bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Five copper homeostasis gene clusters encode the Cu-efflux resistome of the highly copper-tolerant Methylorubrum extorquens AM1
Authors: Dávalos Araceli , García-de los Santos Alejandro
Published: February 2023

Background

In the last decade, the use of copper has reemerged as a potential strategy to limit healthcare-associated infections and to control the spread of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Numerous environmental studies have proposed that most opportunistic pathogens have acquired antimicrobial resistance in their nonclinical primary habitat. Thus, it can be presumed that copper-resistant bacteria inhabiting a primary commensal niche might potentially colonize clinical environments and negatively affect the bactericidal efficacy of Cu-based treatments. The use of copper in agricultural fields is one of the most important sources of Cu pollution that may exert selection pressure for the increase of copper resistance in soil and plant-associated bacteria. To assess the emergence of copper-resistant bacteria in natural habitats, we surveyed a laboratory collection of bacterial strains belonging to the order Rhizobiales. This study proposes that Methylorubrum extorquens AM1 is an environmental isolate well adapted to thrive in copper-rich environments that could act as a reservoir of copper resistance genes.

Methods

The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CuCl2 were used to estimate the copper tolerance of eight plant-associated facultative diazotrophs (PAFD) and five pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs (PPFM) belonging to the order Rhizobiales presumed to come from nonclinical and nonmetal-polluted natural habitats based on their reported source of isolation. Their sequenced genomes were used to infer the occurrence and diversity of Cu-ATPases and the copper efflux resistome of Mr. extorquens AM1.

Results

These bacteria exhibited minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CuCl2 ranging between 0.020 and 1.9 mM. The presence of multiple and quite divergent Cu-ATPases per genome was a prevalent characteristic. The highest copper tolerance exhibited by Mr. extorquens AM1 (highest MIC of 1.9 mM) was similar to that found in the multimetal-resistant model bacterium Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 and in clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii. The genome-predicted copper efflux resistome of Mr. extorquens AM1 consists of five large (6.7 to 25.7 kb) Cu homeostasis gene clusters, three clusters share genes encoding Cu-ATPases, CusAB transporters, numerous CopZ chaperones, and enzymes involved in DNA transfer and persistence. The high copper tolerance and the presence of a complex Cu efflux resistome suggest the presence of relatively high copper tolerance in environmental isolates of Mr. extorquens.
Effect of Different Priming Methods on Seed Viability and Seedling Growth of Upland Rice under Drought Stress
Authors: Kadir Muhammad , Darwisah Baso , Yassin Miss Rahma , Halid Erna , . Syamsia , Muliani Sri
Published: February 2023

This study aims to determine the effect of different priming methods on the viability and early growth of upland rice under drought stress.  Priming is an important approach to improve the resistance of upland rice plants to drought stress from the germination phase to growth, especially on sub-optimal land. There are several efficient priming methods as seed pretreatment to increase germination and tolerance to drought stress. An effective priming method is needed to increase the germination and growth of upland rice seedlings for application in dryland agriculture. Therefore, an experiment was conducted at the Seed laboratory of Pangkep State Polytechnic of Agriculture, Indonesia, from September to October of 2022 to investigate the effect of several priming methods on the germination and growth of upland rice seedlings under drought stress. The experiment consisted of 2 stages, germination testing and seedling growth phase testing with the addition of water stress treatment. Experiment 1 was conducted in a completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications, including Control (no priming), Osmopriming with 15% and 20% PEG solution, Redox Priming with 3% and 6% H2O2 solution, and Organic Priming using 50% and 75% Moringa leaf extract. Experiment 2 was conducted using a two-factor of factorial in Randomized Block design (RBD) with three replications. The first factor is the Seedling results of stage 1 experiments (selected the best of each priming method) includes 4 treatments each Control treatment, Osmopriming with 15% PEG solution, Redox Priming with 3% H2O2 solution, and Organic Priming with 50% Moringa Leaf Extract.  The second factor is the level of Drought Stress conducted by 100%, 60%, and 30% of Field Capacity. The results showed that the priming method with Osmopriming 15% PEG solution gave the best results on Seed germination percentage (87.5%) followed by Organic priming with 50% Moringa Leaf Extract (SGP 85%). Under drought stress conditions with 30% field capacity, the highest increase in proline levels was observed with H2O2 redox priming 3%  (10.3 µ-mol. g-1 ), while the average root growth of all primed seedlings showed better root growth than seeds without priming treatment. Seed priming gives better results on the growth and physiological activities of upland rice at several levels of drought stress, in the early growth phase of seedlings
Geochemical Quantification and Appraisal of Three Genetically Different Derived Lateritic Soils
Authors: Ikubuwaje C. O. , Owoyemi H. T. , Nenuwa O. B.
Published: February 2023

