bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomimetic Silk Architectures Outperform Animal Horns in Strength and Toughness
Authors: Liu Yawen , Li Yushu , Wang Qiyue , Ren Jing , Ye Chao , Li Fangyuan , Ling Shengjie , Liu Yilun , Ling Daishun
Published: August 2023

Structural biomimicry is an intelligent approach for developing lightweight, strong, and tough materials (LSTMs). Current fabrication technologies, such as 3D printing and two‐photon lithography often face challenges in constructing complex interlaced structures, such as the sinusoidal crossed herringbone structure that contributes to the ultrahigh strength and fracture toughness of the dactyl club of peacock mantis shrimps. Herein, bioinspired LSTMs with laminated or herringbone structures is reported, by combining textile processing and silk fiber “welding” techniques. The resulting biomimetic silk LSTMs (BS‐LSTMs) exhibit a remarkable combination of lightweight with a density of 0.6–0.9 g cm−3, while also being 1.5 times stronger and 16 times more durable than animal horns. These findings demonstrate that BS‐LSTMs are among the toughest natural materials made from silk proteins. Finite element simulations further reveal that the fortification and hardening of BS‐LSTMs arise primarily from the hierarchical organization of silk fibers and mechanically transferable meso‐interfaces. This study highlights the rational, cost‐effective, controllable mesostructure, and transferable strategy of integrating textile processing and fiber “welding” techniques for the fabrication of BS‐LSTMs with advantageous structural and mechanical properties. These findings have significant implications for a wide range of applications in biomedicine, mechanical engineering, intelligent textiles, aerospace industries, and beyond.
A Review on the Progress in Core‐Spun Yarns (CSYs) Based Textile TENGs for Real‐Time Energy Generation, Capture and Sensing
Authors: Aliyana Akshaya Kumar , Stylios George
Published: August 2023

This review is a critical analysis of the current state‐of‐the‐art in core spun yarn textile triboelectric nanogenerators (CSY‐T‐TENGs) for self‐powered smart sensing applications. The rapid expansion of wireless communication, flexible conductive materials, and wearable electronics over the last ten years is now demanding autonomous energy, which has created a new research space in the field of wearable T‐TENGs. Current research is exploring T‐TENGs made from CSYs as stable and reliable energy harvesters and sensing devices for modern wearable IoT platforms. CSY‐TENGs are emerging as an important technology due to its simple structure, low cost, and excellent performance in converting mechanical energy into electrical energy and due to its sensing ability. This paper provides a critical review on current progress, it analyzes the unique advantages of CSYs T‐TENGs over conventional T‐TENGs, it describes fabrication techniques and discusses the materials used along with their properties and electrical performance characteristics, and it highlights the recent advancements in their integration with self‐excitation circuits, charge storage devices and IoT‐enabled smart sensing applications, such as environmental and health monitoring. In the conclusion, it discusses the challenges and future directions of CSYs T‐TENGs and it provides a future road map for optimization, upscaling, and commercialization of the technology.
High‐Loaded Electrode Filaments for Additive Manufacturing of Structural Batteries
Authors: Park Soyeon , Cao Zhang , Sung Dae Han , Fu Kun Kelvin
Published: August 2023

The unique capability of 3D printing to create geometric complex structures presents a promising avenue for producing 3D electrodes aimed at enhancing power and energy densities within constrained spaces, which is challenging to achieve through traditional slurry casting methods. However, despite advancements over the years, 3D‐printed batteries have faced limitations in terms of mechanical robustness to endure significant volume changes during cycling and restricted electrochemical performance due to the lack of adequate electrode feedstock development or post‐processing treatments. Herein, a high‐loaded electrode filament with ≈65 wt.% fillers, enabling the fabrication of structural electrodes with improved electrochemical performance and superior mechanical properties, is developed. Through a combination of 3D printing and post‐processing techniques, interdigitated structures with high areal‐loading density, resulting in a full cell with an enhanced areal capacity of ≈12.28 mAh cm−2 at ≈0.92 mA cm−2 is fabricated. Moreover, the structural batteries, treated through the carbonizing process, are integrated by the carbon coating generated during carbonization, exhibiting remarkable compressive properties (with a modulus of 18.5 MPa and a strength of 1.09 MPa). Overall, the findings demonstrate the promising potential of 3D printed batteries for practical applications, while showcasing the scalability and design flexibility offered by 3D printing technology.
Assessing fertilizer nitrogen sources and application timing for water‐seeded rice systems
Authors: Cornelio Karla T. , Linquist Bruce A.
Published: August 2023

In California's water‐seeded rice systems, both high yields and nitrogen (N) use efficiency are achieved when the pre‐plant N fertilizer (usually aqueous‐ammonia [aqua‐N]) is injected into a dry seedbed before flooding and planting. However, there are situations where applying N fertilizer in this manner is not possible. The objective of this study was to evaluate alternative N management practices by testing different N sources and application times. In 2020, we tested 13 treatments and in 2021, six more treatments were added. The following N sources were evaluated: urea, ammonium sulfate, and three enhanced efficiency nitrogen fertilizers (EENFs). Application times for the EENFs, urea, and ammonium sulfate were one day after flooding and 2 weeks after flooding. Urea and ammonium sulfate were also applied in a four‐way split. In 2021, additional treatments were added with aqua‐N, ammonium sulfate, and urea applied before flooding, and urea applications at 3, 4, and 5 weeks after flooding. Grain yield and agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (ANUE) were used for comparison. All fertilizer N treatments increased grain yields relative to the zero‐N control, which averaged 5093 kg ha−1. Applying aqua‐N or urea preplant to a dry soil resulted in the highest yields and ANUE. The EENF fertilizers performed similarly to or worse than urea applied alone. If the field was already flooded, splitting urea applications was the best option. Only one split N treatment was evaluated in this study; this warrants further research on fine‐tuning the best N splits for these systems.
Effects of conservation tillage with straw mulching on annual yield and water utilization in a winter wheat‐summer maize cropping system on the North China Plain
Authors: Ding Jinli , Du Ying , Hu Wei , Ding Dianyuan , Yang Yonghui
Published: August 2023

