bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corrosion Resistance and Formation Mechanism of Anodic Oxidation–Organic Structure Super‐Hydrophobic Self‐Assembled Film
Authors: Wen Yuqing , Li Jiaojiao , Wang Qi , Cao Yijun , Shang Wei , Peng Ning
Published: June 2021

In this article, the perfluorooctyltriethoxysilane (POTS) is used as a low surface energy substance to self‐assemble in Al2O3 surface to prepare a corrosion‐resistant composite film by anodization and self‐assembly technology. The morphology, structure, wettability, and chemical composition of the composite film are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, water contact angle, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The corrosion resistance of the composite film is tested through electrochemical test and the neutral salt spray test, and various pollution simulations are performed to test the self‐cleaning performance of the film. The formation mechanism of the film is discussed by quantum chemical calculations. The results show that compared with Al alloy, the AC impedance of the composite film is increased by five orders of magnitude, the corrosion current density is reduced by three orders of magnitude, and the neutral salt spray corrosion test reaches 31 days. Meanwhile, theoretical studies of quantum chemical calculations show that Al2O3/POTS film is adsorbed on the surface of Al alloys through SiOAl chemical bonds. This work puts forward scientific viewpoints and novel design concepts to create effective anti‐corrosion coatings to protect Al alloys, and then expand its potential applications in other fields.
Tollens Reaction‐Based Integration of Thin Film Wall Electrodes into Microfluidic PDMS Devices
Authors: Linz Georg , Rauer Sebastian Bernhard , Stüwe Lucas , Bell Daniel Josef , Rausch Markus , Wessling Matthias
Published: June 2021

The integration of electrodes into microfluidic devices is a prerequisite for several key technologies such as electrophoresis, dielectrophoresis, electrowetting, or analysis and manipulation of biological cells in organ‐on‐a‐chip applications. However, conventional sputtering or metal deposition methods result in electrodes on the top or the bottom of the microfluidic device leading to either an inhomogeneous electrical field or considerable restrictions regarding optical analysis methods. Here, a novel method for integrating electrodes into microfluidic devices based on the deposition of silver films on the sidewalls of microfluidic channels by Tollens reaction is presented. Aldehydes diffuse readily through polydimethylsiloxane walls and reduce noble metal ions such as silver, which in turn precipitate and deposit on the phase border as homogeneous thin layers. The process results in sidewall electrodes that adopt the channel's geometry and offer a highly homogeneous electrical field in the case of a rectangular channel. The electrodes were analyzed by dissipative X‐ray (EDX) and electrical impedance spectroscopy, while the electrical field was visualized by particle image velocimetry. The method can fabricate electrodes in different shapes rendering the process highly promising for a wide range of different electrochemical applications in the field of microfluidics, while simultaneously enable optical analysis methods.
Facile Fabrication of Robust and Reusable PDMS Supported Graphene Dry Electrodes for Wearable Electrocardiogram Monitoring
Authors: Yang Jie , Zhang Ke , Yu Jiajie , Zhang Shuai , He Linxiang , Wu Sicheng , Liu Changbo , Deng Yuan
Published: June 2021

Graphene‐based epidermal dry electrodes have generated wide interests in electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring to screen cardiovascular diseases in time. Nevertheless, the poor stability, mechanical strength, and integration are significant obstacles hindering further product marketing of graphene electrodes in health care. Herein, robust, reusable, and patterned graphene‐based wearable dry electrodes are fabricated based on laser writing technology and supported by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) layers. After bending tests over 10 000 cycles and high‐power ultrasonic treatments (5 h), graphene/PDMS electrodes are demonstrated to have excellent stability and reusability for ECG recording. Taking the advantages of the designable and efficient CO2 laser production technique, a “staff‐shape” graphene electrode consisting of six chest‐lead electrodes and corresponding lead lines can be facilely customized and fabricated according to users’ somatotype to greatly simplify the acquisition procedure of 12‐lead ECG, realizing the acquisition of V1–V6 ECGs for all‐round cardiac monitoring. After thorough analysis of ECG patterns, the integrated chest electrode exhibits desirable sensitivity and reliability comparable to wet Ag/AgCl electrodes. The reusable graphene/PDMS electrodes are suitable for long‐term ECG monitoring and the integrated electrode presents a novel strategy to wearable 12‐ECG recording.
Direct Fabrication of VIA Interconnects by Electrohydrodynamic Printing for Multi‐Layer 3D Flexible and Stretchable Electronics
Authors: Ren Ping , Dong Jingyan
Published: June 2021

