bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient multi-classifier wrapper feature-selection model: Application for dimension reduction in credit scoring
Authors: Bouaguel Waad
Published: March 2022

The task of identifying most relevant features for a credit scoring application is a challenging task. Reducing the number of redundant and unwanted features is an inevitable task to improve the performance of the credit scoring model. The wrappers approach is usually used in credit scoring applications to identify the most relevant features. However, this approach suffers from the issue of subsets generation and the use of a single classifier as an evaluation function. The problem here is that each classifier may give different results which can be interpreted differently. Hence, we propose in this study an ensemble wrapper feature selection model which is based on a multi-classifiers combination. In a first stage, we address the problem of subsets generation by minimizing the search space through a customized heuristic. Then, a multi-classifier wrapper evaluation is applied using two classifier arrangement approaches in order to select a set of mutually approved set of relevant features. The proposed method is evaluated on four credit datasets and has shown a good performance compared to individual classifiers results.
Improving modified policy iteration for probabilistic model checking
Authors: Mohagheghi Mohammadsadegh , Karimpour Jaber
Published: March 2022

Value iteration, policy iteration and their modified versions are well-known algorithms for probabilistic model checking of Markov Decision Processes. One the challenge of these methods is that they are time-consuming in most cases. Several techniques have been proposed to improve the performance of iterative methods for probabilistic model checking. However, the running time of these techniques depends on the graphical structure of the model and in some cases their performance is worse than the performance of the standard methods. In this paper, we propose two new heuristics to accelerate the modified policy iteration method. We first define a criterion for the usefulness of the computations of each iteration of this method. The first contribution of our work is to develop and use a criterion to reduce the number of iterations in modified policy iteration. As the second contribution, we propose a new approach to identify useless updates in each iteration. This method reduces the running time of computations by avoiding useless updates of states. The proposed heuristics have been implemented in the PRISM model checker and applied on several standard case studies. We compare the running time of our heuristics with the running time of previous standard and improved methods. Experimental results show that our techniques yields a significant speed-up.
Ensemble Machine Learning Methods to Predict the Balancing of Ayurvedic Constituents in the Human Body
Authors: Rajasekar Vani , Krishnamoorthi Sathya , Saračević Muzafer , A Janani
Published: March 2022

Ayurvedic medicines are categorized into seven constitutional forms ‘Prakriti’ which is a constituent in the Ayurvedic system of medicine to determine drought tolerance and drug responsiveness. Prakriti assessment entails a thorough physical examination as well as queries about physiological or behavioral characteristics. The prevalence of certain "doshas" is attributed by Ayurveda to the fundamental constituent of a person. Vata, pitta, and Kapha are the three main doshas mentioned. Ayurveda-dosha studies have been used for a long time, but the quantitative reliability measurement of these diagnostic methods still lags. The careful and appropriate analysis leads to an effective treatment. In this paper, we demonstrate the result of certain machine learning methods like Support Vector Machine (SVM), Naive Bayes (NB), Decision Tree (DT), K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and Adaboost algorithm for various performance characteristics to predict human body constituencies. From the observations of results it is shown that the AdaBoost algorithm with hyperparameter tuning provides enhanced accuracy and recall of 0.97, precision and F-score of 0.96, the lower RSME value obtained is 0.64. The experimental results reveal that the improved model, which is based on ensemble learning methods, outperforms traditional methods significantly. According to the findings, advancements in the proposed algorithms could give machine learning a promising future.
Continuous variable quantum teleportation with noiseless linear amplifier
Authors: Wen Zhen-Nan , Yi You-Gen , Xu Xiao-Wen , Guo Ying ,   School of Physics and Electronics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China,   School of Automation, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Published: March 2022

Continuous variable quantum teleportation (CVQT) plays an important role in practical quantum communication. However, the noise and loss in the actual environment will lead to the degradation of entanglement, which has an effect on the performance of the system in terms of the transmission distance and hence hinders its implementations. In this paper, we suggest an approach to improving the performance of the CVQT system with an embedded noiseless linear amplifier (NLA). By using the NLA, one can amplify the degenerated entangled source to compensate for the attenuation of the fiber. Then we consider the influences of the available gains of the NLA on the performance of the proposed scheme under different lossy channels and entangled sources. The simulation results show that the performance is improved in fidelity and transmission distance, which may provide a feasible and effective method of putting the long-distance CVQT into practical application .
Beneficial impacts of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on muscle structure and function in the zebrafish model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Kilroy Elisabeth A , Ignacz Amanda C , Brann Kaylee L , Schaffer Claire E , Varney Devon , Alrowaished Sarah S , Silknitter Kodey J , Miner Jordan N , Almaghasilah Ahmed , Spellen Tashawna L , Lewis Alexandra D , Tilbury Karissa , King Benjamin L , Kelley Joshua B , Henry Clarissa A
Published: March 2022

Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) allows activation of muscle fibers in the absence of voluntary force generation. NMES could have the potential to promote muscle homeostasis in the context of muscle disease, but the impacts of NMES on diseased muscle are not well understood. We used the zebrafish Duchenne muscular dystrophy (dmd) mutant and a longitudinal design to elucidate the consequences of NMES on muscle health. We designed four neuromuscular stimulation paradigms loosely based on weightlifting regimens. Each paradigm differentially affected neuromuscular structure, function, and survival. Only endurance neuromuscular stimulation (eNMES) improved all outcome measures. We found that eNMES improves muscle and neuromuscular junction morphology, swimming, and survival. Heme oxygenase and integrin alpha7 are required for eNMES-mediated improvement. Our data indicate that neuromuscular stimulation can be beneficial, suggesting that the right type of activity may benefit patients with muscle disease.
The enteric nervous system of the C. elegans pharynx is specified by the Sine oculis-like homeobox gene ceh-34
Authors: Vidal Berta , Gulez Burcu , Cao Wen Xi , Leyva-Díaz Eduardo , Reilly Molly B , Tekieli Tessa , Hobert Oliver
Published: March 2022

Overarching themes in the terminal differentiation of the enteric nervous system, an autonomously acting unit of animal nervous systems, have so far eluded discovery. We describe here the overall regulatory logic of enteric nervous system differentiation of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans that resides within the foregut (pharynx) of the worm. A C. elegans homolog of the Drosophila Sine oculis homeobox gene, ceh-34, is expressed in all 14 classes of interconnected pharyngeal neurons from their birth throughout their life time, but in no other neuron type of the entire animal. Constitutive and temporally controlled ceh-34 removal shows that ceh-34 is required to initiate and maintain the neuron type-specific terminal differentiation program of all pharyngeal neuron classes, including their circuit assembly. Through additional genetic loss of function analysis, we show that within each pharyngeal neuron class, ceh-34 cooperates with different homeodomain transcription factors to individuate distinct pharyngeal neuron classes. Our analysis underscores the critical role of homeobox genes in neuronal identity specification and links them to the control of neuronal circuit assembly of the enteric nervous system. Together with the pharyngeal nervous system simplicity as well as its specification by a Sine oculis homolog, our findings invite speculations about the early evolution of nervous systems.
Benchmarking metagenomics classifiers on ancient viral DNA: a simulation study
Authors: Arizmendi Cárdenas Yami Ommar , Neuenschwander Samuel , Malaspinas Anna-Sapfo
Published: March 2022

Owing to technological advances in ancient DNA, it is now possible to sequence viruses from the past to track down their origin and evolution. However, ancient DNA data is considerably more degraded and contaminated than modern data making the identification of ancient viral genomes particularly challenging. Several methods to characterise the modern microbiome (and, within this, the virome) have been developed; in particular, tools that assign sequenced reads to specific taxa in order to characterise the organisms present in a sample of interest. While these existing tools are routinely used in modern data, their performance when applied to ancient microbiome data to screen for ancient viruses remains unknown. In this work, we conducted an extensive simulation study using public viral sequences to establish which tool is the most suitable to screen ancient samples for human DNA viruses. We compared the performance of four widely used classifiers, namely Centrifuge, Kraken2, DIAMOND and MetaPhlAn2, in correctly assigning sequencing reads to the corresponding viruses. To do so, we simulated reads by adding noise typical of ancient DNA to a set of publicly available human DNA viral sequences and to the human genome. We fragmented the DNA into different lengths, added sequencing error and C to T and G to A deamination substitutions at the read termini. Then we measured the resulting sensitivity and precision for all classifiers. Across most simulations, more than 228 out of the 233 simulated viruses were recovered by Centrifuge, Kraken2 and DIAMOND, in contrast to MetaPhlAn2 which recovered only around one third. Overall, Centrifuge and Kraken2 had the best performance with the highest values of sensitivity and precision. We found that deamination damage had little impact on the performance of the classifiers, less than the sequencing error and the length of the reads. Since Centrifuge can handle short reads (in contrast to DIAMOND and Kraken2 with default settings) and since it achieve the highest sensitivity and precision at the species level across all the simulations performed, it is our recommended tool. Regardless of the tool used, our simulations indicate that, for ancient human studies, users should use strict filters to remove all reads of potential human origin. Finally, we recommend that users verify which species are present in the database used, as it might happen that default databases lack sequences for viruses of interest.
Genome-wide characterization and expression of the TLP gene family associated with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides inoculation in Fragaria × ananassa
Authors: Zhang Yuchao , Miao Lixiang , Yang Xiaofang , Jiang Guihua
Published: March 2022

Background

Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, a soil-borne fungal pathogen, causes significant yield losses in many plants, including cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa, 2n = 8x = 56). Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs) are a large and complex family of proteins that play a vital role in plant host defense and other physiological processes.

Methods

To enhance our understanding of the antifungal activity of F. × ananassa TLPs (FaTLP), we investigated the genome-wide identification of FaTLP gene families and their expression patterns in F. × ananassa plants upon pathogen infection. Moreover, we used RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to detect the differences in the expression patterns of TLP genes between different resistant strawberry cultivars in response to C. gloeosporioides infection.

Results

In total, 76 TLP genes were identified from the octoploid cultivated strawberry genome with a mean length of 1,439 bp. They were distributed on 24 F. × ananassa chromosomes. The FaTLP family was then divided into ten groups (Group I–X) according to the comparative phylogenetic results. Group VIII contained the highest number of TLP family genes. qRT-PCR analysis results indicated that FaTLP40, FaTLP41, FaTLP43, FaTLP68, and FaTLP75 were upregulated following C. gloeosporioides infection in the resistant octoploid strawberry.