Understanding the combination of conservation tillage and straw mulching on water utilization is important for developing water management strategies in arid and semiarid areas. Few studies have investigated the effects of different tillage treatments on precipitation efficiency in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)‐summer maize (Zea mays L.) cropping systems. A 3‐year field experiment with five treatments, that is, conventional tillage (CT), no‐tillage, no‐tillage with straw mulching (NT + S), subsoiling tillage, and subsoiling tillage with straw mulching (ST + S), was conducted. The objective was to investigate how conservation tillage with straw mulching affected soil water storage (SWC), precipitation storage efficiency (PSE), water consumption, grain yield, water use efficiency (WUE), and precipitation use efficiency (PUE) in a winter wheat‐summer maize cropping system. The results indicated that the ST + S treatment increased SWC by 10.1% and 8.3% in 2014–2015 and 2015–2016, respectively. The average PSE over the 3 years under the ST + S treatment was significantly higher, by 9.1% and 6.6%, than that under the CT treatment during the respective wheat and maize seasons. Compared with CT, the average annual yield under the NT + S treatment and ST + S treatment increased by 8.5% and 14.4%, respectively. In the winter wheat‐summer maize system, the NT + S and ST + S treatments significantly increased the annual WUE and PUE. The annual average PUE under the ST + S treatment was significantly higher, by 14.1%, than that under CT over the 3 years. Therefore, the ST + S treatment was more beneficial than the other treatments for increasing yield, WUE and PUE in sandy loam soil on the North China Plain.
Spatial model selection and design evaluation in the Ethiopian sorghum breeding program
Authors: Tadese Diriba , Piepho Hans‐Peter
Published: August 2023

In plant breeding field experiments, proper statistical design and analysis improve precision of genotype comparisons. The focus of this study was to compare the precision of different spatial techniques in estimating genotypic effects using sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] breeding data from Ethiopia and to investigate alternative design strategies maintaining overall field layout of the current trials while modifying the blocking (replicate, rows, and columns) structures compared to the current practice. The current trials comprise both partially replicated and fully replicated row–column designs where the field layout has short rows and long columns. For model comparison, six partially replicated row–column trials and 10 fully replicated row–column trials of sorghum were used. Relative efficiency calculations for the designs indicate that in most of the trials, alpha designs with block sizes of five, six, 10 and 15, and the alternative row–column designs were more efficient than the current design practice. Moreover, overall model comparison showed that augmenting the baseline model by a two‐dimensional nonlinear spatial model plus nugget improves the precision, while the randomization‐based plus two‐dimensional linear variance model and the randomization based plus a two‐dimensional nonlinear spatial model are also good candidate models. If row and column coordinates are available for all plots, the post‐blocking approach used here can be used in any breeding program and crop to explore alternative design options.
Biochemical composition of cover crop residues determines water retention and rewetting characteristics
Authors: Meeks Carley , Cabrera Miguel , Thapa Resham , Noor Nadia , Mirsky Steven , Reberg‐Horton Chris
Published: August 2023

When cover crop residues are left on the soil surface, their decomposition is mainly influenced by environmental conditions in residue layers, particularly residue water potential (ψresidue). Thus, models for surface residue decomposition in conservation tillage systems should include a sub‐module that can simulate hourly changes in ψresidue using available weather variables. The main goal of this study was to collect data to further improve a previously developed sub‐module within the Cover Crop Nitrogen Calculator (CC‐NCALC) that simulates water content and ψresidue in cover crop residues left on the soil surface. Specific objectives were to (1) evaluate the effect of degree of residue decomposition on the characteristic water release curves for cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) residues, and (2) model the rate of rewetting of cereal rye and crimson clover residues by rainfall. Our results extended the data needed for equations to estimate regression parameters for water release curves of cereal rye and crimson clover residues based on changes in lignin concentration as residue decompose. Our results also indicated that the parameters of an equation describing residue wetting as a function of cumulative rainfall could be estimated from soluble carbohydrate concentrations in the residue. These results will be integrated into the ψresidue sub‐module of CC‐NCALC to further improve the estimation of hourly changes in of cover crop residues remaining on the soil surface.
Changing patterns of cancer burden among elderly across Indian states: Evidence from the global burden of disease study 1990–2019
Authors: Swain Chandan Kumar , Padhee Sourav , Sahoo Umakanta , Rout Himanshu Sekhar , Swain Prafulla Kumar
Published: August 2023

Objective

To investigate the trends and patterns of the cancer burden among the elderly in different regions of India at a subnational level.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Studies India Compare 2019. Prevalence rate, disability‐adjusted life years (DALY), and annual percentage change techniques were used to analyze data.

