bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering Synergistic Effects of Electrode/Electrolyte Toward Concerted Cathodic Structure Stabilization for Superior‐Performance Aqueous Zn‐δ‐MnO2 Battery
Authors: Qiao Haohui , Zhu Xiaodong , Li Xuanyang , Wang Yuan , Ye Chuming , Ma Longli , Shen Jianfeng , Ye Mingxin
Published: February 2024

Rechargeable aqueous Zn‐δ‐MnO2 batteries, featuring high safety, high theoretical capacity, and low cost, have emerged as promising candidates for grid‐scale energy storage systems. Nevertheless, the severe cathodic structural degradation greatly hinders its further commercial application. Herein, a facile coupling engineering strategy, employing the Ti3C2Tx MXene skeleton coupled with electrolyte additive K2SO4 to reinforce the structural stability of the δ‐MnO2 cathode is proposed. Notably, the designed K‐birnessite δ‐MnO2/Ti3C2Tx composite cathode (KMO/Ti3C2) coupled with K2SO4 electrolyte additive exhibits unique electrode/electrolyte synergistic effects on inhibiting the cathodic structural collapse and promoting the Mn2+ electrodeposition. Meanwhile, the plating/stripping reversibility of the Zn anode is considerably improved by manipulating the formation of zinc dendrites. Consequently, the Zn//KMO/Ti3C2 battery achieves the remarkable specific capacity of 502.2 mAh g−1 at 0.3 A g−1 and 371.1 mAh g−1 at 2.0 A g−1. Furthermore, after 9500 cycles at a high current density of 10 A g−1, the capacity retention reaches 93.3%. Besides, the dendrite‐free Zn anode delivers excellent cycling stability (over 4800 h at 0.2 mA cm−2) and high coulombic efficiency (99.9% after 2300 cycles). The synergistic effect of electrode/electrolyte provides distinctive insights into the structural stabilization of the manganese‐based cathode to improve the overall performance of batteries.
Metal‐Catalyzed Oxidative C−H Bond Functionalization of 1,4‐Benzoxazinones
Authors: Kumar Shankar , Ravi Rangnath , Sahu Tanu , Jha Vikesh Kumar , Baweja Renu , Jha Abadh Kishor
Published: February 2024

The present review shows metal‐catalyzed oxidative C(sp3)‐H/C(sp2)‐H bond functionalization of 1,4‐benzoxazinones by utilizing various substrates such as indoles, phosphites or phosphine oxides, malonate esters, and resorcinol, which lead to the formation of new C−C or C−P bonds. The metal catalysts used for these couplings include Fe, Cu, Ag, and Ru. This follows a strategy involving either the one‐electron oxidation process (OEO), ball milling technique, or photocatalytic process. The synthesized products in this method show usefulness in natural products, materials, agriculture, and medicinal chemistry.
Animal models of eosinophilic esophagitis, review and perspectives
Authors: Li Dong , Wei Yujia , Wang Jing , Wang Bo
Published: February 2024

Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is an allergen/immune‐mediated chronic esophageal disease characterized by esophageal mucosal eosinophilic infiltration and esophageal dysfunction. Although the disease was originally attributed to a delayed allergic reaction to allergens and a Th2‐type immune response, the exact pathogenesis is complex, and the efficacy of existing treatments is unsatisfactory. Therefore, the study of the pathophysiological process of EOE has received increasing attention. Animal models have been used extensively to study the molecular mechanism of EOE pathogenesis and also provide a preclinical platform for human clinical intervention studies of novel therapeutic agents. To maximize the use of existing animal models of EOE, it is important to understand the advantages or limitations of each modeling approach. This paper systematically describes the selection of experimental animals, types of allergens, and methods of sensitization and excitation during the preparation of animal models of EoE. It also discusses the utility and shortcomings of each model with the aim of providing the latest perspectives on EoE models and leading to better choices of animal models.
A novel mouse model of calcific aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Qian Ningjing , Wang Yaping , Hu Wangxing , Cao Naifang , Qian Yi , Chen Jinyong , Fang Juan , Xu Dilin , Hu Haochang , Yang Shuangshuang , Zhou Dao , Dai Hanyi , Wei Dongdong , Wang Jian'an , Liu Xianbao
Published: February 2024

Background

Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) is one of the most challenging heart diseases in clinical with rapidly increasing prevalence. However, study of the mechanism and treatment of CAVS is hampered by the lack of suitable, robust and efficient models that develop hemodynamically significant stenosis and typical calcium deposition. Here, we aim to establish a mouse model to mimic the development and features of CAVS.

Methods

The model was established via aortic valve wire injury (AVWI) combined with vitamin D subcutaneous injected in wild type C57/BL6 mice. Serial transthoracic echocardiography was applied to evaluate aortic jet peak velocity and mean gradient. Histopathological specimens were collected and examined in respect of valve thickening, calcium deposition, collagen accumulation, osteogenic differentiation and inflammation.

Results

Serial transthoracic echocardiography revealed that aortic jet peak velocity and mean gradient increased from 7 days post model establishment in a time dependent manner and tended to be stable at 28 days. Compared with the sham group, simple AVWI or the vitamin D group, the hybrid model group showed typical pathological features of CAVS, including hemodynamic alterations, increased aortic valve thickening, calcium deposition, collagen accumulation at 28 days. In addition, osteogenic differentiation, fibrosis and inflammation, which play critical roles in the development of CAVS, were observed in the hybrid model.

