bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Harnessing atomic force microscopy‐based single‐cell analysis to advance physical oncology
Authors: Li Mi
Published: December 2023

Single‐cell analysis is an emerging and promising frontier in the field of life sciences, which is expected to facilitate the exploration of fundamental laws of physiological and pathological processes. Single‐cell analysis allows experimental access to cell‐to‐cell heterogeneity to reveal the distinctive behaviors of individual cells, offering novel opportunities to dissect the complexity of severe human diseases such as cancers. Among the single‐cell analysis tools, atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a powerful and versatile one which is able to nondestructively image the fine topographies and quantitatively measure multiple mechanical properties of single living cancer cells in their native states under aqueous conditions with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. Over the past few decades, AFM has been widely utilized to detect the structural and mechanical behaviors of individual cancer cells during the process of tumor formation, invasion, and metastasis, yielding numerous unique insights into tumor pathogenesis from the biomechanical perspective and contributing much to the field of cancer mechanobiology. Here, the achievements of AFM‐based analysis of single cancer cells to advance physical oncology are comprehensively summarized, and challenges and future perspectives are also discussed.

Research Highlights

Achievements of AFM in characterizing the structural and mechanical behaviors of single cancer cells are summarized, and future directions are discussed.

AFM is not only capable of visualizing cellular fine structures, but can also measure multiple cellular mechanical properties as well as cell‐generated mechanical forces.

There is still plenty of room for harnessing AFM‐based single‐cell analysis to advance physical oncology.
The impact of cycling hypoxia on the phenotype of HPV‐positive cervical cancer cells
Authors: Heber Nora , Kuhn Bianca J. , Strobel Tobias D. , Lohrey Claudia , Krijgsveld Jeroen , Hoppe‐Seyler Karin , Hoppe‐Seyler Felix
Published: December 2023

Cycling hypoxia (cycH) is a prevalent form of tumor hypoxia that is characterized by exposure of tumor cells to recurrent phases of hypoxia and reoxygenation. CycH has been associated with a particularly aggressive cellular phenotype of tumor cells and increased therapy resistance. By performing comparative analyses under normoxia, physoxia, chronic hypoxia, and cycH, we here uncover distinct effects of cycH on the phenotype of human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive cervical cancer cells. We show that—other than under chronic hypoxia—viral E6/E7 oncogene expression is largely maintained under cycH as is the E6/E7‐dependent regulation of p53 and retinoblastoma protein. Further, cycH enables HPV‐positive cancer cells to evade prosenescent chemotherapy, similar to chronic hypoxia. Moreover, cells under cycH exhibit a particularly pronounced resistance to the proapoptotic effects of Cisplatin. Quantitative proteome analyses reveal that cycH induces a unique proteomic signature in cervical cancer cells, which includes a significant downregulation of luminal lysosomal proteins. These encompass the potentially proapoptotic cathepsins B and cathepsin L, which, however, appear not to affect the response to Cisplatin under any of the O2 conditions tested. Rather, we show that the proapoptotic Caspase 8/BH3‐interacting domain death agonist (BID) cascade plays a pivotal role for the efficiency of Cisplatin‐induced apoptosis in HPV‐positive cancer cells under all investigated O2 conditions. In addition, we provide evidence that BID activation by Cisplatin is impaired under cycH, which could contribute to the high resistance to the proapoptotic effects of Cisplatin. Collectively, this study provides the first insights into the profound phenotypic alterations induced by cycH in HPV‐positive cancer cells, with implications for their therapeutic susceptibility.
Betapapillomavirus natural history and co‐detection with alphapapillomavirus in cervical samples of adult women
Authors: Malagón Talía , Ribeiro Aline Lopes , Montosa Nunes Emily , Gheit Tarik , El‐Zein Mariam , Villa Luisa L. , Franco Eduardo L. , Sichero Laura
Published: December 2023

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) of the genus Betapapillomavirus can infect both cutaneous and mucosal sites, but research on their natural history at mucosal sites remains scarce. We examined the risk factors and co‐detection patterns of HPVs of the Betapapillomavirus and Alphapapillomavirus genera in cervical samples of the Ludwig‐McGill cohort study. We assessed a subset of 505 women from the Ludwig‐McGill cohort study from São Paulo, Brazil. Cervical samples over the first year of follow‐up were tested for DNA of over 40 alphapapillomavirus types and 43 betapapillomavirus types using a type‐specific multiplex genotyping polymerase chain reaction assay. We assessed the risk factors for prevalent and incident betapapillomavirus type detection, and whether types were detected more frequently together than expected assuming independence using permutation tests, logistic regression, and Cox regression. We observed significant within‐genus clustering but not cross‐genus clustering. Multiple betapapillomavirus types were co‐detected in the same sample 2.24 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.65–3.29) times more frequently than expected. Conversely, co‐detections of alphapapillomavirus and betapapillomavirus types in the same sample occurred only 0.64 (95% CI: 0.51–0.83) times as often as expected under independence. In prospective analyses, positivity to one HPV genus was associated with a nonsignificant lower incidence of detection of types in the other genus. Lifetime number of sex partners and new sex partner acquisition were associated with lower risks of prevalent and incident betapapillomavirus detection. Betapapillomaviruses are commonly found in the cervicovaginal tract. Results suggest potentially different mechanisms of transmission for betapapillomavirus genital infections other than vaginal sex.
Effect of re‐fed meat in beef hamburger production
Authors: Berger Lisa M. , Böckle Carsten , Gibis Monika , Terjung Nino , Weiss Jochen
Published: December 2023

Background

In food production, re‐feeding material into the manufacturing process is common practice to meet ecological and economical requirements. In production of hamburgers, the products with external imperfections are re‐fed in a frozen, coarsely crushed state.