Results

The three age groups with the highest prevalence of cancer were those aged 60–64 years, 65–69 years, and 70–74 years. In 2019, The prevalence of cancer among the elderly ranged from 7048.815 in Karnataka to 5743.040 in Jharkhand. Kerala has the most significant annual percentage change in the cancer prevalence rate of 0.291 between 1990 and 2019. The highest DALY rate was observed among individuals aged 80–84 years in 2019. That year, the DALY rate among the elderly was 8112.283 in India. The top five cancers with higher DALY rates among the elderly in India in 2019 were tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer (908.473), colon and rectum cancer (752.961), stomach cancer (707.464), breast cancer (597.881), and lip and oral cavity cancer (557.637).

Conclusion

Elderly individuals demonstrated a higher vulnerable to cancer compared to other age groups. There is a need for state‐specific government intervention to minimize the risk of cancer among the elderly due to the heterogeneity in the burden of cancer across Indian states.
Origami Chomper‐Based Flexible Gripper with Superior Gripping Performances
Authors: Liu Jie , Chen Zijie , Wen Guilin , He Junfeng , Wang Hongxin , Xue Liang , Long Kai , Xie Yi Min
Published: August 2023

Flexible grippers with superior gripping capabilities are essential for carrying objects. Herein, an origami chomper‐based flexible gripper is designed using a combination of the origami technique and a newly developed nonlinear topology optimization method. This novel origami chomper‐based flexible gripper exhibits superior gripping performance, as revealed by a series of experiments, including gripping range capability under an identical input load, maximum gripping ratio, gripping adaptability, and achieving richer gripping characteristics by size scaling. The origami chomper‐based flexible gripper can handle a wide range of object irregularities in textures and uneven shapes and can enable effective gripping of objects across scales from millimeters to centimeters to decimeters through size scaling. This study paves the way for innovative high‐performance designs of flexible grippers.
A new fossilAcmopylewith accessory transfusion tissue and potential reproductive buds: Direct evidence for ever‐wet rainforests in Eocene Patagonia
Authors: Andruchow‐Colombo Ana , Rossetto‐Harris Gabriella , Brodribb Timothy J. , Gandolfo María A. , Wilf Peter
Published: August 2023

Premise

Acmopyle(Podocarpaceae) comprises two extant species from Oceania that are physiologically restricted to ever‐wet rainforests, a confirmed fossil record based on leaf adpressions and cuticles in Australia since the Paleocene, and a few uncertain reports from New Zealand, Antarctica, and South America. We investigated fossil specimens withAcmopyleaffinities from the early Eocene Laguna del Hunco site in Patagonia, Argentina.

Methods

We studied 42 adpression leafy‐shoot fossils and included them in a total evidence phylogenetic analysis.

Results

Acmopyle grayaesp. nov. is based on heterophyllous leafy shoots with three distinct leaf types. Among these, bilaterally flattened leaves uniquely preserve subparallel, linear features that we interpret as accessory transfusion tissue (ATT, an extra‐venous water‐conducting tissue). Some apical morphologies ofA. grayaeshoots are compatible with the early stages of ovuliferous cone development. Our phylogenetic analysis recovers the new species in a polytomy with the two extantAcmopylespecies. We report several types of insect‐herbivory damage. We also transferAcmopyle engelhardtifrom the middle Eocene Río Pichileufú flora toDacrycarpus engelhardticomb. nov.

Conclusions

We confirm the biogeographically significant presence of the endangered West Pacific genusAcmopylein Eocene Patagonia.Acmopyleis one of the most drought‐intolerant genera in Podocarpaceae, possibly due to the high collapse risk of the ATT, and thus the new fossil species provides physiological evidence for the presence of an ever‐wet rainforest environment at Laguna del Hunco during the Early Eocene Climatic Optimum.
Synthetic Strategies for the Construction of Indolizines and Indolizine‐fused Compounds: Thienoindolizines and Indolizinoindoles
Authors: Nevskaya Alisa A. , Zinoveva Anna D. , Van der Eycken Erik V. , Voskressensky Leonid G.
Published: August 2023

This paper provides a review on various methodologies developed for the synthesis of different indolizine derivatives and an overview of their application. These include thienoindolizine and indolizino[8,7‐b]indole derivatives. The indolizine nucleus occurs as privileged scaffold of many natural and synthetic molecules with significant biological activity. Fused‐indolizines such as thienoindolizines and indolizinoindole derivatives are of great interest, due to their antitumor, antimicrobial and enzyme inhibitor activity. Because of their widespread use in chemical, medicinal, biological, and materials science research, indolizines and their fused derivatives are attractive synthetic targets in the search for efficient methods for their construction.
Visible light‐induced monofluoroalkylation of (hetero)arenes with diethyl 2‐bromo‐2‐fluoromalonate
Authors: Li Yalong , Deng Zefeng , Tan Jie , Liu Qianqian , Zhang Jingyu , Zhao Yingsheng
Published: August 2023

This study reports Iridium‐catalyzed monofluoroalkylation of various (hetero)arenes. Diethyl 2‐bromo‐2‐fluoromalonate was identified as an effective monofluoroalkylating reagent in iridium‐catalyzed C−H functionalization. A wide variety of monofluoro compounds were directly synthesized with moderate to good yields. Additionally, the products contained 1,3‐dicarbonyl skeletons that were easily convertible in various reactions, highlighting the synthetic importance of this method.
Evaluation of the NIH Toolbox Odor Identification Test across normal cognition, amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and dementia due to Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Echevarria‐Cooper Shiloh L. , Ho Emily H. , Gershon Richard C. , Weintraub Sandra , Kahnt Thorsten
Published: August 2023

INTRODUCTION

Olfactory decline is associated with cognitive decline in aging, amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and amnestic dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology (ADd). The National Institutes of Health Toolbox Odor Identification Test (NIHTB‐OIT) may distinguish between these clinical categories.

