bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Metamaterial Computational Multi‐Sensor of Grip‐Strength Properties with Point‐of‐Care Human‐Computer Interaction
Authors: Chen Yinghua , Li Tianrun , Wang Zhemin , Yan Zhimiao , De Vita Raffaella , Tan Ting
Published: October 2023

Grip strength is a biomarker of frailty and an evaluation indicator of brain health, cardiovascular morbidity, and psychological health. Yet, the development of a reliable, interactive, and point‐of‐care device for comprehensive multi‐sensing of hand grip status is challenging. Here, a relation between soft buckling metamaterial deformations and built piezoelectric voltage signals is uncovered to achieve multiple sensing of maximal grip force, grip speed, grip impulse, and endurance indicators. A metamaterial computational sensor design is established by hyperelastic model that governs the mechanical characterization, machine learning models for computational sensing, and graphical user interface to provide visual cues. A exemplify grip measurement for left and right hands of seven elderly campus workers is conducted. By taking indicators of grip status as input parameters, human‐computer interactive games are incorporated into the computational sensor to improve the user compliance with measurement protocols. Two elderly female schizophrenic patients are participated in the real‐time interactive point‐of‐care grip assessment and training for potentially sarcopenia screening. The attractive features of this advanced intelligent metamaterial computational sensing system are crucial to establish a point‐of‐care biomechanical platform and advancing the human‐computer interactive healthcare, ultimately contributing to a global health ecosystem.
Unveiling the Synergistic Effect of Atomic Iridium Modulated Zirconium‐Doped Pure Phase Cobalt Phosphide for Robust Anion‐Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzer
Authors: Ngo Quynh Phuong , Nguyen Thanh Tuan , Le Quang Tien Thinh , Lee Joong Hee , Kim Nam Hoon
Published: October 2023

Green hydrogen production is emerging as an essential task for future energy. Water splitting is an effective approach to yield green hydrogen with high purity. However, expensive electrocatalysts are required that can increase the production cost. Herein, a novel procedure is proposed to incorporate iridium single atoms into zirconium‐doped pure‐phase cobalt phosphide (Ir@Zr–CoP) that can adjust the electronic properties and enhance the electrochemical active sites. When Ir@Zr–CoP serves as a bifunctional catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), it requires a low overpotential of 74 and 292 mV to accomplish a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Remarkably, when the Ir@Zr–CoP based electrode is assembled as a large‐scalable anion‐exchange membrane water electrolyzer, the device requires a small cell voltage of only 1.88 V to obtain a current density of 1.0 A cm−2 with high stability for 150 h.
High Energy Density Aqueous Zinc–Chalcogen (S, Se, Te) Batteries: Recent Progress, Challenges, and Perspective
Authors: Wang Xin , Liu Liyang , Hu Zewei , Peng Cancan , Han Chao , Li Weijie
Published: October 2023

Zinc‐ion batteries with chalcogen‐based (S, Se, Te) cathodes have emerged as a promising candidate for utility‐scale energy storage systems and portable electronics, which have attracted rapid attention and offer tremendous opportunities owing to their excellent energy density, on top of the advantages of aqueous Zn batteries including cost‐effectiveness, inherent safety, and eco‐friendliness. Here, a comprehensive overview on the basic mechanism of zinc–chalcogen batteries with their great advantages and intrinsic issues is provided. More detailed recent progress is summarized and the existing challenges with promising strategies are provided as well. First, four specific types of batteries are presented, including: zinc–sulfur, zinc–selenium, zinc–selenium sulfide, and zinc–tellurium batteries. Second, the remaining challenges within chalcogen‐based cathodes in the material preparation, physicochemical properties, and battery performance are summarized and discussed. Meanwhile, a series of constructive strategies are comprehensively put forward for optimizing electrochemical performance. Finally, the future research perspectives of zinc–chalcogen batteries are proposed for the exploration and innovation of next‐generation green zinc storage applications.
High Efficiency Kesterite Solar Cells Through a Dual Treatment Approach: Improving the Quality of both Absorber Bulk and Heterojunction Interface
Authors: Otgontamir Namuundari , Enkhbat Temujin , Enkhbayar Enkhjargal , Song Soomin , Kim Seong Yeon , Hong Tae Ei , Kim JunHo
Published: October 2023

Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells, composed of earth‐abundant materials, face challenges in achieving high power conversion efficiency (PCE) due to non‐radiative recombination. The limitations primarily stem from the prevalence of CuZn‐related and SnZn‐related defects in the bulk of the absorber and at the heterojunction interface region. To overcome these challenges, a dual treatment approach is proposed that involves Ag‐alloying in the bulk and Al2O3 atomic layer deposition (ALD) process at the p–n interface. Comprehensive characterizations of the fabricated devices reveal that Ag‐alloying leads to a substantial reduction in deep defects within the bulk, while Al2O3 ALD process facilitates the formation of a well‐defined p–n interface region, along with the defect passivation. This synergetic effect enables PCE enhancement accompanied by the improvements of all device parameters. Notably, devices subjected to the additional Al2O3 ALD process exhibit a substantial improvement in fill factor, which is found to be consistent with a reduced element intermixing width at the p–n heterojunction region. Due to improvements in both the bulk absorber and the heterojunction, the highest PCE of 13.33% is achieved without an anti‐reflection coating.
Mesostructures Engineering to Promote Selective Nitrate‐to‐Ammonia Electroreduction
Authors: Sun Lizhi , Yao Huiqin , Wang Yanzhi , Zheng Chengbin , Liu Ben
Published: October 2023

