bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Walking the line: Investigating biophysical characteristics related to wildlife use of linear features
Authors: Tattersall Erin , Pigeon Karine , MacNearney Doug , Finnegan Laura
Published: March 2023

Habitat restoration is a necessary component of wildlife conservation in anthropogenic landscapes. To ensure restoration initiatives achieve the desired effects on wildlife communities, it is useful to investigate how animals use landscape features. Understanding the relationships between wildlife use and ecological cues provides specific and measurable targets that can be used to measure restoration success.

In western Canada, linear feature networks formed by seismic lines, pipelines and roads have altered the boreal forest landscape and resulted in population declines for woodland caribou. Restoration is aimed at supporting caribou recovery by deterring linear feature use by caribou predators and ungulate competitors. Information on how linear feature characteristics facilitate or deter wildlife use supports restoration initiatives by providing specific targets for restoration.

Here, we used wildlife track and sign data to investigate biophysical characteristics related to the use of linear features by canines, bears, deer, elk and moose in caribou ranges of west‐central and north‐western Alberta and British Columbia. We built generalized linear mixed models consistent with three hypotheses that could explain likely mechanisms for use: (1) ease of movement, (2) risk avoidance and (3) resource availability (prey and forage).

Moose, deer, elk and bears were more likely to use linear features with either human or game trails. Bears and canines were less likely to use seismic lines with greater lateral vegetation cover and taller vegetation, respectively. Moose, deer and elk were more likely to use linear features with a greater cover of ungulate forage taxa such as willow, birch, sedges and forbs.

These results suggest that restoration focusing on trails, online vegetation structure and online vegetation type should deter predators and ungulate prey species to the overall benefit of caribou. Our study corroborates the findings of other research recommending structural and functional restoration using high‐intensity line blocking and vegetative regeneration. We provide specific targets for linear feature restoration to assist in prioritization according to restoration objectives, which translates to a broader goal of linking local‐level restoration actions to landscape‐level conservation goals. This approach to restoration has implications for any major system experiencing anthropogenic landscape change.
The effect of common dental fixtures on treatment planning and delivery for head and neck intensity modulated proton therapy
Authors: Hu Yue‐Houng , Seum Wan Chan Tseung Hok , Hunzeker Ashley , Muller Olivia , Foote Robert L. , Mundy Daniel W.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Proton treatment plan perturbation by common dental fixtures such as amalgams (Am) and porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal (PFM) crowns has, to date, been uncharacterized. Previous studies have been conducted to determine the physical effect of these materials within the beam path for single spots, but their effects on complex treatment plans and clinical anatomy have not yet been quantified. The present manuscript aims to study the effect of Am and PFM fixtures on proton treatment planning in a clinical setting.

Methods

An anthropomorphic phantom with removable tongue, maxilla, and mandible modules was simulated on a clinical computed tomography (CT) scanner. Spare maxilla modules were modified to include either a 1.5 mm depth central groove occlusal amalgam (Am) or a porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal (PFM) crown, implanted on the first right molar. Modified tongue modules were 3D printed to accommodate several axial or sagittal oriented pieces of EBT‐3 film. Clinically representative spot‐scanning proton plans were generated in Eclipse v.15.6 using the proton convolution superposition (PCS) algorithm v.15.6.06 using a multi‐field optimization (MFO) technique with the goal of delivering a uniform 54 Gy dose to a clinical target volume (CTV) typical of a base‐of‐tongue (BoT) treatment. A typical geometric beam arrangement of two anterior oblique (AO) beams and a posterior beam was employed. Plans optimized without any material overrides were delivered to the phantom A) without implants; B) with Am fixture; or C) with PFM crown. Plans were also reoptimized and delivered with inclusion of material overrides to equate relative stopping power of the fixture with that of a previously measured result.

Results

Plans exhibit slightly greater dose weight towards AO beams. The optimizer accounted for inclusion of fixture overrides by increasing beam weights to the beam closest to the implant. Film measurements exhibited cold spots directly within the beam path through the fixture in plans with and without overridden materials. Cold spots were somewhat mitigated in plans including overridden materials in the structure set but were not entirely eliminated. Cold spots associated with Am and PFM fixtures were quantified at 17% and 14% for plans without overrides, respectively, and 11% and 9% with using Monte Carlo simulation. Compared with film measurements and Monte Carlo simulation, the treatment planning system underestimates the dose shadowing effect in plans including material overrides.

Conclusions

Dental fixtures create a dose shadowing effect directly in line with the beam path through the material. This cold spot is partially mitigated by overriding the material to measured relative stopping powers. Due to uncertainties in modeling perturbation through the fixture, the magnitude of the cold spot is underestimated using the institutional TPS when compared to measurement and MC simulation.
Socioeconomic Factors Are Associated With Severity of Hospitalization in Pediatric Lupus: An Analysis of the 2016 Kids’ Inpatient Database
Authors: Soulsby William Daniel , Lawson Erica , Okumura Megumi , Pantell Matthew S.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Health disparities in adult lupus, including higher disease severity and activity among those in poverty, have been identified. Similar associations in pediatric lupus have not been clearly established. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship of income level and other socioeconomic factors with length of stay (LOS) in the hospital and severe lupus features using the 2016 Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID).

