bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Medically Complex Living Kidney Donor
Authors: Caliskan Yasar , Yildiz Alaattin
Published: May 2012

Due to organ shortage and difficulties for availability of cadaveric donors, living donor transplantation is an important choice for having allograft. Live donor surgery is elective and easier to organize prior to starting dialysis thereby permitting preemptive transplantation as compared to cadaveric transplantation. Because of superior results with living kidney transplantation, efforts including the usage of “Medically complex living donors” are made to increase the availability of organs for donation. The term “Complex living donor” is probably preferred for all suboptimal donors where decision-making is a problem due to lack of sound medical data or consensus guidelines. Donors with advanced age, obesity, asymptomatic microhematuria, proteinuria, hypertension, renal stone disease, history of malignancy and with chronic viral infections consist of this complex living donors. This medical complex living donors requires careful evaluation for future renal risk. In this review we would like to present the major issues in the evaluation process of medically complex living kidney donor.
Comparative Performance of Surrogate‐Assisted MOEAs for Geometrical Design of Pin‐Fin Heat Sinks
Authors: Kanyakam Siwadol , Bureerat Sujin
Published: May 2012

This paper presents the comparative performance of several surrogate‐assisted multiobjective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) for geometrical design of a pin‐fin heat sink (PFHS). The surrogate‐assisted MOEAs are achieved by integrating multiobjective population‐based incremental learning (PBIL) with a quadratic response surface model (QRS), a radial‐basis function (RBF) interpolation technique, and a Kriging (KRG) or Gaussian process model. The mixed integer/continuous multiobjective design problem of PFHS with the objective to minimise junction temperature and fan pumping power simultaneously is posed. The optimum results obtained from using the original multiobjective PBIL and the three versions of hybrid PBIL are compared. It is shown that the hybrid PBIL using KRG is the best performer. The hybrid PBILs require less number of function evaluations to surpass the original PBIL.
Evaluation of Personal and Built Environment Attributes to Physical Activity: A Multilevel Analysis on Multiple Population-Based Data Sources
Authors: Yang Wei , Spears Karen , Zhang Fan , Lee Wai , Himler Heidi L.
Published: May 2012

Background. Studies have documented that built environment factors potentially promote or impede leisure time physical activity (LTPA). This study explored the relationship between multiple built environment factors and individual characteristics on LTPA.Methods. Multiple data sources were utilized including individual level data for health behaviors and health status from the Nevada Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and community level data from different data sources including indicators for recreation facilities, safety, air quality, commute time, urbanization, population density, and land mix level. Mixed model logistic regression and geographic information system (GIS) spatial analysis were conducted.Results. Among 6,311 respondents, 24.4% reported no LTPA engagement during the past 30 days. No engagement in LTPA was significantly associated with (1) individual factors: older age, less education, lower income, being obesity, and low life satisfaction and (2) community factors: more commute time, higher crime rate, urban residence, higher population density, but not for density and distance to recreation facilities, air quality, and land mix.Conclusions. Multiple data systems including complex population survey and spatial analysis are valuable tools on health and built environment studies.
Metabolic Engineering of Yeast and Plants for the Production of the Biologically Active Hydroxystilbene, Resveratrol
Authors: Jeandet Philippe , Delaunois Bertrand , Aziz Aziz , Donnez David , Vasserot Yann , Cordelier Sylvain , Courot Eric
Published: May 2012

Resveratrol, a stilbenic compound deriving from the phenyalanine/polymalonate route, being stilbene synthase the last and key enzyme of this pathway, recently has become the focus of a number of studies in medicine and plant physiology. Increased demand for this molecule for nutraceutical, cosmetic and possibly pharmaceutic uses, makes its production a necessity. In this context, the use of biotechnology through recombinant microorganisms and plants is particularly promising. Interesting results can indeed arise from the potential of genetically modified microorganisms as an alternative mechanism for producing resveratrol. Strategies used to tailoring yeast as they do not possess the genes that encode for the resveratrol pathway, will be described. On the other hand, most interest has centered in recent years, onSTSgene transfer experiments from various origins to the genome of numerous plants. This work also presents a comprehensive review on plant molecular engineering with theSTSgene, resulting in disease resistance against microorganisms and the enhancement of the antioxidant activities of several fruits in transgenic lines.
Global Gene Expression Profiling in PPAR-γAgonist-Treated Kidneys in an Orthologous Rat Model of Human Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Yoshihara Daisuke , Kugita Masanori , Yamaguchi Tamio , Aukema Harold M. , Kurahashi Hiroki , Morita Miwa , Hiki Yoshiyuki , Calvet James P. , Wallace Darren P. , Toyohara Takafumi , Abe Takaaki , Nagao Shizuko
Published: May 2012