Conclusions

The data showed some differences in TLP gene expression patterns across different resistant strawberry cultivars, as well as faster TLP defense responses to pathogenic fungi in resistant cultivars. This study will aid in the characterization of TLP gene family members found in octoploid strawberries and their potential biological functions in plants’ defenses against pathogenic fungi.
A prognostic risk model based on DNA methylation levels of genes and lncRNAs in lung squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Weiqing , Xiang Ming , Liu Hui , Chu Xiao , Sun Zhaoyun , Feng Liang
Published: March 2022

Background

Recurrence is a risk factor for the prognosis of lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC). DNA methylation levels of RNAs are also associated with LUSC prognosis. This study aimed to construct a prognostic model with high performance in predicting LUSC prognosis using the methylation levels of lncRNAs and genes.

Methods

The differentially expressed RNAs (DERs) and differentially methylated RNAs (DMRs) between the recurrent and non-recurrent LUSC tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA; training dataset) were identified. Weighted correlation network analysis was performed to identify co-methylation networks. Differentially methylated genes and lncRNAs with opposite expression-methylation levels were used for the screening of prognosis-associated RNAs. The prognostic model was constructed and its performance was validated in the GSE39279 dataset.

Results

A total of 664 DERs and 981 DMRs (including 972 genes) in recurrent LUSC tissues were identified. Three co-methylation modules, including 226 differentially methylated genes, were significantly associated with LUSC. Among prognosis-associated RNAs, 18 DERs/DMRs with opposite methylation-expression levels were included in the methylation prognostic risk model. LUSC patients with high risk scores had a poor prognosis compared with patients who had low risk scores (TCGA: HR = 3.856, 95% CI [2.297–6.471]; GSE39279: HR = 3.040, 95% CI [1.435–6.437]). This model had a high accuracy in predicting the prognosis (AUC = 0.903 and 0.800, respectively), equivalent to the nomogram model inclusive of clinical variables.

Conclusions

Referring to the methylation levels of the 16-RNAs might help to predict the survival outcomes in LUSC.
Carbon Stock in above and below Ground Biomass of Three Age Series of Pinus carribaea and Nauclea diderrichii Plantations; Omo Forest, Area J4 Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Oladoye A. O. , Ojekunle O. O. , Ige P. O. , Basiru A. O. , Oyelowo O. J. , Ojo D. O. , Ojo E. O.
Published: March 2022

Forest carbon is identified in three major pools that is, above and below ground living vegetation, dead organic matter and soil organic carbon whose quantities have been identified for few forest types. The study investigated the carbon stock in above and below ground biomass in three age series of Pinus (1991, 1992 and 1996) and Nauclea (1974, 1975 and 1976) plantations at area J4, Ogun state Nigeria. Five plots of 20m x 20m dimension were randomly laid making a total of 30 plots. Diameter at breast height and height were measured using diameter tape and Spiegel Relaskop respectively. Soil samples were collected in each plantation at 0–15cm and 15–30cm depth with the aid of soil auger and laboratory analysis carried out. Data were analyzed using the General Linear Model of SAS software. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Range Test was used to separate means and correlation analysis was carried out. Above ground was estimated using Brown et al. (1989) equation {Y= 34.4703- 8.0671 (DBH) + 0.6589(DBH2)} and below ground biomass was also estimated as 20% of above ground biomass. Result showed that Organic carbon stored up in the soil was highest (3.05±0.52g/kg) in Nauclea plantation (1975). Pinus plantation (1996) had a higher total carbon stock (1166.35ton/ha) than Nauclea plantation (1976) with (380.41ton/ha). Pinus plantation (1996) had the highest above ground biomass, below ground biomass and carbon dioxide concentration (728966.19, 160372.56 and 4198845.28/ha) lowest (227644.66, 50081.83 and 1311233.26/ha), Pinus plantation (1992) respectively. Variation in the above ground carbon stock among these plantations could be result of tree stand density, hence, higher number of trees in a plantation will eventually result to high above ground carbon stock of that plantation.
The Use of Information and Communication Technology to Teach: Assessment of Secondary School Students’ Perceptions
Authors: Clementina Metu Ifeoma , Ijeoma Eleje Lydia , Elizabeth Ezenwosu Ngozi , Chinyere Ezeugo Nneka , Getrude Mbelede Njideka
Published: March 2022

In today's society, technology has become a vital aspect of economic and social development; as a result, 21st-century students should try to be more innovative by utilizing a variety of information and communication technology (ICT) facilities. The goal of this study was to find out the views of secondary school students about using information and communication technology in economics classrooms. Three research questions led the investigation. The study used a descriptive research design. The study's population consists of 1675 senior secondary students studying economics in Onitsha metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria. The multi-stage sampling procedure was used to draw a sample of 432 senior secondary two (SS2) students, with 238 (55 percent) from public and 194 (45 percent) from private secondary schools. Data was collected using a 27-item structured questionnaire. Analysis of data was done through descriptive and inferential statistics. A p-value that is greater or equal to 0.05 was taken as significant. The findings revealed that the students agreed that the ICT facilities listed could be used to teach economics, though the frequency of use by economics teachers was poor, especially in public schools since the result showed a significant difference in favour of the private schools. On the whole, the economics students were of the view that ICT facilities should be employed in teaching economics as it makes the learning of the concepts easier and the topics become clearer. Some recommendations were made based on the findings.
Strategies to Encourage Students’ Active Participation through Online Teaching in Mathematics
Authors: Tenzin Gomchen
Published: March 2022