Conclusions

We established a novel mouse model of CAVS that could be induced efficiently, robustly and economically, and without genetic intervention. It provides a fast track to explore the underlying mechanisms of CAVS and to identify more effective pharmacological targets.
Cell Membrane as A Promising Therapeutic Target: From Materials Design to Biomedical Applications
Authors: Wu Xiaofeng , Hu Jing‐Jing , Yoon Juyoung
Published: February 2024

The cell membrane is a crucial component of cells, protecting their integrity and stability while facilitating signal transduction and information exchange. Therefore, disrupting its structure or impairing its functions can potentially cause irreversible cell damage. Presently, the tumor cell membrane is recognized as a promising therapeutic target for various treatment methods. Given the extensive research focused on cell membranes, it is both necessary and timely to discuss these developments, from materials design to specific biomedical applications. This review covers treatments based on functional materials targeting the cell membrane, ranging from well‐known membrane‐anchoring photodynamic therapy to recent lysosome‐targeting chimaeras for protein degradation. The diverse therapeutic mechanisms are introduced in the following sections: membrane‐anchoring phototherapy, self‐assembly on the membrane, in situ biosynthesis on the membrane, and degradation of cell membrane proteins by chimeras. In each section, we outline the conceptual design or general structure derived from numerous studies, emphasizing representative examples to understand advancements and draw inspiration. Finally, we discuss some challenges and future directions in membrane‐targeted therapy from our perspective. This review aims to engage multidisciplinary readers and encourage researchers in related fields to advance the fundamental theories and practical applications of membrane‐targeting therapeutic agents.
Delocalization Engineering of Heme‐Mimetic Artificial Enzymes for Augmented Reactive Oxygen Catalysis
Authors: Li Qian , Zhao Zhenyang , Chen Fan , Xu Xiaohui , Xu Lizhi , Cheng Liang , Adeli Mohsen , Luo Xianglin , Cheng Chong
Published: February 2024

Developing artificial enzymes based on organic molecules or polymers for reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐related catalysis has broad applicability. Herein, inspired by porphyrin‐based heme mimics, we report the synthesis of polyphthalocyanine‐based conjugated polymers (Fe‐PPc‐AE) as a new porphyrin‐evolving structure to serve as efficient and versatile artificial enzymes for augmented reactive oxygen catalysis. Owing to the structural advantages, such as enhanced π‐conjugation networks and π‐electron delocalization, promoted electron transfer, and unique Fe−N coordination centers, Fe‐PPc‐AE showed more efficient ROS‐production activity in terms of Vmax and turnover numbers as compared with porphyrin‐based conjugated polymers (Fe‐PPor‐AE), which also surpassed reported state‐of‐the‐art artificial enzymes in their activity. More interestingly, by changing the reaction medium and substrates, Fe‐PPc‐AE also revealed significantly improved activity and environmental adaptivity in many other ROS‐related biocatalytic processes, validating the potential of Fe‐PPc‐AE to replace conventional (poly)porphyrin‐based heme mimics for ROS‐related catalysis, biosensors, or biotherapeutics. It is suggested that this study will offer essential guidance for designing artificial enzymes based on organic molecules or polymers.
Electromagnetic shielding Janus membrane for direct current‐type pressure and sliding sensing
Authors: Feng Jiyuan , Lv Nan , Liu Cheng , Lyu Zhiwei , Zhang Yuteng , Zhang Haifeng
Published: February 2024

Facing increasing electromagnetic radiation pollution, soft sensors with electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding is highly desirable. Here, flexible electromagnetic shielding [polyacrylonitrile/Fe3O4/polyaniline]//[multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyvinyl pyrrolidone] (denoted [PAN/Fe3O4/PANI]//[MWCNT/PVP]) Janus membrane is reported for pressure and sliding sensing. The [PAN/Fe3O4/PANI] layer of Janus membrane as the force and sliding sensing unit can generate direct current‐type (DC‐type) voltage signals by conducting polymer/metal Schottky junction, whereas [MWCNT/PVP] layer serves as main electromagnetic shielding unit. Under the vertical force and horizontal sliding of aluminum (Al) foil, it can output DC‐type voltage signals based on the Schottky contact. The performance of [PAN/Fe3O4/PANI]//[MWCNT/PVP] Janus membrane for pressure and sliding sensing is appropriately explored and assessed. Moreover, the Janus membrane exhibits excellent shielding effects with average EMI shielding effectiveness (SE) of 37.54 dB in 8.2–12.4 GHz (X‐Band) frequency ranges. Thus, based on the asymmetrical double‐layer structure, soft DC‐type sensor with EMI shielding is achieved, showing utilization potential in wearable electronics and intelligent robots.
Mirror, mirror? An evaluation of identical twin mirroring in tooth crown morphology
Authors: McCrary Tess , Hughes Toby , Brook Alan H. , Paul Kathleen S.
Published: February 2024

