bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Situ Bonding Regulation of Surface Ligands for Efficient and Stable FAPbI3 Quantum Dot Solar Cells
Authors: Ding Shanshan , Hao Mengmeng , Fu Changkui , Lin Tongen , Baktash Ardeshir , Chen Peng , He Dongxu , Zhang Chengxi , Chen Weijian , Whittaker Andrew K. , Bai Yang , Wang Lianzhou
Published: November 2022

Quantum dots (QDs) of formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI3) perovskite hold great potential, outperforming their inorganic counterparts in terms of phase stability and carrier lifetime, for high‐performance solar cells. However, the highly dynamic nature of FAPbI3 QDs, which mainly originates from the proton exchange between oleic acid and oleylamine (OAm) surface ligands, is a key hurdle that impedes the fabrication of high‐efficiency solar cells. To tackle such an issue, here, protonated‐OAm in situ to strengthen the ligand binding at the surface of FAPbI3 QDs, which can effectively suppress the defect formation during QD synthesis and purification processes is selectively introduced. In addition, by forming a halide‐rich surface environment, the ligand density in a broader range for FAPbI3 QDs without compromising their structural integrity, which significantly improves their optoelectronic properties can be modulated. As a result, the power conversion efficiency of FAPbI3 QD solar cells (QDSCs) is enhanced from 7.4% to 13.8%, a record for FAPbI3 QDSCs. Furthermore, the suppressed proton exchange and reduced surface defects in FAPbI3 QDs also enhance the stability of QDSCs, which retain 80% of the initial efficiency upon exposure to ambient air for 3000 hours.
Learning‐Based Damage Recovery for Healable Soft Electronic Skins
Authors: Terryn Seppe , Hardman David , Thuruthel Thomas George , Roels Ellen , Sahraeeazartamar Fatemeh , Iida Fumiya
Published: November 2022

Natural agents display various adaptation strategies to damages, including damage assessment, localization, healing, and recalibration. This work investigates strategies by which a soft electronic skin can similarly preserve its sensitivity after multiple damages, combining material‐level healing with software‐level adaptation. Being manufactured entirely from self‐healing Diels–Alder matrix and composite fibers, the skin is capable of physically recovering from macroscopic damages. However, the simultaneous shifts in sensor fiber signals cannot be modeled using analytical approaches because the materials viscoelasticity and healing processes introduce significant nonlinearities and time‐variance into the skin's response. It is shown that machine learning of five‐layer networks after 5000 probes leads to highly sensitive models for touch localization with 2.3 mm position and 95% depth accuracy. Through health monitoring via probing, damage and partial recovery are localized. Although healing is often successful, insufficient recontact leads to limited recovery or complete loss of a fiber. In these cases, complete resampling and retraining recovers the networks’ full performance, regaining sensitivity, and further increasing the system's robustness. Transfer learning with a single frozen layer provides the ability to rapidly adapt with fewer than 200 probes.
One of these things is not like the other: Predictors of core and capital mentoring in adolescence
Authors: Gowdy Grace , Fruiht Veronica , Tadese Helen , Rivera March
Published: November 2022

Informal mentoring has many demonstrated impacts on young people, including increased educational attainment, economic mobility, and both physical and mental health. Emerging work on a typology within informal mentoring suggests that “core” mentors are often extended family members and provide emotional support, while “capital” mentors are connected to formal institutions and provide valued advice and social capital. The present paper contributes to this emerging body of work by examining which qualities of a young person and their environment lead to core versus capital mentoring using a nationally representative sample of youth (N = 4226). Using both a series of regression analyses and conditional inference trees, findings demonstrate the importance of racial‐ethnic identity and socioeconomic status. Peabody Picture Vocabulary score, a likely indicator of socioeconomic resources, was consistently a robust indicator of capital mentoring. Implications for both practice and research are discussed.
Identification of a new familial case of 3q29 deletion syndrome associated with cleft lip and palate via whole‐exome sequencing
Authors: Biedziak Barbara , Dąbrowska Justyna , Szponar‐Żurowska Anna , Bukowska‐Olech Ewelina , Jamsheer Aleksander , Mojs Ewa , Mulle Jennifer , Płoski Rafał , Mostowska Adrianna
Published: November 2022

Many unbalanced large copy number variants reviewed in the paper are associated with syndromic orofacial clefts, including a 1.6 Mb deletion on chromosome 3q29. The current report presents a new family with this recurrent deletion identified via whole‐exome sequencing and confirmed by array comparative genomic hybridization. The proband exhibited a more severe clinical phenotype than his affected mother, comprising right‐sided cleft lip/alveolus and cleft palate, advanced dental caries, heart defect, hypospadias, psychomotor, and speech delay, and an intellectual disability. Data analysis from the 3q29 registry revealed that the 3q29 deletion increases the risk of clefting by nearly 30‐fold. No additional rare and pathogenic nucleotide variants were identified that could explain the clefting phenotype and observed intrafamilial phenotypic heterogeneity. These data suggest that the 3q29 deletion may be the primary risk factor for clefting, with additional genomic variants located outside the coding sequences, methylation changes, or environmental exposure serving as modifiers of this risk. Additional studies, including whole‐genome sequencing or methylation analyses, should be performed to identify genetic factors underlying the phenotypic variation associated with the recurrent 3q29 deletion.
Participatory action research for primate conservation: A critical analysis of a nonformal education program in Southern Mexico
Authors: Franquesa‐Soler Montserrat , Jorge Sales Lucía , Silva‐Silva Rivera Evodia
Published: November 2022

