bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low‐Energy UV Ultrafast Laser Controlled Lift‐Off for High‐Quality Flexible GaN‐Based Device
Authors: Sun Weigao , Ji Lingfei , Lin Zhenyuan , Zheng Jincan , Wang Zhiyong , Zhang Litian , Yan Tianyang
Published: January 2022

A one‐step laser lift‐off (LLO) for patterned gallium nitride (GaN) film and GaN‐based light‐emitting diode (LED) device is achieved using 355 nm picosecond laser irradiation in this research. The laser fluence required for separation is 0.09–0.13 J cm−2, which is much lower than that for the currently reported LLO methods. The separated GaN film is intact with only 0.04 GPa of residual stress. The ultra‐smooth separated surface with root mean square roughness of only 5.2 nm is attributed to the interconnection of microcrack‐free flat cavities formed by the combination of high photon energy‐induced intrinsic absorption and subsequent plasma generation. The flat cavity with a depth‐to‐width ratio of 1:4000 limits the delamination region to a few nanometers at the GaN/sapphire interface. GaN‐based LED is transferred with perfect electroluminescence (EL) by the strategy. The stable EL spectral peak positions and intensity independent of the bending state prove that the presented low‐energy ultrafast LLO technique ensured the flexibility of the separated LED device without affecting the performance. This research provides a promising strategy to achieve the LLO of GaN devices with low energy consumption, high controllability, and high efficiency, which is significant for the industrial fabrication of flexible GaN‐based electronics.
PLGA's Plight and the Role of Stealth Surface Modification Strategies in Its Use for Intravenous Particulate Drug Delivery
Authors: Sheffey Violet V. , Siew Emily B. , Tanner Eden E. L. , Eniola‐Adefeso Omolola
Published: January 2022

Numerous human disorders can benefit from targeted, intravenous (IV) drug delivery. Polymeric nanoparticles have been designed to undergo systemic circulation and deliver their therapeutic cargo to target sites in a controlled manner. Poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic) acid (PLGA) is a particularly promising biomaterial for designing intravenous drug carriers due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and history of clinical success across other routes of administration. Despite these merits, PLGA remains markedly absent in clinically approved IV drug delivery formulations. A prominent factor in PLGA particles' inability to succeed intravenously may lie in the hydrophobic character of the polyester, leading to the adsorption of serum proteins (i.e., opsonization) and a cascade of events that end in their premature clearance from the bloodstream. PEGylation, or surface‐attached polyethylene glycol chains, is a common strategy for shielding particles from opsonization. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) continues to be regarded as the ultimate “stealth” solution despite the lack of clinical progress of PEGylated PLGA carriers. This review reflects on some of the reasons for the clinical failure of PLGA, particularly the drawbacks of PEGylation, and highlights alternative surface coatings on PLGA particles. Ultimately, a new approach will be needed to harness the potential of PLGA nanoparticles and allow their widespread clinical adoption.
Contact‐Free Remote Manipulation of Hydrogel Properties Using Light‐Triggerable Nanoparticles: A Materials Science Perspective for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Choi Cho‐E , Chakraborty Aishik , Coyle Ali , Shamiya Yasmeen , Paul Arghya
Published: January 2022

Considerable progress has been made in synthesizing “intelligent”, biodegradable hydrogels that undergo rapid changes in physicochemical properties once exposed to external stimuli. These advantageous properties of stimulus‐triggered materials make them highly appealing to diverse biomedical applications. Of late, research on the incorporation of light‐triggered nanoparticles (NPs) into polymeric hydrogel networks has gained momentum due to their ability to remotely tune hydrogel properties using facile, contact‐free approaches, such as adjustment of wavelength and intensity of light source. These multi‐functional NPs, in combination with tissue‐mimicking hydrogels, are increasingly being used for on‐demand drug release, preparing diagnostic kits, and fabricating smart scaffolds. Here, the authors discuss the atomic behavior of different NPs in the presence of light, and critically review the mechanisms by which NPs convert light stimuli into heat energy. Then, they explain how these NPs impact the mechanical properties and rheological behavior of NPs‐impregnated hydrogels. Understanding the rheological behavior of nanocomposite hydrogels using different sophisticated strategies, including computer‐assisted machine learning, is critical for designing the next generation of drug delivery systems. Next, they highlight the salient strategies that have been used to apply light‐induced nanocomposites for diverse biomedical applications and provide an outlook for the further improvement of these NPs‐driven light‐responsive hydrogels.
De Novo Design of A Membrane‐Anchored Probe for Multidimensional Quantification of Endocytic Dynamics
Authors: Qiu Kangqiang , Seino Ryo , Han Guanqun , Ishiyama Munetaka , Ueno Yuichiro , Tian Zhiqi , Sun Yujie , Diao Jiajie
Published: January 2022

As a process of cellular uptake, endocytosis, with gradient acidity in different endocytic vesicles, is vital for the homeostasis of intracellular nutrients and other functions. To study the dynamics of endocytic pathway, a membrane‐anchored pH probe, ECGreen, is synthesized to visualize endocytic vesicles under structured illumination microscopy (SIM), a super‐resolution technology. Being sensitive to acidity with increasing fluorescence at low pH, ECGreen can differentiate early and late endosomes as well as endolysosomes. Meanwhile, membrane anchoring not only improves the durability of ECGreen, but also provides an excellent anti‐photobleaching property for long‐time imaging with SIM. Moreover, by taking these advantages of ECGreen, a multidimensional analysis model containing spatial, temporal, and pH information is successfully developed for elucidating the dynamics of endocytic vesicles and their interactions with mitochondria during autophagy, and reveals a fast conversion of endosomes near the plasma membrane.
Doping Control of Magnetic Anisotropy for Stable Antiskyrmion Formation in Schreibersite (Fe,Ni)3P with S4 symmetry
Authors: Karube Kosuke , Peng Licong , Masell Jan , Hemmida Mamoun , Krug von Nidda Hans‐Albrecht , Kézsmárki István , Yu Xiuzhen , Tokura Yoshinori , Taguchi Yasujiro
Published: January 2022