This study was carried out at Federal Polytechnic; Ado Ekiti in Ekiti state on geochemical appraisal of three different genetically derived lateritic soils from south western Nigeria and their respective engineering performance in 2019. Twelve (12) disturbed soil samples were collected from granite (GDS), gneiss (GNS) and migmatite (MGS) rock terrains. These samples were collected at four different horizons of 0.5m intervals, resulting into a maximum depth of 2.0m for each of the three trial pits for geochemical analysis. The results showed that the soil samples were characterized by high proportion of SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 with an average (SiO2 + Al2O3 + Fe2O3) of 94.8% with trace amounts of MnO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, P2O5, TiO2 and K2O, indicating a high depletion degree. The geochemical quantification results showed that laterization range from 0.68 to 1.66%, Clayeness from 0.37 to 0.53 %, Siliceousness from 1.88 to 2.70%, Stabilization from 34.30 to 56.57%, Bonding Strength 36.29 to 57.80%, and Weathering Indices from 84.42 to 96.44. The results showed that the GDS has highest Clayeyeness, bonding strength, stabilization, best laterization and lowest siliceousness properties, indicating lowest permeability, best bearing capacity and mechanical stability followed by MGS and GNS, respectively. This result revealed that GDS and MGS soils are more suitable as mineral seal while GNS possesses preferred properties as foundation fills.
Yield Estimation of Dolichos Bean (Lablab purpureus L.) Using Different Clustering Techniques
Authors: Jahnavi A. P. , Madhu B. , Vinay H. T. , Nagaraja Y.
Published: February 2023

Dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L.) is an important leguminous vegetable crop. Diversity of genes to a high extent in the gene pool provides better opportunities to develop appropriate plant varieties. Hence, finding advantageous traits or their combinations is the key step. Genetic diversity is important for parents to be chosen for potential breeding programmes. In general, genetically divergent parents are used in segregating generations to produce the optimal recombinants. Green seed yield of the crop is influenced by number of yield contributing characters such as, green pod yield, pods per plant, days to 50 percent flowering, number of primary branches, raceme per plant, nodes per raceme, raceme length and 100 fresh seed weight. The association between the characters and yield provides basis for further breeding programme. Cluster analysis was used to classify the germplasm accessions into different clusters based on the morphological traits of the accessions. The data on germplasm accessions (64) was collected from the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru, Karnataka. Euclidean distance metric was used to measure the difference between germplasms. Elbow method indicated three optimum genotype clusters. Three clustering methods were used viz., single, complete and average linkage. Dunn and Silhouette indices were used to validate the clusters. It was found that Average linkage method was best among the three. Further, in the third cluster by average linkage method with 12 genotypes was found to have highest green seed yield and green pod yield. Hence these 12 genotypes can be used for further breeding programmes.
Identification and Profiling of Risk Factors Associated with Decreased Fish Population and Biodiversity: A Case Study of Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh during 2020 to 2021
Authors: Gajula Deepthi , Priya S. P. Jeya
Published: February 2023

At the start, we consider the greatest decreases in reproducing populace size that have been seen across a wide scope of animal categories. The essential imperative on such an activity is that these alleged memorable paces of decline will constantly misjudge real decays, since genuine notable populace maxima will have happened well before fishery the executives offices started gathering information on fish overflow. For most fish populaces, dependable quantitative information on overflow have just been accessible for the beyond 2 to thirty years. In this information base, bringing forth stock size, enlistment, gets by the fishery, and fishing mortality, all assessed by the public or global organization answerable for the administration of every populace, are accessible for a considerable length of time. Obviously marine fishes have encountered phenomenal downfalls comparative with known memorable levels. These information depend on populaces for which time series reach out something like 10 years, with a mean of 25 years and a limit of 73 years. Taken all in all, the middle greatest populace decline among the 232 populaces for which information are accessible is 83%; well over portion of the populaces (58%) showed most extreme decays of 80% or more. The solid negative slant in the information, and the high middle decrease in overflow, are likewise apparent at lower ordered levels. Among 56 populaces of clupeids, 73% experienced notable downfalls of 80% or more. Inside the Gadidae and cod, of the 70 populaces for which there are information, the greater part declined 80% or more. Furthermore, among 30 pleuronectid populaces, 43% displayed declines of 80% or more. These outcomes are sobering for two reasons. To start with, a considerable lot of them have happened notwithstanding a gigantic work to keep them from occurring. Second, as indicated above, they depend on "noteworthy" maxima that are not exactly notable by any means, most fisheries having been well under way many years or hundreds of years before the time series of information started. Without even a trace of longer-term information, analysts' discernments will more often than not scale to time spans that they, or maybe their folks, can recall. This outcomes in the "moving benchmark condition", by which researchers acknowledge information from an ever increasing number of late periods as baselines, failing to remember that this permits definitely diminished populaces to fill in for the a lot higher baselines that happened before people started significantly affecting populaces.
Microbial Quality Assessment, Proximate, Vitamins, and Elemental Analysis of Fermented Milk Vended in Gombe Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Bashir Mohammed , Bilyaminu Mohammed , Umar Abdullahi Tawfiq
Published: February 2023