It has been estimated that 25% of monozygotic (“identical”) twin pairs exhibit reverse asymmetry (RA) or “mirroring” of minor anatomical features as a result of delayed zygote division. Here, we examine whether identical twin mirroring accounts for patterns of dental asymmetry in a sample of monozygotic and dizygotic (“fraternal”) twins. We focus on crown morphology to approach the following question: is there an association between dental RA frequency and twin type suggestive of the presence of mirror image twins in our sample? Data were collected from 208 deciduous and 196 permanent dentitions of participants of the University of Adelaide Twin Study using Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System standards. RA frequencies were compared across morphological complexes (deciduous, permanent), twin types (monozygotic, dizygotic), and traits. Fisher's exact tests were performed to formally evaluate the association between twin type and dental RA. Across the entire dataset, RA rates failed to exceed 8% for any twin type. In monozygotic twins, deciduous mirroring totaled 5.3% of observed cases, while permanent mirroring totaled 7.8% of observed cases. We found no statistically significant association between RA and twin type for any morphological character (p‐value range: 0.07–1.00). Our results suggest the timing of monozygotic twin division does not explain the structure of asymmetry for our morphology dataset and that published estimates of identical twin mirroring rates may be inflated or contingent upon phenotype. Instead, rates reported for this sample more closely align with the proposed etiology of this condition.
Sense‐making, sensemaking and sense making—A systematic review and meta‐synthesis of literature in information science and education: An Annual Review of Information Science and Technology (ARIST) paper
Authors: Urquhart Christine , Cheuk Bonnie , Lam Louisa , Snowden Dave
Published: February 2024

Sense‐making, sensemaking, and sense making are terms used in different disciplines. Similarities of usage seem unclear. (1) to examine the concepts used in different approaches to sense‐making/sensemaking/sense making; (2) to identify, classify and synthesize recent studies relevant to information science, as well as similar group on sensemaking in education research; (3) to reflect on future directions for sense‐making/sensemaking methodology in information science. The objectives were to retrieve, examine, classify and perform meta‐synthesis on sense‐making/sensemaking studies in both information science and education research. The review used systematic review principles, with selection criteria for case studies for examination in both information science and education sets. The final meta‐synthesis used a meta‐ethnographic approach, together with findings of recent overviews on organizational sensemaking, and other information science reviews. Qualitative sense‐making studies in information science often used Dervin's SMM (sense‐making methodology) and studies in organizations and education frequently used Weick's organizational sensemaking. Different mixed methods approaches were identified. Sense‐making is actively used in research and practice in information science and knowledge management. Using a coherent sense‐making methodology helps and dialogic principles are useful in planning, data collection and analysis. Individual and collective sense‐making are important to information science.
Global output‐feedback adaptive regulation for planar time‐delay nonlinear systems with polynomial growth
Authors: Liang Lei , Yan Xuehua , Tian Pu
Published: February 2024

This paper addresses the problem of the global adaptive regulation via output feedback for a class of uncertain planar time‐varying delay nonlinear systems with an unknown control coefficient and unmeasured states dependent growth. The growth rate is the form of an unknown constant multiplying polynomial of output, and the upper bounds of unknown control coefficient and unknown time‐varying delay are both not required to be known. A systematic non‐identifier‐based output‐feedback control scheme is developed by combining the idea of universal control, backstepping technique, and Lyapunov–Krasovskii theorem. The global regulation of nonlinear systems and the global boundedness of the closed‐loop system can be simultaneously achieved by the designed controller based on a dynamic high‐gain observer and a proper update law. A practical example illustrates the efficiency of the proposed method.
String Figuring young children's perspectives of quality in English early childhood education and care
Authors: Fairchild Nikki , Mikuska Éva
Published: February 2024

Quality in early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a contested concept and has generally been conceptualised by inter‐related indicators such as staff qualifications, educational environment, policy or child‐to‐staff ratios. There has been a more limited emphasis on how young children might perceive and experience quality. This empirical paper employs a research‐creation methodology in combination with feminist materialist theory, notably Haraway's String Figuring, to consider how quality manifests in young children's lifeworlds. Data from non‐participant observations in 17 English ECEC settings were collected and analysed by focusing on child‐led activities where agentic and autonomous engagement with objects, matter, resources, space and places were observed. This resulted in the identification of a series of ‘knots’: security, space(s), material objects, autonomy and other children. We present examples of these knots in six vignettes and propose that these are manifestations of young children's experiences of their educational environments. The knots developed from our analysis recognise how quality was manifested where children felt secure by exploring their chosen spaces. This led to children having autonomy over their play, both alone and with other children. We demonstrate how String Figuring can provide an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the complex and nuanced nature of young children's lifeworlds in various ECEC settings, and argue that the identified knots can provide situated and contextual ways to recognise young children's experiences of quality. By doing so it is possible to develop new knowledge that advances theoretical and professional practice conceptualisations of quality.
Corporate purpose and early disaster response: Providing evidence of dynamic materiality?
Authors: Arias Diego , Barriola Xabier , Loza Adaui Cristian R.
Published: February 2024