Multi‐layer electrical interconnects are critical for the development of integrated soft wearable electronic systems, in which functional devices from different layers need to be connected together by vertical interconnects. In this work, electrohydrodynamic (EHD) printing technology is studied to achieve multi‐layer flexible and stretchable electronics by direct printing vertical interconnects as vertical interconnect accesses (VIAs) using a low‐melting‐point metal alloy. The EHD printed metallic vertical interconnection represents a promising way for the direct fabrication of multilayer integrated electronics with metallic conductivity and excellent flexibility and stretchability. By controlling the printing conditions, vertical interconnects that can bridge different heights can be fabricated. To achieve reliable VIA connections under bending and stretching conditions, an epoxy protective structure is printed around the VIA interconnects to form a core‐shell structure. A stable electrical response is achieved under hundreds of bending cycles and during stretching/releasing cycles in a large range of tensile strain (0–40%) for the printed conductors with VIA interconnects. A few multi‐layer devices, including a multiple layer heater, and a pressure‐based touch panel are fabricated to demonstrate the capability of the EHD printing for the direct fabrication of vertical metallic VIA interconnects for flexible and stretchable devices.
Nanosized BaSnO3 as Electron Transport Promoter Coupled with g‐C3N4 toward Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Production
Authors: Kang Xing , Shi Jinwen , Lu Huaiyu , Zhang Guiquan , Yao Jiantao , Hou Lulu , Chen Feng , Mao Samuel S. , Binas Vassilios D. , Shen Shaohua
Published: June 2021

A series of type‐II BaSnO3/g‐C3N4 heterojunction composites are prepared by anchoring BaSnO3 on g‐C3N4 via a facile solvothermal method. BaSnO3 is applied as an electron transport promoter in the field of photocatalytic H2 production under visible light for the first time. BaSnO3 shows excellent performance in collecting and transferring photogenerated electrons from g‐C3N4 to reactive sites, thus effectively inhibiting the recombination of photogenerated electron–holes. Consequently, the photocatalytic H2‐production activity of BaSnO3/g‐C3N4 composite is enhanced up to 3.2 times compared to that of pristine g‐C3N4. This work provides a meaningful reference for the application of electron transport materials in the field of photocatalysis.
Learning from Nature: From a Marine Natural Product to Synthetic Cyclooxygenase‐1 Inhibitors by Automated De Novo Design
Authors: Friedrich Lukas , Cingolani Gino , Ko Ying‐Hui , Iaselli Mariaclara , Miciaccia Morena , Perrone Maria Grazia , Neukirch Konstantin , Bobinger Veronika , Merk Daniel , Hofstetter Robert Klaus , Werz Oliver , Koeberle Andreas , Scilimati Antonio , Schneider Gisbert
Published: June 2021

The repertoire of natural products offers tremendous opportunities for chemical biology and drug discovery. Natural product‐inspired synthetic molecules represent an ecologically and economically sustainable alternative to the direct utilization of natural products. De novo design with machine intelligence bridges the gap between the worlds of bioactive natural products and synthetic molecules. On employing the compound Marinopyrrole A from marine Streptomyces as a design template, the algorithm constructs innovative small molecules that can be synthesized in three steps, following the computationally suggested synthesis route. Computational activity prediction reveals cyclooxygenase (COX) as a putative target of both Marinopyrrole A and the de novo designs. The molecular designs are experimentally confirmed as selective COX‐1 inhibitors with nanomolar potency. X‐ray structure analysis reveals the binding of the most selective compound to COX‐1. This molecular design approach provides a blueprint for natural product‐inspired hit and lead identification for drug discovery with machine intelligence.
Zn2+ Induced Phase Transformation of K2MnFe(CN)6 Boosts Highly Stable Zinc‐Ion Storage
Authors: Deng Wenjun , Li Zhengang , Ye Yaokun , Zhou Zhuqing , Li Yibo , Zhang Man , Yuan Xinran , Hu Jun , Zhao Wenguang , Huang Zhongyuan , Li Chang , Chen Haibiao , Zheng Jiaxin , Li Rui
Published: June 2021

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs), featuring an open framework for accommodating large ions and tunable valence states, have garnered wide interest in the context of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs). However, PBAs in ZIBs currently still suffer from low capacity and poor cycling stability due to structural instability. Here a K2MnFe(CN)6 cathode achieving a very stable capacity of 100 mAh g−1 is reported in a ZIB charged/discharged to 400 cycles. Interestingly, such a stable capacity is attributed to the fact that the K2MnFe(CN)6 cathode is gradually transformed to rhombohedral K2Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2, a process that is induced by Zn2+ insertion. The mechanism of the phase transformation is further investigated through ab initio calculations and detailed characterizations. The inserted Zn2+ is found to induce an intense Jahn‐Teller effect of the trivalent manganese, resulting in a strong lattice distortion. Coupled with the disproportionation reaction of manganese, the MnN6 octahedra are replaced by ZnN4 tetrahedra and produce the new K2Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2 phase eventually. The robust structure of the resulting K2Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2 phase contains wider channels for accommodating divalent ions and thus enables highly stable and reversible storage of Zn2+ ions. The findings of this work lead to a new understanding on the evolution of PBAs in ZIBs, and provide a promising cathode material.
Inhibiting Oxygen Release from Li‐rich, Mn‐rich Layered Oxides at the Surface with a Solution Processable Oxygen Scavenger Polymer
Authors: Kim Se Young , Park Chan Sun , Hosseini Shahrzad , Lampert Jordan , Kim Young Jin , Nazar Linda F.
Published: June 2021