Kidneys are enlarged by aberrant proliferation of tubule epithelial cells leading to the formation of numerous cysts, nephron loss, and interstitial fibrosis in polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Pioglitazone (PIO), a PPAR-γagonist, decreased cell proliferation, interstitial fibrosis, and inflammation, and ameliorated PKD progression in PCK rats (Am. J. Physiol.-Renal, 2011). To explore genetic mechanisms involved, changes in global gene expression were analyzed. By Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of 30655 genes, 13 of the top 20 downregulated gene ontology biological process gene sets and six of the top 20 curated gene set canonical pathways identified to be downregulated by PIOtreatment were related to cell cycle and proliferation, including EGF, PDGF and JNK pathways. Their relevant pathways were identified using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes database. Stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 is a key enzyme in fatty acid metabolism found in the top 5 genes downregulated by PIO treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the gene product of this enzyme was highly expressed in PCK kidneys and decreased by PIO. These data show that PIO alters the expression of genes involved in cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, and fatty acid metabolism.
On Singular Perturbations of Flexible and Variable-Speed Wind Turbines
Authors: Oulad Ben Zarouala R. , Vivas C. , Acosta J. Á. , El Bakkali L.
Published: May 2012

A model for the mechanical dynamics of a wind turbine is developed, which is the composition of three physical mechanisms: flexion, torsion, and rotational dynamics. A first contribution is the identification of the essential physical parameters that provide a time-scale separation of these three mechanisms. Under the assumption of singular perturbations the time-scale separation allows to work with a reduced model of order one. This reduction has been essential for the control of this system allowing to control designers to take into account only the reduced-order model. A second contribution consists in employing a measurement of the fore-aft nacelle acceleration with the reduced model, together with a Kalman filter to estimate the flexible DOFs of the system (tower and average blade deflection). The successful approach is tested on high-order nonlinear aeroelastic simulator (FAST).
Antagonistic and Synergetic Impacts of Conversation on Nonpersuasive Media Effects
Authors: Gehrau Volker , Döveling Katrin , Sommer Denise , Dunlop Sally
Published: May 2012

This article elaborates the role of interpersonal communication in media effects. Based on an extensive literature review, two lines of arguments are illustrated: the antagonistic and the synergetic position. The literature provides theoretical and empirical support for both positions especially in the field of persuasive media input. To complete the view, two experiments with nonpersuasive media input are presented. The first experiment addresses the role of conversations in cognitive news effects. The synergetic position is supported: conversation leads to elaboration and more profound recall of media content. The second experiment deals mainly with emotional media effects in entertainment. No general impact of conversation on media effects was demonstrated. Nonetheless, the authors find evidence that conversations about the media engender a more critical and reserved stance toward the media content and protagonists. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for further research into the field.
Equal modal damping design for a family of resonant vibration control formats
Authors: Krenk Steen , Høgsberg Jan
Published: May 2012

The principle of equal modal damping is used to give a unified presentation and calibration of resonant control of structures for different control formats, based on velocity, acceleration–position or position feedback. When introducing a resonant controller the original resonant mode splits into two, and if these are required to have the same modal damping ratio, the characteristic equation conforms to a two-parameter format. By selecting a suitable relative separation of the modal frequencies, the design problem defines a one-parameter family – determined, for example, in terms of the resulting modal damping ratio. While velocity feedback, and the associated acceleration–position formats, lead to near-equal resonant peak heights of the velocity in a frequency response diagram, position feedback leads to balanced acceleration peaks. It is demonstrated, how a simple additional time derivative term in the control coupling can change these properties into balanced position and velocity peaks, respectively. In particular this gives an improved control format based on measurement of structural displacement or deformation. In all cases the optimal calibration in terms of a root locus identification leads to a simple explicit pair of design formulae for controller frequency and damping ratio based on a simple two -degrees-of-freedom system. Unconditional stability is demonstrated for a general multi-degrees-of-freedom system with multiple controllers for the velocity and acceleration-velocity formats, while the position and extended position feedback format give a simple stability condition in terms of the gain factors and the structure flexibility matrix. The paper concludes with a simple design procedure based on the desired effective damping of a flexible structure with equal modal control in any of the discussed resonant formats.
Will the Epicurean Sage Break the Law if He is Perfectly Sure that He Will Escape Detection?: A Difficult Problem Revisited
Authors: Roskam Geert
Published: May 2012

This paper deals with a notorious vexata quaestio in the domainof the Epicurean philosophy of law and justice: will the Epicurean sage break the law if he can be sure that his deed will never be detected (εἰδὼς ὅτι λήσει)? Epicurus himself remained quite cautious on this topic, as appears from his answer that “the unqualified predication is not free from difficulty.” After a discussion of several traditional interpretations, which often unduly neglect the paramount importance and far-reaching implications of the εἰδὼς ὅτι λήσει-presupposition, I argue that the Epicurean sage will in the end judge each case on its own merits, using pleasure as his only criterion while taking into account the particular circumstances.
The (Cultural) Harmony of Nature: Music, Love, and Order in Daphnis and Chloe
Authors: Montiglio Silvia
Published: May 2012

Music in Daphnis and Chloe translates the order that governs the pastoral world. It is silenced when that order is shattered, especially by the irruption of love. Music, however, is not simply the expression of an idyllic order. It also participates in the education of the novel’s protagonists, who must grow to find a new order in their lives subsequent to love’s irruption: that new order is the institutionalization of love, matrimony, and the definition of man’s and woman’s roles in it. This paper attempts to show that Daphnis becomes an increasingly accomplished musician whereas Chloe’s music is gradually silenced, and argues that Longus endorses the musical education he maps.
From Hellas with Love: The Aesthetics of Imitation in Aristaenetus’s Epistles
Authors: Höschele Regina
Published: May 2012

