bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synchronous Regulation of Donor and Acceptor Microstructure using Thiophene‐Derived Non‐Halogenated Solvent Additives for Efficient and Stable Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Zhou , Chen Qiaomei , Zhang Cuifen , Tan Wen Liang , Zhang Guangcong , Bu Zhonggao , Xiao Chengyi , Shen Xipeng , Tang Zheng , McNeill Christopher R. , Li Weiwei
Published: March 2024

Solvent additives are pivotal for enhancing the morphology, efficiency, and stability of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, the widely used additive, 1,8‐diiodooctane (DIO), has drawbacks like harmful halogen content and potential OSC degradation. To address these issues, novel non‐halogenated, thienyl‐alkyl‐thienyl structural solvent additives—DTP, DTH, and DTN—featuring varying alkyl linker lengths of (CH2)3, (CH2)6, and (CH2)9, respectively are introduced. Additives with longer alkyl linkers, DTH and DTN, effectively dissolve and strongly interact with both the donor polymer PM6 and acceptor L8‐BO. This dual interaction enables precise tuning of their microstructures, resulting in enhanced crystallinity. Upon incorporating DTH as an additive in OSCs (PM6:L8‐BO), a minimal voltage loss is observed, leading to an impressive efficiency of 18.51%, surpassing the 17.90% achieved with DIO. Furthermore, DTH‐based devices demonstrated superior photostability. In a ternary blend system (PM6:D18‐Cl:L8‐BO), an efficiency of 19.07% is attained, outperforming previous non‐halogenated solvent additive‐based OSCs. Furthermore, employing a non‐halogenated processing solvent combination of toluene and carbon disulfide, a high PCE of 18.82% is achieved. These results underscore the efficacy of designing solvent additives with aromatic and alkyl units, enabling tailored interactions with the donor and acceptor, thereby presenting a robust strategy for optimizing OSC performance and stability.
Core‐shell TiO2@Au Nanofibers Derived from a Unique Physical Coating Strategy for Excellent Capacitive Energy Storage Nanocomposites
Authors: Ren Zengliang , Shi Zhicheng , Tang Qingyang , Xia Shuimiao , Sun Liang , Fan Runhua , Cui Hongzhi , Wang Hong
Published: March 2024

Polymer dielectrics have been widely employed in pulsed power systems, but their applications are severely restricted by the low energy density. Incorporating core‐shell nanofillers is one promising strategy to enhance the energy density of polymer dielectrics. Nowadays, core‐shell nanofillers are mainly prepared via chemical coating strategies, which always involve complex chemical synthesis procedures. Herein, a unique physical coating strategy is developed to prepare core‐shell TiO2@Au nanofibers consisting of monodispersed Au nanoparticles homogeneously anchored on the TiO2 nanofibers. Interestingly, the TiO2@Au nanofibers show outstanding dielectric energy storage boosting capability. Specifically, with merely introducing 0.1 wt.% TiO2@Au nanofillers, the TiO2@Au/PVDF composite exhibits a substantially enhanced breakdown strength of 749 MV m−1, which reaches 152.8% of PVDF. Meanwhile, a high dielectric constant of 10.2 (114.1% of PVDF) is obtained. Consequently, an ultrahigh energy density of 18.6 J cm−3, which is 250.1% of PVDF, is achieved. It is further revealed that the significant energy storage boosting effect is originated from the Coulomb blockade and micro‐capacitor effects of the TiO2@Au nanofibers. This work establishes a unique paradigm for the facile preparation of core‐shell nanomaterials, which have huge potential for both dielectric energy storage and other functional nanocomposites.
Biphasic Nanoalloys‐Based Trifunctional Monolith for High‐Performance Flexible Zn‐Air Batteries and Self‐Driven Water Splitting
Authors: Yang Xuhuan , Mao Haoning , Zhou Zining , Li Keer , Li Chen , Ye Qiong , Liu Boping , Fang Yueping , Cai Xin
Published: March 2024

Sufficient integration of multiple active moieties and correlated heterostructure engineering are pivotal to optimize the reaction kinetics and the intrinsic activities of heterogeneous electrocatalysts. Herein, an integrated heterostructure of biphasic nanoalloys are constructed, encasing in in situ grown and interlaced nitrogen‐doped carbon nanoflake arrays (CoFe‐NiFe/NC). Well‐designed CoFe‐NiFe/NC owns more accessible active sites and interfacial conjugation effects, jointly accelerating the electron transfer and mass transport for multifunctional electrocatalysis. Such unconventional monolith delivers extraordinary trifunctional activities for hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen evolution reaction (overpotential of 185 mV at 10 mA cm−2) and oxygen reduction reaction. The superior trifunctionality of CoFe‐NiFe/NC is rationalized with experimental and theoretical elucidation. Results reveal that the modulated electronic synergism between the Ni, Fe‐assisted Co sites and the adjacent N‐bridged carbon matrix decisively favors the appropriate binding of intermediates for promoted redox kinetics. Consequently, stand‐alone CoFe‐NiFe/NC cathode contributes to high‐performance aqueous/flexible zinc‐air batteries (ZABs), exhibiting high power/specific energy and excellent cycling stability. Remarkably, CoFe‐NiFe/NC‐based alkaline water electrolyzer requires merely 1.51 V to reach 10 mA cm−2, and a self‐driven water splitting system yields a high H2 evolution rate. This unique heterostructure monolith would open up opportunities for developing high‐efficiency multifunctional catalysts and advanced energy utilization devices.
Electrospun Scaffolds are Not Necessarily Always Made of Nanofibers as Demonstrated by Polymeric Heart Valves for Tissue Engineering
Authors: Wang Qunsong , Gao Caiyun , Zhai Huajuan , Peng Chen , Yu Xiaoye , Zheng Xiaofan , Zhang Hongjie , Wang Xin , Yu Lin , Wang Shengzhang , Ding Jiandong
Published: March 2024

