bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skin/mucosa avoidance radiotherapy (SMART) versus conventional volumetric arc‐based radiotherapy (VMAT) for the treatment of head and neck cancer: Dosimetric feasibility study
Authors: Anderson Cheryl , MacDonald R Lee , Wilke Derek
Published: May 2023

Background

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancer has led to a reduction in radiotherapy doses to normal tissues, like the salivary glands, while maintaining high rates of local control. Oral mucosal and skin toxicity is still a major source of treatment—related morbidity, occurring in most patients.

Purpose

We conducted a dosimetric feasibility study with the goal of creating a methodology that could theoretically reduce the dose of radiation to skin and oral mucosa, while maintaining comparable avoidance of other organs at risk, and planning target volume (PTV) coverage.

Methods

The clinical plans of patients treated previously were replanned using coplanar VMAT arcs on a TrueBeam STx using the photon optimizer (PO) version 15.6 and the Acuros XB dose calculation algorithm. Comparisons were made between three methodologies: “Conventional,” “Skin Sparing” and a skin/mucosa avoiding (“SMART”) technique, with dose metrics being compared using analysis of variance, with a Bonferroni correction to account for multiple pairwise comparisons. The maximum grade of mucositis and radiation dermatitis during treatment was correlated to different dose‐volume metrics to predict what could be clinically meaningful.

Results

Sixteen patients met the study criteria and were replanned using the skin sparing and SMART techniques. Maximum doses to the skin sparing structure were reduced from 64.2 Gy to 56.6 and 55.9 Gy, in the skin sparing and SMART plans (p < 0.0001), and mean doses reduced from 26.7 Gy to 20.0 and 20.2 Gy, respectively (p < 0.0001). Maximum doses to the oral cavity structure were not reduced by either technique, however mean dose to the oral cavity structure was reduced from 39.03 Gy to 33.5 Gy by the SMART technique (p < 0.0001). There was a slight reduction in PTV_High coverage by the V95% in the SMART plans (99.52% vs. 98.79%, p = 0.0073), and a similar slight reduction in PTV_Low coverage by the V95% by both the skin sparing and SMART plans (99.74% vs. 97.89% vs. 97.42%, p < 0.0001). Maximum doses to organs at risk were not statistically different between techniques. Dose to oral cavity and maximum grade experienced during radiotherapy correlated. The Spearman correlation coefficient for dose to 20%, 50%, and 80% of the volume of oral cavity was 0.5 (p = 0.048), 0.64 (p = 0.007), and 0.62 (p = 0.010), respectively. Skin toxicity grade was only found to be correlated with the D20% of the skin sparing structure (Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.58, p = 0.0177).

Conclusion

The SMART technique appears to be able to reduce maximum and mean skin dose, as well as mean oral cavity doses, while only slightly reducing PTV coverage, with acceptable OAR doses. We feel the improvements warrant investigation in a clinical trial.
PLA2G6‐associated late‐onset parkinsonism in a Sudanese family
Authors: Bakhit Yousuf , Tesson Christelle , Ibrahim Mohamed O. , Eltom Khalid , Eltazi Isra , Elsayed Liena E.O. , Lesage Suzanne , Seidi Osheik , Corvol Jean‐Christophe , Wüllner Ullrich ,   Sudanese Parkinson's Disease Study Group
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The phospholipase A2 group VI gene (PLA2G6) encodes an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolytic release of fatty acids from phospholipids. Four neurological disorders with infantile, juvenile, or early adult‐onset are associated with PLA2G6 genetic alterations, namely infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy (INAD), atypical neuroaxonal dystrophy (ANAD), dystonia‐parkinsonism (DP), and autosomal recessive early‐onset parkinsonism (AREP). Few studies in Africa reported PLA2G6‐associated disorders and none with parkinsonism of late adult onset.

Material and Methods

The patients were clinically assessed following UK Brain Bank diagnostic criteria and International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society's Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS‐UPDRS). Brain MRI without contrast was performed. Genetic testing was done using a custom‐made Twist panel, screening 34 known genes, 27 risk factors, and 8 candidate genes associated with parkinsonism. Filtered variants were PCR‐amplified and validated using Sanger sequencing and also tested in additional family members to study their segregation.

Result

Two siblings born to consanguineous parents developed parkinsonism at the age of 58 and 60 years, respectively. MRI showed an enlarged right hippocampus in patient 2, but no overt abnormalities indicative of INAD or iron deposits. We found two heterozygous variants in PLA2G6, an in‐frame deletion NM_003560:c.2070_2072del (p.Val691del) and a missense variant NM_003560:c.956C>T (p.Thr319Met). Both variants were classified as pathogenic.

