bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Melolontha melolontha entomopoxvirus fusolin protein is a chitin‐active lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase that displays extreme stability
Authors: Loose Jennifer Sarah Maria , Boudes Marion , Bergoin Max , Coulibaly Fasséli , Vaaje‐Kolstad Gustav
Published: April 2023

Spindles are intracellular crystals of the fusolin protein that enhances the oral virulence of insect poxviruses by disruption of the larval chitinous peritrophic matrix. The enigmatic fusolin protein is classified as a lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase (LPMO) by sequence and structure. Although circumstantial evidence points towards a role for fusolin in chitin degradation, no biochemical data exist to verify this claim. In the present study, we demonstrate that fusolin released from over 40‐year‐old spindles, stored for 10 years at 4 °C, are chitin‐degrading LPMOs. Not only was fusolin active after long‐term storage, but it also withstood high temperature and oxidative stress in its crystalline form, highlighting extreme stability that is beneficial to viral persistence and desirable for potential biotechnology applications.
Circular RNA circ‐TNRC6B inhibits the proliferation and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulating the miR‐452‐5p/DAG1 axis
Authors: Xu Ruiyu , Ding Pingan , Zhao Xiaoru , Li Ziyi , Liu Fei , Gu Lina , Zheng Yang , Sang Meixiang , Meng Lingjiao
Published: April 2023

Previous studies have uncovered the key role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in various diseases, including cancer. However, the growth‐inhibitory effects of circRNAs on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not been completely elucidated. This study characterized a newly identified circRNA derived from exons 9–13 of TNRC6B (named circ‐TNRC6B). The expression of circ‐TNRC6B in ESCC tissues was markedly downregulated when compared to that in non‐tumor tissues. In 53 ESCC cases, circ‐TNRC6B expression was negatively correlated with the T stage. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that circ‐TNRC6B upregulation was an independent protective factor for ESCC patients' prognosis. Overexpression and knockdown functional experiments demonstrated that circ‐TNRC6B inhibited ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. RNA immunoprecipitation and dual‐luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that circ‐TNRC6B sponges oncogenic miR‐452‐5p to upregulate the expression and activity of DAG1. Treatment with miR‐452‐5p inhibitor partially reversed the circ‐TNRC6B‐induced changes in the biological behavior of ESCC cells. These findings demonstrated that circ‐TNRC6B exerts a tumor‐suppressing effect in ESCC through the miR‐452‐5p/DAG1 axis. Thus, circ‐TNRC6B is a potential prognostic biomarker for the clinical management of ESCC.
Dynamic effects of prognostic factors and individual survival prediction for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease
Authors: Huang Baoyi , Geng Xiang , Yu Zhiyin , Zhang Chengfeng , Chen Zheng
Published: April 2023

Objective

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons, with broad heterogeneity in disease progression and survival in different patients. Therefore, an accurate prediction model will be crucial to implement timely interventions and prolong patient survival time.

Methods

A total of 1260 ALS patients from the PRO‐ACT database were included in the analysis. Their demographics, clinical variables, and death reports were included. We constructed an ALS dynamic Cox model through the landmarking approach. The predictive performance of the model at different landmark time points was evaluated by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) and Brier score.

Results

Three baseline covariates and seven time‐dependent covariates were selected to construct the ALS dynamic Cox model. For better prognostic analysis, this model identified dynamic effects of treatment, albumin, creatinine, calcium, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. Its prediction performance (at all landmark time points, AUC ≥ 0.70 and Brier score ≤ 0.12) was better than that of the traditional Cox model, and it predicted the dynamic 6‐month survival probability according to the longitudinal information of individual patients.

Interpretation

We developed an ALS dynamic Cox model with ALS longitudinal clinical trial datasets as the inputs. This model can not only capture the dynamic prognostic effect of both baseline and longitudinal covariates but also make individual survival predictions in real time, which are valuable for improving the prognosis of ALS patients and providing a reference for clinicians to make clinical decisions.
Pre‐Buried ETL with Bottom‐Up Strategy Toward Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells with Efficiency Over 23%
Authors: Meng Yuanyuan , Liu Chang , Cao Ruikun , Zhang Jiasen , Xie Lin , Yang Mengjin , Xie Lisha , Wang Yaohua , Yin Xu , Liu Cuirong , Ge Ziyi
Published: April 2023

With rapid development of photovoltaic technology, flexible perovskite solar cells (f‐PSCs) have attracted much attention for their light weight, high flexibility and portability. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) achieved so far is not yet comparable to that of rigid devices. This is mainly due to the great challenge of depositing homogeneous and high‐quality perovskite films on flexible substrate. In this study, the pre‐buried 3‐aminopropionic acid hydroiodide (3AAH) additives into the electron transport layer (ETL) and modified the ETL/perovskite (PVK) interface by a bottom‐up strategy. 3AAH treatment induced a templated perovskite grain growth and improved the quality of the ETL. By this, the residual stresses generated in PVK during the annealing‐cooling process are released and converted into micro‐compressive stresses. As a result, the defect density of f‐PSCs with pre‐buried 3AAH is reduced and the photovoltaic performance is greatly improved, reaching an exceptional PCE of 23.36%. This strategy provides a new idea to bridge the gap between flexible and rigid devices.
A New Descriptor for Complicated Effects of Electronic Density of States on Ion Migration
Authors: Cai Bo , Ma Yangzhi , Yang Bing , Liu Yi , Xia Junmin , Chen Xi , Li Zhi , Ju Ming‐Gang
Published: April 2023