Magnetic skyrmions, vortex‐like topological spin textures, have attracted much interest in a wide range of research fields from fundamental physics to spintronics applications. Recently, growing attention is also paid to antiskyrmions emerging with opposite topological charge in non‐centrosymmetric magnets with D2d or S4 symmetry. In these magnets, complex interplay among anisotropic Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction, uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, and magnetic dipolar interactions generates various magnetic textures. However, the precise role of these magnetic interactions in stabilizing antiskyrmions remains to be elucidated. In this work, the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy of schreibersite (Fe,Ni)3P with S4 symmetry is controlled by doping and its impact on the stability of antiskyrmions is investigated. The authors’ magnetometry study, supported by ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy, shows that the variation of the Ni content and slight doping with 4d transition metals considerably change the magnetic anisotropy. In particular, doping with Pd induces easy‐axis anisotropy, giving rise to formation of antiskyrmions, while a temperature‐induced spin reorientation is observed in an Rh‐doped compound. In combination with Lorentz transmission electron microscopy and micromagnetic simulations, the stability of antiskyrmion as functions of uniaxial anisotropy and demagnetization energy is quantitatively analyzed, and demonstrated that subtle balance between them is necessary to stabilize the antiskyrmions.
Ultrathin and Mechanically Robust Mussel Byssus‐Inspired MXene@Aramid Nanofibers Materials with Superior Endurance in Harsh Environments for Tunable EMI Shielding Performance
Authors: Lu Jingyi , Cheng Liang , Liao Can , Jia Pengfei , Song Lei , Wang Bibo , Hu Yuan
Published: January 2022

Reducing the fire hazards caused by high power electromagnetic (EM) waves and maintaining operational status of EM interference (EMI) shielding devices in harsh environments have caught increasing eyesight. In this paper, a series of promising EMI shielding materials with mussel byssus‐inspired structure are accomplished via an efficient vacuum‐assisted filtration approach. The flexible multilayered MXene@ANF nacres reveal superior mechanical property compared with both self‐supporting MXene film and MXene@ANF mixture film. Meanwhile, these nacres exhibit both exceeding and tunable EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of 40–60 dB in 8.2–12.4 GHz with a thickness of ≈20 µm and the absolute SE (SSEt) accomplishes 36641.94 dB·cm2 g−1. Besides, the exceeding thermal insulation of ANF offers the MXene nacres with an outstanding flame‐stopping capacity, and it can still block 99.99% EM waves after 2 min burning. Furthermore, MXene nacres perform superior endurance in harsh environment and retain EMI SE of 42 dB after the ultralow temperature damage. The EMI SE and fire safety of MXene@ANF with two typical structures, composite films and foam, are also systematically investigated. Therefore, this work is promising to fabricate tunable EMI shielding products with low fire hazards and high endurance in harsh environments.
Creep Behavior of Graphene Oxide, Silk Fibroin, and Cellulose Nanocrystal Bionanofilms
Authors: Shakil Ahmad , Kim Sunghan , Polycarpou Andreas A.
Published: January 2022

Graphene oxide (GO), silk fibroin (SF), and cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) nanocomposite is a novel biomaterial with superior mechanical properties. Elevated temperature nanoindentation experiments using constant load hold method are performed to investigate temperature‐dependent mechanical and creep behavior of the GO–SF–CNC nanocomposite. Hardness and reduced modulus of GO–SF–CNC are determined from experiments at 25, 40, 60, 80, and 100 °C, and yield strength and creep coefficients are predicted from finite element analysis using two‐layer viscoplasticity theory. Results show that increasing the temperature from 25 to 80 °C, hardness, reduced modulus, and yield strength of GO–SF–CNC nanocomposite dramatically increase by 112%, 40%, and 140% respectively, and creep displacements during constant load hold reduce by 53%. It is attributed to increasing in crystallizations in the nanocomposite because of increasing in β‐sheet formations of SF material and reduction in water molecules in CNC material. However, at 100 °C, the mechanical properties deteriorate, and creep displacements increase because of water evaporation from the nanocomposite, making it weaker. Hardness‐to‐yield strength ratio is found within 1.84–2.06. Maximum creep exponent is 2.9 at 40 °C, which reduces to 2.06 at 80 °C and again increases to 2.27 at 100 °C.
Stable Manganese‐Oxide Composites as Cathodes for Zn‐Ion Batteries: Interface Activation from In Situ Layer Electrochemical Deposition under 2 V
Authors: Álvarez‐Serrano Inmaculada , Almodóvar Paloma , Giraldo David Agustín , Llopis Francisco , Solsona Benjamín , López María Luisa
Published: January 2022