Conclusion

This is the first case in which PLA2G6 is associated with late‐onset parkinsonism. Functional analysis is needed to confirm the dual effect of both variants on the structure and function of iPLA2β.
Selective Peptide Binders to the Perfluorinated Sulfonic Acid Ionomer Nafion
Authors: Schmidt Dimitry , Gartner Patrizia , Berezkin Ivan , Rudat Jens , Bilger Maximilian , Grünert Tom , Zimmerer Nadine , Quarz Philipp , Scharfer Philip , Brückel Julian , Jung André P. , Singh Pooja , Pooja Pooja , Meier Benno , Stahlberger Mareen , Schabel Wilhelm , Bräse Stefan , Lanza Gisela , Nesterov‐Mueller Alexander
Published: May 2023

Fuel cells used for transport applications hold polymer membranes as a key element. Their efficiency can be significantly increased if structured ion channels are implemented at the molecular level into the proton‐conducting membrane. New functional molecules with selective affinity for ionomers are needed to obtain such a membrane design. This study presents a method to screen for selective peptide binders to perfluorinated sulfonic acid ionomers, e.g., Nafion using ultra‐high density peptide arrays with a spot size of up to 30 µm. First, the ionomer dispersion is incubated with the peptide chip containing 56014 randomly chosen 6‐mer peptides. Afterward, the peptide chip is washed. The peptide WIWHCW with the helix structure is identified as a selective binder to Nafion. The invariant amino acids responsible for binding are also determined using a peptide chip approach. The specific binding pocket of WIWHCW is formed by histidine and tryptophan. Its dissociation constant to the ionomer is measured at ≈140 µM.
Diverse Antibacterial Treatments beyond Antibiotics for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Therapy
Authors: Li Xiaoyuan , Jing Xin , Yu Ziqian , Huang Yubin
Published: May 2023

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), a common complication of diabetes, has become a great burden to both patients and the society. The delayed wound closure of ulcer sites resulting from vascular damage and neutrophil dysfunction facilitates bacterial infection. Once drug resistance occurs or bacterial biofilm is formed, conventional therapy tends to fail and amputation is unavoidable. Therefore, effective antibacterial treatment beyond antibiotics is of utmost importance to accelerate the wound healing process and prevent amputation. Considering the complexity of multidrug resistance, biofilm formation, and special microenvironments (such as hyperglycemia, hypoxia, and abnormal pH value) at the infected site of DFU, several antibacterial agents and different mechanisms have been explored to achieve the desired outcome. The present review focuses on the recent progress of antibacterial treatments, including metal‐based medications, natural and synthesized antimicrobial peptides, antibacterial polymers, and sensitizer‐based therapy. This review provides a valuable reference for the innovation of antibacterial material design for DFU therapy.
Skyrmion‐Excited Spin‐Wave Fractal Networks
Authors: Tang Nan , Liyanage W. L. N. C. , Montoya Sergio A. , Patel Sheena , Quigley Lizabeth J. , Grutter Alexander J. , Fitzsimmons Michael R. , Sinha Sunil , Borchers Julie A. , Fullerton Eric E. , DeBeer‐Schmitt Lisa , Gilbert Dustin A.
Published: May 2023

Magnetic skyrmions exhibit unique, technologically relevant pseudo‐particle behaviors which arise from their topological protection, including well‐defined, 3D dynamic modes that occur at microwave frequencies. During dynamic excitation, spin waves are ejected into the interstitial regions between skyrmions, creating the magnetic equivalent of a turbulent sea. However, since the spin waves in these systems have a well‐defined length scale, and the skyrmions are on an ordered lattice, ordered structures from spin‐wave interference can precipitate from the chaos. This work uses small‐angle neutron scattering (SANS) to capture the dynamics in hybrid skyrmions and investigate the spin‐wave structure. Performing simultaneous ferromagnetic resonance and SANS, the diffraction pattern shows a large increase in low‐angle scattering intensity, which is present only in the resonance condition. This scattering pattern is best fit using a mass fractal model, which suggests the spin waves form a long‐range fractal network. The fractal structure is constructed of fundamental units with a size that encodes the spin‐wave emissions and are constrained by the skyrmion lattice. These results offer critical insights into the nanoscale dynamics of skyrmions, identify a new dynamic spin‐wave fractal structure, and demonstrate SANS as a unique tool to probe high‐speed dynamics.
Versatile Mesoporous Microblocks Prepared by Pattern‐Induced Cracking of Colloidal Films
Authors: Lee Yunchan , Jo Min‐Gi , Kim Jaekyoung , Kim Ji Hoon , Kim Jae Jung , Char Kookheon , Yoon Hyunsik
Published: May 2023

Mesoporous microparticles have the potential to be used in various fields, such as energy generation, sensing, and the environmental field. Recently, the process of making homogeneous microparticles in an economical and environmentally friendly way has gained much attention. Herein, rectangular mesoporous microblocks of various designs are produced by manipulating the fragmentation of colloidal films consisting of micropyramids while controlling the notch angles of pyramidal edges. During calcination of the colloidal films, cracks are generated in the valleys of micropyramids acting as notches, and the angle of notches can be controlled by the prepattern underneath the micropyramids. By changing the location of notches with sharp angles, the shape of microblocks can be controlled with excellent uniformity. After detaching the microblocks from substrates, mesoporous microparticles of various sizes with multiple functions are easily produced. This study demonstrates anti‐counterfeiting functions by encoding the rotation angles of rectangular microblocks of various sizes. In addition, the mesoporous microparticles can be utilized for separating desired chemicals mixed with chemicals of different charges. The method of fabricating size‐tunable functionalized mesoporous microblocks can be a platform technology to prepare special films and catalysts and for environmental applications.
Metallic Powder Promotes Nitridation Kinetics for Facile Synthesis of (Oxy)Nitride Photocatalysts
Authors: Bao Yunfeng , Zou Hai , Du Shiwen , Xin Xueshang , Wang Shuowen , Shao Guosheng , Zhang Fuxiang
Published: May 2023