The electroreduction of nitrate into green ammonia (NO3−‐to‐NH3) in aqueous solution represents a sustainable route applicable to green NH3 electrosynthesis and nitrogen balance. However, the NO3−‐to‐NH3 electroreduction undergoes a complex eight electron (8e−) transfer pathway and results in unsatisfying activity and selectivity. Here, mesostructures engineering is presented as a new and robust design strategy for producing high‐performance multimetallic electrocatalysts that remarkably promote selective NO3−‐to‐NH3 electroreduction. 1D PdCuAg mesoporous nanotubes (MTs) are facilely prepared by a one‐step galvanic replacement‐assisted surfactant‐templating method in an aqueous solution. The electrocatalyst shows remarkable NO3−‐to‐NH3 performance with high NH3 Faradaic efficiency (FENH3) of 95.2%, superior NH3 yield rate of 17.7 mg h−1 mg−1, impressive NH3 energy efficiency of 29.8%, and outstanding stability (50 cycles), all of which are much better than the performance of counterpart electrocatalysts. The promotion of NO3−‐to‐NH3 performance comes from the electron‐rich surface and nanoconfinement microenvironment of mesostructured synergies that enrich nanozyme‐like chemisorption of key intermediates and thus facilitates electroreduction of NO3− into NH3 through an 8e− reaction pathway. Meanwhile,1D PdCuAg MTs are practically explored in a Zn‐NO3− battery, delivering a superior NH3 yield rate of 25.85 µmol h−1 cm−2 and a high FENH3 of 92.4%.
Learning to balance wheat G × E × M interactions in response to a changing climate—The case for ultra‐early planting systems
Authors: Collier Graham R. S. , Spaner Dean M. , Beres Brian L.
Published: October 2023

Reported global reductions in cereal grain yields due to increased global average temperature combined with increasing global populations peaking near 2050 create an immediate need to increase cereal grain yield potential and reduce the yield gap between realized on‐farm grain yield and potential yield. The development of an ultra‐early planting system for spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) on the northern Great Plains can increase the resiliency of current growing systems to a changing climate. This was achieved through the development of a unique set of practices designed to successfully shift current wheat production systems to ultra‐early growing systems. Ultra‐early‐planted wheat‐growing systems on the northern Great Plains will provide immediate benefits to the adopting producer in the form of increased grain yield and increased grain yield stability relative to current practices. As global average temperatures warm, and atmospheric CO2 concentrations increase, the northern Great Plains region is in a unique position to potentially realize grain yield increases rather than temperature‐driven grain yield decreases. Shifting planting earlier and taking advantage of increased growing degree day accumulation and water use efficiencies while avoiding higher temperatures during sensitive physiological periods are tactics implemented in ultra‐early growing systems that will increase in importance and relevance in the next three decades as average daily temperatures increase.
Does nutrition knowledge training improve dietary diversity and nutrition intake? Insights from rural China
Authors: Zheng Hongyun , Ma Wanglin , Guo Yanzhi
Published: October 2023

Improving dietary diversity and nutrition intake among rural households is essential to promote sustainable rural development. In this study, we examine whether nutrition knowledge training increases rural households' dietary diversity, nutrition intake, and total calorie intake. We consider three macronutrients (proteins, fats, and carbohydrates) and three micronutrients (vitamin C, iron, and zinc) to capture nutrition intake. The doubly robust inverse probability weighted regression adjustment estimator is employed to estimate survey data of 765 rural households collected by the Institute of Food and Nutrition Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China. The results show that nutrition knowledge training enhances household dietary diversity, improves the intake of macronutrients in terms of proteins and fats and micronutrients in terms of zinc, and increases total calorie intake. In addition, the intake of nutrients and calories of males responds to nutrition knowledge training while that of females does not. The dietary diversity of females increases with nutrition knowledge training, whereas that of males is unaffected. {EconLit Citations: I12, I18, Q12, E24}.
The effect of Internet usage on dietary quality: Evidence from rural China
Authors: Cui Yi , Glauben Thomas , Si Wei , Zhao Qiran
Published: October 2023

The popularity of Internet usage in rural China is on the rise while improving the nutritional status of Chinese rural residents remains a major issue due to prevalent unbalanced diets and deficiencies in some nutrients. However, there is a scarcity of empirical evidence linking these two aspects. The relationship between Internet usage and dietary quality remains inconclusive in both developed and developing countries. Using data from a survey of 2053 households in rural China, this paper examines the relationship between Internet usage and dietary quality among Chinese rural residents by employing an endogenous switching regression model to address the issue of selection bias. The empirical results reveal that respondents' gender, age, years of education, and household income significantly influenced their decisions to use the Internet, and Internet usage significantly improve dietary quality of their household. The findings of the heterogeneous analysis show that the impact of Internet usage on dietary quality varies based on respondents' dietary knowledge, per capita annual income, and household food expenditure. Through mechanism analysis, we find that Internet usage can improve the dietary quality by increasing the possibility of online food purchasing and fostering a more positive dietary attitude. [EconLit Citations: I12, O15, O33].
A pH‐responsive nanoparticle delivery system containing dihydralazine and doxorubicin‐based prodrug for enhancing antitumor efficacy
Authors: Zhang Lianxue , Huang Jianxiang , Buratto Damiano , Han Panli , Yang Zaixing , Zhou Ruhong
Published: October 2023