Halide perovskites have attracted much attention because of their excellent optoelectronic properties, such as high light absorption, long carrier diffusion length, and high defect tolerance. Ion migration induced device performance degradation, which is not yet fully understood, has become the key obstacle for commercialization of halide perovskites. Here, a general mechanism is proposed, which can build up the connection between the ion migration barrier and the electronic density of states, to clarify the origin of low barrier for ion migration. Density functional theory (DFT) simulation results show that the low barrier is caused by a significant energy difference in band centers between Pb2+ and the isolating halogen anion or by the small number of density of states. Following the explored mechanism, two strategies are proposed to boost barriers via DFT combination CI‐NEB simulations: 1) halide double perovskites and 2) B‐site doping. Furthermore, the finding not only deepens the understanding of ion migration in halide perovskites but also paves a new path for the commercialization of halide perovskite optoelectronic devices.
Highly Stable n–i–p Structured Formamidinium Tin Triiodide Solar Cells through the Stabilization of Surface Sn2+ Cations
Authors: Hu Manman , Risqi Andi Muhammad , Wu Jianchang , Chen Liang , Park Jaewang , Lee Seung‐Un , Yun Hyun‐Sung , Park Byung‐Wook , Brabec Christoph J. , Seok Sang Il
Published: April 2023

Improving the performance, reproducibility, and stability of Sn‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with n–i–p structures is an important challenge. Spiro‐OMeTAD [2,2′,7,7′‐tetrakis(N,N‐di‐p‐methoxyphenyl‐amine)9,9′‐spirobifluorene], a hole transporting material (HTM) with n–i–p structure, requires the oxygen exposure after addition of Li‐TFSI [Lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide] as a dopant to increase the hole concentration. In Sn‐based PSC, Sn2+ is easily oxidized to Sn4+ under such a condition, resulting in a sharp decrease in efficiency. Herein, a formamidinium tin triiodide (FASnI3)‐based PSCs fabricated using DPI‐TPFB [4‐Isopropyl‐4′‐methyldiphenyliodonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate] instead of Li‐TFSI are reported as a dopant in Spiro‐OMeTAD. The DPI‐TPFB enables the fabrication of PSCs with an efficiency of up to 10.9%, the highest among FASnI3‐based PSCs with n–i–p structures. Moreover, ≈80% of the initial efficiency is maintained even after 1,597 h under maximum power point tracking conditions. In particular, the encapsulated device does not show any decrease in efficiency even after holding for 50 h in the 85 °C/85% RH condition. The high efficiency and excellent stability of PSCs prepared by doping with DPI‐TPFB are attributed to not only increasing electrical conductivity by acting as a Lewis acid, but also stabilizing Sn2+ through coordination with Sn2+ on the surface of FASnI3.
Design and Electrochemical Mechanism of the MgF2 Coating as a Highly Stable and Conductive Interlayer on the Si Anode for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Mei Shixiong , Xiang Ben , Guo Siguang , Deng Jiaguo , Fu Jijiang , Zhang Xuming , Zheng Yang , Gao Biao , Huo Kaifu , Chu Paul K
Published: April 2023

Silicon (Si) with high specific capacity, abundant reserve, and low cost is a promising replacement for graphite in anodes of next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, practical implementation is still hampered by the poor rate performance and short lifespan due to the unstable electrode/electrolyte interface and low ion/electron conductivity. Therefore, design of a stable and high‐conductivity interface for Si anodes is desirable albeit challenging. Herein, a mixed ion/electron conducting interlayer (MIECI) consisting of LiF and Li−Mg alloy is formed in situ from an intermediate MgF2 layer on the surface of the porous Si electrode in the first lithiation step to produce a robust solid electrolyte interface (SEI). The MIECI formation mechanism is investigated by operando Raman scattering, X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. LiF in the MIECI provides high ion conductivity, while the Li−Mg alloy produces fast electron conductivity and high mechanical strength. As a result, the p‐Si@MgF2 anode shows excellent cycling stability with 90% capacity retention after 200 cycles and a superior rate capacity of 70% when the current density is increased from 0.5 to 5.0 A g−1. The novel interfacial modification and engineering strategy has large potential in the design and fabrication of Si anodes for LIBs.
Elastic Interfacial Layer Enabled the High‐Temperature Performance of Lithium‐Ion Batteries via Utilization of Synthetic Fluorosulfate Additive
Authors: Moon Hyeongyu , Nam Huibeom , Kim Min Pyeong , Lee Seung Min , Kim Hyeongjun , Jeon Min Ho , Lee Yoon‐Sung , Kim Koeun , Chun Joong‐Hyun , Kwak Sang Kyu , Hong Sung You , Choi Nam‐Soon
Published: April 2023