Historically, Mexico has had an important role in primate conservation research, however, studies have rarely included the human dimensions of primatology. Inclusion of these disciplines should be a priority, considering that human activities are responsible for the current socio‐ecological crisis. Mexico is habitat for three primate species, and all are threatened. This urgency demands new approaches and broader perspectives. First, we propose three main research frameworks relevant for conducting PCEPs in Latin America: Participatory Action Research, Arts‐based education in PCEPs and Knowledge Coproduction. Furthermore, we aimed to (1) describe a case study about primate conservation education in Southern Mexico based on participatory visual methods under the umbrella of Participatory Action Research (PAR), and (2) to conduct a self‐reflective, critical, straightforward, and constructive analysis of the experience. We discuss the various challenges faced during the process (e.g., traditional teaching prevalence at schools, teachers that are not school‐based, time and academic constraints). Additionally, we highlight some PAR aspects applicable for researchers and practitioners interested to go further than knowledge transmission (e.g., codesign, arts‐based education, placed‐based education, critical thinking, and capacity building). To collectively progress in primate conservation education in Mexico and other Latin American countries, projects could greatly benefit from context‐specific, people‐centered approaches, such as PAR. We encourage researchers to share more of their personal research experiences including both their successes and failures.
Open‐Cage Fullerene as Molecular Container for F−, Cl−, Br− and I−
Authors: Sun Shijun , Liu Zhen , Colombo Francesca , Gao Rui , Yu Yuming , Qiu Yi , Su Jie , Gan Liangbing
Published: November 2022

A 19‐membered open‐cage fullerene derivative was prepared from C60 in 7 steps and 5.5 % yield through the peroxide‐mediate pathway. There are four carbonyl groups, an ether oxygen and a quinoxaline moiety on the rim of the orifice. A chloride anion could be inserted into its cavity by heating with hydrochloric acid at 60 °C for 4 h. Encapsulation of fluoride, bromide and iodide anions was also achieved at slightly more forcing conditions, 90 °C for 14 h. Single crystal X‐ray structures of the sodium salt of the chloride and the bromide encapsulated derivatives were obtained, which showed the halide anion in the center of the cavity and two sodium cations connecting two cages through coordination to the oxygen atoms on the rim of the orifices. The halide encapsulation ratio is quantitative in the isolated products.
Effect of CeO2 on UV aging of composite insulators prepared by template‐spraying method
Authors: He Wenjie , Zhang Fangyuan , Zhang Fengwei , He Qiang
Published: November 2022

When the silicone rubber composite insulator is exposed outdoors for a long time, it will be affected by high‐temperature ultraviolet environments. In order to ensure the operation of silicone rubber composite insulators, a super‐hydrophobic composite insulator with antiaging characteristics was prepared by mixing cerium dioxide (CeO2) with silicone rubber and spraying CeO2 on the surface of silicone rubber. This article studied the aging characteristics of the base and surface of silicone rubber composite insulator by CeO2 in ultraviolet environment. The properties of silicone rubber composite insulators before and after aging were tested by mechanics, contact Angle, rolling Angle, bounce, and icing experiments. The aging mechanism of silicone rubber was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and search engine marketing. This study prepared composite insulators with excellent mechanical, hydrophobic, and antiicing properties. The aging resistance of silicone rubber composite insulators is improved by adding CeO2 into silicone rubber matrix and spraying CeO2 on the surface, which also ensure the use of composite insulators in high‐temperature ultraviolet environment.
Al2O3/h‐BN/epoxy based electronic packaging material with high thermal conductivity and flame retardancy
Authors: Li You , Xiong Tianshun , Xu Chaochao , Qian Yongxin , Tao Yang , Wang Luyao , Jiang Qinghui , Luo Yubo , Yang Junyou
Published: November 2022

The long‐term and stable operation of integrated circuits and microelectronics requires packaging epoxy resin (EP) exhibit high thermal conductivity for efficient heat dissipation, and excellent flame retardancy in case of thermal runaway. We achieved such EP composite via filling poly‐dopamine (PDA) modified nanoscale Al2O3 spheres and microscale h‐BN sheets. The PDA modification increases the compatibility between fillers and EP and largely reduces the viscosity, improving the dispersion of fillers in EP thus the thermal conductivity of EP composites. In addition, NH3, H2O, and N2 generated during the combustion of phenolic hydroxyls and aminos in PDA combined with the physical barrier effect of Al2O3 and h‐BN can improve the flame retardancy of EP composites. As a consequence, the EP composite filled with PDA modified Al2O3 (26.67 wt%) and h‐BN (13.33 wt%) (i.e., PDA‐BNAO/EP) shows a thermal conductivity of 1.192 W/mK (654.9% of EP), a peak heat release rate of 194.9 W/g (33.8% of EP), and total heat release of 15.2 kJ/g (54.5% of EP), respectively. What's more, the viscosity of PDA‐BNAO/EP is 20,443 mPa s, which is only 20% of BNAO/EP (whose viscosity is 102,281 mPa s). More importantly, the PDA‐BNAO/EP has good dynamic mechanical properties with the storage modulus of 14.69 Gpa, glass transition temperature of 91.9°C and good electrical insulation, which is desired for packaging of microelectronics. PDA‐BNAO/EP composite should be a promising candidate for widespread packaging materials of microelectronics.
Tri‐metallic quantum dot under the influence of solvent additive for improved performance of polymer solar cells
Authors: Oseni Saheed O. , Osifeko Olawale L. , Boyo Adenike O. , Mola Genene Tessema
Published: November 2022