Online teaching and learning in the history of Bhutanese education system was not popular until the COVID19 pandemic hit the world since towards the end of December 2019 onwards and the desperate call for alternate ways of providing continued education to the children was highly felt. However, it was not an easy job to do for the teachers, students and parents as they lacked good knowledge, skills and attitude. In other words, they lacked required competency. Therefore, this short Research was done in a Middle Secondary School in Paro, Bhutan involving class X students as samples to find out the hindrances and to identify effective strategies that would encourage and motivate students actively participate in online lessons. The method used in this research is a quantitative approach. The data were collected through framed questionnaires, class test and personal interviews simultaneously. Questionnaires were given to the participants to gather authentic responses pertaining to the online classes. Video recording were done while interviewing the participants to have authentic interpretation pf the data collected. The triangulation of the data collected from the participants revealed that it is possible to have students participate actively in online lessons as they do in face to face classroom teaching and learning when proper strategies are implemented.
Differences in Thickness-Specific Incidence and Factors Associated With Cutaneous Melanoma in the US From 2010 to 2018
Authors: Chen Michael L. , de Vere Hunt Isabella Joy , John Esther M. , Weinstock Martin A. , Swetter Susan M. , Linos Eleni
Published: March 2022

Importance

The recent incidence of cutaneous melanoma of different thicknesses in the US is not well described.

Objective

To evaluate recent patterns in the incidence of melanoma by tumor thickness and examine associations of sex, race and ethnicity, and socioeconomic status with melanoma thickness-specific incidence.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based cohort study analyzed data for 187 487 patients with a new diagnosis of invasive cutaneous melanoma from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Registry from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2018. The study was conducted from May 27 to December 29, 2021. Data were analyzed from June 21 to October 24, 2021.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Age-adjusted incidence rates of melanoma were calculated by tumor thickness (categorized by Breslow thickness) and annual percentage change (APC) in incidence rates. Analyses were stratified by sex and race and ethnicity. The associations with socioeconomic status were evaluated in 134 359 patients diagnosed with melanoma from 2010 to 2016.

Results

This study included 187 487 patients with a median (IQR) age of 62 (52-72) years and 58.4% men. Melanoma incidence was higher in men compared with women across all tumor thickness groups. Individuals in lower socioeconomic status quintiles and members of minority groups were more likely to be diagnosed with thicker (T4) tumors (20.7% [169 of 816] among non-Hispanic Black patients, 11.2% [674 of 6042] among Hispanic patients, and 6.3% [10 774 of 170 155] among non-Hispanic White patients). Between 2010 and 2018, there was no significant increase in incidence of cutaneous melanoma across the full population (APC, 0.39%; 95% CI, –0.40% to 1.18%). The incidence of the thickest melanomas (T4, >4.0 mm) increased between 2010 and 2018, with an APC of 3.32% (95% CI, 2.06%-4.60%) overall, 2.50% (95% CI, 1.27%-3.73%) in men, and 4.64% (95% CI, 2.56%-6.75%) in women.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this population-based cohort study, the incidence of the thickest cutaneous melanoma tumors increased from 2010 to 2018, in contrast with the incidence patterns for thinner melanomas. The findings suggest potential stabilization of overall melanoma incidence rates in the US after nearly a century of continuous increase in incidence. Patients with low socioeconomic status and Hispanic patients were more likely to be diagnosed with thick melanoma. The continued rise in incidence of thick melanoma is unlikely to be attributable to overdiagnosis given the stability of thin melanoma rates.
Iron Half‐Sandwich Complexes for Catalysis
Authors: Korb Marcus
Published: March 2022

As the most abundant transition metal, iron is well‐known for its rich complex chemistry and variety of oxidation states. In recent years, iron salts such as FeII/IIIhalides and acetylacetonate complexes have been employed as (pre‐)catalysts in a variety of chemical transformations, including those mediated by Lewis acid activation of functional groups, redox‐catalysis, and cross‐coupling reactions. However, the absence of stable ligand spheres or ligand lability limits the application of these “naked” salts and complexes, with the properties of the catalytically active species being predominantly determined by donor functionalities of solvent, substrate, and additives in the reaction. Improvements in catalyst design arise from introduction of multidentate pyridine‐ and other N‐based ligand designs, many of which, however, still require high catalyst loadings. The iron half‐sandwich motif, offers a robustly bonded cyclic ligand, most commonly η5‐cyclopentadienyl (Cp−), which occupies half of the available coordination sites. Additional ligands complete the complex design and allow tuning of the electronic, steric, and geometric properties of the active species. This article provides an overview of catalytic processes in which iron half‐sandwich complexes play a key role. Rather than the synthesis of the iron complexes or the substrate scope, focus is put on the properties of the active species and mechanistic aspects, to provide an overview of the rich chemistry that the half‐sandwich motif offers.
S‐Doping Triggers Redox Reactivities of Both Iron and Lattice Oxygen in FeOOH for Low‐Cost and High‐Performance Water Oxidation
Authors: Chen Xiang , Wang Qicheng , Cheng Yuwen , Xing Hanlu , Li Junzhe , Zhu Xianjun , Ma Lianbo , Li Yongtao , Liu Dongming
Published: March 2022

