bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging Coupling Effect‐Enhanced Surface Plasmon Resonance of Ruthenium Nanocrystal‐Decorated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Boosted Photothermal Immunotherapy
Authors: Li Pin , Chen Zheng , Xia Fan , Wang Nan , Zhao Jing , Hu Xi , Zhu Mingjian , Yu Shiyi , Ling Daishun , Li Fangyuan
Published: September 2023

Photothermal immunotherapy (PTI) has emerged as a promising approach for cancer treatment, while its efficacy is often hindered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, this work presents a multifunctional platform for tumor PTI based on ruthenium nanocrystal‐decorated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (RuNC‐MSN). By precisely regulating the distance between RuNC on MSN, this work achieves a remarkable enhancement in surface plasmon resonance of RuNC, leading to a significant improvement in the photothermal efficiency of RuNC‐MSN. Furthermore, the inherent catalase‐like activity of RuNC‐MSN enables effective modulation of the immunosuppressive TME, thereby facilitating an enhanced immune response triggered by the photothermal effect‐mediated immunogenic cell death (ICD). As a result, RuNC‐MSN exhibits superior PTI performance, resulting in pronounced inhibition of primary tumor and metastasis. This study highlights the rational design of PTI agents with coupling effect‐enhanced surface plasmon resonance, enabling simultaneous induction of ICD and regulation of the immunosuppressive TME, thereby significantly boosting PTI efficacy.
Immunogenic PANoptosis‐Initiated Cancer Sono‐Immune Reediting Nanotherapy by Iteratively Boosting Cancer Immunity Cycle
Authors: Zhou Liqiang , Lyu Jinxiao , Liu Fang , Su Yanhong , Feng Ling , Zhang Xuanjun
Published: September 2023

The cancer‐immune cycle conceptualized the mechanisms of driving T cell responses to tumors, but w as limited by immunological ignorance elicited by tumor inherent immunoediting, which failed to initiate and maintain adaptive immunity. Targeting specific vulnerabilities of cell death patterns may provide unique opportunities to boost T cell antitumor immunological effects. Here an ultrasound nanomedicine‐triggered tumor immuno‐reediting therapeutic strategy using nano/genetically engineered extracellular vesicles, which can induce tumor highly immunogenic PANoptosis and iteratively start‐up the energization of cancer innate immunity cycle by repeatedly liberating damage‐associated molecular patterns, thereby priming sufficient antigen‐specific T cells and shaping protective immune response through activating cGAS‐STING signaling pathways, is reported. Aided by immune checkpoint blockade, the reprogramming of immune microenvironment further facilitated a prompt bridging of innate and adaptive immunity, and remarkably suppressed metastatic and rechallenged tumor growth. Thus, targeting PANoptotic cell death provides a catcher against immune escape and a positive‐feedback immune activation gateway for overcoming immune resistance to intractable cancers.
Instant Protection Spray for Anti‐Infection and Accelerated Healing of Empyrosis
Authors: Guan Wei , Gong Caixin , Wu Shuilin , Cui Zhenduo , Zheng Yufeng , Li Zhaoyang , Zhu Shengli , Liu Xiangmei
Published: September 2023

Distinct from common injuries, deep burns often require a chronic recovery cycle for healing and long‐term antibiotic treatment to prevent infection. The rise of drug‐resistant bacteria has caused antibiotics to no longer be perfect, and continuous drug use can easily lead to repeated infection and even death. Inspired by wild animals that chew plants to prevent wound infection, probiotic extracts with a structure similar to the tailspike of phage are obtained from Lactobacillus casei and combined with different flavones to design a series of nonantibiotic bactericides. These novel antibacterial agents are combined with a rapid gelation spray with a novel cross‐angle layout to form an instant protection spray (IPS) and provide a physical and anti‐infectious barrier for burns within 30 s. This IPS is able to sterilize 100.00% and 96.14% of multidrug‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in vitro and in vivo, respectively. In addition, it is found to effectively reduce inflammation in MRSA‐infected burns in rats and to promote tissue healing.
Dual‐Color Real‐Time Chemosensing of a Compartmentalized Reaction Network Involving Enzyme‐Induced Membrane Permeation of Peptides
Authors: Jiang Ruixue , Nilam Mohamed , Hennig Andreas , Nau Werner M.
Published: September 2023

The design of synthetic systems with interrelated reaction sequences that model incipient biological complexity is limited by physicochemical tools that allow the direct monitoring of the individual processes in real‐time. To mimic a simple digestion‐resorption sequence, the authors have designed compartmentalized liposomal systems that incorporate extra‐ and intravesicular chemosensing ensembles. The extravesicular reporter pair consists of cucurbit[7]uril and methylene blue to monitor the enzymatic cleavage of short enkephalin‐related peptides by thermolysin through a switch‐off fluorescence response (“digestion”). Because the substrate is membrane‐impermeable, but the dipeptide product is permeable, uptake of the latter into the pre‐formed liposomes occurs as a follow‐up process. The intravesicular chemosensing ensemble consists of i) cucurbit[8]uril, 2‐anilinonaphthalene‐6‐sulfonic acid, and methyl viologen or ii) cucurbit[7]uril and berberine to monitor the uptake (“resorption”) of the enzymatic products through the liposomal membranes by i) a switch‐on or ii) a switch‐off fluorescence response. The dyes are designed to allow selective optical excitation and read‐out of the extra‐ and intravesicular dyes, which allow for dual‐color chemosensing and, therefore, kinetic discrimination of the two sequential reactions.
Magnetic Imaging and Domain Nucleation in CrSBr Down to the 2D Limit
Authors: Zur Yishay , Noah Avia , Boix‐Constant Carla , Mañas‐Valero Samuel , Fridman Nofar , Rama‐Eiroa Ricardo , Huber Martin E. , Santos Elton J. G. , Coronado Eugenio , Anahory Yonathan
Published: September 2023