The efficacy of nanoparticle (NP)‐based drug delivery technology is hampered by aberrant tumor stromal microenvironments (TSMs) that hinder NP transportation. Therefore, the promotion of NP permeation into deep tumor sites via the regulation of tumor microenvironments is of critical importance. Herein, we propose a potential solution using a dihydralazine (HDZ)‐loaded nanoparticle drug delivery system containing a pH‐responsive, cyclic RGD peptide‐modified prodrug based on doxorubicin (cRGD‐Dex‐DOX). With a combined experimental and theoretical approach, we find that the designed NP system can recognize the acid tumor environments and precisely release the encapsulated HDZ into tumor tissues. HDZ can notably downregulate the expression levels of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF1α), α‐smooth muscle actin, and fibronectin through the dilation of tumor blood vessels. These changes in the TSMs enhance the enrichment and penetration of NPs and also unexpectedly promote the infiltration of activated T cells into tumors, suggesting that such a system may offer an effective “multifunctional therapy” through both improving the chemotherapeutic effect and enhancing the immune response to tumors. In vivo experiments on 4T1 breast cancer bearing mice indeed validate that this therapy has the most outstanding antitumor effects over all the other tested control regimens, with the lowest side effects as well.
Reducing Indigenous suicide: Recognizing vital land and food systems for livelihoods
Authors: Elliott Emma , Bang Megan
Published: October 2023

Colonial trauma poses a significant risk to the physical, intellectual, and mental health of Indigenous youth and young adults. Education and mental health scholars are increasingly concerned about the emotional wellbeing of young people, particularly as rates of suicide have increased across the United States. With interest in identifying the unique contextual dynamics involved in understanding Indigenous suicide, this work considers characteristics related to colonialism that may uncover strategies for both educators and mental health practitioners that address disparities. Drawing on a larger ethnographic study, this inquiry asks how settler encroachment upon Indigenous land and food systems is related to death by suicide from the perspective of Cowichan Tribes members. Comprehensive semi‐structured interviews were conducted (n = 21); each interview was audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed deductively based upon a priori suppositions related to settler colonial theory. Cowichan members' narrated explanations for suicide rooted in disruptions to (1) relationships with the land and (2) traditional food systems. They described how settler encroachment infringed upon their subsistence way of living and introduced incongruent constructions of nature‐culture relations (e.g., humans as distinct and separate from the natural world). Settler futurity is secured through the arrogation of territorial dominance coupled with physical or conceptual acts of erasure, placing Indigenous lives and lifeways at risk. One outcome of the disruption to Indigenous collective capacities is a dramatic increase in Indigenous suicide.
Elder abuse prevalence among older people living in the community in Australia
Authors: Qu Lixia , Kaspiew Rae , Carson Rachel , Rooppani Dinika , De Maio John , Harvey Jacqui , Horsfall Briony
Published: October 2023

The National Elder Abuse Prevalence Study, conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, was the first major national study to gauge the prevalence and nature of elder abuse in Australia. [The phrase, “conducted by the Australian Institute of Family Studies”, was added to the preceding sentence on 19 October 2023, after first online publication.] A survey of older people aged 65 years and older living in private dwellings was carried out in 2020, with 7000 participants across the nation who were interviewed by telephone. The survey data suggested that 14.8 per cent of the population aged 65 and older who live in the community (rather than residential care settings) have experienced elder abuse in the past 12 months. Psychological abuse was found to be the most common subtype (11.7 per cent), followed by neglect (2.9 per cent), financial abuse (2.1 per cent), physical abuse (1.8 per cent) and sexual abuse (0.7 per cent). Interconnected with an experience of elder abuse were poorer physical health, poorer psychological health and a lower sense of social support. The findings demonstrate that elder abuse has strong familial dynamics, with perpetrators involving intergenerational and intimate partner relationships to a significant extent. Most older people who experienced elder abuse tended to manage the experience themselves—not seeking help, taking actions which would not expose the perpetrator.
Multivariate word properties in fluency tasks reveal markers of Alzheimer's dementia
Authors: Ferrante Franco J. , Migeot Joaquín , Birba Agustina , Amoruso Lucía , Pérez Gonzalo , Hesse Eugenia , Tagliazucchi Enzo , Estienne Claudio , Serrano Cecilia , Slachevsky Andrea , Matallana Diana , Reyes Pablo , Ibáñez Agustín , Fittipaldi Sol , Campo Cecilia Gonzalez , García Adolfo M.
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION

Verbal fluency tasks are common in Alzheimer's disease (AD) assessments. Yet, standard valid response counts fail to reveal disease‐specific semantic memory patterns. Here, we leveraged automated word‐property analysis to capture neurocognitive markers of AD vis‐à‐vis behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD).

METHODS

Patients and healthy controls completed two fluency tasks. We counted valid responses and computed each word's frequency, granularity, neighborhood, length, familiarity, and imageability. These features were used for group‐level discrimination, patient‐level identification, and correlations with executive and neural (magnetic resonanance imaging [MRI], functional MRI [fMRI], electroencephalography [EEG]) patterns.