Results

In this study, the influence of the addition of frozen, pre‐crushed hamburgers (re‐fed meat) during the manufacturing process on the structural, physico‐chemical, functional, and quality attributes of the hamburgers was assessed. The recording of process control parameters showed no changes among the samples. It was further found that most of the studied parameters remained nearly unaffected by the addition of re‐fed meat (RFM) up to 20%. Neither the specific mechanical energy input during grinding, the histologically determined amount of non‐intact cells, nor the sensory characterization of the samples differed strongly upon the addition of RFM.

Conclusion

The results indicate that it is technologically feasible to re‐feed unimpaired, high‐quality material due to ecological and economical reasons and still maintain high product quality. However, to ensure product safety, microbiological and hygienic standards must be maintained and controlled during processing.
Influence of different baking temperatures of red kojic rice on the physicochemical properties, antioxidant capacity, and functional components of red starter wine
Authors: Han Xueyuan , Shen Chi , Wang Xiaoyu , Ye Xinnan , Zhou Jiandi , Qian Bin , Tian Rungang , Xiao Chaogeng , Lu Wenjing , Yang Huanyi
Published: December 2023

BACKGROUND

To improve the quality of red starter wine, this study explored the effects of baking red kojic rice at varying temperatures on the physicochemical characteristics of red starter wine. Baking was predicated on understanding crucial enzyme activities and starch granule structure of red kojic rice at 75, 95, and 105 °C, leading to the production of three red starter wine variants (BHQW1, BHQW2, and BHQW3).

RESULTS

The results revealed an increased alcohol (increase 0.50%), total sugar (increase 0.14 g L−1), and total acid (increase 0.54 g L−1) content in red starter wine fermented using baked red kojic rice compared with the control group (wine fermented with unbaked rice, HQW). Furthermore, both the 105 °C baked red kojic rice and its resulting BHQW3 demonstrated significantly higher red color values than HQW (increase 2.03 U g−1 and 0.15 U mL−1 respectively). The highest lovastatin content was presented in red kojic rice baked at 105 °C and its corresponding fermented wine (1420.63 ± 507.9 μg g−1 and 3368.87 ± 228.16 μg L−1 respectively). Additionally, BHQW groups displayed higher total flavonoids and phenols content than HQW. Regarding antioxidant capacity, all BHQW groups showed stronger overall antioxidant capacity than HQW. The determination of volatile components revealed the highest content of volatile compounds in BHQW2 (2621.19 ± 548.24 μg L−1) and significantly higher volatile esters in BHQW1 (254.46 ± 16.63 μg L−1). Moreover, 16 volatile compounds were identified only in BHQW groups, including isoamyl caprylate, 2‐ethylhexyl alcohol, and benzaldehyde.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that the baking technique of red kojic rice could enhance the quality of red starter wine through enhancing antioxidant properties, increasing functional components, and enriching volatile flavor compounds, thus providing a foundation for new techniques in red starter wine production. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Brain Dynamics Complexity as a Signature of Cognitive Decline in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Fiorenzato Eleonora , Moaveninejad Sadaf , Weis Luca , Biundo Roberta , Antonini Angelo , Porcaro Camillo
Published: December 2023

Background

Higuchi's fractal dimension (FD) captures brain dynamics complexity and may be a promising method to analyze resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data and detect the neuronal interaction complexity underlying Parkinson's disease (PD) cognitive decline.

Objectives

The aim was to compare FD with a more established index of spontaneous neural activity, the fractional amplitude of low‐frequency fluctuations (fALFF), and identify through machine learning (ML) models which method could best distinguish across PD‐cognitive states, ranging from normal cognition (PD‐NC), mild cognitive impairment (PD‐MCI) to dementia (PDD). Finally, the aim was to explore correlations between fALFF and FD with clinical and cognitive PD features.

Methods

Among 118 PD patients age‐, sex‐, and education matched with 35 healthy controls, 52 were classified with PD‐NC, 46 with PD‐MCI, and 20 with PDD based on an extensive cognitive and clinical evaluation. fALFF and FD metrics were computed on rs‐fMRI data and used to train ML models.

Results

FD outperformed fALFF metrics in differentiating between PD‐cognitive states, reaching an overall accuracy of 78% (vs. 62%). PD showed increased neuronal dynamics complexity within the sensorimotor network, central executive network (CEN), and default mode network (DMN), paralleled by a reduction in spontaneous neuronal activity within the CEN and DMN, whose increased complexity was strongly linked to the presence of dementia. Further, we found that some DMN critical hubs correlated with worse cognitive performance and disease severity.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that PD‐cognitive decline is characterized by an altered spontaneous neuronal activity and increased temporal complexity, involving the CEN and DMN, possibly reflecting an increased segregation of these networks. Therefore, we propose FD as a prognostic biomarker of PD‐cognitive decline. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Metabolites 13,14‐Dihydro‐15‐keto‐PGE2 Participates in Bifidobacterium animalis F1‐7 to Alleviate Opioid‐Induced Constipation by 5‐HT Pathway
Authors: Lu Youyou , Zhou Xiaohong , Wu Yeting , Cui Qingyu , Tian Xiaoying , Yi Huaxi , Gong Pimin , Zhang Lanwei
Published: December 2023

Scope

People suffer from constipation caused by many factors, including constipation (Opioid‐Induced Constipation, OIC) during analgesic treatment. Microorganisms may be a potent solution to this problem, but the mechanism is still unclear.