Methods

Lupus hospitalizations were identified in children ages 2–20 years in the 2016 KID using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD‐10) codes (M32). Univariate and multivariate negative binomial regression analyses were used to analyze the association of income level, race and ethnicity, and insurance status with LOS in the hospital. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the association of the same predictors with the presence of severe lupus features, defined using ICD‐10 codes associated with lupus sequelae (e.g., lupus nephritis).

Results

A total of 3,367 unweighted (4,650 weighted) lupus hospitalizations were identified. Income level was found to be a statistically significant predictor of increased LOS in the hospital for those in the lowest income quartile (adjusted incidence rate ratio 1.12 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.02–1.23]). Black race, “other” race, and public insurance were also associated with severe lupus features (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] 1.51 [95% CI 1.11–2.06]; ORadj 1.61 [95% CI 1.01–2.55]; and ORadj 1.51 [95% CI 1.17–2.55], respectively).

Conclusion

Using a nationally representative data set, income level was found to be a statistically significant predictor of LOS in the hospital among those with the lowest reported income, highlighting a potential target population for intervention. Additionally, Black race and public insurance were associated with severe lupus features.
W–Ni–Fe Refractory Alloy Sintered by Hot Oscillating Pressure Under Different Amplitudes
Authors: Gao Ka , Zhao Junliang , Sun Dejian , Gao Yang , An Linan
Published: March 2023

Hot oscillating pressure (HOP) at different amplitudes (0, 5, and 10 MPa) is used to create a tungsten refractory alloy with narrow grain size distribution, higher hardness, and excellent corrosion resistance. The relative density and properties of sintered alloys are significantly improved and enhanced through the amplitude applied. The highest relative density about 99.2% with the narrowest average thickness bonding phase is presented in 10 MPa amplitude alloy. And its average grain size is only 3.67 μm, with a grain growth rate that is only 1.12 × 10−15 m2s−1 slower than that without the amplitude alloy (0 MPa amplitude alloy). Then the excellent hardness (454.7 HV0.5) is obtained. More importantly, the corrosion current of 10 MPa amplitude alloy is only just 5.09 × 10−6 A cm−2 and reduces by nearly 9% compared with 0 MPa amplitude alloy. The hardness and corrosion resistance are better than those of other similar materials ever reported. The above results show that the HOP with amplitudes has a positive effect on improving the densification, hardness, corrosion resistance, and inhibiting the growth of grain size.
Facile Preparation of Multiscale High‐Entropy Carbide Particles Utilizing Pulse Discharge: Phase and Microstructure Evolution
Authors: Niu Shiyu , Sun Kongbo , Mu Ruijie , Wang Ying , Yang Zhenwen
Published: March 2023

High‐entropy transition‐metal carbides (HETMCs) are intensively explored as a new generation of engineering and energy materials. Compared with HETMC ceramic blocks, the preparation of particles, especially at the nanoscale, is severely limited by their harsh thermodynamic and kinetic synthesis conditions. Herein, HETMC particles are facilely prepared utilizing pulse discharge, during which the HETMC ceramic block is transformed into micron, sub‐micron, nano, and ultrafine nanoparticles (less than 10 nm) within nonequilibrium plasma channels. The face‐centered cubic structure of the ceramic block is inherited by the transformed particles of different scales. To clarify the formation mechanism of these particles, the morphologies and microstructures of these particles are systematically characterized and analyzed. Micron and sub‐micron HETMC particles with irregular shapes are produced by the impact force of explosion during pulse discharge, while the formation of nano and ultrafine nanoparticles with regular spherical shape is attributed to the melting and vaporization of the HETMC ceramic block.
Interplay Between Doping, Morphology, and Lattice Thermal Conductivity in PEDOT:PSS
Authors: Floris Paolo Sebastiano , Melis Claudio , Rurali Riccardo
Published: March 2023

Organic materials for thermoelectric (TE) applications have attracted a fair amount of attention in recent years due to remarkable advances achieved in terms of their figure of merit, ZT: a value of 0.42 has been reported by for poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) films treated with dimethyl sulfoxide, while 0.25 has been obtained for PEDOT:Tosylate. In this study various PEDOT morphologies are investigated, considering both neutral and doped (bipolaronic) samples, by means of classical molecular dynamics, by taking advantage of a recently developed all‐atom force field. In the case of bare PEDOT, it is found that changing the distribution of chain lengths affects the thermal conductivity of neutral and doped samples in a different way: longer chain lengths result in higher conductivities in the neutral scenario, whereas an intermediate chain length gives the highest value in the bipolaronic case. The role of PSS in the bipolaronic state, as compared to the simpler case where the counterion is Cl−, is discussed.
Interfacial Click Chemistry Enabled Strong Adhesion toward Ultra‐Durable Crack‐Based Flexible Strain Sensors
Authors: Shi Xinlei , Zhu Lin , Yu Hui , Tang Ziqing , Lu Shaoping , Yin Haiyan , You Min , Sun Gengzhi , Chen Qiang
Published: March 2023