Combining general observations on Aristaenetus’s use of the epistolary medium, which serves to bridge the gulf between the author’s present and Hellas’s literary past, with a close reading of two epistles, my article investigates the aesthetics of imitation underlying this collection of amatory letters. I show how issues of artistic mimesis are treated both in the opening text (1.1), which programmatically reflects upon the style of Aristaenetus’s work, its imitative nature and the fictionality of his epistolary loves, and in Ep. 2.10, written by a painter in love with his own creation.
Après l’Empire: Violences institutionnelles dans le Djibouti colonial tardif
Authors: Imbert-Vier Simon
Published: May 2012

This article presents and analyzes a set of institutional manifestations of violence that took place in a late colonial situation—the French Territory of Afars and Issas from 1966 up to its independence in 1977—with the announced aim of blocking migratory movements and maintaining French sovereignty over the territory. The present article describes this violence mostly performed by military forces (“barrage,” endless physical control of the inhabitants of the autochthonous areas, raids, evictions, indexing, etc.), and the way it was legitimized by an identity assignation process, the methods and ideological resources of which are explained. This example from a recent past shows the stakes and methods of migration control, and the possible infringement on the rule of law it can cause in a postcolonial state. Its study, however, shows that the colonial situation is not sufficient in itself to explain this use of extraordinary coercive procedures. They participate in the construction of national identity, but are also responsible for the difficulties of its construction. This situation is part of the evolution of the technologies of institutional violence after World War II, mostly applied to “foreigners.”
Disappearing Acts: Reclaiming Intersectionality in the Social Sciences in a Post-Black Feminist Era
Authors: Alexander-Floyd Nikol G.
Published: May 2012

The article investigates how post-black feminist definitions of intersectionality in the social sciences have "disappeared" black women as knowledge producers and subjects of investigation. This post-black feminist turn in theorizing intersectionality is assessed in terms of the rhetorical strategies critiqued by Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989, 1990-91) in her foundational work on intersectionality, demonstrating how the very strategies she identified as hegemonic limitations to black feminism have been incorporated into social science work produced in the name of intersectional investigation, thus re-subjugating black women's knowledge. A reconstructive liberatory project in the name of intersectionality is suggested that would entail scholars across the disciplines implementing hermeneutical and/or narrative methodologies that center on black women's subjectivity.
Rethinking Cognitive Mediation: Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy and the Perceptual Theory of Emotion
Authors: Maxwell Bruce , Tappolet Christine
Published: May 2012

Abstract:
Empirical assessments and theoretical considerations raise questions about cognitive behavioral therapy’s fundamental theoretical tenet that psychological disturbances are mediated by consciously accessible cognitive structures. This paper considers this situation in light of emotion theory in philosophy. We argue that the “perceptual theory” of emotions, which underlines the parallels between emotions and sensory perceptions, suggests a conception of cognitive mediation that can accommodate the observed empirical anomalies and one that is consistent with the dual processing models dominant in cognitive psychology.
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Shape Myeloid Cell Function within the Tumor Microenvironment through IFN-γ and GM-CSF
Authors: Spear Paul , Barber Amorette , Rynda-Apple Agnieszka , Sentman Charles L.
Published: May 2012

The infiltration of suppressive myeloid cells into the tumor microenvironment restrains anti-tumor immunity. However, cytokines may alter the function of myeloid lineage cells to support tumor rejection, regulating the balance between pro- and anti-tumor immunity. In this study, it is shown that effector cytokines secreted by adoptively transferred T cells expressing a chimeric Ag receptor (CAR) shape the function of myeloid cells to promote endogenous immunity and tumor destruction. Mice bearing the ovarian ID8 tumor were treated with T cells transduced with a chimeric NKG2D receptor. GM-CSF secreted by the adoptively transferred T cells recruited peripheral F4/80loLy-6C+ myeloid cells to the tumor microenvironment in a CCR2-dependent fashion. T cell IFN-γ and GM-CSF activated local, tumor-associated macrophages, decreased expression of regulatory factors, increased IL-12p40 production, and augmented Ag processing and presentation by host macrophages to Ag-specific T cells. In addition, T cell-derived IFN-γ, but not GM-CSF, induced the production of NO by F4/80hi macrophages and enhanced their lysis of tumor cells. The ability of CAR T cell therapy to eliminate tumor was moderately impaired when inducible NO synthase was inhibited and greatly impaired in the absence of peritoneal macrophages after depletion with clodronate encapsulated liposomes. This study demonstrates that the activation of host macrophages by CAR T cell-derived cytokines transformed the tumor microenvironment from immunosuppressive to immunostimulatory and contributed to inhibition of ovarian tumor growth.
Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 Infection of Human Epithelial Cells Induces CXCL9 Expression and CD4+ T Cell Migration via Activation of p38-CCAAT/Enhancer-Binding Protein-β Pathway
Authors: Huang Wenjie , Hu Kai , Luo Sukun , Zhang Mudan , Li Chang , Jin Wei , Liu Yalan , Griffin George E. , Shattock Robin J. , Hu Qinxue
Published: May 2012