A set of multiphase manganese‐oxide composite materials (Mn2O3@Mn3O4 and Mn3O4@Mn5O8), and a birnessite‐type KxMnO2 oxide are prepared and evaluated as cathodes for Zn‐ion batteries. The species formed when the electrodes are subjected to 2 V in aqueous solutions of MnSO4 and ZnSO4 are analyzed, suggesting an interphase activation leading to enhancement of electrochemical response. For the first time, it is shown that a Zn4(SO4)(OH)6.xH2O phase coats the composite‐type electrodes in the charging stage, contributing to extending the lifetime of the batteries. KxMnO2 electrode with layered birnessite structure shows long cycling life at low current densities (122 mAh g−1 at 30 mA g−1 after 50 cycles) and good efficiencies (ca. 99%) in the 0.1 Mn2+ electrolyte. In contrast, in the 0.5 m Mn2+ electrolyte, high values of specific capacity are delivered by the cell at higher rates, that is, 150 mAh g−1 at 600 mA g−1. In Mn5O8@Mn3O4 the good performance is due to the synergistic effect of the two compounds forming the composite. Thus, after more than 100 cycles this composite displays specific capacity values of 175 mAh g−1 at 2150 mA g−1 in the 0.1 m Mn2+/1 m Zn2+ electrolyte.
Systematic Studies on Liquid Sodium 4,5‐dicyano‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)imidazolate (NaTDI)‐Based Electrolytes and Its Impact on the Cycling Behaviour Against Wet Impregnated WI‐NaNMC and Prussian White Cathodes
Authors: Szczęsna‐Chrzan Anna , Trzeciak Tomasz , Zybert Magdalena , Ronduda Hubert , Ostrowski Andrzej , Trzaskowski Maciej , Drozd Marcin , Smoliński Maciej , Żukowska Grażyna Zofia , Raróg‐Pilecka Wioletta , Wieczorek Władysław , Buckel Alexander , Younesi Reza , Marcinek Marek
Published: January 2022

The article describes a research on new salts and cathode materials dedicated to sodium cells. Sodium technology is considered to be one of the most promising (for new battery generations) and has been very actively (re)‐developed for more than a decade. The first part of this work is mainly focused on electrochemical studies of the low coordinating Hückel type salt (4,5‐dicyano‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)imidazolate, NaTDI)‐based electrolytes with and without solid electrolyte interface modified additives: fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). In the second part electrolytes are tested in a half‐cells with layered oxides. Sodium nickel‐manganese‐cobalt oxide (NaNMC) and WI‐NaNMC‐333 and WI‐NaNMC‐622 layered cathode materials are prepared by wet impregnation synthesis (WI) routine. Prussian White is obtained from University of Uppsala group to compare and initial electrochemical properties against electrolyte with NaTDI. Basic physicochemical properties of the obtained powders are also reported in the manuscript. The best properties are recorded for 0.75 m NaTDI in EC:DMC (1:1 v/v) with 3% FEC additive by its conductivity (11.52 mS cm−1 for 20 °C). The same solution also shows promising results during electrochemical tests in half‐cell geometry against WI‐NaNMC‐622 cathode (114.22 mAh g−1 after 1 cycle C/20). NaPF6 salt is used as an electrolyte as a commercially available reference.
Realization of Polaritonic Topological Charge at Room Temperature Using Polariton Bound States in the Continuum from Perovskite Metasurface
Authors: Dang Nguyen Ha My , Zanotti Simone , Drouard Emmanuel , Chevalier Céline , Trippé‐Allard Gaëlle , Amara Mohamed , Deleporte Emmanuelle , Ardizzone Vincenzo , Sanvitto Daniele , Andreani Lucio Claudio , Seassal Christian , Gerace Dario , Nguyen Hai Son
Published: January 2022

Exciton‐polaritons are mixed light–matter excitations resulting from the strong coupling regime between an active excitonic material and photonic resonances. Harnessing these hybrid excitations provides a rich playground to explore fascinating fundamental features, as out‐of‐equilibrium Bose–Einstein condensation and quantum fluids of light, plus novel mechanisms to be exploited in optoelectronic devices. The formation of exciton‐polaritons arising from the mixing between hybrid inorganic–organic perovskite excitons and an optical bound state in a continuum (BIC) of a subwavelength‐scale metasurface, are experimentally investigated at room temperature. These polaritonic eigenmodes, hereby called polariton BICs (pol‐BICs) are revealed in reflectivity, resonant scattering, and photoluminescence measurements. Although pol‐BICs only exhibit a finite quality factor bounded by the nonradiative losses of the excitonic component, they fully inherit BIC peculiar features: a full uncoupling from the radiative continuum in the vertical direction, which is associated to a locally vanishing farfield radiation in momentum space. Most importantly, the experimental results confirm that the topological nature of the photonic BIC is perfectly transferred to the pol‐BIC. This is evidenced by the observation of a polarization vortex in the farfield of polaritonic emission. The results pave the way to engineer BIC physics of interacting bosons and novel room temperature polaritonic devices.
Mechanistic Insights into Annulation of Arylidene‐Δ2‐Pyrrolin‐4‐Ones by Cinchona Squaramide‐Based Organocatalysts
Authors: Ciber Luka , Ričko Sebastijan , Gregorc Jure , Požgan Franc , Svete Jurij , Brodnik Helena , Štefane Bogdan , Grošelj Uroš
Published: January 2022

Arylidene‐Δ2‐pyrrolin‐4‐ones undergo organocatalyzed annulation with malononitrile, furnishing dihydropyrano[3,2‐b]pyrroles (18 examples, 0–77% ee in dichloromethane, 11–44% ee in methanol). The products could be enantiomerically enriched by trituration (11 examples, 95–99% ee). Enantioselectivity was dependent on the nature of the substrate and the conformation of the catalyst, which in turn was solvent‐controlled. The reaction mechanism, which included two pseudo‐enantiomeric organocatalyst conformations, was investigated by experimental and quantum chemical methods. The reaction mechanism consists of Michael addition reaction step followed by 6‐exo‐dig annulation, which was found to be the rate determining step. Additionally, it was identified that the preferred reaction pathway follows the model originally proposed by Pápai et al.

