bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From the Field to the Courthouse: Should Social Science Research Be Privileged?
Authors: McLaughlin Robert H.
Published: July 2006

Social scientists need clarification about the extent to which the confidential aspects of their research are protected from compulsory disclosure in legal proceedings, and the extent to which they ought to be. Investigating the nature of social science research with an emphasis on researcher-participant relationships in ethnographic practice, I conclude that a qualified privilege would confer three major benefits on social science researchers: confidence that the government will not unnecessarily interfere with research, facilitation of improved researcher-participant relationships, and increased accuracy, thoroughness, and reliability of research data. I also discuss the development of privilege and confidentiality issues in practical research contexts through an examination of two criminal cases in which social science researchers refused to divulge the confidential information obtained in the course of research. Finally, I discuss the possible formulations of a scholarly research privilege. This is especially important because courts have cast social scientists as members of the larger community of academic or scholarly researchers with respect to these issues. Potential sources of protection include state journalist protection laws, federal common law, and federal statutory law. Evaluation of these sources and the case law to which they correspond suggests that developing common law privileges in state and federal jurisprudence is the most promising means of affording the confidential aspects of social science research legal protection. As researchers continue to press privilege issues in state and federal courts, these courts should recognize a qualified research privilege accordingly.
Unraveling the Ivory Fabric: Institutional Obstacles to the Handling of Sexual Harassment Complaints
Authors: Kihnley Jennie
Published: July 2006

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 make universities liable for sexual harassment that occurs within both the employment and academic contexts. This article examines how universities implement and enforce the mandates of both Title VII and Title IX through exploratory research about sexual harassment complaint procedures at a public university system on the West Coast. In-depth interviews with personnel at each campus shed light on problems with inserting a complaint resolution process into an institution that simultaneously strives to eliminate sexual harassment, while wanting to protect itself from liability. This inherent conflict of goals is reflected in the differing roles of the Title IX office and the Women's Resource Center, in creation of a user friendly policy, and in the two branches of dispute resolution.
The Tributaries to the River
Authors: Sander Richard
Published: July 2006

In the field of legal education research, everyone talks about the importance of examining long-term outcomes, but nobody has done much about it-until now. ‘Michigan's Minority Graduates in Practice’ (Lempert, Chambers, and Adams 2000) is pioneering work, providing the most comprehensive look anyone has yet undertaken at the long-term experiences, achievements, and attitudes of specific law school cohorts. Moreover, it is work done at the highest social science standards-a standard not met often enough in this field. The care and professionalism of Richard Lempert, David Chambers, and Terry Adams will rightly give their findings enormous credibility.
Law and the Image of a Nation: Religious Conflict and Religious Freedom in a Brazilian Criminal Case
Authors: Kramer Eric W.
Published: July 2006

This article examines a criminal trial in Brazil that touched on the imagined role of religion in public life. The case involved a Protestant minister accused of religious discrimination and of vilipending an image of Nossa Senhora Aparecida, the patron saint of Brazil. The prosecution argued and the court concurred that the minister's iconoclastic verbal and physical gestures endangered the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. Yet the defense claimed that his actions, stemming from his religious convictions, expressed this same principle of freedom. Different visions of religious free-dom are at stake in the case as well as how such freedom relates to the rights and private lives of citizens. Placed in the history of church-state relations in Brazil, the case raises the problem of interpreting concepts of religious pluralism, religious freedom, and freedom of expression in Brazilian law.
Computational evaluation of the roles of Na+ current, iNa, and cell death in cardiac pacemaking and driving
Authors: Zhang H. , Zhao Y. , Lei M. , Dobrzynski H. , Liu J. H. , Holden A. V. , Boyett M. R.
Published: July 2006

Voltage-dependent sodium (Na+) channels are heterogeneously distributed through the pacemaker of the heart, the sinoatrial node (SA node). The measured sodium channel current ( iNa) density is higher in the periphery but low or zero in the center of the SA node. The functional roles of iNa in initiation and conduction of cardiac pacemaker activity remain uncertain. We evaluated the functional roles of iNa by computer modeling. A gradient model of the intact SA node and atrium of the rabbit heart was developed that incorporates both heterogeneities of the SA node electrophysiology and histological structure. Our computations show that a large iNa in the periphery helps the SA node to drive the atrial muscle. Removal iNa from the SA node slows down the pacemaking rate and increases the sinoatrial node-atrium conduction time. In some cases, reduction of the SA node iNa results in impairment of impulse initiation and conduction that leads to the SA node-atrium conduction exit block. Decrease in active SA node cell population has similar effects. Combined actions of reduced cell population and removal of iNa from the SA node have greater impacts on weakening the ability of the SA node to pace and drive the atrium.
Alveolar macrophages contribute to alveolar barrier dysfunction in ventilator-induced lung injury
Authors: Frank James A. , Wray Charlie M. , McAuley Danny F. , Schwendener Reto , Matthay Michael A.
Published: July 2006