CdTeSe colloidal quantum dot (QD) was used to enhance photon capture in thin film polymer solar cells (TFPSC). The QDs were synthesized in aqueous media from two different precursors. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) polymer blends composed of P3HT and PCBM were used as an absorber layer of the solar cell to investigate the effect of QDs. Different concentrations of QDs were used in the polymer matrix, which significantly impacted the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the doped devices. More device performance growth was recorded by employing a small amount of solvent additives to disperse the QDs and increase the polymer's crystallinity in the medium. Hence, the addition of 1, Chloronaphthalene (CN) solvent additive in the QD‐doped bulk heterojunction film further enhanced the overall performance of the TFPSC due to improved film morphology that has significantly influenced the charge transport processes. Consequently, the PCE of the solar cell increased by nearly 50% compared to the pristine TFPSC due to the effect of solvent additives.
Mechanical fatigue of recycled and virgin high‐/low‐density polyethylene
Authors: Zhang Jian , Hirschberg Valerian , Rodrigue Denis
Published: November 2022

The high consumption rates of polymers generate large amounts of wastes imposing long‐term adverse effects on the environment combined with a significant carbon footprint. So the appeal for a circular economy is becoming loud enough to take actions. Despite increasing interests for polymer recycling, some reserves about their mechanical performances, especially long‐term properties such as fatigue resistance, are barriers to introduce more recycled polymers back into production lines. In this study, a comparison between the fatigue resistance of virgin and recycled high‐/low‐density polyethylene (H/LDPE) is made to provide more quantitative information to address these concerns. Although some recycled polymers (HDPE) show similar tensile properties compared to virgin ones, significant differences can be observed in their fatigue lifetime. So tensile testing alone is not sufficient to provide a complete information about the overall properties of recycled polymers. Our results show that recycling polymers does not necessarily result in reduced fatigue resistance.
Scalable Mechanochemical Synthesis of β‐Ketoenamine‐linked Covalent Organic Frameworks for Methane Storage
Authors: Asokan Kiran , Patil Manoj Krishnat , Mukherjee Shatabdi Porel , Sukumaran Santhosh Babu , Nandakumar T.
Published: November 2022

In the current scenario of increased pollution and releasing toxic gases by burning petroleum products, switching to natural gas is more promising for reducing CO2 emissions and air pollutants. Hence, research on Liquefied Natural Gas and Compressed Natural Gas is gaining more value. However, natural gas primarily consists of CH4, which has less energy density than conventional fuels. Interestingly, since the C−H ratio of CH4 gas is 1 : 4, it is easily combustible, gives less carbon footprint, and reduces unburnt hydrocarbon pollution. Hence, research on storing and transporting CH4 has utmost importance, and porous materials are one of the suitable candidates for storing CH4. Herein we report the scalable synthesis of highly porous and crystalline covalent organic frameworks for storing CH4 at room temperature and pressure. Two COFs, namely, Tp‐Azo and Tp‐Azo‐BD(Me)2, synthesized in 1 kg at ∼45 g batch scale using a Planetary mixer, displayed a maximum BET surface area of around 3345 m2/g, and 2342 m2/g and CH4 storage of 174.10 cc/cc and 151 cc/cc, respectively. A comparison of the CH4 sorption of Tp‐Azo and Tp‐Azo‐BD(Me)2 COFs synthesized in different batches has a variation of only ±5 cc/cc and shows the consistency in bulk scale synthesis of COFs. The cyclic equilibrium CH4 adsorption studies showed the COFs are stable with consistent CH4 adsorption and desorption cycles. The present study is a step towards the scalable mechanochemical synthesis of COFs for gas storage applications.
Algal Toxins in Drinking Water: Standards and Guidelines
Authors: Cotruvo Joseph A.
Published: November 2022

Key Takeaways

Cyanobacteria can, but do not always, produce toxins that may be found in algal blooms, which can pose a public health threat even at low levels in water.

The US Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization, and Health Canada have taken varying approaches to establishing guidances for monitoring and managing algal toxins.

Although based on different assumptions and interpretations, with somewhat different outcomes, all of the assessments provide appropriate safeguards for drinking water, with different water system impacts and at different treatment costs.
The Surprising Origins of Dedicated Funding for US Lead Pipe Replacement
Authors: Vedachalam Sridhar , Franzen Elias
Published: November 2022

Key Takeaways

Lead service line replacement (LSLR) is a cost‐effective and popular policy decision.

The Water Infrastructure Fund Transfer Act (WIFTA) was a small, idiosyncratic program designed to help Newark, N.J., through its lead crisis.