Flexible strain sensors, particularly crack‐based ones, have evoked great interests in recent years because of their excellent sensitivity and promising applications in health monitoring and human‐machine interactions. However, the poor durability originated from the weak interfacial bonding between fragile conductive layer and stretchable elastic substrate makes it difficult to meet the needs of practical use. Herein, a strategy enabled by interfacial click chemistry is proposed for effectively enhancing the adhesion strength (τ), thereby improving the durability of the flexible strain sensors. It is found that the strong interfacial adhesion can bear larger cyclic shear force, effectively suppress the crack propagation of the conductive layer, and prevent the conductive layer from peeling off, thus stabilize the conductive path under specific strain during cyclic test, resulting in excellent durability. Moreover, the device durability (number of stable cycles, i.e., Cn) is found to linearly depend on τ, based on which “durability‐adhesion coefficient (CDA)” is defined. So far it is known, this is the first report to quantitatively establish the relationship between interfacial adhesion strength and cycling durability of crack‐based strain sensors, providing a new viewpoint for future design of flexible devices with high reliability.
Nanomedicine‐Based Therapeutics for Myocardial Ischemic/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Li Xi , Ou Wei , Xie Maodi , Yang Jing , Li Qian , Li Tao
Published: March 2023

Myocardial ischemic/reperfusion (IR) injury is a global cardiovascular disease with high mortality and morbidity. Therapeutic interventions for myocardial ischemia involve restoring the occluded coronary artery. However, reactive oxygen species (ROS) inevitably impair the cardiomyocytes during the ischemic and reperfusion phases. Antioxidant therapy holds great promise against myocardial IR injury. The current therapeutic methodologies for ROS scavenging depend predominantly on administering antioxidants. Nevertheless, the intrinsic drawbacks of antioxidants limit their further clinical transformation. The use of nanoplatforms with versatile characteristics greatly benefits drug delivery in myocardial ischemic therapy. Nanoplatform‐mediated drug delivery significantly improves drug bioavailability, increases therapeutic index, and reduces systemic toxicity. Nanoplatforms can be specifically and reasonably designed to enhance molecule accumulation at the myocardial site. The present review initially summarizes the mechanism of ROS generation during the process of myocardial ischemia. The understanding of this phenomenon will facilitate the advancement of innovative therapeutic strategies against myocardial IR injury. The latest developments in nanomedicine for treating myocardial ischemic injury are then discussed. Finally, the current challenges and perspectives in antioxidant therapy for myocardial IR injury are addressed.
Tailored Beta‐Lapachone Nanomedicines for Cancer‐Specific Therapy
Authors: Li Yaru , Feng Meiyu , Guo Tao , Wang Zheng , Zhao Yanjun
Published: March 2023

Nanotechnology shows the power to improve efficacy and reduce the adverse effects of anticancer agents. As a quinone‐containing compound, beta‐lapachone (LAP) is widely employed for targeted anticancer therapy under hypoxia. The principal mechanism of LAP‐mediated cytotoxicity is believed due to the continuous generation of reactive oxygen species with the aid of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). The cancer selectivity of LAP relies on the difference between NQO1 expression in tumors and that in healthy organs. Despite this, the clinical translation of LAP faces the problem of narrow therapeutic window that is challenging for dose regimen design. Herein, the multifaceted anticancer mechanism of LAP is briefly introduced, the advance of nanocarriers for LAP delivery is reviewed, and the combinational delivery approaches to enhance LAP potency in recent years are summarized. The mechanisms by which nanosystems boost LAP efficacy, including tumor targeting, cellular uptake enhancement, controlled cargo release, enhanced Fenton or Fenton‐like reaction, and multidrug synergism, are also presented. The problems of LAP anticancer nanomedicines and the prospective solutions are discussed. The current review may help to unlock the potential of cancer‐specific LAP therapy and speed up its clinical translation.
Charge Concentration Limits the Hydrogen Evolution Rate in Organic Nanoparticle Photocatalysts
Authors: O'Connor Max M. , Aubry Taylor J. , Reid Obadiah G. , Rumbles Garry
Published: March 2023

Time‐resolved microwave conductivity is used to compare aqueous‐soluble organic nanoparticle photocatalysts and bulk thin films composed of the same mixture of semiconducting polymer and non‐fullerene acceptor molecule and the relationship between composition, interfacial surface area, charge‐carrier dynamics, and photocatalytic activity is examined. The rate of hydrogen evolution reaction by nanoparticles composed of various donor:acceptor blend ratio compositions is quantitatively measured, and it is found that the most active blend ratio displays a hydrogen quantum yield of 0.83% per photon. Moreover, it is found that nanoparticle photocatalytic activity corresponds directly to charge generation, and that nanoparticles have 3× more long‐lived accumulated charges relative to bulk samples of the same material composition. These results suggest that, under the current reaction conditions, with ≈3× solar flux, catalytic activity by the nanoparticles is limited by the concentration of electrons and holes in operando and not a finite number of active surface sites or the catalytic rate at the interface. This provides a clear design goal for the next generation of efficient photocatalytic nanoparticles.
Tailored Electronic Structure of Ir in High Entropy Alloy for Highly Active and Durable Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for Water Splitting under an Acidic Environment
Authors: Kwon Jiseok , Sun Seho , Choi Seunggun , Lee Kangchun , Jo Seonghan , Park Keemin , Kim Young Kwang , Park Ho Bum , Park Hee Young , Jang Jong Hyun , Han Hyuksu , Paik Ungyu , Song Taeseup
Published: March 2023