Li‐rich Mn‐rich layered oxides (LRLO) are considered promising cathode materials for high energy density storage because of their very high capacities that owe to the reversible redox of oxide anions. However, LRLO cathodes also evolve reactive oxygen species on charge, especially in the first formation cycles, which leads to reactivity with the electrolyte at the surface, reconstruction of surface layers, and deleterious impedance growth. Here, a strategy to enhance the cycle performance of a Li‐rich Mn‐rich layered cathode is demonstrated by scavenging the evolved oxygen species with a polydopamine (PDA) surface coating. PDA, a well‐known oxygen radical scavenger, provides a chemically protective layer that diminishes not only the growth of the undesirable cathode electrolyte interphase but also results in less oxygen gas release compared to an unprotected surface, and significantly suppressed phase transformation at the surface. These factors lead to improved rate capability and diminished capacity fading on cycling; namely a capacity fade of 82% over 200 cycles at a C rate for the PDA‐coated LRLO, compared to 70% for the bare LRLO material.
Ultrahigh‐Rate and Long‐Life Zinc–Metal Anodes Enabled by Self‐Accelerated Cation Migration
Authors: Zou Peichao , Zhang Rui , Yao Libing , Qin Jiayi , Kisslinger Kim , Zhuang Houlong , Xin Huolin L.
Published: June 2021

Aqueous zinc ion batteries are receiving unprecedented attention owing to their markedly high safety and sustainability, yet their lifespan particularly at high rates is largely limited by the poor reversibility of zinc metal anodes, due to the random ion diffusion and sluggish ion replenishment at the reaction interface. Here, a tunnel‐rich and corona‐poled ferroelectric polymer‐inorganic‐composite thin film coating for Zn metal anodes to tackle above problems, is proposed. It is demonstrated that the poled ferroelectric coating can better deconcentrate and self‐accelerate ion migration at coating/Zn interface during the electroplating process than untreated ferroelectric coating and bare Zn, thus enabling a compact and horizontally‐aligned Zn morphology even at ultrahigh rates. Notably, a maximal cumulative plating capacity of over 6500 mAh cm−2(at 10 mA cm−2) is achieved for the surface‐modified Zn metal anode, showing extraordinary reversibility of Zn plating/stripping. This work provides new insights in stabilizing Zn metal electrodeposition at the scale of interfacial ion diffusion.
Exploring the Charge Dynamics and Energy Loss in Ternary Organic Solar Cells with a Fill Factor Exceeding 80%
Authors: Zeng Yihan , Li Danqin , Xiao Zuo , Wu Hongbo , Chen Zeng , Hao Tianyu , Xiong Shaobing , Ma Zaifei , Zhu Haiming , Ding Liming , Bao Qinye
Published: June 2021

Ternary architecture is a promising strategy to enhance power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of organic solar cells (OSCs). However, among all the photovoltaic parameters that govern the final PCEs, the fill factor (FF) for ternary OSCs is generally below 78%, limiting solar cells’ performance. Here, charge dynamics in the ternary cells PM6:DRTB‐T‐C4:Y6 with a FF of 80.88% and a PCE of 17.05% are thoroughly investigated by a series of transient characterization technologies, including transient absorption spectroscopy, transient photovoltage, and transient photocurrent measurements. The impressive FF results from effective exciton dissociation, enhanced charge transport and suppressed recombination in ternary cells. Moreover, the correlation between the measured FF and the charge recombination‐extraction competition is quantitatively analyzed by using a circuit model. The ternary cells also show small energy loss (Eloss). The findings here provide insight into achieving high‐FF and low‐Eloss ternary OSCs.
Stable High‐Capacity Organic Aluminum–Porphyrin Batteries
Authors: Han Xue , Li Shijie , Song Wei‐Li , Chen Nuo , Chen Haosen , Huang Shanyan , Jiao Shuqiang
Published: June 2021

Aluminum‐ion batteries (AIBs) attract interest for their promising features of superior safety and long‐life energy storage. Organic materials with engineered active groups are considered promising for promoting energy storage capabilities. However, the corresponding energy density (both voltage plateau and sufficient active sites required) and stability are still unexpectedly poor. To address these challenges, here π‐conjugated organic porphyrin molecules, that is, 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrin (H2TPP) and 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (H2TCPP), are selected as the positive electrode materials for AIBs. Owing to the highly reversible coordination/dissociation with aluminum complex cations, H2TPP presents long‐term cycling stability beyond 5000 cycles at 200 mA g−1. Compared with the specific capacity of H2TCPP (≈24 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1), the enhanced capabilities in H2TPP (reversible specific capacity of ≈101 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1) are attributed to removal of the carboxyl functional groups, which plays a role in reducing the basicity of porphyrin induced via electron withdrawing effects. Additionally, the mechanism of electrochemical reaction between AlCl2+ and porphyrin as well as ionic diffusion behaviors on the surface of the electrode are investigated. The results establish a platform to develop long‐term organic aluminum batteries for safe and stable energy storage.
Redesigning traditional weed management practices in faba bean fields to optimize food‐feed production in the smallholder system
Authors: Bezabih Melkamu , Mekonnen Kindu , Adie Aberra , Tadesse Tamene , Nurfeta Ajebu , Dubale Workneh , Habiso Tesfaye , Kelkay Tessema Z. , Getnet Million , Ergano Kebebe , Duncan Alan J. , Thorne Peter
Published: June 2021