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Multipoint Costriking Nanodevice Eliminates Primary Tumor Cells and Associated‐Circulating Tumor Cells for Enhancing Metastasis Inhibition and Therapeutic Effect on HCC
Authors: Mu Weiwei , Chu Qihui , Yang Huizhen , Guan Li , Fu Shunli , Gao Tong , Sang Xiao , Zhang Zipeng , Liang Shuang , Liu Yongjun , Zhang Na
Published: January 2022

Eliminating primary tumor (“roots”) and inhibiting associated‐circulating tumor cells (associated‐CTCs, “seeds”) are vital issues that need to be urgently addressed in cancer therapy. Associated‐CTCs, which include single CTCs, CTC clusters, and CTC–neutrophil clusters, are essential executors in metastasis and the cause of metastasis‐related death in cancer patients. Herein, a “roots and seeds” multipoint costriking nanodevice (GV‐Lipo/sorafenib (SF)/digitoxin (DT)) is developed to eliminate primary tumors and inhibit the spread of associated‐CTCs for enhancing metastasis inhibition and the therapeutic effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). GV‐Lipo/SF/DT eliminates primary tumor cells by the action of SF, thus reducing CTC production at the roots and improving the therapeutic effect on HCC. GV‐Lipo/SF/DT inhibits associated‐CTCs effectively via the enhanced identification and capture effects of glypican‐3 and/or vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) targeting, dissociating CTC clusters using DT, blocking the formation of CTC–neutrophil clusters using anti‐VCAM1 monoclonal antibody, and killing CTCs with SF. It is successfully verified that GV‐Lipo/SF/DT increases the CTC elimination efficiency in vivo, thus effectively preventing metastasis, and shows enhanced antitumor efficacy in both an H22‐bearing tumor model and orthotopic HCC models. Overall, the “roots and seeds” multipoint costriking strategy may open a new cancer treatment model for the clinic.
Designing Conductive‐Bridge Phase‐Change Memory to Enable Ultralow Programming Power
Authors: Yang Zhe , Li Bowen , Wang Jiang‐Jing , Wang Xu‐Dong , Xu Meng , Tong Hao , Cheng Xiaomin , Lu Lu , Jia Chunlin , Xu Ming , Miao Xiangshui , Zhang Wei , Ma En
Published: January 2022

Phase‐change material (PCM) devices are one of the most mature nonvolatile memories. However, their high power consumption remains a bottleneck problem limiting the data storage density. One may drastically reduce the programming power by patterning the PCM volume down to nanometer scale, but that route incurs a stiff penalty from the tremendous cost associated with the complex nanofabrication protocols required. Instead, here a materials solution to resolve this dilemma is offered. The authors work with memory cells of conventional dimensions, but design/exploit a PCM alloy that decomposes into a heterogeneous network of nanoscale crystalline domains intermixed with amorphous ones. The idea is to confine the subsequent phase‐change switching in the interface region of the crystalline nanodomain with its amorphous surrounding, forming/breaking “nano‐bridges” that link up the crystalline domains into a conductive path. This conductive‐bridge switching mechanism thus only involves nanometer‐scale volume in programming, despite of the large areas in contact with the electrodes. The pore‐like devices based on spontaneously phase‐separated Ge13Sb71O16alloy enable a record‐low programming energy, down to a few tens of femtojoule. The new PCM/fabrication is fully compatible with the current 3D integration technology, adding no expenses or difficulty in processing.
Inhibition of Calcium Signaling Prevents Exhaustion and Enhances Anti‐Leukemia Efficacy of CAR‐T Cells via SOCE‐Calcineurin‐NFAT and Glycolysis Pathways
Authors: Shao Mi , Teng Xinyi , Guo Xin , Zhang Hao , Huang Yue , Cui Jiazhen , Si Xiaohui , Ding Lijuan , Wang Xiujian , Li Xia , Shi Jimin , Zhang Mingming , Kong Delin , Gu Tianning , Hu Yongxian , Qian Pengxu , Huang He
Published: January 2022

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are potent agents for recognizing and eliminating tumors, and have achieved remarkable success in the treatment of patients with refractory leukemia and lymphoma. However, dysfunction of T cells, including exhaustion, is an inevitable obstacle for persistent curative effects. Here, the authors initially found that calcium signaling is hyperactivated via sustained tonic signaling in CAR‐T cells. Next, it is revealed that the store‐operated calcium entry (SOCE) inhibitor BTP‐2, but not the calcium chelator BAPTA‐AM, markedly diminishes CAR‐T cell exhaustion and terminal differentiation of CAR‐T cells in both tonic signaling and tumor antigen exposure models. Furthermore, BTP‐2 pretreated CAR‐T cells show improved antitumor potency and prolonged survival in vivo. Mechanistically, transcriptome and metabolite analyses reveal that treatment with BTP‐2 significantly downregulate SOCE‐calcineurin‐nuclear factor of activated T‐cells (NFAT) and glycolysis pathways. Together, the results indicate that modulating the SOCE‐calcineurin‐NFAT pathway in CAR‐T cells renders them resistant to exhaustion, thereby yielding CAR products with enhanced antitumor potency.
Perovskite Quantum Dots in Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Lu , Najar Adel , Wang Kai , Du Minyong , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: January 2022

Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) have captured a host of researchers’ attention due to their unique properties, which have been introduced to lots of optoelectronics areas, such as light‐emitting diodes, lasers, photodetectors, and solar cells. Herein, the authors aim at reviewing the achievements of PQDs applied to solar cells in recent years. The engineering concerning surface ligands, additives, and hybrid composition for PQDSCs is outlined first, followed by analyzing the reasons of undesired performance of PQDSCs. Subsequently, a novel overview that PQDs are utilized to improve the photovoltaic performance of various kinds of solar cells, is provided. Finally, this review is summarized and some challenges and perspectives concerning PQDs are also discussed.
Impact of Ferroelectric Domain Structure on Bulk Photovoltaic Effect of Epitaxial BiFe1−xCoxO3 Films
Authors: Chen Yang , Wei Haoming , Wu Yangqing , Cao Bingqiang
Published: January 2022