Proton‐exchange‐membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) requires an efficient and durable bifunctional electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, Ir‐based electrocatalyst is designed using the high entropy alloy (HEA) platform of ZnNiCoIrX with two elements (X: Fe and Mn). A facile dealloying in the vacuum system enables the construction of a nanoporous structure with high crystallinity using Zn as a sacrificial element. Especially, Mn incorporation into HEAs tailors the electronic structure of the Ir site, resulting in the d‐band center being far away from the Fermi level. Downshifting of the d‐band center weakens the adsorption energy with reaction intermediates, which is beneficial for catalytic reactions. Despite low Ir content, ZnNiCoIrMn delivers only 50 mV overpotential for HER at −50 mA cm−2 and 237 mV overpotential for the OER at 10 mA cm−2. Furthermore, ZnNiCoIrMn shows almost constant voltage for the HER and OER for 100 h and a high stability number of 3.4 × 105 nhydrogen nIr−1 and 2.4 × 105 noxygen nIr−1, demonstrating the exceptional durability of the HEA platform. The compositional engineering of ZnNiCoIrMn limits the diffusion of elements by high entropy effects and simultaneously tailors the electronic structure of active Ir sites, resulting in the modified cohesive and adsorption energies, all of which can suppress the dissolution of elements.
Versatile Microfluidics Separation of Colloids by Combining External Flow with Light‐Induced Chemical Activity
Authors: Bekir Marek , Sperling Marcel , Muñoz Daniela Vasquez , Braksch Cevin , Böker Alexander , Lomadze Nino , Popescu Mihail N. , Santer Svetlana
Published: March 2023

Separation of particles by size, morphology, or material identity is of paramount importance in fields such as filtration or bioanalytics. Up to now separation of particles distinguished solely by surface properties or bulk/surface morphology remains a very challenging process. Here a combination of pressure‐driven microfluidic flow and local self‐phoresis/osmosis are proposed via the light‐induced chemical activity of a photoactive azobenzene‐surfactant solution. This process induces a vertical displacement of the sedimented particles, which depends on their size and surface properties . Consequently, different colloidal components experience different regions of the ambient microfluidic shear flow. Accordingly, a simple, versatile method for the separation of such can be achieved by elution times in a sense of particle chromatography. The concepts are illustrated via experimental studies, complemented by theoretical analysis, which include the separation of bulk‐porous from bulk‐compact colloidal particles and the separation of particles distinguished solely by slight differences in their surface physico‐chemical properties.
Light‐Induced Giant Rashba Spin–Orbit Coupling at Superconducting KTaO3(110) Heterointerfaces
Authors: Gan Yulin , Yang Fazhi , Kong Lingyuan , Chen Xuejiao , Xu Hao , Zhao Jin , Li Gang , Zhao Yuchen , Yan Lei , Zhong Zhicheng , Chen Yunzhong , Ding Hong
Published: March 2023

The 2D electron system (2DES) at the KTaO3 surface or heterointerface with 5d orbitals hosts extraordinary physical properties, including a stronger Rashba spin–orbit coupling (RSOC), higher superconducting transition temperature, and potential of topological superconductivity. Herein, a huge enhancement of RSOC under light illumination achieved at a superconducting amorphous‐Hf0.5Zr0.5O2/KTaO3(110) heterointerfaces is reported. The superconducting transition is observed with Tc = 0.62 K and the temperature‐dependent upper critical field reveals the interaction between spin–orbit scattering and superconductivity. A strong RSOC with Bso = 1.9 T is revealed by weak antilocalization in the normal state, which undergoes sevenfold enhancement under light illumination. Furthermore, RSOC strength develops a dome‐shaped dependence of carrier density with the maximum of Bso = 12.6 T achieved near the Lifshitz transition point nc ≈ 4.1 × 1013 cm−2. The highly tunable giant RSOC at KTaO3(110)‐based superconducting interfaces show great potential for spintronics.
A 2D Soft Covalent Organic Framework Membrane Prepared via a Molecular Bridge
Authors: Du Jingcheng , Sun Qian , He Wen , Liu Linghao , Song Ziye , Yao Ayan , Ma Ji , Cao Dong , Hassan Shabi Ul , Guan Jian , Liu Jiangtao
Published: March 2023