This paper examines the relationship between corporate purpose and disaster response. To that aim, we use a unique dataset generated by Just Capital's COVID‐19 response tracker that characterizes the early responses of 928 companies included in the Russell 1000 Index generated by the COVID‐19 pandemic. We marry this data to the Business Roundtable Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation (BRT‐CPS) signatories list, which includes 210 firms that declared “a fundamental commitment to all stakeholders” as their corporate purpose. We estimate the differential impact of BRT‐CPS signees on the rest. After controlling our results with financial indicators and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) data, we convey that BRT‐CPS signees were more likely to develop strategies that benefited their surrounding communities and other stakeholders. Moreover, corporations with high ESG were less likely to have an early response that directly benefited stakeholders other than shareholders, except for layoffs and unpaid leave. Finally, we discuss the outcomes considering the symbolic management theory, corporate purpose literature, and its relation to stakeholder management.
Facilitating and automating usability testing of educational technologies
Authors: Villamañe Mikel , Alvarez Ainhoa
Published: February 2024

Usability evaluation is a key element to ensure a positive user experience with any software and it is especially important in educational software tools where there are many different actors involved (lecturers, students, administrators, etc.). However, evaluating usability is not an easy task for nonexpert evaluators. To facilitate this evaluation task, this article presents a Methodology for Usability Testing (MUT) and a system (CALMUT) that assists nonexpert evaluators in the application of the methodology by automatizing the calculations and facilitating their interpretation. This can be very useful for learning and instructional designers but also to people involved in the decision of introducing or not a new educational software. To develop the proposal, a literature review of different usability metrics, methods, and systems was carried out first, followed by a selection and adaptation for novice usability evaluators. This article also presents a case study where lecturers tested the usability of an educational software following the proposal and shows that using MUT and CALMUT helps people without previous experience detect the main usability problems of educational systems before deciding whether to use them or not.
OCR letter offers key lessons about Title IX obligations
Authors: Lyerly Eric
Published: February 2024

The Office for Civil Rights recently published an important letter of finding regarding Title IX and when a university is on notice of sexual harassment on campus (bit.ly/3RrRtFW). The letter, which involves Arcadia University, highlights a postsecondary institution's responsibility to respond to sexual misconduct at the earliest point of notice it has regarding the conduct. This article discusses that letter of finding and what postsecondary institutions can learn from it.
Targeting the Role of PRME in Regulating Bone Remodelling During Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
Authors: Jalaja Anish Rajamohanan , Nair Aswathy , Bindumadhavan Vijayalakshmi , Soumya Neelakanta Pillai Padmakumari , Rauf Arun A.
Published: February 2024

Kariavattom Campus Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is an old age disorder associated with estrogen deficiency, which reduces bone mass and makes bones more prone to fracture. The present study was proposed to evaluate the invivo osteogenic efficiency of Pterospermum rubiginosum methanolic bark extract (PRME) in the PMO model. Molecular docking studies on transcription factor NFATC1 showed excellent interactions with phytochemical ligands with the lowest binding energies. Female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats (n=24) were divided into four groups, (n=6 each) sham control (Group I) and osteoporotic control (Group II) groups treated with saline, PRME (50 mg/kg/day) and alendronate (10 mg/kg/day) treated with Group III and Group IV (n=6) respectively. The serum tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5b and cathepsin‐K also exhibited a significant rise after PRME treatment 12.33±2.30 mU/ml and 427.68±46.97 pg/ml, respectively. DEXA results exhibited a remarkable increase in total bone mineral content and density values in PRME‐treated animals (0.175±0.002 g/cm2) and (7.95±0.23 g) when compared to osteoporotic control (0.163±0.004 g/cm2) and (6.83±0.34 g). Long‐term toxicity study revealed that PRME is non‐toxic, up to 100 mg/kg bodyweight for 6 months. Our findings suggest PRME protects osteoporotic SD rats from PMO damage resulting from estrogen deficiency by regulating bone remodelling markers and upregulating BMD indices.
Alkali Containing Layered Metal Oxides as Catalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Falsaperna Mario , Arrigo Rosa , Marken Frank , Freakley Simon J.
Published: February 2024

Improving the efficiency of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential to realise energy systems based on water electrolysis. Many catalysts have been developed for the OER to date, with iridium‐based oxides being the most promising due to their relative stability towards corrosion in acidic electrolytes under oxidising potentials. In recent years, examples of catalysts adopting layered structures have been shown to have promising characteristics such as higher conductivity and higher electrochemically active surface area compared to highly crystalline metal oxides. Furthermore, such materials possess additional tuneable properties such as interlayer spacing, identity and concentration of the interlayer species, edge and interlayer active sites, and higher active surface area. Recent attention has focused on mono‐ and polymetallic lithium‐containing layered materials, where the presence of interlayer lithium cations, in situ delithiation processes and combinations of transition metal oxides result in enhanced catalytic properties towards OER. This review aims to provide a summary of the recent developments of such layered materials, in which lithium or other alkali metal ions occupy interlayer sites in oxides.
Photocatalytic, Oxidative Cleavage of C−C Bond in Lignin Models and Native Lignin
Authors: Xu Enjie , Xie Fuyu , Liu Tianwei , He Jianghua , Zhang Yuetao
Published: February 2024