Developing low‐cost and highly efficient earth‐abundant oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts via an energy‐ and time‐saving method is of great significance to the generation of H2 from electrochemical water splitting, which is highly desirable but still challenging. Herein, a one‐step route to in situ grow S‐doped FeOOH vertical nanosheets on iron foam (IF) in 20 min under room temperature is shown. This facile and ultrafast method effectively modifies the surface of the IF into an S‐doped FeOOH layer, and a full‐Fe electrode (S‐FeOOH/IF) is achieved. Systematic experiments and characterizations demonstrate that the redox reactivities for both of the iron and lattice oxygen in FeOOH are sufficiently activated, leading to the dramatically improved intrinsic OER activity. The as‐obtained S‐FeOOH/IF exhibits a fascinating OER performance with a low overpotential of 244 at 10 mA cm−2. This work affords an efficient surface engineering strategy to drive commercial IF into cost‐efficient and robust earth‐abundant electrocatalysts for water oxidation, which has important implications for clean H2 production through a low‐carbon and environmentally friendly route.
Strained Zero‐Valent Iron for Highly Efficient Heavy Metal Removal
Authors: Wei Kai , Li Hao , Gu Huayu , Liu Xiufan , Ling Cancan , Cao Shiyu , Li Meiqi , Liao Minzi , Peng Xing , Shi Yanbiao , Shen Wenjuan , Liang Chuan , Ai Zhihui , Zhang Lizhi
Published: March 2022

Microscale zero‐valent iron is one of the most important multifunctional environmental remediation materials, yet its passivated iron oxide shell hampers the transportation of inherent electrons. Herein, the authors exert tensile strain onto mZVI by interstitial boron doping that destabilizes lattice FeFe interactions, thereby liberating the electrons trapped in the iron reservoir. Tensile strain also upshifts the equilibrated Fermi level at the iron/iron oxide Ohmic heterojunction, thus populating the oxide shell with abundant electrons for robust heavy metal sequestration. Strained‐mZVI exhibits a 62 times faster Cr(VI) removal rate than its unstrained counterpart and can successfully treat industrial wastewater such as landfill leachate, electroplating, and chromium effluents. The excellent property and exceedingly low cost ($2000 ton−1) of strained‐mZVI results in its great potential to remediate heavy metal‐contaminated water and soil.
Flexible Metamaterial Electronics
Authors: Jiang Shan , Liu Xuejun , Liu Jianpeng , Ye Dong , Duan Yongqing , Li Kan , Yin Zhouping , Huang YongAn
Published: March 2022

Over the last decade, extensive efforts have been made on utilizing advanced materials and structures to improve the properties and functionalities of flexible electronics. While the conventional ways are approaching their natural limits, a revolutionary strategy, namely metamaterials, is emerging toward engineering structural materials to break the existing fetters. Metamaterials exhibit supernatural physical behaviors, in aspects of mechanical, optical, thermal, acoustic, and electronic properties that are inaccessible in natural materials, such as tunable stiffness or Poisson's ratio, manipulating electromagnetic or elastic waves, and topological and programmable morphability. These salient merits motivate metamaterials as a brand‐new research direction and have inspired extensive innovative applications in flexible electronics. Here, such a groundbreaking interdisciplinary field is first coined as “flexible metamaterial electronics,” focusing on enhancing and innovating functionalities of flexible electronics via the design of metamaterials. Herein, the latest progress and trends in this infant field are reviewed while highlighting their potential value. First, a brief overview starts with introducing the combination of metamaterials and flexible electronics. Then, the developed applications are discussed, such as self‐adaptive deformability, ultrahigh sensitivity, and multidisciplinary functionality, followed by the discussion of potential prospects. Finally, the challenges and opportunities facing flexible metamaterial electronics to advance this cutting‐edge field are summarized.
Light Emission of Self‐Trapped Excitons in Inorganic Metal Halides for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Guo Qingxun , Zhao Xue , Song Boxiang , Luo Jiajun , Tang Jiang
Published: March 2022

Self‐trapped excitons (STEs) have recently attracted tremendous interest due to their broadband emission, high photoluminescence quantum yield, and self‐absorption‐free properties, which enable a large range of optoelectronic applications such as lighting, displays, radiation detection, and special sensors. Unlike free excitons, the formation of STEs requires strong coupling between excited state excitons and the soft lattice in low electronic dimensional materials. The chemical and structural diversity of metal halides provides an ideal platform for developing efficient STE emission materials. Herein, an overview of recent progress on STE emission materials for optoelectronic applications is presented. The relationships between the fundamental emission mechanisms, chemical compositions, and device performances are systematically reviewed. On this basis, currently existing challenges and possible development opportunities in this field are presented.
Rotational Kirigami Tessellation Metasurface for Tunable Chirality
Authors: Phon Ratanak , Jeong Heijun , Lim Sungjoon
Published: March 2022