METHODS

We compared NIHTB‐OIT scores across normal cognition (NC), aMCI, and ADd participants (N = 389, ≥65 years) and between participants positive versus negative for AD biomarkers and the APOE ε4 allele.

RESULTS

NIHTB‐OIT scores decreased with age (p < 0.001) and were lower for aMCI (p < 0.001) and ADd (p < 0.001) compared to NC participants, correcting for age and sex. The NIHTB‐OIT detects aMCI (ADd) versus NC participants with 49.4% (56.5%) sensitivity and 88.8% (89.5%) specificity. NIHTB‐OIT scores were lower for participants with positive AD biomarkers (p < 0.005), but did not differ based on the APOE ε4 allele (p > 0.05).

DISCUSSION

The NIHTB‐OIT distinguishes clinically aMCI and ADd participants from NC participants.

Highlights

National Institutes of Health Toolbox Odor Identification Test (NIHTB‐OIT) discriminated normal controls from mild cognitive impairment.

NIHTB‐OIT discriminated normal controls from Alzheimer's disease dementia.

Rate of olfactory decline with age was similar across all diagnostic categories.

NIHTB‐OIT scores were lower in participants with positive Alzheimer's biomarker tests.

NIHTB‐OIT scores did not differ based on APOE genotype.
Ferroptosis of Microglia in Aging Human White Matter Injury
Authors: Adeniyi Philip A. , Gong Xi , MacGregor Ellie , Degener‐O'Brien Kiera , McClendon Evelyn , Garcia Mariel , Romero Oscar , Russell Joshua , Srivastava Taasin , Miller Jeremy , Keene C. Dirk , Back Stephen A.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Because the role of white matter (WM) degenerating microglia (DM) in remyelination failure is unclear, we sought to define the core features of this novel population of aging human microglia.

Methods

We analyzed postmortem human brain tissue to define a population of DM in aging WM lesions. We used immunofluorescence staining and gene expression analysis to investigate molecular mechanisms related to the degeneration of DM.

Results

We found that DM, which accumulated myelin debris were selectively enriched in the iron‐binding protein light chain ferritin, and accumulated PLIN2‐labeled lipid droplets. DM displayed lipid peroxidation injury and enhanced expression for TOM20, a mitochondrial translocase, and a sensor of oxidative stress. DM also displayed enhanced expression of the DNA fragmentation marker phospho‐histone H2A.X. We identified a unique set of ferroptosis‐related genes involving iron‐mediated lipid dysmetabolism and oxidative stress that were preferentially expressed in WM injury relative to gray matter neurodegeneration.

Interpretation

Ferroptosis appears to be a major mechanism of WM injury in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. WM DM are a novel therapeutic target to potentially reduce the impact of WM injury and myelin loss on the progression of cognitive impairment. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:1048–1066
Synthetic Advantages of Defluorinative C−F Bond Functionalization
Authors: Hooker Leidy V. , Bandar Jeffrey S.
Published: August 2023

Much progress has been made in the development of methods to both create compounds that contain C−F bonds and to functionalize C−F bonds. As such, C−F bonds are becoming common and versatile synthetic functional handles. This review summarizes the advantages of defluorinative functionalization reactions for small molecule synthesis. The coverage is organized by the type of carbon framework the fluorine is attached to for mono‐ and polyfluorinated motifs. The main challenges, opportunities and advances of defluorinative functionalization are discussed for each class of organofluorine. Most of the text focuses on case studies that illustrate how defluorofunctionalization can improve routes to synthetic targets or how the properties of C−F bonds enable unique mechanisms and reactions. The broader goal is to showcase the opportunities for incorporating and exploiting C−F bonds in the design of synthetic routes, improvement of specific reactions and advent of new methods.
Comprehensive Comparisons between Directing and Alternating Current Electrolysis in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Zeng Li , Wang Jianxing , Wang Daoxin , Yi Hong , Lei Aiwen
Published: August 2023

Organic electrosynthesis has consistently aroused significant interest within both academic and industrial spheres. Despite the considerable progress achieved in this field, the majority of electrochemical transformations have been conducted through the utilization of direct‐current (DC) electricity. In contrast, the application of alternating current (AC), characterized by its polarity‐alternating nature, remains in its infancy within the sphere of organic synthesis, primarily due to the absence of a comprehensive theoretical framework. This minireview offers an overview of recent advancements in AC‐driven organic transformations and seeks to elucidate the differences between DC and AC electrolytic methodologies by probing into their underlying physical principles. These differences encompass the ability of AC to preclude the deposition of metal catalysts, the precision in modulating oxidation and reduction intensities, and the mitigation of mass transfer processes.
Spatially Resolved Organic Whispering‐Gallery‐Mode Hetero‐Microrings for High‐Security Photonic Barcodes
Authors: Feng Xingwei , Lin Ru , Yang Shuo , Xu Yuyu , Zhang Tongjin , Chen Shunwei , Ji Yingke , Wang Zifei , Chen Shiwei , Zhu Chaofeng , Gao Zhenhua , Zhao Yong Sheng
Published: August 2023