WIFTA was a mixed success but spawned a larger push for expanded federal funding for LSLR; more funding is possible if existing funding programs deliver faster replacement.
Targeting RAS mutants in malignancies: successes, failures, and reasons for hope
Authors: Yang Hang , Zhou Xinyi , Fu Dongliang , Le Chenqin , Wang Jiafeng , Zhou Quan , Liu Xiangrui , Yuan Ying , Ding Kefeng , Xiao Qian
Published: November 2022

RAS genes are the most frequently mutated oncogenes and play critical roles in the development and progression of malignancies. The mutation, isoform (KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS), position, and type of substitution vary depending on the tissue types. Despite decades of developing RAS‐targeted therapies, only small subsets of these inhibitors are clinically effective, such as the allele‐specific inhibitors against KRASG12C. Targeting the remaining RAS mutants would require further experimental elucidation of RAS signal transduction, RAS‐altered metabolism, and the associated immune microenvironment. This study reviews the mechanisms and efficacy of novel targeted therapies for different RAS mutants, including KRAS allele‐specific inhibitors, combination therapies, immunotherapies, and metabolism‐associated therapies.
miR‐138‐5p inhibits the progression of colorectal cancer via regulating SP1/LGR5 axis
Authors: Zou Qing‐Tao , Lin Yi , Luo Qing‐Yu
Published: November 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the main malignancies that seriously threaten human health. Considering the high mortality and morbidity associated with this disease, even surgical resection and chemotherapy may not be sufficient in certain cases. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms of miR‐138‐5p in regulating CRC progression. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and western blot were performed to assess the levels of mRNA and proteins, including miR‐138‐5p, leucine‐rich repeat‐containing G protein‐coupled receptor 5 (LGR5), SP1, β‐catenin, cyclin D1, and c‐myc. The bioactivities of LoVo and HCT116 cells were assessed via MTT assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay. StarBase was used to identify the downstream targets of genes. Double luciferase reporter and RIP assays revealed the direct binding of miR‐138‐5p to SP1 and of SP1 to LGR5. Our results illustrated that miR‐138‐5p was downregulated in CRC and its knockdown accelerated CRC progression. Conversely, SP1 was upregulated in CRC and its knockdown inhibited CRC progression. SP1 is also targeted by miR‐138‐5p and binds to LGR5. This study showed that miR‐138‐5p inhibits LoVo and HCT116 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Overall, miR‐138‐5p regulates CRC progression and promotes apoptosis via the SP1/LGR5 axis. This study indicates that miR‐138‐5p is involved in regulating CRC progression.
Bright Organic Mechanoluminescence and Remarkable Mechanofluorochromism from Circularly Polarized TADF Enantiomers with Aggregation‐Induced Emission Properties**
Authors: Zheng Yitao , Zhang Letian , Huang Zihao , Li Shufeng , Zuo Lingqi , Liang Yaohui , Liu Cong , Luo Suilian , Shi Guang , Zhao Zujin , Sun Fengqiang , Xu Bingjia
Published: November 2022

The development of circularly polarized thermally activated delayed fluorescence (CP‐TADF) luminogens with stimuli‐response characteristics remains challenging. Herein, a pair of organic enantiomers,S‐CzTA andR‐CzTA, with aggregation‐induced emission properties, have been successfully developed by introducing chiral 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalene and carbazole to phthalimide. They present CP‐TADF properties in toluene solutions, giving dissymmetric factors of 0.84×10−3and −1.03×10−3, respectively. In the crystalline state, bothS‐CzTA andR‐CzTA can emit intense blue TADF and produce very bright sky‐blue mechanoluminescence (ML) and remarkable mechanofluorochromism (MFC) under the stimuli of mechanical force. Single‐crystal analysis and theoretical calculation results suggest that their ML activities are probably associated with their chiral and polar molecular structures and unique non‐centrosymmetric molecular packing modes. Furthermore, the MFC properties of the enantiomers likely originate from the destruction of crystal structure, leading to the planarization of molecular conformation. This work may provide helpful guidance for developing new CP‐TADF materials with force‐stimuli‐responsive properties.
Scalable, Green Chain Transfer Agent for Cationic RAFT Polymerizations
Authors: Spring Scott W. , Cerione Chloe S. , Hsu Jesse H. , Shankel Shelby L. , Fors Brett P.
Published: November 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Cationic polymerizations of vinyl ethers have gained recent attention due to their ability to produce robust, biorenewable materials. These developments have been largely enabled by the advent of cationic reversible addition−fragmentation chain‐transfer (RAFT) polymerization; however, the scalability and sustainability of this method are hindered by current chain‐transfer agents (CTAs), which exist as viscous, colored oils requiring complex syntheses and solvent‐intensive purification. Herein, we produce a solid, colorless CTA through a green synthetic route in 83% yield on a 50‐gram scale. We investigate the utility of this CTA in chemical, electrochemical, photochemical, and acid‐initiated methods, revealing that it achieves efficient polymerization with excellent control over molecular weight, low dispersity values, high chain end fidelity, and temporal control in cationic RAFT polymerizations.
Multimorbidity, functional impairment, and mortality in older patients stable after prior acute myocardial infarction: Insights from the TIGRIS registry
Authors: Bagai Akshay , Ali Faeez M. , Gregson John , Alexander Karen P. , Cohen Mauricio G. , Sundell Karolina Andersson , Simon Tabassome , Westermann Dirk , Yasuda Satoshi , Brieger David , Goodman Shaun G. , Nicolau Jose C. , Granger Christopher B. , Pocock Stuart
Published: November 2022

Background

Data on the association of multimorbidity and functional impairment with cardiovascular (CV) and non‐CV outcomes among older myocardial infarction (MI) patients are limited.