In the last 30 years, there are ≈60 000 publications about electrospun nanofibers, but it is still unclear whether nanoscale fibers are really necessary for electrospun tissue engineering scaffolds. The present report puts forward this argument and reveals that compared with electrospun nanofibers, microfibers with diameter of ≈3 µm (named as “oligo‐micro fiber”) are more appropriate for tissue engineering scaffolds owing to their better cell infiltration ability caused by larger pores with available nuclear deformation. To further increase pore sizes, electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds are fabricated using latticed collectors with meshes. Fiber orientation leads to sufficient mechanical strength albeit increases porosity. The latticed scaffolds exhibit good biocompatibility and improve cell infiltration. Under aortic conditions in vitro, the performances of latticed scaffolds are satisfactory in terms of the acute systolic hemodynamic functionality, except for the higher regurgitation fraction caused by the enlarged pores. This hierarchical electrospun scaffold with sparse fibers in macropores and oligo‐micro fibers in filaments provides new insights into the design of tissue engineering scaffolds, and tissue engineering may provide living heart valves with regenerative capabilities for patients with severe valve disease in the future.
Angiogenesis‐Enabled Human Ovarian Tumor Microenvironment‐Chip Evaluates Pathophysiology of Platelets in Microcirculation
Authors: Ghosh Lopamudra D. , Mathur Tanmay , Tronolone James J. , Chuong Ashley , Rangel Kelly , Corvigno Sara , Sood Anil K. , Jain Abhishek
Published: March 2024

The tumor microenvironment (TME) promotes angiogenesis for its growth through the recruitment of multiple cells and signaling mechanisms. For example, TME actively recruits and activates platelets from the microcirculation to facilitate metastasis, but platelets may simultaneously also support tumor angiogenesis. Here, to model this complex pathophysiology within the TME that involves a signaling triad of cancer cells, sprouting endothelial cells, and platelets, an angiogenesis‐enabled tumor microenvironment chip (aTME‐Chip) is presented. This platform recapitulates the convergence of physiology of angiogenesis and platelet function within the ovarian TME and describes the contribution of platelets in promoting angiogenesis within an ovarian TME. By including three distinct human ovarian cancer cell‐types, the aTME‐Chip quantitatively reveals the following outcomes—first, introduction of platelets significantly increases angiogenesis; second, the temporal dynamics of angiogenic signaling is dependent on cancer cell type; and finally, tumor‐educated platelets either activated exogenously by cancer cells or derived clinically from a cancer patient accelerate tumor angiogenesis. Further, analysis of effluents available from aTME‐Chip validate functional outcomes by revealing changes in cytokine expression and several angiogenic and metastatic signaling pathways due to platelets. Collectively, this tumor microphysiological system may be deployed to derive antiangiogenic targets combined with antiplatelet treatments to arrest cancer metastasis.
Heterogeneous Nucleating Agent for High‐Boiling‐Point Nonhalogenated Solvent‐Processed Organic Solar Cells and Modules
Authors: Chen Haiyang , Sun Weiwei , Zhang Rui , Huang Yuting , Zhang Ben , Zeng Guang , Ding Junyuan , Chen Weijie , Gao Feng , Li Yaowen , Li Yongfang
Published: March 2024

High‐boiling‐point nonhalogenated solvents are superior solvents to produce large‐area organic solar cells (OSCs) in industry because of their wide processing window and low toxicity; while, these solvents with slow evaporation kinetics will lead excessive aggregation of state‐of‐the‐art small molecule acceptors (e.g. L8‐BO), delivering serious efficiency losses. Here, a heterogeneous nucleating agent strategy is developed by grafting oligo (ethylene glycol) side‐chains on L8‐BO (BTO‐BO). The formation energy of the obtained BTO‐BO; while, changing from liquid in a solvent to a crystalline phase, is lower than that of L8‐BO irrespective of the solvent type. When BTO‐BO is added as the third component into the active layer (e.g. PM6:L8‐BO), it easily assembles to form numerous seed crystals, which serve as nucleation sites to trigger heterogeneous nucleation and increase nucleation density of L8‐BO through strong hydrogen bonding interactions even in high‐boiling‐point nonhalogenated solvents. Therefore, it can effectively suppress excessive aggregation during growth, achieving ideal phase‐separation active layer with small domain sizes and high crystallinity. The resultant toluene‐processed OSCs exhibit a record power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.42% (certificated 19.12%) with excellent operational stability. The strategy also has superior advantages in large‐scale devices, showing a 15.03‐cm2 module with a record PCE of 16.35% (certificated 15.97%).
Silicon Photonic Filters: A Pathway from Basics to Applications
Authors: Saha Nabarun , Brunetti Giuseppe , di Toma Annarita , Armenise Mario Nicola , Ciminelli Caterina
Published: March 2024