Whispering‐gallery‐mode (WGM) microcavities featuring distinguishable sharp peaks in a broadband exhibit enormous advantages in the field of miniaturized photonic barcodes. However, such kind of barcodes developed hitherto are primarily based on microcavities wherein multiple gain medias were blended into a single matrix, thus resulting in the limited and indistinguishable coding elements. Here, a surface tension assisted heterogeneous assembly strategy is proposed to construct the spatially resolved WGM hetero‐microrings with multiple spatial colors along its circular direction. Through precisely regulating the charge‐transfer (CT) strength, full‐color microrings covering the entire visible range were effectively acquired, which exhibit a series of sharp and recognizable peaks and allow for the effective construction of high‐quality photonic barcodes. Notably, the spatially resolved WGM hetero‐microrings with multiple coding elements were finally acquired through heterogeneous nucleation and growth controlled by the directional diffusion between the hetero‐emulsion droplets, thus remarkably promoting the security strength and coding capacity of the barcodes. The results would be useful to fabricate new types of organic hierarchical hybrid WGM heterostructures for optical information recording and security labels.
Nano‐sized Co(II), Ni(II), and Zr(IV) complexes of quinaldine‐based azo dye for promising therapeutic and catalytic applications: Synthesis, characterization, density functional theory studies and molecular docking
Authors: Khedr Abdalla M. , Gaber Mohamed , Elsharkawy Mohsen , Bakr Eman A. , Atlam Faten M.
Published: August 2023

Novel azo dye containing the heterocyclic quinaldine nucleus, 3‐((2‐methylquinolin‐4‐yl)diazenyl)naphthalen‐2‐ol HL, and its Co(II), Ni(II) and Zr(IV) nano‐sized metal chelates have been synthesized and fully characterized by alternative analytical and spectral techniques. The finding indicated that the ligand coordinated as a monobasic bidentate via azo nitrogen and hydroxyl oxygen atom, resulting in octahedral geometry towards Co(II) and Zr(IV) complexes, and square planer geometry towards Ni(II) metal ion. Theoretical studies by DFT/B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p)/LANLDZ including energetic parameters, geometrical optimization, dipole moment, and HOMO–LUMO energy gap were applied to support the geometrical arrangement of the complexes. The produced complexes were generated at the nanoscale, as evidenced by the average particle size from TEM. The average particle size calculated from TEM images for Co(II), Ni(II), and Zr(IV) complexes is 6.0, 12.0, and 5.5 nm, respectively. The antibacterial activity of the ligand compared with its metal complexes shows enhanced activity over the metal complexes against different types of bacteria. Antitumor efficacy of the compounds was tested against A‐549 and PANC‐1 cells, compared with the vinblastine standard. The cytotoxic efficiency of both Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes exceeded that of vinblastine. The anticancer activity of the Zr complex was then studied using molecular docking to determine the interactions between this molecule and PANC‐1. Docking studies revealed that the Zr complex produces four hydrogen bond contacts with the active amino acid residues Arg 136 and Asp 140, two hydrophobic interactions with Val 50 and Leu 147, and two electrostatic interactions with Arg 136. Also, the catalytic property of the free ligand and nanocomplexes were tested on the oxidative degradation of methyl violet 2B dye in the presence of H2O2. The following arrangement was observed for the pseudo‐first‐order rate constants: Co(II) complex (0.068 min−1) > Ni(II) complex (0.066 min−1) > Zr(IV) complex (0.061 min−1) > HL (0.037 min−1).
N‐alkylation of benzamides/sulfonamides using alcohols via borrowing hydrogen approach by well‐defined Pd (II) pincer complexes
Authors: Anandaraj Pennamuthiriyan , Ramesh Rengan
Published: August 2023

The development of green, sustainable, and atom‐economical procedure for the construction of amides via C‐N bond formation is a high priority in synthetic organic community. In this research article, we demonstrate a simple and an efficient catalytic protocol for N‐alkylation of benzamides/sulfonamides using aromatic primary alcohols as coupling partners through borrowing hydrogen (BH) strategy by employing newly constructed palladium (II) O^N^O pincer complexes. All the palladium complexes are characterized by analytical and spectral methods (FT‐IR, NMR, and HRMS). Further, the solid‐state molecular structures of the complexes have been well authenticated by single‐crystal XRD studies. The present N‐alkylation protocol is facile, worked in low catalyst loading (0.5 mol%), and furnishes the desired N‐alkyl amides with excellent yields up to 92%. In this methodology, the reaction proceeds via the formation of intermediates such as aldehyde and (E)‐N‐benzylidenebenzamide with a release of water as ecological by‐product. The control experiments and plausible mechanistic investigations suggested that the coupling reaction was initially proceeds via dehydrogenation of alcohol and generate the alkylated products through hydrogen auto‐transfer. A large‐scale synthesis of N‐(4‐methoxybenzyl)benzamide proves the effectiveness of the Pd (II) pincer catalysts.
Synthesis of composite corn starch/hydroxyapatite nanoparticle biomembranes and their effect on mineralization by osteoblasts
Authors: Silva Lucas Santos , de Melo Maryanne Trafani , Sponchiado Pedro Augusto Invernizzi , Júnior Fernando Barbosa , Tapia‐Blácido Delia Rita , Ciancaglini Pietro , Ramos Ana Paula , Maniglia Bianca Chieregato
Published: August 2023