Recent advancements in 2D materials have revealed the potential of van der Waals magnets, and specifically of their magnetic anisotropy that allows applications down to the 2D limit. Among these materials, CrSBr has emerged as a promising candidate, because its intriguing magnetic and electronic properties have appeal for both fundamental and applied research in spintronics or magnonics. In this work, nano‐SQUID‐on‐tip (SOT) microscopy is used to obtain direct magnetic imaging of CrSBr flakes with thicknesses ranging from monolayer (N = 1) to few‐layer (N = 5). The ferromagnetic order is preserved down to the monolayer, while the antiferromagnetic coupling of the layers starts from the bilayer case. For odd layers, at zero applied magnetic field, the stray field resulting from the uncompensated layer is directly imaged. The progressive spin reorientation along the out‐of‐plane direction (hard axis) is also measured with a finite applied magnetic field, allowing evaluation of the anisotropy constant, which remains stable down to the monolayer and is close to the bulk value. Finally, by selecting the applied magnetic field protocol, the formation of Néel magnetic domain walls is observed down to the single‐layer limit.
In Situ Time‐Controllable Chemical Plasma Membrane Injury by Microfluidic Probe Reveals Self‐Repair Ability of Single Cells
Authors: Song Yang , Zhang Qiang , Li Yuxuan , Lin Jiaxu , Lin Jin‐Ming
Published: September 2023

The loss of plasma membrane integrity poses a serious threat to cells, and the plasma membrane repair mechanism is vital to cell survival. To investigate the plasma membrane repair mechanism, a method for causing controllable plasma membrane injury on single cells and the visualization of the plasma membrane repair process are proposed. A microregion with harmful chemicals is created by open microfluidic probe, which is applied to target single cells for injury. The injury time is precisely controlled by simply moving the target cells in and out of the microregion. Wound‐repair process caused by injury is analyzed by fluorescence imaging in real time, revealing the repair kinetics at the single cell level. Using this method, the effect of external conditions (Ca2+, Mg2+, glucose) on plasma membrane repair in single cells is studied and the dynamics of intracellular species (Ca2+) is monitored. Meanwhile, cellular heterogeneity of plasma membrane repair is revealed. This method provides a precise way to induce chemical plasma membrane injury at the single‐cell level, which is a promising tool to study the mechanism of plasma membrane repair.
Nonlinear Loss Engineering in Near‐Zero‐Index Bulk Materials
Authors: Jaffray Wallace , Clerici Matteo , Heijnen Bram , Boltasseva Alexandra , Shalaev Vladimir M. , Ferrera Marcello
Published: September 2023

Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs) show unprecedented optical nonlinearities in the near infrared wavelength range, where the real part of their linear refractive index approaches zero. More specifically, the Kerr nonlinearities of these materials have sparked widespread attention due to their magnitude and speed. However, due to the absorptive nature of these nonlinear processes, it is of fundamental interest to further investigate the imaginary component of the nonlinear index. The present work studies the nonlinear optical absorption properties of aluminium‐doped zinc oxide (AZO) thin films in their near‐zero‐index (NZI) spectral window. It is found that the imaginary part of the refractive index is reduced under optical excitation such that the field penetration depth more than doubles. An optically induced shift of the NZI bandwidth of ≈120 nm for a pump intensity of 1.3 TW cm−2 is also demonstrated. Looking into the optically induced spectral redistribution of the probe signal, local net gain is recorded, which is ascribed to a nonlinear adiabatic energy transfer. The present study adds key information about the fundamental interplay between real and imaginary nonlinear indices in NZI media, while advancing parametric amplification as viable direction for loss compensation.
KLF5 Promotes Tumor Progression and Parp Inhibitor Resistance in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Wu Yong , Chen Siyu , Shao Yang , Su Ying , Li Qin , Wu Jiangchun , Zhu Jun , Wen Hao , Huang Yan , Zheng Zhong , Chen Xiaojun , Ju Xingzhu , Huang Shenglin , Wu Xiaohua , Hu Zhixiang
Published: September 2023

One major characteristic of tumor cells is the aberrant activation of epigenetic regulatory elements, which remodel the tumor transcriptome and ultimately promote cancer progression and drug resistance. However, the oncogenic functions and mechanisms of ovarian cancer (OC) remain elusive. Here, super‐enhancer (SE) regulatory elements that are aberrantly activated in OC are identified and it is found that SEs drive the relative specific expression of the transcription factor KLF5 in OC patients and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi)‐resistant patients. KLF5 expression is associated with poor outcomes in OC patients and can drive tumor progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, KLF5 forms a transcriptional complex with EHF and ELF3 and binds to the promoter region of RAD51 to enhance its transcription, strengthening the homologous recombination repair (HRR) pathway. Notably, the combination of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and olaparib significantly inhibits tumor growth and metastasis of PARPi‐resistant OC cells with high KLF5. In conclusion, it is discovered that SEs‐driven KLF5 is a key regulatory factor in OC progression and PARPi resistance; and potential therapeutic strategies for OC patients with PARPi resistance and high KLF5 are identified.
Multiporphyrinic architectures: Advances in structural design for photodynamic therapy
Authors: Gao Yuwei , Li Yan , Xu Zhengwei , Yu Shuangjiang , Liu Junqiu , Sun Hongcheng
Published: September 2023