Silicon photonics has found a profound place among emerging technologies in the past few decades due to several advantages. Due to a series of breakthroughs and increased funding from private and government sectors, the development of silicon photonics has accelerated especially starting from the two years 2004–2005 with a persisting and ever‐growing momentum. Among various components, the silicon photonic filters that selectively pass or block particular wavelengths with a finite bandwidth have found particular interest as they are useful in signal processing in different fields ranging from optical communication to microwave photonics and quantum photonics. Herein, a comprehensive review of silicon photonic filters focusing on the four most commonly used architectures, such as microring resonators, waveguide Bragg grating, Mach–Zehnder interferometers, and arrayed waveguide grating, encapsulating basics, and guidelines, in terms of simulating tools and topologies, of realizing reconfigurable and high‐performing filters for several applications, is provided. The novelty of this review relies on the fact that it summarizes these filter architectures covering a broad range of applications concisely and constructively and includes the basics, growth, and future trends, providing a clear understanding and importance of silicon photonic filters from research to commercialization perspective.
Integrated Electro‐Optically Tunable Narrow‐Linewidth III–V Laser
Authors: Zhu Yiran , Yu Shupeng , Fang Zhiwei , Yin Difeng , Liu Jian , Wang Zhe , Zhou Yuan , Ma Yu , Zhang Haisu , Wang Min , Cheng Ya
Published: March 2024

Herein, an integrated electro‐optically tunable narrow‐linewidth III–V laser with an output power of 738.8 μW and an intrinsic linewidth of 45.55 kHz at the C band is demonstrated. The laser cavity is constructed using a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and a tunable Sagnac loop reflector (TSLR) fabricated on thin‐film lithium niobate. The combination of the FBG and the electro‐optically tunable TSLR offers the advantages of single spatial mode, single frequency, narrow linewidth, and wide wavelength tunability for the electrically pumped hybrid integrated laser, which features a frequency tuning range of 20 GHz and a tuning efficiency of 0.8 GHz V−1.
Acceptor Copolymerized Axially Chiral Conjugated Polymers with TADF Properties for Efficient Circularly Polarized Electroluminescence
Authors: Zhao Wen‐Long , Tan Ke‐Ke , Guo Wei‐Chen , Guo Chen‐Hao , Li Meng , Chen Chuan‐Feng
Published: March 2024

Chiral conjugated polymer has promoted the development of the efficient circularly polarized electroluminescence (CPEL) device, nevertheless, it remains a challenge to develop chiral polymers with high electroluminescence performance. Herein, by the acceptor copolymerization of axially chiral biphenyl emitting skeleton and benzophenone, a pair of axially chiral conjugated polymers namely R‐PAC and S‐PAC are synthesized. The target polymers exhibit obvious thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) activities with high photoluminescence quantum yields of 81%. Moreover, the chiral polymers display significant circularly polarized luminescence features, with luminescence dissymmetry factor (|glum|) of nearly 3 × 10−3. By using the chiral polymers as emitters, the corresponding circularly polarized organic light‐emitting diodes (CP‐OLEDs) exhibit efficient CPEL signals with electroluminescence dissymmetry factor |gEL| of 3.4 × 10−3 and high maximum external quantum efficiency (EQEmax) of 17.8%. Notably, considering both EQEmax and |gEL| comprehensively, the device performance of R‐PAC and S‐PAC is the best among all the reported CP‐OLEDs with chiral conjugated polymers as emitters. This work provides a facile approach to constructing chiral conjugated TADF polymers and discloses the potential of axially chiral conjugated luminescent skeletons in architecting high‐performance CP‐OLEDs.
Hetero‐Diatomic CoN4‐NiN4 Site Pairs with Long‐Range Coupling as Efficient Bifunctional Catalyst for Rechargeable Zn–Air Batteries
Authors: Yang Yue , Li Bin , Liang Yining , Ni Wenpeng , Li Xuan , Shen Gengzhe , Xu Lin , Chen Zhengjian , Zhu Chun , Liang Jin‐Xia , Zhang Shiguo
Published: March 2024

In this study, Co/Ni‐NC catalyst with hetero‐diatomic Co/Ni active sites dispersed on nitrogen‐doped carbon matrix is synthesized via the controlled pyrolysis of ZIF‐8 containing Co2+ and Ni2+ compounds. Experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal that Co and Ni are atomically and uniformly dispersed in pairs of CoN4‐NiN4 with an intersite distance ≈0.41 nm, and there is long‐range d–d coupling between Co and Ni with more electron delocalization for higher bifunctional activity. Besides, the in situ grown carbon nanotubes at the edges of the catalyst particles allow high electronic conductivity for electrocatalysis process. Electrochemical evaluations demonstrate the superior ORR and OER bifunctionality of Co/Ni‐NC catalyst with a narrow potential gap of only 0.691 V and long‐term durability, significantly prevailing over the single‐atom Co‐NC and Ni‐NC catalysts and the benchmark Pt/C and RuO2 catalysts. Co/Ni‐NC catalyzed Zn–air batteries achieve a high specific capacity of 771 mAh g−1 and a long continuous operation period up to 340 h with a small voltage gap of ≈0.65 V, also much superior to Pt/C‐RuO2.
Designing Reliable Cathode System for High‐Performance Inorganic Solid‐State Pouch Cells
Authors: Wang Shuying , Liu Sheng , Chen Wei , Hu Yin , Chen Dongjiang , He Miao , Zhou Mingjie , Lei Tianyu , Zhang Yagang , Xiong Jie
Published: March 2024

All‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) based on inorganic solid electrolytes fascinate a large body of researchers in terms of overcoming the inferior energy density and safety issues of existing lithium‐ion batteries. To date, the cathode designs in the ASSBs achieve remarkable achievements, adding the urgency of scaling up the battery system toward inorganic solid‐state pouch cell configuration for the application market. Herein, the recent developments of cathode materials and the design considerations for their application in the pouch cell format are reviewed to straighten out the roadmap of ASSBs. Specifically, the intercalation compounds and the conversion materials with conversion chemistries are highlighted and discussed as two potentially valuable material types. This review focuses on the basic electrochemical mechanisms, mechanical contact issues, and sheet‐type structure in inorganic solid‐state pouch cells with corresponding perspectives, thus guiding the future research direction. Finally, the benchmarks for manufacturing inorganic solid‐state pouch cells to meet practical high energy density targets are provided in this review for the development of commercially viable products.
The Critical Role of Anharmonic Lattice Dynamics for Macroscopic Properties of the Visible Light Absorbing Nitride Semiconductor CuTaN2
Authors: Hegner Franziska S. , Cohen Adi , Rudel Stefan S. , Kronawitter Silva M. , Grumet Manuel , Zhu Xiangzhou , Korobko Roman , Houben Lothar , Jiang Chang‐Ming , Schnick Wolfgang , Kieslich Gregor , Yaffe Omer , Sharp Ian D. , Egger David A.
Published: March 2024

Ternary nitride semiconductors are rapidly emerging as a promising class of materials for energy conversion applications, offering an appealing combination of strong light absorption in the visible range, desirable charge transport characteristics, and good chemical stability. In this work, it is shown that finite‐temperature lattice dynamics in CuTaN2 – a prototypical ternary nitride displaying particularly strong visible light absorption – exhibit a pronounced anharmonic character that plays an essential role in defining its macroscopic optoelectronic and thermal properties. Low‐frequency vibrational modes that are Raman‐inactive from symmetry considerations of the average crystal structure and unstable in harmonic phonon calculations are found to appear as intensive Raman features near room temperature. The atomic contributions to the anharmonic vibrations are characterized by combining Raman measurements with molecular dynamics and density functional theory calculations. This analysis reveals that anharmonic lattice dynamics have large ramifications on the fundamental properties of this compound, resulting in uniaxial negative thermal expansion and the opening of its bandgap to a near‐optimal value for solar energy harvesting. The atomic‐level understanding of anharmonic lattice dynamics, as well as the finding that they strongly influence key properties of this semiconductor at room temperature, have important implications for design of new functional materials, especially within the emerging class of ternary nitride semiconductors.
Positive Electronic Nickel Active Site Enhances N─H/C─H Bonds Breaking for Electrooxidation of Amines to Nitriles Coupling with Hydrogen Production
Authors: Pan Xun , Sun Lingzhi , Zhou Zhaoyu , Xie Yanan , Zheng Jingui , Xu Shaohan , Sun Jie , Zeng Jianrong , Zhao Guohua
Published: March 2024

Electrocatalytic conversion of amines to nitriles can be used as biomass upgrading to assist hydrogen production in water electrolysis. However, achieving efficient N─H/C─H bond breaking in amines oxidation remains a challenge. Herein, the nitrogen‐doped carbon supported NiO nanoparticles with positive electronic nickel active site are simply synthesized to achieve ∽99% selectivity and complete conversion in electrooxidizing amines to nitriles, and the onset potential of the whole reaction is as low as 1.32 V vs. RHE. Detailed in situ characterizations and theoretical calculations prove that the carbon substrate enhances the interaction between the N 2p orbital of amines and the Ni 3d orbital, which favors the construction of an indirect oxidation intermediate state R‐CH2NH2···NiO(OH)abs and  promotes the subsequent stepwise dehydrogenation to nitriles. This whole reaction produces 16.4 times more hydrogen than pure water splitting, facilitating the development of the chemicals industry and energy utilization.
Guideline for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly in China (2024 Edition)
Authors: Guo Lixin , Xiao Xinhua
Published: March 2024

With the deepening of aging in China, the prevalence of diabetes in older people has increased noticeably, and standardized diabetes management is critical for improving clinical outcomes of diabetes in older people. In 2021, the National Center of Gerontology, Chinese Society of Geriatrics, and Diabetes Professional Committee of Chinese Aging Well Association organized experts to write the first guideline for diabetes diagnosis and treatment in older people in China, the Guideline for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly in China (2021 Edition). The guideline emphasizes that older patients with diabetes are a highly heterogeneous group requiring comprehensive assessment and stratified and individualized management strategies. The guideline proposes simple treatments and de‐intensified treatment strategies for older patients with diabetes. This edition of the guideline provides clinicians with practical and operable clinical guidance, thus greatly contributing to the comprehensive and full‐cycle standardized management of older patients with diabetes in China and promoting the extensive development of clinical and basic research on diabetes in older people and related fields. In the past 3 years, evidence‐based medicine for older patients with diabetes and related fields has further advanced, and new treatment concepts, drugs, and technologies have been developed. The guideline editorial committee promptly updated the first edition of the guideline and compiled the Guideline for the Management of Diabetes Mellitus in the Elderly in China (2024 Edition). More precise management paths for older patients with diabetes are proposed, for achieving continued standardization of the management of older Chinese patients with diabetes and improving their clinical outcomes.
Clinical outcomes and medical management of achondroplasia in Japanese children: A retrospective medical record review of clinical data
Authors: Saitou Hiroyuki , Kitaoka Taichi , Kubota Takuo , Kanno Junko , Mochizuki Hiroshi , Michigami Toshimi , Hasegawa Kosei , Fujiwara Ikuma , Hamajima Takashi , Harada Daisuke , Seki Yuko , Nagasaki Keisuke , Dateki Sumito , Namba Noriyuki , Tokuoka Hirofumi , Pimenta Jeanne M. , Cohen Shelda , Ozono Keiichi
Published: March 2024