In patients requiring mechanical ventilation for acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), tidal volume reduction decreases mortality, but the mechanisms of the protective effect have not been fully explored. To test the hypothesis that alveolar macrophage activation is an early and critical event in the initiation of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI), rats were ventilated with high tidal volume (HVT) for 10 min to 4 h. Alveolar macrophage counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid decreased 45% by 20 min of HVT( P < 0.05) consistent with activation-associated adhesion. Depletion of alveolar macrophages in vivo with liposomal clodronate significantly decreased permeability and pulmonary edema following 4 h of HVT( P < 0.05). BAL fluid from rats exposed to 20 min of HVTincreased nitric oxide synthase activity nearly threefold in naïve primary alveolar macrophages ( P < 0.05) indicating that soluble factors present in the air spaces contribute to macrophage activation in VILI. Media from cocultures of alveolar epithelial cell monolayers and alveolar macrophages exposed to 30 min of stretch in vitro also significantly increased nitrite production in naïve macrophages ( P < 0.05), but media from stretched alveolar epithelial cells or primary alveolar macrophages alone did not, suggesting alveolar epithelial cell-macrophage interaction was required for the subsequent macrophage activation observed. These data demonstrate that injurious mechanical ventilation rapidly activates alveolar macrophages and that alveolar macrophages play an important role in the initial pathogenesis of VILI.
Involvement of a guanine nucleotide-exchange protein, ARF-GEP100/BRAG2a, in the apoptotic cell death of monocytic phagocytes
Authors: Someya Akimasa , Moss Joel , Nagaoka Isao
Published: July 2006

We previous identified adenosine 5′-diphosphate-ribosylation factor (ARF)-guanine nucleotide-exchange protein, 100 kDa (GEP100), as a novel GEP with a molecular size of ∼100 kDa, which preferentially activates ARF6. In this study, we examined the effect of ARF-GEP100 on monocytic cell apoptosis. Overexpression of ARF-GEP100 in PMA-differentiated human monocyte-macrophage-like U937 cells and mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells induced apoptotic cell death, which was detected by morphological changes (chromatin condensation, nucleus fragmentation, and shrinking of cytoplasm), annexin V-staining, and TUNEL assay. It is interesting that a mutant lacking the Sec7 domain, which is responsible for ARF activation, was able to induce apoptosis of the target cells to the level of that of a wild-type ARF-GEP100. Furthermore, ARF-GEP100-silencing experiments indicated that the TNF-α-induced apoptosis was significantly suppressed among ARF-GEP100-depressed cells. These observations apparently suggest that ARF-GEP100 is involved in the induction of apoptosis in monocytic phagocytes, possibly independent of ARF activation.
Return to Work Up to 5 Years After the End of Treatment Among Patients With Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Jansen Femke , Eerenstein Simone E. J. , Arman Sara , Lissenberg-Witte Birgit I. , Hardillo Jose A. , Takes Robert P. , Brakenhoff Ruud H. , de Bree Remco , Lamers Femke , Langendijk Johannes A. , Leemans C. René , Verdonck-de Leeuw Irma M.
Published: February 2025

Importance

Adverse effects of cancer and its treatment may hamper return to work (RTW) among patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Objectives

To investigate RTW among patients with HNC from end of treatment to 5 years after treatment and associations of RTW with sociodemographic, clinical, work-related, personal, lifestyle, physical, and psychological factors and cancer-related symptoms.

Design, Setting and Participants

This prospective, longitudinal, multicenter cohort study of patients with HNC used data from the Netherlands Quality of Life and Biomedical cohort. This study focused on patients younger than 65 years (with a subanalysis of patients younger than 60 years) from time of cancer diagnosis (March 2014 to June 2018) to 5 years after end of treatment (January 2019 to July 2023). Data analysis occurred from April 2023 to August 2024.

Exposure

Standard clinical care.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Work status was measured at 3 and 6 months, and 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years after treatment using an adjusted version of the Productivity Cost Questionnaire. Cox regression analyses were performed to investigate factors (baseline, 3 months, and 6 months) associated with time to RTW.

Results

A total of 184 patients with HNC younger than 65 years (mean [SD] age, 55.4 [7.0] years; 146 men [79%]) were included and 77 (42%) had oropharyngeal cancer. RTW increased from 26% (42 of 160 individuals) at 3 months to 65% (89 of 137 individuals) at 1 year, after which it reduced to 52% (51 of 98 individuals) at 5 years. At 5 years after treatment, an additional 28 of 98 participants (29%) were retired. Minor surgery (vs major surgery) was associated with faster RTW from end of treatment onwards (hazard ratio [HR], 2.73; 95% CI, 1.17-6.37). Older age (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.94-0.999) and more fatigue at 3 months (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.995) were associated with slower RTW from 3 months onwards. Older age was also associated with slower RTW from 6 months onwards (HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.93-0.998). Among the 127 patients with HNC younger than 60 years, RTW was 72% (47 individuals) at 5 years after treatment. Advanced tumor stage (HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39-0.90) and more fatigue (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.98-0.999) were associated with slower RTW in this group.

Conclusion and relevance

This cohort study found that the majority of patients with HNC in the Netherlands returned to work within 1 year and that certain sociodemographic and clinical factors and cancer-related symptoms were associated with time to RTW. These results may inform patients with HNC and provide insight into potential targets, such as fatigue, to improve RTW.
Functional variation among LPMOs revealed by the inhibitory effects of cyanide and buffer ions
Authors: Golten Ole , Schwaiger Lorenz , Forsberg Zarah , Hall Kelsi R. , Stepnov Anton A. , Emrich‐Mills Tom Z. , Ayuso‐Fernández Iván , Sørlie Morten , Ludwig Roland , Røhr Åsmund Kjendseth , Eijsink Vincent G. H.
Published: February 2025

