bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Non-Arab Converts in the Development of Early Islamic Law
Authors: Motzki Harald
Published: March 2005

Western scholarship has attached considerable importance to the role played by scholars of non-Arab descent in the formative period of Islamic law and jurisprudence. This view can be challenged. In a sample taken from a biographical collection of important legal scholars compiled in the fifth/eleventh century, "true" Arabs constituted the majority; three quarters of the non-Arab scholars had an eastern background and came from the regions of the former Sassanian empire; and only a few scholars had clearly Christian or Jewish roots. This result lends no support to the assumption that jurists of non-Arab descent brought solutions from their natal legal systems — Roman, Roman provincial and Jewish law — to early Islamic law.
The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea: A Forum for the Development of Principles of International Environmental Law?
Authors: Rashbrooke Gwenaele
Published: March 2005

This article examines the role of the ITLOS established by the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention. It considers the extent to which principles of international environmental law are reflected in the 1982 Convention. It then reviews the relevant jurisprudence of the tribunal including the Southern Blue-fin Tuna case between Japan and Australia and New Zealand, the MOX case between Ireland and the UK, and the Land Reclamation case between Malaysia and Singapore to determine the extent that the ITLOS case-law has indeed contributed to the development of certain key principles of international environmental law, including Stockholm Principle 21/Rio Principle 2, the principle of preventative action, cooperation and precaution.
A Failing Grade for Our Efforts to Make Our Civilization More Environmentally Sustainable
Authors: Nakajima Nina , Vanderburg Willem H.
Published: March 2005

In the decades to come, the authors expect growing pressures to reform current production systems to make them more compatible with the biosphere. A proactive approach to this pressure involves consideration of an alternate value chain based on a comprehensive engineering and marketing approach to recover value from end-of-life products. To estimate the potential advantages of the new value chain, the authors calculate the minimum throughput advantages and environmental advantages that can be realized from a comprehensive strategy of recovering value from end-of-life products. The efforts of corporations and other organizations to make modern ways of life more environmentally sustainable are evaluated against this benchmark in terms of activities in the area of selling services, product take back, life cycle assessment, Responsible Care, voluntary emission reduction initiatives, and engineering and management education. It is concluded that in general, these efforts make only a minor contribution toward achieving.
Site-specific and synergistic stimulation of methylation on the bacterial chemotaxis receptor Tsr by serine and CheW
Authors: Chalah Anas , Weis Robert M
Published: March 2005

Background

Specific glutamates in the methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) of Escherichia coli are modified during sensory adaptation. Attractants that bind to MCPs are known to increase the rate of receptor modification, as with serine and the serine receptor (Tsr), which contributes to an increase in the steady-state (adapted) methylation level. However, MCPs form ternary complexes with two cytoplasmic signaling proteins, the kinase (CheA) and an adaptor protein (CheW), but their influences on receptor methylation are unknown. Here, the influence of CheW on the rate of Tsr methylation has been studied to identify contributions to the process of adaptation.

Results

Methyl group incorporation was measured in a series of membrane samples in which the Tsr molecules were engineered to have one available methyl-accepting glutamate residue (297, 304, 311 or 493). The relative rates at these sites (0.14, 0.05, 0.05 and 1, respectively) differed from those found previously for the aspartate receptor (Tar), which was in part due to sequence differences between Tar and Tsr near site four. The addition of CheW generated unexpectedly large and site-specific rate increases, equal to or larger than the increases produced by serine. The increases produced by serine and CheW (added separately) were the largest at site one, ~3 and 6-fold, respectively, and the least at site four, no change and ~2-fold, respectively. The rate increases were even larger when serine and CheW were added together, larger than the sums of the increases produced by serine and CheW added separately (except site four). This resulted in substantially larger serine-stimulated increases when CheW was present. Also, CheW enhanced methylation rates when either two or all four sites were available.

Conclusion

The increase in the rate of receptor methylation upon CheW binding contributes significantly to the ligand specificity and kinetics of sensory adaptation. The synergistic effect of serine and CheW binding to Tsr is attributed to distinct influences on receptor structure; changes in the conformation of the Tsr dimer induced by serine binding improve methylation efficiency, and CheW binding changes the arrangement among Tsr dimers, which increases access to methylation sites.
The human macrophage mannose receptor is not a professional phagocytic receptor
Authors: Le Cabec Véronique , Emorine Laurent J , Toesca Isabelle , Cougoule Céline , Maridonneau-Parini Isabelle
Published: March 2005

The macrophage mannose receptor (MR) appears to play an important role in the binding and phagocytosis of several human pathogens, but its phagocytic property and signaling pathways have been poorly defined. The general strategy to explore such topics is to express the protein of interest in nonphagocytic cells, but in the case of MR, there are few reports using the full-length MR cDNA. When we searched to clone de novo the human MR (hMR) cDNA, problems were encountered, and full-length hMR cDNA was only obtained after devising a complex cloning strategy. Chinese hamster ovary cells, which have a fully functional phagocytic machinery when expressing professional phagocytic receptors, were stably transfected, and cell clones expressing hMR at quantitatively comparable levels than human macrophages or J774E cells were obtained. They exhibited a functional hMR-mediated endocytic capacity of a soluble ligand but failed to ingest classical particulate ligands of MR such as zymosan, Mycobacterium kansasii, or trimannoside bovine serum albumin-coated latex beads. Transient expression of hMR in two human cell lines did not provide a phagocytic capacity either. In conclusion, we show that MR is not a professional phagocytic receptor, as it does not possess the ability to promote particle ingestion in nonphagocytic cells on its own. We propose that MR is a binding receptor, which requires a partner to trigger phagocytosis in some specialized cells such as macrophages. Our new expression vector could represent a useful tool to study the receptor and its partnership further.
The aerodynamics ofManduca sexta: digital particle image velocimetry analysis of the leading-edge vortex
Authors: Bomphrey Richard J. , Lawson Nicholas J. , Harding Nicholas J. , Taylor Graham K. , Thomas Adrian L. R.
Published: March 2005