Recruitment of CD4+ T cells to infection areas after HSV-2 infection may be one of the mechanisms that account for increased HIV-1 sexual transmission. Lymphocytes recruited by chemokine CXCL9 are known to be important in control of HSV-2 infection in mice, although the underlying mechanism remains to be addressed. Based on our observation that CXCL9 expression is augmented in the cervical mucus of HSV-2–positive women, in this study we demonstrate that HSV-2 infection directly induces CXCL9 expression in primary cervical epithelial cells and cell lines, the principal targets of HSV-2, at both mRNA and protein levels. Further studies reveal that the induction of CXCL9 expression by HSV-2 is dependent upon a binding site for C/EBP-β within CXCL9 promoter sequence. Furthermore, CXCL9 expression is promoted at the transcriptional level through phosphorylating C/EBP-β via p38 MAPK pathway, leading to binding of C/EBP-β to the CXCL9 promoter. Chemotaxis assays indicate that upregulation of CXCL9 expression at the protein level by HSV-2 infection enhances the migration of PBLs and CD4+ T cells, whereas neutralization of CXCL9 or inhibition of p38-C/EBP-β pathway can significantly decrease the migration. Our data together demonstrate that HSV-2 induces CXCL9 expression in human cervical epithelial cells by activation of p38-C/EBP-β pathway through promoting the binding of C/EBP-β to CXCL9 promoter, which may recruit activated CD4+ T cells to mucosal HSV-2 infection sites and potentially increase the risk of HIV-1 sexual transmission.
Study on Adjustment Problems of International Students Studying in Universities of The People’s Republic of China: A Comparison of Student and Faculty/Staff Perceptions
Authors: Sumra Kalsoom BeBe
Published: May 2012

China is advancing rapidly and moving towards the path of rich diplomatic relations and cultural exchange programs. With her attempts to internationalize education system, China is inviting good flocks of international students to spread cultural delicacy to all worlds. To some extent, China is successful winning the recognition by developing countries in Asia and Africa while having more and more cultural exchange programs. International education has become important component of universities in China and the value is improved through government support. Universities in China are giving more importance to academic exchange and cooperation with foreign universities. The world ranked universities in China are important that are hosting more flock of international students and have signed agreements with more international universities and promoting international exchange in higher education. It is good for students to study in foreign universities in order to get more exposure and experiences. The purpose of this study was to examine problems of international students in China and to know the perception of faculty/staff attached with students to compare problems in Higher Education in China. The methodology used in this study was quantitative and qualitative to show problems and experiences of international students in academics, culture and social educational environment in China and comparison of faculty/staff perception to know the extent of understanding in education in China for international students. The findings of this paper proved that social and cultural problems were more prominent noted in problems in Higher Education in China in cultural, social and academic contexts. The policy recommendations were made to improve Educational understanding for International Students in China for policy makers and faculty/staff as well.
Revisiting Differential Item Functioning: Implications for Fairness Investigation
Authors: Huang Jinyan , Han Turgay
Published: May 2012

Fairness has been the priority in educational assessments during the past few decades. Differential item functioning (DIF) becomes an important statistical procedure in the investigation of assessment fairness. For any given large-scale assessment, DIF evaluation is suggested as a standard procedure by American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Council on Measurement in Education. This procedure often affords opportunities to check for group differences in test performance and investigate whether or not these differences indicate bias. However, current DIF research has received several criticisms. Revisiting DIF, this paper critically reviews current DIF research and proposes new directions for DIF research in the investigation of assessment fairness.
A Study of Community-Acquired Pneumonias in Elderly Individuals in Bijapur, India
Authors: Abdullah Bilal Bin , Zoheb Mohammed , Ashraf Syed Mustafa , Ali Sharafath , Nausheen Nida
Published: May 2012

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in elderly has different clinical presentation and higher mortality than CAP in other age group. Clinical presentation may vary from mere presence of fever to altered sensorium. The incomplete clinical picture of CAP in the elderly may be associated with a delay in establishing the diagnosis and, consequently, in starting adequate antibiotic therapy. Delay in diagnosis and treatment may contribute to the higher observed death rate in the elderly population with CAP. Hence the following study was undertaken to study the clinical, radiological, and bacteriological profile of community-acquired pneumonia in elderly. A total of 50 patients were studied. Age group varied from 66 years to 88 years. Presentation varied from typical symptoms to altered sensorium. Smoking and COPD were most common predisposing conditions. Most common organisms responsible wereStreptococcus pneumonia,Klebsiella pneumonia,Pseudomonas,H. influenza, andStaphylococcus aureus. Etiological agents could not be identified in many cases because of difficulty in collecting sputum in elderly patients, lower yield of culture, and various atypical and difficult to isolate causative organisms. Hence there is need for an empirical therapy covering both typical and atypical organisms. Better understanding of these aspects may help a long way in managing elderly patients with pneumonia.
Threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation and neurofilament light chain as diagnostic aids in ALS
Authors: Jacobsen Anna B. , Bostock Hugh , Howells James , Cengiz Bülent , Samusyte Gintaute , Koltzenburg Martin , Pia Hossein , Fuglsang‐Frederiksen Anders , Blicher Jakob , Obál Izabella , Andersen Henning , Tankisi Hatice
Published: June 2024

Objective

There is a need for sensitive biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), to enable earlier diagnosis and to help assess potential treatments. The main objective of this study was to compare two potential biomarkers, threshold‐tracking short‐interval cortical inhibition (T‐SICI), which has shown promise as a diagnostic aid, and neurofilament light chains (NfL).