Bone defects and injuries are challenging issues in regenerative medicine. Guided bone regeneration (GBR) techniques use biomaterials as scaffolds to support the healing of damaged bone tissue. In this context, there is growing interest in developing new biomaterials with bioabsorbable and bioactive properties to increase GBR effectiveness. In this study, composite corn starch/hydroxyapatite nanoparticle (HAp) biomembranes were synthesized to achieve bioresorbable and bioactive properties compatible with applications in GBR. Starch is a renewable source and presents suitable rheological properties for membrane preparation; in turn, HAp is well known for its osteogenic properties. The biomembranes were prepared by solvent casting (5 wt% aqueous corn starch suspension containing different amounts of HAp (i.e., 0, 2, 5, and 10% of the corn starch weight), to give the membranes HAp_0%, HAp_2%, HAp_5%, and HAp_10%, respectively). The physicochemical and biological properties of the biomembranes were assessed. The concentrations of up to 10% of HAp were homogeneously dispersed in the composite biomembranes. HAp addition increased the biodegradability and the ability of the biomembranes to release Ca2+. The biomembranes containing HAp were more mechanically resistant and less flexible and were not toxic to osteoblasts. Moreover, compared to pure corn starch biomembranes, osteoblasts adhered better to the composite biomembranes. The higher the HAp content, the greater the mineralization promoted by osteoblasts on the composite biomembranes. HAp addition also resulted in composite biomembranes with better fracture healing efficiency in vitro. Therefore, composite corn starch/HAp biomembranes have excellent characteristics, including biodegradability, bioactivity, mechanical strength, and biocompatibility, for the development of new materials aimed at GBR.
Flame retardancy and mechanical properties of epoxy resin with the phytic acid‐derived flame retardant
Authors: Wang Song , Meng Lingchen , Chen Qi , Li Sanxi , Zhang Ailing
Published: August 2023

The synthesis and application of the bio‐derived flame retardant can meet the current requirements for the high‐efficient and sustainable development of flame retardants. Therefore, using phytic acid (PA), 9,10‐dihydro‐9‐oxa‐10‐phosphaphenanthrene‐10‐oxide (DOPO), and piperazine as raw materials, a PA‐derived flame retardant (PAPDOPO) was prepared. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and x‐ray diffraction techniques were applied to characterize the structure of the PAPDOPO. In the prepared flame‐retardant epoxy resin (FEP), PAPDOPO showed high flame retardancy. When 4% PAPDOPO was added into epoxy resin (EP), the prepared FEP (EP‐PAPD‐4) passed the V‐0 level in the UL‐94 test, and the limited oxygen index value of EP‐PAPD‐4 reached 35.3%. Microcombustion calorimetry test was also applied to demonstrate the performance of PAPDOPO. The peak heat release rate of EP‐PAPD‐4 was reduced by 30.4% compared with that of the pure EP. Due to the low addition amount of PAPDOPO in FEP, the mechanical properties of the FEP using PAPDOPO as flame retardant were hardly decreased compared with pure EP.
Movement, ranging patterns and habitat use of Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in the Langkawi Archipelago and adjacent Perlis‐Kedah coastal waters, Malaysia
Authors: Teoh Zhi Yi , Then Amy Yee‐Hui , Ng Jol Ern , Kuit Sui Hyang , Jamal Hisne Fairul Izmal , Ponnampalam Louisa Shobhini
Published: August 2023

1. Studies on the ranging patterns and habitat use of Indo‐Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) in Southeast Asia are scarce but essential to inform conservation and management of a species known to be susceptible to anthropogenic pressures.

2. This study is the first to investigate the long‐term movement, range sizes and habitat use of humpback dolphins in the Langkawi Archipelago and adjacent Perlis‐Kedah mainland coast of Malaysia using boat‐based photo‐identification surveys conducted between 2010 and 2020.

3. A total of 669 humpback dolphin individuals were identified, making it one of the largest photo‐ID catalogues within their geographic range. Lagged identification rates suggested that some individuals maintained long‐term site fidelity in the study area.

4. Low transition probabilities and 194 photo‐identification matches revealed humpback dolphins moved minimally between Langkawi and the adjacent Perlis‐Kedah mainland; however, most southward dolphin movements did not extend beyond Kuala Jerlun in northern Kedah.

5. The mean range sizes estimated for 16 regularly sighted individuals through minimum convex polygon and kernel density estimate 95% utilization distribution were significantly different, at 338.2 ± 183.8 and 75.6 ± 28.6 km2, respectively.

6. Most individual and population core areas (i.e. kernel density estimate 50% utilization distribution) overlapped with core feeding and nursery grounds in shallow coastal and estuarine waters (i.e. <10 m deep and <1.3 km from the coastline).

7. Dolphin range size and spatial use patterns were probably linked to prey distribution and availability (i.e. influenced by environmental factors such as habitat features) and social groupings and dynamics.