Achondroplasia (ACH) is a rare, autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia characterized by short stature, characteristic facial configuration, and trident hands. Before vosoritide approval in Japan, patients with ACH could start growth hormone (GH) treatment at age 3 years. However, ACH and its treatment in young Japanese children have not been studied. This retrospective, longitudinal, medical records‐based cohort study (before vosoritide approval) summarized symptoms, complications, monitoring, surgery/interventions, and height with/without GH in Japanese patients with ACH <5 years. Complications were observed in 89.2% of all 37 patients; 75.7% required surgery or intervention. All patients were monitored by magnetic resonance imaging; 73.0% had foramen magnum stenosis, while 54.1% had Achondroplasia Foramen Magnum Score 3 or 4. Of 28 GH‐treated patients, 22 initiating at age 3 years were generally taller after 12 months versus 9 non‐GH‐treated patients. Mean annual growth velocity significantly increased from age 2 to 3 versus 3 to 4 years in GH‐treated patients (4.37 vs. 7.23 cm/year; p = 0.0014), but not in non‐GH‐treated patients (4.94 vs. 4.20 cm/year). The mean height at age 4 years with/without GH was 83.6/79.8 cm. These results improve our understanding of young patients with ACH in Japan and confirm that early diagnosis of ACH and monitoring of complications help facilitate appropriate interventions.
Ultra‐Dense Supported Ruthenium Oxide Clusters via Directed Ion Exchange for Efficient Valorization of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Lei Can , Chen Zhe , Jiang Tao , Wang Shaoyan , Du Wei , Cha Shuangshuang , Hao Yaming , Wang Ran , Cao Xueting , Gong Ming
Published: March 2024

Maximizing the loadings of active centers without aggregation for a supported catalyst is a grand challenge but essential for achieving high gravimetric catalytic activity, especially toward multi‐step reactions. The oxidation of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a key biomass‐derived platform molecule, into 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA), a promising alternative to polyester monomer, is such a multi‐step reaction that involves 6 proton and electron transfers. This process often demands strong alkaline environment but also suffers from the alkali‐driven polymerization side‐reaction. Meanwhile, neutral media ameliorates the polymerization, but lacks efficient catalyst toward deep oxidation. Herein, we devised a strategy of creating ultra‐dense supported Ru oxide clusters via directed ion exchange in a Co hydroxyanion (CoHA) support material. Pyrimidine ligands were first incorporated into the CoHA interlayers, and the subsequent evacuation of pyrimidines created porous channels for the directed ion exchange with the built‐in anions in CoHA, which allowed the dense and mono‐disperse functionalization of RuCl62− anions and their resulting Ru oxide clusters. These ultra‐dense Ru oxide clusters not only enable high HMF electrooxidation currents under neutral conditions but also create microscopic channels in‐between the clusters for the expedited re‐adsorption and oxidation of intermediates toward highly oxidized product, such as 5‐formyl‐2‐furoic acid (FFCA) and FDCA. A two‐stage HMF oxidation process, consisting of ambient conversion of HMF into FFCA and FFCA oxidation into FDCA under 60 °C, was eventually developed to first achieve a high FDCA yield of 92.1 % under neutral media with significantly reduced polymerization.
Insider perspectives on Southeast Asiaʼs clean energy transition
Authors: Do Thang Nam
Published: March 2024

This paper offers essential insights into Southeast Asiaʼs transition to clean energy, a cornerstone for global climate objectives. Based on 27 interviews with regional energy and climate experts conducted between September 2022 and October 2023, the research distils key factors into 3Ds: Demanding, Doable, and Dependent. Highlighting these aspects would foster readiness, persuade stakeholders, and secure international support, all of which are pivotal for advancing the energy transition towards net‐zero emissions in Southeast Asia.
Electrical sensing of single oocytes in microfluidic systems: A mini review
Authors: Schnakenberg Uwe , Cao Yuan
Published: March 2024

The noninvasive and label‐free electrical characterization of single cells is increasingly gaining interest over the last years. Besides cancer cells, oocytes are in the focus of those investigations. The study of oocytes is relevant for two areas: on the one hand, the quality of mammalian oocytes is important in artificial reproduction technology for a high fertilization yield. On the other hand, amphibian oocytes are well established to be used as host cells for the characterization of ion‐channel kinetics for drug screening. For both areas, easy‐to‐perform and reliable characterization techniques are needed. This mini‐review summarizes important developments of characterizing oocytes with microfluidic systems in combination with observer‐independent noninvasive electrical sensing. Such miniaturized microfluidic systems can be improved to facilitate multiple oocyte characterizations simultaneously for higher throughput screening.
Similar immune responses to alpha1‐oleate and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin treatment in patients with bladder cancer
Authors: Ahmadi Shahram , Ambite Ines , Brisuda Antonín , Háček Jaromír , Haq Farhan , Sabari Samudra , Vanarsa Kamala , Mohan Chandra , Babjuk Marek , Svanborg Catharina
Published: March 2024

Background

The molecular content of urine is defined by filtration in the kidneys and by local release from tissues lining the urinary tract. Pathological processes and different therapies change the molecular composition of urine and a variety of markers have been analyzed in patients with bladder cancer. The response to BCG immunotherapy and chemotherapy has been extensively studied and elevated urine concentrations of IL‐1RA, IFN‐α, IFN‐γ TNF‐α, and IL‐17 have been associated with improved outcome.

Methods

In this study, the host response to intravesical alpha 1‐oleate treatment was characterized in patients with non‐muscle invasive bladder cancer by proteomic and transcriptomic analysis.

Results

Proteomic profiling detected a significant increase in multiple cytokines in the treatment group compared to placebo. The innate immune response was strongly activated, including IL‐1RA and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the IL‐1 family (IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐33), chemokines (MIP‐1α, IL‐8), and interferons (IFN‐α2, IFN‐γ). Adaptive immune mediators included IL‐12, Granzyme B, CD40, PD‐L1, and IL‐17D, suggesting broad effects of alpha 1‐oleate treatment on the tumor tissues.