Nitrogen‐containing semiconductors (including metal nitrides, metal oxynitrides, and nitrogen‐doped metal oxides) have been widely researched for their application in energy conversion and environmental purification because of their unique characteristics; however, their synthesis generally encounters significant challenges owing to sluggish nitridation kinetics. Herein, a metallic‐powder‐assisted nitridation method is developed that effectively promotes the kinetics of nitrogen insertion into oxide precursors and exhibits good generality. By employing metallic powders with low work functions as electronic modulators, a series of oxynitrides (i.e., LnTaON2 (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Gd), Zr2ON2, and LaTiO2N) can be prepared at lower nitridation temperatures and shorter nitridation periods to obtain comparable or even lower defect concentrations compared to those of the conventional thermal nitridation method, leading to superior photocatalytic performance. Moreover, some novel nitrogen‐doped oxides (i.e., SrTiO3−xNy and Y2Zr2O7−xNy) with visible‐light responses can be exploited. As revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the nitridation kinetics are enhanced via the effective electron transfer from the metallic powder to the oxide precursors, reducing the activation energy of nitrogen insertion. The modified nitridation route developed in this work is an alternative method for preparing (oxy)nitride‐based materials for energy/environment‐related heterogeneous catalysis.
Add‐On Soft Electronic Interfaces for Continuous Cuffless Blood Pressure Monitoring
Authors: Namkoong Myeong , Baskar Balaji , Singh Lakhvir , Guo Heng , McMurray Justin , Branan Kimberly , Rahman Md. Saifur , Hsiao Chin‐To , Kuriakose Josh , Hernandez Joanna , Arikan Arda A. , Garza‐Rivera Luis E. , Coté Gerard L. , Tian Limei
Published: May 2023

Continuous monitoring of arterial blood pressure is clinically important for diagnosing and managing cardiovascular diseases. Soft electronic devices with skin‐like properties show promise in various applications, including the human‐machine interface, the Internet of Things, and health monitoring. Herein, the use of add‐on soft electronic interfaces addresses the connection challenges between soft electrodes and rigid data acquisition circuitry for bioimpedance monitoring of cardiac signals, including heart rate and cuffless blood pressure is reported. Nanocomposite films in add‐on electrodes provide robust electrical and mechanical contact with the skin and the rigid circuitry. Bioimpedance sensors composed of add‐on electrodes offer continuous blood pressure monitoring with high accuracy. Specifically, the bioimpedance collected with add‐on nanocomposite electrodes shows a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 37.0 dB, higher than the ratio of 25.9 dB obtained with standard silver/silver chloride (Ag/AgCl) gel electrodes. Although the sample set is low, the continuously measured systolic and diastolic blood pressure offer accuracy of −2.0 ± 6.3 mmHg and −4.3 ± 3.9 mmHg, respectively, confirming the grade A performance based on the IEEE standard. These results show promise in bioimpedance measurements with add‐on soft electrodes for cuffless blood pressure monitoring.
Digitally Controlled Tunable Fabric Microwave Filter Based on Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Authors: Chen Hao , Geng Ming‐Yang , Chen Zhao‐Min , Chen Jia‐Yi , Zhan Jun‐Lin , Yu Bu‐Yun , Ju Lu , Ding Cong , Guan Ying‐Shi , Liu Zhen‐Guo , Lu Wei‐Bing , Li Quan
Published: May 2023

A microwave filter is important to determine the performance of a wearable communication system. However, the materials used in existing microwave filters require sophisticated and expensive fabrication processes. Moreover, they are not compatible with flexible and wearable platforms. In this study, a novel strategy for realizing a tunable fabric microwave filter (TFMF) by taking advantage of the spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) structure and using organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) is presented, which are lightweight and exhibit excellent mechanical flexibility and deformability. The TFMF is manufactured using fabric materials, and the OECT is printed to serve as a state‐changing material. The developed TFMF exhibits excellent flexibility, high planar integration and improved wearing comfort. Furthermore, the operating frequency of the TFMF with well‐designed gradient structures and multi‐state dispersion characteristics can be effectively tuned by applying different voltage sequences. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first tunable microwave filter designed for use in wearable systems. The measurements of scattering parameters and data transmission with a communication system based on the TFMF demonstrate a feasible pathway for enhancing the performance of wearable wireless communication systems.
Periodic Acid Modification of Chemical‐Bath Deposited SnO2 Electron Transport Layers for Perovskite Solar Cells and Mini Modules
Authors: Wu Ziyi , Su Jiazheng , Chai Nianyao , Cheng Siyang , Wang Xuanyu , Zhang Ziling , Liu Xuanling , Zhong Han , Yang Jianfei , Wang Zhiping , Liu Jianbo , Li Xin , Lin Hong
Published: May 2023