8. These findings inform science‐based recommendations for habitat management, including implementing restricted areas from coastal development, vessel speed‐limit zones and boating codes‐of‐conduct, to minimize anthropogenic impacts and support sustainable coastal development in the binational Satun‐Langkawi Important Marine Mammal Area.
Sentence memory recall in adolescents: Effects of motor enactment, keyboarding, and handwriting during encoding
Authors: Söderlund Göran B. W. , Torvanger Silje , Hadjikhani Nouchine , Johnels Jakob Åsberg
Published: August 2023

Background

Prior research has shown that memory for action sentences is stronger when stimuli are enacted during encoding than simply listened to: the so‐called enactment effect. The goal of the present study was to explore how writing during encoding—through handwriting and through keyboarding—fares compared with enacting, in supporting memory recall.

Methods

One hundred Norwegian high school students (64 girls, 36 boys) aged 16–21 years (M = 17.1) participated in the study. Four lists of verb–noun sentences with 12 sentences in each list were presented in four encoding conditions: (i) motor enactment, (ii) verbal listening, (iii) handwriting, and (iv) keyboarding.

Results

Results revealed a significant main effect of encoding condition, with the best memory gained in the enactment condition. Regarding writing, results showed that handwriting and keyboarding during encoding produced the lowest recall in comparison with the enactment and verbal listening conditions.

Conclusion

These results thus provide additional support for the enactment effect. While there has been much discussion on the relative benefits of handwriting versus keyboarding on student performance, both seemed to be equally poor strategies for the particular learning task explored here, potentially through increased cognitive load.
Perspectives on the development of highly active, stable, and cost‐effective OER electrocatalysts in acid
Authors: Yoon Hyunseok , Ju Bobae , Kim Dong‐Wan
Published: August 2023

Polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is an attractive hydrogen energy production technology that offers various advantages such as compact design, high operating pressure, high current densities, and high hydrogen gas purity. However, PEMWE still faces several critical challenges, particularly with respect to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode. Highly active, corrosion‐resistant electrocatalytic materials are required for the acidic OER owing to its sluggish kinetics involving four‐electron transfer under harsh anodic potentials. To date, IrO2‐ or RuO2‐based noble metal electrocatalysts have been employed as commercial acidic OER electrocatalysts for PEMWE. However, they remain inadequate in terms of satisfying the industrial activity/stability‐related requirements. Above all, the two noble metals are too rare and expensive, which significantly inhibits widespread commercialization of PEMWE. Therefore, low‐cost, highly active, and highly stable OER electrocatalysts that can operate in acidic media must be urgently developed. This review paper presents various state‐of‐the‐art strategies employed to address the aforementioned issues by classifying them according to objectives such as improving activity, enhancing stability, and reducing cost. Then, finally, we summarize major tasks and strategies to overcome them and put forward a few issues in this field.
Optimization of ionizable lipids for aerosolizable mRNA lipid nanoparticles
Authors: Lewis Mae M. , Soto Melissa R. , Maier Esther Y. , Wulfe Steven D. , Bakheet Sandy , Obregon Hannah , Ghosh Debadyuti
Published: August 2023

Although mRNA lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are highly effective as vaccines, their efficacy for pulmonary delivery has not yet fully been established. A major barrier to this therapeutic goal is their instability during aerosolization for local delivery. This imparts a shear force that degrades the mRNA cargo and therefore reduces cell transfection. In addition to remaining stable upon aerosolization, mRNA LNPs must also possess the aerodynamic properties to achieve deposition in clinically relevant areas of the lungs. We addressed these challenges by formulating mRNA LNPs with SM‐102, the clinically approved ionizable lipid in the Spikevax COVID‐19 vaccine. Our lead candidate, B‐1, had the highest mRNA expression in both a physiologically relevant air–liquid interface (ALI) human lung cell model and in healthy mice lungs upon aerosolization. Further, B‐1 showed selective transfection in vivo of lung epithelial cells compared to immune cells and endothelial cells. These results show that the formulation can target therapeutically relevant cells in pulmonary diseases such as cystic fibrosis. Morphological studies of B‐1 revealed differences in the surface structure compared to LNPs with lower transfection efficiency. Importantly, the formulation maintained critical aerodynamic properties in simulated human airways upon next generation impaction. Finally, structure–function analysis of SM‐102 revealed that small changes in the number of carbons can improve upon mRNA delivery in ALI human lung cells. Overall, our study expands the application of SM‐102 and its analogs to aerosolized pulmonary delivery and identifies a potent lead candidate for future therapeutically active mRNA therapies.
Integration of metabolomics and machine learning revealed tryptophan metabolites are sensitive biomarkers of pemetrexed efficacy in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Sun Runbin , Fei Fei , Wang Min , Jiang Junyi , Yang Guangyu , Yang Na , Jin Dandan , Xu Zhi , Cao Bei , Li Juan
Published: August 2023

Background

Anti‐folate drug pemetrexed is a vital chemotherapy medication for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Its response varies widely and often develops resistance to the treatment. Therefore, it is urgent to identify biomarkers and establish models for drug efficacy evaluation and prediction for rational drug use.

Methods

A total of 360 subjects were screened and 323 subjects were recruited. Using metabolomics in combination with machine learning methods, we are trying to select potential biomarkers to diagnose NSCLC and evaluate the efficacy of pemetrexed in treating NSCLC. Furtherly, we measured the concentration of eight metabolites in the tryptophan metabolism pathway in the validation set containing 201 subjects using a targeted metabolomics method with UPLC‐MS/MS.