RESULTS

Valid responses revealed deficits in both disorders. Conversely, frequency, granularity, and neighborhood yielded robust group‐ and subject‐level discrimination only in AD, also predicting executive outcomes. Disease‐specific cortical thickness patterns were predicted by frequency in both disorders. Default‐mode and salience network hypoconnectivity, and EEG beta hypoconnectivity, were predicted by frequency and granularity only in AD.

DISCUSSION

Word‐property analysis of fluency can boost AD characterization and diagnosis.

Highlights

We report novel word‐property analyses of verbal fluency in AD and bvFTD.

Standard valid response counts captured deficits and brain patterns in both groups.

Specific word properties (e.g., frequency, granularity) were altered only in AD.

Such properties predicted cognitive and neural (MRI, fMRI, EEG) patterns in AD.

Word‐property analysis of fluency can boost AD characterization and diagnosis.
Angiotensin II‐mediated hippocampal hypoperfusion and vascular dysfunction contribute to vascular cognitive impairment in aged hypertensive rats
Authors: Gannon Olivia , Tremble Sarah M. , McGinn Conor , Guth Ruby , Scoppettone Nadia , Hunt Ryan D. , Prakash Kirtika , Johnson Abbie C.
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION

Chronic hypertension increases the risk of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) by ∼60%; however, how hypertension affects the vasculature of the hippocampus remains unclear but could contribute to VCI.

METHODS

Memory, hippocampal perfusion, and hippocampal arteriole (HA) function were investigated in male Wistar rats or spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) in early (4 to 5 months old), mid (8 to 9 months old), or late adulthood (14 to 15 months old). SHR in late adulthood were chronically treated with captopril (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor) or apocynin (antioxidant) to investigate the mechanisms by which hypertension contributes to VCI.

RESULTS

Impaired memory in SHR in late adulthood was associated with HA endothelial dysfunction, hyperconstriction, and ∼50% reduction in hippocampal blood flow. Captopril, but not apocynin, improved HA function, restored perfusion, and rescued memory function in aged SHR.

DISCUSSION

Hippocampal vascular dysfunction contributes to hypertension‐induced memory decline through angiotensin II signaling, highlighting the therapeutic potential of HAs in protecting neurocognitive health later in life.

Highlights

Vascular dysfunction in the hippocampus contributes to vascular cognitive impairment.

Memory declines with age during chronic hypertension.

Angiotensin II causes endothelial dysfunction in the hippocampus in hypertension.

Angiotensin II‐mediated hippocampal arteriole dysfunction reduces blood flow.

Vascular dysfunction in the hippocampus impairs perfusion and memory function.
Intracranial arteriosclerosis and the risk of dementia: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: van den Beukel Tim C. , Wolters Frank J. , Siebert Uwe , Spiering Wilko , Ikram M. Arfan , Vernooij Meike W. , de Jong Pim A. , Bos Daniel
Published: October 2023

BACKGROUND

The impact of intracranial arteriosclerosis on dementia remains largely unclear.

METHODS

In 2339 stroke‐free and dementia‐free participants (52.2% women, mean age 69.5 years) from the general population, we assessed intracranial carotid artery calcification (ICAC) and vertebrobasilar artery calcification (VBAC) as proxy for arteriosclerosis. Associations with dementia were assessed using Cox models. In addition, indirect effects through cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) and subcortical brain structure volumes were assessed using causal mediation analyses.

RESULTS

During a median of 13.4 years (25th–75th percentiles 9.9–14.5) of follow‐up, 282 participants developed dementia. Both ICAC presence (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–2.32]) and volume (HR per standard deviation: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.01–1.40) increased dementia risk. For VBAC, severe calcifications increased dementia risk (HR for third vs first volume tertile: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.00–3.59). These effects were mediated partly through increased cSVD (percentage mediated for ICAC: 13% and VBAC: 24%).

DISCUSSION

Intracranial arteriosclerosis increases the risk of dementia.
Association of cancer history with structural brain aging markers of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias risk
Authors: Wang Jingxuan , Sims Kendra D. , Ackley Sarah F. , Chen Ruijia , Kobayashi Lindsay C. , Hayes‐Larson Eleanor , Mayeda Elizabeth Rose , Buto Peter , Zimmerman Scott C. , Graff Rebecca E. , Glymour M. Maria
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION

Cancer survivors are less likely than comparably aged individuals without a cancer history to develop Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD).

METHODS

In the UK Biobank, we investigated associations between cancer history and five structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers for ADRD risk, using linear mixed‐effects models to assess differences in mean values and quantile regression to examine whether associations varied across the distribution of MRI markers.

RESULTS

Cancer history was associated with smaller mean hippocampal volume (b = ‐19 mm3, 95% CI = ‐36, ‐1) and lower mean cortical thickness in the Alzheimer's disease signature region (b = ‐0.004 mm, 95% CI = ‐0.007, ‐0.000). Quantile regressions indicated individuals most vulnerable to ADRD were more affected by cancer history.

DISCUSSION

Some brain MRI markers associated with ADRD risk were elevated in adults with a history of cancer. The magnitude of the adverse associations varied across quantiles of neuroimaging markers, and the pattern suggests possible harmful associations for individuals already at high ADRD risk.

Highlights

We found no evidence of an inverse association between cancer history and ADRD‐related neurodegeneration.

Cancer history was associated with smaller mean hippocampal volume and lower mean cortical thickness in the Alzheimer's disease signature region.

