , Tantalo Lauren , Giacani Lorenzo
Published: August 2022

Although the isolation of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (T. pallidum) from a syphilis patient dates to 1912, for the duration of the 20th century, this pathogen has remained an exceedingly difficult organism to study due to the lack of a system to support its viability in vitro. This limitation, in turn, has precluded the application of genetic engineering techniques via transformation and subsequent selection of T. pallidum transformants. A recently described method for in vitro cultivation of T. pallidum, however, has made it possible for us to experiment with transformation and selection methods. Here we describe the approach that we adopted to successfully transform T. pallidum with foreign DNA and select the resulting recombinant strain using kanamycin. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Transformation of T. pallidum

Support Protocol 1: Quantification of T. pallidum in suspensions using dark‐field microscopy

Support Protocol 2: Counting cells using a hemacytometer

Basic Protocol 2: Selection, initial passaging, and expansion of transformed cultures

Basic Protocol 3: Isolation of a clonal strain through limiting dilution
Detection of Neutralizing Anti‐Type 1 Interferon Autoantibodies
Authors: Shaw Elana R. , Rosen Lindsey B. , Ding Li , Holland Steven M. , Su Helen C.
Published: August 2022

Autoantibodies (autoAbs) that neutralize type 1 interferons (T1IFNs) are a major risk factor associated with developing critical COVID‐19 disease and are most commonly found in individuals over age 70 and in patients with genetic or acquired thymic defects. Swift identification of autoAb‐positive individuals may allow targeted interventions to prevent critical COVID‐19 disease. Herein, we provide a workflow and protocols aimed at rapidly identifying individuals who are autoAb positive from a large cohort. Basic Protocol 1 describes a multiplex particle‐based assay to screen large cohorts of individuals for binding levels of anti‐T1IFN autoAbs, and Basic Protocol 2 describes a functional assay to test if autoAbs in patient plasma can block T1IFN‐induced JAK/STAT signaling. © Published 2022. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Basic Protocol 1: Multiplex particle‐based bead assay to screen for binding levels of anti‐type 1 interferon autoantibodies

Alternate Protocol: Multiplex particle‐based bead assay to screen for binding levels of anti‐type 1 interferon immunoglobulin subtypes and isotypes

Support Protocol: Coupling type 1 interferons (IFN‐α, IFN‐β, and IFN‐ω) to magnetic beads

Basic Protocol 2: pSTAT1 functional assay to test for neutralization activity of anti‐type 1 interferon autoantibodies
Sustainable service ecosystems from the transformative value perspective: A study in tourism destinations
Authors: Moliner‐Tena Miguel Ángel , Monferrer‐Tirado Diego , Estrada‐Guillén Marta , Vidal‐Meliá Lidia
Published: August 2022

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between sustainability with customer satisfaction and service experience in service ecosystems, by analyzing the moderated role of business models. A model with four variables is proposed, whereby customer satisfaction is the dependent variable, perceived sustainability of the service ecosystem is the explanatory variable, service experience is the mediator variable, and business models is the moderator variable. The model is applied in a survey of tourists. The results enable comparison of the causal model: perceived sustainability influences customer satisfaction directly and indirectly through service experience; and business model can play a moderator role since significant differences are identified in one of the three types of tourism destinations.
Battery and supercapacitor assisted controller for stability enhancement of DC microgrid
Authors: Aswakumar Geetha Anu , Bernonse Vasantha Annie , Raveendran Pillai Hari Kumar , Somarajan Ushakumari
Published: August 2022

Despite the widespread popularity of DC microgrid (DCMG), one of the key issues faced by it is the instability arising from supply‐demand imbalance, which is conventionally tackled via energy storage units such as batteries. But the life cycle of the battery, which may reduce when subjected to transients, can be prolonged by integrating fast acting supercapacitor (SC) with higher power density. Such a combination of energy storage units enables the DCMG to handle steady state and transient conditions effectively. However, the reduction in the operating voltage of SC may bring in ringing in the DC bus voltage, which will affect DCMG stability. Hence, this paper focuses on analysing the impact of SC voltage deviation on DCMG stability and to propose a controller design procedure with conventional PI controller and power management strategy to mitigate the aforementioned consequences. The simulation in MATLAB and real‐time validation in OP4510 real‐time simulator has been conducted. The results of both revealed that the proposed scheme has succeeded in eliminating ringing of DC bus voltage, irrespective of the SC operating voltage variations, thereby maintaining DCMG stability.
Spontaneous neuronal regeneration in the forebrain of the leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) following neurochemical lesioning
Authors: Austin Laura E. , Graham Chloe , Vickaryous Matthew K.
Published: August 2022

Background

Neurogenesis is the ability to generate new neurons from resident stem/progenitor populations. Although often understood as a homeostatic process, several species of teleost fish, salamanders, and lacertid lizards are also capable of reactive neurogenesis, spontaneously replacing lost or damaged neurons. Here, we demonstrate that reactive neurogenesis also occurs in a distantly related lizard species, Eublepharis macularius, the leopard gecko.