Chemical bath deposition (CBD) has been demonstrated as a remarkable technology to fabricate high‐quality SnO2 electron transport layer (ETL) for large‐area perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, surface defects always exist on the SnO2 film coated by the CBD process, impairing the devices’ performance. Here, a facile periodic acid post‐treatment (PAPT) method is developed to modify the SnO2 layer. Periodic acid can react with hydroxyl groups on the surface of SnO2 films and oxidize Tin(II) oxide to Tin(IV) oxide. With the help of periodic acid, a better energy level alignment between the SnO2 and perovskite layers is achieved. In addition, the PAPT method inhibits interfacial nonradiative recombination and facilitates charge transportation. Such a multifunctional strategy enables to fabricate PSC with a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 22.25%, which remains 93.32% of its initial efficiency after 3000 h without any encapsulation. Furthermore, 3 × 3 cm2 perovskite mini‐modules are presented, achieving a champion efficiency of 18.10%. All these results suggest that the PAPT method is promising for promoting the commercial application of large‐area PSCs.
High‐Throughput Screening of High‐Entropy Fluorite‐Type Oxides as Potential Candidates for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Kumbhakar Mukesh , Khandelwal Anurag , Jha Shikhar Krishn , Kante Monaha Veerraju , Keßler Pirmin , Lemmer Uli , Hahn Horst , Aghassi‐Hagmann Jasmin , Colsmann Alexander , Breitung Ben , Velasco Leonardo , Schweidler Simon
Published: May 2023

High‐throughput (HT) synthesis and HT characterization techniques are becoming increasingly important due to the ever‐increasing complexity of materials and applications of advanced functional compounds. This work reports on the high‐throughput compilation of material libraries of high‐entropy oxides with fluorite crystal structure and tunable band gaps to be used as, e.g., semiconductors for photovoltaic applications. The material libraries cover the high‐entropy range of rare‐earth oxides with 5, 6, and 7 different cations (Ce, La, Sm, Pr, Tb, Y, and Zr) in near equimolar concentrations, but also the medium entropy range with 4 cations. The atmosphere used during or after synthesis is found to have a large effect on the band gap of these materials. Multivalent rare‐earth cations such as Ce/Pr/Tb enable reversible tuning of the band gap between 2.0 and 3.5 eV upon calcination under various oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. The high‐entropy fluorite oxides with smaller band gaps exhibit high electron mobility and transport energy levels compatible with common solar cell architectures.
Stereochemistry and functions of the new cysteinyl‐resolvin, 4S,5R‐RCTR1, in efferocytosis and erythrophagocytosis of human senescent erythrocytes
Authors: Nshimiyimana Robert , Libreros Stephania , Simard Mélissa , Chiang Nan , Rodriguez Ana R. , Spur Bernd W. , Haeggström Jesper Z. , Serhan Charles N.
Published: May 2023

Specialized pro‐resolving lipid mediators play key functions in the resolution of the acute inflammatory response. Herein, we elucidate the stereochemical structure of the new 4S,5R‐RCTR1, a cysteinyl‐resolvin, recently uncovered in human leukocytes incubated with a 4S,5S‐epoxy‐resolvin intermediate, using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) and ultra‐violet (UV) spectrophotometry. With this approach, the physical properties of the new mediator prepared by total organic synthesis were matched to enzymatically produced biogenic material. In addition, we confirmed the potent biological actions of 4S,5R‐RCTR1 with human M2‐like macrophage phagocytosis of live bacteria, efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils, and erythrophagocytosis of senescent human red blood cells in a concentration‐dependent manner from 0.1 to 10 nM. Taken together, these results establish the complete stereochemistry of 4S,5R‐RCTR1 as 5R‐glutathionyl‐4S,17S‐dihydroxy‐6E,8E,10Z,13Z,15E,19Z‐docosahexaenoic acid and give evidence of its novel bioactivities in human phagocyte responses. Moreover, they confirm and extend the stereoselective functions of the 4S,5R‐RCTR1 with isolated human phagocytes of interest in the resolution of inflammation.
Do PACS1 variants impeding adaptor protein binding predispose to syndromic intellectual disability?
Authors: Moller‐Hansen Ashley , Hejla Duha , Lee Hyun Kyung , Lyles Jenea Barbara , Yang Yunhan , Chen Kun , Li Wenhui Laura , Thomas Gary , Boerkoel Cornelius F.
Published: May 2023

To date, PACS1‐neurodevelopmental disorder (PACS1‐NDD) has been associated with recurrent variation of Arg203 and is considered diagnostic of PACS1‐NDD, an autosomal dominant syndromic intellectual disability disorder. Although incompletely defined, the proposed disease mechanism for this variant is altered PACS1 affinity for its client proteins. Given this proposed mechanism, we hypothesized that PACS1 variants that interfere with binding of adaptor proteins might also give rise to syndromic intellectual disability. Herein, we report a proposita and her mother with phenotypic features overlapping PACS1‐NDD and a novel PACS1 variant (NM_018026.3:c.[755C > T];[=], p.(Ser252Phe)) that impedes binding of the adaptor protein GGA3 (Golgi‐associated, gamma‐adaptin ear‐containing, ARF‐binding protein 3). We hypothesize that attenuating PACS1 binding of GGA3 also gives rise to a disorder with features overlapping those of PACS1‐NDD. This observation better delineates the mechanism by which PACS1 variation predisposes to syndromic intellectual disability.
A neuron‐specific Isca1 knockout rat developments multiple mitochondrial dysfunction syndromes
Authors: Sheng Hanxuan , Lu Dan , Qi Xiaolong , Ling Yahao , Li Jing , Zhang Xu , Dong Wei , Chen Wei , Gao Shan , Gao Xiang , Zhang Li , Zhang Lianfeng
Published: May 2023

Background

Multiple mitochondrial dysfunction syndromes (MMDS) are rare mitochondrial diseases caused by mutation of mitochondrial iron–sulfur cluster synthesis proteins. This study established a rat model simulating MMDS5 disease in the nervous system to investigate its pathological features and neuronal death.