Methods and results

Based on models in vivo and in vitro, the potential mechanism involving Bifidobacterium animalis F1‐7 (B. animalis F1‐7), screened in the previous studies, is explored through non‐targeted metabonomics, electrophysiological experiment and molecular level docking. The results showed that B. animalis F1‐7 effectively alleviates OIC and promotes the expression of chromogranin A (CGA) and 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT). The metabolite 13,14‐dihydro‐15‐keto‐PGE2 related to B. animalis F1‐7 is found, which has a potential improvement effect on OIC at 20 mg kg BW−1 in vivo. At 30 ng mL−1 it effectively stimulates secretion of CGA/5‐HT (408.95 ± 1.18 ng mL−1) by PC‐12 cells and changes the membrane potential potassium ion current without affecting the sodium ion current in vitro. It upregulates the target of free fatty acid receptor‐4 protein(FFAR4/β‐actin, 0.81 ± 0.02).

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that metabolite 13,14‐dihydro‐15‐keto‐PGE2 participated in B. animalis F1‐7 to alleviate OIC via the 5‐HT pathway.
Plasma Metabolites Related to the Consumption of Different Types of Dairy Products and Their Association with New‐Onset Type 2 Diabetes: Analyses in the Fenland and EPIC‐Norfolk Studies, United Kingdom
Authors: Trichia Eirini , Koulman Albert , Stewart Isobel D. , Brage Soren , Griffin Simon J. , Griffin Julian L. , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Langenberg Claudia , Wareham Nicholas J. , Imamura Fumiaki , Forouhi Nita G.
Published: December 2023

Scope

To identify metabolites associated with habitual dairy consumption and investigate their associations with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk.

Methods and results

Metabolomics assays were conducted in the Fenland (n = 10,281) and EPIC‐Norfolk (n = 1,440) studies. Using 82 metabolites assessed in both studies, we developed metabolite scores to classify self‐reported consumption of milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, and total dairy (Fenland Study‐discovery set; n = 6035). Internal and external validity of the scores was evaluated (Fenland‐validation set, n = 4246; EPIC‐Norfolk, n = 1440). The study assessed associations between each metabolite score and T2D incidence in EPIC‐Norfolk (n = 641 cases; 16,350 person‐years). The scores classified low and high consumers for all dairy types with internal validity, and milk, butter, and total dairy with external validity. The scores were further associated with lower incident T2D: hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) per standard deviation: milk 0.71 (0.65, 0.77); butter 0.62 (0.57, 0.68); total dairy 0.66 (0.60, 0.72). These associations persisted after adjustment for known dairy‐fat biomarkers.

Conclusion

Metabolite scores identified habitual consumers of milk, butter, and total dairy products, and were associated with lower T2D risk. These findings hold promise for identifying objective indicators of the physiological response to dairy consumption.
Closed‐form solution for axially loaded end‐bearing piles in two‐layered soil
Authors: Zheng Changjie , Chen Ming , Kouretzis George
Published: December 2023

This paper presents a mathematical model for the analysis of axially‐loaded end‐bearing piles embedded in a two‐layer elastic soil deposit. The governing equations of the soil layers surrounding the pile are cast by means of a Tajimi‐type continuum formulation, and this allows deriving a closed‐form expression that provides the frictional stresses that develop at the soil‐pile interface. The pile is treated as two virtual one‐dimensional elastic rods, and pile displacements are obtained by solving a system of linear equations that results from considering the boundary and continuity conditions. This results in improved efficiency compared to existing Tajimi‐based solutions for piles in layered soil, at no expense of accuracy. The model is used to study the effect of the relative stiffness of the soil layers on the serviceability behavior of axially‐loaded piles, and drawn conclusions of practical importance.
Probing human heart TCA cycle metabolism and response to glucose load using hyperpolarized [2‐13C]pyruvate MRS
Authors: Chen Hsin‐Yu , Gordon Jeremy W. , Dwork Nicholas , Chung Brian T. , Riselli Andrew , Sivalokanathan Sanjay , Bok Robert A. , Slater James B. , Vigneron Daniel B. , Abraham M. Roselle , Larson Peder E. Z.
Published: December 2023

Introduction

The healthy heart has remarkable metabolic flexibility that permits rapid switching between mitochondrial glucose oxidation and fatty acid oxidation to generate ATP. Loss of metabolic flexibility has been implicated in the genesis of contractile dysfunction seen in cardiomyopathy. Metabolic flexibility has been imaged in experimental models, using hyperpolarized (HP) [2‐13C]pyruvate MRI, which enables interrogation of metabolites that reflect tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux in cardiac myocytes. This study aimed to develop methods, demonstrate feasibility for [2‐13C]pyruvate MRI in the human heart for the first time, and assess cardiac metabolic flexibility.

