bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MANAGING DATA-DRIVEN DESIGN: A SURVEY OF THE LITERATURE AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Authors: Johnson Julie , Hurst Ada , Safayeni Frank
Published: June 2023

Data-driven design is expected to change design processes and organizations in significant ways. What actions should design managers take to ensure the best possible outcomes in this new data-driven design environment? This paper employs an interdisciplinary literature survey to distill key impacts that data-driven design may have on designers, design teams, organizations and product users. Findings reveal that designers may need a broader set of skills to be successful. For data-driven design to be most effective, design managers will be challenged with many integration tasks, including the integration of AI-based tools into design teams, the closer integration of interdisciplinary teams, the integration of qualitative design thinking methods with new data-driven design paradigms, and the integration of data and algorithms into traditional human-centred design practice, in an effort to overcome cognitive limitations and augment human skill. This paper identifies gaps in the literature at the intersection of data-driven design and design management, design thinking, and systems thinking.
MBSE WITHIN THE ENGINEERING DESIGN COMMUNITY – AN EXPLORATORY STUDY
Authors: Berschik Markus Christian , Schumacher Thomas , Laukotka Fabian Niklas , Krause Dieter , Inkermann David
Published: June 2023

Objective of this contribution is to present the use of Model-based Systems Engineering within the engineering design community. Based on a differentiation between SE and MBSE, the definition of three core MBSE elements, namely modelling method, modelling language, and modelling tool as well as the three major aspects of a consistent system model (requirements, behaviour, and structure) a structured review is conducted, focussing on the understanding and motivation as well as the modelling of systems. The review includes 93 publications from Design Society library and proceedings of the CIRP Design conferences during the period from 2011 to 2022. The review points out, that there is an increasing application of MBSE within the engineering design community, mainly focussing on architecture definition or combined engineering activities. Only a small portion of works (16 publications) are providing a consistent approach as these publications link all aspects of the system model and consider all three MBSE elements. It can be concluded, that there is a diffuse understanding of MBSE and different motivations are given to apply more formal system models as well as modelling tools.
PERSPECTIVES ON ROBUST DESIGN – AN OVERVIEW OF CHALLENGES AND RESEARCH AREAS ACROSS INDUSTRY FIELDS
Authors: Eifler Tobias , Campean Felician , Husung Stephan , Schleich Benjamin
Published: June 2023

Robust Design offers a coherent and widely appreciated approach for the parametric exploration of the design space by means of simulation or experimentation, which is well-established in the quality-by design domain. From the perspective of design research, however, this only addresses a relatively narrow part of the design process and is not fully integrated with other design decisions such as concept exploration, the suitable configuration of system elements, or the design of interfaces. Particularly in light of the growing importance of developing technologically advanced and “smart” systems, it seems that a new methodical perspective on Robust Design is needed. Against this background, this paper consolidates knowledge and insights from different research fields and industry sectors. On this basis, new angles to the discussion on product robustness in different domains are explored in order to suggests directions for action and new research areas, both with respect to a methodical RD approach as well as the question of systematic research procedures.
SERVICE DESIGN IN ACTION: TRANSFORMATION, CONSIDERATION, AND SYSTEM THINKING
Authors: Lee Sheng-Hung , Yang Maria , de Weck Olivier L. , Lee Chaiwoo , Coughlin Joseph F. , Klopfer Eric , Ochsendorf John
Published: June 2023

Service design has been an emerging transdisciplinary field that includes product, system, and social science, since the term was first introduced to academic research in the early 1990s. With socioeconomical shifts and emerging technologies, people have faced more complex and systemic challenges, which enable researchers to consider how to reapply service design not only as problem-solving tools but also as ways for communication and alignment to adapt to the change. The study focuses on the paradigm shifts of service from its definitions to applications by interviewing nine design experts from academia and industry, and utilizing survey results to help us explore applying service design to solve complicated social-technological challenges. We present four takeaways: 1) a new understanding of service design, 2) the purpose of using service design tools, 3) the evaluation of service quality through time, and 4) the applications of service design in the public sector. We proposed a macro-trend model with service systems: product, service, and experience to conclude 1) constructing service systems in the macro-trend context and 2) gaining holistic views and building service implementation capability in the era of transformations.
SHEAFIFICATION AS A DESIGN TECHNIQUE FOR CREATIVE PRESERVATION – PRINCIPLES, ILLUSTRATIONS, AND FIRST APPLICATIONS
Authors: Le Masson Pascal , Hatchuel Armand , Weil Benoit
Published: June 2023

In times of ‘grand challenges’, design theorists dealing with complex systems are facing a dilemma: grand challenges require rule breaking, but they also require the preservation, as much as possible, of existing resources, systems, know-how and societal values. Design for transition calls not for ‘creative destruction’, but for ‘creative preservation’. How do we model a design process that involves ‘creative preservation’?

Today, it is recognized that category/topos theory provides a solid foundation for modelling complex systems and their evolution in design processes. Category theory can account for a design process inside a given ‘theory of the object’, while topos theory and design theory can account for the phenomena whereby a design process is innovative to preserve the knowledge structure. At the heart of this creative preservation is sheafification.