Enzymes known as lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are mono‐copper polysaccharide‐degrading peroxygenases that engage in several on‐ and off‐pathway redox reactions involving O2 and H2O2. Herein, we show that the known metalloenzyme inhibitor cyanide inhibits reductive activation of LPMOs by binding to the LPMO‐Cu(II) state and that the degree of inhibition depends on the concentrations of the polysaccharide substrate, the reductant and H2O2. Importantly, this analysis revealed differences between fungal NcAA9C and bacterial SmAA10A, which have different secondary copper coordination spheres. These differences were also highlighted by the observation that phosphate, a commonly used buffer ion, strongly inhibits NcAA9C while not affecting reactions with SmAA10A. The results provide insight into LPMO inhibition and catalysis and highlight pitfalls in the analysis thereof.
Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in early breast cancers is associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes
Authors: Derouane Françoise , Ambroise Jérôme , van Marcke Cédric , Van Bockstal Mieke , Berlière Martine , Galant Christine , Dano Hélène , Lougué Médina , Benidovskaya Elena , Jerusalem Guy , Bours Vincent , Josse Claire , Thiry Jérôme , Daumerie Aurélie , Bouzin Caroline , Corbet Cyril , Duhoux François P.
Published: February 2025

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) play a central role in early‐stage breast cancer (BC) and are associated with chemoresistance, stemness, and invasion. The objective of this study was two fold: (a) by investigating the predictive value of EMT and TILs, we aimed to estimate the chance of achieving a response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and (b) to evaluate the potential changes of EMT and TILs in BC upon NAC. Using bulk RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence (IF) for EMT (E‐cadherin and vimentin) and lymphocyte markers (CD3, CD8, FOXP3), we analyzed pre‐ and post‐NAC tumor samples from 100 early‐BC patients treated with NAC. For each BC molecular subtype, we compared the expression of EMT and TILs, at the RNA and protein level, between responding and non‐responding tumors. Paired analysis of pre‐ and post‐NAC samples was performed for patients with residual disease after NAC. RNA sequencing of pre‐ and post‐NAC samples identified significant differences in EMT‐related and inflammation‐related gene expression between non‐responding (RCB‐II/III) and responding (RCB‐0/I) tumors. Increased EMT‐related marker expression was observed after NAC in cases with residual disease, in particular in the luminal subtype. Characterization of TILs in pre‐NAC samples showed substantially more CD3 + CD8‐FOXP3‐lymphocytes in responding HER2+ tumors compared with non‐responding. Paired analyses of pre‐ and post‐NAC samples demonstrated higher levels of CD3 + CD8 + FOXP3‐lymphocytes in residual luminal and triple‐negative BC and higher levels of CD3 + CD8‐FOXP3‐lymphocytes in residual triple‐negative BC compared with other subtypes of lymphocytes. We found that there is an unmet clinical need for reliable biomarkers to predict response to NAC in BC. Our results suggest that an upregulation of the EMT gene signature in diagnostic biopsies is associated with poor response to NAC in early BC, across all subtypes. Additionally, changes in EMT and in the TIL population occur in residual tumors after NAC. These findings could help to personalize future NAC and adjuvant treatment regimens.
ALS plasma biomarkers reveal neurofilament and pTau correlate with disease onset and progression
Authors: Thomas Eleanor V. , Han Changee , Kim Woo Jae , Asress Seneshaw , Li Yingjie , Taylor Jennifer A. , Gearing Marla , Fournier Christina N. , McEachin Zachary T. , Seyfried Nicholas T. , Glass Jonathan D.
Published: February 2025

Objective

We performed a pilot screen to assess the utility of the NULISA™ (Nucleic‐acid‐Linked Immuno‐Sandwich Assay) platform in the identification of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) biomarkers.

Methods

Plasma from 86 individuals (48 ALS, 18 asymptomatic C9orf72 repeat expansion carriers (AsymC9), and 20 healthy controls) was analyzed via a multiplexed NULISA™ assay that includes 120 neurodegeneration‐associated proteins. Statistical analysis of NULISA™ results was performed to identify proteins differentially expressed in plasma and their correlation with disease‐associated parameters.

Results

ALS plasma showed elevation of the established biomarkers, neurofilament light chain (NEFL) and neurofilament heavy chain (NEFH). Compared to controls and AsymC9, microtubule‐associated protein tau (MAPT), phosphorylated tau 181 (pTau181), phosphorylated tau 217 (pTau217), phosphorylated tau 231 (pTau231), and phosphorylated TDP‐43 (pTDP‐43) were elevated in ALS. NEFL levels positively correlated with pTau181, pTau217, pTau231, and pTDP‐43. MAPT and pTDP‐43 were also correlated with pTau181, pTau217 and pTau231. Elevated pTau was negatively correlated with survival and ALSFRS‐R. Spinal onset ALS was associated with higher pTau181, pTau217, and pTau231.

Interpretation

We confirm previous reports showing elevated pTau181 in ALS plasma and show elevation of other phosphorylated tau forms, pTau217 and pTau231, typically observed in Alzheimer's disease. We provide preliminary data showing the detection and elevation of pTDP‐43‐409/410 in a subset of ALS samples compared to healthy controls. Neurofilament and tau levels are highly correlated suggesting their elevation may reflect a common pathology and disease state. Total and phosphorylated tau are correlated with multiple disease measures, such as ALS duration, ALSFRS‐R, and site of onset.
Ontology‐Based Digital Infrastructure for Data‐Driven Glass Development
Authors: Chen Ya‐Fan , Arendt Felix , Bornhöft Hansjörg , de Camargo Andréa S. S. , Deubener Joachim , Diegeler Andreas , Gogula Shravya , Contreras Jaimes Altair T. , Kempf Sebastian , Kilo Martin , Limbach René , Müller Ralf , Niebergall Rick , Pan Zhiwen , Puppe Frank , Reinsch Stefan , Schottner Gerhard , Stier Simon , Waurischk Tina , Wondraczek Lothar , Sierka Marek
Published: February 2025