Methods

Good manufacturing practice [2‐13C]pyruvic acid was polarized in a 5 T polarizer for 2.5–3 h. Following dissolution, quality control parameters of HP pyruvate met all safety and sterility criteria for pharmacy release, prior to administration to study subjects. Three healthy subjects each received two HP injections and MR scans, first under fasting conditions, followed by oral glucose load. A 5 cm axial slab‐selective spectroscopy approach was prescribed over the left ventricle and acquired at 3 s intervals on a 3 T clinical MRI scanner.

Results

The study protocol, which included HP substrate injection, MR scanning, and oral glucose load, was performed safely without adverse events. Key downstream metabolites of [2‐13C]pyruvate metabolism in cardiac myocytes include the glycolytic derivative [2‐13C]lactate, TCA‐associated metabolite [5‐13C]glutamate, and [1‐13C]acetylcarnitine, catalyzed by carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT). After glucose load, 13C‐labeling of lactate, glutamate, and acetylcarnitine from 13C‐pyruvate increased by an average of 39.3%, 29.5%, and 114% respectively in the three subjects, which could result from increases in lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase, and CAT enzyme activity as well as TCA cycle flux (glucose oxidation).

Conclusions

HP [2‐13C]pyruvate imaging is safe and permits noninvasive assessment of TCA cycle intermediates and the acetyl buffer, acetylcarnitine, which is not possible using HP [1‐13C]pyruvate. Cardiac metabolite measurement in the fasting/fed states provides information on cardiac metabolic flexibility and the acetylcarnitine pool.
SIOP pediatric oncology services Global Mapping Program: Latin American data collection
Authors: Chantada Luisa , Gorostegui Maite , Lowe Jennifer , Ranasinghe Neil , Villegas Lucas , Geel Jennifer , Howard Scott , Bouffet Eric , Chantada Guillermo , Challinor Julia , Cappellano Andrea
Published: December 2023

The International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP) launched a program to map all pediatric cancer facilities around the world. After the results in Africa were completed, the strategy for data collection for Latin America was revised to improve the accuracy and avoid duplications. In partnership with SIOP, the Sociedad Latino Americana de Oncología Pediátrica (SLAOP) approached their delegates who provided the contacts for a 10‐question survey about their institutional capacities. Data were collected by email, online meetings, or telephone calls, and stored in a secure platform. All but one country participated and a high number of centers were recorded.
“It just felt like another thing to do”: Examining teacher barriers and motivators to utilizing trauma‐informed resources during COVID‐19
Authors: Mullin Alice C. , Sharkey Jill D. , Aragon Karina M. , Appel Olivia , Portabales Paola , Bouchard Isaac , Felix Erika D.
Published: December 2023

Given that over two‐thirds of children in the United States are exposed to at least one traumatic event by age 16, it is imperative that schools support these students with trauma‐informed practices and resources. The current study investigated factors that affected teacher use of trauma‐informed resources within two school districts in California during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The specific research questions included assessing how intrinsic barriers, extrinsic barriers, administrator support, and school climate affect the use of trauma‐informed resources, as well as what barriers to and motivators of implementation teachers report. Eighty‐five teachers participated. A logistic regression model indicated that teacher‐administrator relationships (B = 0.77, p = .016) and intrinsic barriers (B = −0.84, p = .002), were predictive of resource use. Open‐ended responses revealed barriers to teacher resource use that included lack of time and district problems. Teachers reported being motivated to use resources based on their concern for the well‐being of students and themselves. Results indicate a myriad of extrinsic and intrinsic barriers making it difficult for teachers to use resources despite their motivation to support themselves and their students, and have implications for rethinking the way that teachers are expected to operate within the school system.
Barrier, converting, and tray‐forming properties of paperboard packaging materials coated with waterborne dispersions
Authors: Marinelli Andrea , Lyytikäinen Johanna , Tanninen Panu , Del Curto Barbara , Leminen Ville
Published: December 2023

In this work, different food‐contact experimental and commercial aqueous polymeric dispersions were applied to paperboard via rod coating technology to achieve <5% non‐cellulosic content. Barrier (water, moisture and grease), mechanical (tensile and bending) and converting (heat‐sealing and creasing) properties were analysed before tray formation trials on pilot‐scale equipment. Dispersion‐coated samples were compared against polyethylene terephthalate (PET) extrusion‐coated paperboard, the principal industrial material used for food trays. Results show that, within the investigated properties, waterborne dispersions can achieve similar barrier properties compared with PET, yet at lower dry coat grammage (12 g/m2 vs. 40 g/m2 of PET‐coated paperboard). Additionally, the investigated coatings heat‐sealed at temperatures as low as 80–90°C, almost 100°C less than PET; however, lower seal forces could be achieved (15–20 N/(25 mm) vs. 23 N/(25 mm) of PET‐coated paperboard). Paperboard delamination occurred at the highest seal forces. Dispersion‐coated trays were obtained at 4.5–5.0% blank moisture content. Formed trays at industrial processing parameters showed critical coating damage during converting due to tensile stresses. This work shows that milder processing conditions allow a reduction in coat defects.
Clozapine‐associated myocarditis
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: December 2023