Duringthe main cropping season, Ethiopian farmers deliberately weed faba bean (Vicia faba L.) fields much later than recommended and use the weed herbage mass as feed. This study examined the rationale behind farmers’ practices and explored options to further improve productivity. The study involved two experiments. The first compared the overall benefit from the traditional weed management regime against the frequent weeding recommendation. Sixty farmers participated, each preparing two plots. The plots were randomly assigned to either traditional (one late weeding) or improved (two early weeding) management. The second examined the suitability of intercropping faba bean with oat (Avena sativa L.). It involved a 5 × 3 factorial experiment, three management practices (traditional, improved, and faba bean oat intercropping) and five faba bean varieties repeated over 3 yr. In the first experiment the improved weed management increased grain yield (2.49 vs. 2.12 Mg ha–1) compared to the traditional. But the traditional management produced higher (P < .01) weed forage biomass (2.12 vs. 0.27 Mg ha–1) compared to the improved. The analysis showed the opportunity costs associated with the loss in weed forage biomass were not convincingly offset by the economic gains from increased grain yields. In the second experiment, grain yield was again highest for the improved weed management and lowest for the intercropping. Analysis of economic returns revealed that the intercropping management provides greater benefit over the traditional management practice. Farmers’ decisions have a rational economic basis and building on the traditional practicewith improved forage intercropping would allow to further optimize productivity.
The role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of Grynfeltt–Lesshaft lumbar hernia: A case report
Authors: Li Jenny
Published: June 2021

Grynfeltt–Lesshaft hernia is a type of lumbar hernia located in the superior lumbar triangle. Lumbar hernias are rare hernias. Clinical diagnosis of lumbar hernias can be a challenging especially in obese or asymptomatic patients. Lumbar hernias have been frequently misdiagnosed and lead to serious complications. Surgery (open or laparoscopic) is recommended to correct the defect and to avoid the exacerbation of the hernia and associated complications. The majority of the reported cases in the past were diagnosed on a CT scan. This study presents a case of successful detection of a Grynfeltt–Lesshaft hernia by US scan then confirmed by a subsequent CT scan. The aim of this case report was to Increase knowledge of lumbar hernias and to demonstrate the role of US in the diagnosis of lumbar hernias.
Australian breast surgeons and ultrasound usage: Have practices changed?
Authors: Bennett Ian , Khoo Jeremy F. , De Viana Daniel , Law Michael
Published: June 2021

Background

A recent survey of surgeon performed ultrasound usage was conducted amongst registered members of the Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand Society (BreastSurgANZ) and was compared with a previous survey undertaken in 2010 to determine whether patterns of utilization had changed.

Methods

From July to September 2019, members of BreastSurgANZ were invited to complete an electronic online survey of personal usage of breast ultrasound focusing on ultrasound equipment access, use of office and intraoperative ultrasound, biopsy interventions and training expectations.

Results

There were 73 respondents to the survey with 45 (61.6%) members indicating access to ultrasound within their practices. Whilst current regular ultrasound usage (68.1%) was only slightly greater than in 2010 (66%), the proportion of respondents not performing any form of needle intervention had increased (62.5% compared to 53% in 2010) and with the proportion of surgeons currently performing >10 biopsies per month decreasing from 10% to only 5.56%. However the percentage of surgeons utilizing intraoperative ultrasound had notably increased since 2010 with 49.3% currently using ultrasound in the operating room compared with only 17% previously. The majority of respondents believed that breast ultrasound training should be conducted through BreastSurgANZ post fellowship training programs.

Conclusion

The overall utilization of surgeon‐performed ultrasound amongst BreastSurgANZ members has remained similar over the past 9 years with the performance of needle interventions declining slightly, but with the application of intraoperative ultrasound having increased. An ultrasound training curriculum as part of the BreastSurgANZ post fellowship training program is a necessary imperative.
Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound is useful for the evaluation of focal liver lesions in children
Authors: Torres Alvaro , Koskinen Seppo K. , Gjertsen Henrik , Fischler Björn
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is a widely used diagnostic method. In adults, it has been proven to be a useful alternative to CT and MRI for the characterisation of focal liver lesions (FLLs). However, since there is no official paediatric licensing for any ultrasound contrast agents in Europe, its use has been restricted.

Purpose

To retrospectively outline our experience with CEUS as a tool for the characterisation of FLLs in paediatric patients.

Methods

An eleven‐year retrospective single‐centre study. During this period, we identified 287 CEUS examinations performed on children, of these 36 were relevant first‐time examinations with the aim of characterising a focal liver lesion. Clinical and radiological data were collected from the hospital chart.

Results

The overall agreement between the CEUS diagnosis and the reference diagnosis for benign versus malignant differentiation was 75%. When analysing conclusive CEUS examinations only, the overall agreement was 96%. The specificity for correctly characterising a lesion as benign was 96%, and the negative predictive value was 100%. No side effects from CEUS were detected.

Conclusions

Our study reinforces that CEUS can be useful in the medical workup for the identification and classification of focal liver lesions in children.
Surgical approach is associated with complication rate in sinonasal malignancy: A multicenter study
Authors: Beswick Daniel M. , Hwang Peter H. , Adappa Nithin D. , Le Christopher H. , Humphreys DO Ian M. , Getz Anne E. , Suh Jeffrey D. , Aasen Davis M. , Abuzeid Waleed M. , Chang Eugene H. , Kaizer Alexander M. , Kindgom Todd T. , Kohanski Michael A. , Nabavizadeh Seyed Ali , Nayak Jayakar V. , Palmer James N. , Patel Zara M. , Ramakrishnan Vijay R. , Snyderman Carl H. , St. John Maie A. , Wild Jessica , Wang Eric W.
Published: June 2021

Background

Management of sinonasal malignancy (SNM) often includes surgical resection as part of the multimodality treatment. Treatment‐related surgical morbidity can occur, yet risk factors associated with complications in this population have not been sufficiently investigated.