In this study, we analyse the sheafification process using design theory. First, we characterize sheafification from a design perspective. Next, we propose a very simple illustration involving the sheafification of an ordinal 2 category presheaf. Finally, we show how sheafification can be used to enable ‘creative preservation’ in specific complex systems.
STRONG SUSTAINABILITY ASPECTS IN THE IDEATION PROCESS: A PEDAGOGICAL EXPERIMENT
Authors: Escobar Melissa , Laforest Valérie , Troussier Nadège , Faucheu Jenny
Published: June 2023

The progress of science and technology has considerably increased the quality of life - especially the material standard of living - (e.g. disappearance of famines, increase in life expectancy) On the other hand, climate change, reduction of biodiversity, decrease of natural resources, and increase of environmental risks are some of the consequences of this human activities. Addressing these new challenges will require holistic comprehension and actionable approaches. The mitigation of these consequences requires effective responses in terms of transition. In this context, engineering and design students need time but also adapted curricula focused on sustainability and eco design concepts to support evolution of their skills, their knowledge and their culture. This article discusses the integration of a strong sustainability knowledge within the ideation process through a pedagogical experience, in order to develop new knowledge-based approaches, methodologies and tools
THE AUGMENTED DESIGNER: A RESEARCH AGENDA FOR GENERATIVE AI-ENABLED DESIGN
Authors: Thoring Katja , Huettemann Sebastian , Mueller Roland M.
Published: June 2023

Generative AI algorithms that are able to generate creative output are progressing at tremendous speed. This paper presents a research agenda for Generative AI-based support for designers. We present examples of existing applications and thus illustrate the possible application space of Generative AI reflecting the current state of this technology. Furthermore, we provide a theoretical foundation for AI-supported design, based on a typology of design knowledge and the concept of evolutionary creativity. Both concepts are discussed in relation to the changing roles of AI and the human designer. The outlined research agenda presents 10 research opportunities for possible AI-support to augment the designer of the future. The results presented in this paper provide researchers with an introduction to and overview of Generative AI, as well as the theoretical understanding of potential implications for the future of the design discipline.
UNDERSTANDING AUDIENCES FOR IMMERSIVE AND INTERACTIVE MUSEUM AND GALLERY EXPERIENCES AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES
Authors: Kwon Hyejin , Choi Youngok , Zhao Xiaoyang , Hua Min , Wang Wei , Garaj Vanja , Lam Busayawan
Published: June 2023

The advent of immersive and interactive technologies has facilitated the growth of the museum and gallery sector by offering a variety of new experiences. In the UK and China, in particular, the museum and gallery sector lies at the heart of the creative industries and makes a significant contribution to cultural growth. Both countries have recognised the impact of such technologies on the growth of the sector and have actively sought opportunities to use them for bilateral collaboration. However, the interest in immersive and interactive technologies among museum and gallery audiences remains underexplored, as do their preferences and behavioural patterns with respect to such technologies. This study discusses the key findings of user research, exploring the awareness, experiences and preferences of current museum and gallery audiences regarding (i) immersive and interactive museum and gallery experiences and (ii) the cultural exchange between the UK and China.
VIRTUALLY HOSTED HACKATHONS FOR DESIGN RESEARCH: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE INTERNATIONAL DESIGN ENGINEERING ANNUAL (IDEA) CHALLENGE 2022
Authors: Ege Daniel Nygaard , Goudswaard Mark , Nesheim Ole , Eikevåg Sindre W , Bjelland Øystein , Christensen Kim A , Ballantyne Robert , Su Shuo , Cox Chris , Timperley Louis , Aeddula Omsri , Machchhar Raj Jiten , Ruvald Ryan , Li Jie , Figueiredo Sara , Deo Saurabh , Horvat Nikola , Čeh Ivan , Šklebar Jelena , Miler Daniel , Gopsill James , Hicks Ben , Steinert Martin
Published: June 2023

The International Design Engineering Annual (IDEA) Challenge is a virtually hosted hackathon for Engineering Design researchers with aims of: i) generating open access datasets; ii) fostering community between researchers; and, iii) applying great design minds to develop solutions to real design problems. This paper presents the 2022 IDEA challenge and elements of the captured dataset with the aim of providing insights into prototyping behaviours at virtually hosted hackathons, comparing it with the 2021 challenge dataset and providing reflections and learnings from two years of running the challenge. The dataset is shown to provide valuable insights into how designers spend their time at hackathon events and how, why and when prototypes are used during their design processes. The dataset also corroborates the findings from the 2021 dataset, demonstrating the complementarity of physical and sketch prototypes. With this paper, we also invite the wider community to contribute to the IDEA Challenge in future years, either as participants or in using the platform to run their own design studies.
ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT IN COLLABORATIVE ENGINEERING DESIGN: HOW TO MEASURE AND USE IT IN A FEEDBACK SYSTEM?
Authors: Farshad Sabah , Fortin Clement
Published: June 2023