Research data regarding clozapine‐associated myocarditis suggests that it often occurs early in treatment, with 84% of cases reported within the first month of therapy (de las Cuevas et al., 2022). Investigators recently reported on a patient who was diagnosed with myocarditis while being treated with clozapine under a rapid titration dosage regimen (Mayerová et al., 2023).
A Balanced Scorecard approach to the Homeland Security Evaluation and Exercise Program
Authors: Soujaa Ismail , Nukpezah Julius A. , Dimitrijevska‐Markoski Tamara
Published: December 2023

The Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) is the standard program for exercise design and development, management, evaluation, and improvement planning, but it has several challenges for its operation. This study focuses on HSEEP evaluative capacity and provides practical recommendations for program improvement using the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) approach. Although HSEEP has a myriad of challenges related to its performance measurement, the study asserts that some of these limitations can be addressed by incorporating the BSC approach. The study explains and demonstrates how the four BSC approaches, internal and external stakeholders, organizational process, financial, and learning aspects, can improve the HSEEP.
Status, variation, development, and utilization of water resources in China
Authors: Qiu Yaqin , Hao Chunfeng , Jia Ling , Shen Yingying , Liu Haiying , Wang Zhuoran
Published: December 2023

The information about China's water resources yield and its utilization have been publicly released by its annual China Water Resources Bulletin since 1998. This paper introduces the facts of China's water resources and its development and utilization in 2022 and analyzes the variation of water resources, water supply structure, water use volume, and efficiency. In 2022, both precipitation and total volume of water resources in China were less than normal, and were unevenly distributed both temporally and geographically. There has been some decrease in water storage of some large‐ and medium‐sized reservoirs, while the storage of lakes has remained relatively stable. Total water use increased to some extent compared with that in 2021, with further improvements of efficiency and pattern of water uses. There was no significant trend of change on annual precipitation and water resources in China from 1956 to 2022, but the capability of runoff generation in North China showed a decrease. To ensure national water security, China has made great effort to cope with the impacts of climate change and human activities by refined management of surface water resources and groundwater resources, as well as ambitious water‐saving goals.
Scleredema of Buschke Leading to an Ulcerated Plaque on the Neck
Authors: Truong Thu M. , Makkar Timothy , Pappert Amy
Published: December 2023

Scleredema diabeticorum (SD) is a common cause of scleredema with limited effective treatment options available. Patients with SD may experience significant discomfort due to symptoms of itching, burning, or pain. SD typically develops due to poor glycaemic control as demonstrated in this case.
MnF2 Surface Modulated Hollow Carbon Nanorods on Porous Carbon Nanofibers as Efficient Bi‐Functional Oxygen Catalysis for Rechargeable Zinc–Air Batteries
Authors: Wang Gang , Chi Hao , Feng Yang , Fan Jie , Deng Nanping , Kang Weimin , Cheng Bowen
Published: December 2023

Developing highly efficient bi‐functional noble‐metal‐free oxygen electrocatalysts with low‐cost and scalable synthesis approach is challenging for zinc–air batteries (ZABs). Due to the flexible valence state of manganese, MnF2 is expected to provide efficient OER. However, its insulating properties may inhibit its OER process to a certain degree. Herein, during the process of converting the manganese source in the precursor of porous carbon nanofibers (PCNFs) to manganese fluoride, the manganese source is changed to manganese acetate, which allows PCNFs to grow a large number of hollow carbon nanorods (HCNRs). Meanwhile, manganese fluoride will transform from the aggregation state into uniformly dispersed MnF2 nanodots, thereby achieving highly efficient OER catalytic activity. Furthermore, the intrinsic ORR catalytic activity of the HCNRs/MnF2@PCNFs can be enhanced due to the charge modulation effect of MnF2 nanodots inside HCNR. In addition, the HCNRs stretched toward the liquid electrolyte can increase the capture capacity of dissolved oxygen and protect the inner MnF2, thereby enhancing the stability of HCNRs/MnF2@PCNFs for the oxygen electrocatalytic process. MnF2 surface‐modulated HCNRs can strongly enhance ORR activity, and the uniformly dispersed MnF2 can also provide higher OER activity. Thus, the prepared HCNRs/MnF2@PCNFs obtain efficient bifunctional oxygen catalytic ability and high‐performance rechargeable ZABs.
Photonics in Multimaterial Lateral Heterostructures Combining Group IV Chalcogenide van der Waals Semiconductors
Authors: Sutter Eli , Kisslinger Kim , Unocic Raymond R. , Burns Kory , Hachtel Jordan , Sutter Peter
Published: December 2023