The key to producing high‐energy Li‐ion cells is ensuring the interfacial stability of Si‐containing anodes and Ni‐rich cathodes. Herein, 4‐(allyloxy)phenyl fluorosulfate (APFS), a multi‐functional electrolyte additive that forms a mechanical strain‐adaptive solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) comprising LiF and polymeric species, and a thermally stable cathode–electrolyte interface containing SO and SF species. The radical copolymerization of vinylene carbonate (VC) with APFS via electrochemical initiation creates a spatially deformable polymeric SEI on the SiG‐C (30 wt.% graphite + 70 wt.% SiC composite) anode, with large volume changes during cycling. Moreover, the APFS‐promoted interfacial layers reduce Ni dissolution and deposition. Furthermore, APFS deactivates the Lewis acid PF5, thereby inhibiting hydrolyses that produce unwanted HF. These results indicate that the combined use of VC with APFS allows capacity retentions of 72.5% with a high capacity of 143.5 mAh g−1 in SiG‐C/LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 full cells after 300 cycles at 45 °C.
Atomic Insights into the Cu Species Supported on Zeolite for Direct Oxidation of Methane to Methanol via Low‐Damage HAADF‐STEM
Authors: Tang Xuan , Ye Jiajie , Guo Lisheng , Pu Tiancheng , Cheng Lu , Cao Xiao‐Ming , Guo Yanglong , Wang Li , Guo Yun , Zhan Wangcheng , Dai Sheng
Published: April 2023

Precise determination of the structure‐property relationship of zeolite‐based metal catalysts is critical for the development toward practical applications. However, the scarcity of real‐space imaging of zeolite‐based low‐atomic‐number (LAN) metal materials due to the electron‐beam sensitivity of zeolites has led to continuous debates regarding the exact LAN metal configurations. Here, a low‐damage high‐angle annular dark‐field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF‐STEM) imaging technique is employed for direct visualization and determination of LAN metal (Cu) species in ZSM‐5 zeolite frameworks. The structures of the Cu species are revealed based on the microscopy evidence and also proved by the complementary spectroscopy results. The correlation between the characteristic Cu size in Cu/ZSM‐5 catalysts and their direct oxidation of methane to methanol reaction properties is unveiled. As a result, the mono‐Cu species stably anchored by Al pairs inside the zeolite channels are identified as the key structure for higher C1 oxygenates yield and methanol selectivity for direct oxidation of methane. Meanwhile, the local topological flexibility of the rigid zeolite frameworks induced by the Cu agglomeration in the channels is also revealed. This work exemplifies the combination of microscopy imaging and spectroscopy characterization serves as a complete arsenal for revealing structure‐property relationships of the supported metal‐zeolite catalysts.
Recent Progress in Intensifying Synthesis of Acrylic Microspheres for Catalysis
Authors: Gaddale Prameth , Kale Manoj B. , Srinivasan Sivaprakash , Borse Rahul Anil , Sonawane Gunvant H. , Soundararajan Rajmohan K. , Sonawane Shirish H.
Published: April 2023

Over the past decades, there has been an escalating rise in the need for chemicals and catalytic materials to keep up with global demands. Addressing those issues by conventional methods often becomes inefficient, with myriad operational risks. Process intensification methods through procedural and equipment‐based modifications have been considered greener, have higher heat and mass transfer rates, and operate with lower costs. In this review, research using ultrasonic reactors and microreactors, along with developments through an integrated external energy source, for synthesizing acrylic microspheres is covered extensively. Acrylic microspheres have garnered much interest for their biocompatibility, affinity toward functionalization, and wide range of applications. Core–shell, composite, functional‐group modified, and porous acrylic microspheres are used for enzyme immobilization and as catalyst carriers. The use of acrylic support has provided huge improvements in catalytic activity, reusability, recyclability, and overall stability. Finally, various other process intensification methods and alternate support materials are covered to help enhance future developments in the field of catalysis.
A Novel 3D‐Bioprinting Technology of Orderly Extruded Multi‐Materials via Photopolymerization
Authors: Tavares‐Negrete Jorge Alfonso , Babayigit Ceren , Najafikoshnoo Sahar , Lee Sang Won , Boyraz Ozdal , Esfandyarpour Rahim
Published: April 2023

As a 3D bioprinting technique, digital light processing (DLP) has become popular due to its capability to provide high‐throughput and high‐resolution constructs with precise chemical and biological factor distributions. However, despite the advancements in DLP technology, several hurdles remain, including phototoxicity, extensive printing time, and the limited portfolio of biocompatible/photo‐cross‐linkable materials. Recently, few works have attended to resolve some of these issues. However, state‐of‐the‐art techniques bear on complex imaging processing, require highly skilled personnel, and operate with non‐biocompatible/photo‐cross‐linkable materials. Additionally, they are not yet capable of multi‐layer and multi‐material printing of biocompatible/photo‐cross‐linkable materials to fabricate physiologically relevant cell‐laden structures. Herein, a novel DLP‐based 3D‐bioprinting technology called photopolymerization of orderly extruded multi‐materials (POEM), is proposed, developed, and fully characterized. The utility of the POEM technique for rapid and high‐resolution 3D‐printing of multi‐material, multi‐layer, and cell‐laden structures is demonstrated. The printed configurations show high cell viability (≈80%) and metabolic activity for more than 5 days. As a study model, a 3D‐structure representing the esophagus is also successfully printed and characterized. It is envisioned that the reported light‐based POEM technique here enables the fabrication of 3D‐cell‐laden structures in a multi‐material and multi‐layer printing manner in biocompatible/photo‐cross‐linkable materials essential to construct complex heterogeneous tissues/organs.
Threadlike Piezoelectric Sensors Based on Ferroelectrets and Their Application in Washable and Breathable Smart Clothing
Authors: Xiang Xinhao , Ma Xingchen , Zhou Lian , Sessler Gerhard M. , von Seggern Heinz , Dali Omar Ben , Kupnik Mario , He Pengfei , Dai Ying , Zhang Xiaoqing
Published: April 2023