Engineering design is typically a collaborative process, and in the era of digital engineering, online collaboration platforms are increasingly being used to perform the work. Despite the development of e-collaboration technologies, there is a significant gap between actual collaboration and what is really needed. However, improving collaboration requires a proper measurement system. Yet, the common methods to measure and improve collaboration are challenging, usually not compatible with digitalized collaboration, and have limited scalability. This paper presents a new data-driven method for measuring, visualizing, and monitoring Active Engagement (AE) in web-based teamwork, which is a key element of effective collaboration. We applied the method in a case study of four engineering teams during a Technology Planning and Road-mapping course. The results suggest that measuring AE in web-based teams, with an available history log, is technically feasible and can meaningfully represent the team's collaboration. The presented approach can be used to upgrade e-collaboration platforms as a toolkit or for further investigation on improving web-based collaborative design and learning through monitoring dashboards and feedback systems.
A CIRCULAR PRODUCT DESIGN TOOLKIT: METHODOLOGICAL BACKGROUND, BASIC PRINCIPLES AND BUILDING BLOCKS
Authors: Shevchenko Tetiana , Cluzel Francois
Published: June 2023

Circular product design has been recognised in the academia as a foundational step for companies to make circular business models functional and viable. In this regards, it is vital to have a quick-and-easy practical toolkit providing diagnostics and specific guidelines on product design in terms of circularity performance. The present paper announces a Circular Product Design Toolkit (CPD Toolkit) under development now, which aims at enhancing the circularity potential of an existing product by redesign. The following objectives are addressed. First, a brief review of existing approaches in the field of product-level circularity metrics and also available circular product design tools to clarify their purpose and practical value is conducted. Second, the scientific approach to assess a product circularity performance, previously developed, as a methodological background of the CPD Toolkit is outlined. Third, the basic principles and building blocks of the CPD Toolkit are briefly set out with further discussion in terms of possible presentation of information block as actual product circularity dataset and guideline part dealing with specific instructions for a company on how to progress in the circularity of the product produced.
BARRIERS TO THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT – A SURVEY OF DIMENSIONS INVOLVED
Authors: Müller Benedikt , Roth Daniel , Kreimeyer Matthias
Published: June 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is seen as a great opportunity to secure future competitiveness in many corporate sectors. Potential for its use also exists in product development (PD) activities due to the amount of data generated and processed. Nevertheless, there are problems in applying the technology. This paper addresses current challenges based on a literature review, considering three disciplines that are necessary for the scope of this paper as a minimum: AI itself, information technology infrastructures (ITI) in context of digital transformation (DT), and PD as an application area. Building on the basic considerations of the state of the art, a link between the domains is established by outlining a possible reference framework towards the utilization of AI applications in PD. This enables an expanded interdisciplinary understanding. Key obstacles appear specifically to be difficult collaboration conditions between the disciplines of PD and AI applications development due to communication problems. Reasons for this include:

– Meta models of PD do not provide a sufficient information base

– Lack of standardized process models for the deployment of AI
COLLABORATIVE TEAMWORK PROTOTYPING AND CREATIVITY IN DIGITAL FABRICATION DESIGN EDUCATION
Authors: Georgiev Georgi V. , Nanjappan Vijayakumar , Casakin Hernan , Soomro Sohail
Published: June 2023

Digital fabrication laboratories play a role as an educational environment in which different learning activities incorporate advanced technological developments. Digital fabrication design education often involves exploratory and scaffolded processes of materialising ideas into products. However, FabLabs poses multiple challenges for pedagogy and design learning. Based on a large-scale digital fabrication course in a higher education institution, we examine whether teamwork carried out in a digital fabrication environment improves creativity. Furthermore, we analyse if teamwork affects self-assessment of learning activities involving building tangible artefacts. Finally, we examine whether the type of produced prototype affects the team's overall performance. The results allow for digital fabrication design education recommendations, including interventions intended for improving the creativity of the outcomes, team performance, and learning of different digital fabrication issues.
COMBINING FUNCTION MODELLING AND REQUIREMENTS MODELLING WITH THE IFM FRAMEWORK
Authors: Krüger Merlin Frederik , Zorn Stefan , Gericke Kilian
Published: June 2023

The transmission of information between requirements modelling and function modelling in the product development process often appears challenging because of multiple used models and different terminology of specific disciplines. The integrated function modelling (IFM) framework is used for functional analysis of technical moderate complex systems and supports cross-disciplinary modelling and communication in the design team. To improve the applicability of this method and its supporting purpose in the modelling process, the authors combined requirements as an additional entity with the existing entities of this method. Furthermore, the extended framework has been used to visualise the procedure with this approach as an example. The outlook provides the potential for further development of the method.
Liquid crystal elastomer actuators and sensors: Glimpses of the past, the present and perhaps the future
Authors: Lagerwall Jan
Published: June 2023

Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are programmable materialspar excellence. I review the history and state of the art of LCE materials and processing development from the perspective of the important remaining step of moving out of the academic research lab and applying LCEs as soft actuators or strain sensors. After a brief introduction for the non-expert of what LCEs are and which their main advantages and limitations are, I discuss the key breakthroughs that LCE research has undergone over its 50-year history. Building on this and drawing from fresh results from on-going research, I consider possible future development trajectories that would help address the outstanding key obstacles to reach mass production at competitive cost. I end with discussing a selected set of application scenarios with good opportunities for LCEs to perform functions that no other material could deliver. Specifically, I focus on responsive buildings incorporating LCE actuator fibres and sheets/ribbons, structural health monitoring with LCE strain sensors monitoring crack growth and propagation or alerting residents of buildings exposed to dangerous levels of deformation, and kinetic and responsive garments incorporating LCE fibre actuators and/or strain sensors.
What drives perceptions of partisan cooperation?
Authors: Santoso Lie Philip , Stevenson Randolph T. , Weschle Simon
Published: June 2023

What drives voters' perceptions of partisan cooperation? In this note, we investigate whether voters have accurate beliefs about which parties regularly cooperate with one another, and whether these beliefs follow the real-time portrait of cooperation and conflict between parties that is reported in the news. We combine original survey data of voters' perceptions of party cooperation in four countries over two time periods with a measure of parties' public relationships as reported by the media. We find that voters' perceptions of cooperation and conflict among parties do reflect actual patterns of interactions. This pattern holds even after controlling for policy differences between parties as well as joint cabinet membership. Furthermore, we show that the impact of contemporary events on cooperation perceptions is most pronounced for voters who monitor the political news more carefully. Our findings have important implications for partisan cooperation and mass–elite linkages. Specifically, we find that contrary to the usual finding that voters are generally uninformed about politics, voters hold broadly accurate beliefs about the patterns of partisan cooperation, and importantly, these views track changes in relevant news. This reflects positively on the masses' capacities to infer parties' behaviors.
(In)visible Sanctions: Micro-level Evidence on Compulsory Activation for Young Welfare Recipients
Authors: Smedsvik Bård , Iacono Roberto
Published: June 2023

Since the early years of activation and workfare in the 1990s, the use of welfare conditionality and benefit sanctions has been proposed among the necessary solutions to ensure the efficiency of welfare policy by reinforcing individual economic incentives. Using rich administrative registers from Norway, we produce micro-level quantitative evidence on compulsory activation for young recipients of social assistance. The empirical challenge is that activation through the threat of benefit sanctions is not a feature that unambiguously emerges from observational data, except for when sanctions indeed take place and benefits are reduced. To overcome this barrier, we introduce a novel methodology to identify individual-level effects of activation on young welfare recipients, exploiting municipal variation in the introduction of compulsory activation. More precisely, we study whether individuals who are residents in municipalities that have introduced compulsory activation display a stronger relationship between their labor market status (activation) and their benefit size (because sanctions being in place) compared to individuals residing in municipalities where activation has not been made compulsory. Our results show that there is no different relationship between social assistance benefits and passive labor market status for individuals living in municipalities that practice activation compared with individuals residing in municipalities in which activation is not yet mandatory. In other words, there is no visible effect of sanctions for passive recipients.
Expletive insertion: a morphological approach
Authors: ZINGLER TIM
Published: June 2023

English words containing inserted expletives, like absobloodylutely or unbefuckinglievable, are often said to be created by ‘infixation’. One goal of this work is to argue that such claims are self-contradictory. Infixes are affixes, but the expletives are not. Rather, they are themselves morphologically complex, are not bound, and can occur with words from different syntactic categories. Hence, the expletives are full words, and the only property they share with infixes is their phonologically determined insertion point. Due to these factors, I suggest that words like absobloodylutely are discontinuous compounds instead, in which the expletive forms a new word with the word it interrupts. I further argue that discontinuous compounding is even rarer than actual infixation cross-linguistically, which makes English a typological outlier. On the other hand, I try to show that the apparently idiosyncratic properties of expletive compounds are compatible with English compounding at a more abstract level. In addition, the article seeks to establish some tentative diachronic and cognitive mechanisms that may have led to the emergence and retention of expletive insertion. The overall conclusion is that, once morphological phenomena are analyzed in sufficient detail, novel structural patterns and parallels may emerge.
Updates and Reflections on the Eucharistic Prayer (EP) since the International Anglican Liturgical Consultation (IALC) Dublin Report 1995
Authors: Spinks Bryan
Published: June 2023

This paper revisits the 1995 IALC Dublin Statement on the Eucharist, focusing on the Eucharistic Prayer. It reviews newer insights and studies on the Eucharistic Prayer, and suggests how that broadly may impact subsequent Anglican use of ‘classical patterns’, It also puts forward suggestions and questions posed by some more recent Anglican revisions as well as revisiting some areas of the Dublin Statement that are still useul or so far have not been fully embraced in Anglican liturgical revision.
Does a change in the ‘global net zero’ language matter?
Authors: Parris Hannah , Anger-Kraavi Annela , Peters Glen P.
Published: June 2023

Non-technical summary

Changes in language used in long term climate policy can undermine their credibility and discourage climate action. Previous IPCC reports have promoted an idea of reaching ‘global net zero’ (GNZ) emissions by 2050 in order to limit global warming to 1.5 °C. In the latest IPCC Report, this language has been changed.