Lateral heterostructures combining two multilayer group IV chalcogenide van der Waals semiconductors have attracted interest for optoelectronics, twistronics, and valleytronics, owing to their structural anisotropy, bulk‐like electronic properties, enhanced optical thickness, and vertical interfaces enabling in‐plane charge manipulation/separation, perpendicular to the trajectory of incident light. Group IV monochalcogenides support propagating photonic waveguide modes, but their interference gives rise to complex light emission patterns throughout the visible/near‐infrared range both in uniform flakes and single‐interface lateral heterostructures. Here, this work demonstrates the judicious integration of pure and alloyed monochalcogenide crystals into multimaterial heterostructures with unique photonic properties, notably the ability to select photonic modes with targeted discrete energies through geometric factors rather than band engineering. SnS‐GeS1−xSex‐GeSe‐GeS1−xSex heterostructures with a GeS1−xSex active layer sandwiched laterally between GeSe and SnS, semiconductors with similar optical constants but smaller bandgaps, were designed and realized via sequential vapor transport synthesis. Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy/diffraction, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy confirm a high crystal quality of the laterally stitched components with sharp interfaces. Nanometer‐scale cathodoluminescence spectroscopy provides evidence for a facile transfer of electron–hole pairs across the lateral interfaces and demonstrates the selection of photon emission at discrete energies in the laterally embedded active (GeS1−xSex) part of the heterostructure.
Theoretically Designed Cu10Sn3‐Cu‐SnOx as Three‐Component Electrocatalyst for Efficient and Tunable CO2 Reduction to Syngas
Authors: Woldu Abebe R. , Harrath Karim , Huang Zanling , Wang Xiaoming , Huang Xiao‐Chun , Astruc Didier , Hu Liangsheng
Published: December 2023

Electrocatalytic transformation of CO2 to various syngas compositions is an exceedingly attractive approach to carbon‐neutral recycling. Meanwhile, the achievement of selectivity, stability, and tunability of product ratios using single‐component electrocatalysts is challenging. Herein, the theoretically‐assisted design of the triple‐component nanocomposite electrocatalyst Cu10Sn3‐Cu‐SnOx that addresses this challenge is presented. It is shown that Cu10Sn3 is a valuable electrocatalyst for suitable CO2 reduction to CO, SnO2 for CO2 reduction to formate at large overpotentials, and that the Cu–SnO2 interface facilitates H2 evolution. Accordingly, the interaction between the three functional components affords tunable CO/H2 ratios, from 1:2 to 2:1, of the produced syngas by controlling the applied potentials and relative contents of functional components. The syngas generation is selective (Faradaic efficiency, FE = 100%) at relatively lower cathodic potentials, whereas formate is the only liquid product detected at relatively higher cathodic potentials. The theoretically guided design approach therefore provides a new opportunity to boost the selectivity and stability of CO2 reduction to tunable syngas.
Automated Purification of DNA Origami with SPRI Beads
Authors: Chau Chalmers , Mohanan Gayathri , Macaulay Iain , Actis Paolo , Wälti Christoph
Published: December 2023

DNA origami synthesis is a well‐established technique with wide‐ranging applications. In most cases, the synthesized origami must be purified to remove excess materials such as DNA oligos and other functional molecules. While several purification techniques are routinely used, all have limitations, and cannot be integrated with robotic systems. Here the use of solid‐phase reversible immobilization (SPRI) beads as a scalable, high‐throughput, and automatable method to purify DNA origami is demonstrated. Not only can this method remove unreacted oligos and biomolecules with yields comparable to existing methods while maintaining the high structural integrity of the origami, but it can also be integrated into an automated workflow to purify simultaneously large numbers and quantities of samples. It is envisioned that the SPRI beads purification method will improve the scalability of DNA nanostructures synthesis both for research and commercial applications.
Pull‐off capacity of FRP–concrete composite bonded with epoxy/geopolymer at elevated temperature
Authors: Rashid Khuram , Fatima Miral , Daud Maheen , Ju Minkwan , Wang Yi
Published: December 2023

Externally bonded strengthening technique to the concrete has been widely used with epoxy adhesive. However, the adhesive is considerably weak against high temperatures, which has been regarded as the critical point in the loss of integrity of the strengthened system. Alternatively, geopolymer materials have shown an excellent performance at high temperatures, thus, their potential to be used as adhesive material has been investigated in this work. In experimentation, the composite specimens were developed using both types of adhesives, epoxy and geopolymer, and their performance was evaluated at three temperature levels (20, 60, and 120°C) by conducting pull‐off strength tests and classifying their failure modes. It was observed that the strength of concrete and epoxy was reduced with temperature. In contrast, the strength of geopolymer‐based adhesives strength was increased due to the reactivity of the precursor at high temperatures. Also, bond strength was reduced for both composite specimens at elevated temperatures. The highest bond strength was observed for the epoxy‐based adhesive system at 20°C, and about 70% loss in bond strength was observed when exposed to 120°C. The failure mode was also shifted from concrete to adhesive interface failure, that is, failure between the adhesive and the fiber fabric layer. The geopolymer‐based adhesive system has lower strength than its counterpart at all temperature levels, and the failure mode was adhesive interface failure. To enhance the bonding capacity at high temperatures, efforts are being made by adding different minerals has been employed. From the experimental results, it was found that there were some improvements, however, it was still less than that of epoxy‐based system. Further optimization of the geopolymer adhesive using minerals is required and then high‐thermal resistance geopolymer adhesive can be established.
Strain rate sensitivity of strain‐hardening fiber‐reinforced concrete subjected to dynamic direct tensile loading
Authors: Vu Vu Truong , Tran Tuan Kiet , Kim Dong Joo , Nguyen Duy‐Liem , Tran Ngoc Thanh
Published: December 2023