Ferroelectric domain is an elusive feature on bulk photovoltaic effect and can be tuned by the growth conditions. Here, in (111)‐oriented BiFe1−xCoxO3 epitaxial films, the periodic ferroelectric domains structure is manipulated by Co‐doped concentration. The intrinsic 109° domain structure is turned into 71° domain structure due to reduction of crystal cell volume. The experimental results show that ferroelectric domain and ferroelectric domain wall (DW) play completely different roles in bulk photovoltaic effect. In ferroelectric domain structure, the domain provides a depolarization field for the separation of photogenerated carriers and DW is carriers transport channel. The 71° ferroelectric domain creates a larger depolarization field than the 109° domain, which leads to open‐circuit voltage exceeding 1.7 V. Besides, the 71° domain wall has a higher photoconductivity than the 109° domain wall, which makes short‐circuit current density reaching 0.42 mA cm−2. The optimization of domain structure will effectively enhance bulk photovoltaic effect and also provides a new method to regulate the domain structure for bulk photovoltaic devices.
From the Direct Observation of a PAA‐Based Binder Using STEM‐VEELS to the Ageing Mechanism of Silicon/Graphite Anode with High Areal Capacity Cycled in an FEC‐Rich and EC‐Free Electrolyte
Authors: Xiong Jianhan , Dupré Nicolas , Moreau Philippe , Lestriez Bernard
Published: January 2022

The polymer binder is a key constituent of silicon‐based electrode formulation for lithium‐ion batteries. However, its extremely difficult visualization in fresh electrodes becomes completely impossible in cycled electrodes. Here, the combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy—valence electron energy‐loss spectroscopy with the use of a specific electrolyte solvent composition (a mixture of dimethyl carbonate and fluoroethylene carbonate, without ethylene carbonate) allows the visualization, for the first time, of the binder in silicon‐based electrodes, even cycled up to 100 cycles. Such an observation is possible as the only solid degradation product of this electrolyte is LiF, as confirmed by quantitative 7Li and 19F magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance. The electrodes, based on a blend of silicon and graphite, have a very high surface capacity, 6.5 mAh cm−2, which makes them meaningful for electric vehicle applications. The performance is appreciable, in particular the first cycle efficiency approaching that of commercial graphite electrodes, as well as the capacity retention in full cell, versus LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2, 60% after 100 cycles. This work also illustrates the ultimate state of destructuration of silicon after long cycling, which invites new ways of thinking about the design of this material.
Can saline irrigation improve the quality of tomato fruits?
Authors: Oliveira Carlos Eduardo da Silva , Zoz Tiago , Seron Cassio de Castro , Boleta Eduardo Henrique Marcandalli , Lima Bruno Horschut de , Souza Lucas Raoni Roel , Pedrinho Denise Renata , Matias Rosemary , Lopes Cinthia dos Santos , Oliveira Neto Sebastião Soares de , Teixeira Filho Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto
Published: January 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of irrigation with saline water on fruit quality, yield, and plant nutrition of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars. Tomato cultivation was carried out under protected environment conditions in a double row system with drip irrigation performed according to the demand of the plants. Commercial fruit weight, commercial fruit number, fruit yield, absorption of Ca, N, P, S, K, and Mg were all affected by saline irrigation. The leaf Na concentration and the concentration of total phenolic compounds, total titratable acids, total soluble solids, vitamin C, carotenoids, and flavonoids in the fruits were favored from the increase in irrigation salinity. The Na+ causes a deficiency of Ca, which impairs seed formation in tomato fruits, as Ca is a structural element in the formation of the pollen grain. The Onix genotype had the highest yield, weight, and number of commercial fruits under control and moderate salt stress conditions. Saline water impaired nutrient absorption and improved tomato fruit quality. Under salt stress, tomato plants were able to absorb and translocate large amounts of Na+ to the shoot and even improved the organoleptic quality of fruits, increasing the content of carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin C, total phenolic compounds, total soluble solids, and total titratable acids of tomato fruits. The clustering analysis was able to show the highest genetic dissimilarity between the group composed of Shanty, Maestrina, and Ipa 6 and the group with Sheena, Totalle, and Pizzadoro under salt stress conditions; also, it evidenced the greater stability of these genotypes.
Steroid affected cytokines in aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease
Authors: Tan Li Hui , Lin Cailu , Ungerer Heather , Kumar Ankur , Qatanani Anas , Adappa Nithin D. , Palmer James N. , Bosso John V. , Reed Danielle , Cohen Noam A. , Kohanski Michael A.
Published: January 2022

Background

Patients with aspirin‐exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) are among the most challenging rhinologic patients to treat. AERD has a complex inflammatory milieu of lipid mediators and cytokines. In this study we evaluated cytokine differences in the complex AERD environment at the mucus, epithelial, and tissue levels.

Methods

Samples were acquired at the time of sinus surgery from 21 patients (seven steroid‐treated, 14 untreated) with aspirin challenge‐confirmed AERD. Three methods (sponge adsorption, epithelial brushing, tissue biopsy) were used to acquire samples from the respective sinus sampling sites (mucus, polyp epithelium, and full‐thickness polyp) of each patient. We measured and compared 16 cytokine concentrations in AERD patients with or without prednisone treatment using the Luminex platform.

Results

In most sampling sites, IL‐5, IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐13, IL‐33, CCL20, and TNF‐α were detected at higher concentrations than IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, IL‐17A, IL‐4, IL‐22, IL‐17E/IL25, and GM‐CSF. Each sampling site had a different pattern of cytokine levels, and except for IL‐5 and IL‐25 there was no correlation among sampling methods for each cytokine tested. The most notable and significant decreases in cytokines from those treated with prednisone were observed in the epithelium for IL‐5, IL‐10, IL‐33, and IFN‐γ.