Ferroelectrets, featuring strong piezoelectric activity, flexibility, lightweight, and low cost, are advanced material and have attractive prospects for various sensors and actuators. However, large‐scale production of ferroelectret‐based devices and their straightforward implementation in complicated structures remain difficult tasks. In this study, a novel self‐shielding threadlike piezoelectric pressure sensor based on irradiation cross‐linked polypropylene (IXPP) ferroelectrets with a symmetric coaxial structure, named Ferroelectret Coaxial Sensor (FCS), is designed, prepared, and characterized. Besides, such sensors with a length of up to 300 m are successfully produced by an industrial continuous production line, confirming that the fabrication procedure is compatible with it and that the FCS can be mass‐produced in the future. The results show that the hydrostatic piezoelectric coefficient up to 55 pC/N is achieved in the FCS, which is around four times of magnitude higher than those of commercially available piezo‐cables made of poly (vinylidene fluoride). Smart carpets and wristers weaved with an integrated FCS, that can be produced by an industrial production line, are sensitive, flexible/stretchable, washable, and breathable, demonstrating great potential in motion recognition for health care. A laboratory prototype of traffic sensors based on the FCS indicates its capability in speed meauring and dynamic weighing for vehicles. This study will greatly promote applications of ferroelectrets in wearable devices, smart housing, intelligent transportation, etc.
An Electrothermal and Magnetic Dual‐Modal Actuator toward Soft Self‐Sensing Robots
Authors: Shu Quan , Liao Guojiang , Liu Shuai , Deng Huaxia , Pang Haoming , Xu Zhenbang , Gong Xinglong , Xuan Shouhu
Published: April 2023

Soft actuators with good flexibility, high stability, and excellent controllability have attracted extensive attention. However, dual‐modal smart self‐perception actuator with contact and noncontact actuating mode remains a challenge. Notably, soft actuators with in situ self‐sensing monitoring capabilities have gained increasing attention in smart flexible devices. This work reports a smart actuator composed of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/magnetorheological elastomer (MRE)/Ag/ polyimide (PI) (PMAP), which can not only well respond to bending stimuli but also be actuated by electromagnetic dual‐modal actuation. Benefiting from the nanowire–nanoflake coupling structure of conductive Ag layer, the PMAP film exhibits excellent electrical sensing and electro‐heat generation behavior. The ΔR/R0 of PMAP film increases from 5.1% to 24.7% during the bending test. Moreover, the PMAP film realizes contact electrothermal actuation due to the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient between PDMS matrix and PI tape. Under applying a 16 s of 2 V electrothermal actuation, the bending angle of PMAP film can increase from 31.1° to 219.3°. Moreover, MRE matrix endows the PMAP film with noncontact magnetic deformation characteristic. This multifunctional smart flexible device integrated with in situ sensing perception and contact and noncontact dual‐modal actuation performances possess high potential in electronic devices and robots.
Magnetically Actuable Complex‐Shaped Microgels for Spatio‐Temporal Flow Control
Authors: Steinbeck Lea , Braunmiller Dominik L. , Wolff Hanna J. M. , Huettche Vincent , Wang Julia , Wessling Matthias , Crassous Jérôme J. , Linkhorst John
Published: April 2023

Complex‐shaped microgels are promising building blocks for soft metamaterials. Their active and remote orientational control provides significant potential in architecting them in time and space. This work describes the use of magnetically actuable microgels of complex shape for spatio‐temporal flow control and showcases the concept for microfluidic impellers. First, the fabrication of complex‐shaped magnetically actuable poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate based microgels via stop‐flow lithography is presented. The microgels comprise a pre‐programmed magnetic moment set by pre‐aligned maghemite nanospindles during the fabrication step. This feature allows the microgels to be positioned in a static magnetic field and rotate under application of a rotating external field. The dependence of the magnetic field rotation rate and strength, maghemite content, and microgel shape on the magnetic response of the microgels is comprehensively quantified. Finally, the magnetic complex‐shaped microgels are integrated as actuable impellers in a microfluidic chip. The microgels are positioned in space by polymerizing them around fixed poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) pillars. Free rotation around the PDMS pillar is achieved due to the oxygen inhibition layer at the chip and pillar surface. The versatility of the fabrication methodology is showcased by the investigation of in‐chip mixing in a microfluidic device consisting of soft responsive impellers.
Counting All Photons: Efficient Optimization of Visible Light 3D Printing
Authors: Stevens Lynn M. , Recker Elizabeth A. , Zhou Kevin A. , Garcia Vincent G. , Mason Keldy S. , Tagnon Clotilde , Abdelaziz Nayera , Page Zachariah A.
Published: April 2023