Hypothesis

Multimorbidity and functional impairment among older MI patients are associated with CV and non‐CV mortality.

Methods

Patients aged ≥65 years, 1−3 years post‐MI, and enrolled between June 2013 and Novemeber 2014 from 349 sites in 25 countries in the global TIGRIS registry were categorized by age, number of comorbidities, and presence and degree of functional impairment. Functional impairment was calculated using five‐dimension EuroQol based on three domains—mobility, self‐care, and usual activities. The association between age, number of comorbid conditions, and degree of functional impairment with 2‐year incidence of CV and non‐CV death was evaluated using Poisson regression analysis.

Results

Older age was associated with higher number of comorbidities and functional impairment; after adjustment, increasing age was significantly associated with non‐CV mortality (p = .03) but not CV mortality (p = .38). Greater functional impairment was associated with a higher rate and relatively equal magnitude risk of CV (rate ratios [RR] 1.52, 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.29−1.79, per one‐step increase) and non‐CV mortality (RR 1.42, 95% CI: 1.17−1.73). Multimorbidity was more strongly associated with CV mortality (RR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.38−1.67, per additional comorbidity) versus non‐CV mortality (RR 1.29, 95% CI: 1.14−1.47, per additional comorbidity).

Conclusions

Multimorbidity and functional impairment are prevalent among older post‐MI patients and are associated with increased CV and non‐CV mortality. These findings highlight the importance of considering comorbid conditions and functional impairment as predictors of risk for adverse outcomes and aspects of medical decision making. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT01866904.
Erlotinib‐Modified BODIPY Photosensitizers for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Gül Elif Yıldız , Karataş Elanur Aydın , Doğan Hatice Aydın , Karataş Ömer Faruk , Çoşut Bünyemin , Eçik Esra Tanrıverdi
Published: November 2022

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an innovative, non‐invasive and highly selective therapeutic modality for tumours and non‐malignant diseases. BODIPY based molecules can function as new generation photosensitizers (PSs) in various PDT applications. Despite numerous conjugated PS systems are available, BODIPYs containing erlotinib lagged behind other photosensitizer units. In this study, smart photosensitizers containing BODIPY, erlotinib and hydrophilic units were prepared for the first time, their physicochemical properties and PDT effects were investigated. Compared with non‐halogenated compound, halogenated derivatives possessed much lower fluorescence profile as well as the good ROS generation ability under red light. In vitro PDT studies were performed on both healthy (PNT1a) and prostate cancerous cells (PC3) to determine the selectivity of the compounds on cancerous cells and their effects under light. The halogenated conjugates, exposed to low dose of light illumination exhibited potent activity on cancer cell viability and the calculated IC50values proved the high phototoxicity of the photosensitizers. It was also determined that the PSs have very low dark toxicity and that the light illumination and ROS formation are required for the initiation of the cell death mechanism. As a result, erlotinib modified BODIPYs could serve as promising agents in anticancer photodynamic therapy.
How Structure–Function Relationships of 1,4‐Naphthoquinones Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in Multidrug‐Resistant (MDR) Pathogens
Authors: Mone Nishigandha S. , Syed Sahil , Ravichandiran Palanisamy , Satpute Surekha K. , Kim Ae Rhan , Yoo Dong Jin
Published: November 2022

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top ten health‐related threats worldwide. Among several antimicrobial agents, naphthoquinones (NQs) of plant/chemical origin possess enormous structural and functional diversity and are effective against multidrug‐resistant (MDR) pathogens. 1,4‐NQs possess alkyl, hydroxyl, halide, and metal groups as side chains on their double‐ring structure, predominantly at the C‐2, C‐3, C‐5, and C‐8 positions. Among 1,4‐NQs, hydroxyl groups at either C‐2 or C‐5 exhibit significant antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp. (ESKAPE) and MDR categories. 1,4‐NQs exhibit antibacterial activities like plasmids curing, reactive oxygen species generation, efflux pumps inhibition, anti‐DNA gyrase activity, membrane permeabilization, and biofilm inhibition. This review emphasizes the structure‐function relationships of 1,4‐NQs against ESKAPE and MDR pathogens based on a literature review of studies published in the last 15 years. Overall, 1,4‐NQs have great potential for counteracting the antimicrobial resistance of MDR pathogens.
Cryptic persistence and loss of local endemism in Lake Constance charr subject to anthropogenic disturbance
Authors: Baer Jan , Schliewen Ulrich K. , Schedel Frederic D. B. , Straube Nicolas , Roch Samuel , Brinker Alexander
Published: November 2022