Conclusions

In the epithelial samples, type 2‐associated cytokines IL‐5 and IL‐33, the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10, and IFN‐γ were lower in AERD patients treated with prednisone. This work serves as a basis to assess therapeutic‐induced mucosal cytokine responses in AERD and indicates that the site of cytokine measurement is an important consideration when assessing results.
Clinical factors associated with lower health scores in COVID‐19–related persistent olfactory dysfunction
Authors: Said Mena , Luong Thanh , Jang Sophie S , Davis Morgan E. , DeConde Adam S. , Yan Carol H.
Published: January 2022

Background

Patients with persistent COVID‐19 olfactory dysfunction (OD) commonly report parosmia. Understanding the impact of COVID‐19 OD and parosmia is critical to prioritizing research and interventions. In this study we investigate the impact of parosmia and other clinical and disease characteristics on health state utility values (HUVs) for those with persistent COVID‐19 OD.

Methods

Patients with a history of COVID‐19 diagnosis and persistent OD were recruited from a tertiary medical center and a social media support forum for chemosensory dysfunction. Clinical characteristics and disease‐specific symptoms were obtained along with self‐reported history of smell function and presence of parosmia. HUVs were calculated using indirect (EuroQol 5‐Dimension [EQ‐5D]) and direct (VAS) measures.

Results

Our study included 286 subjects (75.52% women) with persistent COVID‐19–related OD. Results (mean ± standard deviation) of HUVs based on EQ‐5D and VAS were 0.81 ± 0.14 and 0.73 ± 0.21, respectively. Mean self‐reported smell function (on a 0‐10 scale) was 9.67 ± 1.25 pre–COVID‐19, 0.93 ± 2.34 at diagnosis, and 3.39 ± 2.32 at most current assessment. A total of 89.16% of the subjects reported parosmia and 24.13% sought medical care for anosmia. Seeing an MD for OD (p < 0.001), female gender (EQ‐5D only, p = 0.002), a history of chronic pain (p < 0.05) and depression/anxiety (EQ‐5D only, p < 0.001) predicted worse health. Parosmia and persistent symptoms, such as shortness of breath, were associated with lower EQ‐5D and VAS scores, but did not independently predict poorer health scores on multivariable analysis.

Conclusion

Persistent COVID‐19 OD results in health states comparable to other chronic diseases.
An Energy Independent Scaling of Transverse Momentum Spectra of Direct (Prompt) Photons from Two‐Body Processes in High‐Energy Proton–Proton Collisions
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Gao Ya‐Qin , Liu Fu‐Hu , Olimov Khusniddin K.
Published: January 2022

Transverse momentum spectra of direct (prompt) photons from two‐body processes in high‐energy proton–proton (p+p) collisions are analyzed in this paper. The experimental invariant cross‐sections are collected at mid‐rapidity in p+p collisions measured by the UA6, CCOR, R806, R110, PHENIX, NA24, CMS, ALICE, and ATLAS Collaborations over a center‐of‐mass energy range from 24.3 GeV to 13 TeV. In fitting the data, different kinds of functions are used which include the revised Tsallis–Pareto‐type function (the TP‐like function) at the particle level, the convolution of two TP‐like functions at the quark level, and the root‐sum‐of‐squares of two revised Tsallis‐like functions in which the quark chemical potentials or , where μB is the baryon chemical potential. The values of three main free parameters have been extracted: the effective temperature T, power index n0 (or entropy index q), and correction index a0. After analyzing the changing trends of the parameters, it is found that T, q, and a0 increase and n0 decreases with the increase of collision energy. Based on the analyses of transverse momentum spectra, an energy independent scaling, that is, the scaling, is obtained.
Zu einem Systematischen Verständnis des Einflusses der Temperatur auf Glykosylierungsreaktionen
Authors: Tuck Owen T. , Sletten Eric T. , Danglad‐Flores José , Seeberger Peter H.
Published: January 2022

Die Bildung von glykosidischen Bindungen ist eine ständige Herausforderung in der Praxis. Mit dem Ziel, die Reproduzierbarkeit und Effizienz der Synthese von Oligosacchariden zu verbessern, wird hier die Beziehung zwischen der Aktivierung des Glykosyl‐Donors und der Reaktionstemperatur untersucht. Ein neues semi‐automatisches Assay zeigt, dass die Mitglieder einer Gruppe von Thioglykoside unterschiedlich auf die Aktivierung bei verschiedenen Temperaturen reagieren. Die Muster der Schutzgruppen und des Thio‐Aglykons führen zu bemerkenswerten Unterschieden in der Temperaturempfindlichkeit der Glykosyl‐Donors. Wir führen das Konzept der Donor‐Aktivierungstemperatur ein, um experimentelle Erkenntnisse zu erfassen, und folgern daraus, dass Glykosylierungen, die unterhalb dieser Referenztemperatur durchgeführt werden, schädlichen Nebenreaktionen entgehen. Kentnisse über Aktivierungstemperaturen ermöglichen eine vereinfachte Temperaturbehandlung und erleichtern die Optimierung der Verwendung von Glykosyl‐Donors. Bei der isothermen Glykosylierung unterhalb der Aktivierungstemperatur halbierten sich die benötigten Bausteinäquivalente im Vergleich zu dem bisher in der Lösungs‐ und Festphasen‐Oligosaccharidsynthese verwendeten Standard‐“Rampen”‐Verfahren.
Light‐Assisted CO2 Hydrogenation over Pd3Cu@UiO‐66 Promoted by Active Sites in Close Proximity
Authors: Ling Li‐Li , Yang Weijie , Yan Peng , Wang Min , Jiang Hai‐Long
Published: January 2022