Kirigami, with a simple mechanical transformation fashion, offers versatile ways and unconventional approaches for realizing cutting‐edge tunable devices. Here, a rotational kirigami tessellation metasurface with tunable chirality using 2D‐to‐2D in‐plane transformation is designed and experimentally demonstrated. The rotational metasurface is built using flexible filament as a supporting dielectric and silver ink as conductive patterns on the top and bottom layers and operated via mechanical transformation. Unlike conventional works where the symmetric‐breaking feature is obtained from 2D to 3D transformation, the proposed structure is designed in such a way that it can break mirror‐symmetric by misaligning the conductive pattern via rotating sub‐elements of the structure led to achieving dual‐band bifunctional tunable chiral transmission responses. Finally, achiral and chiral transmission responses at different rotation angle states are experimentally confirmed. The proposed approach can be applied to various applications, opening new avenues to design 2D‐to‐2D in‐plane transformation mechanical‐based electromagnetic devices.
Nanoscale Mapping and Defect‐Assisted Manipulation of Surface Plasmon Resonances in 2D Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 In‐Plane Heterostructures
Authors: Moradifar Parivash , Nixon Austin G. , Sharifi Tiva , van Driel Tim Brandt , Ajayan Pulickel , Masiello David J. , Alem Nasim
Published: March 2022

The Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 in‐plane heterostructure is reported as a low‐dimensional tunable chalcogenide well suited as plasmonic building block for the visible−UV spectral range. Electron‐driven plasmon excitations of low‐dimensional Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 are investigated by monochromated electron energy loss spectroscopy spectrum imaging. To resolve the nanoscale spatial distribution of various local plasmonic resonances, singular value decomposition is used to disentangle the spectral data and identify the individual spectral contributions of various corner, edge, and face modes. Furthermore, defect‐plasmon interactions are investigated both for nanoscale intrinsic and thermally induced extrinsic polygonal defects (in situ sublimation). Signature of defect‐induced red shift ranging from a several hundreds of millielectronvolts to a few electronvolts, broadening of various plasmon response, together with selective enhancement and significant variations in their intensity are detected. This study highlights the presence of a heterointerface and identifies defects as physical tuning pathways to modulate the plasmonic response over a broad spectral range. Finally, the experimental observations are compared qualitatively and validated with numerical simulations using the electron‐driven discrete dipole approximation. Low‐dimensional Bi2Te3/Sb2Te3 as a less explored plasmonic system holds great promises as emerging platform for integrated plasmonics. Furthermore, introducing controlled structural defects can open the door for nanoengineering of plasmonic properties in such systems.
Bipolar Modulation of the Ionic Circuit for Generic Organic Photoelectrochemical Transistor Logic and Sensor
Authors: Xu Yi‐Tong , Li Zheng , Yuan Cheng , Wu Jia‐Qi , Hu Jin , Lin Peng , Zhao Wei‐Wei , Chen Hong‐Yuan , Xu Jing‐Juan
Published: March 2022

Photonic (bio)electronic circuits and devices have been an enduring goal in modern photonics and electronics. Organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT) interfacing light with biological world creates a substantial opportunity to this end due to the immense light−bio−matter interplay. Through modulating the invisible ionic circuit of organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) with a bipolar electrode (BPE) accommodating different semiconductor combinations, the unique photonic electronics toward logic and sensor applications are realized. Six combinations of BPEs are produced by the representative n‐type CdS/TiO2 and p‐type BiOI/NiO semiconductors, and the corresponding photonic characteristics and operation rationale are systematically investigated and explained. Designation of opto‐logic circuits and feasibility as a sensory platform are subsequently demonstrated. This work not only represents new photonic bioelectronics but also provides a generic mechanism for the design and development of advanced opto‐logics and bio‐analytics.
Bidirectional Photoresponse in Perovskite‐ZnO Heterostructure for Fully Optical‐Controlled Artificial Synapse
Authors: Ge Shuaipeng , Huang Fengchang , He Jiaqi , Xu Zhangsheng , Sun Zhenhua , Han Xun , Wang Chunfeng , Huang Long‐Biao , Pan Caofeng
Published: March 2022

Compared with electrical synapses, optoelectronic synapses exhibit great potential for ultrafast computing and wireless communication in neuromorphic hardware with advantages of low crosstalk, high bandwidth, and low power consumption. However, due to the unidirectional photoresponse in most of optoelectronic synapses, the related researches still focus on the electrical stimulation of inhibitory behaviors. Herein, a synaptic device based on perovskite−ZnO heterostructure is prepared with the characteristic of bidirectional photoresponse and can realize both the potentiation and depression by ultraviolet (UV) and green light stimuli, respectively. Consecutive UV and green light stimuli for potentiation and depression reveal the reliability and repeatability of the fully optical‐controlled artificial synapse. A series of logic functions including “OR,” “AND,” “NOR,” and “NAND” has also been demonstrated in a fully‐optical pathway. This work not only offers an innovative architecture based on the perovskite single crystal and ZnO for fully optical‐controlled artificial synapse, but also represents a step toward optical wireless neuromorphic systems.
Kidney Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Enhanced the Vascularization and Maturation of Human Kidney Organoids
Authors: Kim Jin Won , Nam Sun Ah , Yi Jawoon , Kim Jae Yun , Lee Jong Young , Park Seo‐Yeon , Sen Tugce , Choi Yoo‐mi , Lee Jae Yeon , Kim Hong Lim , Kim Hyung Wook , Park Jiwhan , Cho Dong‐Woo , Kim Yong Kyun
Published: March 2022