Quantile regressions indicated individuals most vulnerable to ADRD were more affected by cancer history.
Controlling the Assembly of Cellulose‐Based Oligosaccharides through Sequence Modifications
Authors: Hribernik Nives , Vargová Denisa , Dal Colle Marlene C. S. , Lim Jia Hui , Fittolani Giulio , Yu Yang , Fujihara Junki , Ludwig Kai , Seeberger Peter H. , Ogawa Yu , Delbianco Martina
Published: October 2023

Peptides and nucleic acids with programmable sequences are widely explored for the production of tunable, self‐assembling functional materials. Herein we demonstrate that the primary sequence of oligosaccharides can be designed to access materials with tunable shapes and properties. Synthetic cellulose‐based oligomers were assembled into 2D or 3D rod‐like crystallites. Sequence modifications within the oligosaccharide core influenced the molecular packing and led to the formation of square‐like assemblies based on the rare cellulose IVII allomorph. In contrast, modifications at the termini generated elongated aggregates with tunable surfaces, resulting in self‐healing supramolecular hydrogels.
Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (−)‐Cephalotanin B
Authors: Sun Zezhong , Jin Shuang , Song Jianing , Niu Lihua , Zhang Fan , Gong Han , Shu Xin , Wang Yunxia , Hu Xiangdong
Published: October 2023

Cephalotaxus diterpenoids are attractive natural products with intriguing molecular frameworks and promising biological features. As a structurally unusual member, (−)‐cephalotanin B possesses an extraordinarily congested heptacyclic skeleton, three lactone units, and nine consecutive stereocenters. Herein, we report an enantioselective total synthesis of (−)‐cephalotanin B based on a divergent asymmetric Michael addition reaction, a novel Pauson–Khand/deacyloxylation process discovered in the development of a second‐generation stereoselective Pauson–Khand reaction protocol, and an epoxide‐opening/elimination/dual‐lactonization cascade to construct the challenging propeller‐shaped A–B–C ring system as key transformations.
Bayesian Optimization‐guided Discovery of High‐performance Methane Combustion Catalysts based on Multi‐component PtPd@CeZrOx Core–Shell Nanospheres
Authors: Feng Xilan , Gong Xiangrui , Liu Dapeng , Li Yang , Jiang Ying , Zhang Yu
Published: October 2023

Formula regulation of multi‐component catalysts by manual search is undoubtedly a time‐consuming task, which has severely impeded the development efficiency of high‐performance catalysts. In this work, PtPd@CeZrOx core–shell nanospheres, as a successful case study, is explicitly demonstrated how Bayesian optimization (BO) accelerates the discovery of methane combustion catalysts with the optimal formula ratio (the Pt/Pd mole ratio ranges from 1/2.33–1/9.09, and Ce/Zr from 1/0.22–1/0.35), which directly results in a lower conversion temperature (T50 approaching to 330 °C) than ones reported hitherto. Consequently, the best sample obtained could be efficiently developed after two rounds of iterations, containing only 18 experiments in all that is far less than the common human workload via the traditional trial‐and‐error search for optimal compositions. Further, this BO‐based machine learning strategy can be straightforward extended to serve the autonomous discovery in multi‐component material systems, for other desired properties, showing promising opportunities to practical applications in future.
UV‐to‐NIR Harvesting Conjugated Porous Polymer Nanocomposite: Upconversion and Plasmon Expedited Thioether Photooxidation
Authors: Jaiswal Shilpi , Giri Arkaprabha , Mandal Dipendranath , Sarkar Madhurima , Patra Abhijit
Published: October 2023

Photocatalysts capable of harvesting a broad range of the solar spectrum are essential for sustainable chemical transformations and environmental remediation. Herein, we have integrated NIR‐absorbing upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) with UV‐Vis absorbing conjugated porous organic polymer (POP) through the in situ multicomponent C−C coupling to fabricate a UC−POP nanocomposite. The light‐harvesting ability of UC−POP is further augmented by loading plasmonic gold nanoparticles (AuNP) into UC−POP. A three‐times enhancement in the upconversion luminescence is observed upon the incorporation of AuNP in UC−POP, subsequently boosting the photocatalytic activity of UC−POP−Au. The spectroscopic and photoelectrochemical investigations infer the enhanced photocatalytic oxidation of thioethers, including mustard gas simulant by UC−POP−Au compared to POP and UC−POP due to the facile electron‐hole pair generation, suppressed exciton recombination, and efficient charge carrier migration. Thus, the unique design strategy of combining plasmonic and upconversion nanoparticles with a conjugated porous organic polymer opens up new vistas towards artificial light harvesting.
Lignin‐derived flame retardant for improving fire safety and mechanical properties of polypropylene
Authors: Zhao Xiaojie , Liu Yuhan , Sun Benhui , Liu Zechi , Shao Zhu‐Bao , Liu Xiaobo , Zhang Huiliang , Sun Zhaoyan , Hu Wei
Published: October 2023