Rationally designed multiporphyrinic architectures for boosting photodynamic therapy (PDT) have attracted significant attentions recently years due to their great potential for light‐mediated generation of reactive oxygen species. However, there is still a gap between the structure design and their PDT performance for biomedical applications. This tutorial review provides a historical overview on (i) the basic concept of PDT for deeply understanding the porphyrin‐mediated PDT reactions, (ii) developing strategies for constructing porphyrinic architectures, like nanorings, boxes, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent‐organic frameworks (COFs), vesicles, etc., where we classified into the following three categories: multiporphyrin arrays, porphyrinic frameworks, and others porphyrin assemblies, (iii) the various application scenarios for clinical cancer therapy and antibacterial infection. Also, the existing challenges and future perspectives on the innovation of porphyrinic architectures for clinical PDT applications are mentioned in the end section. Moreover, the porphyrinic nanomaterials with atomically precise architectures provide an ideal platform for investigating the relationship between structures and PDT outputs, design of personalized “all‐in‐one” theranostic agents, and the popularization and application in wider biomedical fields.
Secular trends and urban–rural disparities in height of Chinese adolescents aged 18 years from 1985 to 2019
Authors: Li Chengyue , Maimaiti Sigandan , Zhou Zhidong , Zang Liuhong
Published: September 2023

Objectives

To examine the secular trends and urban–rural disparities in height of Chinese adolescents aged 18 years from 1985 to 2019.

Methods

Data were extracted from the Chinese National Surveys on Students' Constitution and Health from 1985 to 2019, and the heights of a total of 76 554 boys and 75 908 girls aged 18 years were measured. The Mann–Kendall trend test was used to analyze the secular trends in height. Changes in different periods and urban–rural disparities were tested by z‐tests and calculating the ratios of the coefficient of variation (CV) of height.

Results

The height of Chinese boys and girls aged 18 years increased from 168.21 and 157.10 cm in 1985 to 172.15 cm and 160.11 cm in 2019, respectively, with a larger increase in rural areas. The secular trends in height were the largest for boys from 1995 to 2005 and for girls from 2014 to 2019, and the same results were observed in urban and rural areas. The urban–rural disparities for boys and girls decreased by 1.79 and 0.91 cm, respectively, with significant decreases for boys in all regions and for girls in the eastern region. The overall CVs of height increased by 0.13% and 0.25% for boys and girls, respectively, with the largest increase among rural girls.

Conclusions

The height of Chinese adolescents aged 18 years continued to increase between 1985 and 2019. The urban–rural disparities narrowed, and inequalities within rural areas for girls increased.
Eutectic‐Based Polymer Electrolyte with the Enhanced Lithium Salt Dissociation for High‐Performance Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Zhang Dechao , Liu Yuxuan , Sun Zhaoyu , Liu Zhengbo , Xu Xijun , Xi Lei , Ji Shaomin , Zhu Min , Liu Jun
Published: September 2023

The deployment of lithium metal anode in solid‐state batteries with polymer electrolytes has been recognized as a promising approach to achieving high‐energy‐density technologies. However, the practical application of the polymer electrolytes is currently constrained by various challenges, including low ionic conductivity, inadequate electrochemical window, and poor interface stability. To address these issues, a novel eutectic‐based polymer electrolyte consisting of succinonitrile (SN) and poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate (PEGMEA) is developed. The research results demonstrate that the interactions between SN and PEGMEA promote the dissociation of the lithium difluoro(oxalato) borate (LiDFOB) salt and increase the concentration of free Li+. The well‐designed eutectic‐based PAN1.2‐SPE (PEGMEA: SN=1: 1.2 mass ratio) exhibits high ionic conductivity of 1.30 mS cm−1 at 30 °C and superior interface stability with Li anode. The Li/Li symmetric cell based on PAN1.2‐SPE enables long‐term plating/stripping at 0.3 and 0.5 mA cm−2, and the Li/LiFePO4 cell achieves superior long‐term cycling stability (capacity retention of 80.3 % after 1500 cycles). Moreover, Li/LiFePO4 and Li/LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 pouch cells employing PAN1.2‐SPE demonstrate excellent cycling and safety characteristics. This study presents a new pathway for designing high‐performance polymer electrolytes and promotes the practical application of high‐stable lithium metal batteries.
Mixed‐Valence CuI/CuIII Metal–Organic Frameworks with Non‐innocent Ligand for Multielectron Transfer
Authors: Fu Shang‐Yuan , Chang Cheng‐Han , Ivanov Alexander S. , Popovs Ilja , Chen Jeng‐Lung , Liao Yen‐Fa , Liu Hsin‐Kuan , Chirra Suman , Chiang Yun‐Wei , Lee Jui‐Chin , Liu Wei‐Ling , Kaveevivitchai Watchareeya , Chen Teng‐Hao
Published: September 2023

We report two novel three‐dimensional copper‐benzoquinoid metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), [Cu4L3]n and [Cu4L3 ⋅ Cu(iq)3]n (LH4=1,4‐dicyano‐2,3,5,6‐tetrahydroxybenzene, iq=isoquinoline). Spectroscopic techniques and computational studies reveal the unprecedented mixed valency in MOFs, formal Cu(I)/Cu(III). This is the first time that formally Cu(III) species are witnessed in metal–organic extended solids. The coordination between the mixed‐valence metal and redox‐non‐innocent ligand L, which promotes through‐bond charge transfer between Cu metal sites, allows better metal‐ligand orbital overlap of the d‐π conjugation, leading to strong long‐range delocalization and semiconducting behavior. Our findings highlight the significance of the unique mixed valency between formal Cu(I) and highly‐covalent Cu(III), non‐innocent ligand, and pore environments of these bench stable Cu(III)‐containing frameworks on multielectron transfer and electrochemical properties.
Synthesis and Prospects of Holey Two‐dimensional Platinum‐group Metals in Electrocatalysis
Authors: Dutta Soumen , Gu Byeong Su , Lee In Su
Published: September 2023