The development of new glasses is often hampered by inefficient trial‐and‐error approaches. The traditional glass manufacturing process is not only time‐consuming, but also difficult to reproduce with inevitable variations in process parameters. These challenges are addressed by implementing an ontology‐based digital infrastructure coupled with a robotic melting system. This system facilitates high‐throughput glass synthesis and ensures the collection of consistent process data. In addition, the digital infrastructure includes machine learning models for predicting glass properties and a tool for extracting patent information. Current glass databases have significant gaps in the relationships between compositions, process parameters, and properties due to inconsistent studies and nonconforming units. In addition, process parameters are often omitted, and even original literature references provide limited information. By continuously expanding the database with consistent, high‐quality data, it is aimed to fill these gaps and accelerate the glass development process.
Nanoscale Agglomeration Mechanisms of BF‐DPB:BPyMPM Donor–Acceptor Systems for Organic Optoelectronic Devices
Authors: Merkel Milena , Wiesener Philipp , Schmidt Robert , Shivhare Rishi , Doltsinis Nikos , Bratschitsch Rudolf , Amirjalayer Saeed , Vandewal Koen , Mönig Harry
Published: February 2025

The molecular order of the photo‐active molecules in organic solar cells and exciplex organic light emitting diodes based on donor–acceptor mixed systems has major influence on the performance. However, it is usually investigated only by indirect measurements or simulations. Here, low‐temperature scanning probe microscopy is used to directly image the molecular assembly, intermolecular bonding configuration, and domain interfaces of vacuum‐deposited donor and acceptor molecules BF‐DPB and BPyMPM on different single crystalline substrates with submolecular resolution. It is demonstrated that the position of the nitrogen atoms in the peripheric pyridine rings of BPyMPM molecules determines the occurrence of intermolecular C─H…N hydrogen bonds, metal coordination bonds, and related self‐assemblies. Two dominating self‐assembled structures of BF‐DPB are found, based either on its cis or trans configuration. In general a distinct increase in disorder occurs at the BF‐DPB:BPyMPM interface where scanning tunneling spectroscopy indicate an increase in the HOMO‐LUMO gap at disordered agglomerates of BF‐DPB. The crucial effect of the choice of substrate on the molecular order is illustrated. Photoluminescence measurements indicate a considerable increase in intersystem crossing in BF‐DPB due to molecule‐substrate interactions. These findings provide new insights for the targeted molecular design of active molecules and suitable contact layers in organic optoelectronic devices.
High‐Temperature Ternary Superhydrides: A Strategic Roadmap to Optimal Superconducting Parameters
Authors: Wrona Izabela A. , Niegodajew Paweł , Durajski Artur P.
Published: February 2025

This study investigates the superconducting properties of ternary hydrogen‐rich compounds to elucidate the factors that limit their critical temperature (Tc). Through a systematic analysis of an extensive dataset comprising theoretically predicted and experimentally verified ternary hydrides, the correlations between Tc and key compositional and structural parameters are examined, specifically focusing on the mass ratio between heavier atoms and hydrogen (MX/MH), hydrogen fraction (Hf), and compound electronegativity. These findings indicate that specific ranges of these parameters are more conducive to achieving elevated superconducting transition temperatures. For instance, compounds with mass ratios in the range 0 < MX/MH < 40, hydrogen fractions close to 0.8 − 0.9, and electronegativity values between 2.0 and 2.1 exhibit a higher probability of reaching Tc values above 200 K, with some extending beyond 300 K. These insights provide a robust framework for identifying promising candidates among ternary hydrides for high‐temperature superconductivity at manageable pressures. This work contributes valuable predictive criteria for accelerating the discovery and optimization of new superconducting materials that may support future technological applications at ambient or near‐ambient conditions.
Dendrite‐Free Zn Anode Enabled by Dual‐Function Itaconic Acid Electrolyte Additive Via Controllable Acidic Environment and In Situ Interfacial Protective Layer for Durable Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries
Authors: Sun Hao , Cai Nengbin , Bai Xinyu , Chen Hongming , He Xinbo , Zhou Dan , Fan Li‐Zhen
Published: February 2025

The side reactions and dendritic growth largely impede the utilization of Zn anode in aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein, a novel strong acidic electrolyte additive of itaconic acid (IA) is introduced to achieve highly stable Zn anode via dual functions. First, the use of trace amounts of IA can provide a steady low pH environment for the electrolyte, which is beneficial to eliminate the alkaline by‐products by neutralizing the OH− that accumulated near the Zn anode. Second, an interfacial protective layer can be in situ formed via the cross‐linking and reduction reaction between IA and Zn anode, helping to inhibit the continuous corrosion on the Zn anode and promote the formation of uniform Zn deposition. Consequently, the Zn anode achieves an ultra‐long cycle‐life (5390 h at 1 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2) and an enhanced coulombic efficiency (99.86% upon 2100 cycles at 5 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−1). Besides, the full cell assembled with sodium vanadate delivers a high reversible capacity of 179.6 mAh g−1 over 2000 cycles at 2 A g−1. This work offers a new solution and related insights for the design and utilization of aqueous electrolytes with strong acidic additives toward highly stable Zn anode for AZIBs.
Enhanced Photoactivated Circularly Polarized Afterglow with High Dissymmetry Factor and Tunable Emission
Authors: Zhang Yuxia , Wang Yuchang , Wu Junjie , Shao Aiwen , Liu Jiao , Liu Shujuan , Li Bingxiang , Ma Yun , Zhao Qiang
Published: February 2025