Methods

Ninety‐seven patients with ALS (mean age 67.1 ± 11.5 years) and 53 ALS mimics (aged 62.4 ± 12.9) were included. Mean disease duration was 14 months ±14.1. Patients were evaluated with revised ALS functional rating score (ALSFRS‐R), Penn upper motor neuron score (UMNS), muscle strength using the Medical Research Council (MRC) score and examined with T‐SICI, quantitative electromyography (EMG), and NfL measured in spinal fluid.

Results

NfL increased with increasing UMNS (rho = 0.45, p = 8.2 × 10−6) whereas T‐SICI at 2.5 ms paradoxically increased toward normal values (rho = 0.53, p = 1.9 × 10−7). However, these two measures were uncorrelated. Discrimination between ALS patients and mimics was best for NfL (area under ROC curve 0.842, sensitivity 84.9%, specificity 83.5%), compared with T‐SICI (0.675, 39.6%, 91.8%). For the patients with no UMN signs, NfL also discriminated best (0.884, 89.3%, 82.6%), compared with T‐SICI (0.811, 71.4%, 82.6%). However, when combining NfL and T‐SICI, higher AUCs of 0.854 and 0.922 and specificities of 93.8 and 100 were found when considering all patients and patients with no UMN signs, respectively.

Interpretation

Both T‐SICI and NfL correlated with UMN involvement and combined, they provided a strong discrimination between ALS patients and ALS mimics.
Piezocatalysts and Piezo‐Photocatalysts: From Material Design to Diverse Applications
Authors: Jia Pengwei , Li Jianming , Huang Hongwei
Published: June 2024

Piezocatalysis and piezo‐photocatalysis technology is a continuously developing catalytic technology based on the piezoelectric effect of catalysts, which breaks the barrier between mechanical and chemical energy. The piezoelectric polarization field formed by the mechanical deformation of piezoelectric materials is proven to effectively manipulate band structures, improve the separation of electron‐hole pairs and enhance the catalytic activity, thus alleviating energy crises and environmental issues. Herein, this review first introduces the technology of piezocatalysis and piezo‐photocatalysis, comprehensively summarizes the synthesis methods of piezo(photo)catalysis materials, and analyzes and discusses the measures to optimize the performance of piezo(photo)catalysts. The following systematically summarizes the characteristics and development of the current main piezo(photo)catalytic systems, and discusses the application of first principles calculations in piezo(photo)catalysis in combination with practical researches. Subsequently, the main application progress of piezo(photo)catalysis in environmental remediation, energy conversion, and biomedical therapy fields is presented. In the end, the current challenges, development direction, and future prospects are prospected.
Highly Horizontal Oriented Tricomponent Exciplex Host with Multiple Reverse Intersystem Crossing Channels for High‐Performance Narrowband Electroluminescence and Eye‐Protection White Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Liu Denghui , Yang Guo‐Xi , Chen Zijian , Xie Wentao , Li Deli , Li Wei , Lin Jianying , Nie Xuewei , Li Zhizhi , Liang Baoyan , Yang Zhihai , Wang Zhiheng , Pu Junrong , Sun Guanwei , Shen Chenyang , Li Mengke , Su Shi‐Jian
Published: June 2024

Despite multiple‐resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR‐TADF) emitters with small full‐width at half maximum are attractive for wide color‐gamut display and eye‐protection lighting applications, their inefficient reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) process and long exciton lifetime induce serious efficiency roll‐off, which significantly limits their development. Herein, a novel device concept of building highly efficient tricomponent exciplex with multiple RISC channels is proposed to realize reduced exciton quenching and enhanced upconversion of nonradiative triplet excitons, and subsequently used as a host for high‐performance MR‐TADF organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). Compared with traditional binary exciplex, the tricomponent exciplex exhibits obviously improved photoluminescence quantum yield, emitting dipole orientation and RISC rate constant, and a record‐breaking external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 30.4% is achieved for tricomponent exciplex p‐PhBCzPh: PO‐T2T: DspiroAc‐TRZ (50: 20: 30) based OLED. Remarkably, maximum EQEs of 36.2% and 40.3% and ultralow efficiency roll‐off with EQEs of 26.1% and 30.0% at 1000 cd m−2 are respectively achieved for its sky‐blue and pure‐green MR‐TADF doped OLEDs. Additionally, the blue emission unit hosted by tricomponent exciplex is combined with an orange‐red TADF emission unit to achieve a double‐emission‐layer blue‐hazard‐free warm white OLED with an EQEmax of 30.3% and stable electroluminescence spectra over a wide brightness range.
Advancing Synthetic Hydrogels through Nature‐Inspired Materials Chemistry
Authors: Soliman Bram G. , Nguyen Ashley K. , Gooding J. Justin , Kilian Kristopher A.
Published: June 2024

Synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) mimics that can recapitulate the complex biochemical and mechanical nature of native tissues are needed for advanced models of development and disease. Biomedical research has heavily relied on the use of animal‐derived biomaterials, which is now impeding their translational potential and convoluting the biological insights gleaned from in vitro tissue models. Natural hydrogels have long served as a convenient and effective cell culture tool, but advances in materials chemistry and fabrication techniques now present promising new avenues for creating xenogenic‐free ECM substitutes appropriate for organotypic models and microphysiological systems. However, significant challenges remain in creating synthetic matrices that can approximate the structural sophistication, biochemical complexity, and dynamic functionality of native tissues. This review summarizes key properties of the native ECM, and discusses recent approaches used to systematically decouple and tune these properties in synthetic matrices. The importance of dynamic ECM mechanics, such as viscoelasticity and matrix plasticity, is also discussed, particularly within the context of organoid and engineered tissue matrices. Emerging design strategies to mimic these dynamic mechanical properties are reviewed, such as multi‐network hydrogels, supramolecular chemistry, and hydrogels assembled from biological monomers.
The Development of Quinoxaline‐Based Electron Acceptors for High Performance Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Hongxing , Geng Yanfang , Xiao Zuo , Ding Liming , Du Jimin , Tang Ailing , Zhou Erjun
Published: June 2024

In the recent advances of organic solar cells (OSCs), quinoxaline (Qx)‐based nonfullerene acceptors (QxNFAs) have attracted lots of attention and enabled the recorded power conversion efficiency approaching 20%. As an excellent electron‐withdrawing unit, Qx possesses advantages of many modifiable sites, wide absorption range, low reorganization energy, and so on. To develop promising QxNFAs to further enhance the photovoltaic performance of OSCs, it is necessary to systematically summarize the QxNFAs reported so far. In this review, all the focused QxNFAs are classified into five categories as following: SM‐Qx, YQx, fused‐YQx, giant‐YQx, and polymer‐Qx according to the molecular skeletons. The molecular design concepts, relationships between the molecular structure and optoelectronic properties, intrinsic mechanisms of device performance are discussed in detail. At the end, the advantages of this kind of materials are summed up, the molecular develop direction is prospected, the challenges faced by QxNFAs are given, and constructive solutions to the existing problems are advised. Overall, this review presents unique viewpoints to conquer the challenge of QxNFAs and thus boost OSCs development further toward commercial applications.
Filter‐Less Color‐Selective Photodetector Derived from Integration of Parallel Perovskite Photoelectric Response Units
Authors: Wang Wencan , Tian Wei , Chen Fang , Wang Jianyuan , Zhai Wei , Li Liang
Published: June 2024

Color‐selective photodetectors (PDs) play an indispensable role in spectral recognition, image sensing, and other fields. Nevertheless, complex filters and delicate optical paths in such devices significantly increase their complexity and size, which subsequently impede their integration in smart optoelectronic chips for universal applications. This work demonstrates the successful fabrication of filter‐less color‐selective perovskite PDs by integrating three perovskite units with different photoresponse on a single chip. The variation in photoresponse is attributed to different quantities of SnO2 nanoparticles, synthesized through controlled ultrasonic treatment on the surface of the electron transportation layer SnS2, which selectively absorb short‐wavelength light, thus increasing the relative transmittance of long‐wavelength light and enhancing the photoresponse of the units to long wavelengths. By integrating any two units and deriving the formula for the wavelength to the responsivity ratio, a wavelength sensor is developed which can accurately identify incident light in the range of 400–700 nm with a minimum error <3 nm. Furthermore, the device integrating three units with different photoresponse can identify red, green and blue in polychromatic light to achieve color imaging with a relative error <6%. This work provides valuable insights into wavelength identification and color imaging of perovskite PDs.
Zirconium‐Based Metal–Organic Frameworks with Free Hydroxy Groups for Enhanced Perfluorooctanoic Acid Uptake in Water
Authors: Liang Rong‐Ran , Yang Yihao , Han Zongsu , Bakhmutov Vladimir I. , Rushlow Joshua , Fu Yubin , Wang Kun‐Yu , Zhou Hong‐Cai
Published: June 2024

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a highly recalcitrant organic pollutant, and its bioaccumulation severely endangers human health. While various methods are developed for PFOA removal, the targeted design of adsorbents with high efficiency and reusability remains largely unexplored. Here the rational design and synthesis of two novel zirconium‐based metal‒organic frameworks (MOFs) bearing free ortho‐hydroxy sites, namely noninterpenetrated PCN‐1001 and twofold interpenetrated PCN‐1002, are presented. Single crystal analysis of the pure ligand reveals that intramolecular hydrogen bonding plays a pivotal role in directing the formation of MOFs with free hydroxy groups. Furthermore, the transformation from PCN‐1001 to PCN‐1002 is realized. Compared to PCN‐1001, PCN‐1002 displays higher chemical stability due to interpenetration, thereby demonstrating an exceptional PFOA adsorption capacity of up to 632 mg g−1 (1.53 mmol g−1), which is comparable to the reported record values. Moreover, PCN‐1002 shows rapid kinetics, high selectivity, and long‐life cycles in PFOA removal tests. Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance results and density functional theory calculations reveal that multiple hydrogen bonds between the free ortho‐hydroxy sites and PFOA, along with Lewis acid‐base interaction, work collaboratively to enhance PFOA adsorption.
Widening the Gamut of Structural Colors of Gold via Insulator–Metal Bilayer Coatings
Authors: Rahman Md Abdur , Wredh Simon , Burak Darya , Yang Joel K. W. , Cho So‐Hye , Lee Seung Yong , Kim Sang Hoon , Byun Ji Young
Published: June 2024