Results

To initiate reactive neurogenesis, the antimetabolite 3‐acetylpyridine (3‐AP) was administered. Four days following 3‐AP administration there is a surge in neuronal cell death within a region of the forebrain known as the medial cortex (homolog of the mammalian hippocampal formation). Neuronal cell death is accompanied by a shift in resident microglial morphology and an increase neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation. By 30 days following 3‐AP administration, the medial cortex was entirely repopulated by NeuN+ neurons. At the same time, local microglia have reverted to a resting state and cell proliferation by neural stem/progenitors has returned to levels comparable with uninjured controls.

Conclusions

Together, these data provide compelling evidence of reactive neurogenesis in leopard geckos, and indicate that the ability of lizards to spontaneously replace lost or damaged forebrain neurons is more taxonomically widespread and evolutionarily conserved than previously considered.
How does variation in total and relative abundance contribute to gradients of species diversity?
Authors: Engel Thore , Blowes Shane A. , McGlinn Daniel J. , Gotelli Nicholas J. , McGill Brian J. , Chase Jonathan M.
Published: August 2022

Patterns of biodiversity provide insights into the processes that shape biological communities around the world. Variation in species diversity along biogeographical or ecological gradients, such as latitude or precipitation, can be attributed to variation in different components of biodiversity: changes in the total abundance (i.e., more‐individual effects) and changes in the regional species abundance distribution (SAD). Rarefaction curves can provide a tool to partition these sources of variation on diversity, but first must be converted to a common unit of measurement. Here, we partition species diversity gradients into components of the SAD and abundance using the effective number of species (ENS) transformation of the individual‐based rarefaction curve. Because the ENS curve is unconstrained by sample size, it can act as a standardized unit of measurement when comparing effect sizes among different components of biodiversity change. We illustrate the utility of the approach using two data sets spanning latitudinal diversity gradients in trees and marine reef fish and find contrasting results. Whereas the diversity gradient of fish was mostly associated with variation in abundance (86%), the tree diversity gradient was mostly associated with variation in the SAD (59%). These results suggest that local fish diversity may be limited by energy through the more‐individuals effect, while species pool effects are the larger determinant of tree diversity. We suggest that the framework of the ENS‐curve has the potential to quantify the underlying factors influencing most aspects of diversity change.
Efficacy and safety of co‐crystal of tramadol‐celecoxib (CTC) in acute moderate‐to‐severe pain after abdominal hysterectomy: A randomized, double‐blind, phase 3 trial (STARDOM2)
Authors: Langford Richard , Morte Adelaida , Sust Mariano , Cebrecos Jesús , Vaqué Anna , Ortiz Esther , Fettiplace James , Adeyemi Shola , Raba Grzegorz , But‐Husaim Liudmila , Gascón Neus , Plata‐Salamán Carlos
Published: August 2022

Background

STARDOM2 is a randomized, double‐blind, phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of co‐crystal of tramadol‐celecoxib (CTC)—a first‐in‐class analgesic co‐crystal comprising racemic tramadol hydrochloride and celecoxib in a supramolecular network that modifies their pharmacokinetic properties—for the management of acute postoperative pain (NCT03062644; EudraCT:2016–000593‐38).

Methods

Patients with moderate‐to‐severe pain following abdominal hysterectomy were randomized 2:2:2:2:2:1 to oral CTC 100 mg (rac‐tramadol hydrochloride 44 mg/celecoxib 56 mg) twice daily (BID); CTC 150 mg (66/84 mg) BID; CTC 200 mg (88/112 mg) BID; immediate‐release tramadol 100 mg four times daily (QID); celecoxib 100 mg BID; or placebo, for 5 days. The primary endpoint was the sum of pain intensity differences over 0–4 h (SPID0–4). Key secondary endpoints were rescue medication use within 4 h, 50% response rate at 4 h, and safety/tolerability.

Results

Of 1355 patients enrolled, 1138 were randomized (full analysis set) and 1136 treated (safety analysis set). In the prespecified gatekeeping analysis of SPID0–4, CTC 200 mg was not superior to tramadol but showed non‐inferior efficacy (p < 0.001) that was sustained throughout the 120‐h period, despite a 5‐day cumulative tramadol administration of 880 mg with CTC 200 mg BID versus 2000 mg with tramadol 100 mg QID. Treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and severe TEAEs were less common with CTC 200 mg versus tramadol. Treatment‐related TEAEs were 14.4% with CTC 200 mg and 23.6% with tramadol.

Conclusions

Although the study did not meet its primary endpoint, CTC 200 mg showed a clinically relevant improvement in overall benefit/risk profile versus tramadol alone, with considerably lower cumulative opioid exposure.