Photoactivated circularly polarized afterglow (CPA) exhibits broad application prospects in various optoelectronic areas due to its multidimensional emission characteristics, including wavelengths, lifetimes, and chirality. Achieving photoactivated CPA with extremely high dissymmetry factor (glum) values is highly desired but considerably challenging. This work reports a bilayer assembly (R/S‐CLC‐TPB) integrating a TPB@PMMA thin film with the selective reflection of cholesteric liquid crystals. Initially, R/S‐CLC‐TPB exhibits no afterglow emission, while following 1 min of UV irradiation, it achieves an noticeable CPA with a long emission lifetime of 125 ms and a high glum value of up to 1.6. This enhancement can be attributed to the oxygen consumption properties under UV irradiation, subsequently minimizing the loss of triplet exciton. Furthermore, by employing a triplet‐singlet Förster resonance energy transfer (TS‐FRET) strategy from photoactivated organic persistent room‐temperature phosphorescence donor to fluorescent dye acceptor, the afterglow color is successfully modulated from green to orange. Ultimately, these materials demonstrate promising capabilities for advanced multi‐level information encryption by utilizing their tunable afterglow color, long emission lifetimes, and high glum values to create multiple encryption layers that can be selectively accessed and decoded based on photoactivation and chiroptical properties.
Stretchable and Permeable Liquid Metal Micromeshes Featuring Strain‐Insensitive Resistance Through In Situ Structural Transformations
Authors: Wang Qian , Sun Yuping , Qin Changqing , Lin Yong , Fang Ting , Yang Cheng , Zhang Jinheng , Lu Yan‐qing , Kong Desheng
Published: February 2025

Gallium‐based liquid metals hold promises for applications in stretchable electronics and beyond. However, these materials often encounter notable resistance increases during stretching and have negligible permeability to gases and liquids. This study presents an in situ structural transformation mechanism to create stretchable and permeable liquid metal micromeshes with strain‐insensitive resistance. These micromeshes are fabricated by spin‐coating liquid metal onto microfiber textiles and subjecting them to several stretching cycles. Consequently, the micromeshes transform from a smooth finish to wrinkled textures due to the growth in their oxide nanoskins. The distinct microstructure alters the stretching‐relaxing mode to folding‐unfolding, thereby minimizing fluctuations in resistance. The practical significance of this development is demonstrated through the fabrication of wearable heaters and LED matrices using transformed liquid metal micromeshes. Moreover, when integrated into Janus textiles featuring unidirectional water transport, these micromesh conductors act as sensing electrodes capable of acquiring high‐fidelity biopotentials, even during intense sweating. These advancements highlight the capability of ambient air as a powerful reactive environment for tailoring the properties of microscale liquid metals.
Flexible Multilayer Metasurfaces: Design and Applications on Foldable and Conformable Substrates
Authors: Shi Yilin , Dai Hao , Tang Renjie , Wu Jianghong , Wu Yingchun , Song Jieren , Si Yalan , Lin Hongtao , Li Lan
Published: February 2025

Metasurfaces offer effective optical modulation and compact solutions for integrated optoelectronic circuits. Multilayer metasurfaces surpass single‐layer counterparts in functionalities, enabling more complex manipulation of phase, amplitude, and polarization. However, existing multilayer metasurfaces lack reconfigurability based on flexible configurations, limiting their applications in dynamic and shape‐constrained scenarios. Here, a multilayer metasurface platform utilizing a foldable and conformable flexible structure is introduced. The foldability enables coupled or decoupled multilayer metasurfaces by reconfigurable folding alignment. To validate this technology, the previously established flexible metasurface fabrication techniques are employed. The coupled multilayer metasurface is demonstrated by an inverse‐designed 1D multilayer zoom metalens that achieves a numerical aperture (NA) from 0.80 to 0.12 by altering the polarization state of incident light from X‐ to Y‐polarization. For the decoupled multilayer metasurface, a refractive‐meta hybrid system is demonstrated, featuring metalens that operates on curved surfaces and can switch between a near‐diffraction‐limited telephoto mode and an 80° wide‐angle mode. The exceptional performance of the two validated devices on this platform highlights its superiority as a comprehensive design platform for multilayer metasurfaces. Notably, its potential for operation on non‐planar forms offers promising applications for miniaturized optoelectronic devices such as augmented reality displays and wearable medical devices.
Modulating Linker Conjugation and Flexibility of Aggregation‐Induced Emission Covalent Organic Framework for Enhanced Luminescence
Authors: Wan Haifei , Wang Xingxiang , Nie Qinqin , Wang Xinyi , Wang Li , Song Yonghai
Published: February 2025