Here we present the first digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV)analysis of the flow field around the wings of an insect (the tobacco hawkmoth Manduca sexta, tethered to a 6-component force-moment balance in a wind tunnel). A leading-edge vortex (LEV) is present above the wings towards the end of the downstroke, as the net upward force peaks. Our DPIV analyses and smoke visualisations match the results of previous flow visualisation experiments at midwing, and we extend the experiments to provide the first analysis of the flow field above the thorax. Detailed DPIV measurements show that towards the end of the downstroke, the LEV structure is consistent with that recently reported in free-flying butterflies and dragonflies: the LEV is continuous across the thorax and runs along each wing to the wingtip, where it inflects to form the wingtip trailing vortices. The LEV core is 2-3 mm in diameter (approximately 10% of local wing chord) both at the midwing position and over the centreline at 1.2 m s-1 and at 3.5 m s-1flight speeds. At 1.2 m s-1 the measured LEV circulation is 0.012±0.001 m2 s-1 (mean ± s.d.) at the centreline and 0.011±0.001 m2 s-1 halfway along the wing. At 3.5 m s-1LEV circulation is 0.011±0.001 m2 s-1 at the centreline and 0.020±0.004 m2 s-1 at midwing. The DPIV measurements suggest that if there is any spanwise flow in the LEV towards the end of the downstroke its velocity is less than 1 m s-1. Estimates of force production show that the LEV contributes significantly to supporting body weight during bouts of flight at both speeds(more than 10% of body weight at 1.2 m s-1 and 35-65% of body weight at 3.5 m s-1).
Context cues eliminate retroactive interference effects in honeybees Apis mellifera
Authors: Cheng Ken
Published: March 2005

Free flying honeybees were trained successively on two different tasks of landmark-based spatial memory. On both task 1 and task 2, the goal was at a consistent distance and direction from a cylindrical landmark. The colours of the landmarks differed for the two tasks. The target direction from the landmark in task 2 was opposite to that in task 1. The context in which task 2 took place was either the same as the task-1 context or different: being a short distance away, having different surrounding landmarks, and a different colour on the training table. After each task, the bees were tested on task 1 in the task-1 context (test 1 and test 2). If task 2 had the same context as task 1, the bees performed at chance on test 2. If task 2 had a different context, performance on test 2 was unaffected, remaining as good as on test 1. Contextual cues thus guide memory retrieval, and prevent any confusions about which response (that appropriate for task 1 or for task 2) to perform.
MUSASHI: NMR Pulse Width Determination Method by Nonlinear Least Square Curve Fitting
Authors: Kurimoto Tomomitsu , Asakura Katsuo , Yamasaki Chiharu , Nemoto Nobuaki
Published: March 2005

We have developed a new method named MUSASHI to determine the 90° 1H pulse width in 1H-NMR in an automated fashion using a nonlinear least square curve fitting algorithm. This method is very robust and provides an efficient mechanism for automatic pulse width calibration of spectrometers especially in the field of structural genomics by NMR.
Perhydroxylation of Chiral Cycloheptatriene Ring through Stepwise Oxidation under Regio- and Stereocontrol
Authors: Sugimura Takashi , Kagawa Masami , Ohuchi Naoko , Inoue Aya , Okuyama Tadashi
Published: March 2005

Sequential oxidation of an optically active cycloheptatriene derivative was achieved under regio- and stereocontrol to result in perhydroxylation products.
Vesicle–Micelle Transition of N-Acyl Phenylalaninate Salt in Very Dilute Aqueous Solution
Authors: Ohta Akio , Tani-i Kumiko , Hoshiba Aoi , Asakawa Tsuyoshi , Miyagishi Shigeyoshi
Published: March 2005

A unique aggregation behavior of potassium N-tetradecanoyl phenylalaninate in dilute aqueous solution was investigated. Surface tension, fluorescence intensity (using probes) and size distribution measurements suggest that a transition from vesicle to micelle takes place. It is presumed that formation of an acid-soap dimer, which is stabilized by an interaction between phenyl groups, brings about construction of vesicle particles at a very dilute concentration.
Taking Aim
Authors: Fiorini Marcelo
Published: March 2005

Taking Aim. 1993. 41 min., color. video by Monica Frota. For more information contact Monica Frota at Rua Visconde de Ouro Preto 611/201, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 22250‐180, (55 21 5376235).
Himalayan Herders
Authors: Fisher James F.
Published: March 2005

Himalayan Herders. 1997.76 minutes, color. film by John Bishop and Naomi Bishop. For more information contact Documentary Educational Resources, 101 Morse St, Watertown, MA 02172.
The Rise and Fall of Culture History; Americanist Culture History: Fundamentals of Time, Space, and Form
Authors: Longacre William A.
Published: March 2005

The Rise and Fall of Culture History. R. Lee Lyman. Michael J. O'Brien. and Robert C. Dunnell. New York: Plenum Press, 1997.271pp.