It is challenging to realize the selective C−C bond cleavage of lignin β‐O‐4 linkages for production of high‐value aromatic chemicals due to its intrinsic inertness and complex structure. Here we report a light‐driven, chlorine‐radical‐based protocol to realize the oxidative C−C bond cleavage in various lignin model compounds catalyzed by commercially available TPT and CaCl2, achieving high conversion and good to high product yields at room temperature. Mechanistic studies reveal that the preferential activation of Cβ−H bond facilitates the oxidation and C−C bond cleavage of lignin β‐O‐4 model via chlorine radical. Furthermore, this method is also applicable to the depolymerization of natural lignin extracts, furnishing the aromatic oxygenates from the cleavage of Cα−Cβ bonds. This study provides experimental foundations to the depolymerization and valorization of lignin into high value‐added aromatic compounds.
In‐Situ Formed Electron Inhibitor Enabling Dendrite‐free Garnet Electrolytes: A Case Study of Fumed Silica
Authors: Luo Jianchuan , Huang Zhixian , Wang Liuyang , Gu Zhigang , Zhao Ruirui
Published: February 2024

Ta‐doped Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZTO) solid‐state electrolytes (SEs) show great promise for solid‐state batteries due to its high conductivity and safety. However, one of the challenges it faces is lithium dendrite propagation upon long‐term cycling. To address this issue, we propose the incorporation of fumed silica (FS) at the grain boundaries of LLZTO to modify the properties of the garnet pellet, which effectively inhibits the dendrite growth. The introduction of FS has demonstrated several beneficial effects. Firstly, it reduces the migration barrier of lithium ions, which helps prevent dendrite formation and propagation. Additionally, FS reduces the electronic conductivity of the SEs pellet, suppressing the dendrite formation. Moreover, the formed lithium silicates from FS might also be acted as electron inhibitor, thus inhibiting the lithium dendrite growth upon cycling. By investigating the use of FS as a modifier in LLZTO‐based electrolytes, our study contributes to advancing dendrite‐free solid‐state electrolytes and thus the development of high‐performance all‐solid‐state batteries.
Tuning the Liquid Crystallinity and Electroluminescence via Sulfonation of S‐Annulated Perylene Tetraester
Authors: Behera Paresh Kumar , Chen Feng‐Rong , Gautam Prakalp , Roy Mrinmoy , Rao Doddamane Sreenivasamurthy Shankar , Yelamaggad Channabasaveshwar V. , Jou Jwo‐Huei , Sudhakar Achalkumar Ammathnadu
Published: February 2024

This study presents a comparative analysis of S‐annulated perylene tetraester (PTE‐S) and its sulfone (PTE‐SO2) analogue. This sulfone modification reduced melting point and stabilized a room temperature columnar rectangular (Colr) phase in contrast to its parent PTE‐S which showed a crystalline behaviour at room temperature. This molecular design also leads to red‐shifted absorbance and emission in comparison to PTE‐S, along with a tuning of photoluminescence from sky blue to green, achieving an impressive quantum yield of 85 %. OLED devices fabricated using PTE‐SO2 as emitter material at concentrations of 0.2, 0.5, and 1 wt.% in CBP as host material. A maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 2.9 % was observed with the 0.5 wt.% PTE‐SO2 in CBP with CIE coordinates of (0.45, 0.35), accompanied by an orange luminance of 848 cd/m2. Notably, a device with a 0.5 wt% doping concentration of PTE‐S demonstrates an EQE of 3.5 %, and cyan luminance of 2,598 cd/m2.
Size‐Switchable Ru Nanoaggregates for Enhancing Phototherapy: Hyaluronidase‐Triggered Disassembly to Alleviate Deep Tumor Hypoxia
Authors: Huang Rimei , Qiu Huimin , Pang Congcong , Li Liqun , Wang Aihui , Ji Shichen , Liang Hong , Shen Xing‐Can , Jiang Bang‐Ping
Published: February 2024

Hypoxia is a critical factor for restricting photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumor, and it becomes increasingly severe with increasing tissue depth. Thus, the relief of deep tumor hypoxia is extremely important to improve the PDT efficacy. Herein, tumor microenvironment (TME)‐responsive size‐switchable hyaluronic acid‐hybridized Ru nanoaggregates (HA@Ru NAs) were developed via screening reaction temperature to alleviate deep tumor hypoxia for improving the tumor‐specific PDT by the artful integration multiple bioactivated chemical reactions in situ and receptor‐mediated targeting (RMT). In this nanosystem, Ru NPs not only enabled HA@Ru NAs to have near infrared (NIR)‐mediated photothermal/photodynamic functions, but also could catalyze endogenous H2O2 to produce O2 in situ. More importantly, hyaluronidase (HAase) overexpressed in the TME could trigger disassembly of HA@Ru NAs via the hydrolysis of HA, offering the smart size switch capability from 60 to 15 nm for enhancing tumor penetration. Moreover, the RMT characteristics of HA ensured that HA@Ru NAs could specially enter CD44‐overexpressed tumor cells, enhancing tumor‐specific precision of phototherapy. Taken together these distinguishing characteristics, smart HA@Ru NAs successfully realized the relief of deep tumor hypoxia to improve the tumor‐specific PDT.
Revolutionizing cancer treatment in India: Evaluating the unmet need, economics, and a roadmap for project implementation of particle therapy
Authors: Gupta Anil , Subramani V. , Kumar Rishabh , Kareem Rafi , Vishwanathan Bhaskar , Sharma Daya Nand
Published: February 2024

Introduction

This study aims to quantitatively assess eligible patients and project the demand for particle therapy facilities in India from 2020 to 2040. In addition, an economic analysis evaluates the financial feasibility of implementing this technology. The study also examines the prospective benefits and challenges of adopting this technology in India.