Methods

We generated neuron‐specific Isca1 knockout rat (Isca1flox/flox ‐NeuN‐Cre) using CRISPR‐Cas9 technology. The brain structure changes of CKO rats were studied with MRI, and the behavior abnormalities were analyzed through gait analysis and open field tests, Y maze tests and food maze tests. The pathological changes of neurons were analyzed through H&E staining, Nissl staining, and Golgi staining. Mitochondrial damage was assessed by TEM, western blot and ATP assay, and the morphology of neurons was assessed by WGA immunofluorescence to detect the death of neurons.

Results

This study established the disease model of MMDS5 in the nervous system for the first time, and found that after Isca1 loss, the rats suffered from developmental retardation, epilepsy, memory impairment, massive neuronal death, reduced number of Nissl bodies and dendritic spines, mitochondrial fragmentation, cristae fracture, reduced content of respiratory chain complex protein, and reduced production of ATP. Isca1 knockout caused neuronal oncosis.

Conclusions

This rat model can be used to study the pathogenesis of MMDS. In addition, compared with human MMDS5, the rat model can survive up to 8 weeks of age, effectively extending the window of clinical treatment research, and can be used for the treatment of neurological symptoms in other mitochondrial diseases.
Controlling the Strong Metal‐Support Interaction Overlayer Structure in Pt/TiO2Catalysts Prevents Particle Evaporation
Authors: Beck Arik , Frey Hannes , Huang Xing , Clark Adam H. , Goodman Emmett D. , Cargnello Matteo , Willinger Marc , van Bokhoven Jeroen A.
Published: May 2023

Platinum nanoparticles (NPs) supported by titania exhibit a strong metal‐support interaction (SMSI)[1]that can induce overlayer formation and encapsulation of the NP's with a thin layer of support material. This encapsulation modifies the catalyst's properties, such as increasing its chemoselectivity[2]and stabilizing it against sintering.[3]Encapsulation is typically induced during high‐temperature reductive activation and can be reversed through oxidative treatments.[1]However, recent findings indicate that the overlayer can be stable in oxygen.[4, 5]Using in situ transmission electron microscopy, we investigated how the overlayer changes with varying conditions. We found that exposure to oxygen below 400 °C caused disorder and removal of the overlayer upon subsequent hydrogen treatment. In contrast, elevating the temperature to 900 °C while maintaining the oxygen atmosphere preserved the overlayer, preventing platinum evaporation when exposed to oxygen. Our findings demonstrate how different treatments can influence the stability of nanoparticles with or without titania overlayers. expanding the concept of SMSI and enabling noble metal catalysts to operate in harsh environments without evaporation associated losses during burn‐off cycling.
Nickel‐Catalyzed C−I‐Selective C(sp2)−C(sp3) Cross‐Electrophile Coupling of Bromo(iodo)arenes with Alkyl Bromides
Authors: Ying Xiaoyuan , Li Yuxi , Li Luyang , Li Chao
Published: May 2023

Despite several methodologies established for C(sp2)−I selective C(sp2)−C(sp3) bond formations, achieving arene‐flanked quaternary carbons by cross‐coupling of tertiary alkyl precursors with bromo(iodo)arenes in a C(sp2)−I selective manner is rare. Here we report a general Ni‐catalyzed C(sp2)−I selective cross‐electrophile coupling (XEC) reaction, in which, beyond 3° alkyl bromides (for constructing arene‐flanked quaternary carbons), 2° and 1° alkyl bromides are also demonstrated to be viable coupling partners. Moreover, this mild XEC displays excellent C(sp2)−I selectivity and functional group compatibility. The practicality of this XEC is demonstrated in simplifying the routes to several medicinally relevant and synthetically challenging compounds. Extensive experiments show that the terpyridine‐ligated NiI halide can exclusively activate alkyl bromides, forming a NiI−alkyl complex through a Zn reduction. Attendant density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal two different pathways for the oxidative addition of the NiI−alkyl complex to the C(sp2)−I bond of bromo(iodo)arenes, explaining both the high C(sp2)−I selectivity and generality of our XEC.
Synthesis of N‐Monosubstituted Sulfondiimines by Metal‐free Iminations of Sulfilimium Salts
Authors: Passia Marco T. , Bormann Niklas , Ward Jas S. , Rissanen Kari , Bolm Carsten
Published: May 2023

Sulfondiimines are marginalized entities among nitrogen‐containing organosulfur compounds, despite offering promising properties for applications in various fields including medicinal and agrochemical. Herein, we present a metal‐free and rapid synthetic procedure for the synthesis of N‐monosubstituted sulfondiimines that overcomes current limitations in their synthetic accessibility. Particularly, S,S‐dialkyl substrates, which are commonly difficult to convert by existing methods, react well with a combination of iodine, 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐en (DBU), and iminoiodinanes (PhINR) in acetonitrile (MeCN) to furnish the corresponding sulfondiimines in yields up to 85 % (25 examples). Valuable “free” NH‐N′H‐sulfondiimines can then be accessed by N‐deprotection under mild reaction conditions. Several experimental observations suggest a mechanistic pathway diverging from the common radical‐based iodine/iminoiodinane mechanism. Based on the experimental results in combination with data obtained by 1H NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, and crystallographic analysis we propose a direct amination from PhINNs and a reaction path via a cationic iodonitrene.
Online evaluation of the boiler energy efficiency associated with the soot blowing in coal‐fired power plants
Authors: Zou Hengfei , Yuan Jingqi
Published: May 2023