Advanced electrocatalysts can enable the widespread implementation of clean energy technologies. This paper reviews an emerging class of electrocatalytic materials comprising holey two‐dimensional free‐standing Pt‐group metal (h‐2D‐PGM) nanosheets, which are categorically challenging to synthesize but inherently rich in all the qualities necessary to counter the kinetic and thermodynamic challenges of an electrochemical conversion process with high catalytic efficiency and stability. Although the 2D anisotropic growth of typical nonlayered metal crystals has succeeded and partly improved their atom‐utilization efficiency, regularly distributed in‐planar porosity can further optimize three critical factors that govern efficient electrocatalysis process: mass diffusion, electron transfer, and surface reactivity. However, producing such advanced morphological features within h‐2D‐PGMs is difficult unless they are specially engineered using approaches such as templating or kinetic ramification during 2D growth or controlled etching of preformed 2D‐PGM solids. Therefore, this review highlighting the successful fabrication of various porous PGM nanosheets and their electrocatalytic benefits involving smart nanoscale features could inspire next‐generation scientific and technological innovations toward securing a sustainable energy future.
Controlling Metal‐Oxide Reducibility for Efficient C−H Bond Activation in Hydrocarbons
Authors: Yang Guo‐Qing , Niu Yiming , Kondratenko Vita A. , Yi Xianfeng , Liu Chang , Zhang Bingsen , Kondratenko Evgenii V. , Liu Zhong‐Wen
Published: September 2023

Knowing the structure of catalytically active species/phases and providing methods for their purposeful generation are two prerequisites for the design of catalysts with desired performance. Herein, we introduce a simple method for precise preparation of supported/bulk catalysts. It utilizes the ability of metal oxides to dissolve and to simultaneously precipitate during their treatment in an aqueous ammonia solution. Applying this method for a conventional VOx−Al2O3catalyst, the concentration of coordinatively unsaturated Al sites was tuned simply by changing the pH value of the solution. These sites affect the strength of V−O−Al bonds of isolated VOxspecies and thus the reducibility of the latter. This method is also applicable for controlling the reducibility of bulk catalysts as demonstrated for a CeO2−ZrO2−Al2O3system. The application potential of the developed catalysts was confirmed in the oxidative dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene with CO2and in the non‐oxidative propane dehydrogenation to propene. Our approach is extendable to the preparation of any metal oxide catalysts dissolvable in an ammonia solution.
On‐Surface Synthesis and Real‐Space Visualization of Aromatic P3N3
Authors: Zhong Qigang , Mardyukov Artur , Solel Ephrath , Ebeling Daniel , Schirmeisen André , Schreiner Peter R.
Published: September 2023

On‐surface synthesis is at the verge of emerging as the method of choice for the generation and visualization of unstable or unconventional molecules, which could not be obtained via traditional synthetic methods. A case in point is the on‐surface synthesis of the structurally elusive cyclotriphosphazene (P3N3), an inorganic aromatic analogue of benzene. Here, we report the preparation of this fleetingly existing species on Cu(111) and Au(111) surfaces at 5.2 K through molecular manipulation with unprecedented precision, i.e., voltage pulse‐induced sextuple dechlorination of an ultra‐small (about 6 Å) hexachlorophosphazene P3N3Cl6 precursor by the tip of a scanning probe microscope. Real‐space atomic‐level imaging of cyclotriphosphazene reveals its planar D3h‐symmetric ring structure. Furthermore, this demasking strategy has been expanded to generate cyclotriphosphazene from a hexaazide precursor P3N21 via a different stimulation method (photolysis) for complementary measurements by matrix isolation infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy.
Non‐Covalent Interactions between Polyvinyl Chloride and Conjugated Polymers Enable Excellent Mechanical Properties and High Stability in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Guan Chong , Xiao Chengyi , Liu Xin , Hu Zhijie , Wang Ruoyao , Wang Chao , Xie Chengcheng , Cai Ziqi , Li Weiwei
Published: September 2023

The incorporation of insulating polymers into conjugated polymers has been widely explored as a strategy to improve mechanical properties of flexible organic electronics. However, phase separation due to the immiscibility of these polymers has limited their effectiveness. In this study, we report the discovery of multiple non‐covalent interactions that enhances the miscibility between insulating and conjugated polymers, resulting in improved mechanical properties. Specifically, we have added polyvinyl chloride (PVC) into the conjugated polymer PM6 and observed a significant increase in solution viscosity, indicative of favorable miscibility between these two polymers. This phenomenon has been rarely observed in other insulating/conjugated polymer composites. Thin films of PM6/PVC exhibit a much‐improved crack‐onset strain of 19.35 %, compared to 10.12 % for pristine PM6 films. Analysis reveal that a “cyclohexyl‐like” structure formed through dipole‐dipole interactions and hydrogen bonding between PVC and PM6 acted as a cross‐linking site in the thin films, leading to improved mechanical properties. Moreover, PM6/PVC blend films have demonstrated excellent thermal and bending stability when applied as an electron donor in organic solar cells. These findings provide new insights into non‐covalent interactions that can be utilized to enhance the properties of conjugated polymers and may have potential applications in flexible organic electronics.
Receding horizon control for continuous‐time mean‐field systems
Authors: Gao Rong , Liu Junzhe , Zhang Fang , Xu Juanjuan , Wang Hongxia
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we study the receding horizon control (RHC) stabilization of continuous‐time mean‐field system. An explicit RHC controller is obtained by introducing a cost function with two terminal matrices and the conditions that make the system stable are also obtained; that is, when two coupled Lyapunov inequalities are satisfied, the system controlled by RHC is stabilized. Finally, a simulation example is given to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy.
“We are exhausted, worn out, and broken”: Understanding the impact of service satisfaction on caregiver well‐being
Authors: Fong Vanessa C. , McLaughlin Janet , Schneider Margaret
Published: September 2023