Highly flexible and robust self‐standing covalent organic framework (COF) membranes with rapid preparation are important but technically challenging for achieving precise separation. Herein , a novel imine‐based 2D soft covalent organic framework (SCOF) membrane with a large area of 226.9 cm2, via ingeniously selecting an aldehyde flexible linker and a trigonal building block, is reported. The soft 2D covalent organic framework membrane is rapidly formed (≈5 min) based on the sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) molecular channel constructed at the water/dichloromethane (DCM) interface, which is the record‐fast SCOF membrane formation and 72 times faster than that in the reported literature. MD simulation and DFT calculation elucidate that the dynamic, self‐assembled SDS molecular channel facilitates faster and more homogeneous transfer of amine monomers in the bulk, thereby forming a soft 2D self‐standing COF membrane with more uniform pores. The formed SCOF membrane exhibits superb sieving capability for small molecules, robustness in strong alkaline (5 mol L−1 NaOH), acid (0.1 mol L−1 HCl), and various organic solutions, and sufficient flexibility with a large curvature of 2000 m−1 for membrane‐based separation science and technology.
MoS2 Synthesized by Atomic Layer Deposition as Cu Diffusion Barrier
Authors: Deijkers Johanna (Sanne) H. , de Jong Arthur A. , Mattinen Miika J. , Schulpen Jeff J. P. M. , Verheijen Marcel A. , Sprey Hessel , Maes Jan Willem , Kessels Wilhelmus (Erwin) M. M. , Bol Ageeth A. , Mackus Adriaan J. M.
Published: March 2023

Miniaturization in integrated circuits requires that the Cu diffusion barriers located in interconnects between the Cu metal line and the dielectric material should scale down. Replacing the conventional TaN with a 2D transition metal dichalcogenide barrier potentially offers the opportunity to scale to 1–2 nm thick barriers. In this article, it is demonstrated that MoS2 synthesized by atomic layer deposition (ALD) can be employed as a Cu diffusion barrier. ALD offers a controlled growth process at back‐end‐of‐line (BEOL) compatible temperatures. MoS2 films of different thicknesses (i.e., 2.2, 4.3, and 6.5 nm) are tested by time‐dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) measurements, demonstrating that ALD‐grown MoS2 can enhance dielectric lifetime by a factor up to 17 at an electric field of 7 MV cm−1. Extrapolation to lower E‐fields shows that the MoS2 barriers prepared by ALD have at least an order of magnitude higher median‐time‐to‐failure during device operation at 0.5 MV cm−1 compared with MoS2 barriers prepared by other methods. By scaling the thickness further down in future work, the ALD MoS2 films can be applied as ultrathin Cu diffusion barriers.
Robust Excitonic‐Insulating States in Cu‐Substituted Ta2NiSe5
Authors: Song Junseong , Jung Eilho , Cho Byeong Wook , Song Bumsub , Kim Jae Woo , Kim Hyeonbeom , Kim Ki Kang , Son Byoungchul , Lee Jouhahn , Hwang Jungseek , Lee Young Hee
Published: March 2023

Excitonic insulators exhibit intriguing quantum phases that further attract numerous interests in engineering the electrical and optical properties of Ta2NiSe5. However, tuning the electronic properties such as spin‐orbit coupling strength and orbital repulsion via pressure in Ta2NiSe5 are always accompanied with electron‐hole pair breaking, which is a bottleneck for further applications. Here, the robust excitonic‐insulating states invariant with electron‐doping concentrations in Ta2NiSe5 are demonstrated. The electron doping is conducted by substituting Cu into Ni site (Ta2Ni1‐xCuxSe5). The majority carrier of pristine sample is a hole‐type and is converted to electron‐type with a doping concentration over x = 0.01, whose carrier density can be controlled by varying the Cu concentration. The excitonic transition temperature (Tc) does not significantly alter with electron‐doping concentrations, which is stark contrast with the declining Tc as the hole‐type dopant of Fe or Co increases. The optical conductivity data also demonstrate the invariant excitonic‐insulating states in Cu‐doped Ta2NiSe5. The findings of invariant excitonic‐insulating states in n‐type Cu‐substituted Ta2NiSe5 can be utilized for further electronic device applications by using excitons.
Regulating Type H Vessel Formation and Bone Metabolism via Bone‐Targeting Oral Micro/Nano‐Hydrogel Microspheres to Prevent Bone Loss
Authors: Li Junjie , Wei Gang , Liu Gongwen , Du Yawei , Zhang Ruizhi , Wang Aifei , Liu Baoshan , Cui Wenguo , Jia Peng , Xu Youjia
Published: March 2023

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is one of the most prevalent skeletal disorders in women and is featured by the imbalance between intraosseous vascularization and bone metabolism. In this study, a pH‐responsive shell–core structured micro/nano‐hydrogel microspheres loaded with polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) using gas microfluidics and ionic cross‐linking technology are developed. This micro/nano‐hydrogel microsphere system (PDAP@Alg/Cs) can achieve oral delivery, intragastric protection, intestinal slow/controlled release, active targeting to bone tissue, and thus negatively affecting intraosseous angiogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. According to biodistribution data, PDAP@Alg/Cs can successfully enhance drug intestinal absorption and bioavailability through intestine adhesion and bone targeting after oral administration. In vitro and in vivo experiments reveal that PDAP@Alg/Cs promoted type H vessel formation and inhibited bone resorption, effectively mitigating bone loss by activating HIF‐1α/VEGF signaling pathway and promoting heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) expression. In conclusion, this novel oral micro/nano‐hydrogel microsphere system can simultaneously accelerate intraosseous vascularization and decrease bone resorption, offering a brand‐new approach to prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis.
Research Process of Carbon Dots in Memristors
Authors: Hao Haotian , Yan Lingpeng , Wang Mixue , Cao Yanli , He Jintao , Yang Yongzhen
Published: March 2023