In this work, the self‐assembled lignin‐based flame retardant (LMA) was grafted with γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to obtain a novel type of silicon‐containing intumescent flame retardant (LK), which can be applied on polypropylene (PP) to obtain flame retardant PP (PP‐LK). Furthermore, low cost flame retardant PP biocomposite (PP/M/L) with high lignin content were prepared by compounding lignin, LK and PP. The developed PP‐LK and PP/M/L exhibited significant excellent flame retardancy, smoke suppression and mechanical properties. In particular, the UL‐94 test achieved V‐0, and the limit oxygen index (LOI) increased from 17.9% of PP to 28.3% of PP‐LK, and 27.2% of PP/M/L, respectively. Meanwhile, tensile strength and Young's modulus increased by 6.3% and 19.64% for PP‐LK and PP/M/L, respectively. Especially, the tensile strength of PP with 15% LK and 25% lignin achieved 30.88 MPa, and the Young's modulus reached 1415 MPa. The excellent carbonization properties of PP‐LK illustrated that the lignin component of LK had excellent carbonization ability. The prepared LK provided a novel strategy to improve the fire safety and cost of PP, and wide the applications of lignin.
Photocatalytic and antimicrobial efficacy of PVDF/TiO2 membranes fabricated by solution blow spinning
Authors: Padovani Guilherme Schiavão , Sanches Alex Otávio , Moura Aouada Márcia Regina , Malmonge Luiz Francisco , de Paula Fernando Rogério
Published: October 2023

With its ability to purify water and treat wastewater, photocatalytic membranes have become a promising solution. The membrane's unique properties allow for the separation of solid compounds and the degradation of organic materials through photocatalytic and antibacterial means. Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/titanium oxide (PVDF/TiO2) composite remain the materials of choice for making these membranes due to their economy, effectiveness, safety, and durability. In this work a photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) system was developed using PVDF/TiO2 membranes fabricated by the solution blow spinning (SBS) process. Obtaining photocatalytic membranes using this method is an efficient and ecological route that overcomes the disadvantage of separating the photocatalyst after the treatment is complete. The results of PMR system showed that the PVDF/TiO2 membrane could effectively remove total coliforms and E. coli from polluted water. After 10 min of contaminated water circulation through the PMR system, the presence of pathogens was not detected, indicating the efficiency of the obtained membranes.
Synergistic Effect of Chiral Metasurface and Hot Carrier Injection Enabling Manipulation of Valley Polarization of WSe2 at Room Temperature
Authors: Chen Zefeng , Shen Fuhuan , Zhang Zhenghe , Wu Kai , Jin Yuxuan , Long Mingzhu , Wang Shaojun , Xu Jianbing
Published: October 2023

The unique band structure of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) provides an important platform for spintronic and valleytronic devices. Various approaches, such as in‐plane electric field and out‐of‐plane magnetic field, have been proposed to actively control the valley polarization. In this work, we propose a synergistic effect involving chiral near‐field interactions and hot carrier injection to actively control the valley polarization emission of WSe2 at room temperature (RT). The degree of valley polarization is enhanced from near zero (for pure WSe2) to 20% under non‐resonant optical excitation (532 nm) when monolayer WSe2 is coupled with the chiral near field of plasmonic metasurface. More importantly, the application of near‐infrared light (wavelength of 970 to 1600 nm) illumination further enhances the valley polarization from 20% to 30%, which is attributed to plasmonic‐induced hot carrier injection from the metasurface to WSe2. The synergistic effect of the chiral near field and infrared light pumping offers another strategy to manipulate the valley polarization emission in monolayer TMDs at room temperature, paving the way for future applications of opto‐valleytronic/spintronic devices based on these 2D materials.
Reliability and Operation Cost of Underdamped Memories during Cyclic Erasures
Authors: Dago Salambô , Ciliberto Sergio , Bellon Ludovic
Published: October 2023

The reliability of fast repeated erasures is studied experimentally and theoretically in a 1‐bit underdamped memory. The bit is encoded by the position of a micro‐mechanical oscillator whose motion is confined in a double well potential. To contain the energetic cost of fast erasures, a resonator with high quality factor Q is used: the erasure work is close to Landauer's bound, even at high speed. The drawback is the rise of the system's temperature T due to a weak coupling to the environment. Repeated erasures without letting the memory thermalize between operations result in continuous warming, potentially leading to a thermal noise overcoming the barrier between the potential wells. In such a case, the reset operation can fail to reach the targeted logical state. The reliability is characterized by the success rate after i successive operations. , T, and are studied experimentally as a function of the erasure speed. Above a velocity threshold, T soars while collapses: the reliability of too‐fast erasures is low. These experimental results are fully justified by two complementary models. It is demonstrated that Q ≃ 10 is optimal to contain energetic costs and maintain high‐reliability standards for repeated erasures at any speed.
Integration of multiomics data identifies candidate genes influencing pH levels in Beijing Black pigs
Authors: Tian Jingjing , Niu Naiqi , Wang Xiaoqing , Shi Liangyu , Yang Liyu , Li Mianyan , Shi Lijun , Liu Xin , Gao Hongmei , Hou Xinhua , Wang Ligang , Wang Lixian , Zhang Longchao , Zhao Fuping
Published: October 2023