Milk and milk products are highly nutritious substances and they are more prone to microbial attack and spoiled very easily. Fermented milk was analyzed to ascertain the level of contaminants and to also to quantify it is nutritional composition. Total aerobic and anaerobic bacteria contaminants as well as coliform bacteria in the fermented milk were determined. The proximate, vitamin and mineral concentration of the fermented milk were also ascertained. The pH, temperature, turbidity and acidity of the fermented milk were found to be 4.38±0.29, 10.26±1.70C, 6.22±4.89NTU, 0.16±0.04 respectively. The mean aerobic and anaerobic bacteria were 2.23x109cfu/mL and 6.15x103cfu/mL while the coliform count was 6.10±2.2MPN/100mL. However, the fermented milk analyzed was found to contain an appreciable amount of proximate constituent, vitamins and mineral element. Lack of cooling system in most of the study areas can significantly increase the pH and temperature of the milk and this will create a good environment for microorganisms which when fermented milk stay longer the bacteria will further ferment the milk and produce acid turn the milk sour.
Quality of Care and Outcomes Among Patients Hospitalized for Heart Failure in Rural vs Urban US Hospitals
Authors: Pierce Jacob B. , Ikeaba Uchechukwu , Peters Anthony E. , DeVore Adam D. , Chiswell Karen , Allen Larry A. , Albert Nancy M. , Yancy Clyde W. , Fonarow Gregg C. , Greene Stephen J.
Published: February 2023

Importance

Prior studies have suggested patients with heart failure (HF) from rural areas have worse clinical outcomes. Contemporary differences between rural and urban hospitals in quality of care and clinical outcomes for patients hospitalized for HF remain poorly understood.

Objective

To assess quality of care and clinical outcomes for US patients hospitalized for HF at rural vs urban hospitals.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study analyzed 774 419 patients hospitalized for HF across 569 sites in the Get With The Guidelines–Heart Failure (GWTG-HF) registry between January 1, 2014, and September 30, 2021. Postdischarge outcomes were assessed in a subset of 161 996 patients linked to Medicare claims. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to January 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

GWTG-HF quality measures, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and 30-day mortality and readmission outcomes.

Results

This study included 19 832 patients (2.6%) and 754 587 patients (97.4%) hospitalized at 49 rural hospitals (8.6%) and 520 urban hospitals (91.4%), respectively. Of 774 419 included patients, 366 161 (47.3%) were female, and the median (IQR) age was 73 (62-83) years. Compared with patients at urban hospitals, patients at rural hospitals were older (median [IQR] age, 74 [64-84] years vs 73 [61-83] years; standardized difference, 10.63) and more likely to be non-Hispanic White (14 572 [73.5%] vs 498 950 [66.1%]; standardized difference, 34.47). In adjusted models, patients at rural hospitals were less likely to be prescribed cardiac resynchronization therapy (adjusted risk difference [aRD], −13.5%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22-0.92), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (aRD, −3.7%; aOR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.53-0.96), and an angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor (aRD, −5.0%; aOR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.47-0.98) at discharge. In-hospital mortality was similar between rural and urban hospitals (460 of 19 832 [2.3%] vs 20 529 of 754 587 [2.7%]; aOR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.70-1.07). Patients at rural hospitals were less likely to have a length of stay of 4 or more days (aOR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.67-0.85). Among Medicare beneficiaries, there were no significant differences between rural and urban hospitals in 30-day HF readmission (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.03; 95% CI, 0.90-1.19), all-cause readmission (aHR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.91-1.04), and all-cause mortality (aHR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.91-1.21).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this large contemporary cohort of US patients hospitalized for HF, care at rural hospitals was independently associated with lower use of some guideline-recommended therapies at discharge and shorter length of stay. In-hospital mortality and 30-day postdischarge outcomes were similar at rural and urban hospitals.
Psychometric Properties of Screening Instruments for Social Network Use Disorder in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Schlossarek Samantha , Schmidt Hannah , Bischof Anja , Bischof Gallus , Brandt Dominique , Borgwardt Stefan , Browne Dillon T. , Christakis Dimitri , Hurst-Della Pietra Pamela , Demetrovics Zsolt , Rumpf Hans-Jürgen
Published: February 2023

Importance

Children and adolescents spend considerable time on the internet, which makes them a highly vulnerable group for the development of problematic usage patterns. A variety of screening methods have already been developed and validated for social network use disorder (SNUD); however, a systematic review of SNUD in younger age groups has not been performed.

Objective

To review published reports on screening tools assessing SNUD in children and adolescents with a maximum mean age of 18.9 years.

Evidence Review

To identify instruments for the assessment of SNUD, a systematic literature search was conducted in the databases PsycINFO, PubMed, Web of Science, PsycArticles, and Scopus. The final search took place on May 2, 2022. Psychometric properties of available tools were examined and evaluated to derive recommendations for suitable instruments for individuals up to 18 years of age.

Findings

A total of 5746 publications were identified, of which 2155 were excluded as duplicates. Of the remaining 3591 nonredundant publications, 3411 studies were assessed as not relevant after title and abstract screening. A full-text analysis of 180 remaining studies classified as potentially eligible resulted in a final inclusion of 29 studies revealing validation evidence for a total of 19 tools. The study quality was mostly moderate. With regard to validation frequency, 3 tools exhibited the largest evidence base: Social Media Disorder Scale (SMDS), the short version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, and Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale–Short Form (BSMAS-SF). Among these, 1 study tested a parental version (SMDS-P) for its psychometric properties. Taking all criteria into account, the strongest recommendation was made for the SMDS and BSMAS-SF.