To understand the impact of this change, we survey COP 26 participants to test their willingness to accept a shift in long term policy goals. We find a low tolerance for a change and, indeed, there is substantial finance, business and political effort behind the idea of reaching GNZ by 2050.

This suggests that GNZ by 2050 will remain central to climate action.

Technical summary

Consistency in language in long term policy goals is central to building a (political) constituency in support of the Paris Agreement. Changes in language can undermine policy credibility, and stall effective mitigation action.

Recent changes in IPCC language to describe ‘global net zero’ (GNZ) as being reached in the ‘early or mid 2050s’ (AR6 WG1) could risk undermining the substantial cultural, political and financial momentum that has developed behind the interpretation – first developed by the IPCC SR 1.5 °C Report – that GNZ must be reached by 2050.

We survey COP 26 participants to test their willingness to accept a shift in policy goals and find a strong preference for a ‘stable’ long term policy target, widely interpreted as reaching ‘GNZ by 2050’, and a rejection of flexibility in long term policy targets, even as new scientific information becomes available.

‘GNZ by 2050’ is no longer a science based target, but has transitioned to a cultural and political metaphor actively used by stakeholders to guide their climate decision making. This makes ‘GNZ by 2050’ no less valid than the original scientific concept. This may stimulate further ‘political calibration’ or between the policy and modelling communities.

Social media summary

Sig. momentum is behind global net zero by 2050.Will changes in IPCC mitigation language de-rail global climate action?
Auf dem Weg in ein sicheres Daheim: Erleben des Übergangs in ein ambulantes Setting mit Heimbeatmung
Authors: Brüll Nicole , Nicca Dunja , Staudacher Sandra , Schmid-Mohler Gabriela , Zúñiga Franziska
Published: June 2023

Zusammenfassung. Hintergrund: Mit dem Fortschritt an medizinischen Möglichkeiten erfolgt ein erhöhter Bedarf an Heimbeatmung. Der Übergang von stationärer Langzeitbeatmung in ambulante Heimbeatmung ist eine schwierige Phase in Bezug auf den Aufbau des Netzwerks zur Betreuung, die Koordination der Pflege und die Finanzierung. Ziel: Die Studie beschreibt, wie Betroffene mit ventilatorischer Insuffizienz und pflegende Angehörige den Übergang von einer Institution ins ambulante Setting mit invasiver oder nichtinvasiver Heimbeatmung erleben. Methode: Es wurde ein qualitatives Forschungsdesign mit sozialkonstruktivistischem Ansatz gewählt mit einer Auswertung nach der thematischen Analyse von Braun und Clarke. Eingeschlossen wurden sieben deutschsprachige Betroffene (≥ 18 Jahre) mit ventilatorischer Insuffizienz und Heimbeatmung (> 6 h/Tag) aus der Deutschschweiz, mit Austritt von einer Institution nach Hause, sowie fünf pflegende Angehörige, welche Betroffene mit den beschriebenen Kriterien betreuen. Ergebnisse: Die Institution wurde als sicherer Ort erlebt. Betroffene und Angehörige mussten nach dem Übergang zu Hause ein sicheres Umfeld schaffen. Drei Themen wurden induktiv gebildet: Miteinander schrittweise Vertrauen gewinnen, als Angehörige Expert_innen werden und das eigene Netzwerk auf die neuen Betreuungsbedürfnisse ausrichten. Schlussfolgerungen: Der Übergang nach Hause gelingt im Zusammenspiel von Vertrauen gewinnen, Expertise aufbauen und tragfähige Netzwerke schaffen. Fachpersonen können mit diesem Wissen Betroffene mit Heimbeatmung und ihre Angehörigen gezielt begleiten.
Immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in a population with a history of elevated exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through drinking water
Authors: Bailey Jordan M. , Wang Ling , McDonald Jennifer M. , Gray Jennifer S. , Petrie Joshua G. , Martin Emily T. , Savitz David A. , Karrer Timothy A. , Fisher Keri A. , Geiger Matthew J. , Wasilevich Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2023

Background

Exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been linked to lower vaccine-induced antibody concentrations in children, while data from adults remains limited and equivocal. Characteristics of PFAS exposure and age at vaccination may modify such effects.

Objective

We used the mass administration of novel COVID-19 vaccines to test the hypothesis that prior exposure to environmentally-relevant concentrations of PFAS affect antibody response to vaccines in adolescents and adults.

Methods

Between April and June 2021, 226 participants aged 12–90 years with a history of exposure to PFAS in drinking water and who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine participated in our prospective cohort study. SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies (IgG) were quantified before the first and second vaccine doses and again at two follow-ups in the following months (up to 103 days post dose 1). Serum PFAS concentrations (n = 39 individual PFAS) were measured once for each participant during baseline, before their first vaccination. The association between PFAS exposure and immune response to vaccination was investigated using linear regression and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models with adjustment for covariates that affect antibody response. PFAS mixture effects were assessed using weighted quantile sum and Bayesian kernel machine regression methods.