Soot blowing is a common practice in coal‐fired power plants to ensure high energy conversion rate. The period of the conventional soot blowing is usually fixed, without the consideration of the load change and feeding coal switching. For the purpose of the soot blowing optimization, an approach to quantitatively evaluate the performance of soot blowing operations is proposed. Different heat exchangers' thermal resistances are calculated based on dynamic mass and energy balance to monitor their ash fouling deposition, and then, the boiler energy efficiency is predicted, adopting the rolling extreme tree boosting algorithm, and finally, the efficiencies with and without soot blowing are computed separately. With the data collected from a 350 MW ultra‐supercritical unit, pseudo‐online simulations are performed. The results show that even if the energy efficiency of the unit has exceeded 94%, a full‐process soot blowing may further increase the efficiency in some extent. For those subcritical units, the benefits should be higher.
Periodic event‐triggered consensus based on triggered communication states for multi‐agent systems with packet losses
Authors: Chen Bing , Chen Yangzhou
Published: May 2023

In this paper, periodic event‐triggered leaderless and leader‐following consensus problems are studied for linear multi‐agent systems with deterministic packet losses under the generic directed communication topology. Specially, an event‐triggered mechanism is proposed, which only needs to communicate the event‐triggered states of the agent and verify the event‐triggered condition at the periodic sampling instants. A switched system with stable and unstable subsystems is used to describe packet dropouts in a deterministic way. The incidence matrix of a directed spanning tree in the directed communication topology is utilized to construct a linear transformation so that the consensus problems are equivalently transformed into the asymptotic stability problems of reduced‐order systems. Then, some sufficient consensus conditions are derived and the consensus protocol gains are designed. Finally, simulation examples are given to show the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Equivalence‐based controllability of dimension‐varying systems on quotient space
Authors: Fan Naqi , Zhang Lijun
Published: May 2023

The quotient space approach is considered as an effective and pioneering tool to model the transient dynamics of dimension‐varying systems recently. In this paper, we focus on the controllability of dimension‐varying systems that are modeled by the quotient space approach. First, we investigate the relation of controllability matrix between so‐called equivalent lifting systems. The result of the investigation prompts us to propose a new concept called equivalent class controllability for dimension‐varying systems on quotient space. Moreover, the coordinate transformation of states on quotient space is studied. Based on it, the controllable normal form of dimension‐varying systems on quotient space, which follows the criterion for the equivalent class controllability, is presented.
A detailed infrared detectors systems overview of MOONS VLT instrument
Authors: Álvarez Domingo , Ives Derek , George Elizabeth M. , Reyes Javier , Bezawada Naidu , Serra Benoit , Iwert Olaf , Mueller Eric , Conzelmann Ralf , Geimer Christopher
Published: May 2023

MOONS is a multi‐object spectrograph that will be installed at the Nasmyth focus of the VLT ESO Telescopes in Chile. The instrument has the capacity to deploy approximately 1000 fibers over a field of view of 500 square arcminutes, with a total wavelength coverage of from 0.6 to 1.8 m, offering both low‐ and medium‐resolution modes. The high demand for fast and large optics in all spectral channels prompted the use of similar Schmidt cameras. As a result, the Detector Unit (DU) must be located within the optical beam and its footprint must be minimized to reduce vignetting. The instrument consists of four H4RG‐15um pixel detectors and two fully depleted LBNL CCDs. This article provides a comprehensive description of the detector systems, focusing particularly on the H4RG‐15, including a brief overview of the newly developed cryogenic pre‐amplifier for 64‐output operation, and a detailed discussion of the woven cable technology used for signal routing. Some results of the characterization of three H4RG detectors are presented, with a focus on crosstalk and buffer output performance. The use of the buffer output for the H4RG results in a glow‐per‐read observed at the bottom of the detectors. This article also describes the trade‐offs and alternatives used to optimize detector performance in this situation.
Impact of Aluminium Electrode Potential during Charging on Aluminium‐Ion Battery Performance with TEA‐AlCl3 Electrolyte
Authors: Mukundan Charan , Eckert Martin , Drillet Jean‐Francois
Published: May 2023

In aluminium (Al) symmetric cell, potentials during Al deposition on an Al foil at 1 mA cm−2 were 60–70 mV higher in TEA‐AlCl3 electrolyte compared to those measured with EMIMCl‐AlCl3 reference. Because of higher electrochemical stability of TEA‐AlCl3 solution, cut‐off voltage of charging step in AIB full‐cell was set to 2.45 V compared to 2.40 V for the reference cell. During long‐term cycling at 1 A g−1, the specific capacity of the AIB cell employing TEA‐AlCl3 increased from 60 to 94 mAh g−1 (57 %) after 1000 cycles while that of cell with EMIMCl‐AlCl3 was quite constant at about 60 mAh g−1. This behaviour was explained by continuous decreasing in Al electrode potential at End‐of‐Charge state (EOC) during deposition reaction (charging step) in TEA‐AlCl3 allowing an increase in graphite electrode potential and consequently in AIB cell capacity over the whole experiment. This increase in capacity was accompanied by a raise of defect sites in graphite material.
Concordance between alizarin red stained skeleton and micro‐CT skeleton evaluation methods: A case study in New Zealand White rabbits
Authors: Solomon Howard M. , Murzyn Stacia , Rendemonti Joyce , Chapman Sharon , Cheng Shih‐Hsun , Jucker Beat M. , Stanislaus Dinesh , Gehman Andrew , Alsaid Hasan
Published: May 2023

Objectives

The objective of this study was to examine the fetal skeletons using both alizarin red stain and micro‐computed tomography (CT) images; investigate differences, and to determine if the conclusions of the study were the same regardless of the examination method.