The explosive growth of digital communication promotes advanced memory and computing devices in Big Data and artificial intelligence era. In particular, memristors hold great promise for in‐memory computing and artificial synapses, expected to break through restrictions on hardware computational power and storage capacity caused by the von Neumann bottleneck and declining Moore's Law. The memristance controllability is vital to memristors, in which functional layer materials are key. As novel functional layer materials, carbon dots (CDs) are expected to overtake silicon‐based materials due to their satisfactory modulation effects on memristance and distinguished memristive performances. The combination of CDs and matrix materials may carry out multimode sensation memristors for interactive intelligent systems. This review first gives a brief introduction to memristors and their functional layer materials, especially different CDs and their relations with memristance. Then the modulation effects of CDs on memristance are highlighted, mainly including the local electric field enhancement effect, the electron trapping and detrapping effect, and the photosensitization effect, accompanied by applications of CDs‐based memristors (CDMs). Lastly, challenges and perspectives of CDMs are pointed out. This work is rewarding to understand the role of CDs in memristors, to guide relevant research about CDMs, and to promote implementation for intelligent memory and computing.
Early validity and reliability evidence for the American Board of Emergency Medicine Virtual Oral Examination
Authors: Chudnofsky Carl R. , Reisdorff Earl J. , Joldersma Kevin B. , Ruff Kathleen C. , Goyal Deepi G. , Gorgas Diane L.
Published: March 2023

Background

The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) in‐person Oral Certification Examination (OCE) was halted abruptly in 2020 due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. The OCE was reconfigured to be administered in a virtual environment starting in December 2020.

Objectives

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether there was sufficient validity and reliability evidence to support the continued use of the ABEM virtual Oral Examination (VOE) for certification decisions.

Methods

This retrospective, descriptive study used multiple data sources to provide validity evidence and reliability data. Validity evidence focused on test content, response processes, internal structure (e.g., internal consistency and item response theory), and the consequences of testing. A multifaceted Rasch reliability coefficient was used to measure reliability. Study data were from two 2019 in‐person OCEs and the first four VOE administrations.

Results

There were 2279 physicians who took the 2019 in‐person OCE examination and 2153 physicians who took the VOE during the study period. Among the OCE group, 92.0% agreed or strongly agreed that the cases on the examination were cases that an emergency physician should be expected to see; 91.1% of the VOE group agreed or strongly agreed. A similar pattern of responses given to a question about whether the cases on the examination were cases that they had seen. Additional evidence of validity was obtained by the use of the EM Model, the process for case development, the use of think‐aloud protocols, and similar test performance patterns (e.g., pass rates). For reliability, the Rasch reliability coefficients for the OCE and the VOE during the study period were all >0.90.

Conclusions

There was substantial validity evidence and reliability to support ongoing use of the ABEM VOE to make confident and defensible certification decisions.
Mechanisms of weed suppression by cereal rye cover crop: A review
Authors: Camargo Silva Gustavo , Bagavathiannan Muthukumar
Published: March 2023

Cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) is an important cover crop species in the United States. It has the potential to minimize soil erosion, reduce nutrient leaching, decrease fertilizer inputs, improve soil water after termination, and enhance soil organic matter. Cereal rye is also an efficient tool for weed suppression (up to 100% under ideal conditions), which is achieved through several mechanisms. Reported biomass production estimates ranged from 0.9 to 20 ton ha−1 in different environments; weed suppression benefits were observed in all these scenarios, though the extent of suppression significantly differed across the studies, indicating the presence of multiple weed suppression mechanisms with cereal rye cover crops. These can be competitive (competition for space [i.e., mulching effect], water, nutrients, and light) or non‐competitive (allelopathy, reduction in soil temperature, and reduction in light quality). Such a variety of mechanisms make it an excellent tool for integrated weed management in both conventional and organic systems. In this review, we summarize and analyze published information on the mechanisms of weed suppression by cereal rye. First, we outline the physiological characteristics that make cereal rye an excellent cover crop species and the many benefits it can provide. Second, we review four competitive mechanisms of weed suppression, which are generally considered the leading ones. Third, we summarize three non‐competitive mechanisms, the applications of which are not yet fully understood in agricultural systems. Finally, we analyze the management implications of this information and identify knowledge gaps for directing future research on this topic.
19F NMR Untersuchung des Konformationsaustauschs mehrerer Zustände im synthetischen Neomycin‐bindenden Riboschalter
Authors: Overbeck Jan H. , Vögele Jennifer , Nussbaumer Felix , Duchardt‐Ferner Elke , Kreutz Christoph , Wöhnert Jens , Sprangers Remco
Published: March 2023