Few studies exist that have examined the impact of service‐related factors and system‐level disruptions (i.e., the pandemic) on families of autistic children in Canada using large sample sizes. To address this gap, the goal of this research was to examine the impact of satisfaction with autism services on caregiver stress, controlling for important demographic variables, such as family income, marital status, and child level of support needs. The impact of navigating and accessing services on parent well‐being was also explored. A total of 1810 primary caregivers of autistic children or youth living in Ontario, Canada completed a survey with both closed‐ and open‐ended questions in the summer of 2021. A hierarchical multiple regression was conducted to examine the impact of satisfaction with autism services on caregiver stress. Open‐ended responses on the survey from a subset of the sample (n = 637) were coded using thematic analysis to understand the impact of navigating and accessing services on parent well‐being. Satisfaction with services significantly predicted caregiver stress after controlling for marital support, family income, and child level of support needs. Qualitative analysis revealed impacts of navigating and accessing services in three areas: (1) Physical, (2) Emotional/Psychological, and (3) Financial Well‐being. Understanding parent perceptions of satisfaction with services can shed light on strategies for improving services that support parent well‐being.
Preparation of silver nanoparticles by Osbeckia stellata aqueous extract via green synthesis approach: Characterization and assessment of their antioxidant, antidiabetic, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial properties
Authors: Baishya Tania , Das Priya , Ashraf Gouhar Jahan , Dua Tarun Kumar , Paul Paramita , Nandi Gouranga , Dutta Ankita , Limbu Divya , Kumar Anoop , Adhikari Manab Deb , Bhattacharya Malay , Sahu Ranabir
Published: September 2023

Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) via green synthesis using medicinal plants have been widely used in natural product research due to the economical and eco‐friendly properties of NPs. The plant‐derived Ag NPs biosynthesis comprises the interaction between silver nitrate (precursor) and bioactive components of plant extract (reducing agents). In this work, Ag NPs were biosynthesized using Osbeckia stellata leaves aqueous extract. Characterization of Ag NPs was done by using ultraviolet–visible absorption (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX). Further, antioxidant, antidiabetic, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activities were evaluated to establish the pharmacological properties of Ag NPs. UV–Vis spectroscopy and FTIR showed an absorption peak of Ag NPs due to the surface plasmonic resonance. In contrast, the particle size in the nanometer range was analyzed by XRD and DLS. The size of the particle was confirmed by the SEM, TEM, and EDX in the nanometer range. This study showed the spherical shape and crystalline nature of NPs. Zeta potential was used to determine the stability of Ag NPs. Biosynthesized Ag NPs showed significantly potent antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cytotoxicity activity. Ag NPs also showed effectiveness against gram‐positive (Escherichia coli) and gram‐negative (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria in the antimicrobial activity study. The result concluded that these Ag NPs might be used in biomedical and pharmacological fields.
Untersuchungen zur Schub‐Druck‐Tragfähigkeit von Mauerwerk aus kleinformatigen Mauersteinen
Authors: Eisinger Thomas , Fischer Oliver
Published: September 2023

Die Beanspruchbarkeit von Mauerwerk bestehend aus kleinformatigen künstlichen Mauersteinen hinsichtlich einer kombinierten Schub‐Druck‐Belastung ist ein komplexes und nicht abschließend erforschtes Themengebiet. Aufgrund der praktischen Relevanz dieser Thematik und aus Gründen der Nachhaltigkeit ist daher weiterhin Forschung zu betreiben, um die bestehenden Wissenslücken schließen zu können. Am Lehrstuhl für Massivbau der Technischen Universität München (TUM) wurden und werden deshalb intensive und umfangreiche theoretische und experimentelle Untersuchungen angestellt mit der Zielsetzung, die Trag‐ und Schädigungsmechanismen von kleinformatigem Mauerwerk, wie es in vielen älteren Bestandsgebäuden vorkommt, für unterschiedlichste Belastungsszenarien und verschiedenste Parameterkombinationen systematisch zu analysieren. Um den versuchstechnischen Aufwand zu minimieren, wurde eine Methode geschaffen, die es anhand von überwiegend kleinmaßstäblichen Untersuchungen an Wandausschnitten in effizienter Weise ermöglicht, das Tragverhalten von kleinformatigem Mauerwerk realitätsnah abzubilden. Mithilfe dieser sog. Einheitszellenmethode konnten im Ergebnis Aussagen zur zweiaxialen Beanspruchbarkeit von historischem Mauerwerk im Hinblick auf den Einfluss von Normalspannungsniveau und Neigungswinkel der diagonalen Kraftresultierenden abgeleitet werden.
Development of a joint derivatization protocol for the unequivocal identification of the monosaccharide composition in four dendrobium polysaccharides and free monosaccharide by GC–MS
Authors: Yang Wei‐Han , Hao Jing‐Wen , Chen Nai‐Dong , Li Jiao
Published: September 2023