Methodology

Cancer incidence and projected trends were analyzed for pediatric patients using the Global Childhood Cancer microsimulation model and adult patients using the Globocan data. Economic cost evaluation is performed for large‐scale combined particle (carbon and proton‐three room fixed‐beam), large‐scale proton (one gantry and two fixed‐beam), and small‐scale proton (one gantry) facility.

Results

By 2040, the estimated number of eligible patients for particle therapy is projected to reach 161,000, including approximately 14,000 pediatric cases. The demand for particle therapy facilities is projected to rise from 81 to 97 in 2020 to 121 to 146 by 2040. The capital expenditure is estimated to be only 3.7 times that of a standard photon linear accelerator over a 30‐year period. Notably, the treatment cost can be reduced to USD 400 to 800 per fraction, substantially lower than that in high‐income countries (USD 1000 to 3000 per fraction).

Conclusion

This study indicates that, in the Indian scenario, all particle therapy models are cost‐beneficial and feasible, with large‐scale proton therapy being the most suitable. Despite challenges such as limited resources, space, a skilled workforce, referral systems, and patient affordability, it offers substantial benefits. These include the potential to treat many patients and convenient construction and operational costs. An iterative phased implementation strategy can effectively overcome these challenges, paving the way for the successful adoption of particle therapy in India.

Plain Language Summary

In India, the number of eligible patients benefiting from high‐precision particle therapy technology is projected to rise till 2040. Despite high upfront costs, our study finds the long‐term feasibility of all particle therapy models, potentially offering a substantial reduction in treatment cost compared to high‐income countries. Despite challenges, India can succeed with an iterative phased approach.
Impact of Vacancy Defects on Electrochemical Nitrogen Reduction Reaction Performance of MXenes
Authors: Kagdada Hardik L. , Jain Ankit
Published: February 2024

We investigated electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) on MXenes consisting of the vacancy defects in the functional layer using density functional theory calculations. We considered Mo2C, W2C, Mo2N, and W2N MXenes with F, N, and O functionalization and investigated distal and alternative associative pathways. We analyzed these MXenes for eNRR based on N2 adsorption energy, NH3 desorption energy, NRR selectivity, and electrochemical limiting potential. While we find that most of the considered MXenes surfaces are more favorable for eNRR compared to hydrogen evolution, these surfaces also have strong NH3 binding (>−1.0 eV) and thus will be covered with NH3 during operating conditions. Amongst all considered MXenes, only W2NF2 is found to have a low NH3 desorption energy along with low eNRR overpotential and selectivity towards eNRR. The obtained eNRR overpotential and NH3 desorption energy on W2NF2 are superior to those reported for pristine W2N3 as well as functionalized MXenes.
MOF‐Based Membranes for Remediated Application of Water Pollution
Authors: Xu Huan , Chen Shuyuan , Zhao Ye‐Fan , Wang Fangfang , Guo Fan
Published: February 2024

Membrane separation plays a crucial role in the current increasingly complex energy environment. Membranes prepared by metal–organic framework (MOF) materials usually possess unique advantages in common, such as uniform pore size, ultra‐high porosity, enhanced selectivity and throughput, and excellent adsorption property, which have been contributed to the separation fields. In this comprehensive review, we summarize various designs and synthesized strategies of free‐standing MOF and composite MOF‐based membranes for water treatment. Special emphases are given not only on the effects of MOF on membrane performance, removal efficiencies, and elimination mechanisms, but also on the importance of MOF‐based membranes for the applications of oily and micro‐pollutant removal, adsorption, separation, and catalysis. The challenges and opportunities in the future for the industrial implementation of MOF‐based membranes are also discussed.
Ticagrelor versus Adjusted‐Dose Prasugrel in Acute Coronary Syndrome with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Tsai Ming‐Lung , Lin Yuan , Chen Dong‐Yi , Lin Ming‐Shyan , Wang Chao‐Yung , Hsieh I‐Chang , Yang Ning‐I , Hung Ming‐Jui , Chen Tien‐Hsing
Published: February 2024

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with ticagrelor or adjusted‐dose prasugrel has been used for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, few studies have directly compared these two drugs. In this study, we compared the real‐world applications and outcomes of these two drugs in patients with ACS who had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This retrospective cohort study was conducted using the data of eligible patients with ACS who had undergone PCI at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital System between June 2019 and December 2021. The primary efficacy‐related outcome was the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs), and the primary safety‐related outcome was major bleeding. Inverse probability of treatment weighting based on propensity score was performed to reduce confounding effects. The study included 2,636 patients; of them, 429 received prasugrel and 2,207 received ticagrelor. No significant between‐group difference was observed in the risk of MACE (13.1 vs. 13.1 events per 100 person‐years, respectively, hazard ratio (HR): 1.01, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71–1.43). Both groups exhibited similar rates of major bleeding (3.9 vs. 4.1 events per 100 person‐years, respectively, subdistribution HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.68–1.35). In real‐world settings, adjusted‐dose prasugrel and ticagrelor exhibit comparable safety and efficacy profiles in East Asian patients with ACS after PCI. Our findings offer valuable insights for future clinical decision making and patient management strategies.
Whole blood transcriptomics reveals granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor as a mediator of cardiopulmonary bypass‐induced systemic inflammatory response syndrome
Authors: Martin Katherine R , Gamell Cristina , Tai Tsin Yee , Bonelli Roberto , Hansen Jacinta , Tatoulis James , Alhamdoosh Monther , Wilson Nicholas , Wicks Ian
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a frequent complication of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). SIRS is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, but its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood, and as a result, biomarkers are lacking and treatment remains expectant and supportive. This study aimed to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms driving SIRS induced by CPB and identify novel therapeutic targets that might reduce systemic inflammation and improve patient outcomes.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients undergoing cardiac surgery and CPB were recruited, and blood was sampled before, during and after surgery. SIRS was defined using the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine criteria. We performed immune cell profiling and whole blood transcriptomics and measured individual mediators in plasma/serum to characterise SIRS induced by CPB.