Der synthetische Neomycin‐bindende Riboschalter interagiert mit seinem Liganden Neomycin sowie mit den verwandten Antibiotika Ribostamycin und Paromomycin. Die Bindung dieser Aminoglykoside induziert sehr ähnliche Grundzustandsstrukturen in der RNA, allerdings kann nur Neomycin die Initiierung der Translation effizient unterdrücken. Der molekulare Ursprung dieser Unterschiede wurde auf Unterschiede in der Dynamik der Ligand‐Riboschalter‐Komplexe zurückgeführt. In diesem Artikel kombinieren wir fünf komplementäre fluorbasierte NMR‐Methoden, um die Dynamik der drei Riboschalter‐Komplexe im Sekunden‐ bis Mikrosekundenbereich genau zu quantifizieren. Unsere Daten offenbaren komplexe Austauschprozesse mit bis zu vier strukturell unterschiedlichen Zuständen. Wir interpretieren unsere Ergebnisse in einem Modell, das ein Zusammenspiel zwischen verschiedenen chemischen Gruppen in den Antibiotika und spezifischen Basen im Riboschalter zeigt. Allgemeiner unterstreichen unsere Daten das Potenzial von 19F NMR‐Methoden, komplexe Austauschprozesse mit mehreren angeregten Zuständen zu charakterisieren.
Hochdielektrischer Poly(vinylidenfluorid)‐basierter Ionogel‐Feststoffelektrolyt für den gleichmäßigen Lithium‐Ionen‐Transport
Authors: Liu Jun‐Feng , Wu Zhan‐Yu , Stadler Florian J. , Huang Yan‐Fei
Published: March 2023

Ionische Flüssigkeiten (ionic liquids, ILs) eingebettet in feste Polymer‐Elektrolyte (iono‐SPEs) weisen eine hohe ionische Leitfähigkeit auf, zeigen jedoch einen nicht‐uniformen Li+‐Transport in den verschiedenen Phasen. In dieser Arbeit wird gezeigt wie der Li+‐Transport in Polymerphasen erheblich durch ein Poly(vinylidenfluorid‐trifluorethylen‐chlorotrifluorethylen)‐Netzwerk [P(VDF‐TrFE‐CTFE), PTC] ILs zur Herstellung von iono‐SPEs verbessert werden kann. Im Gegensatz zu PVDF zeigt PTC mit geeigneter Polarität eine schwächere Adsorptionsenergie an IL‐Kationen, wodurch ihre Möglichkeit, Li+‐Sprungstellen zu besetzen, reduziert wird. Die deutlich höhere Dielektrizitätskonstante von PTC als PVDF erleichtert die Dissoziation von Li‐Anionen‐Clustern. Diese beiden Faktoren verstärken den Li+‐Transport entlang von PTC‐Ketten, wodurch der Unterschied des Li+‐Transports zwischen den verschiedenen Phasen verringert wird. Die LiFePO4/PTC iono‐SPE/Li‐Zellenzyklen stabil mit einer Kapazitätserhaltung von 91.5 % nach 1000 Zyklen bei 1 C und 25 °C. Diese Arbeit ebnet einen neuen Weg zur Erzeugung eines gleichmäßigen Li+‐Flusses in iono‐SPEs durch Optimierung der Polarität und Dielektrizität der Polymermatrix.
Mangan(I) katalysierte ortho C–H‐Allylierung von Benzoesäuren
Authors: Goebel Jonas F. , Stemmer Johanna , Belitz Florian , Gooßen Lukas J.
Published: March 2023

In Gegenwart von Neocuproin als Ligand vermittelt der 3d‐Metallkatalysator Mn(CO)5Br erffizient ortho‐C–H‐Allylierungen aromatischer Carboxylate. Trotz der Einfachheit der dirigierenden Gruppe und des Katalysatorsystems geht die Selektivität weit über den Stand der Technik hinaus, da ausschließlich mono‐allylierte Produkte mit hoher Selektivität für die am wenigsten gehinderte ortho‐Position erhalten werden. Die dirigierende Gruppe kann optional durch in situ Decarboxylierung entfernt werden, was einen regioselektiven Zugang zu Allylarenen eröffnet. Der präparative Nutzen des Verfahrens und seine Orthogonalität zu anderen Ansätzen wurde anhand von 44 Produkten mit ansonsten schwer zugänglichen Substitutionsmustern nachgewiesen, darunter 3‐Brom‐allylbenzol, 3‐Allylbenzofuran oder 5‐Allyl‐2‐methylnitrobenzol.
Synergizing Electron and Heat Flows in Photocatalyst for Direct Conversion of Captured CO2
Authors: Choi Chungseok , Zhao Fengyi , Hart James L , Gao Yuanzuo , Menges Fabian , Rooney Conor L. , Harmon Nia J. , Shang Bo , Xu Zihao , Suo Sa , Sam Quynh , Cha Judy J. , Lian Tianquan , Wang Hailiang
Published: March 2023