CO2 hydrogenation to methanol has attracted great interest while suffering from low conversion and high energy input. Herein, tiny Pd3Cu nanoparticles are confined into a metal–organic framework (MOF), UiO‐66, to afford Pd3Cu@UiO‐66 for CO2 hydrogenation. Remarkably, it achieves a methanol production rate of 340 μmol g−1 h−1 at 200 °C and 1.25 MPa under light irradiation, far surpassing that in the dark. The photo‐generated electron transfer from the MOF to antibonding orbitals of CO2* promotes CO2 activation and HCOO* formation. In addition, the Pd3Cu microenvironment plays a critical role in CO2 hydrogenation. In contrast to the MOF‐supported Pd3Cu (Pd3Cu/UiO‐66), the Pd3Cu@UiO‐66 exhibits a much higher methanol production rate due to the close proximity between CO2 and H2 activation sites, which greatly facilitates their interaction and conversion. This work provides a new avenue to the integration of solar and thermal energy for efficient CO2 hydrogenation under moderate conditions.
Towards a Systematic Understanding of the Influence of Temperature on Glycosylation Reactions
Authors: Tuck Owen T. , Sletten Eric T. , Danglad‐Flores José , Seeberger Peter H.
Published: January 2022

Glycosidic bond formation is a continual challenge for practitioners. Aiming to enhance the reproducibility and efficiency of oligosaccharide synthesis, we studied the relationship between glycosyl donor activation and reaction temperature. A novel semi‐automated assay revealed diverse responses of members of a panel of thioglycosides to activation at various temperatures. The patterns of protecting groups and the thiol aglycon combine to cause remarkable differences in temperature sensitivity among glycosyl donor building blocks. We introduce the concept of donor activation temperature to capture experimental insights, reasoning that glycosylations performed below this reference temperature evade deleterious side reactions. Activation temperatures enable a simplified temperature treatment and facilitate optimization of glycosyl donor usage. Isothermal glycosylation below the activation temperature halved the equivalents of building block required in comparison to the standard “ramp” regime used in solution‐ and solid‐phase oligosaccharide synthesis to‐date.
Lanthanoid Biphenolates as a Rich Source of Lanthanoid‐Main Group Heterobimetallic Complexes
Authors: Ali Safaa H. , Shephard Angus C. G. , Wang Jun , Guo Zhifang , Davies Murray S. , Deacon Glen B. , Junk Peter C.
Published: January 2022

Several new trivalent dinuclear rare earth 2,2’‐methylenebis(6‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolate) (mbmp2−) complexes with the general form [Ln2(mbmp)3(thf)n] (Ln=Sm 1, Tb 2 (n=3), and Ho 3, Yb 4 (n=2), and a tetravalent cerium complex [Ce(mbmp)2(thf)2] (5) have been synthesised by RTP (redox transmetallation/protolysis) reactions from lanthanoid metals, Hg(C6F5)2 and the biphenol mbmpH2. These new complexes and some previously reported partially protonated rare earth biphenolate complexes [Ln(mbmp)(mbmpH)(thf)n] react with lithium, aluminium, potassium and zinc organometallic reagents to form lanthanoid‐main group heterobimetallic species. When reaction mixtures containing the Ln biphenolate complexes were treated with n‐butyllithium, both molecular ([Li(thf)2Ln(mbmp)2(thf)n] (Ln=La 6, Pr 7 (n=2) and Er 8, Yb 9, and Lu 10 (n=1)) and charge separated ([Li(thf)4][Ln(mbmp)2(thf)2] (Ln=Y 11, Sm 12, Dy 13, and Ho 14) complexes were isolated. Treatment with trimethylaluminium also led to isolation of molecular ([AlMe2Ln(mbmp)2(thf)2] (Ln=Pr 15, Sm 16, and Tb 17)) and ionic [La(mbmp)(thf)5][AlMe2(mbmp)] (18) complexes. One gadolinium‐potassium ([K(thf)3Gd(mbmp)2(thf)2] (19)), and one ytterbium‐zinc species ([ZnEtYb(mbmp)2(thf)] (20)) were isolated from treatment of reaction mixtures with potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and diethylzinc respectively.
Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Unsaturated Thiacrown Ethers Possessing Sulfonium Groups
Authors: Hirabayashi Kazunori , Nakashizuka Masahito , Shimizu Toshio
Published: January 2022

Thiacrown ethers have attracted much attention in host‐guest chemistry. Herein, we present the polymethylation reactions of unsaturated thiacrown ethers. Unsaturated thiacrown ethers having sulfonium groups were synthesized by the reaction of corresponding unsaturated thiacrown ethers with methyl triflate. The obtained methylated unsaturated thiacrown ethers were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, UV absorption measurement, and cyclic voltammetry. The occupied and unoccupied molecular orbitals of the obtained methylated unsaturated thiacrown ethers are essentially localized respectively around the sulfide groups and the sulfonium groups. Furthermore, the results of electrostatic potential maps indicated that positive charges were distributed throughout the entire unsaturated thiacrown ether moieties.
The complexity of biological control systems: An autophagy case study
Authors: Pavel Mariana , Tanasa Radu , Park So Jung , Rubinsztein David C.
Published: January 2022

Autophagy and YAP1‐WWTR1/TAZ signalling are tightly linked in a complex control system of forward and feedback pathways which determine different cellular outcomes in differing cell types at different time‐points after perturbations. Here we extend our previous experimental and modelling approaches to consider two possibilities. First, we have performed additional mathematical modelling to explore how the autophagy‐YAP1 crosstalk may be controlled by posttranslational modifications of components of the pathways. Second, since analogous contrasting results have also been reported for autophagy as a regulator of other transduction pathways engaged in tumorigenesis (Wnt/β‐catenin, TGF‐β/Smads, NF‐kB or XIAP/cIAPs), we have considered if such discrepancies may be explicable through situations involving competing pathways and feedback loops in different cell types, analogous to the autophagy‐YAP/TAZ situation. Since distinct posttranslational modifications dominate those pathways in distinct cells, these need to be understood to enable appropriate cell type‐specific therapeutic strategies for cancers and other diseases.
Scale‐up issues for commercial depth filters in bioprocessing
Authors: Nejatishahidein Negin , Kim Minyoung , Jung Seon Y. , Borujeni Ehsan E. , Fernandez‐Cerezo Lara , Roush David J. , Borhan Ali , Zydney Andrew L.
Published: January 2022