pH value is a crucial index used to evaluate pork quality due to its direct impact on specific meat characteristics. This study investigated the genetic mechanisms influencing pH values through measurements taken from the longissimus dorsi muscle of Beijing Black pigs at 2 h (pH2h) and 24 h (pH24h) postmortem. A total of 614 Beijing Black pigs were subsequently genotyped using the Illumina Porcine 50K SNP Chip. Heritability estimates for pH2h and pH24h were found to be 0.19 and 0.25, respectively, with a genetic correlation of 0.53. Furthermore, we conducted both a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and an RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) analysis, the latter of which identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high and low pH groups. We identified 31, 6, and 32 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms in the pH2h, pH24h, and pH2–24h traits, respectively. The GWAS results revealed the presence of the SYT5 gene in both the pH2h and pH2–24h traits, while the SNX13 gene was simultaneously identified in the pH24h and pH2–24h traits. The RNA‐seq results also found SYT5 to be highly expressed, while SNX13 did not exhibit differential expression. Moreover, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses based on the DEGs revealed potential links between pH levels and the glycogen metabolic process as well as associations with the regulation of cell proliferation and calcium ion transmembrane transport. Ultimately, SYT5 and SNX13 emerged as key candidate genes affecting pH values at 2 and 24 h, respectively. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the genetic mechanisms affecting pork quality and safety and offer insights for enhancing meat quality through genetic improvement.
Impact of knowledge‐oriented leadership on innovative behavior, and employee satisfaction: The mediating role of knowledge‐centered culture for sustainable workplace
Authors: Alzghoul Amro , Khaddam Amineh A. , Alshaar Qasem , Irtaimeh Hani J.
Published: October 2023

Knowledge‐oriented leadership phenomenon has captured the interest of scholars and industry leaders given its positive impact on sustainable organizational and employees outcomes. By drawing on affective event theory, this research explores the role of knowledge‐oriented leadership on knowledge‐centered culture, service innovative behavior and employees' job satisfaction and the mediating role of knowledge‐centered culture. The proposed model and hypotheses were tested using survey data gathered from 456 hotels and travel agencies employees in Jordan. The analysis was conducted using the contemporary structural equation modeling modus operandi, the partial least squares. The findings confirm that knowledge‐oriented leadership promotes knowledge‐centered culture in organizations, which in turn, promotes employees' job satisfaction and service innovative behavior. Knowledge‐centered culture concurrently mediates the path linking knowledge‐oriented leadership to job satisfaction and innovative behavior, respectively. The literature is devoid of scholarly work on the impact of knowledge‐oriented leadership and knowledge‐centered culture on employee outcomes in the tourism and hospitality industry context. This study being among the first to contribute to the literature from a developing country's perspective, prescribes empirical evidence, that knowledge‐oriented leadership promotes a knowledge‐centered culture in organizations, which subsequently leads to increased job satisfaction and service innovation. Furthermore, this study provides practical implications for organizations looking to promote a knowledge‐centered culture and enhance their employees' job satisfaction and service innovation.
Cardiac ventricular false tendons: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Carrasco Mark , Cabrito Tanya Maxinne Suntikul , Montalbano Michael J. , Hołda Mateusz K. , Walocha Jerzy , Tubbs R. Shane , Loukas Marios
Published: October 2023

Ventricular false tendons are fibromuscular structures that travel across the ventricular cavity. Left ventricular false tendons (LVFTs) have been examined through gross dissection and echocardiography. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the prevalence, morphology, and clinical importance of ventricular false tendons using a systematic review. In multiple studies, these structures have had a wide reported prevalence ranging from less than 1% to 100% of cases. This meta‐analysis found the overall pooled prevalence of LVFTs to be 30.2%. Subgroup analysis indicated the prevalence to be 55.1% in cadaveric studies and 24.5% in living patients predominantly studied by echocardiography. Morphologically, left and right ventricular false tendons have been classified into several types based on their location and attachments. Studies have demonstrated false tendons have important clinical implications involving innocent murmurs, premature ventricular contractions, early repolarization, and impairment of systolic and diastolic function. Despite these potential complications, there is evidence demonstrating that the presence of false tendons can lead to positive clinical outcomes.
Selinexor for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic salivary gland tumors: Results from the GEMS‐001 clinical trial
Authors: Hernando‐Calvo Alberto , Malone Eoghan , Day Daphne , Prawira Amy , Weinreb Ilan , Yang S. Y. Cindy , Wong Horace , Rodriguez Angela , Jennings Sarah , Eliason Anneli , Wang Lisa , Spreafico Anna , Siu Lillian L. , Hansen Aaron R.
Published: October 2023

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the activity of selinexor, an oral selective inhibitor of nuclear export, in patients with recurrent or metastatic salivary gland tumors (SGT).

Methods

GEMS‐001 is an open‐label Phase 2 study for patients with recurrent or metastatic SGT with two parts. In Part 1 of the protocol, patients had tumor samples profiled with targeted next generation sequencing as well as immunohistochemistry for androgen receptor, HER‐2 and ALK. For Part 2, patients with no targeted therapies available were eligible to receive selinexor 60 mg given twice weekly every 28 days. The primary endpoint was objective response rate. Secondary endpoints included progression‐free survival (PFS) and prevalence of druggable alterations across SGT.

Results

One hundred patients were enrolled in GEMS‐001 and underwent genomic and immunohistochemistry profiling. A total of 21 patients who lacked available matched therapies were treated with selinexor. SGT subtypes (WHO classification) included adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 10), salivary duct carcinoma (n = 3), acinic cell carcinoma (n = 2), myoepithelial carcinoma (n = 2), carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (n = 2) and other (n = 2). Of 18 evaluable patients, stable disease (SD) was observed in 17 patients (94%) (SD ≥6 months in 7 patients (39%)). However, no objective responses were observed. The median PFS was 4.9 months (95% confidence interval, 3.4–10). The most common treatment‐related Grade 1–2 adverse events were nausea [17 patients (81%)], fatigue [16 patients (76%)], and dysgeusia [12 patients (57%)]. Most common treatment‐related Grade 3–4 adverse events were hyponatremia [3 patients (14%)], neutrophil count decrease [3 patients (14%)] and cataracts [2 patients (10%)]. No treatment‐related deaths were observed.