The utility of visible light for 3D printing has increased in recent years owing to its accessibility and reduced materials interactions, such as scattering and absorption/degradation, relative to traditional UV light‐based processes. However, photosystems that react efficiently with visible light often require multiple molecular components and have strong and diverse absorption profiles, increasing the complexity of formulation and printing optimization. Herein, a streamlined method to select and optimize visible light 3D printing conditions is described. First, green light liquid crystal display (LCD) 3D printing using a novel resin is optimized through traditional empirical methods, which involves resin component selection, spectroscopic characterization, time‐intensive 3D printing under several different conditions, and measurements of dimensional accuracy for each printed object. Subsequent analytical quantification of dynamic photon absorption during green light polymerizations unveils relationships to cure depth that enables facile resin and 3D printing optimization using a model that is a modification to the Jacob's equation traditionally used for stereolithographic 3D printing. The approach and model are then validated using a distinct green light‐activated resin for two types of projection‐based 3D printing.
Lanthanide Double Perovskite Nanocrystals with Emissions Covering the UV‐C to NIR Spectral Range
Authors: Saghy Peter , Brown Alexander M. , Chu Chun , Dube Lacie C. , Zheng Weiwei , Robinson Jerome R. , Chen Ou
Published: April 2023

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have recently drawn considerable attention in the fields of materials science and nanotechnology. However, a major drawback of these NCs is the reliance on toxic lead, which hinders widespread application. Herein, a new class of lead‐free perovskite NCs, that is, lanthanide double perovskite (Ln‐DP) NCs, with f‐orbital‐induced optical properties, is introduced. The Pr‐, Ce‐, Tb‐, Eu‐, Sm‐, and Yb‐based Ln‐DP NCs display narrow d→f and f→f emissions ranging from the UV‐C to the near‐infrared spectral region. Experimental data and calculations reveal that the emissive Ln‐DP NCs exhibit small molecule‐like electronic absorptions: f→d atomic transitions or ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer transitions. Last, it is demonstrated that by alloying Ln compositions in the DP NCs, new materials with unique and improved optical properties can be obtained. These Ln‐DP NCs are promising for optical sensing and lighting, and as components in optoelectronic and/or magneto‐fluorescent devices.
Metabolome‐Based Genome‐Wide Association Study of Duck Meat Leads to Novel Genetic and Biochemical Insights
Authors: Liu Dapeng , Zhang He , Yang Youyou , Liu Tong , Guo Zhanbao , Fan Wenlei , Wang Zhen , Yang Xinting , Zhang Bo , Liu Hongfei , Tang Hehe , Yu Daxin , Yu Simeng , Gai Kai , Mou Qiming , Cao Junting , Hu Jian , Tang Jing , Hou Shuisheng , Zhou Zhengkui
Published: April 2023

Meat is among the most consumed foods worldwide and has a unique flavor and high nutrient density in the human diet. However, the genetic and biochemical bases of meat nutrition and flavor are poorly understood. Here, 3431 metabolites and 702 volatiles in 423 skeletal muscle samples are profiled from a gradient consanguinity segregating population generated by Pekin duck × Liancheng duck crosses using metabolomic approaches. The authors identified 2862 metabolome‐based genome‐wide association studies (mGWAS) signals and 48 candidate genes potentially modulating metabolite and volatile levels, 79.2% of which are regulated by cis‐regulatory elements. The level of plasmalogen is significantly associated with TMEM189 encoding plasmanylethanolamine desaturase 1. The levels of 2‐pyrrolidone and glycerophospholipids are regulated by the gene expression of AOX1 and ACBD5, which further affects the levels of volatiles, 2‐pyrrolidone and decanal, respectively. Genetic variations in GADL1 and CARNMT2 determine the levels of 49 metabolites including L‐carnosine and anserine. This study provides novel insights into the genetic and biochemical basis of skeletal muscle metabolism and constitutes a valuable resource for the precise improvement of meat nutrition and flavor.
Effect of antecedent drought stress on spring green‐up in turf‐type bermudagrasses
Authors: Yu Shuhao , Fontanier Charles H. , Martin Dennis L. , Moss Justin Q. , Goad Carla L. , Wu Yanqi
Published: April 2023

Winterkill is a major concern for turf‐type bermudagrasses [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. and C. dactylon (L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensis Burtt‐Davy] when cultivated in the US transition zone and frequently occurring drought conditions challenge bermudagrass management. Therefore, developing new bermudagrasses with both drought resistance and winter survivability are needed for the future sustainability of the turfgrass industry in the transition zone. How these two traits interact within bermudagrass populations is not widely reported. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to estimate reliability for spring green‐up (SG) (as an indicator of winter survivability) and drought response in turf‐type bermudagrasses. A total of 77 experimental genotypes and 7 cultivars were planted in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications over 2 years in Goodwell, OK, USA. Substantial genetic variations were found for drought response and SG parameters when analyzed by year, but variations for SG parameters and leaf firing were not significant when analyzed across years. The reliability estimates for drought response ranged from low to moderate (i2 = 0.24–0.61), whereas the subsequent estimates for SG were low (i2 = 0.13–0.33), suggesting poor reliability. The low‐to‐moderate reliability values in SG were likely due to antecedent drought injuries, indicating that winter survivability and drought resistance may need to be evaluated in separate trials.
Developing eco‐friendly endophytic bioinoculants for enhancing productivity and soil fertility in wheat
Authors: Chouhan Gowardhan Kumar , Mukherjee Arpan , Singh Saurabh , Gaurav Anand Kumar , Kumari Babita , Verma Jay Prakash
Published: April 2023