In order to inhibit non‐radiative decay pathways of covalent‐organic frameworks (COFs), a strategy is proposed to block intralayer conjugation and interlayer π–π stacking by using flexible aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) building blocks (4′,4′′′,4′′′′′,4′′′′′′′‐(1,2‐ethenediylidene) tetrakis[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐carbaldehyde (TFBE)) connected by weakly conjugated flexible linker. By using the flexible TFBE as building blocks and changing the conjugation and flexibility of linker, TFBE‐COFs with different luminescence properties are obtained. Experimental and theoretical results show that these TFBE‐COFs have high crystallinity and large layer spacing, among which the photoluminescence quantum yield of hydrazone (Hz)‐COFTFBE‐ODH (oxalyl dihydrazide (ODH)) in solid state reaches 26.28%, which is superior to most of the COFs reported so far. The excellent luminescence is attributed to the non‐planar geometry and flexibility of TFBE, which inhibits aggregation‐induced quenching. Moreover, the π‐electron delocalization‐induced non‐radiative leaps are suppressed by weakly conjugated flexible linker, which further enhances the photoluminescence of TFBE‐COFs. The Hz‐COFTFBE‐ODH exhibits excellent sensing performance for trace tetracycline, the detection limit is 0.15 µm. In addition, a white light‐emitting diodes coated with Hz‐COFTFBE‐ODH is manufactured to achieve high‐quality white light emission. This study provides a new strategy for the design and application of high‐emission COFs.
Fabrication of a Phosphor‐in‐Silica Glass Spectral Converter via Injection Molding for Stable and High‐Power Broadband LEDs
Authors: Mohamed Moushira. A. , Ali Mohamed. A. , Guo Shaorun , Liu Xiaofeng , Sun Shengzhi , Qiu Jianrong
Published: February 2025

The encapsulation of phosphor particles into a silica glass (PiSG) matrix leads to the formation of an efficient and chemically durable spectral converter, which is a promising candidate for the fabrication of stable and high‐power phosphor‐converted white light‐emitting‐diodes (pc‐wLEDs). Here, high‐throughput fabrication of transparent PiSG spectral converters based on Y3Al5O12:Ce3+, Mg2Al4Si5O18:Eu2+, and Y3Al5O12:Cr3+ is demonstrated via injection molding followed by pressureless sintering. The as‐fabricated PiSG exhibits broadband emission covering the visible and near‐infrared (vis‐NIR) spectral regions (i.e., 500–900 nm) with a high‐luminescence efficiency (> 85%) and high‐chemical and thermal stabilities, retaining more than 90% of its emission intensity at 200 °C. Consequently, high‐power pc‐vis‐NIR‐LEDs (10 W) are manufactured using the injection molded PiSG spectral converters, which showed excellent luminescence performance (i.e., luminous efficiency (LE) = 115 Im W−1, correlated‐color‐temperature (CCT) = 4531 K, and color‐rendering‐index (Ra) = 90.1 at 50 mA and input power of 0.45 W). This work enables the fabrication of stable and high‐power broadband LEDs with a low cost and outstanding optical properties, making the as‐fabricated pc‐vis‐NIR‐LEDs based on PiSG spectral‐converter a favorable device for lighting and bioimaging applications.
Photocatalysis for Sustainable Nitrogen Fixation: Fundamentals, Catalyst Design, Nanoarchitectonics, Applications, and Future Prospects
Authors: Sharma Manisha , Kumar Ashish , Sajwan Devanshu , Kumari Kamlesh , Mishra Bhagyashree Priyadarshini , Krishnan Venkata
Published: February 2025

Photocatalytic nitrogen fixation has evolved as potential sustainable technique for producing ammonia in contrast to Haber‐Bosch (HB) process. In this process, semiconductor‐based materials are utilized in the presence of light and water, thereby making it less energy‐intensive and more eco‐friendly. However, photocatalytic materials utilized in nitrogen fixation have several disadvantages, including limited chemisorption and activation of nitrogen, low light absorption, rapid charge recombination, and sluggish kinetics. To overcome these issues, design of the catalyst and tailoring of active surface sites are vital so that enhanced performance can be achieved. Also, there is debate about the correct determination of ammonia due to interference by nitrogenous impurities. Taking all these factors into consideration, this review examines the recent reports on enhanced photocatalytic performance of defects modified (vacancy and doping), facet‐engineered, and heterojunction‐based catalysts for nitrogen fixation. The different ammonia quantification techniques like Nessler's reagent, indophenol method, ion chromatography (IC), etc. have been discussed in detail along with issues associated with them. Finally, the existing challenges and outlook of this emerging technology are presented. It is expected that this review will assist the researchers in understanding the current state of this field and effectively implementing it to pave the way for future advancements.
Loss of MNX1 Sensitizes Tumors to Cytotoxic T Cells by Degradation of PD‐L1 mRNA
Authors: Li Zhengzheng , Chen Lei , Zhang Ge , Wang Shuang , Xu Enhang , Teng Jinglei , Xu Jiancheng , Peng Fang , Min Qingjie , Wang Zhuoya , Shao Shujuan , Zhao Lianmei , Shan Baoen , Wang Yang , Zhan Qimin , Liu Xuefeng
Published: February 2025

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, targeting programmed cell death ligand‐1 (PD‐L1)/programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) axis and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 (CTLA‐4), has exhibited amazing clinical outcomes in various types of cancers. However, only a small portion of patients benefit from ICB therapy, indicating that the mechanism underlying immune checkpoint is still unclear. Here, it is reported that motor neuron and pancreas homeobox 1 (MNX1), a homeobox domain‐containing transcription factor, contributes to the tumor immune escape. MNX1 increases PD‐L1 expression in cancer cells by stabilizing PD‐L1 mRNA rather than activating transcription. Mechanistically, MNX1 exists in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and interacts with Y‐box binding protein 1 (YBX1), a multifunctional DNA/RNA‐binding protein, to enhance the binding of YBX1 to PD‐L1 mRNA. MNX1 ablation activates cytotoxic T cell‐mediated anti‐tumor immunity and sensitizes CTLA‐4 blockade therapy. Moreover, MNX1 also facilitates tumor progression in an immune‐independent manner in cancer cells. In addition, MNX1 is upregulated by its adjacent long non‐coding RNA MNX1‐AS1 via HECT and RLD domain containing E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (HERC2). Together, these results reveal MNX1 as a novel immune checkpoint regulator with promising therapeutic potential.
High‐Performance Mg–O2 Batteries Enabled by Electrospinning PVDF‐HFP‐Based Quasi‐Solid‐State Polymer Electrolyte
Authors: Rasupillai Dharmaraj Vasantan , Maurya Dheeraj Kumar , Sarkar Ayan , Su Hsiu‐Hui , Chen Yi‐An , Chen Han‐Chen , Lin Yu‐Ping , Chung Ren‐Jei , Liu Ru‐Shi
Published: February 2025