Conclusions and Relevance

Results suggest that the SMDS-SF and BSMAS-SF were appropriate screening measures for SNUD. Advantages of the SMDS are the availability of a short version and the possibility of an external parental rating.
Ultimate flexural strength of rectangular concrete‐filled steel tubular beam‐columns using high‐strength materials
Authors: Fujinaga Takashi
Published: February 2023

The ultimate flexural strength of concrete‐filled steel tubular (CFST) beam‐columns is calculated using the full‐plastic strength as per the “AIJ Recommendations for Design and Construction of Concrete Filled Steel Tubular Structures”. However, the full‐plastic strength might overestimate the ultimate strength of rectangular CFST beam‐columns, when the width‐to‐thickness ratio is significant and/or high‐strength materials are used. The calculation of the ultimate flexural strength when it exceeds the applicable range of AIJ CFT recommendations is based on a method that considers the stress reduction on the compression side of the steel tube or outermost edge strain of the concrete. However, both stress reduction and outermost edge strain should be considered when high‐strength materials are used in CFST for accurate ultimate strength formulas. In this study, a simple evaluation method for the ultimate flexural strength of rectangular CFST beam‐columns was proposed using the maximum strain at the extreme concrete compression fiber and stress reduction on the compression side of the steel tube. In addition, the appropriate strain at the extreme concrete fiber needed to accurately calculate the ultimate strength was discussed.
Improving and expanding hedgerows—Recommendations for a semi‐natural habitat in agricultural landscapes
Authors: Staley Joanna T. , Wolton Robert , Norton Lisa R.
Published: February 2023

Hedgerows provide habitat, shelter and resources for many species including functionally important taxa and threatened species. Hedgerows store carbon both above‐ and below‐ground and provide a range of other ecosystem services. Policies incentivizing increases in the extent and quality of hedgerows require evidence to determine how these increases may best support a wide range of taxa and to improve hedgerow habitat quality.

Here, available evidence for increasing hedgerow extent and improving their quality is discussed in the context of current conservation policy. Moderate evidence supports a substantial increase in average hedgerow extent from 4.2 km/km2 to around 10 km/km2 in the United Kingdom, to optimize support for many wildlife taxa, habitat connectivity and carbon storage.

Evidence also supports the development of wider and structurally denser hedges with more diverse structures and management approaches, and hedgerow networks that are well connected with each other and with other semi‐natural habitats.

However, barriers may hinder the implementation of hedgerow policies, and there remain substantive gaps in the evidence base. Knowledge gaps include the current quality or condition of UK hedges, understanding in which landscape contexts new hedges would best be planted to support biodiversity, the role of hedgerows in connectivity as species' ranges change under a future climate, and whether an increase in hedgerow extent might increase the spread of invasive species, tree pests or diseases.

These gaps must be filled if conservation policies, including future agri‐environment schemes, are to ensure that hedgerows reach their considerable potential in aiding nature's recovery and addressing climate change.
Setting a foundation for Indigenous knowledge systems‐guided boreal caribou (tǫdzı) conservation planning in the Western Boreal Region of Canada: A systematic map protocol
Authors: Saturno Jacquelyn , Boeckner Matthew , Haché Samuel , Hodson James , McAuley Emily , McIntire Eliot , Micheletti Tatiane , Polfus Jean , Sliwa Sophie , Teed Trevor , Westwood Alana R.
Published: February 2023

In recent years, researchers have increasingly recognized the need to bridge Western and Indigenous knowledge systems to strengthen research in wildlife conservation. Historically, this arena has not made space for Indigenous knowledge holders to share components of their knowledge systems with agency and to support their own self‐determination as equal partners.

Since time immemorial, Indigenous Peoples have been developing, maintaining and refining their own knowledge systems, based on intimate knowledge and relationships with the lands, airs, and waterways. There remains enormous potential for Western scientists to engage in equitable knowledge exchange and co‐production with Indigenous Peoples. This applies to species such as boreal caribou Rangifer tarandus caribou, known by the Dene name, tǫdzı; which hold ecological value and cultural importance for both Indigenous and non‐Indigenous people in the boreal region of Canada.

To gain an overarching perspective of this species, we will create a systematic literature map that will examine peer‐reviewed and grey literature involving spatial mapping of all species of caribou Rangifer tarandus based on Indigenous knowledge. This map will (a) characterize available data and previously engaged knowledge holders and (b) identify positive experiences that exemplify best practices for knowledge co‐production.

Searches will be conducted in English in selected databases. Search strings will be tested against a collection of benchmark papers of documents previously chosen to determine strings with maximum sensitivity and specificity. Results will be reviewed through the: (1) title and abstract; and (2) full text.

All screening decisions will be recorded in a database, with 10% of full‐text screening decisions validated. Items retained for inclusion in the systematic map will be coded using a list of coding questions. Ten percent of coding outcomes will be validated by a second reviewer.