Kidney organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have extensive potential for disease modelling and regenerative medicine. However, the limited vascularization and immaturity of kidney organoids have been still remained to overcome. Extracellular matrix (ECM) can provide mechanical support and a biochemical microenvironment for cell growth and differentiation. Here in vitro methods using a kidney decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) hydrogel to culture hPSC‐derived kidney organoids, which have extensive vascular network and their own endothelial cells, are reported. Single‐cell transcriptomics reveal that the vascularized kidney organoids cultured using the kidney dECM have more mature patterns of glomerular development and higher similarity to human kidney than those cultured without the kidney dECM. Differentiation of α‐galactosidase A (GLA)‐knock‐out hPSCs generated using CRISPR/Cas9 into kidney organoids by the culture method using kidney dECM efficiently recapitulate Fabry nephropathy with vasculopathy. Transplantation of kidney organoids with kidney dECM into kidney of mouse accelerates the recruitment of endothelial cells from the host mouse kidney and maintains vascular integrity with the more organized slit diaphragm‐like structures than those without kidney dECM. The kidney dECM methodology for inducing extensive vascularization and maturation of kidney organoids can be applied to studies for kidney development, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine.
Bioactivity and miRNome Profiling of Native Extracellular Vesicles in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell‐Cardiomyocyte Differentiation
Authors: Louro Ana F. , Paiva Marta A. , Oliveira Marta R. , Kasper Katharina A. , Alves Paula M. , Gomes‐Alves Patrícia , Serra Margarida
Published: March 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EV) are an attractive therapy to boost cardiac regeneration. Nevertheless, identification of native EV and corresponding cell platform(s) suitable for therapeutic application, is still a challenge. Here, EV are isolated from key stages of the human induced pluripotent stem cell‐cardiomyocyte (hiPSC‐CM) differentiation and maturation, i.e., from hiPSC (hiPSC‐EV), cardiac progenitors, immature and mature cardiomyocytes, with the aim of identifying a promising cell biofactory for EV production, and pinpoint the genetic signatures of bioactive EV. EV secreted by hiPSC and cardiac derivatives show a typical size distribution profile and the expression of specific EV markers. Bioactivity assays show increased tube formation and migration in HUVEC treated with hiPSC‐EV compared to EV from committed cell populations. hiPSC‐EV also significantly increase cell cycle activity of hiPSC‐CM. Global miRNA expression profiles, obtained by small RNA‐seq analysis, corroborate an EV‐miRNA pattern indicative of stem cell to cardiomyocyte specification, confirming that hiPSC‐EV are enriched in pluripotency‐associated miRNA with higher in vitro pro‐angiogenic and pro‐proliferative properties. In particular, a stemness maintenance miRNA cluster upregulated in hiPSC‐EV targets the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway, involved in cell proliferation and survival. Overall, the findings validate hiPSC as cell biofactories for EV production for cardiac regenerative applications.
Predicting Cardiovascular Stent Complications Using Self‐Reporting Biosensors for Noninvasive Detection of Disease
Authors: Hoare Daniel , Tsiamis Andreas , Marland Jamie R. K. , Czyzewski Jakub , Kirimi Mahmut T. , Holsgrove Michael , Russell Ewan , Neale Steven L. , Mirzai Nosrat , Mitra Srinjoy , Mercer John R.
Published: March 2022

Self‐reporting implantable medical devices are the future of cardiovascular healthcare. Cardiovascular complications such as blocked arteries that lead to the majority of heart attacks and strokes are frequently treated with inert metal stents that reopen affected vessels. Stents frequently re‐block after deployment due to a wound response called in‐stent restenosis (ISR). Herein, an implantable miniaturized sensor and telemetry system are developed that can detect this process, discern the different cell types associated with ISR, distinguish sub plaque components as demonstrated with ex vivo samples, and differentiate blood from blood clot, all on a silicon substrate making it suitable for integration onto a vascular stent. This work shows that microfabricated sensors can provide clinically relevant information in settings closer to physiological conditions than previous work with cultured cells.
Bioactive Film‐Guided Soft–Hard Interface Design Technology for Multi‐Tissue Integrative Regeneration
Authors: Li Yamin , Chen Can , Jiang Jia , Liu Shengyang , Zhang Zeren , Xiao Lan , Lian Ruixian , Sun Lili , Luo Wei , Tim‐yun Ong Michael , Yuk‐wai Lee Wayne , Chen Yunsu , Yuan Yuan , Zhao Jinzhong , Liu Changsheng , Li Yulin
Published: March 2022

Control over soft‐to‐hard tissue interfaces is attracting intensive worldwide research efforts. Herein, a bioactive film‐guided soft–hard interface design (SHID) for multi‐tissue integrative regeneration is shown. Briefly, a soft bioactive film with good elasticity matchable to native ligament tissue, is incorporated with bone‐mimic components (calcium phosphate cement, CPC) to partially endow the soft‐film with hard‐tissue mimicking feature. The hybrid film is elegantly compounded with a clinical artificial ligament to act as a buffer zone to bridge the soft (ligament) and hard tissues (bone). Moreover, the bioactive film‐decorated ligament can be rolled into a 3D bio‐instructive implant with spatial‐controllable distribution of CPC bioactive motifs. CPC then promotes the recruitment and differentiation of endogenous cells in to the implant inside part, which enables a vascularized bone growth into the implant, and forms a structure mimicking the biological ligament–bone interface, thereby significantly improving osteointegration and biomechanical property. Thus, this special design provides an effective SHID‐guided implant‐bioactivation strategy unreached by the traditional manufacturing methods, enlightening a promising technology to develop an ideal SHID for translational use in the future.
Dielectric Walls/Layers Modulated 3D Periodically Structured SERS Chips: Design, Batch Fabrication, and Applications
Authors: Tian Yi , Hu Haifeng , Chen Peipei , Dong Fengliang , Huang Hui , Xu Lihua , Yan Lanqin , Song Zhiwei , Xu Taoran , Chu Weiguo
Published: March 2022