Results

Nineteen patients fulfilled criteria for SIRS, with a mean duration of 2.7 days. Neutrophil numbers rose rapidly with CPB and remained elevated for at least 48 h afterwards. Transcriptional signatures associated with neutrophil activation and degranulation were enriched during CPB. We identified a network of cytokines governing these transcriptional changes, including granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF), a regulator of neutrophil production and function.

Conclusions

We identified neutrophils and G‐CSF as major regulators of CPB‐induced systemic inflammation. Short‐term targeting of G‐CSF could provide a novel therapeutic strategy to limit neutrophil‐mediated inflammation and tissue damage in SIRS induced by CPB.
Effective γδ T‐cell clinical therapies: current limitations and future perspectives for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Revesz Isabella A , Joyce Paul , Ebert Lisa M , Prestidge Clive A
Published: February 2024

γδ T cells are a unique subset of T lymphocytes, exhibiting features of both innate and adaptive immune cells and are involved with cancer immunosurveillance. They present an attractive alternative to conventional T cell‐based immunotherapy due, in large part, to their lack of major histocompatibility (MHC) restriction and ability to secrete high levels of cytokines with well‐known anti‐tumour functions. To date, clinical trials using γδ T cell‐based immunotherapy for a range of haematological and solid cancers have yielded limited success compared with in vitro studies. This inability to translate the efficacy of γδ T‐cell therapies from preclinical to clinical trials is attributed to a combination of several factors, e.g. γδ T‐cell agonists that are commonly used to stimulate populations of these cells have limited cellular uptake yet rely on intracellular mechanisms; administered γδ T cells display low levels of tumour‐infiltration; and there is a gap in the understanding of γδ T‐cell inhibitory receptors. This review explores the discrepancy between γδ T‐cell clinical and preclinical performance and offers viable avenues to overcome these obstacles. Using more direct γδ T‐cell agonists, encapsulating these agonists into lipid nanocarriers to improve their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles and the use of combination therapies to overcome checkpoint inhibition and T‐cell exhaustion are ways to bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical success. Given the ability to overcome these limitations, the development of a more targeted γδ T‐cell agonist‐checkpoint blockade combination therapy has the potential for success in clinical trials which has to date remained elusive.
Seasonal phenology of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) at 60° N
Authors: Reimer Jesika P. , Barclay Robert M. R.
Published: February 2024

To investigate the impact of short summers and long summer solar periods at high latitudes on the behavior of a nocturnal, hibernating mammal, we recorded the phenology of Myotis lucifugus (little brown myotis) at 60° N in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Canada. In particular, we assessed the timing of spring emergence from, and autumn entry into, hibernation, reproduction, and seasonal mass fluctuations. We used a combination of acoustic monitoring and capture surveys at two hibernacula and two maternity roosts during 2011 and 2012. Myotis spp. were active at the hibernacula from late April to late September/early October, suggesting that the “active” season length is similar to that of populations farther south. At maternity colonies, we detected M. lucifugus activity from early May to early October, with peaks during mid‐July in both years. Lactation, fledging, and weaning all occurred later in the NWT than at more southern locations, and reproductive rates were significantly lower than rates observed farther south. The average mass of individuals fluctuated throughout the season, with an initial decline immediately following emergence from hibernation likely reflecting increased energy expenditure due to flight and decreased use of torpor, coupled with relatively low prey intake due to low prey abundance associated with cool temperatures. Females did not appear to have lower pre‐hibernation masses than those in more southern populations, suggesting that despite the cool spring and autumn temperatures, and short summer nights, bats are able to obtain enough energy for reproduction and mass accumulation for hibernation. However, the lower reproductive rates may indicate that there are limitations to life at the northern limits of the species' range.
Impact and control of feral cats preying on wandering albatrosses: Insights from a field experiment
Authors: Blanchard Pierrick , Delord Karine , Bodin Aymeric , Guille Kevin , Getti Tobie , Barbraud Christophe
Published: February 2024