In the welcome circumstance that species believed extinct are rediscovered, it is often the case that biological knowledge acquired before the presumed extinction is limited. Efforts to address these knowledge gaps, in particular to assess the taxonomic integrity and conservation status of such species, can be hampered by a lack of genetic data and scarcity of samples in museum collections. Here, we present a proof‐of‐concept case study based on a multidisciplinary data evaluation approach to tackle such problems. The approach was developed after the rediscovery, 40 years after its presumed extinction, of the enigmatic Lake Constance deep‐water charr Salvelinus profundus. Targeted surveys led to the capture of further species and additional sympatric normal charr, Salvelinus cf. umbla. Since the lake had been subject to massive stocking in the past, an evaluation of the genetic integrity of both extant forms was called for in order to assess possible introgression. A two‐step genomic approach was developed based on restriction site associated DNA (RAD). Diagnostic population genomic (single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP]) data were harvested from contemporary samples and used for RNA bait design to perform target capture in DNA libraries of archival scale material, enabling a comparison between extant and historic samples. Furthermore, life history traits and morphological data for both extant forms were gathered and compared with historical data from the past 60–120 years. While extant deep‐water charr matched historical deep‐water specimens in body shape, gill raker count, and growth rates, significant differences were discovered between historical and extant normal charr. These resulted were supported by genomic analyses of contemporary samples, revealing the two extant forms to be highly divergent. The results of population assignment tests suggest that the endemic deep‐water charr persisted in Lake Constance during the eutrophic phase, but not one of the historical genomic samples could be assigned to the extant normal charr taxon. Stocking with non‐endemic charr seems to be the most likely reason for these changes. This proof‐of‐concept study presents a multidisciplinary data evaluation approach that simultaneously tests population genomic integrity and addresses some of the conservation issues arising from rediscovery of a species characterized by limited data availability.
A Stretchable and Healable Gelatin Hydrogel Assisted by Hofmeister Effect for All‐in‐One Flexible Supercapacitor
Authors: Wang Xue , Xing Zhihao , Yang Chao , Qin Yusheng
Published: November 2022

The all‐in‐one flexible supercapacitor holds great promise for wearable electronics due to its stable electrochemical performance under continuous strain. However, it is a challenge to achieve good mechanical strength, self‐healing performance, and high energy density for their potential applications. For this purpose, a stretchable and healable all‐in‐one supercapacitor consisting of gelatin hydrogel electrolytes and polypyrrole electrodes is constructed. The gelatin hydrogel is obtained by the hydrolysis of leather waste shavings and then physically cross‐linked by simply soaking in a sodium sulfate solution. Benefiting from the Hofmeister series, the kosmotropic sodium sulfate ions can significantly enhance the hydrophobic interactions and chain bundling, thus greatly improving the mechanical strength of gelatin hydrogel. As a result, the as‐prepared all‐in‐one supercapacitor exhibits an area‐specific capacitance of 219.0 mF cm−2, a high energy density of 19.46 μWh cm−2, and long cycling life. In particular, the all‐in‐one supercapacitor can be deformed under varied stress–strain via decross‐linking and dissociation, simultaneously delivers reliable self‐healing capability. This work presents a simple and green technology to prepare an all‐in‐one supercapacitor, which motivates the development of biomass wastes toward high‐performance electronics.
Direct, simple, rapid, and real‐time monitoring of ultraviolet B level in sunlight using a self‐powered and flexible photodetector
Authors: Tran Manh Hoang , Hur Jaehyun
Published: November 2022

Sunlight‐originated ultraviolet B (UVB) rays influence daily life in both beneficial and detrimental ways, depending upon light power and exposure time. Therefore, precise and timely UVB irradiance control is of great importance to humans. This study proposes a self‐powered and wearable zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticle (NP)‐based UVB‐C detector for the in situ monitoring of UVB levels in ambient environments. The performance of the ZnS‐based photodetector can be markedly enhanced by constructing a vertical p‐n heterojunction for testing the feasibility of a self‐powered UVB‐C detector, employing a thin polyethylenimine (PEI) film for inhibiting current leakage and charge recombination, and introducing a poly(9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐alt‐N‐[4‐s‐butylphenyl]‐diphenylamine) (TFB) film as a hole transport layer to increase the photocurrent and enhance the response speed. In particular, we demonstrate that the ZnS NP/TFB junction in the device enables the direct monitoring of narrow and specific UVB bands from sunlight owing to its unique energy band structure and light absorption characteristics. The optimized device has a fast rise/fall time of 50/62 ms, high specific detectivity of 8.20 × 1010 Jones, and good stability over long‐term storage and against mechanical bending under 254‐nm light illumination. Our study provides new insights into self‐powered devices that can be implemented for the facile, precise, and rapid estimation of UVB levels under sunlight for various personal healthcare applications.

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Comparing different machine‐learning techniques to date Nile Delta sediments based on portable X‐ray fluorescence data
Authors: Seeliger Martin , Ginau Andreas , Altmeyer Marina , Neis Pascal , Schiestl Robert , Wunderlich Jürgen
Published: November 2022

Geomorphology generally aims to describe and investigate the processes that lead to the formation of landscapes, while geochronology is needed to detect their timing and duration. Due to restrictions on exporting geological samples from Egypt, modern geoscientific studies in the Nile Delta lack the possibility of dating the investigated sediments and geological features by standard techniques such as OSL or AMS 14C; therefore, this study aims to validate a new approach using machine‐learning algorithms on portable X‐ray fluorescence (pXRF) data. Archaeologically dated sediments from the archaeological excavations of Buto (Tell el‐Fara'in; on‐site) that pXRF analyses have geochemically characterized serve as training data for running and comparing Neural Nets, Random Forests, and single‐decision trees. The established pXRF fingerprints are transferred via machine‐learning algorithms to set up a chronology for undated sediments from sediment cores (i.e., the test data) of the nearby surroundings (off‐site). Neural Nets and Random Forests work fine in dating sediments and deliver the best classification results compared with single‐decision trees, which struggle with outliers and tend to overfit the training data. Furthermore, Random Forests can be modeled faster and are easier to understand than the complex, less transparent Neural Nets. Therefore, Random Forests provide the best algorithm for studies like this. Furthermore, river features east of Kom el‐Gir are dated to pre‐Ptolemaic times (before 332 B.C.) when Kom el‐Gir had possibly not yet been settled. The research in this paper shows the success of close interactions from various scientific disciplines (Geoinformatics, Physical Geography, Archaeology, Ancient History) to decipher landscape evolution in the long‐term‐settled Nile Delta's environs using machine learning. With the approach's design and the possibility of integrating many other geographical/sedimentological methods, this study demonstrates the potential of the methodological approach to be applied in other geoscientific fields.
The impact of Community Health Centers on inappropriate use of emergency services
Authors: Lippi Bruni Matteo , Ugolini Cristina , Verzulli Rossella , Leucci Anna Caterina
Published: November 2022