Americanist Culture History: Fundamentals of Time, Space, and Form. R. Lee Lyman. Michael J. O'Brien. and Robert C. Dunnell. eds. New York: Plenum Press, 1997.499 p
Worlds of Talk: The Presentation of Self in Everyday Conversation
Authors: Urciuoli Bonnie
Published: March 2005

Worlds of Talk: The Presentation of Self in Everyday Conversation. Martin J. Malone. Maiden, MA: Blackwell Publishers. 1997.182pp.
Readings in African Popular Culture; Perspectives on Africa: A Reader in Culture, History, and Representation
Authors: Piot Charles
Published: March 2005

Readings in African Popular Culture. Karin Barber. ed. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1997.184 pp.

Perspectives on Africa:. Reader in Culture, History, and Representation. Roy R. Grinker and Christopher B. Steiner. eds. Cambridge, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 1997.736 pp.
Afro/Creole: Power, Opposition, and Play in the Caribbean
Authors: Nunley John W.
Published: March 2005

Afro/Creole: Power,. pposition, and Play in the Caribbean. Richard D. E. Burton. Idiaca and London: Cornell University Press, 1997.298 pp.
Women and Work: A Reader
Authors: Rothstein Frances
Published: March 2005

Women and Work:. Reader. Paula J. Dubeck and Kathryn Borman. eds. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1997.550 pp.
Death, Gender, and Ethnicity
Authors: Scheper‐Hughes Nancy
Published: March 2005

Death, Gender, and Ethnicity. David Field. Jenny Hockey. and Neil Small. eds. New York: Routledge, 1997.230 pp.
The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama
Authors: Harrell Stevan
Published: March 2005

The Snow Lion and the Dragon: China, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama. Melvyn C. Goldstein. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1997.152 pp.
Contesting Art: Politics and Identity in the Modern World
Authors: Alland Alexander
Published: March 2005

Contesting Art: Politics and Identity in the Modern World. Jeremy MacClancy. ed. New York: New York University Press, 1997.254 pp.
Tourism, Ethnicity and the State in Asian and Pacific Societies
Authors: Keyes Charles
Published: March 2005

Tourism, Ethnicity and the State in Asian and Pacific Societies. Michel Picard and Robert E. Wood .eds.Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1997.260 pp.
Guía Etnográfica de la Alta Amazonía, vol. 1 (Mai Huna, Yagua, Ticuna)
Authors: Brown Michael F.
Published: March 2005

Guía Etnográfica de la Alta Amazonía, vol. (Mai Huna, Yagua, Ticuna). Fernando Santos and Frederica Barclay. eds. Quito: Facultad Latinamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO) and Instituto Frances de Estudios Andinos (IFEA), 1994.456 pp.
In the Spirit of the Game? Cricket & Changing Notions of Being British in Northern Ireland
Authors: Carter Thomas
Published: March 2005

This article looks at cricket as a cultural practice that embodies Britishness in Northern Ireland. In general, cricket is mythologically tied to an unchanging, nostalgic vision of quintessential Britishness. As a practice, though, cricket represents varieties of Britishness as well as other identities. In Northern Ireland, being "British" is taken as possessing a specific political position and viewpoint within the context of the sectarian conflict that dominated the sociopolitical realm in the latter half of the twentieth century. The cessation of formal political violence in 1998 not only resulted in increased economic prosperity and investment but also increased immigration to the region. Consequently, alternative, more broadly defined notions of Britishness potentially threaten the entrenched, locally specific understandings. I argue that these new understandings played out against local sensibilities on the cricket pitch represent some of the changes occurring in post‐conflict Northern Ireland.
"We Just Want to Live Normally": Intersecting Discourses of Public, Private, Poland, and the West
Authors: Galbraith Marysia
Published: March 2005

In postcommunist Poland, discourse on "the normal life" provides a view into young Poles' identity as shaped by processes of democratization, marketization, and globalization. In this article, I compare uses of the term "normal" for a group of urban and rural youths during two periods in the 1990s. I show that normal, like public and private, is a "shifter"— because the same term is used in a variety of contexts to describe various situations, it helps to integrate new experiences in a way that maintains a sense of continuity with the past. This discourse reveals young Poles' simultaneous attraction and resistance to idealizations of the West, and it also reflects the different opportunities available to rural and urban residents. These factors, in turn, help to shape young Poles1 orientations toward the future within and beyond the borders of Poland.
An Anthropology of the European Union: Building, Imagining and Experiencing the New Europe
Authors: Nic Craith Máiréad
Published: March 2005

An Anthropology of the European Union: Building, Imagining and Experiencing the New Europe, Irène Benller and Thomas M. Wilson, eds.Berg:Oxford, New York 2000
Family Contributions to Self Help Schooling in Malawi and Kenya*
Authors: Schafer Mark J.
Published: March 2005

Abstract  In the 1980s and 1990s African societies responded to reduced state educational capacity by expanding the reach of civil society‐non‐state societal organizations that sought to organize individuals and mobilize local resources for education and development. In this paper, I argue that rural African families were differentially prepared to respond to these changes in state‐society relations. I develop a model of family contributions to self help schooling that integrates a range of theoretical perspectives emphasizing the importance of social capital, family economy, family background, and family structure. Then, I utilize original, household survey data to apply the model across diverse national and regional contexts. One major analytical finding points to the importance of family memberships in local civil for predicting self help schooling. Another contribution of the paper is that it demonstrates both similarities and differences in factors influencing family contributions to self help schooling across nations and regions.
Lived Experiences and Fear of Cancer Recurrence Among Survivors of Localized Cutaneous Melanoma
Authors: Mahama Ayisha N. , Haller Courtney N. , Labrada Jocelyn , Idiong Christie I. , Haynes Alex B. , Jacobs Elizabeth A. , Tsevat Joel , Pignone Michael P. , Adamson Adewole S.
Published: February 2024

Importance

Most of the rapid increase in cutaneous melanoma incidence in the US has been localized disease that is treated surgically and is associated with high survival rates. However, little is known about the psychological well-being of survivors in the US.