Conclusions

The cytokine response profile in alpha 1‐oleate treated patients was similar to that reported in BCG treated patients, suggesting a significant overlap. A reduction in protein levels at the end of treatment coincided with inhibition of cancer‐related gene expression in tissue biopsies, consistent with a positive treatment effect. Thus, in addition to killing tumor cells and inducing cell detachment, alpha 1‐oleate is shown to activate a broad immune response with a protective potential.
The quantitative parameters based on marrow metabolism derived from synthetic MRI: A pilot study of prognostic value in participants with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Cui Sha , Guo Yinnan , Niu Weiran , Li Jianting , Bian Wenjin , Wu Wenqi , Zhang Wenjia , Zheng Qian , Wang Jun , Niu Jinliang
Published: March 2024

Background

The value of SyMRI‐derived parameters from lumbar marrow for predicting early treatment response and optimizing the risk stratification of the Revised International Staging System (R‐ISS) in participants with multiple myeloma (MM) is unknown.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled participants with newly diagnosed MM before treatment. The SyMRI of lumbar marrow was used to calculate T1, T2, and PD values and the clinical features were collected. All participants were divided into good response (≥VGPR) and poor response (<VGPR) groups after four treatment cycles. Univariate, multivariate analyses and ROC were used to identify prognostic significance. Mann–Whitney U‐tests were used to compare the SyMRI parameters between genders. The value of optimizing the risk stratification was analyzed by Fisher's exact tests at each R‐ISS stage.

Results

Fifty‐nine participants (good response, n = 33; poor response, n = 26) were evaluated. The bone marrow plasma cell percentage, β2‐microglobulin, T1 and T2 value were difference between two groups (all p < 0.05). The T1 (odds ratio 1.003, p = 0.005) and T2 values (odds ratio 0.910, p = 0.002) were independent predictors and the AUC and cut‐off values were 0.787, 967.2 ms and 0.784, 75.9 ms, respectively. There were no significant differences in SyMRI parameters between genders. Participants with both T1 value ≥967.2 ms and T2 value ≤75.9 ms in the R‐ISS II stage were potentially to get poor response.

Conclusions

Synthetic MRI is a promising tool for predicting early treatment response to MM and promoting R‐ISS II stage risk stratification.
Association of household net worth with healthcare costs after radical cystectomy using real‐world data
Authors: Washington Samuel L. , Lonergan Peter E. , Odisho Anobel Y. , Meng Maxwell V. , Porten Sima P.
Published: March 2024

Background

Financial toxicity of bladder cancer care may influence how patients utilize healthcare resources, from emergency department (ED) encounters to office visits. We aim to examine whether greater household net worth (HHNW) confers differential access to healthcare resources after radical cystectomy (RC).

Methods

This population‐based cohort study examined the association between HHNW and healthcare utilization costs in the 90 days post‐RC in commercially insured patients with bladder cancer. Costs accrued from the index hospitalization to 90 days after including health plan costs (HPC) and out‐of‐pocket costs (OPC). Multivariable logistic regression models were generated by encounter (acute inpatient, ED, outpatient, and office visit).

Results

A total of 141,903 patients were identified with HHNW categories near evenly distributed. Acute inpatient encounters incurred the greatest HPC and OPC. Office visits conferred the lowest HPC while ED visits had the lowest OPC. Black patients harbored increased odds of an acute inpatient encounter (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.16–1.29) and ED encounter (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.14–1.27) while Asian (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.69–0.85) and Hispanic (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.69–0.78, p < 0.001) patients had lower odds of an outpatient encounter, compared to White counterpart. Increasing HHNW was associated with decreasing odds of acute inpatient or ED encounters and greater odds of office visits.

Conclusions

Lower HHNW conferred greater risk of costly inpatient encounters while greater HHNW had greater odds of less costly office visits, illustrating how financial flexibility fosters differences in healthcare utilization and lower costs. HHNW may serve as a proxy for financial flexibility and risk of financial hardship than income alone.
Toxicity profiles of immune checkpoint inhibitors for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Dang Shoutao , Li Xinyu , Liu Heshu , Zhang Shuyang , Li Wei
Published: March 2024

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC); however, the toxicity profiles are inconclusive.

Methods

Clinical trials evaluating ICIs for R/M HNSCC were searched from online databases. The characteristics of the studies and the results of incidences of any grade treatment‐related adverse events (trAEs), grade three or more trAEs, treatment‐related deaths, trAEs leading to discontinuation of treatment, and specific trAEs were extracted.

Results

Twenty studies with 3756 patients were included. The pooled incidences of any grade trAEs, grade three or more trAEs, treatment‐related deaths, trAEs leading to discontinuation of treatment for overall population were 62.07% (95% CI, 59.07%–65.02%), 13.82% (95% CI, 11.23%–16.62%), 0.39% (95% CI, 0.15%–0.71%), 3.99% (95% CI, 2.36%–5.95%), respectively. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) inhibitors monotherapy and ICIs combination therapy had significantly higher incidences of any grade trAEs (odds ratio [OR], 1.25, 95% CI, 1.05–1.49 and 1.36, 95% CI, 1.15–1.60, respectively), grade three or more trAEs (OR, 1.41, 95% CI, 1.08–1.84 and 1.79, 95% CI, 1.39–2.30, respectively), trAEs leading to discontinuation of treatment (OR, 3.98, 95% CI, 2.06–7.70 and 10.14, 95% CI, 5.49–18.70, respectively) compared with programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) inhibitors monotherapy. ICIs combination therapy had a significantly higher incidence of grade three or more trAEs compared with PD‐1 inhibitors monotherapy (OR, 1.27, 95% CI, 1.03–1.55); however, the incidences of any grade trAEs and trAEs leading to discontinuation of treatment were not significant different.