As an indispensable constituent of plasmonic materials/dielectrics for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effects, dielectrics play a key role in excitation and transmission of surface plasmons which however remain more elusive relative to plasmonic materials. Herein, different roles of vertical dielectric walls, and horizontal and vertical dielectric layers in SERS via 3D periodic plasmonic materials/dielectrics structures are studied. Surface plasmon polariton (SPP) interferences can be maximized within dielectric walls besieged by plasmonic layers at the wall thicknesses of integral multiple half‐SPPplasmonic material‐dielectric‐wavelength which effectively excites localized surface plasmon resonance to improve SERS effects by one order of magnitude compared to roughness and/or nanogaps only. The introduction of extra Au nanoparticles on thin dielectric layers can further enhance SERS effects only slightly. Thus, the designed Au/SiO2 based SERS chips show an enhancement factor of 8.9 × 1010, 265 times higher relative to the chips with far thinner SiO2 walls. As many as 1200 chips are batch fabricated for a 4 in wafer using cost‐effective nanoimprint lithography which can detect trace Hg ions as low as 1 ppt. This study demonstrates a complete generalized platform from design to low‐cost batch‐fabrication to applications for novel high performance SERS chips of any plasmonic materials/dielectrics.
Solution Synthesis and Characterization of a Long and Curved Graphene Nanoribbon with Hybrid Cove–Armchair–Gulf Edge Structures
Authors: Yang Lin , Ma Ji , Zheng Wenhao , Osella Silvio , Droste Jörn , Komber Hartmut , Liu Kun , Böckmann Steffen , Beljonne David , Hansen Michael Ryan , Bonn Mischa , Wang Hai I. , Liu Junzhi , Feng Xinliang
Published: March 2022

Curved graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) with hybrid edge structures have recently attracted increasing attention due to their unique band structures and electronic properties as a result of their nonplanar conformation. This work reports the solution synthesis of a long and curved multi‐edged GNR (cMGNR) with unprecedented cove–armchair–gulf edge structures. The synthesis involves an efficient A2B2‐type Diels–Alder polymerization between a diethynyl‐substituted prefused bichrysene monomer (3b) and a dicyclopenta[e,l]pyrene‐5,11‐dione derivative (6) followed by FeCl3‐mediated Scholl oxidative cyclodehydrogenation of the obtained polyarylenes (P1). Model compounds 1a and 1b are first synthesized to examine the suitability and efficiency of the corresponding polymers for the Scholl reaction. The successful formation of cMGNR from polymer P1 bearing prefused bichrysene units is confirmed by FTIR, Raman, and solid‐state NMR analyses. The cove‐edge structure of the cMGNR imparts the ribbon with a unique nonplanar conformation as revealed by density functional theory (DFT) simulation, which effectively enhances its dispersibility in solution. The cMGNR has a narrow optical bandgap of 1.61 eV, as estimated from the UV–vis absorption spectrum, which is among the family of low‐bandgap solution‐synthesized GNRs. Moreover, the cMGNR exhibits a carrier mobility of ≈2 cm2 V−1 s−1 inferred from contact‐free terahertz spectroscopy.
Ethylene Carbonate‐Free Electrolytes for Stable, Safer High‐Nickel Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Pan Ruijun , Cui Zehao , Yi Michael , Xie Qiang , Manthiram Arumugam
Published: March 2022

Ethylene carbonate (EC) is an important component in state‐of‐the‐art electrolytes for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, EC is highly susceptible to oxidation on the surface of high‐nickel layered oxide cathodes, making it undesirable for next‐generation high‐energy‐density LIBs. In this study, a simple, yet effective, EC‐free electrolyte (20F1.5M‐1TDI) is presented by adding 20 wt% fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and 1 wt% lithium 4,5‐dicyano‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)imidazole (LiTDI) into 1.5 m LiPF6 in an ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) electrolyte. The 20F1.5M‐1TDI electrolyte is found to efficiently passivate the graphite anode and stabilize high‐nickel cathodes by a synergistic decomposition of FEC and LiTDI. The LiNi0.9Mn0.05Al0.05O2 (NMA90)/graphite full cell with the 20F1.5M‐1TDI electrolyte, therefore, exhibits an enhanced cycling stability and a suppressed voltage hysteresis growth compared to that with an EC‐containing baseline electrolyte (1 m LiPF6 in EC:EMC, 3:7 in weight, with 2 wt% vinyl carbonate). Advanced analytical tools, such as time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, are employed to understand the underlying working mechanism of the EC‐free electrolyte. The present study clearly showcases the great potential of EC‐free electrolytes as a straightforward, practical approach for LIBs with high‐nickel cathodes.