Objective

To explore the lived experiences and fear of cancer recurrence among survivors of localized cutaneous melanoma.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This was a qualitative and survey-based study that used semistructured interviews and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory short form (FCRI-SF) survey tool with participants recruited from an academic dermatology practice affiliated with the University of Texas, Austin. Interviews were completed via telephone or in person from August 2021 to September 2022. Each of the 9 items in the FCRI-SF was rated on a 5-point Likert scale, scored from 0 to 4, with a maximum possible score of 36 points. Data analyses were performed from February 2022 to June 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Semistructured interviews were analyzed for themes and subthemes associated with the lived experiences of survivors of cutaneous melanoma. The FCRI-SF scores were tabulated, with scores of 13 or greater identifying potential cases of clinically significant fear of cancer recurrence.

Results

In all, 51 participants (mean [SD] age, 49.5 [11.7] years; 34 [67%] female and 17 [33%] male) with a history of localized melanoma (stage 0-IIA) completed the interview and survey. Among them, 17 (33%) had survived a diagnosis of stage 0 melanoma, and the remainder, at least 1 invasive melanoma diagnosis (stage I-IIA). Semistructured interviews revealed several themes: (1) emotions surrounding follow-up appointments, (2) intensity of melanoma surveillance, (3) lifestyle changes regarding sun exposure, and (4) thoughts about life and death. Thirty-eight of 51 participants had an FCRI-SF score above the threshold for clinical fear of cancer recurrence.

Conclusions and Relevance

This qualitative and survey-based study found that despite having an excellent prognosis, some survivors of localized melanoma, even those who had stage 0, have high rates of fear of cancer recurrence and intense survivorship experiences that affect their psychological well-being.
Cost-Effectiveness of Population-Based Multigene Testing for Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention
Authors: Guo Fangjian , Adekanmbi Victor , Hsu Christine D. , Berenson Abbey B. , Kuo Yong-Fang , Shih Ya-Chen Tina
Published: February 2024

Importance

The current method of BRCA testing for breast and ovarian cancer prevention, which is based on family history, often fails to identify many carriers of pathogenic variants. Population-based genetic testing offers a transformative approach in cancer prevention by allowing for proactive identification of any high-risk individuals and enabling early interventions.

Objective

To assess the lifetime incremental effectiveness, costs, and cost-effectiveness of population-based multigene testing vs family history–based testing.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This economic evaluation used a microsimulation model to assess the cost-effectiveness of multigene testing (BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2) for all women aged 30 to 35 years compared with the current standard of care that is family history based. Carriers of pathogenic variants were offered interventions, such as magnetic resonance imaging with or without mammography, chemoprevention, or risk-reducing mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, to reduce cancer risk. A total of 2000 simulations were run on 1 000 000 women, using a lifetime time horizon and payer perspective, and costs were adjusted to 2022 US dollars. This study was conducted from September 1, 2020, to December 15, 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome measure was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), quantified as cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. Secondary outcomes included incremental cost, additional breast and ovarian cancer cases prevented, and excess deaths due to coronary heart disease (CHD).

Results

The study assessed 1 000 000 simulated women aged 30 to 35 years in the US. In the base case, population-based multigene testing was more cost-effective compared with family history–based testing, with an ICER of $55 548 per QALY (95% CI, $47 288-$65 850 per QALY). Population-based multigene testing would be able to prevent an additional 1338 cases of breast cancer and 663 cases of ovarian cancer, but it would also result in 69 cases of excess CHD and 10 excess CHD deaths per million women. The probabilistic sensitivity analyses show that the probability that population-based multigene testing is cost-effective was 100%. When the cost of the multigene test exceeded $825, population-based testing was no longer cost-effective (ICER, $100 005 per QALY; 95% CI, $87 601-$11 6323).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this economic analysis of population-based multigene testing, population-based testing was a more cost-effective strategy for the prevention of breast cancer and ovarian cancer when compared with the current family history–based testing strategy at the $100 000 per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold. These findings support the need for more comprehensive genetic testing strategies to identify pathogenic variant carriers and enable informed decision-making for personalized risk management.
The three‐dimensional structure of the Vint domain from Tetrahymena thermophila suggests a ligand‐regulated cleavage mechanism by the HINT fold
Authors: Iwaï Hideo , Beyer Hannes M. , Johansson Julia E. M. , Li Mi , Wlodawer Alexander
Published: February 2024