Conclusions

Our study suggests that the incidences of grade three or more trAEs, treatment‐related deaths, and trAEs leading to discontinuation of treatment are low in R/M HNSCC patients treated with ICIs. PD‐L1 inhibitors monotherapy may be safer compared with PD‐1 inhibitors monotherapy and ICIs combination therapy.
Pre‐ and postnatal findings with rare congenital anomalies of urinary bladder
Authors: Guo Hui , Luo Yanmei , Yang Xinghai , Cheng Shigang
Published: March 2024

Key Clinical Message

Bladder duplication and congenital bladder diverticulum are rare anomalies. We described two boys with rare bladder anomalies found on prenatal ultrasounds. Postnatal investigations and surgical findings confirmed these bladder anomalies. The malformation was associated with other system anomalies. This report of pre‐ and postnatal imaging with surgical correlation contributes to our understanding about these rare bladder anomalies.
Fat embolism syndrome: A severe case diagnosed early using dual‐energy CT and saved with VA‐ECMO and inhaled nitric oxide
Authors: Ota Tsuyoshi , Sawada Takahiro , Shimoura Hiroyuki , Terao Yuya , Ito Tatsuro , Okajima Katsunori , Kadotani Makoto , Onishi Yoshio
Published: March 2024

Key Clinical Message

Diagnosing FES is difficult and time‐consuming, and identify FES as an etiology of right ventricular volume overload for early diagnosis. Because FES is a reversible condition, even severe cases can be treated if the patient survives the acute phase.
University students’ future time perspective and career adaptability: The mediating role of grit
Authors: Diaconu‐Gherasim Loredana R. , Țepordei Ana‐Maria , Labăr Adrian V. , Vîrgă Delia , Măirean Cornelia
Published: March 2024

Within the larger framework of career construction theory, the present study investigated how future time perspective is related to career adaptability and whether grit may play a mediating role in this relationship. A sample of 483 university students (Mage = 20.03, 92.3% women) filled in scales measuring future time perspective dimensions (i.e., connectedness, value, extension, and speed), grit, and career adaptability comprised in an online survey. Findings showed that career adaptability was positively associated with connectedness and extension, and negatively associated with speed future time dimension. Further, grit was positively linked to career adaptability. In addition, grit mediated the relationships of future time dimensions with career adaptability. Results are discussed in terms of educational and counseling implications regarding university students’ future career construction in academic settings.
Nonlinear Quality‐Related Fault Detection Using Neighborhood Embedding Neural Orthogonal Mapping Algorithm for Batch Process
Authors: Liu Kai , Zhao Xiaoqiang , Hui Yongyong , Jiang Hongmei
Published: March 2024

Quality‐related fault detection has become a hot research topic in recent years. It is not reliable to measure quality‐related relationships only by mutual information among process variables and single‐quality variables. Frequent alarms for quality‐unrelated faults seriously affect the normal operation of industrial production. At the same time, the strong nonlinearity of the process data leads to the difficulty of feature extraction. In this paper, we propose a fault detection algorithm based on nonlinear quality‐related neighborhood embedding neural orthogonal mapping (QR‐NENOM). First, quality‐related and quality‐unrelated variables are selected by Bayesian fusion mutual information, and the weighted method of mutual information is used to enhance the quality‐related information and suppress the quality‐unrelated information. Second, local manifold information is obtained by reconstructing nearest neighbors of process data, and key features are extracted by the nonlinear method composed of neural network and orthogonal mapping. Then, statistical indicators are established to complete fault detection. Finally, the nonlinear feature extraction ability of NENOM is verified by numerical examples, and the QR‐NENOM algorithm proposed in this paper is applied to the penicillin fermentation process. Comparative experiments show that QR‐NENOM has better detection performance for quality‐related faults and fewer alarms for quality‐unrelated faults.
Diazoacetonitrile: Safe and Green Synthesis through Continuous Processing
Authors: Bošković Dušan , Loebbecke Stefan , Panić Slobodan , Piscopo Calogero Giancarlo , Radulescu Ligia Johanna , Schwarzer Maud
Published: March 2024

Diazo compounds, although possessing unique reactivity, have been widely rejected due to their highly hazardous preparation protocols. Diazoacetonitrile (DAN), a relatively stable diazo compound, has been overlooked despite its potential in chemical synthesis. The present study describes a microflow process for the simultaneous preparation of DAN in aqueous solution and its extraction in dichloromethane. The DAN productivity was optimized in terms of solvent, temperature, residence time, and pressure. This experimental work represents a breakthrough in delivering DAN continuously in a stable CH2Cl2 solution, enabling its utilization as a versatile building block for various synthetic processes and contributing to the development of new green synthetic processes.
Benzofurans as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors for Treating Alzheimer's Disease: Synthesis, in vitro Testing, and in silico Analysis
Authors: Coaviche‐Yoval Arturo , Tovar‐Miranda Ricardo , Rodríguez Jessica E. , Lagos‐Cruz Jesus A. , Luna Héctor , Andrade‐Jorge Erik , Trujillo‐Ferrara José G.
Published: March 2024