The main aim of this study was to explore the potential role of wheat endophytic bacteria on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production and soil health management under pot and field trials. Seven plant growth‐promoting putative endophytes were isolated from different wheat plant parts (root, shoot, leaf, and seed). We selected two effective bacterial strains, Pseudomonas sp. BHUJPV‐WRO5 (from the “Pseudomonas koreensis” subgroup) originating from the root and Staphylococcus sp. BHUJPV‐WLE7 isolated from leaf, based on plant growth‐promoting traits like indole‐3‐acetic acid, ammonia, siderophore production, and phosphate solubilization. We conducted pot and field experiments with treatments T1 (uninoculated), T2 (Pseudomonas sp.), and T3 (Staphylococcus sp.). In pots, grain yield was higher with Pseudomonas sp. or S. xylosus than in the control. Similarly, grain yield in the field was increased with Pseudomonas sp. BHUJPV‐WRO5 or Staphylococcus sp. BHUJPV‐WLE7 compared with control. Pseudomonas sp. BHUJPV‐WRO5 also resulted in higher soil electrical conductivity (both pot and field), total organic carbon (in field), soil contents in available N, P, and K (in pot and field), and potential activity in soil of alkaline phosphatase (pot and field), dehydrogenase and β‐glucosidase (in pot). The effects of Staphylococcus sp. BHUJPV‐WLE7 were smaller, with however, higher soil levels for electrical conductivity (in pot), total organic carbon (in field), available P (in pot and field), and higher potential activity of alkaline phosphatase (in pot) than control. Overall, the putative wheat endophytes effectively enhanced plant growth, crop productivity, and soil quality, and Pseudomonas stain is promising as a bio‐inoculant for sustainable wheat production.
Non‐Linear Electrodynamics in Blandford–Znajek Energy Extraction
Authors: Carleo Amodio , Lambiase Gaetano , Övgün Ali
Published: April 2023

Non‐linear electrodynamics (NLED) is a generalization of Maxwell's electrodynamics for strong fields. It has significant implications for the study of black holes and cosmology and has been extensively studied in the literature, extending from quantum to cosmological contexts. In this work, two new ways to investigate these non‐linear theories are investigated. First, the Blandford‐Znajek mechanism is analyzed in light of this promising theoretical context, providing the general form of the extracted power up to second order in the black hole spin parameter a. It is found that, depending on the NLED model, the emitted power can be extremely increased or decreased, and that the magnetic field lines around the black hole seem to become vertical quickly. Considering only separated solutions, it is found that no monopole solutions exist and this could have interesting astrophysical consequences (not considered here). Last but not least, it is attempted to confine the NLED parameters by inducing the amplification of primordial magnetic fields (“seeds”), thus admitting non‐linear theories already during the early stages of the Universe. However, the latter approach proves to be useful for NLED research only in certain models. These (analytical) results emphasize that the behavior of non‐linear electromagnetic phenomena strongly depends on the physical context and that only a power‐law model seems to have any chance to compete with Maxwell.
Glass Formation in Hybrid Organic‐Inorganic Perovskites
Authors: Ye Chumei , McHugh Lauren N. , Chen Celia , Dutton Siân E. , Bennett Thomas D.
Published: April 2023

Crystalline materials have governed the development of hybrid organic‐inorganic perovskites (HOIPs), giving rise to a variety of fascinating applications such as solar cells and optoelectronic devices. With increasing interest in non‐crystalline systems, the glassy state of HOIPs has recently been identified. Here, the basic building blocks of crystalline HOIPs appear to be retained, though their glasses lack long‐range periodic order. The emerging family of glasses formed from HOIPs exhibits diverse properties, complementary to their crystalline state. This mini review describes the chemical diversity of both three‐dimensional and two‐dimensional crystalline HOIPs and demonstrates how glasses are produced from these materials. Specifically, current achievements in melt‐quenched glasses formed from HOIPs are highlighted. We conclude with our perspective on the future of this new family of materials.
Baseline genetic distinctiveness supports structured populations of thornback ray in the Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Melis Riccardo , Vacca Laura , Cariani Alessia , Carugati Laura , Charilaou Charis , Di Crescenzo Simone , Ferrari Alice , Follesa Maria Cristina , Mancusi Cecilia , Pinna Valentina , Serena Fabrizio , Sion Letizia , Tinti Fausto , Cannas Rita
Published: April 2023

The thornback ray (Raja clavata) is the most important chondrichthyan in terms of landings in the Mediterranean Sea. Intense harvesting may induce negative genetic effects reducing the resilience of overfished species. For this reason, genetic diversity information should be considered in fisheries management and conservation policies.

Microsatellite markers were used to unravel the genetic features (variability, connectivity, sex‐biased dispersal) of R. clavata populations, both at the small (around the coast of Sardinia, western Mediterranean Sea) and larger spatial scales (at the pan‐Mediterranean level, and between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea).

Individual clustering, multivariate and variance analyses rejected the hypothesis of genetic homogeneity, with significant genetic differences between Mediterranean and Atlantic rays, as well as within the Mediterranean Sea between its western and eastern basins. The data indicated that both the Strait of Gibraltar and the Sicilian Channel seem to be effective in limiting the dispersal of thornback ray individuals, but a further structuring was identified, with the significant genetic differentiation of the populations located in the Algero‐Provençal and Tyrrhenian basins. Such a fine‐scale arrangement suggests the occurrence of additional barriers to species dispersal. A lack of significant genetic differentiation, stable over the years, was measured at a local scale among R. clavata Sardinian samples.

Several possible mechanisms, both biological and abiotic (e.g. migratory behaviour, waterfronts and oceanographic discontinuities), are discussed. Overall, the genetic data presented, both at the local and regional level, could represent the baseline information for the temporal monitoring of populations and assessing the effects of present or future fisheries‐related management actions.