Vint proteins have been identified in unicellular metazoans as a novel hedgehog‐related gene family, merging the von Willebrand factor type A domain and the Hedgehog/INTein (HINT) domains. We present the first three‐dimensional structure of the Vint domain from Tetrahymena thermophila corresponding to the auto‐processing domain of hedgehog proteins, shedding light on the unique features, including an adduct recognition region (ARR). Our results suggest a potential binding between the ARR and sulfated glycosaminoglycans like heparin sulfate. Moreover, we uncover a possible regulatory role of the ARR in the auto‐processing by Vint domains, expanding our understanding of the HINT domain evolution and their use in biotechnological applications. Vint domains might have played a crucial role in the transition from unicellular to multicellular organisms.
Synergizing CXCL9 with BRD4‐PROTAC Using Nanochaperone Boosts Robust T Cell‐Dependent Antitumor Immune Responses for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Chen Jiajing , Ma Feihe , Zhang Yongxin , Xu Mengchen , Xu Linlin , Liu Yang , Ma Rujiang , Shi Linqi
Published: February 2024

The efficacy of cancer immunotherapy is greatly restricted by insufficient infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and immunosuppressive microenvironment in tumor tissue. Here a potent strategy to address the limitations by combination therapy of chemokine (CXCL9) with BRD4‐PROTAC (dBET6) using the unique mixed‐shell polymeric micelle (MSPM)‐based nanochaperone (nChap) delivery platform is reported. CXCL9 significantly enhances the intratumoral infiltration of CD8+ T cells while dBET6 induces tumor cell immunogenic cell death (ICD) and downregulates the interferon‐γ (IFNγ)‐triggered programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression, synergizing to boost robust T cell‐dependent antitumor immunity responses to enhance cancer immunotherapy is demonstrated. Moreover, this nano‐CXCL9/dBET6 exhibits reduced systemic toxicity, prolonged half‐life, and enhanced tumor accumulation in comparison to free drugs. This study provides a promising strategy for efficient cancer immunotherapy.
Dual‐Type Ru Atomic Sites for Efficient Alkaline Overall Water Splitting
Authors: Wang Peng , Wang Ke , Liu Yunjie , Li Huifang , Guo Yun , Tian Yu , Guo Shan , Luo Mingchuan , He Yan , Liu Zhiming , Guo Shaojun
Published: February 2024

Monotypic catalytic site for bifunctional hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at low overpotential is a grand challenge in alkaline water splitting. Herein, a new strategy of dual‐type atomic site‐support interaction is reported, in which ruthenium heteroatoms are in situ implanted into both the N‐C nanosheet matrix (Ru1‐N‐C) and supported Co2P nanoparticle lattice (Ru2‐P‐Co) for boosting alkaline water splitting. It is found that the Ru1‐N‐C and Ru2‐P‐Co can give rise to a synergistic effect for boosting HER and OER catalysis. Density functional theory calculations disclose that for HER, the Ru‐functionalized Co sites in Co2P assume the task of expediting H2O adsorption‐dissociation, and the adjacent coordination unsaturated Ru1‐N‐C sites can facilitate the following H2 desorption kinetic. The study found that the hydrogen spillover mechanism contributes to an ultralow HER polarization of 69 mV at 10 mA cm−2. While for OER, due to electronegativity discrepancies, the doped Ru within Co2P triggers electronic coupling, thereby efficiently tuning Ru d‐band center. This grants its electronic characteristic preferred for modulating rate‐determining step of OER to reduce the corresponding energy barrier, leading to superior OER catalytic activity . This work offers new understandings into catalyzing different reactions with multiple intermediate adsorptions by different atomic site‐support interplays.
Sprayable Superoleophobic Coatings for Pumpless Handling of Low‐Surface‐Tension Liquids
Authors: Moitra Shashwata , Megaridis Constantine M.
Published: February 2024

Limited attention has been paid to repellency and wettability‐confined transport of low‐surface‐tension liquids, such as oils, alcohols, and hydrocarbons. This is because repellency becomes very difficult for fluids with surface tension below 30 mN m−1. This situation is encountered in many engineering applications using organic liquids and thus, oleophobic surfaces are of high technological importance. In this work, a nanocomposite coating comprising of fluorinated silica micro‐ and nanoparticles (filler), a copolymer (binder), and traces of fluorinated polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (additive, lowest surface‐energy crystalline material reported to date) is spray‐deposited on a surface pretextured by laser etching, a technique that requires no lithographic processing. The approach results in surfaces that can repel liquid hydrocarbons with surface tension as low as 21.14 mN m−1 and also hinder the spreading of heptane (19.74 mN m−1) at room temperature. The repellency of several organic liquids with surface tensions in the range of 19.7 – 27 mN m−1 is experimentally investigated and compared with water (baseline case). To study the effect of fluid properties, comparisons are performed between the distances traveled and the velocities of microliter droplets transported pumplessly on wedge‐shaped wettability‐patterned tracks that confine the liquids by the superoleophobic background surrounding the wettable tracks.
Semi‐Solid Stretchable Carbon Nanotubes Inkpad for Hand‐Based Haptic Interaction
Authors: Wang Ziqi , Zhou Zejian , Tian Yingzhe , Lei Dongyue , Liu Yan , Huang Tianjia , Tang Qingyun , Zhang Yuru , Wang Dangxiao
Published: February 2024