The determination of monosaccharides is crucial for studying the structure of polysaccharides and the composition of free monosaccharides in living organisms. Based on previous derivatization gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods, we aimed to develop a novel analytical protocol for better quantifying monosaccharides. In this study, sugar alcohol acetylation, saccharonitrile acetylation, silylation and a combination of sugar alcohols acetylation and saccharonitrile acetylation were compared. The optimal method was verified with the monosaccharide determination of four polysaccharides and four free monosaccharides from Dendrobium. The results showed that the novel combined derivatization method was superior to the other three methods in terms of content analysis of monosaccharides. Furthermore, it possessed good linearity (all calibration curves showed relative coefficients ≥ 0.999), sensitivity, precision (relative standard deviation < 2%), and accuracy (recovery, 95.7–105%). Finally, the novel method established in this study was successfully employed in determining the monosaccharide composition of four polysaccharides and four free monosaccharide samples from Dendrobium.
Toward a sustainable business model: A study of market perception and value propositions of stone dust concrete in Thailand
Authors: Janjirawatna Nathatai , Khin Khin Oo Nay Chi , Rakthin Sirisuhk
Published: September 2023

The stone mining and construction sectors are crucial for Thailand's economic advancement. Yet, they face issues such as substantial stone waste accumulation, causing environmental pollution and the resource‐intensive nature of concrete production. Existing studies lack comprehensive coverage of Thailand's specific environmental challenges related to these industries and their sustainable solutions. There is also a knowledge gap concerning region‐specific influences and the relationship between stone dust and concrete sustainability within Thailand's unique geographical and socio‐economic context. Furthermore, sustainable practices in stone dust concrete within Thailand are insufficiently investigated. To bridge these gaps, this study examines the viability of the stone dust concrete business and its potential to mitigate social and environmental challenges. The research reveals alignment between the stone dust concrete business model and stakeholder needs through interviews with industry stakeholders. Subsequently, barriers like the absence of sustainable concrete standards, higher costs, and limited consumer demand for eco‐friendly products are identified.
Nexus of environmental, social, and governance performance in China‐listed companies: Disclosure and green bond issuance
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Chen Shih‐Chih , Ali Mohd Helmi , Tseng Ming‐Lang
Published: September 2023

This study establishes a connection between existing literature on corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters, information disclosure, and green bonds by employing the issuance of green bonds to indicate investors' acknowledgment of a company's sustainable activities. Prior research has not adequately addressed the relationship between ESG performance, disclosure, and green bond issuance. A novel dataset has been compiled by merging ESG performance and information disclosure data of Chinese‐listed companies spanning from 2016 to 2020, alongside green bond issuance information from the Wind and Hexun databases. Concurrently, China's pursuit of carbon neutrality necessitates the establishment of a green, low‐carbon, and circular economy framework. ESG has surfaced as an indispensable instrument for appraising a company's sustainability and advocating the enhancement of its information disclosure systems, thereby aiding investors in forming well‐informed judgments. This study scrutinizes the correlation between each facet of ESG performance, disclosure, and green bond issuance, from the perspective of companies listed in emerging markets. The findings corroborate that companies exhibiting commendable ESG practices are more predisposed to issuing green bonds, particularly when such practices are suitably disclosed. The identified evidence will spur the enforcement of obligatory ESG disclosure regulations, further propelling China's advancement in ecological civilization and green finance.
Selective Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid Catalyzed by Air‐Stable Cuboidal PN Molybdenum Sulfide Clusters
Authors: Gutiérrez‐Blanco María , Stein Carolin A. M. , Alfonso Carmina , Guillamón Eva , Safont Vicent S. , Sorribes Iván , Junge Henrik , Beller Matthias , Llusar Rosa
Published: September 2023

Formic acid is considered as a promising hydrogen storage material in the context of a green hydrogen economy. In this work, we present a series of aminophosphino and imidazolylamino Mo3S4 cuboidal clusters which are active and selective for formic acid dehydrogenation (FAD). Best results are obtained with the new [Mo3S4Cl3(ediprp)3](BPh4) (4(BPh4)) (ediprp=(2‐(diisopropylphosphino)ethylamine)) cluster, which is prepared through a simple ligand exchange process from the Mo3S4Cl4(PPh3)3(H2O)2 precursor. Under the conditions investigated, complex 4+ showed significantly improved performance (TOF=4048 h−1 and 3743 h−1 at 120 °C in propylene carbonate using N,N‐dimethyloctylamine as base after 10 min and 15 min, respectively) compared to the other reported molybdenum compounds. Mechanistic investigations based on stoichiometric and catalytic experiments show that cluster 4+ reacts with formic acid in the presence of a base to form formate substituted species [Mo3S4Cl3‐x(OCOH)x(ediprp)3]+ (x=1–3) from which the catalytic cycle starts. Subsequently, formate decarboxylation of the partially substituted [Mo3S4Cl3‐x(OCOH)x(ediprp)3]+ (x=1, 2, 3) catalyst through a β‐hydride transfer to the metal generates the trinuclear Mo3S4 cluster hydride. Dehydrogenation takes place through protonation by HCOOH to form Mo−H⋅⋅⋅HCOOH dihydrogen adducts, with regeneration of the Mo3S4 formate cluster. This proposal has been validated by DFT calculations.
Boosting the Oxygen Evolution Activity of FeNi Oxides/Hydroxides by Molecular and Atomic Engineering
Authors: Da Silva Eliana S. , Macili Aureliano , Bofill Roger , García‐Antón Jordi , Sala Xavier , Francàs Laia
Published: September 2023