Methods

Adult patients with histologically confirmed SNM whose primary treatment included surgical resection were prospectively enrolled into an observational, multi‐institutional cohort study from 2015 to 2020. Sociodemographic, disease, and treatment data were collected. Complications assessed included cerebrospinal fluid leak, orbital injury, intracranial injury, diplopia, meningitis, osteoradionecrosis, hospitalization for neutropenia, and subsequent chronic rhinosinusitis. The surgical approach was categorized as endoscopic resection (ER) or open/combined resection (O/CR). Associations between factors and complications were analyzed using Student's t test, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression modeling.

Results

Overall, 142 patients met the inclusion criteria. Twenty‐three subjects had at least 1 complication (16.2%). On unadjusted analysis, adjuvant radiation therapy was associated with developing a complication (91.3% vs 65.5%, p = 0.013). Compared with the ER group (n = 98), the O/CR group (n = 44) had a greater percentage of higher T‐stage lesions (p = 0.004) and more frequently received adjuvant radiation (84.1% vs 64.4%, p = 0.017) and chemotherapy (50.0% vs 30.6%, p = 0.038). Complication rates were similar between the ER and O/CR groups without controlling for other factors. Regression analysis that retained certain factors showed O/CR was associated with increased odds of experiencing a complication (odds ratio, 3.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.06‐11.19).

Conclusions

Prospective, multicenter evaluation of SNM treatment outcomes is feasible. Undergoing O/CR was associated with increased odds of developing a complication after accounting for radiation therapy. Further studies are warranted to build upon these findings.
Biodegradable blends of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and polyglycolic acid with enhanced mechanical, rheological and barrier performances
Authors: Shen Jianing , Wang Kai , Ma Zhao , Xu Nai , Pang Sujuan , Pan Lisha
Published: June 2021

Blends of poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate)/polyglycolic acid (PBAT/PGA) were prepared by melt blending, in which PGA was used as reinforcing component. Impacts of PGA content on tensile property, microstructure, crystallization property, melt viscosity, barrier performance of the blends were researched. Compared with very soft behavior of PBAT, the tensile yield strength and modulus of PBAT/PGA (65/35) sample increased from 7.67, 62.6 MPa of neat PBAT to 12.05, 158.9 MPa, respectively. However, owing to poor PBAT/PGA interface compatibility, its elongation at break decreased significantly from 1082.1% to 88.7%. An epoxy chain extender (ADR) was used as reactive modifier to improve its interface compatibility and rheological property. The related physical properties of PBAT/PGA/ADR (65/35/x) samples with various ADR contents were evaluated in detail. It was found that ADR exerted relatively complex influences on the properties. Overall, compared with neat PBAT and PBAT/PGA (65/35) sample, the PBAT/PGA/ADR (65/35/x) samples exhibited better stiffness‐ductility balance and higher processing stability.
Effects of hydrolysis treatment on the structure and properties of semi‐interpenetrating superabsorbent polymers
Authors: Zhang Fan , Xu Guiming , Zhu Lijun , Jiang Jiang
Published: June 2021

A semi‐interpenetrating polymer network superabsorbent polymer based on sodium lignosulfonate‐graft‐poly(acrylic acid‐acrylamide)/potassium dihydrogen phosphate and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA/SL‐g‐P[AA‐AM]/KDP) was synthesized by using solution polymerization. The PVA/SL‐g‐P(AA‐AM)/KDP was further hydrolyzed in NaOH solution. The structure, thermal stability, and morphologies of samples were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results of FTIR, TGA, and DSC showed that PVA interpenetration through SL‐g‐P(AA‐AM)/KDP network has occurred, and PVA/SL‐g‐P(AA‐AM)/KDP was successfully alkaline hydrolyzed. From the SEM images, the high porous and loose surface structure of polymers was formed after hydrolysis, which greatly increased the specific surface area. Samples after hydrolysis exhibited higher equilibrium swelling capacity (1963 g/g) compared to the nonhydrolyzed samples (866 g/g). The swelling kinetics of all samples well complied with the pseudo‐second order swelling kinetics model. Simple hydrolysis treatment not only improved the swelling capacity of PVA/SL‐g‐P(AA‐AM)/KDP but also induced an enhancement on its water retention performance, which made it potentially useful as a water retention agent in the revegetation of abandoned mines or slope wasteland.
Electrochemical stability ofPEDOTfor wearableon‐skinapplication
Authors: Ajmal Mokhtar Siti Musliha , Alvarez de Eulate Eva , Sethumadhavan Vithyasaahar , Yamada Miko , Prow Tarl W. , Evans Drew R.
Published: June 2021