This article reports a high‐performance rechargeable battery enabled by an electrospun quasi‐solid‐state electrolyte (E‐QSSE). The E‐QSSE, composed of Poly(vinylidene fluoride‐co‐hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF‐HFP), Mg(NO3)2 salt, and Pyr14TFSI ionic liquid (IL), exhibits high Mg2+ ion transport and interfacial stability. A unique sandwich structure coupling the E‐QSSE with a Ruthenium nanoparticles decorated multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (Ru/CNT) cathode catalyst on carbon paper significantly augments electrochemical reversibility. The optimized E‐QSSE with a 1:1 molar ratio of salt and IL achieves a high room temperature ionic conductivity of 6.39 mS cm−1. The E‐QSSE's electrochemical stability window extends up to 3.95 V, showcasing its potential for high‐energy‐density applications. The Mg‐O2 cell, with the optimized E‐QSSE, delivers 115 discharge/charge cycles at 100 mA g−1, one of the longest reported cycle‐lives for secondary Mg‐O2 batteries. The battery exhibits a maximum discharge capacity of 9305 mAh g−1 with 100% Coulombic efficiency. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and absorption near‐edge structure analyses reveal MgO as the primary discharge product, with MgF2 contributing to stable solid electrolyte interphase. This E‐QSSE design promotes efficient Mg2+ ion migration and stable electrochemical reactions. This work advances the development of stable, high‐capacity Mg‐O2 batteries and can open up avenues for quasi‐solid‐state electrolytes in post‐lithium metal‐air battery technologies.
Comprehensive Study on Synthesis, Quantum Chemical Calculations, Molecular Modeling Studies, and Cytotoxic Activities of Metal(II) Schiff Base Complexes
Authors: Sogukomerogullari Hatice Gamze , Dede Bülent , Sahin Dicle , Akkoç Senem
Published: February 2025

In this study, mononuclear Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pd(II) complexes of a diimine molecule (H2L) were synthesized, and their structures were elucidated by NMR, FT‐IR, UV–Vis, ICP‐OES, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, and elemental analysis techniques. Stoichiometric and spectroscopic data revealed that the complexes have a metal:ligand ratio of 1:1 and the Schiff base coordinates with the metal(II) ion via nitrogen atoms of two imine groups and oxygen anions of two phenolate moieties and have a square planar geometry. The cytotoxic activity properties of the ligand and its metal complexes were screened in two distinct cancer cell lines: lung (A549) and colon (DLD‐1). The optimized molecular geometries, molecular electrostatic potential diagrams, total density of states plots, and frontier molecular orbitals of the H2L ligand and all metal(II) complexes at the ground level were calculated using density functional theory. The LANL2DZ basis set containing the effective core potentials for transition metals was used for quantum chemical calculations. The calculations supported the square planar geometry of the metal(II) ions in the complexes. The potential of all molecules to inhibit the MLK4 kinase domain (PDB ID: 4UYA) involved in cancer progression was examined by molecular docking study and the best inhibition activity belonged to the H2L molecule with a binding energy of −10.8 kcal/mol. The stability of the H2L–4UYA complex in physiological media was also confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation for 100 ns.
Aldh1l1‐Cre/ERT2 Drives Flox‐Mediated Recombination in Peripheral and CNS Infiltrating Immune Cells in Addition to Astrocytes During CNS Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Amatruda Mario , Turati Juan , Weiss Josh , Villavicencio Jorge , Chen Zhihong , Britton Graham , Horng Sam
Published: February 2025

Introduction

The transgenic murine Cre/loxP system is deployed to investigate the role of central nervous system (CNS) cell‐specific gene alterations in both healthy conditions and models of neurologic disease. The Aldh1l1‐Cre/ERT2 line is widely used to target astrocytes with high coverage and specificity within the CNS. Specificity outside the CNS, however, has not been well‐characterized, and Aldh1l1‐Cre/ERT2‐mediated recombination within the spleen has been reported. In many CNS diseases, infiltrating immune cells from the periphery drive or regulate pathogenesis. We tested whether flox‐mediated recombination from Aldh1l1‐Cre/ERT2 occurs in immune cells in addition to astrocytes and whether these cells traffic from the spleen into the spinal cord during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model of CNS autoimmune disease.

Methods

Two astrocyte‐targeted mouse lines were generated with the red fluorescent reporter, tdTomato, by crossing the Cre‐recombinase lines, Tg(Aldh1l1‐Cre/ERT2)1Khakh and Tg(Gfap‐Cre)73.12Mvs, with the reporter line, Gt(ROSA)26Sor. Aldh1l1‐Cre/ERT2 was activated with 5 days of intraperitoneal tamoxifen, whereas Gfap‐Cre was constitutively active. EAE was induced 2 weeks after tamoxifen, and then spleens and spinal cords were harvested and processed for flow cytometry at various time points after disease onset in EAE versus healthy controls.

Results

In EAE, Aldh1l1‐Cre/ERT2, but not Gfap‐Cre, induced multiple tdTomato+ immune cell subpopulations in the spleen and spinal cord, including macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, B cells, CD4+, and CD8+ T cells.