Invasive alien species are a major threat to seabird species, and the number of impacted species is still increasing. A recent study revealed for the first time that feral cats predated a large albatross species and that without cat control, some albatross populations would markedly decline. We examined this new predator–prey system by individually monitoring known‐age wandering albatross chicks with camera traps in a colony experimentally divided into zones with and without cat control. Our design allowed us to investigate how cat control influenced cat abundance and how this in turn influenced the probability for a chick to be predated by a cat. After cat controls, cat abundance was lower in controlled zones than in uncontrolled zones, while a survival analysis showed that the probability for a chick to die from cat predation depended on the zone but not on cat abundance. Our monitoring also provided a fine‐scale investigation of the various sources of chick mortality. In addition to cat predation (24% of mortality overall), our data documented predation by giant petrels, for the first time in Kerguelen, and revealed a strong and unexpected effect of nest flooding on chick mortality. Overall, our results underline the need for future studies investigating interindividual variability in cat diet and spatial ecology.
Inhomogeneous flow model of natural convection, entropy generation, and heatlines visualization in wavy I‐shaped enclosure with rectangular heater
Authors: Abdulkadhim Ammar , Abed Azher M. , Hamzah Hameed K. , Abed Isam Mejbel , Mahjoub Nejla Said , Ali Farooq H.
Published: February 2024

The present investigation is on examination of the natural convection and entropy generation considering the heatlines visualization of nanofluid I‐shaped enclosure with two corrugated walls considering inner rectangular heater of three different heights. The influence of Brownian motion along with thermophoresis had been implemented using Inhomogeneous two‐phase model of nanofluid. The governing equations were solved numerically using COMSOL software. Influence of Rayleigh number , Buoyancy ratio number , Lewis number , heater length . The results indicate that the influence of Lewis number on heat transfer bettering is stronger at high Rayleigh number while its impact is negligible at a lower value of Rayleigh number (conduction mode). In addition, the total entropy generation gets its highest value at Lewis number . Bejan number, fluid flow strength and heat rate increase as the rectangular heater height increases. Also, higher heat transfer augmentation is taken when the heater height is while increasing the heater height to leads to more total entropy generation. The impact of heater height on total entropy generation is highly affected by Rayleigh number as increasing the heater height from into , total entropy generation increases by at while it increases by at .
Using renewable alternative fuels and studying their impact on the performance and emissions of compression ignition engines
Authors: Al‐jabiri Ali A. , Balla Hyder H. , Al‐Zuhairy Mudhaffar S.
Published: February 2024

This practical study examined the effect of engine torque on engine performance and emissions. The most important parameters of engine performance are thermal efficiency, brake power (BP), and specific fuel consumption. As for exhaust emissions, the most important of which are hydrocarbons (HCs), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The experiment was conducted for a single‐cylinder, four‐stroke compression ignition engine. Mixtures (B0, B10, B20, B30, and B40) were taken from biodiesel prepared from sunflower oil by the esterification method. The engine speed was fixed at 1700 rpm, and torque variable was from 0 to 10 N m. The results indicated a decrease in engine BP by an average of 19.5 W, a decrease in thermal efficiency by an average of 1.058%, while an increase in fuel consumption by an average of 0.095 kg/kW h−1 compared to diesel. As for exhaust emissions, HC emissions decreased by 5.8 ppm, while CO decreased by 0.0207%, and NOx emissions increased by 138.5 ppm compared to diesel, due to changes in the properties of biodiesel, such as high density, viscosity, and low calorific value compared to the properties of regular diesel
PPM1G regulates hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury through STING‐mediated inflammatory pathways in macrophages
Authors: Peng Dadi , Huang Zuotian , Yang Hang , Luo Yunhai , Wu Zhongjun
Published: February 2024

Background

Ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is generally unavoidable following liver transplantation. Here, we investigated the role of protein phosphatase, Mg2+/Mn2+ dependent 1G (PPM1G) in hepatic IRI.

Methods

Hepatic IRI was mimicked by employing a hypoxia/reperfusion (H/R) model in RAW 264.7 cells and a 70% warm ischemia model in C57BL/6 mice, respectively. In vitro, expression changes of tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin were detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), western blot analysis, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The protein expressions of PPM1G and the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway components were analyzed by western blot. Interaction between PPM1G and STING was verified by coimmunoprecipitation (CO‐IP). Immunofluorescence was applied for detection of p‐IRF3. Flow cytometry, qRT‐PCR and western blot were utilized to analyze markers of macrophage polarization. In vivo, histological analyses of mice liver were carried out by TUNEL and H&E staining. Changes in serum aminotransferases were also detected.

Results

Following H/R intervention, a steady decline in PPM1G along with an increase in inflammatory cytokines in vitro was observed. Addition of plasmid with PPM1G sequence limited the release of inflammatory cytokines and downregulated phosphorylation of STING. CO‐IP validated the interaction between PPM1G and STING. Furthermore, inhibition of PPM1G with lentivirus enhanced phosphorylation of STING and its downstream components; meanwhile, p65, p38, and Jnk were also surged to phosphorylation. Expression of INOS and CD86 was surged, while CD206, Arg‐1, and IL‐10 were inhibited. In vivo, PPM1G inhibition further promoted liver damage, hepatocyte apoptosis, and transaminases release. Selective inhibition of STING with C‐176 partially reversed the activation of STING pathway and inflammatory cytokines in vitro. M1 markers were also suppressed by C‐176. In vivo, C‐176 rescued liver damage and transaminase release caused by PPM1G inhibition.

Conclusion

PPM1G suppresses hepatic IRI and macrophage M1 phenotype by repressing STING‐mediated inflammatory pathways.