Conducting polymers are promising candidates for wearable devices due to mechanical flexibility combined with electroactivity. While electrochemical measurements have been adopted as a central transduction method in many on‐skin sensors, less studied is the stability of the active materials (in particular poly3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene, PEDOT) in such systems, particularly for “on‐skin” applications. In this study, several different variants of doped PEDOT are fabricated and characterized in terms of their (electrical, physical, and chemical) stability in biological fluid. PEDOT doped with tosylate (TOS) or polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) are selected as prototypical forms of conducting polymers. These are compared with a new variant of PEDOT co‐doped with both TOS and PSS. Artificial interstitial fluid (aISF) loaded with 1% wt/vol bovine serum albumin is adopted as the testing medium to demonstrate the stability in dermal applications (i.e., conducting polymer microneedles or coatings on microneedles). A range of techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are used to qualify and quantify the stability of the doped conducting polymers. Furthermore, this study is extended by using human skin lysate in the aISF to demonstrate proof‐of‐concept for stable use of PEDOT in wearable “on‐skin” electronics.
Sawfish, read in tooth and saw: Rostral teeth as endogenous chemical records of movement and life‐history in a critically endangered species
Authors: Hegg Jens C. , Graves Breanna , Fisher Chris M.
Published: June 2021

The ecology of endangered and rare species can be difficult to study owing to their low abundances and legal limits on scientist’s ability to catch, sample, and track them. This is particularly true of sawfish (family Pristidae), whose numbers have declined precipitously, placing all five species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species worldwide. Best known for their distinctive, toothed rostrum, the ecology, movement and life‐history of sawfish are poorly understood.

Sawfish rostral teeth are modified placoid scales, which grow continuously throughout the life of the fish. This continuous growth, combined with their stable calcified makeup, makes sawfish rostral teeth a potential source of temporal records of chemical and isotopic changes through the life of the fish.

Rostral teeth are often preserved in museums and as curios, potentially providing a source of life‐history data to inform conservation actions without the need for field study, or as an important compliment to it. This is the first study to recover temporally explicit chemical data from sawfish rostral teeth.

Using archived samples of largetooth sawfish (Pristis pristis) we show that multiple chemical tracers can be recovered from sawfish rostral teeth, and that these tracers can be used to understand movement across salinity gradients. We further show that sawfish rostral teeth contain repeated structures and indistinct banding which could potentially be used for ageing or growth analysis of fish.
Western equine encephalitis virus virus‐like particles from an insect cell‐baculovirus system elicit the strong immune responses in mice
Authors: Ma JinZhu , Wang HuaLei , Zheng XueXing , Wu HongXia , Yang SongTao , Xia XianZhu
Published: June 2021

Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) causes lethal encephalitis in humans and equines, and it poses a serious public health threat in many countries. Therefore, the development of an efficient vaccine remains an important challenge for the prevention of WEEV infection. This study presents the first description of WEEV virus‐like particles (VLPs) generated from insect cells using recombinant baculoviruses. WEEV VLPs with 206 adjuvant could trigger a strong cellular immune response; increase the levels of IL‐2, IL‐4 and IFN‐γ; and induce a high level of neutralizing antibodies against WEEV in mice. These data showed that the insect cell‐baculovirus system is suitable for the production of WEEV VLPs and that these VLPs could elicit the strong immunogenicity in mice. These results suggest a new, nonreplicating, and effective vaccine candidate against WEEV infection.
Structural impairments in hippocampal and occipitotemporal networks specifically contribute to decline in place and face category processing but not to other visual object categories in healthy aging
Authors: Bourbon‐Teles José , Jorge Lília , Canário Nádia , Castelo‐Branco Miguel
Published: June 2021

Background

Functional neuroimaging studies have identified a set of nodes in the occipital–temporal cortex that preferentially respond to faces in comparison with other visual objects. By contrast, the processing of places seems to rely on parahippocampal cortex and structures heavily implicated in memory (e.g., the hippocampus). It has been suggested that human aging leads to decreased neural specialization of core face and place processing areas and impairments in face and place perception.

Methods

Using mediation analysis, we tested the potential contribution of micro‐ and macrostructure within the hippocampal and occipitotemporal systems to age‐associated effects in face and place category processing (as measured by 1‐back working memory tasks) in 55 healthy adults (age range 23–79 years). To test for specific contributions of the studied structures to face/place processing, we also studied a distinct tract (i.e., the anterior thalamic radiation [ATR]) and cognitive performance for other visual object categories (objects, bodies, and verbal material). Constrained spherical deconvolution‐based tractography was used to reconstruct the fornix, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF), and the ATR. Hippocampal volumetric measures were segmented from FSL‐FIRST toolbox.

Results

It was found that age associates with (a) decreases in fractional anisotropy (FA) in the fornix, in right ILF (but not left ILF), and in the ATR (b) reduced volume in the right and left hippocampus and (c) decline in visual object category processing. Importantly, mediation analysis showed that micro‐ and macrostructural impairments in the fornix and right hippocampus, respectively, associated with age‐dependent decline in place processing. Alternatively, microstructural impairments in right hemispheric ILF associated with age‐dependent decline in face processing. There were no other mediator effects of micro‐ and macrostructural variables on age–cognition relationships.