This study investigates the effects of matrix strength on the high‐rate tensile resistance and strain rate sensitivity of strain‐hardening fiber‐reinforced concretes (SHFRCs) under direct tensile loading. Two types of deformed steel fiber, hooked and twisted, were reinforced in two matrices, high‐performance concrete (HPC) with compressive strength of 84 MPa and ultra‐high‐performance concrete (UHPC) with compressive strength of 180 MPa. Additionally, an artificial neural network (ANN) based model was proposed to estimate the strain rate sensitivity of SHFRCs subjected to dynamic direct tensile loading. The results showed that HPC produced relatively lower post cracking strength but much higher strain capacity at a high strain rate than UHPC. Moreover, HPC was found to be more strain rate sensitivity than UHPC. Furthermore, the proposed ANN model was an efficient tool for predicting the strain rate sensitivity of SHFRCs. Based on the sensitivity analysis, the contribution of each influence factor on the final strain rate sensitivity of SHFRCs can be determined.
A functional chicken‐liver hydrolysate‐based supplement ameliorates alcohol liver disease via regulation of antioxidation, anti‐inflammation, and antiapoptosis
Authors: Wu Yi‐Hsieng Samuel , Lin Yi‐Ling , Kao Yi‐Feng , Chen Jr‐Wei , Chen Yi‐Chou , Chen Yi‐Chen
Published: December 2023

Tons of broiler livers are produced yearly in Taiwan but always considered waste. Our team has successfully patented and characterized a chicken‐liver hydrolysate (CLH) with several biofunctions. Chronic alcohol consumption causes hepatosteatosis or even hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancers. This study was to investigate the hepatoprotection of CLH‐based supplement (GBHP01™) against chronic alcohol consumption. Results showed that GBHP01™ could reduce (p < .05) enlarged liver size, lipid accumulation/steatosis scores, and higher serum AST, ALT, γ‐GT, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels induced by an alcoholic liquid diet. GBHP01™ reduced liver inflammation and apoptosis in alcoholic liquid‐diet‐fed mice via decreasing TBARS, interleukin‐6, interleukin‐1β, and tumor necrosis factor‐α levels, increasing reduced GSH/TEAC levels and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx, as well as downregulating CYP2E1, BAX/BCL2, Cleaved CASPASE‐9/Total CASPASE‐9 and Active CASPASE‐3/Pro‐CASPASE‐3 (p < .05). Furthermore, GBHP01™ elevated hepatic alcohol metabolism (ADH and ALDH activities) (p < .05). In conclusion, this study prove the hepatoprotection of GBHP01™ against alcohol consumption.
The Five Emerging Business Models of Fintech for AI Adoption, Growth and Building Trust
Authors: Zarifis Alex , Cheng Xusen
Published: December 2023

Financial technology, Fintech, is going through a very disruptive digital transformation that is going beyond just making existing models leaner and faster. This research uses a qualitative approach to identify five models of Fintech that can utilize AI to its full potential. The five models are: (a) an incumbent in finance disaggregating and focusing on one part of the supply chain, (b) an incumbent utilizing AI in their current processes without changing their business model, (c) an incumbent extending their model to utilize AI and access new customers and data, (d) a new disrupting startup only getting involved in finance utilizing AI to gain an advantage over incumbents, and (e) an existing tech company disrupting finance by adding financial services to their portfolio of services. The five Fintech business models give an organization five proven routes to AI adoption and growth. Building trust is central to all five models. Trust is not always built at the same point in the value chain, or by the same type of organization. The trust building should usually happen where the customers are attracted and on-boarded.
Circular Construction Principles: From Theoretical Perspective to Practical Application in Public Procurement
Authors: Andabaka Ana
Published: December 2023

This paper aims to highlight the role of government and other public authorities in promoting the implementation of circular economy principles in the built environment. Circular construction ecosystem is based on circular building design and the coordinated action of stakeholders along the value chain. Government and local authorities have a special role to play in the built environment as they manage infrastructure and act as regulators and enablers as well. Moreover, circular building design strategies should be encouraged through the government policy tools like public procurement allowing public authorities to formulate tenders that incorporate circular economy principles when purchasing goods, services, and works related to the built environment. The case studies presented show that public procurement can be a valuable tool for promoting circular use of materials and reducing waste, encouraging the construction of circularly designed zero-emission buildings, and stimulating market innovation that reduces the environmental impact of construction while providing benefits to society. Thus, public authorities can be a powerful force driving change and innovation in the construction industry towards more circularity in the built environment.
Albanian Green Economy Trends
Authors: Prendi Llambi , Gashi Jonida
Published: December 2023

In the 1991s, Albania entered a great political and economic transition, passing from the communist to the capitalist system. All resources in common use were usurped. The environment and its conservation were the least concern for Albania. Even now its environment faces several problems. Some of the key issues are pollution, waste disposal, loss of biodiversity, deforestation, etc. Our paper uses data generated by OECD stat and abundant literature. We have selected OECD Green Growth indicators for monitoring progress towards green growth in Albania as environmental and resource productivity, the environmental dimension of quality of life, economic opportunities and policy responses, and the socio-economic context. The data values collected vary from 1980 to 2021. We rely on Albania's performance over time of many green growth indicators. This will allow us to observe whether Albania is moving toward a green economy and policies. From the data presented we see that Albania has made some advancements toward green growth.
PV and Thermal Solar Systems Application in Buildings. A State of Art in the Context of Circular Economy
Authors: De Simone Marilena
Published: December 2023