Significance

In the randomized, double‐blind, phase 3 STARDOM2 trial—in acute moderate‐to‐severe pain after abdominal hysterectomy—the novel co‐crystal of tramadol‐celecoxib (CTC) 200 mg BID was superior to placebo and non‐inferior to tramadol 100 mg QID. Although superiority to tramadol was not reached, CTC 200 mg BID exposed patients to lower cumulative opioid (tramadol) doses than tramadol (100 mg QID) alone, with fewer treatment‐emergent adverse events. CTC 200 mg thus has a clinically relevant improved benefit/risk profile compared with tramadol alone.
Robust forecasting in spatial autoregressive model with total variation regularization
Authors: Jiang He
Published: August 2022

In recent decades, feature selection has attracted great attention in data science due to curse of dimensionality, which arises in larger, complex, and heterogeneous data. However, existing researches of feature grouping on spatial autoregressive model are rare. To address this challenge, this paper investigates robust spatial autoregressive model with feature grouping and robust forecasting achieved automatically. The proposed novel methodology borrows strength from check loss function in quantile regression and total variation regularization. A simple‐to‐implement algorithm following double‐level alternative method of multipliers design is derived computationally. The empirical studies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods via comparing with other competing forecasting techniques.
Use of technology by people with dementia and informal carers during COVID‐19: A cross‐country comparison
Authors: Chirico Ilaria , Giebel Clarissa , Lion Katarzyna , Mackowiak Maria , Chattat Rabih , Cations Monica , Gabbay Mark , Moyle Wendy , Pappadà Alessandro , Rymaszewska Joanna , Senczyszyn Adrianna , Szczesniak Dorota , Tetlow Hilary , Trypka Elzbieta , Valente Marco , Ottoboni Giovanni
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Considering the adverse outcomes of COVID‐19, it is essential to provide adequate support and care for people with dementia and informal carers. Technology can reduce the distress associated with social distancing rules and the decreased access to in‐person services. This study aimed to explore the use of technology and its perceived effects across different settings and countries.

Methods

The sample was composed of 127 informal carers and 15 people with dementia from the UK, Italy, Australia and Poland. Semi‐structured interviews explored participants' experiences of using technology and their perceived effects. Transcripts were analysed by researchers in each country using an inductive approach.

Results

Three overarching themes were developed: (1) Technology kept us alive during COVID‐19; (2) Remote care was anything but easy; (3) Perceived technology limitations. Many similarities emerged between countries supporting the role of technology for being socially engaged, having a routine, and staying active. However, the benefits of technology for health and psychosocial care were more limited. Across countries, barriers to the access and use of technology included lack of digital literacy, dementia severity, and lack of appropriate digital environments. Help and supervision from carers were also necessary and sometimes perceived as an additional burden.

Conclusions

Technology can effectively reduce the shrinking world that may be amplified by the pandemic, thus preserving people with dementia's social skills and maintaining family connections. However, for more extensive and well‐adapted use of technology in dementia care, actions should be taken to overcome the barriers to the access and use of technology by older and vulnerable people globally.
Association between hemoglobin level and cognitive profile in old adults: A cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Yang Yaqi , Liu Shuai , Gan Jinghuan , Zhu Han , Du Xiaoshan , Chen Zhichao , Ma Lingyun , Meng Qingbo , Yang Fan , Chen Hui , Ji Yong
Published: August 2022

Objective

In the present study, the association between Hemoglobin (HGB) level and cognitive profile was investigated and whether it affected the dementia risk in older adults.

Methods

A cross‐sectional population‐based survey that included 3519 individuals ≥65 years of age was conducted in 2019. Basic demographic characteristics were collected. The neuropsychological assessments and blood tests were administered to evaluate cognition and HGB level. Generalized additive models were used to analyze the non‐linear association between HGB levels and cognitive function. Logistics regression models were utilized to analyze the associations between HGB level and dementia risk.

Results

Overall, 459 (12.7%) participants were diagnosed with dementia and there were more females (54.7%) than males (45.3%). The number of subjects with anemia (3%) or hyperhemoglobinemia (5.2%) was higher than participants with normal HGB level. A visual representation of the relationship between HGB level and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score showed an inverted U‐curve, which is more evident in female. Logistics regression models showed that anemia (odds ratio, OR = 1.826, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.166–2.860, p < 0.01), but not hyperhemoglobinemia, significantly increased the risk of dementia. These trends were not the same for males and females. An abnormal HGB level had greater effects in females, resulting in higher risk of dementia for females with anemia or hyperhemoglobinemia than subjects with normal HGB level including males.

Conclusion

Both low and high HGB levels can lead to cognitive decline in the incidence of dementia, indicating an inverted U‐shaped curve association may exist between HGB level and global cognitive profile.