Results

The geometric mean (standard deviation) of perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid serum concentrations in this population was 10.49 (3.22) and 3.90 (4.90) µg/L, respectively. PFAS concentrations were not associated with peak anti-spike antibody response, the initial increase in anti-spike antibody response following vaccination, or the waning over time of the anti-spike antibody response. Neither individual PFAS concentrations nor their evaluation as a mixture was associated with antibody response to mRNA vaccination against COVID-19.

Impact statement

Given the importance of understanding vaccine response among populations exposed to environmental contaminants and the current gaps in understanding this relationship outside of early life/childhood vaccinations, our manuscript contributes meaningful data from an adolescent and adult population receiving a novel vaccination.
An invasive zone in human liver cancer identified by Stereo-seq promotes hepatocyte–tumor cell crosstalk, local immunosuppression and tumor progression
Authors: Wu Liang , Yan Jiayan , Bai Yinqi , Chen Feiyu , Zou Xuanxuan , Xu Jiangshan , Huang Ao , Hou Liangzhen , Zhong Yu , Jing Zehua , Yu Qichao , Zhou Xiaorui , Jiang Zhifeng , Wang Chunqing , Cheng Mengnan , Ji Yuan , Hou Yingyong , Luo Rongkui , Li Qinqin , Wu Liang , Cheng Jianwen , Wang Pengxiang , Guo Dezhen , Huang Waidong , Lei Junjie , Liu Shang , Yan Yizhen , Chen Yiling , Liao Sha , Li Yuxiang , Sun Haixiang , Yao Na , Zhang Xiangyu , Zhang Shiyu , Chen Xi , Yu Yang , Li Yao , Liu Fengming , Wang Zheng , Zhou Shaolai , Yang Huanming , Yang Shuang , Xu Xun , Liu Longqi , Gao Qiang , Tang Zhaoyou , Wang Xiangdong , Wang Jian , Fan Jia , Liu Shiping , Yang Xinrong , Chen Ao , Zhou Jian
Published: June 2023

Dissecting and understanding the cancer ecosystem, especially that around the tumor margins, which have strong implications for tumor cell infiltration and invasion, are essential for exploring the mechanisms of tumor metastasis and developing effective new treatments. Using a novel tumor border scanning and digitization model enabled by nanoscale resolution-SpaTial Enhanced REsolution Omics-sequencing (Stereo-seq), we identified a 500 µm-wide zone centered around the tumor border in patients with liver cancer, referred to as “the invasive zone”. We detected strong immunosuppression, metabolic reprogramming, and severely damaged hepatocytes in this zone. We also identified a subpopulation of damaged hepatocytes with increased expression of serum amyloid A1 and A2 (referred to collectively as SAAs) located close to the border on the paratumor side. Overexpression of CXCL6 in adjacent malignant cells could induce activation of the JAK-STAT3 pathway in nearby hepatocytes, which subsequently caused SAAs’ overexpression in these hepatocytes. Furthermore, overexpression and secretion of SAAs by hepatocytes in the invasive zone could lead to the recruitment of macrophages and M2 polarization, further promoting local immunosuppression, potentially resulting in tumor progression. Clinical association analysis in additional five independent cohorts of patients with primary and secondary liver cancer (n = 423) showed that patients with overexpression of SAAs in the invasive zone had a worse prognosis. Further in vivo experiments using mouse liver tumor models in situ confirmed that the knockdown of genes encoding SAAs in hepatocytes decreased macrophage accumulation around the tumor border and delayed tumor growth. The identification and characterization of a novel invasive zone in human cancer patients not only add an important layer of understanding regarding the mechanisms of tumor invasion and metastasis, but may also pave the way for developing novel therapeutic strategies for advanced liver cancer and other solid tumors.
Printable Poly(N-acryloyl glycinamide) Nanocomposite Hydrogel Formulations
Authors: Majstorović Nikola , Zahedtalaban Mohamed , Agarwal Seema
Published: June 2023

Printable synthetic polymer formulations leading to hydrogels with high strengths, swelling resistance, and bioactivities are required to control the mechanical and functional characteristics of biological scaffolds. Here, we present nanocomposite hydrogels prepared with the upper critical solution (UCST)-type polymer ink poly(N-acryloyl glycinamide) (PNAGA) and different concentrations of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Nanofiller CNTs are recommended for increasing the bioactivities of hydrogel scaffolds. Printing methods were established in which the CNTs were included before and after the fabrication of the ink. The methods were compared to each other and their temperatures and shear-thinning properties were determined from the rheologies. A self-thickening method was utilized for 3D printing of nanocomposite constructs, and the printabilities varied with the CNT content and preparation method. After photopolymerization of the printed constructs, the nanocomposite hydrogel exhibited a slightly higher mechanical strength (15,500 Pa, Emod = 0.697 ± 0.222 MPa), great elasticity (elongation ~500%) and an electrical conductivity (5.2‧10−4 ± 1.5‧10−4 S‧m−1) comparable to that of the neat PNAGA hydrogel. Since high-strength constructs can be 3D printed with good resolution and low cytotoxicity, these nanocomposite hydrogel scaffolds could be used in biological and tissue engineering applications.
Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of ZIF-67
Authors: Gallegos-Monterrosa Ramses , Mendiola Rodrigo Orozco , Nuñez Yoselin , Auvynet Constance , Kumar Kesarla Mohan , Tang Bin , Ruiz-Ortega Leonardo I. , Bustamante Víctor H.
Published: June 2023