FeNi oxides/hydroxides are the best performing catalysts for oxidizing water at basic pH. Consequently, their improvement is the cornerstone to develop more efficient artificial photosynthetic systems. During the last 5 years different reports have demonstrated an enhancement of their activity by engineering their structures via: (1) modulation of the number of oxygen, iron and nickel vacancies; (2) single atoms (SAs) doping with metals such as Au, Ir, Ru and Pt; and (3) modification of their surface using organic ligands. All these strategies have led to more active and stable electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution rection (OER). In this Concept, we critically analyze these strategies using the most relevant examples.
Pioneering the Power of Twin Bonds in a Revolutionary Double Bond Formation. Unveiling the True Identity of o‐Carboryne as o‐Carborene
Authors: Poater Jordi , Viñas Clara , Escayola Sílvia , Solà Miquel , Teixidor Francesc
Published: September 2023

The homolytic elimination of two H atoms from two adjacent carbons in benzene results in the aromatic product o‐benzyne. In a similar way, the homolytic elimination of two H atoms from the two adjacent carbons in 1,2‐C2B10H12 results in the aromatic product o‐carboryne. In this work, we provide experimental and computational evidences that despite the similarity of o‐carboryne and o‐benzyne, the nature of the C−C bond generated between two adjacent carbons that lose H atoms is different. While in o‐benzyne the C−C bond behaves as a triple bond, in o‐carboryne the C−C bond is a double bond. Therefore, we must stop naming 1,2‐dehydro‐o‐carboryne as o‐carboryne but instead call it o‐carborene.
Deep chemometrics using one‐dimensional convolutional neural networks for predicting crude oil properties from FTIR spectral data
Authors: Ta Souvik , Alizadeh Shahla , Samavedham Lakshminarayanan , Ray Ajay K.
Published: September 2023

The determination of physicochemical properties of crude oils is a very important and time‐intensive process that needs elaborate laboratory procedures. Over the last few decades, several correlations have been developed to estimate these properties, but they have been very limited in their scope and range. In recent years, methods based on spectral data analysis have been shown to be very promising in characterizing petroleum crude. In this work, the physicochemical properties of crude oils using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrums are predicted. A total of 107 samples of FTIR spectral data consisting of 6840 wavenumbers is used. One dimensional convolutional neural networks (CNNs) were used employing FTIR spectral data as the one‐dimensional input and Keras and TensorFlow were used for model building. The Root Mean Square Error decreased from 160 to around 60 for viscosity when compared to previous machine learning methods like partial least squares (PLS), principal component regression (PCR), and partial least squares regression with genetic algorithm (PLS‐GA) on the same data. The important hyper‐parameters of the CNN were optimized. In addition, a comparison of results obtained with different neural network architectures is presented. Some common preprocessing techniques were also tested on the spectral data to determine their impact on model performance. To increase interpretability, the intermediate neural network layers were analyzed to reveal what the convolutions represented, and sensitivity analysis was done to gather key insights about the wavenumbers that were the most important for prediction of the crude oil properties using the neural network.
Synthesis of hydrogels from fractionated proteins of Moringa oleifera Lam. seeds for the treatment of water contaminated with black reactive dye 5
Authors: Freitas Resende Jayana , Reck Paulino Isabela Maria , dos Reis Oliveira Marina , Ferri Bruna Bruguer , Bergamasco Rosângela , Guilherme Marcos R. , Rinaldi Andrelson W. , Vieira Angélica Marquetotti Salcedo
Published: September 2023

As has been portrayed in the literature, the main proteins extracted from the seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam. have coagulant and clarifying potential in water treatment. However, when using them as coagulant agents, sludge formation occurs, which is an environmental problem. Thus, it was proposed to synthesize hydrogels from the main Moringa seeds proteins and use them as adsorbents. This work aimed to synthesize albumin hydrogels and globulin hydrogels and evaluate their efficiency as adsorbents to remove the reactive black 5 dye. Through FTIR spectrum it was possible to confirm that the synthesis of hydrogels occurred successfully. The kinetic data fit the pseudo‐second order model for both hydrogels. The equilibrium isotherms showed that adsorption occurs in multilayers, due to Freundlich fitting. The maximum adsorption capacity occurred at 298 K and was 1.19 mg g−1 for the albumin hydrogel and 10.06 mg g−1 for the globulin hydrogel. Through the results it is possible to state that globulin hydrogel was more favourable for adsorption since it has a more porous morphology and requires less mass compared to albumin hydrogel.
Early Organic Chemistry in Kyiv: Serhii Mykolayovych Reformatskyi (1860–1934) and his Name Reaction*
Authors: Lewis David E.
Published: September 2023