Dexterity and perceptual abilities of the hand are crucial in virtual reality (VR) interactions. This necessitates haptic gloves capable of accurately measuring finger movements and ensuring comfort, a challenging combination that demands both high sensitivity and stretchability. A flexible sensor fabricated from semi‐solid material CNTs‐Inkpad composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) mixed with silica gel is proposed and its real‐time response can be achieved by controlling the ratio. Its semi‐solid form harnesses CNTs' high conductivity and sensitivity, avoiding structural cracking in solid CNTs during extensive stretching, thus the semi‐solid form can adapt to various hand gestures. This mechanism enables the CNTs‐Inkpad to function as strain sensors with high gauge factors (GF = 16.99) and high extensibility (350%). By integrating ten CNTs‐Inkpad sensors and five vibrators, a thin and lightweight haptic glove is developed with high sensitivity and stretchability. The glove enables collaborative measurement of all finger joints required for typical gestures in VR interactions, suitable for motion detection and haptic feedback.
Highly Stable Oxynitride Persistent Phosphors with Widely Distributed Traps for Information Storage and Anticounterfeiting
Authors: Lv Ying , Zhao Ning , Li Wuqiang , Lin Cunjian , Chen Changjian , Ueda Jumpei
Published: February 2024

Persistent phosphors are widely investigated in indications, bio‐imaging, information storage, and anticounterfeiting. However, it remains a challenge to develop highly stable persistent phosphors with abundant and widely distributed traps. Here, a Ba0.58Sr0.4Al3Si3O4N5:0.02Yb2+ (Ba0.6Sr0.4Al3Si3O4N5:Yb2+) persistent phosphor with an excellent persistent luminescence (PersL) time of 383 min is reported before decaying to 0.32 mcd m−2 due to the existence of abundant intrinsic electron traps. Ba0.6Sr0.4Al3Si3O4N5:Yb2+ owns a trap distribution ranging from 0.41 to 1.04 eV and has a remarkably broad full width at half maximum (FWHM) of TL curve (169 K) among currently reported persistent phosphors. The robust stability of Ba0.6Sr0.4Al3Si3O4N5:Yb2+ is evidenced by immersing in hot water and annealing at the high temperature for different time, which showed PersL retention rates of over 90%. Temperature‐assisted information storage in this persistent phosphor is successfully demonstrated. Furthermore, a step‐by‐step write‐in method is implemented in anticounterfeiting, and the coded information can be optionally decoded at different temperatures due to the wide trap distribution in Ba0.6Sr0.4Al3Si3O4N5:Yb2+. This work demonstrates highly stable oxynitride persistent phosphors with widely distributed traps show great promise in information storage, anticounterfeiting, and photodetectors.
Strain‐Induced α‐Phase Stabilization for Low Dark Current FAPI‐Based Photodetectors
Authors: Hong Eunyoung , Nodari Davide , Furlan Francesco , Angela Edoardo , Panidi Julianna , McLachlan Martyn A. , Gasparini Nicola
Published: February 2024

Formamidinium lead iodide (FAPbI3) has gained considerable interest as a promising photoactive layer for optoelectronic devices due to its broad spectrum of light absorption and increased thermal stability when compared to its conventional methylammonium counterpart (MAPbI3). Recent developments in substituting formamidinium (FA) with smaller Cs cations have further accelerated its growth in the photovoltaic (PV) community by enhancing phase stability and power conversion efficiency (PCE). However, only a few studies are reported on perovskite photodetectors (PPDs). Here, the influence of Cs incorporation is investigated on PD performance in the CsXFA1‐XPbI3 system (X = 0–0.25). Finding that the partial substitution of FA with Cs cations alleviates lattice strain by increasing crystallinity and inducing a well‐ordered surface morphology with vertical crystallographic orientation, which suppresses non‐radiative recombination mechanisms. Such improved physicochemical properties of the mixed‐cation perovskite light absorbers can improve the PD performance by reducing the dark and noise current to values as low as 3.3 × 10−9 A cm−2 and 6.1 × 1011 A Hz−1/2, thereby enabling PPDs with a faster photoresponse and greater sensitivity, which holds great promise for future optoelectronics applications.
Kinome‐Wide Synthetic Lethal Screen Identifies PANK4 as a Modulator of Temozolomide Resistance in Glioblastoma
Authors: Vella Viviana , Ditsiou Angeliki , Chalari Anna , Eravci Murat , Wooller Sarah K. , Gagliano Teresa , Bani Cecilia , Kerschbamer Emanuela , Karakostas Christos , Xu Bin , Zhang Yongchang , Pearl Frances M.G. , Lopez Gianluca , Peng Ling , Stebbing Justin , Klinakis Apostolos , Giamas Georgios
Published: February 2024

Temozolomide (TMZ) represents the cornerstone of therapy for glioblastoma (GBM). However, acquisition of resistance limits its therapeutic potential. The human kinome is an undisputable source of druggable targets, still, current knowledge remains confined to a limited fraction of it, with a multitude of under‐investigated proteins yet to be characterized. Here, following a kinome‐wide RNAi screen, pantothenate kinase 4 (PANK4) isuncovered as a modulator of TMZ resistance in GBM. Validation of PANK4 across various TMZ‐resistant GBM cell models, patient‐derived GBM cell lines, tissue samples, as well as in vivo studies, corroborates the potential translational significance of these findings. Moreover, PANK4 expression is induced during TMZ treatment, and its expression is associated with a worse clinical outcome. Furthermore, a Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)‐based quantitative proteomic approach, reveals that PANK4 abrogation leads to a significant downregulation of a host of proteins with central roles in cellular detoxification and cellular response to oxidative stress. More specifically, as cells undergo genotoxic stress during TMZ exposure, PANK4 depletion represents a crucial event that can lead to accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent cell death. Collectively, a previously unreported role for PANK4 in mediating therapeutic resistance to TMZ in GBM is unveiled.
Medium‐Dose Formoterol Attenuated Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Induced by EPO via β2AR/cAMP/SIRT1 Pathway
Authors: Zhang Jianlin , Cao Yu , Ren Ruiqing , Sui Wenhai , Zhang Yun , Zhang Meng , Zhang Cheng
Published: February 2024