Community Health Centers offer coordinated and comprehensive responses to primary care needs. Our study aims at assessing whether the introduction of such organizational model improved health outcomes measured by inappropriate emergency visits among diabetics in the Emilia‐Romagna region of Italy. Using difference‐in‐differences methods within a staggered treatment setting, we estimate the effect of Community Health Center participation on inappropriate hospital emergency visits between year 2010 and year 2016. We distinguish between emergency department admissions for varying time spans, occurring at daytime during working days, at night‐time, as well as during weekends. We show that, the causal effect of the adoption of the community care model leads to a reduction in the probability of inappropriate admissions by an amount ranging between 1.6 and 1.7% points during working days at daytime, with large facilities responsible for most gains by experiencing a decrease ranging between 4 and 3% points. Conversely, we detect no difference at night‐time and during weekends. Our results point out that the coordinated care model increases appropriateness among vulnerable patients, and that extending opening hours and the range of services can further enhance such benefits.
Numerical simulation of hyporheic exchange driven by an emergent vegetation patch
Authors: Lv Jianzhang , Gao Xueping , Sun Bowen
Published: November 2022

Vegetation patches increase the pressure gradient of local channels and can create an uneven pressure distribution at the water–sediment interface, thereby driving hyporheic exchange. However, this process has rarely been discussed. We investigated the spatiotemporal characteristics of hyporheic exchange under the influence of multiple factors. A bidirectional coupling model of the overlying water and sediment with an emergent vegetation patch was adopted. The results show that hyporheic exchange driven by vegetation patches are spatially heterogeneous. The active area of hyporheic exchange was concentrated directly below the vegetation patch. A finger flow was formed at the edge of the active hyporheic exchange zone as the exchange took place. Furthermore, intermittent downward solute transport path (IDSTP) was formed downstream of the vegetation patch, and the exchange rate was one order of magnitude smaller than that of the hyporheic exchange active zone. Hyporheic exchange occurred at the stem and patch scales when the vegetation density was relatively high. There was a logarithmic relationship between the hyporheic exchange flux and sediment permeability, and a power function relationship existed between the hyporheic exchange flux and Reynolds number. The active area of hyporheic exchange will help predict pollutant transport and understand vegetation's nutrient absorption process. IDSTP will provide references for vegetation patch expansion.
Screening strategy for predominant phenolic components of digestive enzyme inhibitors in passion fruit peel extracts on simulated gastrointestinal digestion
Authors: Tang Fuhao , Cao Qiqi , Wei Baoyao , Teng Jianwen , Huang Li , Xia Ning
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND

The targeted biological activity of a natural product is often the result of the combined action of multiple functional components. Screening for predominant contributing components of targeting activity is crucial for quality evaluation.

RESULTS

Thirteen and nine phenolic compounds inhibiting α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase, respectively, were identified in the ethanol extracts of passion fruit peel through liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and multivariate analysis. Considering the different concentrations of components and their interactions, the role of the semi‐inhibitory concentration (IC50) in the dose–effect relationship is limited. We proposed the active contribution rate (ACR), which is the ratio of a single component concentration to its IC50 in the whole, to assess the relative activity of each compound. Luteolin, quercetin, and vitexin exhibited a minimum IC50. Before the simulation of gastrointestinal digestion, quercetin, salicylic acid, and luteolin were identified as the dominant contributors to α‐glucosidase inhibition according to ACR, while salicylic acid, 2,3‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, and quercetin were identified as dominant contributors to α‐amylase inhibition. After simulated digestion, the contents of all polyphenolic compounds decreased by various degrees. Salicylic acid, gentisic acid, and vitexin became the dominant inhibitors of α‐glucosidase based on ACR (cumulative 57.96%), while salicylic acid and 2,3‐dihydroxybenzoic acid became the dominant inhibitors of α‐amylase (cumulative 84.50%).