Serhiy Mykolayovych Reformatskyi, [Ukrainian: Рeφopмaтcьκий, Cepгiй Mиκoлaйoвич; Russian: Sergei Nikolaevich Reformatskii, РeΦopмaтcκий, Cepгeй Hиκoлaeвич (1860‐1934)] was a product of Zaitsev's laboratory in Kazan Imperial University in Russia and one of the founding fathers of organic chemistry in Ukraine. He discovered his eponymous reaction while a graduate student in Kazan under Zaitsev, studying the synthesis of homoallylic alcohols. He modified this reaction by replacing the olefinic π bond of an allyl halide with a carbonyl group. In the prototype reaction, he treated ethyl haloacetates with zinc and aldehydes or ketones. The reaction gave the corresponding β‐hydroxyesters and remains an important synthetic method. Work on the reaction over the ensuing century and a quarter has led to the discovery of analogous reactions using a wide range of metals, and even permitting the use of water as a solvent.
Anger treatment via CBAT delivered remotely: Outcomes on psychometric and self‐monitored measures of anger
Authors: Fernandez Ephrem , Perez Brandon , Sun Renhao , Kolaparthi Krishna , Pham Tuan , Iwuala Emmanuel , Garza Rudy , Shattuck Eric C. , Wu Wenbo
Published: September 2023

Studies of anger treatment have often reported on reappraisal and relaxation techniques delivered in person to forensic and psychiatric samples. The present study evaluated an integrative programme of cognitive–behavioural affective therapy (CBAT) delivered remotely to chronic pain sufferers with comorbid anger. Volunteers (N = 54) were randomly assigned to either CBAT or an Emotional Education (EE) group, both receiving hour‐long videorecorded sessions twice a week for 4 weeks plus weekly calls by telephone. At 1‐month post‐treatment, follow‐up was conducted. Outcomes were measured using the Anger Parameters Scale (APS) and its five subscales (frequency, duration, intensity, latency and threshold) as well as daily self‐monitored anger logs. As hypothesized, pre‐ to post‐treatment decline in APS total scores was significant for CBAT, Hedges' g = 0.65, 95% CI [0.14, 1.16] but nonsignificant and small for EE, g = 0.17, CI [−0.41, 0.75]. At the primary endpoint (post‐treatment), APS total scores were significantly lower for CBAT than for EE. Treatment gains were maintained till follow‐up. On all five APS subscales, pre‐post effect sizes were medium‐sized for CBAT and generally small for EE. This picture was mirrored in the self‐monitored frequency, duration and intensity of anger. Findings support the efficacy of CBAT over time, its comparative efficacy over EE and its ecological generalizability. Future research could expand sample size, reduce sample imbalance, extend follow‐up and strengthen treatment potency with more sessions. The present study renews enthusiasm for teletherapy and is the first to demonstrate CBAT efficacy in treating maladaptive anger in the chronic pain population.
A Comparison of the Reactivity of the Lattice Nitrogen in Tungsten Substituted Co3Mo3N and Ni2Mo3N
Authors: Al Sobhi Samia , AlShibane Ihfaf , Catlow C. Richard A. , Daisley Angela , Hargreaves Justin S. J. , Hector Andrew L. , Higham Michael D. , Zeinalipour‐Yazdi Constantinos D.
Published: September 2023

The effect of the partial substitution of Mo with W in Co3Mo3N and Ni2Mo3N on ammonia synthesis activity and lattice nitrogen reactivity has been investigated. This is of interest as the coordination environment of lattice N is changed by this process. When tungsten was introduced into the metal nitrides by substitution of Mo atoms, the catalytic performance was observed to have decreased. As expected, Co3Mo3N was reduced to Co6Mo6N under a 3 : 1 ratio of H2/Ar. Co3Mo2.6W0.4N was also shown to lose a large percentage of lattice nitrogen under these conditions. The bulk lattice nitrogen in Ni2Mo3N and Ni2Mo2.8W0.2N was unreactive, demonstrating that substitution with tungsten does not have a significant effect on lattice N reactivity. Computational calculations reveal that the vacancy formation energy for Ni2Mo3N is more endothermic than Co3Mo3N. Furthermore, calculations suggest that the inclusion of W does not have a substantial impact on the surface N vacancy formation energy or the N2 adsorption and activation at the vacancy site.
Nitrogen Reduction Reaction to Ammonia on Transition Metal Carbide Catalysts
Authors: Ellingsson Viktor , Iqbal Atef , Skúlason Egill , Abghoui Younes
Published: September 2023

The development of a low‐cost, energy‐efficient, and environmentally friendly alternative to the currently utilized Haber‐Bosch process to produce ammonia is of great importance. Ammonia is an essential chemical used in fertilizers and a promising high‐density fuel source. The nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) has been explored intensively as a potential avenue for ammonia production using water as proton source, but to this day a catalyst capable of producing this chemical at high Faradaic efficiency (FE) and commercial yield and rates has not been reported. Here, we investigate the activity of transition metal carbide (TMC) surfaces in the (100) facets of the rocksalt (RS) structure as potential catalysts for the NRR. In this study, we use density functional theory (DFT) to model reaction pathways, estimate stability, assess kinetic barriers, and compare adsorbate energies to determine the overall performance of each TMC surface. For pristine TMC surfaces (with no defects) we find that none of the studied TMCs possess both exergonic adsorption of nitrogen and the capability to selectively protonate nitrogen to form ammonia in the desired aqueous solution. ZrC, however, is shown to be a potential catalyst if used in a non‐aqueous electrolyte. To circumvent the endergonic adsorption of nitrogen onto the surface, a carbon vacancy was introduced. This provides a well‐defined high coordination active site on the surface. In the presence of a vacancy VC, NbC, and WC showed efficient nitrogen adsorption, selectivity towards ammonia, and a low overpotential (OP). NbC did, however, display an unfeasible kinetic barrier to nitrogen dissociation for ambient‐condition purposes, and thus it is suggested for high tempearture/pressure ammonia synthesis. Both WC and VC in their RS (100) structure are promising materials for experimental investigations in aqueous electrolytes, and ZrC could potentially be interesting for non‐aqueous electrolytic systems.