Conclusions

Although tumor reduction was observed across participants, single agent selinexor anti‐tumor activity was limited.
Radiofrequency ablation combined with toripalimab for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: A prospective controlled trial
Authors: Wen Zhenyu , Wang Junxiao , Tu Bo , Liu Yane , Yang Yuqing , Hou Li , Yang Xiang , Liu Xiaoyan , Xie Hui
Published: October 2023

Objective

The effectiveness and security of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in combination with toripalimab (anti‐PD‐1) for the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was studied in this article.

Methods

Total of 40 patients were enrolled in the study between September 2019 and November 2021. Data follow‐up ends in April 2022. The study’s main focus is on recurrence free survival (RFS), while the secondary objectives was safety. Chi‐square tests, Kaplan‐Meier, and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to analyze the data.

Results

The median follow‐up period was 21.40 months, and the median RFS was 15.40 months in the group that received combination therapy, which was statistically significantly different (HR: 0.44, p = 0.04) compared with the RFA group (8.2 months). RFS rates (RFSr) at 6, 12 and 18 months in the combination therapy groups and RFA groups were 80% vs 65%, 62.7% vs 35% and 48.7% vs 18.8%, respectively. Between the two groups, significant difference of RFSr was found at 18 months (p = 0.04). No statistical differences were observed between the two groups in terms of safeness (p > 0.05). The subgroup analysis indicated that the combination of RFA and anti‐PD‐1 led to better RFS than RFA alone. Moreover, patients benefited more from combination therapy in the groups younger than 60 years (HR: 0.26, p = 0.018), male (HR: 0.32, p = 0.028) and Child‐Pugh grade A (HR: 0.38, p = 0.032).

Conclusions

Combining RFA with anti‐PD‐1 showed improved RFS and was deemed safe for patients with recurrent HCC who had previously undergone RFA treatment alone.
Understand professional versus personal authenticity
Authors: Freebairn‐Smith Laura
Published: October 2023

Authenticity is a concept that's gained traction in recent years as people work to fully express who they are and what their values are.
Study the Anticancer Properties of Thymol‐Loaded PEGylated Bovine Serum Albumin Nanoparticles Conjugated with Folic Acid
Authors: Al‐Salih Mohammed Yahya Awad , Pouresmaeil Vahid , Davoodi‐Dehaghani Fatemeh , Haghighi Hasti Nasiraei , Tabrizi Masoud Homayouni
Published: October 2023

Phenolic compounds such as Thymol have an effective role in suppressing cancer, however, their low solubility in aqueous solution has limited their use. This study aimed to prepare Thymol (TY)‐loaded bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles surface‐modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugated with folic acid (FA) and evaluate their inhibitory activity on cancer cells. The TY‐BSA‐PEG‐FA was characterized using DLS, FESEM, and FTIR. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) was evaluated indirectly by using UV absorption. The antioxidant property of nanoparticles was evaluated by 2,2′‐azinobis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing ability of plasm (FRAP) methods. The effects of nanoparticles against cancer cells were investigated by MTT, AO/PI, flow cytometry, and real‐time qPCR methods. The results showed the spherical morphology of TY‐BSA‐PEG‐FA with an average size of 70.0 nm, a PDI of 0.32, a zeta potential of −11.3 mV, and an EE of 89.0±2.3 %. The cytotoxicity effects of nanoparticles against all cell lines were in a concentration‐dependent manner. AGS gastric cancer cells were reported to be the most vulnerable to treatment, while pancreatic cancer cells (PANC‐1) and normal skin cells (HFF) would be the most resistant. The SubG1 phase arrest of about 66 % occurred at 85 μg/mL. An increase in apoptotic cells in fluorescent staining, along with decreased expression of Bcl‐2 and increased expression of the BAX gene demonstrated the induction of apoptosis in treated cells. The powerful inhibitory effect of nanoparticles in inhibiting ABTS free radicals (IC50=82 μg/mL) and DPPH free radicals (IC50=844 μg/mL) and the ability to reduce iron ions indicated the antioxidant effects of TY‐BSA‐PEG‐FA. Based on these results, the synthesized nanoparticles may be suitable for further investigation in the treatment of cancer, notably gastric cancer.
Financing promise programs: Where the money comes from and where the money goes
Authors: Billings Meredith S. , Li Amy Y. , Gándara Denisa , Acevedo Rosa , Cervantes Diana , Turcios‐Villalta Jamie
Published: October 2023

Free college/promise programs provide scholarships that cover students’ tuition and fees to attend college. These programs are flexible in that they can be adapted to local and/or state needs when crafting the design, scope, and benefits offered to students. Based on their adaptability, there is variation in the funding of these programs due to the available financial resources and programs’ ability to leverage established community and state partnerships. This chapter discusses how local and state promise programs are funded, what their funding covers, and how these programs affect postsecondary institutions’ finances. Also described are how promise programs have adapted to changing financial circumstances, especially during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Finally, the chapter provides recommendations for their financial sustainability.