Tuning the color of Au has been a longstanding problem in the luxury industry. Conventional approaches, involving Au alloying, compromise purity and demand distinct alloy compositions for each hue. This study demonstrates a lithography‐free method for generating structural colors on a gold surface by adjusting the thickness of titanium dioxide, a high‐index dielectric. While color tuneability is limited if TiO2 is coated directly on the Au surface, a range of vivid colors can be generated if a 50−100 nm thick AuAl2 underlayer is used. AuAl2, an accepted alloy for purple gold, broadens the color gamut, providing a protective coating without diminishing gold purity. The reflectance dip of the bilayer structure exhibits a significant red shift with increasing thickness of the TiO2 layer, allowing diverse colors by TiO2 insulator tuning. Simulation studies corroborate experimental results, affirming that coating a TiO2 layer on the AuAl2 underlayer yields a wide range of colors. This method, based on thin‐film interference, shows promise for widespread use, offering a broad spectrum of structural colors in an industry striving for diverse Au color representation.
Deciphering the Differential Origin of Hydrogen Bonds in the Normal and Tautomer Forms of 7‐Azaindole:Piperidin‐2‐one Hydrogen‐Bonded Complex: Excited‐State Double Proton Transfer
Authors: Paul Bijan K.
Published: June 2024

The excited‐state double proton transfer (ESDPT) reaction in the intermolecular hydrogen‐bonded complex 7‐azaindole:piperidin‐2‐one is investigated by quantum chemical calculations with particular emphasis on the H‐bonding interactions within the system. The natural bond orbital (NBO) calculations show that the X─H···Y H‐bonds in the studied complexes, namely, 7‐azaindole:piperidin‐2‐one (N‐form) and 7H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridine:3,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyridin‐2‐ol (T‐form, proton transferred tautomer) are aptly described by hyperconjugative charge transfer effect ( is non‐bonded lone‐pair on Y‐atom). That the hyperconjugation effect outplays the rehybridization effect is invoked to account for the observed red‐shifting H‐bonds in harmony with the Bent's rule. The differential nature of interactions underlying the origin of X─H···Y H‐bonds in the complexes (N‐form and T‐form) is explored from atoms‐in‐molecules (AIM) calculations. The H‐bonds in the N‐form are found to have a primarily electrostatic origin (closed‐shell interaction) whereas the relatively stronger H‐bonds in the T‐form are assisted by contribution from shared‐shell (covalent) interaction. The nonoccurrence of the double‐proton transfer reaction in the S0 state is argued from the large barrier for the transformation N‐form → T‐form (N‐form constitutes the global minimum on the S0‐PEC), whereas the stability order is reversed together with a marked reduction of the energy barrier in the S1‐PEC accounting for the ESDPT process.
A Non‐Coding Oligonucleotide Recruits Cutaneous CD11b+ Cells that Inhibit Thelper Responses and Promote Tregs
Authors: Kamal Kahkashan , Richardsdotter‐Andersson Elina , Dondalska Aleksandra , Wahren‐Herlenius Marie , Spetz Anna‐Lena
Published: June 2024

Skin‐resident antigen‐presenting cells (APC) play an important role in maintaining peripheral tolerance via immune checkpoint proteins and induction of T regulatory cells (Tregs). However, there is a lack of knowledge on how to expand or recruit immunoregulatory cutaneous cells without causing inflammation. Here, it is shown that administration of a non‐coding single‐stranded oligonucleotide (ssON) leads to CCR2‐dependent accumulation of CD45+CD11b+Ly6C+ cells in the skin that express substantial levels of PD‐L1 and ILT3. Transcriptomic analyses of skin biopsies reveal the upregulation of key immunosuppressive genes after ssON administration. Functionally, the cutaneous CD11b+ cells inhibit Th1/2/9 responses and promote the induction of CD4+FoxP3+ T‐cells. In addition, ssON treatment of imiquimod‐induced inflammation results in significantly reduced Th17 responses. It is also shown that induction of IL‐10 production in the presence of cutaneous CD11b+ cells isolated after ssON administrations is partly PD‐L1 dependent. Altogether, an immunomodulatory ssON is identified that can be used therapeutically to recruit cutaneous CD11b+ cells with the capacity to dampen Th cells.
Spatial Transcriptome‐Wide Profiling of Small Cell Lung Cancer Reveals Intra‐Tumoral Molecular and Subtype Heterogeneity
Authors: Zhang Zicheng , Sun Xujie , Liu Yutao , Zhang Yibo , Yang Zijian , Dong Jiyan , Wang Nan , Ying Jianming , Zhou Meng , Yang Lin
Published: June 2024