The systematic map will employ a narrative synthesis approach that will compare retained studies against a list of best practices from the current proposal. It will examine case studies that performed well according to the list and contribute to a repository of previously documented Indigenous knowledge about caribou to support projects involving Indigenous and Western knowledge co‐production.
Acute Exposure to Pyridostigmine Bromide Disrupts Cholinergic Myenteric Neuroimmune Function in Mice
Authors: Collier Claudia A. , Foncerrada Steven , Clevenger Abigail J. , Shetty Ashok , Raghavan Shreya A.
Published: February 2023

Gulf War Illness (GWI) results from chemical exposure during the Gulf War, with notable impacts on gastrointestinal motility. Due to the limited demographic impacted by this ailment, an in‐depth investigation of the GWI has yielded little regarding the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Here, the hypothesis that exposure to pyridostigmine bromide (PB) results in severe enteric neuro‐inflammation, that cascades to disruptions in colonic motility, is tested. The analyses are performed on male C57BL/6 mice that are treated with physiologically similar doses of PB given to GW veterans. When colonic motility is assessed, GWI colons have significantly reduced forces in response to acetylcholine or electrical field stimulation. GWI is also accompanied by high levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, associated with increased numbers of CD40+ pro‐inflammatory macrophages within the myenteric plexus. Enteric neurons responsible for mediating colonic motility reside within the myenteric plexus, and PB exposure reduced their numbers. Significant smooth muscle hypertrophy is also observed due to increased inflammation. Together, the results show that PB exposure caused functional and anatomical dysfunction, promoting impaired motility within the colon. Achieving a greater understanding of the mechanisms of GWI will allow more refinement in therapeutic options that improve veterans’ quality of life.
Air Cooling Martensites—The Future of Carbon Neutral Steel Forgings?
Authors: Gramlich Alexander , Hagedorn Wiebke , Greiff Kathrin , Krupp Ulrich
Published: February 2023

The air‐hardening ductile forging steels belong to the third generation of advanced high‐strength steels and achieve their final, martensitic microstructure simply by air cooling from the forging heat. The present conference paper reviews the 15 years of development, different alloying strategies, and metallurgical throwbacks like manganese embrittlement. Furthermore, the most recent results concerning microstructure, mechanical properties, and cyclic material behavior obtained from an industrial trial melt are discussed together with the implications of these results on the carbon footprint (CF) and their impact on the resource efficiency of forged steel components. It is demonstrated that the CF of a steel product needs to be discussed on different levels, as the material‐, process‐, and product‐level contributions need to be considered. Furthermore, a case is made for new high‐strength steels in the context of circular economy, as increase fatigue resistance enables lightweighting potentials.
Dual‐Atom‐Site Sn‐Cu/C3N4 Photocatalyst Selectively Produces Formaldehyde from CO2 Reduction
Authors: Kim Bupmo , Kwon Dayoung , Baeg Jin‐Ook , Austeria P Muthu , Gu Geun Ho , Lee Jeong‐Hyeon , Jeong Jeehun , Kim Wooyul , Choi Wonyong
Published: February 2023

The solar‐driven catalytic reduction of CO2 to value‐added chemicals is under intensive investigation. The reaction pathway via *OCHO intermediate (involving CO2 adsorbed through O‐binding) usually leads to the two‐electron transfer product of HCOOH. Herein, a single‐atom catalyst with dual‐atom‐sites featuring neighboring Sn(II) and Cu(I) centers embedded in C3N4 framework is developed and characterized, which markedly promotes the production of HCHO via four‐electron transfer through the *OCHO pathway. The optimized catalyst achieves a high HCHO productivity of 259.1 µmol g−1 and a selectivity of 61% after 24 h irradiation, which is ascribed to the synergic role of the neighboring Sn(II)–Cu(I) dual‐atom sites that stabilize the target intermediates for HCHO production. Moreover, adsorbed *HCHO intermediate is detected by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (CO stretches at 1637 cm−1). This study provides a unique example that controls the selectivity of the multi‐electron transfer mechanisms of CO2 photoconversion using heteronuclear dual‐atom‐site catalyst to generate an uncommon product (HCHO) of CO2 reduction.
High‐Performance Aqueous Zn2+/Al3+ Electrochromic Batteries based on Niobium Tungsten Oxides
Authors: Wu Cong , Shi Hongsheng , Zhao Lianqi , Chen Xin , Zhang Xinshui , Zhang Chang , Yu Jiameng , Lv Yinjie , Wei Ran , Gao Tianyi , Xie Jin , Yu Yi , Liu Wei
Published: February 2023

Electrochromic energy storage devices (EESDs) are incorporating electrochromic and energy storage functions, which can visually display energy storage levels in real‐time to promote the next generation of transparent battery development. However, their performances are still limited for practical applications. Herein, a self‐powered EESD based on complex niobium tungsten oxide is designed using aqueous Zn2+ and hybrid Zn2+/Mn+ (Mn+ = Al3+, Mg2+, and K+) electrolytes. The results reveal that the use of Zn2+/Al3+ hybrid electrolyte achieves superior electrochromic performances including a short self‐coloring time, high optical contrast, and excellent cyclic stability. Furthermore, it is also found that the self‐coloring process is accompanied by a high discharged capacity of niobium tungsten oxide, with high optical modulation in the Zn2+/Al3+ hybrid electrolyte. The detailed mechanism on the performances of EESD using various electrolytes is systematically studied. This work provides a simple and effective strategy for an aqueous and self‐powered EESD with high optical contrast and good cycle stability.
Modular Design of a Polymer‐Bilayer‐Based Mechanically Compliant Worm‐Like Robot
Authors: Muff Livius F. , Mills Austin S. , Riddle Shane , Buclin Véronique , Roulin Anita , Chiel Hillel J. , Quinn Roger D. , Weder Christoph , Daltorio Kathryn A.
Published: February 2023