Methods

A candidate drug was given orally by gavage to pregnant New Zealand White rabbits on gestation day (GD) 7 to GD 19 (mating = GD 0) at doses of 0 (control), 0.02, 0.5, 5, and 15 mg/kg/day. Maternal toxicity was evident at ≥0.02 mg/kg/day. The 199 fetal skeletons (totaling 50,546 skeletal elements) obtained at cesarean delivery on GD29 were first stained with Alizarin Red S, then imaged by a Siemens Inveon micro‐CT scanner. All fetal skeletons were examined by both methods, without knowledge of dose group, and the results were compared.

Results

In total, 33 types of skeletal abnormalities were identified. There was 99.8% concordance of results comparing stain to micro‐CT. Ossification of the middle phalanx of the forepaw digit 5 showed the greatest difference between the two methods.

Conclusion

Overall, micro‐CT imaging is a realistic, and robust alternative to skeletal staining to examine fetal rabbit skeletons in developmental toxicity studies.
Spiked nanorosette: A novel zinc oxide‐gold textured nanostructure for impedance biosensing of target DNA signatures
Authors: Haarindraprasad Rajintra Prasad , Thurga Devi Nathan , Thevendran Ramesh , Maheswaran Solayappan
Published: May 2023

The creation of nanostructure is profound for the generation of nanobiosensors in several medical diagnosis. Here, we employed an aqueous hydrothermal route using Zinc‐oxide (ZnO) and Gold (Au), which under optimal conditions formed an ultra‐crystalline rose‐like nanostructure textured with nanowires on the surface, coined as "spiked nanorosette." The spiked nanorosette structures was further characterized to possess crystallites of ZnO and Au grains with average sizes of 27.60 and 32.33 nm, respectively. The intensity for both ZnO (002) and Au (111) planes of the nanocomposite was inferred to be controlled by fine‐tuning the percentage of Au nanoparticles doped in the ZnO/Au matrix, as referred by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The formation of ZnO/Au‐hybrid nanorosettes were additionally verified by the distinct corresponding peaks from photoluminescence and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, supported by electrical validations. The biorecognition properties of the spiked nanorosettes were also examined using custom targeted and non‐target DNA sequences. The DNA targeting capabilities of the nanostructures were analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The fabricated nanowire‐embedded nanorosette exhibited a detection limit at the lower picomolar range of 1 × 10−12 M, with high selectivity, stability and reproducibility and good linearity, under optimal conditions. Impedance‐based techniques are more sensitive to the detection of nucleic acid molecule whereas this novel spiked nanorosette demonstrate promising attributes as excellent nanostructures for nanobiosensor developments and their potential future application for nucleic‐acids or disease diagnostics.
Improvements in skills and knowledge after a comprehensive ELISA teaching course for biotechnology undergraduates
Authors: Yan Jingmin , Chen Jiangao , Mao Xuhu , Li Qian
Published: May 2023

As a universal and extensively adopted technique, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) can be used to detect and quantify small molecules in many applications both clinical and analytical. However, generally, students experiment mechanically using commercial ELISA kits according to the instructions and eventually produce a standard curve to calculate the concentration of the sample to be measured, cannot understand the critical factors and process of method establishment. This study systematically introduced undergraduates to using the pathogen‐specific antigen and establishing an indirect ELISA method to detect the diagnostic target pathogen Burkholderia pseudomallei. This course aimed to develop the experimental skills of the students and improve their scientific research knowledge, which fully embody the organic combination of scientific research and teaching. Students independently selected the diagnostic antigen target of interest, obtained the antigen proteins using genetic engineering techniques, and established an ELISA method through a series of conditional optimization experiments. In addition, typical student‐generated data, experimental methods, and a student feedback interpretation are presented in this study. Overall, the students were able to combine abstract knowledge with practice and understand the principles and applications of antigen–antibody interactions, thus enabling them to gain practical experience in molecular biology techniques, and learn how to use this principle to establish an ELISA method for detecting infectious diseases.
A new method based on dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for fat‐soluble vitamin determination in serum by LC–MS/MS
Authors: Li Jufang , Chen Congyan , Sun Xingchao , Hu Zhineng , Wu Chaochao , Gao Qiang , Ying Guoqing
Published: May 2023

A green and inexpensive pretreatment known as dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) was developed in this assay coupled with the LC–MS/MS method for routine analysis of fat soluble vitamins (FSVs). The technique was performed with methanol as the dispersive solvent and dichloromethane as the extraction solvent. The extraction phase containing FSVs was evaporated to dryness and reconstituted in a mixture of acetonitrile and water. The influence variables concerning the DLLME procedure were optimized. After that, the method was investigated for its applicability in LC–MS/MS analysis. As a result, the parameters were settled for the optimal conditions during the DLLME process. A cheap and lipid‐free substance was found as an alternative to serum to eliminate the matrix effect while preparing the calibrators. The method validation indicated that it was suitable for determining FSVs in serum. Moreover, this method was applied successfully to determine serum samples, which was consistent with the literature. In summary, the DLLME method developed in this report was reliable and more cost‐effective than the traditional LC–MS/MS method, and could be applied in the future.
Identifying hormones and other perioperative risk factors for postoperative delirium after endoscope‐assisted transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection: A retrospective, matched cohort study
Authors: Liu Jin , Qian Jinyu , Wang Xia , Lin Jie , Yang Sunyan , Hu Rong , Xian Jishu , Feng Hua , Chen Yujie , Tan Binbin
Published: May 2023