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life‐threatening vascular disease but effective drugs for treatment of AAA are still lacking. Recently, erythropoietin (EPO) is reported to induce AAA formation in apolipoprotein‐E knock out (ApoE−/−) mice but an effective antagonist is unknown. In this study, formoterol, a β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonist, is found to be a promising agent for inhibiting AAA. To test this hypothesis, ApoE−/− mice are treated with vehicle, EPO, and EPO plus low‐, medium‐, and high‐dose formoterol, respectively. The incidence of AAA is 0, 55%, 35%,10%, and 55% in these 5 groups, respectively. Mechanistically, senescence of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) is increased by EPO while decreased by medium‐dose formoterol both in vivo and in vitro, manifested by the altered expression of senescence biomarkers including phosphorylation of H2AXserine139, senescence‐associated β‐galactosidase activity, and P21 protein level. In addition, expression of sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) in aorta is decreased in EPO‐induced AAA but remarkably elevated by medium‐dose formoterol. Knockdown of β2AR and blockage of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) attenuate the inhibitory role of formoterol in EPO‐induced VSMC senescence. In summary, medium‐dose formoterol attenuates EPO‐induced AAA via β2AR/cAMP/SIRT1 pathways, which provides a promising medication for the treatment of AAA.
Continuous Synthesis of Nanoscale Emulsions by Vapor Condensation (EVC)
Authors: Anand Sushant , Galavan Vincent , Mulik Mahesh Uttamrao
Published: February 2024

Emulsions are widely used in many industrial applications, and the development of efficient techniques for synthesizing them is a subject of ongoing research. Vapor condensation is a promising method for energy‐efficient, high‐throughput production of monodisperse nanoscale emulsions. However, previous studies using this technique are limited to producing small volumes of water‐in‐oil dispersions. In this work, a new method for the continuous synthesis of nanoscale emulsions (water‐in‐oil and oil‐in‐water) is presented by condensing vapor on free‐flowing surfactant solutions. The viability of oil vaporization and condensation is demonstrated under mild heating/cooling using diverse esters, terpenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and alkanes. By systematically investigating water vapor and oil vapor condensation dynamics on bulk liquid‐surfactant solutions, a rich diversity of outcomes, including floating films, nanoscale drops, and hexagonally packed microdrops is uncovered. It is demonstrated that surfactant concentration impacts oil spreading, self‐emulsification, and such behavior can aid in the emulsification of condensed oil drops. This work represents a critical step toward advancing the vapor condensation method's applications for emulsions and colloidal systems, with broad implications for various fields and the development of new emulsion‐based products and industrial processes.
Targeting Nuclear Mechanics Mitigates the Fibroblast Invasiveness in Pathological Dermal Scars Induced by Matrix Stiffening
Authors: Fu Xiangting , Taghizadeh Ali , Taghizadeh Mohsen , Li Cheng Ji , Lim Nam Kyu , Lee Jung‐Hwan , Kim Hye Sung , Kim Hae‐Won
Published: February 2024

Pathological dermal scars such as keloids present significant clinical challenges lacking effective treatment options. Given the distinctive feature of highly stiffened scar tissues, deciphering how matrix mechanics regulate pathological progression can inform new therapeutic strategies. Here, it is shown that pathological dermal scar keloid fibroblasts display unique metamorphoses to stiffened matrix. Compared to normal fibroblasts, keloid fibroblasts show high sensitivity to stiffness rather than biochemical stimulation, activating cytoskeletal‐to‐nuclear mechanosensing molecules. Notably, keloid fibroblasts on stiff matrices exhibit nuclear softening, concomitant with reduced lamin A/C expression, and disrupted anchoring of lamina‐associated chromatin. This nuclear softening, combined with weak adhesion and high contractility, facilitates the invasive migration of keloid fibroblasts through confining matrices. Inhibiting lamin A/C‐driven nuclear softening, via lamin A/C overexpression or actin disruption, mitigates such invasiveness of keloid fibroblasts. These findings highlight the significance of the nuclear mechanics of keloid fibroblasts in scar pathogenesis and propose lamin A/C as a potential therapeutic target for managing pathological scars.
Structural Vulnerability Control by Encapsulation Strategy toward Durable Lithium Metal Reference Electrodes
Authors: Xiao Ye , Xu Lei , Bi Chen‐Xi , Zhang Shuo , Ding Jun‐Fan , Yan Chong , Huang Jia‐Qi
Published: February 2024