Soft earthworm‐like robots that exhibit mechanical compliance can, in principle, navigate through uneven terrains and constricted spaces that are inaccessible to traditional legged and wheeled robots. However, unlike the biological originals that they mimic, most of the worm‐like robots reported to date contain rigid components that limit their compliance, such as electromotors or pressure‐driven actuation systems. Here, a mechanically compliant worm‐like robot with a fully modular body that is based on soft polymers is reported. The robot is composed of strategically assembled, electrothermally activated polymer bilayer actuators, which are based on a semicrystalline polyurethane with an exceptionally large nonlinear thermal expansion coefficient. The segments are designed on the basis of a modified Timoshenko model, and finite element analysis simulation is used to describe their performance. Upon electrical activation of the segments with basic waveform patterns, the robot can move through repeatable peristaltic locomotion on exceptionally slippery or sticky surfaces and it can be oriented in any direction. The soft body enables the robot to wriggle through openings and tunnels that are much smaller than its cross‐section.
Rendering Polyurethane Hydrophilic for Efficient Cellulose Reinforcement in Melt‐Spun Nanocomposite Fibers
Authors: Redondo Alexandre , Bast Livia K. , Djeghdi Kenza , Airoldi Martino , Jang Daseul , Korley LaShanda T. J. , Steiner Ullrich , Bruns Nico , Gunkel Ilja
Published: February 2023

Many commodity plastics, such as thermoplastic polyurethanes (PUs), require reinforcement for use as commercial products. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) offer a “green” and scalable approach to polymer reinforcement as they are exceptionally stiff, recyclable, and abundant. Unfortunately, achieving efficient CNC reinforcement of PUs with industrial melt processing techniques is difficult, mostly due to the incompatibility of the hydrophobic PU with hydrophilic CNCs, limiting their dispersion. Here, a hydrophilic PU is synthesized to achieve strong reinforcement in melt‐processed nanocomposite fibers using filter paper‐sourced CNCs. The melt‐spun fibers, exhibiting smooth surfaces even at high CNC loading (up to 25 wt%) indicating good CNC dispersion, are bench‐marked against solvent‐cast films—solvent processing is not scalable but disperses CNCs well and produces strong CNC reinforcement. Mechanical analysis shows the CNC addition stiffens both nanocomposite films and fibers. The stress and strain at break, however, are not significantly affected in films, whereas adding CNCs to fibers increases the stress‐at‐break while reducing the strain‐at‐break. Compared to earlier studies employing a hydrophobic (and stiffer) PU, CNC addition to a hydrophilic PU substantially increases the fiber stiffness and strength. This work therefore suggests that rendering thermoplastics more hydrophilic might pave the way for “greener” polymer composite products using CNCs.
Smooth and Compact All‐Inorganic Perovskite Based Heterojunction Films Enabled by Nanocomposite‐Buffered Thermal Imprint for Highly Sensitive X‐Ray Detection
Authors: Li Liqi , Li Yuyang , Li Jiawen , Fang Yanjun , Yang Deren
Published: February 2023

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a promising way to fabricate perovskite polycrystalline films for optoelectronic device applications. However, it remains challenging to prepare thick yet smooth and compact all‐inorganic perovskite films by this method, which is of paramount importance for efficient X‐ray detection. In this work, a nanocomposite‐buffered thermal imprint strategy is proposed to improve the surface roughness and eliminate pinholes in CVD‐processed cesium‐lead‐bromide perovskite films with thickness above 40 µm, which is realized by spray‐coating a soft layer composed of organic semiconductors and perovskite quantum dots on top of the perovskite layer and then perform the thermal imprint to prepare the heterojunction films. It is demonstrated that the thermal imprint process can reduce the dark current and noise, enhance the carrier transport properties, as well as improve the spatial uniformity of the devices. Consequently, the optimal detectors show a large sensitivity up to 2 × 104 µC Gyair−1 cm−2 and a very low detection limit of 15 nGyair s−1 that represents one of the most sensitive polycrystalline perovskite X‐ray detectors to date, which highlights the great potential of thermal‐imprinted heterojunction films for realizing high performance X‐ray detection and imaging.
Highly Sensitive and Stable Self‐Powered UV Photodetector Based on Amorphous ZnGa2O4/NiO Type‐II p–n Heterojunction via Low‐Temperature and Band Alignment
Authors: Ling Kang , Li Kuangkuang , Zhang Wanli , Liu Xingzhao
Published: February 2023