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. It is characterized by a progressive decline in cholinergic neurotransmission. During the development of AD, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) binds to β‐amyloid peptides to form amyloid fibrils, which aggregate into plaque deposits. Meanwhile, tau proteins are hyperphosphorylated, forming neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that aggregate into inclusions. These complexes are cytotoxic for the brain, causing impairment of memory, attention, and cognition. AChE inhibitors are the main treatment for AD, but their effect is only palliative. This study aimed to design and synthesize novel benzofuran derivatives and evaluate their inhibition of AChE in vitro and in silico. Results: The seven synthesized benzofuran derivatives inhibited AChE in vitro. Benzofurans hydroxy ester 4, amino ester 5, and amido ester (±)‐7 had the lowest inhibition constant (Ki) values and displayed good affinity for EeAChE in molecular docking. Six derivatives showed competitive inhibition, while the best compound (5: Ki=36.53 μM) exhibited uncompetitive inhibition. The amino, hydroxyl, amide, and ester groups of the ligands favored interaction with the enzyme by hydrogen bonds. Conclusion: Three benzofurans were promising AChE inhibitors with excellent Ki values. In future research on their their application to AD, 5 will be considered as the base structure.
A multi‐primary trichromator to derive individual color matching functions and cone spectral sensitivities
Authors: Shi Keyu , Luo Ming Ronnier , Rider Andrew T. , Huang Tingwei , Xu Lihao , Stockman Andrew
Published: March 2024

Measuring color matching differences between observers is an important means of investigating individual differences in human color vision. In this article, we introduce a new LED‐based visual trichromator with which we have estimated color matching functions and cone spectral sensitivities in a group of five normal observers. The trichromator has side‐by‐side semi‐circular matching fields that are illuminated by two spectrally tunable LED light sources, each comprised of 18 LEDs with center wavelengths ranging from 400 to 700 nm. We used Maxwell's method to derive a set color match. A fixed triplet of red‐green‐blue (RGB) primaries produced the white standard field of 120 cd/m2 in one field. The other field, the mixture field, was illuminated by one of 11 different triplets of lights with various center wavelengths. Observers adjusted the intensities of the triplets in the mixture field to match the white standard field. All matches were made for field diameters of 2° and 10° of visual angle to allow comparisons with colorimetric standards and were repeated five times. Calibrations and tests showed that the trichromator and the measurements were stable and repeatable. Grassmann's laws predict that at the 11 color matches the excitations in the three cone types should be the same. Consequently, we can use those matches and a model of how cone spectral sensitivities vary between individuals to estimate the three underlying corneal cone spectral sensitivities for each observer (and thus how they vary from the standard (or mean) observer). We find good agreement with the CIE 2006 standards, but our observers show small but consistent differences.
Driving corporate social responsibility to be innovative: Insights from a systematic literature review
Authors: Zhao Liming , Yin Chenli
Published: March 2024

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is increasingly under pressure to tackle social and environmental challenges using innovative approaches that benefit both companies and society. This study presents a comprehensive overview of the relevant research on the intersection of CSR and innovation since 1996. Through a bibliometric analysis and literature review of 1362 articles, the study identifies three distinct stages in the evolution of this dual theme: an infancy stage (1996–2005), a rapid growth stage (2006–2015), and an explosive growth stage (2016‐present). By analyzing the studies, subfields, and theories in each stage, we identify the approaches and challenges in CSR innovation research. Notably, digital organizational culture, sensitivity analysis, and social enterprise have emerged as current major concerns, while sustainable development and analysis methods have emerged as challenges in addressing CSR innovation. Based on these findings, we propose several future research opportunities for CSR innovation research.
ThyroSeq overview on indeterminate thyroid nodules: An institutional experience
Authors: Sirotnikov Sam , Griffith Christopher C. , Lubin Daniel , Zhang Chao , Saba Nabil F. , Li Dehong , Kornfield Amanda , Chen Amy , Shi Qiuying
Published: March 2024

Background

Molecular triage of indeterminate thyroid aspirates offers the opportunity to stratify the risk of malignancy (ROM) more accurately. Here we examine our experience with ThyroSeq v3 testing.

Methods

We analyzed 276 of 658 (42%) fine needle aspiration samples classified as indeterminate thyroid nodules using ThyroSeq v3 (Sept 2017–Dec 2019). The test provides a ROM and detects specific mutations. Surgical diagnoses were reviewed.

Results

Of 276 ThyroSeq‐tested cases, 42% (n = 116) harbored genetic alterations, whereas 64% (n = 74) had surgical follow‐up. Notably, 79% cases within intermediate to higher risk mutations were highly associated with surgical intervention, resulting in a 77.5% ROM when including both cancer and noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasia with papillary‐like features (cancer+NIFTP) and 68% malignant diagnosis when excluding NIFTP. RAS‐like alterations were most common (66%), exhibiting a 73.4% ROM and a 59% malignant diagnosis. Interestingly, this group included 24 encapsulated follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinomas (EFVPTCs), 1 infiltrative FVPTC, 9 follicular carcinomas, and 7 NIFTP. Additionally, three high‐risk mutations and eight BRAF/V600E mutations had a 100% ROM, all diagnosed as classic‐type papillary thyroid carcinoma (cPTC). Combined analysis of thyroid nodules from Bethesda III and IV categories revealed a 78.2% positive predictive value (PPV) and a 75.9% negative predictive value (NPV).

Conclusion

ThyroSeq v3 effectively stratifies the ROM in indeterminate thyroid nodules based on specific genetic alterations, guiding appropriate surgical management. Notably, the BRAFV600E/high‐risk group and RAS‐like groups exhibited ROM of 100% and 77.5%, respectively, with promising predictive accuracy (PPV of 78.2% and NPV of 75.9%).