Conclusion

Together, the findings support specific contributions of the fornix and right hippocampus in visuospatial scene processing and of the long‐range right hemispheric occipitotemporal network in face category processing.
Implant‐bone‐interface: Reviewing the impact of titanium surface modifications on osteogenic processes in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Stich Theresia , Alagboso Francisca , Křenek Tomáš , Kovářík Tomáš , Alt Volker , Docheva Denitsa
Published: June 2021

Titanium is commonly and successfully used in dental and orthopedic implants. However, patients still have to face the risk of implant failure due to various reasons, such as implant loosening or infection. The risk of implant loosening can be countered by optimizing the osteointegration capacity of implant materials. Implant surface modifications for structuring, roughening and biological activation in favor for osteogenic differentiation have been vastly studied. A key factor for a successful stable long‐term integration is the initial cellular response to the implant material. Hence, cell–material interactions, which are dependent on the surface parameters, need to be considered in the implant design. Therefore, this review starts with an introduction to the basics of cell–material interactions as well as common surface modification techniques. Afterwards, recent research on the impact of osteogenic processes in vitro and vivo provoked by various surface modifications is reviewed and discussed, in order to give an update on currently applied and developing implant modification techniques for enhancing osteointegration.
Embedding Pd‐Cu Alloy Nanoparticles in Shell of Surface‐Porous N‐Doped Carbon Nanosphere for Selective Hydrogenation of p‐Chloronitrobenzene
Authors: Liu Yingcen , Ye Wanyue , Lin Hua , Song Caicheng , Rong Zeming , Lu Rongwen , Zhang Hao , Huang He , Tang Zhicheng , Zhang Shufen
Published: June 2021

Main observation and conclusion

A catalyst PdxCuy/NC in which Pd‐Cu alloy nanoparticles are superficially embeded in shell of surface‐porous N‐doped carbon nanosphere was successfully devised for p‐chloronitrobenzene (p‐CNB) selective hydrogenation. Bimetal ions were loaded in shell of a m‐phenylenediamine derived core‐shell polymer sphere and the catalyst was obtained after calcination under reducing atmosphere. The as synthesized catalyst exhibited high selectivity in hydrogenation of p‐CNB to p‐chloroaniline (p‐CAN) (up to 98.8%) under full conversion and the performance was basically remained after 6 cyclic experiments. The reasons for the high selectivity were discussed based on the characterization results of catalyst. The interaction between N‐doped support and metal atoms affected the electron distribution in alloy, electron‐deficient Pd and electron‐rich Cu, and thus improved hydrogenation selectivity. In addition, the alloy nanoparticles were distributed only in the porous shell of support, which benefits to prevent side reactions. This work described a scheme for tactfully designing catalyst for selective hydrogenation, which can provide experience and inspiration for relevant works and fields.
A canonical interlaminar circuit in the sensory dorsal ventricular ridge of birds: The anatomical organization of the trigeminal pallium
Authors: Fernández Máximo , Reyes‐Pinto Rosana , Norambuena Carolina , Sentis Elisa , Mpodozis Jorge
Published: June 2021

The dorsal ventricular ridge (DVR), which is the largest component of the avian pallium, contains discrete partitions receiving tectovisual, auditory, and trigeminal ascending projections. Recent studies have shown that the auditory and the tectovisual regions can be regarded as complexes composed of three highly interconnected layers: an internal senso‐recipient one, an intermediate afferent/efferent one, and a more external re‐entrant one. Cells located in homotopic positions in each of these layers are reciprocally linked by an interlaminar loop of axonal processes, forming columnar‐like local circuits. Whether this type of organization also extends to the trigemino‐recipient DVR is, at present, not known. This question is of interest, since afferents forming this sensory pathway, exceptional among amniotes, are not thalamic but rhombencephalic in origin. We investigated this question by placing minute injections of neural tracers into selected locations of vital slices of the chicken telencephalon. We found that neurons of the trigemino‐recipient nucleus basorostralis pallii (Bas) establish reciprocal, columnar and homotopical projections with cells located in the overlying ventral mesopallium (MV). “Column‐forming” axons originated in B and MV terminate also in the intermediate strip, the fronto‐trigeminal nidopallium (NFT), in a restricted manner. We also found that the NFT and an internal partition of B originate substantial, coarse‐topographic projections to the underlying portion of the lateral striatum. We conclude that all sensory areas of the DVR are organized according to a common neuroarchitectonic motif, which bears a striking resemblance to that of the radial/laminar intrinsic circuits of the sensory cortices of mammals.
Research on Indoor UWB Positioning Based on Expectation Maximization in NLOS Environment
Authors: Zhou Taoyun , Xiao Minlei , Liu Yangyang , Cheng Yun , Liu Yi
Published: June 2021

Ultra‐wide band (UWB) technology is especially suitable for indoor positioning because of its strong anti‐interference ability, it can achieve centimeter‐level positioning accuracy in the line of sight (LOS) environment, but it is challenging to construct a robust and high‐precision algorithm in indoor complex and changeable environments. Therefore, it establishes an improved standard Kalman filter (SKF) based on expectation maximization (SKF‐EM), which models the prediction error covariance and measurement noise using the maximum likelihood criterion, estimates the filter parameters online through the expectation maximum theory, and updates the Kalman filter gain according to the Kalman filter based on dropped measurements method (SKF‐DMM). Experimental results show that: in case of serious occlusion, the maximum positioning error of SKF‐EM algorithm is 1.03 m, 39% lower than that of SKF and 60.2% lower than that of UWB.
Emerging roles of exosomal miRNAs in diabetes mellitus
Authors: He Xiaoyun , Kuang Gaoyan , Wu Yongrong , Ou Chunlin
Published: June 2021