An effective p–n heterojunction fabrication strategy of amorphous ZnGa2O4/NiO self‐powered ultraviolet (UV) photodetector is reported to consider both the low‐temperature and band alignment. Owing to the excellent photovoltaic effect, the device exhibits an ultralow dark current of 1.81 pA, a satisfactory response sensitivity of 48.19 mA W−1, a specific detectivity of 1.9 × 1012 Jones, and a high rise/decay speed of 41/22 ms under 255 nm light irradiation at 0 V bias. Compared with previously reported UV photodetectors, the proposed photodetector exhibits a high responsivity of 1.88 A W−1 and an excellent detectivity of 7.1 × 1013 Jones under an applied voltage of −5 V, indicating its ability to detect weak signals. This remarkable photoelectric detection capability is attributed to the strong absorption of UV light by the amorphous ZnGa2O4 and typical type‐II band alignment at the heterojunctions. Moreover, the photodetector continues to function stably without degradation, even after two months without an external power supply. This work not only provides an effective reference for the manufacture of high performance ZnGa2O4‐based UV photodetectors, but also offers the opportunity for practical industrial production and flexible applications.
Deep‐Learning Assisted Polarization Holograms
Authors: Xi Jiawei , Shen Jian , Chow Man To , Li Tan , Ng Jack , Li Jensen
Published: February 2023

Multiplexing holography with metasurfaces using different degrees of freedom of light has enabled recent applications in display and information processing. In terms of polarization‐multiplexed holograms, the most general form is an arbitrary Jones matrix profile in storing the maximum amount of information. It requires a relaxation to bianisotropic metasurfaces from a conventional single‐layer implementation of nanostructures, but it will also complicate both the inverse design of the nanostructures and the hologram generation algorithm. Here, an integrated neural network approach, being extended from the recent DeepCGH algorithm, is developed to obtain metasurface structural profiles directly from independent holograms from an arbitrary set of polarizations to another, with maximally four different co‐ and cross‐polarization conversion channels. Such an information‐driven approach enables designing complex polarization holograms directly from an existing metamaterial library without detailed physical knowledge on the constraints, and can be extended to other multiplexing holograms to further facilitate an efficient usage of the information stored on a metasurface.
Bright and Photostable TADF‐Emitting Zirconium(IV) Pyridinedipyrrolide Complexes: Efficient Dyes for Decay Time‐Based Temperature Sensing and Imaging
Authors: Russegger Andreas , Debruyne Angela C. , Berrio Daniel Carvajal , Fuchs Stefanie , Marzi Julia , Schenke‐Layland Katja , Dmitriev Ruslan I. , Borisov Sergey M.
Published: February 2023

Luminescence thermometry represents a technique of choice for measurements in small objects and imaging of temperature distribution. However, most state‐of‐the‐art luminescent probes are limited in spectral characteristics, brightness, photostability, and sensitivity. Molecular thermometers of the new generation utilizing air and moisture‐stable zirconium(IV) pyridinedipyrrolide complexes can address all these limitations. The dyes emit pure thermally activated delayed fluorescence without any prompt fluorescence and show a unique combination of attractive features: a) visible light excitation and emission in the orange/red region, b) high luminescence brightness (quantum yields ≈0.5 in toluene and 0.8–1.0 in polystyrene matrix), c) excellent photostability, d) suitability for two‐photon excitation and e) mono‐exponential decay on the order of tens to hundreds of microseconds with strongly temperature‐dependent lifetimes (between −2.5 and −2.9% K−1 in polystyrene at 25 °C). Immobilization in gas‐blocking polymers yields sensing materials for self‐referenced decay time read‐out that are manufactured in two common formats: planar optodes and water‐dispersible nanoparticles. Positively charged nanoparticles are demonstrated to be suitable for nanothermometry in live cells and multicellular spheroids. Negatively charged nanoparticles represent advanced analytical tools for imaging temperature gradients in samples of small volumes such as microfluidic devices.
Stable CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) Nanocrystal‐in‐Glass Composite (NGC) for Solid‐State Laser‐Driven White Light Generation
Authors: Li Guozhen , Pan Qiwen , Zhou Zhihao , Gu Ranran , Zhang Hao , Huang Xiongjian , Dong Guoping , Xiao Xiudi
Published: February 2023

Perovskite CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals with advantages of high quantum yield, narrow emission peaks, and tunable fluorescence are considered as the next generation of light‐emitting sources. However, fluorescence degradation due to the poor stability of perovskite nanocrystals in moisture, high temperature, and illumination remains one of the greatest challenges in their further development. In this work, a fully dense coating strategy is proposed to improve the overall stability of perovskite nanocrystals, especially under high‐density laser irradiation. A mesoporous silica SiO2 layer is introduced to construct a stable coating for isolating the perovskite from external environment. To eliminate the pores of the CsPbX3@SiO2, an inorganic glass is also employed via solution‐combustion technique to generate a fully compact encapsulation for further stability promotion. The as‐prepared nanocrystal‐in‐glass composite exhibits efficient and stable fluorescence performance in luminous efficiency, chromaticity, and long‐term reliability in the conditions of thermal shock, humidity, and blue laser irradiation. With the integration of red/green/blue emitting nanocrystals, the color gamut of the white laser lighting source covers 134% of the National Television Standards Committee standard, providing exciting opportunity for high performance laser‐driven white light generation.
DBFN: Double Branch Fusion Network for Vital Components and Defect Detection of Transmission Line
Authors: Xu Wenxiao , Chu Shengguang , Yang Shanshan
Published: February 2023