CONCLUSION

Therefore, the ACR evaluation strategy can provide a quantitative reference for screening the predominant contributor components of a specific activity in complex systems. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Thinking hierarchically about posttraumatic response: Commentary on Lehinger et al. (2022)
Authors: Yalch Matthew M. , Gallagher Alana R. , Watters Kayleigh N.
Published: November 2022

Lehinger et al.’s (2022) study on the associations between posttraumatic stress symptoms, posttraumatic cognitions, and alcohol use in sexual assault survivors extends previous research on posttraumatic response to sexual trauma. The study is useful for these purposes but it also raises other interesting questions about the nature of posttraumatic response and the structure of psychopathology more generally. In this commentary, we describe Lehinger et al.’s (2022) study and its findings and discuss their potential relevance for emerging transdiagnostic, hierarchical models of psychopathology.
Acute In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Dexamethasone in the Vocal Folds: a Pilot Study
Authors: Gartling Gary , Nakamura Ryosuke , Sayce Lea , Zimmerman Zachary , Slater Alysha , Wilson Azure , Bing Renjie , Branski Ryan C. , Rousseau Bernard
Published: November 2022

Objectives/Hypothesis

Glucocorticoids (GC)s are commonly employed to treat vocal fold (VF) pathologies. However, VF atrophy has been associated with intracordal GC injections. Dexamethasone‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy is well‐documented in other tissues and believed to be mediated by increased muscle proteolysis via upregulation of Muscle Ring Finger (MuRF)‐1 and Atrogin‐1. Mechanisms of dexamethasone‐mediated VF atrophy have not been described. This pilot study employed in vitro and in vivo models to investigate the effects of dexamethasone on VF epithelium, thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle, and TA‐derived myoblasts. We hypothesized that dexamethasone will increase atrophy‐associated gene expression in TA muscle and myoblasts and decrease TA muscle fiber size and epithelial thickness.

Study Design

In vitro, pre‐clinical.

Methods

TA myoblasts were isolated from a female Sprague–Dawley rat and treated with 1 μM dexamethasone for 24‐h. In vivo, 15 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: (1) bilateral intracordal injection of 40 μL dexamethasone (10 mg/ml; n = 5), (2) volume‐matched saline (n = 5), and (3) untreated controls (n = 5). Larynges were harvested 7‐days post‐injection. Across in vivo and in vitro experimentation, MuRF‐1 and Atrogin‐1 mRNA expression were measured via RT‐qPCR. TA muscle fiber cross‐sectional area (CSA) and epithelial thickness were also quantified in vivo.

Results

Dexamethasone increased MuRF‐1 gene expression in TA myoblasts. Dexamethasone injection, however, did not alter atrophy‐associated gene expression, TA CSA, or epithelial thickness in vivo.

Conclusion

Dexamethasone increased atrogene expression in TA myoblasts, providing foundational insight into GC induced atrophic gene transcription. Repeated dexamethasone injections may be required to elicit atrophy in vivo.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 133:2264–2270, 2023
Redefining North Atlantic right whale habitat‐use patterns under climate change
Authors: Meyer‐Gutbrod Erin L. , Davies Kimberley T. A. , Johnson Catherine L. , Plourde Stephane , Sorochan Kevin A. , Kenney Robert D. , Ramp Christian , Gosselin Jean‐Francois , Lawson Jack W. , Greene Charles H.
Published: November 2022

Changes in the physical oceanography of the Northwest Atlantic stemming from both natural and anthropogenic climate change impact the foraging ecology and distribution of endangered North Atlantic right whales. In this study, right whale sightings from 1990 to 2018 were analyzed to examine decadal patterns in monthly habitat use in 12 high‐use areas. Depth‐integrated abundances of late‐stage Calanus finmarchicus and Calanus hyperboreus were also analyzed for decadal variations in the right whale foraging habitats. There were significant differences in the occurrence, seasonal timing, and persistence of foraging habitats across these three decades. In the decades of the 1990s and the 2010s, prey was less abundant than in the 2000s, corresponding to reduced use of the Southeast US calving grounds in the winter, increased use of Cape Cod Bay in winter and spring, and reduced use of Roseway Basin in the fall. In the 2010s, right whale sightings increased in Southern New England and the Gulf of St. Lawrence in the spring and summer, respectively. Summertime declines in the 2010s in late‐stage copepod abundances in the Gulf of Maine and surrounding regions, as well as in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, indicate that recent increased use of the Gulf of St. Lawrence is driven by a decline in prey in traditional foraging habitats rather than by an increase in prey in the new foraging habitat. This analysis of decadal‐scale differences in right whale sightings and prey abundance is critical for redefining right whale distribution patterns for the most recent (post‐2010) decade.
On the ground states for the X‐ray free electron lasers Schrödinger equation
Authors: Hu Hangzhou , Li Yuan , Zhao Dun
Published: November 2022

We consider the following X‐ray free electron lasers Schrödinger equation

where
denotes the magnetic potential such that the magnetic field
is
‐periodic,
is
periodic and non‐negative,
. Using the variational method, based on a profile decomposition of the Cerami sequence in
, we obtain the existence of the ground state solution for suitable
. When
is small, we also obtain the non‐existence. Furthermore, we give a description of the asymptotic behavior of the ground states as
.
Time‐varying learning rate for recurrent neural networks to solve linear equations
Authors: Chen Yuhuan , Chen Jingjing , Yi Chengfu
Published: November 2022

Consider there exist many time‐varying factors during the recurrent neural networks training in piratical application engineering. In this paper, different from the time‐invariant case, a time‐varying learning rate is presented to accelerate the convergence speed for the recurrent neural networks (RNNs) when used to solve the linear simultaneous equations. Theoretical analysis shows that the neural networks with the time‐varying learning rate can globally converge to the theoretical solution; moreover, if the linear activation function is used, the model will be exponential convergent to the theoretical solution, and if the sign‐bi‐power activation function is used, the state solution by the neural networks will be convergent in finite time. Computer simulation results further substantiate that the time‐varying learning rate can be used for accelerating the convergence rate of the RNN models.