Objective

As a complex and acute brain dysfunction, if postoperative delirium (POD) occurs in the postoperative period, it will lead to a prolonged length of stay in the critical care unit, with increased hospitalization costs and higher mortality. A few case reports inspired us to pay close attention to pituitary tumor‐associated delirium. We hypothesized that the changes in hormone levels after pituitary tumor resection might be associated with POD occurrence.

Methods

Retrospective analysis was performed on data from a single‐center cohort study conducted at Southwest Hospital between January 2018 and May 2022. A total of 360 patients with pituitary tumors who underwent endoscope‐assisted transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection were divided into two groups at a 1:3 ratio, with 36 patients in the POD group and 108 patients in the non‐POD group matched by propensity score, age, sex, and tumor size. Basic characteristics, pituitary adenoma features, endocrine levels and other biochemical indicators, and Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM‐ICU) for postoperative delirium were documented for further analysis.

Results

Lower insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1, p = .024) and corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH, p = .005) levels were closely associated with postoperative delirium and with high levels of blood glucose (GLU, p = .023) after surgery. Subsequent analysis indicated that serum potassium (OR: 0.311, 95% CI 0.103–0.935), sodium (OR: 0.991, 95% CI 0.983–1.000), CRH (OR: 0.964, 95% CI 0.936–0.994), and GLU (OR: 1.654, 95% CI 1.137–2.406) levels in the perioperative period were independent risk factors for delirium.

Conclusions

Our study indicated that lower serum CRH, potassium, sodium, and GLU levels may be associated with the occurrence of POD after endoscopic‐assisted transsphenoidal surgery. These data provide preliminary evidence for the management of POD in pituitary adenoma patients after surgery. Further studies are needed to identify pharmacological and nonpharmacological multicomponent treatment strategies.
Polymorphic nanobody crystals as long‐acting intravitreal therapy for wet age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Zhu Shuqian , Fan Shilong , Tang Tianxin , Huang Jinliang , Zhou Heng , Huang Chengnan , Chen Youxin , Qian Feng
Published: May 2023

Wet age‐related macular degeneration (wet AMD) is the most common cause of blindness, and chronic intravitreal injection of anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins has been the dominant therapeutic approach. Less intravitreal injection and a prolonged inter‐injection interval are the main drivers behind new wet AMD drug innovations. By rationally engineering the surface residues of a model anti‐VEGF nanobody, we obtained a series of anti‐VEGF nanobodies with identical protein structures and VEGF binding affinities, while drastically different crystallization propensities and crystal lattice structures. Among these nanobody crystals, the P212121 lattice appeared to be denser and released protein slower than the P1 lattice, while nanobody crystals embedding zinc coordination further slowed the protein release rate. The polymorphic protein crystals could be a potentially breakthrough strategy for chronic intravitreal administration of anti‐VEGF proteins.
Label‐free atherosclerosis diagnosis through a blood drop of apolipoprotein E knockout mouse model using surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy validated by machine learning algorithm
Authors: Lee Sanghwa , Jue Miyeon , Cho Minju , Lee Kwanhee , Paulson Bjorn , Jo Hanjoong , Song Joon Seon , Kang Soo‐Jin , Kim Jun Ki
Published: May 2023

The direct preventative detection of flow‐induced atherosclerosis remains a significant challenge, impeding the development of early treatments and prevention measures. This study proposes a method for diagnosing atherosclerosis in the carotid artery using nanometer biomarker measurements through surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) from single‐drop blood samples. Atherosclerotic acceleration is induced in apolipoprotein E knockout mice which underwent a partial carotid ligation and were fed a high‐fat diet to rapidly induce disturbed flow‐induced atherosclerosis in the left common carotid artery while using the unligated, contralateral right carotid artery as control. The progressive atherosclerosis development of the left carotid artery was verified by micro‐magnetic resonance imaging (micro‐MRI) and histology in comparison to the right carotid artery. Single‐drop blood samples are deposited on chips of gold‐coated ZnO nanorods grown on silicon wafers that filter the nanometer markers and provide strong SERS signals. A diagnostic classifier was established based on principal component analysis (PCA), which separates the resultant spectra into the atherosclerotic and control groups. Scoring based on the principal components enabled the classification of samples into control, mild, and severe atherosclerotic disease. The PCA‐based analysis was validated against an independent test sample and compared against the PCA‐PLS‐DA machine learning algorithm which is known for applicability to Raman diagnosis. The accuracy of the PCA modification‐based diagnostic criteria was 94.5%, and that of the machine learning algorithm 97.5%. Using a mouse model, this study demonstrates that diagnosing and classifying the severity of atherosclerosis is possible using a single blood drop, SERS technology, and machine learning algorithm, indicating the detectability of biomarkers and vascular factors in the blood which correlate with the early stages of atherosclerosis development.