Conclusion

Use of Aldh1l1‐Cre/ERT2 should therefore account for recombination in both astrocytes and immune cells in disease models involving peripheral immune cell infiltration into the CNS.
Adolescent Depression and Cognition Risk for Suicide: An Investigation of Risk Factors and Gene Environment Interactions
Authors: Pilkay Stefanie , Halevy Devorah , Femia Danielle , Holland Sage Malina , Heiland Stephanie , Carroll Andrew M , Nunes Sarah , Veerman Tara , Dudak Leah
Published: February 2025

Background

Prior research has been conducted to understand the connection between maternal physical health and its effects on children and adolescents. Much less research has focused on maternal mental health and gene‐environmental factors that influence children's and adolescent's development. This study investigated the risk factors and gene‐environment interactions in relation to maternal mental health and adolescent depression and cognition risk for suicide.

Methods

The data and sample utilized in this research were obtained from The Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study. The cohort comprises a total of 4898 children and their corresponding caregivers, of which 1829 had complete data and were used in this study. To account for missing data, the list wise deletion approach was employed for all analyses. The variables were tested using Likert scales and/or other similar scales designed to specifically measure the variable. Hypotheses were tested with multiple regressions and bootstrapping. Multiple comparisons were controlled with the Benjamini Hochberg false discovery approach, and BH adjusted p‐values are reported with each statistically significant result.

Results

The analyses revealed four significant relationships: (1) poverty status is a strong predictor of adolescent mental health, (2) toddler attachment is affected by maternal mental health but does not interact with maternal mental health to predict adolescent mental health, (3) maternal mental health affects suspected childhood sexual abuse associations with adolescent mental health, and (4) serotonin transporter alleles (SLC6A4) exert specific effects on adolescent mental health cognitions previously linked to suicide risk.

Conclusion

In summary, this study concludes that the experiential factors and genetic variation have interconnected influences on the mental well‐being of children and adolescents. Therefore, interventions aimed at addressing child trauma would be enhanced by integrating a component that specifically addresses the mental well‐being of mothers.
Dietary Magnesium Intake Is Associated With Self‐Reported Short Sleep Duration but Not Self‐Reported Sleep Disorder
Authors: Zhao Shuhua , Hu Jingping , Yue Chuannan , Tian Jingling , Zhou Shaoli , Zhu Qianqian
Published: February 2025

Background

Sleep disturbances have become increasingly prevalent in modern society. Research suggests that a deficiency in magnesium (Mg) may contribute to sleep disturbances. This study aims to investigate the association between daily Mg intake and self‐reported sleep duration and sleep disorders using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Methods

The study dataset includes participants from five cycles (2009–2018) of NHANES. The associations between Mg intake and sleep duration are analyzed using weighted logistic regression.

Results

Baseline characteristics of 21,840 participants were analyzed. Mg intake was independently associated with sleep duration (OR = 1.07, 95% CI (1.01–1.14), p = 0.024). Higher quartiles of Mg intake from food were associated with normal sleep duration. However, Mg intake from food in participants with self‐reported sleep disorders did not differ from those without sleep disorders (OR = 0.96, 95% CI (0.90–1.03), p = 0.238). Among 3923 participants with Mg supplementation data, no significant differences were found between the top and bottom 50% Mg supplementary groups regarding sleep duration or disorders.

Conclusions

Dietary Mg intake is independently associated with self‐reported short sleep duration but not with self‐reported sleep disorders. Mg supplementation is not associated with either self‐reported sleep duration or sleep disorders.
Vitamin C and Gallic Acid Ameliorate Motor Dysfunction, Cognitive Deficits, and Brain Oxidative Stress in a Valproic Acid‐Induced Model of Autism
Authors: Tarahomi Parnia , Arab Mina , Seyedinia Seyed Ali , Rahmani Mehrnoush , Rashidy‐Pour Ali , Vafaei Abbas Ali , Raise‐Abdullahi Payman
Published: February 2025

Purpose

Autism, a developmental‐neurodegenerative disorder, often manifests as social communication difficulties and has been correlated to oxidative stress in the brain. Vitamins C and gallic acid (GA) possess potent antioxidant properties, making them potential candidates for addressing autism‐related issues. This study examined the influence of vitamin C (Vit C) and GA on behavioral, motor, and cognitive performance, along with the assessment of brain oxidative markers, using an experimental model of autism.

Method

Fourteen female rats were divided into saline and valproic acid (VPA) groups, and mating with mature male rats generated offspring. VPA (500 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) on gestational day (GD) 12.5. Male pups remained undisturbed for 29 days. On postnatal day (PND) 30, 48 male pups were randomly selected and administered daily injections of Vit C (30 mg/kg, i.p.) or GA (30 mg/kg, i.p.) for 4 weeks (PND 38–65). Behavioral assessments were conducted before and after treatment (PND 30–37 and 66–73). Animals were then anesthetized, and their brains were analyzed for oxidative stress markers.

Finding

The prenatal VPA‐induced autism model increased nociceptive threshold, heightened anxiety‐like behaviors, impaired balance power, delayed spatial learning, elevated malondialdehyde, and decreased glutathione and catalase levels in the brains of the male offspring. Administration of Vit C and GA effectively mitigated these anomalies.

Conclusions

Vit C and GA could potentially alleviate anxiety‐like behaviors, motor and cognitive deficits, and brain oxidative stress markers in a prenatal rat autism model. This underscores their viability as potential pharmacological interventions for treating autistic dysfunction.