Solar energy is one of the most promising sources for low carbon energy production. In particular, PV panels and thermal solar collectors can be easily integrated into new and existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency and sustainability. On the other hand, solar-based technologies require extraction of natural resources and processing, thus materials conservation and recovery are vital to effectively contribute to the decarbonization of the construction sector. The paper is meant to be a brief state of the art that summarizes the relevant issues for achieving the goal of circular economy of buildings with the focus on solar energy application, with the novelty of considering and comparing two technologies, photovoltaic and thermal. Most of the scientific literature was dedicated to PV technologies due to the increasing importance of the electrification process and the usage of materials with reduced availability. Thermal solar collectors were mainly analysed developing LCA without a larger point of view embracing circularity concepts. Apart from the technological matters, the investigation highlights social, behavioral, and economic aspects that can be crucial to trace the route to circular economy.
Wood-Based Waste Management—Important Resources for Construction of the Built Environment
Authors: Parobek Jan , Paluš Hubert
Published: December 2023

The circular economy focuses on the utilisation of resources and the reutilisation of these resources and waste streams into value added products. Wood as a renewable resources represent one of the most important advantage of the forest based industry and all related industries. These sectors aim on the sustainable wood and different wood products production and utilisation, wood buildings including. Improved utilization of available industrial wood assortments and utilisation of wood waste to added value products generate profit for all actors in the supply chain. Analysis of wood flows take into account not only the uses of wood as a material, but also by-products and waste generated by the production to be used as inputs for further uses in construction, wood processing or energy sectors. This paper deals with the analysis of raw wood flows in Slovakia with a focus on wood-based waste management, utilisation of wood waste for long term wood products in the built environment. At the present time new approaches such as cascade use of woody biomass can be applied to ensure the sustainable utilisation of renewable resources. The material flow analysis (MFA)was used to identify relations between the resources and primary uses of wood. In particular the results show some particular examples of wood flows focused on possibilities of utilisation of wood waste from the wood processing industry (WPI) and recycled wood in the construction sector.
How Does ‘Locality’ Matter in Enabling a Circular Built Environment?: A Focus on Space, Knowledge, and Cities
Authors: Çidik Mustafa Selçuk , Schiller Georg , Zhang Ning , Rizzo Agatino , Tambovceva Tatjana , Bajare Diana , Hendawy Mennatullah
Published: December 2023

There is a growing interest in understanding and using local knowledge, resources, and stakeholders to achieve tailored and effective circular solutions in the built environment. Although the importance of clear centralised guidance and regulations are emphasised in the existing literature, there is also an emerging acknowledgement that understanding the ‘local context’ will be key to achieving tailored solutions that can effectively work in practice. However, there is a lack of discussion around the meaning and significance of ‘locality’ in terms of circularity solutions in the built environment. This discussion paper introduces space (both physical and social) and knowledge as two key aspects of ‘locality’ for enabling effective circular solutions in the built environment. Further, it argues that the cities can be seen as the locus of circular economy because of their role in localising space and knowledge. Thus, the paper enables a starting point to structure research towards an improved understanding of (i) the role of space and knowledge co-production for a circular built environment, (ii) the relevant local stakeholders, as well as (iii) city-level governance of locality in supporting a circular built environment.
How Circular Economy Strategies Can Be Implemented in the Dwelling Renovation Design Phase
Authors: Figueirôa Ísis , do Carmo Duarte Freitas Maria , Tavares Sergio Fernando , Bragança Luís
Published: December 2023

The world’s largest consumer of raw materials is the construction sector, which mostly adopts the linear economy model. Several researchers make an effort to study how to realize a transition in the sector to a circular model of environmental development, applying strategies to preserve the raw resources, maintain materials in use as long as they can be, and reuse and recycle the building components. For increased circular efficiency of the construction, it is ideal to adopt strategies still in the design phase, however, most city buildings weren’t built taking this into account and have a low possibility of adaptation of spaces and disassembly of their materials and components. Dwelling renovation has a crucial role in this scenario, and this research aims to figure out how these strategies can be applied to renovation projects since there is a lack of information on how to do this, as the studies are addressed more to new buildings. Through a systematic literature review, using relevant terms, this document identified the principal’s circular economy strategies for the design phase, the dwelling spatial configuration models and the dissatisfaction of its inhabitants, and some design possibilities that can be applied to renovation projects. These findings contribute to the development of documents focused on architectural design practice.
Optimal estimation of dimension-8 neutral triple gauge couplings at the e+e− colliders
Authors: Jahedi Sahabub
Published: December 2023

Abstract

We investigate the measurement of non-standard ZZV (V = γ, Z) couplings through Z-boson pair production at the e+e− colliders. We adopt the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) approach to study these anomalous neutral triple gauge couplings. There are one CP-conserving and three CP-violating dim-8 SMEFT operators that contribute to ZZV couplings. Using the optimal observable technique, the sensitivity of these new physics couplings has been estimated and compared with the latest experimental limits on dim-8 couplings at the LHC at CERN. The effect of beam polarization and correlations among CP-violating ZZV couplings are discussed. The comparison of statistical limits of new physics couplings between optimal observable technique and contemporary cut-based analysis has also been studied in detail.