A double branch fusion network is proposed based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) inspection images to increase the detection accuracy of vital components and defects in transmission lines. The backbone feature extraction network comprises a combination of a convolutional neural network (CNN) and a Transformer network. To be specific, the CNN should extract local information, and the Transformer network is responsible for the extraction of global information. Besides, global information and local information have semantic differences, while resulting in feature aliasing after fusion. To solve this problem, a multiscale convolution module and a multiscale pooling module are proposed to solve semantic differences and feature aliasing through the interaction between two types of information. In general, the enhanced feature extraction network comprises a residual‐like convolution module, which can reduce the loss of detailed information (e.g., edge contours) and further extract high‐level semantic information from the deep network. Besides, it performs feature fusion in multiple regions in the enhanced feature extraction network, such that the multi‐scale adaptability of the neural network is effectively enhanced. Last, the fused feature information at different scales is decoded, and the final detection results are yielded.
Mesenteric Adipose Tissue‐Derived Klebsiella variicola Disrupts Intestinal Barrier and Promotes Colitis by Type VI Secretion System
Authors: Gong Junli , Yu Jing , Yin Shengmei , Ke Jia , Wu Jinjie , Liu Chen , Luo Zhanhao , Cheng Wai Ming , Xie Yaozu , Chen Yuan , He Zhen , Lan Ping
Published: February 2023

Mesenteric adipose tissue (MAT) in Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with transmural inflammation. Extended mesenteric excision can reduce surgical recurrence and improve long‐term outcomes, indicating that MAT plays an important role in the pathogenesis of CD. Bacterial translocation has been reported to occur in the MAT of patients with CD (CD‐MAT), but the mechanisms by which translocated bacteria lead to intestinal colitis remain unclear. Here it is shown that members of Enterobacteriaceae are highly enriched in CD‐MAT compared with non‐CD controls. Viable Klebsiella variicola in Enterobacteriaceae is isolated exclusively in CD‐MAT and can induce a pro‐inflammatory response in vitro and exacerbates colitis both in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced colitis mice model and IL‐10−/− spontaneous colitis mice model. Mechanistically, active type VI secretion system (T6SS) is identified in the genome of K. variicola, which can impair the intestinal barrier by inhibiting the zonula occludens (ZO‐1) expression. Dysfunction of T6SS by CRISPR interference system alleviates the inhibitory effect of K. variicola on ZO‐1 expression and attenuated colitis in mice. Overall, these findings demonstrate that a novel colitis‐promoting bacteria exist in the mesenteric adipose tissue of CD, opening a new therapeutic avenue for colitis management.
Lipid Nanoparticles Deliver the Therapeutic VEGFA mRNA In Vitro and In Vivo and Transform Extracellular Vesicles for Their Functional Extensions
Authors: Nawaz Muhammad , Heydarkhan‐Hagvall Sepideh , Tangruksa Benyapa , González‐King Garibotti Hernán , Jing Yujia , Maugeri Marco , Kohl Franziska , Hultin Leif , Reyahi Azadeh , Camponeschi Alessandro , Kull Bengt , Christoffersson Jonas , Grimsholm Ola , Jennbacken Karin , Sundqvist Martina , Wiseman John , Bidar Abdel Wahad , Lindfors Lennart , Synnergren Jane , Valadi Hadi
Published: February 2023

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are currently used to transport functional mRNAs, such as COVID‐19 mRNA vaccines. The delivery of angiogenic molecules, such as therapeutic VEGF‐A mRNA, to ischemic tissues for producing new blood vessels is an emerging strategy for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Here, the authors deliver VEGF‐A mRNA via LNPs and study stoichiometric quantification of their uptake kinetics and how the transport of exogenous LNP‐mRNAs between cells is functionally extended by cells’ own vehicles called extracellular vesicles (EVs). The results show that cellular uptake of LNPs and their mRNA molecules occurs quickly, and that the translation of exogenously delivered mRNA begins immediately. Following the VEGF‐A mRNA delivery to cells via LNPs, a fraction of internalized VEGF‐A mRNA is secreted via EVs. The overexpressed VEGF‐A mRNA is detected in EVs secreted from three different cell types. Additionally, RNA‐Seq analysis reveals that as cells’ response to LNP‐VEGF‐A mRNA treatment, several overexpressed proangiogenic transcripts are packaged into EVs. EVs are further deployed to deliver VEGF‐A mRNA in vitro and in vivo. Upon equal amount of VEGF‐A mRNA delivery via three EV types or LNPs in vitro, EVs from cardiac progenitor cells are the most efficient in promoting angiogenesis per amount of VEGF‐A protein produced. Intravenous administration of luciferase mRNA shows that EVs could distribute translatable mRNA to different organs with the highest amounts of luciferase detected in the liver. Direct injections of VEGF‐A mRNA (via EVs or LNPs) into mice heart result in locally produced VEGF‐A protein without spillover to liver and circulation. In addition, EVs from cardiac progenitor cells cause minimal production of inflammatory cytokines in cardiac tissue compared with all other treatment types. Collectively, the data demonstrate that LNPs transform EVs as functional extensions to distribute therapeutic mRNA between cells, where EVs deliver this mRNA differently than LNPs.