Currently, antibiotic-resistant bacteria represent a serious threat to public health worldwide. Biofilm formation potentiates both virulence and antibiotic resistance of bacteria. Therefore, the discovery of new antibacterial and antibiofilm compounds is an issue of paramount importance to combat and prevent hard-to-treat bacterial infections. Zeolitic-imidazolate-frameworks (ZIFs) are metallo-organic compounds known to have various interesting chemical and biological applications, including antibacterial properties. In this study, we synthesized ZIF-67 nanoparticles, formed by imidazolate anions and cobalt cations, and found that they inhibit the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of ZIF-67 were also able to significantly reduce the biomass of pre-established biofilms of these pathogenic bacteria. On the other hand, the ZIF-67 nanoparticles had null or low cytotoxicity in mammalian cells at those concentrations showing antibacterial or antibiofilm activities. Thus, our results reveal the potential of ZIF-67 nanoparticles to be used against pathogenic bacteria.
CP2 skyrmions and skyrmion crystals in realistic quantum magnets
Authors: Zhang Hao , Wang Zhentao , Dahlbom David , Barros Kipton , Batista Cristian D.
Published: June 2023

Magnetic skyrmions are nanoscale topological textures that have been recently observed in different families of quantum magnets. These objects are called CP1 skyrmions because they are built from dipoles—the target manifold is the 1D complex projective space, CP1 ≅ S2. Here we report the emergence of magnetic CP2 skyrmions in a realistic spin-1 model, which includes both dipole and quadrupole moments. Unlike CP1 skyrmions, CP2 skyrmions can also arise as metastable textures of quantum paramagnets, opening a new road to discover emergent topological solitons in non-magnetic materials. The quantum phase diagram of the spin-1 model also includes magnetic field-induced CP2 skyrmion crystals that can be detected with regular momentum- (diffraction) and real-space (Lorentz transmission electron microscopy) experimental techniques.
Simultaneous single-qubit driving of semiconductor spin qubits at the fault-tolerant threshold
Authors: Lawrie W. I. L. , Rimbach-Russ M. , Riggelen F. van , Hendrickx N. W. , Snoo S. L. de , Sammak A. , Scappucci G. , Helsen J. , Veldhorst M.
Published: June 2023

Practical Quantum computing hinges on the ability to control large numbers of qubits with high fidelity. Quantum dots define a promising platform due to their compatibility with semiconductor manufacturing. Moreover, high-fidelity operations above 99.9% have been realized with individual qubits, though their performance has been limited to 98.67% when driving two qubits simultaneously. Here we present single-qubit randomized benchmarking in a two-dimensional array of spin qubits, finding native gate fidelities as high as 99.992(1)%. Furthermore, we benchmark single qubit gate performance while simultaneously driving two and four qubits, utilizing a novel benchmarking technique called N-copy randomized benchmarking, designed for simple experimental implementation and accurate simultaneous gate fidelity estimation. We find two- and four-copy randomized benchmarking fidelities of 99.905(8)% and 99.34(4)% respectively, and that next-nearest neighbor pairs are highly robust to cross-talk errors. These characterizations of single-qubit gate quality are crucial for scaling up quantum information technology.
Activating hidden signals by mimicking cryptic sites in a synthetic extracellular matrix
Authors: Zhu Yumeng , Shmidov Yulia , Harris Elizabeth A. , Theus Michelle H. , Bitton Ronit , Matson John B.
Published: June 2023

Cryptic sites are short signaling peptides buried within the native extracellular matrix (ECM). Enzymatic cleavage of an ECM protein reveals these hidden peptide sequences, which interact with surface receptors to control cell behavior. Materials that mimic this dynamic interplay between cells and their surroundings via cryptic sites could enable application of this endogenous signaling phenomenon in synthetic ECM hydrogels. We demonstrate that depsipeptides (“switch peptides”) can undergo enzyme-triggered changes in their primary sequence, with proof-of-principle studies showing how trypsin-triggered primary sequence rearrangement forms the bioadhesive pentapeptide YIGSR. We then engineered cryptic site-mimetic synthetic ECM hydrogels that experienced a cell-initiated gain of bioactivity. Responding to the endothelial cell surface enzyme aminopeptidase N, the inert matrix transformed into an adhesive synthetic ECM capable of supporting endothelial cell growth. This modular system enables dynamic reciprocity in synthetic ECMs, reproducing the natural symbiosis between cells and their matrix through inclusion of tunable hidden signals.
Fe/Cu diatomic catalysts for electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Wu Jianghua , Zheng Mengting , Jin Xin , Shen Zihan , Li Zhonghua , Wang Yanjun , Wang Quan , Wang Xuebin , Wei Hui , Zhang Jiangwei , Wang Peng , Zhang Shanqing , Yu Liyan , Dong Lifeng , Zhu Qingshan , Zhang Huigang , Lu Jun
Published: June 2023