Significant increases in cell density and product titer have led to renewed interest in the application of depth filtration for initial clarification of cell culture fluid in antibody production. The performance of these depth filters will depend on the local pressure and velocity distribution within the filter capsule, but these are very difficult to probe experimentally, leading to challenges in both process design and scale‐up. We have used a combination of carefully designed experimental studies and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to examine these issues in both lab‐scale (SupracapTM 50) and pilot‐scale (StaxTM) depth filter modules, both employing dual‐layer lenticular PDH4 media containing diatomaceous earth. The SupracapTM 50 showed a more rapid increase in transmembrane pressure and a more rapid DNA breakthrough during filtration of a Chinese Hamster Ovary cell culture fluid. These results were explained using CFD calculations which showed very different flow distributions within the modules. CFD predictions were further validated using measurements of the residence time distribution and dye binding in both the lab‐scale and pilot‐plant modules. These results provide important insights into the factors controlling the performance and scale‐up of these commercially important depth filters as well as a framework that can be broadly applied to develop more effective depth filters and depth filtration processes.
Executive compensation, environmental performance, and sustainable banking: The moderating effect of governance mechanisms
Authors: Adu Douglas A. , Al‐Najjar Basil , Sitthipongpanich Thitima
Published: January 2022

This paper contributes to the extant business strategy and sustainable development literature by investigating the effect of a broad corporate governance disclosure index on executive compensation and, subsequently, determines the extent to which the pay‐for‐sustainability sensitivity is moderated by corporate governance mechanisms. Employing data collected from 16 Sub‐Saharan Africa countries over the period from 2007 to 2018, the findings are as follows: First, we report that better‐governed banks pay lower compensation packages to their executives. Second, we find that executive compensation increases sustainable banking disclosures in the countries. Third, the findings show that executive compensation is negatively associated with environmental performance. Finally, we detect that the association between executive pay and sustainable banking performance is significantly moderated by corporate governance mechanisms, revealing that the pay‐for‐sustainability sensitivity is mainly positive and improves in banks with high corporate governance quality. This implies that the pay‐for‐sustainability sensitivity is contingent on the quality of the bank's internal governance mechanisms. Our findings have key implications for banking practitioners, regulators, environmental activists, and policy‐makers.
Is there a trade‐off between environmental performance and financial sustainability in microfinance institutions? Evidence from South and Southeast Asia
Authors: Ayayi Ayi Gavriel , Wijesiri Mahinda
Published: January 2022

The environmental performance of microfinance institutions (MFIs) has received considerable attention in recent years. However, the question of whether MFIs' involvement in environmental practices can drive their financial sustainability has yet to be addressed. This is the knowledge gap that we intend to investigate in the current study. Specifically, using a panel of 587 MFI‐year observations for the 2007–2014 period, we investigate whether pursuing proactive environmental strategies, individually and in aggregation, can improve the financial sustainability of MFIs in South and Southeast Asian countries. By analyzing aggregate environmental performance, we demonstrate that environmental performance adversely influences the financial performance of MFIs. This provides support for the trade‐off hypothesis that predicts that higher levels of environmental practices worsen firms' financial sustainability. Our results also show that the relationship between the individual environmental performance dimensions and financial performance of MFIs varies with the individual dimension of green practice being considered. Finally, we find that there is a significant variation in this relationship across MFI ownership types. The findings have valuable implications for practitioners, investors, and policymakers.
FNDC5/irisin reduces ferroptosis and improves mitochondrial dysfunction in hypoxic cardiomyocytes by Nrf2/HO‐1 axis
Authors: Cao Guangying , Yang Chao , Jin Zhitao , Wei Hanwen , Xin Chao , Zheng Chengrong , Xu Jibing , Huang Qing , Zhang Zheng , Hu Taohong
Published: January 2022

Myocardial infarction is characterized by cardiomyocyte death and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by ischemia. Ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death, has been found to play critical roles under ischemic conditions. Recently, several studies have shown that fibronectin type III domain‐containing 5 (FNDC5) and its cleaved form, irisin, protect the heart against injury. However, its protective effect on ferroptosis and mitochondrial impairments is still unclear. Thus, our aim was to investigate the role of irisin in ferroptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes under hypoxic conditions. Cardiomyocytes were treated with FNDC5 overexpression and/or irisin under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Cell viability was assessed by Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay. Reactive oxygen species production was evaluated by dihydroethidium staining. In addition, the intracellular ferrous iron level (Fe2+) and the relative concentration of malondialdehyde and ATP content were determined using an Iron Assay Kit, Lipid Peroxidation Assay Kit, and ATP Bioluminescent Assay Kit. The superoxide dismutase level in cells was measured using an Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay Kit. Furthermore, an immunoblotting assay was used to determine ferroptosis‐related mitochondrial proteins. Hypoxia promoted cell death, increased ferroptosis, and caused mitochondrial dysfunction in cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, FNDC5 overexpression and/or irisin administration elevated cell viability, decreased ferroptosis, and reversed mitochondrial impairments induced by hypoxia. Mechanistically, FNDC5/irisin reduced ferroptosis and reversed mitochondrial impairments by Nrf2/HO‐1 axis in hypoxic cardiomyocytes. Thus, we have demonstrated that FNDC5/irisin plays a protective role in ferroptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in hypoxia‐induced cardiomyocytes.