The data obtained are information of paramount importance for minimizing the gaps in our current knowledge of the genetic diversity of thornback rays and maximizing the information needed for the correct protection of R. clavata populations.
Forecasting extreme negative returns in gold and silver: A discrete‐duration approach to POT models
Authors: Bień‐Barkowska Katarzyna
Published: April 2023

Sudden and massive drops in precious metal prices severely impact the investment risk on these commodity markets. In this study, we examine the dynamics of extreme negative returns on gold and silver, as well as propose the discrete‐duration version of the autoregressive conditional duration peaks‐over‐threshold (ACD‐POT) model for measuring market risk. The model is tailored for the dynamics of extreme events in precious metal markets; this is because it can exhibit both the strong clustering of extreme‐event days, and the serial correlation in the magnitudes of extreme losses. From an econometric perspective, our approach complements the existing dynamic versions of POT models; this is so that the time interval (i.e., duration) between the extreme negative returns is treated not as a continuous variable, but as a discrete one. The discrete hazard function in our model represents the daily extreme loss event probability and it can be used to derive one‐day‐ahead forecasts of both the value at risk and expected shortfall for investments in gold and silver. Formal backtesting methods show that the discretized version of the POT model has a superior in‐sample fit and forecasting performance than the continuous‐duration POT models.
Studying the impact of cell age on the yeast growth behaviour ofSaccharomyces pastorianusvar.carlsbergensisby magnetic separation
Authors: Eigenfeld Marco , Wittmann Leonie , Kerpes Roland , Schwaminger Sebastian P. , Becker Thomas
Published: April 2023

Despite the fact that yeast is a widely used microorganism in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries, the impact of viability and age distribution on cultivation performance has yet to be fully understood. For a detailed analysis of fermentation performance and physiological state, we introduced a method of magnetic batch separation to isolate daughter and mother cells from a heterogeneous culture. By binding functionalised iron oxide nanoparticles, it is possible to separate the chitin‐enriched bud scars by way of a linker protein. This reveals that low viability cultures with a high daughter cell content perform similarly to a high viability culture with a low daughter cell content. Magnetic separation results in the daughter cell fraction (>95%) showing a 21% higher growth rate in aerobic conditions than mother cells and a 52% higher rate under anaerobic conditions. These findings emphasise the importance of viability and age during cultivation and are the first step towards improving the efficiency of yeast‐based processes.
Guided Isolation of New Cytotoxic Cassane Diterpenoids from Caesalpinia sappan
Authors: Jin Yue , Tong Zi‐Wei , Gao Hui‐Yuan , Wu Zhao‐Hua
Published: April 2023

Guided by an MS/MS‐based molecular networking, six undescribed cassane diterpenoids and three known ones were isolated and identified from the seeds of Caesalpinia sappan. Their structures were unequivocally elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Cytotoxic evaluation showed that phanginin JA exhibited significant antiproliferative activities against human non‐small cell lung cancer (A549) cells with IC50 values of 16.79±0.83 μM. Further flow cytometry analysis revealed that phanginin JA could exert apoptotic effect of A549 cells by arresting cell cycle in G0/G1 phase.
Development of LpxH Inhibitors Chelating the Active Site Dimanganese Metal Cluster of LpxH
Authors: Kwak Seung‐Hwa , Skyler Cochrane C. , Cho Jae , Dome Patrick A. , Ennis Amanda F. , Kim Jea Hyun , Zhou Pei , Hong Jiyong
Published: April 2023

Despite the widespread emergence of multidrug‐resistant nosocomial Gram‐negative bacterial infections and the major public health threat it brings, no new class of antibiotics for Gram‐negative pathogens has been approved over the past five decades. Therefore, there is an urgent medical need for developing effective novel antibiotics against multidrug‐resistant Gram‐negative pathogens by targeting previously unexploited pathways in these bacteria. To fulfill this crucial need, we have been investigating a series of sulfonyl piperazine compounds targeting LpxH, a dimanganese‐containing UDP‐2,3‐diacylglucosamine hydrolase in the lipid A biosynthetic pathway, as novel antibiotics against clinically important Gram‐negative pathogens. Inspired by a detailed structural analysis of our previous LpxH inhibitors in complex with K. pneumoniae LpxH (KpLpxH), here we report the development and structural validation of the first‐in‐class sulfonyl piperazine LpxH inhibitors, JH‐LPH‐45 (8) and JH‐LPH‐50 (13), that achieve chelation of the active site dimanganese cluster of KpLpxH. The chelation of the dimanganese cluster significantly improves the potency of JH‐LPH‐45 (8) and JH‐LPH‐50 (13). We expect that further optimization of these proof‐of‐concept dimanganese‐chelating LpxH inhibitors will ultimately lead to the development of more potent LpxH inhibitors for targeting multidrug‐resistant Gram‐negative pathogens.
Precise event sampling‐based data locality tools for AMD multicore architectures
Authors: Sasongko Muhammad Aditya , Chabbi Milind , Kelly Paul H. J. , Unat Didem
Published: April 2023