Electrochemical conversion of nitrate to ammonia offers an efficient approach to reducing nitrate pollutants and a potential technology for low-temperature and low-pressure ammonia synthesis. However, the process is limited by multiple competing reactions and NO3− adsorption on cathode surfaces. Here, we report a Fe/Cu diatomic catalyst on holey nitrogen-doped graphene which exhibits high catalytic activities and selectivity for ammonia production. The catalyst enables a maximum ammonia Faradaic efficiency of 92.51% (−0.3 V(RHE)) and a high NH3 yield rate of 1.08 mmol h−1 mg−1 (at − 0.5 V(RHE)). Computational and theoretical analysis reveals that a relatively strong interaction between NO3− and Fe/Cu promotes the adsorption and discharge of NO3− anions. Nitrogen-oxygen bonds are also shown to be weakened due to the existence of hetero-atomic dual sites which lowers the overall reaction barriers. The dual-site and hetero-atom strategy in this work provides a flexible design for further catalyst development and expands the electrocatalytic techniques for nitrate reduction and ammonia synthesis.
Emergent and robust ferromagnetic-insulating state in highly strained ferroelastic LaCoO3 thin films
Authors: Li Dong , Wang Hongguang , Li Kaifeng , Zhu Bonan , Jiang Kai , Backes Dirk , Veiga Larissa S. I. , Shi Jueli , Roy Pinku , Xiao Ming , Chen Aiping , Jia Quanxi , Lee Tien-Lin , Dhesi Sarnjeet S. , Scanlon David O. , MacManus-Driscoll Judith L. , van Aken Peter A. , Zhang Kelvin H. L. , Li Weiwei
Published: June 2023

Transition metal oxides are promising candidates for the next generation of spintronic devices due to their fascinating properties that can be effectively engineered by strain, defects, and microstructure. An excellent example can be found in ferroelastic LaCoO3 with paramagnetism in bulk. In contrast, unexpected ferromagnetism is observed in tensile-strained LaCoO3 films, however, its origin remains controversial. Here we simultaneously reveal the formation of ordered oxygen vacancies and previously unreported long-range suppression of CoO6 octahedral rotations throughout LaCoO3 films. Supported by density functional theory calculations, we find that the strong modification of Co 3d-O 2p hybridization associated with the increase of both Co-O-Co bond angle and Co-O bond length weakens the crystal-field splitting and facilitates an ordered high-spin state of Co ions, inducing an emergent ferromagnetic-insulating state. Our work provides unique insights into underlying mechanisms driving the ferromagnetic-insulating state in tensile-strained ferroelastic LaCoO3 films while suggesting potential applications toward low-power spintronic devices.
Field-induced partial disorder in a Shastry-Sutherland lattice
Authors: Marshall Madalynn , Billingsley Brianna R. , Bai Xiaojian , Ma Qianli , Kong Tai , Cao Huibo
Published: June 2023

A 2-Q antiferromagnetic order of the ferromagnetic dimers was found below TN = 2.9 K in the Shastry-Sutherland lattice BaNd2ZnS5 by single crystal neutron diffraction. The magnetic order can be understood by the orthogonal arrangement of local Ising Nd spins, identified by polarized neutrons. A field was applied along [1 -1 0] to probe the observed metamagnetic transition in the magnetization measurement. The field decouples two magnetic sublattices corresponding to the propagation vectors q1 = (½, ½, 0) and q2 = (−½, ½, 0), respectively. Each sublattice shows a “stripe” order with a Néel-type arrangement in each single layer. The “stripe” order with q1 remains nearly intact up to 6 T, while the other one with q2 is suppressed at a critical field Hc ~1.7 T, indicating a partial disorder. The Hc varies with temperature and is manifested in the H-T phase diagram constructed by measuring the magnetization in BaNd2ZnS5.
Multiplex-GAM: genome-wide identification of chromatin contacts yields insights overlooked by Hi-C
Authors: Beagrie Robert A. , Thieme Christoph J. , Annunziatella Carlo , Baugher Catherine , Zhang Yingnan , Schueler Markus , Kukalev Alexander , Kempfer Rieke , Chiariello Andrea M. , Bianco Simona , Li Yichao , Davis Trenton , Scialdone Antonio , Welch Lonnie R. , Nicodemi Mario , Pombo Ana
Published: June 2023

Technology for measuring 3D genome topology is increasingly important for studying gene regulation, for genome assembly and for mapping of genome rearrangements. Hi-C and other ligation-based methods have become routine but have specific biases. Here, we develop multiplex-GAM, a faster and more affordable version of genome architecture mapping (GAM), a ligation-free technique that maps chromatin contacts genome-wide. We perform a detailed comparison of multiplex-GAM and Hi-C using mouse embryonic stem cells. When examining the strongest contacts detected by either method, we find that only one-third of these are shared. The strongest contacts specifically found in GAM often involve ‘active’ regions, including many transcribed genes and super-enhancers, whereas in Hi-C they more often contain ‘inactive’ regions. Our work shows that active genomic regions are involved in extensive complex contacts that are currently underestimated in ligation-based approaches, and highlights the need for orthogonal advances in genome-wide contact mapping technologies.