Results

In the discovery set containing 122 subjects, the metabolic profile of healthy controls (H), newly diagnosed NSCLC patients (ND), patients who responded well to pemetrexed treatment (S) and pemetrexed‐resistant patients (R) differed significantly on the PLS‐DA scores plot. Pathway analysis showed that glycine, serine and threonine metabolism occurred in every two group comparisons. TCA cycle, pyruvate metabolism and glycerolipid metabolism are the most significantly changed pathways between ND and H group, pyruvate metabolism was the most altered pathway between S and ND group, and tryptophan metabolism was the most changed pathway between S and R group. We found Random forest method had the maximum area under the curve (AUC) and can be easily interpreted. The AUC is 0.981 for diagnosing patients with NSCLC and 0.954 for evaluating pemetrexed efficiency.

Conclusion

We compared eight mathematical models to evaluate pemetrexed efficiency for treating NSCLC. The Random forest model established with metabolic markers tryptophan, kynurenine and xanthurenic acidcan accurately diagnose NSCLC and evaluate the response of pemetrexed.
Sustainable return to work among breast cancer survivors
Authors: Ruiz de Azua Garazi , Kousignian Isabelle , Vaz‐Luis Ines , Di Meglio Antonio , Caumette Elsa , Havas Julie , Martin Elise , Martin Anne‐Laure , Querel Ophelie , Vanlemmens Laurence , Pistilli Barbara , Coutant Charles , Cottu Paul Henri , Merimeche Asma Dhaini , Lerebours Florence , Tredan Olivier , Jouannaud Christelle , Levy Christelle , Dumas Agnes , Menvielle Gwenn
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study assessed sustainable return to work (SRTW) of breast cancer survivors (BCS).

Methods

We used data from the prospective French cohort, CANTO. We included 1811 stage I–III BCS who were <57 years old and employed at the moment of diagnosis and working 2 years after diagnosis. Using logistic regression, we investigated the role of clinical, health and socio‐economic factors, and the work environment on SRTW 3 years after diagnosis. We compared having any sick leave with having worked continuously and being unemployed to having worked continuously between 2 and 3 years after diagnosis.

Results

Overall, 77% (n = 1395) worked continuously after return to work (RTW). Out of the other 416 BCS, 66% had any sick leave period, 33% had been unemployed, 4% had an early retirement, 2% a disability and 1% another status (multiple situations possible). Being on sick leave was associated with age > 50 (OR = 0.59; 95%CI = 0.43–0.82), stage III (2.56; 1.70–3.85), tumour subtype HR+/HER2+ (0.61; 0.39–0.95), severe fatigue (1.45; 1.06–1.98), workplace accommodations (1.63; 1.14–2.33) and life priorities (0.71; 0.53–0.95). Unemployment was associated with age > 50 (0.45; 0.29–0.72), working in the public sector (0.31; 0.19–0.51), for a small company (3.00; 1.74–5.20) and having a fixed‐term contract (7.50; 4.74–11.86).

Conclusions

A high number of BCS have periods of sick leave or unemployment after RTW. The determinants differ between sick leave and unemployment.

Implications for cancer survivors

BCS need to be supported even after RTW, which should be regarded as a process.
Immune checkpoint‐related gene polymorphisms are associated with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Wu Yuyan , Li Mingying , Meng Guangqiang , Ma Yuechan , Ye Jingjing , Sun Tao , Ji Chunyan
Published: August 2023

Background

Chemotherapy is still the standard regimen for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and its disappointing efficacy requires the urgent need for new therapeutic targets. It is well known that immune response plays an increasingly significant role in the pathogenesis of AML.

Methods

We detected nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in immune checkpoint‐related genes, including PD1, LAG3, TIM3, and TIGIT in 285 AML inpatients and 324 healthy controls. SNP genotyping was performed on the MassARRAY platform. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between the susceptibility and prognosis of AML and the selected SNPs.

Results

Our results showed that rs2227982 and rs10204525 in PD1 were significantly associated with susceptibility to AML after false discovery rate correction. PD1 rs10204525 also showed a significant correlation with the response to chemotherapy and risk stratification of AML. Importantly, the AA genotype of PD1 (rs2227982) under the recessive model showed a negative impact on AML prognosis independently.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that PD1 SNPs are important for susceptibility and prognosis in AML, which may provide a new therapeutic target for AML patients.
Progress and Insights on Graphene and MXene‐based Emerging 2‐Dimensional Conductive Nanomaterials for Fabrication of Flexible Gas Sensors
Authors: Wang Fei , Yeap Swee Pin , Cheok Choon Yoong , Ang Chun Kit , Saidur Rahman
Published: August 2023

Owing to the unique properties such as pristine interfaces, ultra‐thin and uniform thickness, 2D nanomaterials have attracted the attention from many researchers. Particularly, rGO and MXene 2D nanomaterials have received intense research interest in the application of gas sensors due to their high electrical conductivity. The coating of these 2D nanomaterials onto plastic, paper or textile substrate formed flexible, stretchable and portable gas sensors as an alternative to the conventional rigid gas sensors. To date, numerous research works on flexible gas sensors using either graphene or MXene have been published. However, the reported data is scattered and varied by multiple factors. In this short review, we revisit the advances in the current application of 2D conductive nanomaterials (mainly rGO and MXene) and their nanocomposites with metal oxides on flexible gas sensors. We focus on recent developments regarding the working mechanism, advantages, disadvantages, and performances (including gas response, selectivity, response time, and recovery time) of each type of gas sensor. Finally, this short review sheds light on future directions and prospects in the field of flexible gas sensors using 2D nanomaterials.