As an effective decoupling and quantification tool, reference electrodes (REs) are increasingly utilized in the development of high‐performance and high‐safety lithium (Li) batteries. However, it is still challenging to construct durable REs in practical battery systems given the sophistication of multi‐field interactions. In this contribution, the two‐stage failure mechanism of Li metal REs set inside working batteries is determined, including the active material loss period due to spatial redistribution behavior and then accelerated failure period based on mixed potential theory, which greatly threatens the dynamic service lifespan of REs. Furthermore, the targeted encapsulation strategy is proposed to control the structural vulnerability issue of Li metal REs. Compared to the unmodified RE, the encapsulated RE is validated feasible to kinetically mitigate the redistribution current through it via designed model experiments. Benefited from the improved structural stability, the encapsulated RE achieved twofold lifetime prolongation in 1 Ah pouch full cells during cycling. This work reveals the neglected structural failure mechanism of Li metal REs in operation and provides fresh design implications toward more durable REs in working batteries, with which deeper insights into battery landscape will be acquired.
Medieval monastic health: Variation in skeletal signs of inflammation and developmental stress between religious orders in London
Authors: DeWitte Sharon N.
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Previous bioarchaeological analyses of medieval monastic and nonmonastic cemeteries in London revealed evidence of lower risks of mortality, and thus better health, in the monastic settings. However, comparison of the two monastic communities, Bermondsey Abbey and Merton Priory, which adhered to different religious ideals, suggested lower risks of mortality in the former. This study examines patterns of skeletal biomarkers, which reflect developmental stress or inflammation, in an attempt to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms producing apparent health differences in these monastic communities.

Materials and Methods

This study uses skeletal data on age‐at‐death, periosteal new bone formation (PNBF), and cribra orbitalia from 558 adults (18 years of age and older) estimated to be male from Bermondsey Abbey and Merton Priory. Biomarker age patterns are assessed via Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and binary logistic regression. Differences in frequencies of biomarkers between the monastic sites are evaluated using Chi‐square and hierarchical log‐linear analyses.

Results

In general, PNBF is positively associated with age, and cribra orbitalia is negatively associated with age. The frequency of PNBF formation is significantly higher and that of cribra orbitalia is significantly lower in Bermondsey Abbey compared with Merton Priory.

Conclusions

The differences in frequencies of these skeletal biomarkers support previous findings suggesting that health conditions were better in Bermondsey Abbey than in Merton Priory. The age patterns of cribra orbitalia suggest that these differences reflect conditions and the greater health‐promoting effects of religiosity or isolation from the lay community in Bermondsey Abbey rather than differences in selective admissions processes.
Achieving Record External Quantum Efficiency of 11.5 % in Solution‐Processable Deep‐Blue Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes Utilizing Hot Exciton Mechanism
Authors: Wang Wenhui , Bian Jinkun , Chen Kaijin , Li Chuying , Long Yubo , Huang Haitao , Jiang Long , Zhao Juan , Liu Siwei , Chi Zhenguo , Xu Jiarui , Zhang Yi
Published: February 2024

High performance solution‐processable deep‐blue emitters with a Commission International de l′Eclairage (CIE) coordinate of CIEy≤0.08 are highly desired in ultrahigh‐definition display. Although, deep‐blue materials with hybridized local and charge‐transfer (HLCT) excited‐state feature are promising candidates, their rigidity and planar molecular structures limit their application in solution‐processing technique. Herein, four novel deep‐blue solution‐processable HLCT emitters were first proposed by attaching rigid imide aliphatic rings as functional units onto the HLCT emitting core. The functional units not only improve solubility, enhance thermal properties and morphological stability of the emitting core, but also promote photoluminescence efficiency, balance charge carrier transport, and inhibit aggregation‐caused quenching effect due to the weak electron‐withdrawing property as well as steric hindrance. The corresponding solution‐processable organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) substantiate an unprecedented maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 11.5 % with an emission peak at 456 nm and excellent colour purity (full width at half maximum=56 nm and CIEy=0.09). These efficiencies represent the state‐of‐the‐art device performance among the solution‐processable blue OLEDs based on the “hot exciton” mechanism. This simple strategy opens up a new avenue for designing highly efficient solution‐processable deep‐blue organic luminescent materials.
Incorporation of an Anion‐Coordinated Triple Helicate into a Thin Film for Choline Recognition in an Aqueous System
Authors: Lian Mingli , Zhao Jie , Zhang Dan , Ye Sheng , Li Yidan , Yang Dong , Yang Xiao‐Juan , Wu Biao
Published: February 2024

Functional thin films, being fabricated by incorporating discrete supramolecular architectures, have potential applications in research areas such as sensing, energy storage, catalysis, and optoelectronics. Here, we have determined that an anion‐coordinated triple helicate can be solution‐processed into a functional thin film by incorporation into a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) matrix. The thin films fabricated by the incorporation of the anion‐coordinated triple helicate show multiple optical properties, such as fluorescence, CD, and CPL. In addition, the film has the ability to recognize choline and choline derivatives in a water system. The successful recognition of Ch+ by the film represents the first example of utilizing ‘aniono’‐supramolecular architectures for biomolecule detection in aqueous solution and opens up a new route for designing biocompatible functional materials.
The Lucigenin Assay: Measuring Anion Transport in Lipid Vesicles
Authors: Chvojka Matúš , Singh Anurag , Cataldo Alessio , Torres‐Huerta Aaron , Konopka Marcin , Šindelář Vladimír , Valkenier Hennie
Published: February 2024

Invited for this month′s cover are the collaborating groups of the Université libre de Bruxelles and Masaryk University. The cover picture shows liposomes with a fluorescent probe encapsulated to study the transmembrane transport of chloride by synthetic anion transporters via quenching of the fluorescence. More information can be found in the Concept article by Hennie Valkenier and co‐workers.