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles 40–160 nm in diameter that are secreted by almost all cell types. Exosomes can carry diverse cargo including RNA, DNA, lipids, proteins, and metabolites. Exosomes transfer substances and information between cells by circulating in body fluids and are thus involved in diverse physiological and pathological processes in the human body. Recent studies have closely associated exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) with various human diseases, including diabetes mellitus (DM), which is a complex multifactorial metabolic disorder disease. Exosomal miRNAs are emerging as pivotal regulators in the progression of DM, mainly in terms of pancreatic β‐cell injury and insulin resistance. Exosomal miRNAs are closely associated with DM‐associated complications, such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic nephropathy (DN), and diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), etc. Further investigations of the mechanisms of action of exosomal miRNAs and their role in DM will be valuable for the thorough understanding of the physiopathological process of DM. Here, we have summarized recent findings regarding exosomal miRNAs associated with DM to provide a new strategy for identifying potential diagnostic biomarkers and drug targets for the early diagnosis and treatment, respectively, of DM.
Aberrant MCM10 SUMOylation induces genomic instability mediated by a genetic variant associated with survival of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tian Jianbo , Lu Zequn , Niu Siyuan , Zhang Shanshan , Ying Pingting , Wang Lu , Zhang Ming , Cai Yimin , Dong Tianyi , Zhu Ying , Zhong Rong , Wang Zhihua , Chang Jiang , Miao Xiaoping
Published: June 2021

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the common gastrointestinal malignancy with an inferior prognosis outcome. DNA replication licensing aberration induced by dysregulation of minichromosome maintenance proteins (MCMs) causes genomic instability and cancer metastasis. SUMOylation modification plays a pivotal role in regulation of genomic integrity, while its dysregulation fueled by preexisting germline variants in cancers remains poorly understood.

Methods

Firstly, we conducted two‐stage survival analysis consisting of an exome‐wide association study in 904 ESCC samples and another independent 503 ESCC samples. Then, multipronged functional experiments were performed to illuminate the potential biological mechanisms underlying the promising variants, and MCM10 influences the ESCC progression. Finally, we tested the effects of MCM10 inhibitors on ESCC cells.

Results

A germline variant rs2274110 located at the exon 15 of MCM10 was identified to be significantly associated with the prognosis of ESCC patients. Individuals carrying rs2274110‐AA genotypes confer a poor survival (hazard ratio = 1.61, 95% confidence interval = 1.35–1.93, p = 1.35 × 10−7), compared with subjects carrying rs2274110‐AG/GG genotypes. Furthermore, we interestingly found that the variant can increase SUMOylation levels at K669 site (Lys[K]699Arg[R]) of MCM10 protein mediated by SUMO2/3 enzymes, which resulted in an aberrant overexpression of MCM10. Mechanistically, aberrant overexpression of MCM10 facilitated the proliferation and metastasis abilities of ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo by inducing DNA over‐replication and genomic instability, providing functional evidence to support our population finding that high expression of MCM10 is extensively presented in tumor tissues of ESCC and correlated with inferior survival outcomes of multiple cancer types, including ESCC. Finally, MCM10 inhibitors Suramin and its analogues were revealed to effectively block the metastasis of ESCC cells.

Conclusions

These findings not only demonstrate a potential biological mechanism between aberrant SUMOylation, genomic instability and cancer metastasis, but also provide a promising biomarker aiding in stratifying ESCC individuals with different prognosis, as well as a potential therapeutic target MCM10.
Selection in males purges the mutation load on female fitness
Authors: Grieshop Karl , Maurizio Paul L. , Arnqvist Göran , Berger David
Published: June 2021

Theory predicts that the ability of selection and recombination to purge mutation load is enhanced if selection against deleterious genetic variants operates more strongly in males than females. However, direct empirical support for this tenet is limited, in part because traditional quantitative genetic approaches allow dominance and intermediate-frequency polymorphisms to obscure the effects of the many rare and partially recessive deleterious alleles that make up the main part of a population's mutation load. Here, we exposed the partially recessive genetic load of a population of Callosobruchus maculatus seed beetles via successive generations of inbreeding, and quantified its effects by measuring heterosis—the increase in fitness experienced when masking the effects of deleterious alleles by heterozygosity—in a fully factorial sex-specific diallel cross among 16 inbred strains. Competitive lifetime reproductive success (i.e., fitness) was measured in male and female outcrossed F1s as well as inbred parental “selfs,” and we estimated the 4 × 4 male-female inbred-outbred genetic covariance matrix for fitness using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulations of a custom-made general linear mixed effects model. We found that heterosis estimated independently in males and females was highly genetically correlated among strains, and that heterosis was strongly negatively genetically correlated to outbred male, but not female, fitness. This suggests that genetic variation for fitness in males, but not in females, reflects the amount of (partially) recessive deleterious alleles segregating at mutation-selection balance in this population. The population's mutation load therefore has greater potential to be purged via selection in males. These findings contribute to our understanding of the prevalence of sexual reproduction in nature and the maintenance of genetic variation in fitness-related traits.