We propose ComDetective, an inter‐thread communication analyzer, and ReuseTracker, a reuse distance analyzer, that leverage the hardware features in AMD processors to support low‐overhead profiling. Both tools employ the instruction‐based sampling (IBS) facility and debug registers in AMD processors to detect inter‐thread communication and data reuse. Different from prior arts, ComDetective differentiates the communication into true and false sharing, and ReuseTracker measures reuse distance in private and shared caches by also considering cache line invalidation with low overhead. Both tools can attribute the communications and reuses to source code lines. To our knowledge these tools are two of the few profiling tools designed specifically for AMD x86 architectures using IBS. Our tools are timely and relevant considering the rise in numbers of AMD processor based data centers and HPC systems. We perform experiments to evaluate the accuracy and overheads of the proposed tools on an AMD machine with two‐socket EPYC 7352 processors. ComDetective exhibits high accuracy while introducing 5.14 runtime and 1.4 memory overheads. ReuseTracker also displays high accuracy, which is 95%, with 11.76 runtime and 1.46 memory overheads. These overheads are much lower than the overheads of existing simulators and code instrumentation‐based tools. Lastly, we demonstrate the usage of the tools by having ComDetective and ReuseTracker facilitate the code refactoring of two data mining benchmarks to improve their performance by up to 29%.
A framework for deep neural network multiuser authorization based on channel pruning
Authors: Wang Linna , Song Yunfei , Zhu Yujia , Xia Daoxun , Han Guoquan
Published: April 2023

Various deep neural network (DNN) model watermarks have been proposed by researchers to verify copyrights for deep neural networks DNN. However, most DNN watermarking methods cannot prevent attackers from stealing and using the model. Unlike many existing approaches, this paper uses a channel pruning algorithm to protect DNN models, which verifies DNN models copyrights but also prevents the illegal use of DNN models. In this work, the pruning threshold or pruning rate is used as the secret key of a DNN model. After the secret key is distributed to multiple users, they prune the DNN model with the secret key, and the pruned and fine‐tuned model is provided to the users. The users can verify ownership of the model according to the pruning accuracy and fine‐tuning accuracy. If the secret key is incorrect, the accuracy of the model after fine‐tuning will be very low, and users will be unable to use the reasoning function of the fine‐tuned model. Based on the CIFAR‐10 and CIFAR‐100 datasets, we conducted experiments on five popular DNN models. The experimental results show that we can authorize multiple users by pruning very few channels in the convolution layers of the DNN model.
TRACE‐seq: Rapid, Low‐Input, One‐Tube RNA‐seq Library Construction Based on Tagmentation of RNA/DNA Hybrids
Authors: Lu Bo , Yi Chengqi
Published: April 2023

Tn5 transposase has been widely used to simultaneously fragment and tag double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA) with sequencing adaptors in library construction for next‐generation sequencing. Recently, we demonstrated that Tn5 transposase also possesses tagmentation activity toward RNA/DNA hybrids, in addition to its canonical dsDNA substrates. Based on this new activity, we are able to skip multiple laborious and time‐consuming steps in traditional RNA‐seq methods, and rapid, low‐input, cost‐effective, one‐tube RNA‐seq library construction is thus enabled. The libraries constructed by Transposase‐assisted RNA/DNA hybrids Co‐tagmEntation (termed “TRACE‐seq”) demonstrate excellent performance in terms of gene expression measurement and differential gene expression analysis. Here, we present detailed protocols for TRACE‐seq that will be broadly useful for the study of RNA biology and biomedical research. © 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Total RNA preparation

Basic Protocol 2: TRACE‐seq library construction

Support Protocol: Tn5 transposome assembly
Sustainability reporting in banks: History of studies and a conceptual framework for thinking about the future by learning from the past
Authors: Baldissera Annalisa
Published: April 2023

The importance of sustainability reporting has grown steadily over time and banks, as intermediaries in the capital allocation, are significantly involved in the issue. By analyzing the development of studies on banks' sustainability reporting over the past 30 years, this contribution aims to set up a conceptual framework for guiding historical research and glimpsing future directions. Most of the literature on sustainability reporting is organized by specific topics and rarely by periods, while research in this area suffers from the lack of historical analysis models. The study addresses these two research gaps by applying the historical approach both to a structured literature review and to the interpretation of the results. The theoretical utility of the study consists in the development of a conceptual framework for historical research, while its practical relevance lies in indicating to banks and lawmakers the critical issues and opportunities of the ongoing regulatory changes.
Pathways towards Achieving High Current Density Water Electrolysis: from Material Perspective to System Configuration
Authors: Domalanta Marcel Roy , Bamba Jaira Neibel , Matienzo DJ Donn , del Rosario‐Paraggua Julie Anne , Ocon Joey
Published: April 2023

Hydrogen is a clean, flexible, powerful energy vector that can be leveraged as a promising alternative to fossil fuels. Additionally, green hydrogen production has been recognized as one of the most prevalent solutions to decarbonize the energy system. Water electrolysis studies have increased throughout the decade as higher industrial interest comes into play. The catalyst, system design, and configuration act in a congenial manner to deliver high‐performing water electrolysis. Despite performance targets peaking at high current densities, the current status of water electrolyzer technologies would require more research efforts to achieve such goals. This work presents a comprehensive review of how catalysts and electrolyzer designs can be enhanced to attain high current density water electrolysis. Modification strategies of catalysts, advances in characterization and modelling, and optimizing system designs are highlighted. Furthermore, this paper aims to elucidate the future research direction of water electrolysis to bridge the laboratory‐to‐industry gap.