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly aggressive malignancy characterized by rapid growth and early metastasis and is susceptible to treatment resistance and recurrence. Understanding the intra‐tumoral spatial heterogeneity in SCLC is crucial for improving patient outcomes and clinically relevant subtyping. In this study, a spatial whole transcriptome‐wide analysis of 25 SCLC patients at sub‐histological resolution using GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling technology is performed. This analysis deciphered intra‐tumoral multi‐regional heterogeneity, characterized by distinct molecular profiles, biological functions, immune features, and molecular subtypes within spatially localized histological regions. Connections between different transcript‐defined intra‐tumoral phenotypes and their impact on patient survival and therapeutic response are also established. Finally, a gene signature, termed ITHtyper, based on the prevalence of intra‐tumoral heterogeneity levels, which enables patient risk stratification from bulk RNA‐seq profiles is identified. The prognostic value of ITHtyper is rigorously validated in independent multicenter patient cohorts. This study introduces a preliminary tumor‐centric, regionally targeted spatial transcriptome resource that sheds light on previously unexplored intra‐tumoral spatial heterogeneity in SCLC. These findings hold promise to improve tumor reclassification and facilitate the development of personalized treatments for SCLC patients.
CKB Promotes Mitochondrial ATP Production by Suppressing Permeability Transition Pore
Authors: He Le , Lin Jianghua , Lu Shaojuan , Li Hao , Chen Jie , Wu Xinyi , Yan Qixin , Liu Hailiang , Li Hui , Shi Yufeng
Published: June 2024

Creatine kinases are essential for maintaining cellular energy balance by facilitating the reversible transfer of a phosphoryl group from ATP to creatine, however, their role in mitochondrial ATP production remains unknown. This study shows creatine kinases, including CKMT1A, CKMT1B, and CKB, are highly expressed in cells relying on the mitochondrial F1F0 ATP synthase for survival. Interestingly, silencing CKB, but not CKMT1A or CKMT1B, leads to a loss of sensitivity to the inhibition of F1F0 ATP synthase in these cells. Mechanistically, CKB promotes mitochondrial ATP but reduces glycolytic ATP production by suppressing mitochondrial calcium (mCa2+) levels, thereby preventing the activation of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) and ensuring efficient mitochondrial ATP generation. Further, CKB achieves this regulation by suppressing mCa2+ levels through the inhibition of AKT activity. Notably, the CKB‐AKT signaling axis boosts mitochondrial ATP production in cancer cells growing in a mouse tumor model. Moreover, this study also uncovers a decline in CKB expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells with aging, accompanied by an increase in AKT signaling in these cells. These findings thus shed light on a novel signaling pathway involving CKB that directly regulates mitochondrial ATP production, potentially playing a role in both pathological and physiological conditions.
Facile Fabrication of Melamine/MXene/FeNi‐PBA Composite Derived Multi‐Interface Magnetic Carbon Foam for High‐Efficiency Microwave Absorption
Authors: Yu Jiaao , Luo Hui , Lv Sihai , Wang Zhihui , Chen Fu , Cheng Yongzhi , Li Xiangcheng
Published: June 2024

The development of novel materials with high‐efficiency microwave absorption is crucial for mitigating the adverse impacts of electromagnetic pollution. In this study, MXene and FeNi Prussian blue analogs (PBA) are assembled onto a melamine foam using self‐assembly and in situ growth technique. Subsequently, magnetic carbon foam, comprising FeNi alloys, TiN and carbon with various morphologies, is synthesized via carbothermal reduction reaction. The surface morphology electromagnetic properties are significantly influenced by the pyrolysis temperature. The results revealed that the magnetic carbon foam composite demonstrated an effective microwave absorption bandwidth of 4.72 GHz at a thickness of only 1.5 mm, with a minimum reflection loss of −24.83 dB at 1.3 mm. The outstanding microwave absorption performance can be attributed to the 3D conductive network formed by N‐doped carbon, as well as the contributions from polarization loss, magnetic loss, and suitable impedance matching. Furthermore, the corresponding absorber coating demonstrated a maximum reduction value of radar cross‐section (RCS) by 13.16 dB m2. This research offers novel insights for the development of lightweight and efficient low‐filled electromagnetic composite for broadband microwave absorption.
Understanding the Role of Metal Interlayers in All‐Solid‐Electrolyte Batteries Using Operando X‐Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
Authors: Yun Dong‐Jin , Kim Sewon , Heo Sung , Choi Hyung‐seok , Baik Jaeyoon , Chung JaeGwan , Park SeonTae , Yu DaEun , Lee Jaewoo , Kang Saera , Jung Changhoon , Ko Dong‐Su
Published: June 2024

This study reports a facile and reliable operando X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) system for the characterization of the chemical state and electronic structure during Li‐plating/stripping in all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs). The measurement conditions (including manufacturing an in situ sample holder) and experimental parameters have been optimized through experimentation. The proposed system accurately defines the status of every metal interlayer component during real‐time battery operation (with simultaneous Li+‐ion in/out migration) under a repeating Li‐plating/stripping process. Moreover, it enables elucidation of ambiguous reaction mechanisms depending on the battery performance, such as the interlayer‐material effect on the efficiency and reversibility of the Li‐plating/stripping process, and changes in the oxygen‐containing bonds due to reaction with Li. The significance of the developed system is further validated by the usefulness and reliability of the valence band structure as a criterion for the analysis of lithium‐metal alloy formation and the progress of de‐alloying reactions.