We report a ternary hybrid photocatalyst architecture with tailored interfaces that boost the utilization of solar energy for photochemical CO2 reduction by synergizing electron and heat flows in the photocatalyst. The photocatalyst comprises cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) molecules assembled on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) that are decorated with nearly monodispersed cadmium sulfide quantum dots (CdS QDs). The CdS QDs absorb visible light and generate electron‐hole pairs. The CNTs rapidly transfer the photogenerated electrons from CdS to CoPc. The CoPc molecules then selectively reduce CO2 to CO. The interfacial dynamics and catalytic behavior are clearly revealed by time‐resolved and in situ vibrational spectroscopies. In addition to serving as electron highways, the black body property of the CNT component can create local photothermal heating to activate amine‐captured CO2, namely carbamates, for direct photochemical conversion without additional energy input.
Umfassende Studie der Gesteigerten Reaktivität von Turbo‐Grignard‐Reagenzien**
Authors: Hermann Andreas , Seymen Rana , Brieger Lukas , Kleinheider Johannes , Grabe Bastian , Hiller Wolf , Strohmann Carsten
Published: March 2023

Seit ihrer Einführung im Jahr 2004 revolutionierten Knochel's sogenannte Turbo‐Grignard‐Reagenzien die Anwendung der Grignard‐Reagenzien. Durch die einfache Zugabe von LiCl zu einem Magnesium‐Alkyl kann eine außerorderliche Steigerung der Reaktivität beobachtet werden. Die genaue Zusammensetzung der reaktiven Spezies blieb jedoch lange Zeit ein Rätsel, obwohl das reaktive Gemisch nicht nur in der Synthese breite Anwendung fand, sondern auch in anderen Bereichen wie der Materialwissenschaft Einzug hielt. Um dieses Rätsel zu lösen, kombinierten wir Einkristall‐Röntgendiffraktometrie mit NMR‐Spektroskopie in Lösung und vollendeten unsere Untersuchungen mit quantenchemischen Berechnungen. Durch die breite Vielfalt unserer Methoden, gelang uns ein Einblick in und eine erstmalige Erklärung für die außergewöhnliche Reaktivität dieses äußerst praktikablen Reagenzes, indem wir die Struktur der ersten bimetallischen Spezies [t‐Bu2Mg ⋅ LiCl ⋅ 4 THF] mit zwei tert‐Butylanionen am Magnesium‐zentrum und eingebautem Lithiumchlorid aufklärten.
Covalent Organic Frameworks for Extracting Water from Air
Authors: Sun Chao , Sheng Dafei , Wang Bo , Feng Xiao
Published: March 2023

Water scarcity is becoming an increasingly pressing issue due to global population growth and industrialization. One effective approach to addressing this issue is sorption‐based atmospheric water harvesting (SAWH). Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a type of porous crystalline material that have emerged as promising sorbents for water harvesting due to their high surface area, tunable pore size, and customizable pore chemistry. In this mini‐review, we provide an overview of the different types of COFs, their structural characteristics, and the diverse linkage chemistries used to construct them. Then, we summarize recent advances in using COF‐based sorbents for atmospheric water harvesting, including strategies for controlling sorption properties and optimizing performance in terms of thermodynamics and dynamics. Finally, we discuss prospects and challenges associated with improving the efficiency of COF‐based SAWH systems.
High Dielectric Poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐Based Polymer Enables Uniform Lithium‐Ion Transport in Solid‐State Ionogel Electrolytes
Authors: Liu Jun‐Feng , Wu Zhan‐Yu , Stadler Florian J. , Huang Yan‐Fei
Published: March 2023

Ionic liquids (ILs)‐incorporated solid‐state polymer electrolytes (iono‐SPEs) have high ionic conductivities but show non‐uniform Li+ transport in different phases. This work greatly promotes Li+ transport in polymer phases by employing a poly (vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene‐chlorotrifluoroethylene) [P(VDF‐TrFE‐CTFE), PTC] as the framework of ILs to prepare iono‐SPEs. Unlike PVDF, PTC with suitable polarity shows weaker adsorption energy on IL cations, reducing their possibility of occupying Li+‐hopping sites. The significantly higher dielectric constant of PTC than PVDF facilitates the dissociation of Li‐anions clusters. These two factors motivate Li+ transport along PTC chains, narrowing the difference in Li+ transport among varied phases. The LiFePO4/PTC iono‐SPE/Li cells cycle steadily with capacity retention of 91.5 % after 1000 cycles at 1 C and 25 °C. This work paves a new way to induce uniform Li+ flux in iono‐SPEs through polarity and dielectric design of polymer matrix.
Innovative Use of Cadavers in Perioperative Nursing Orientation
Authors: Gee Lacy L. , Greer Joy A. , Delorey Donald R. , Kiser Rebecca A. , Cauley Steven R.
Published: March 2023

The Periop 101 program administrator at a US Navy medical center worked with personnel in the facility's simulation and bioskills laboratories to develop an innovative perioperative nurse orientation curriculum that included the use of human cadavers during simulation activities. Participants were able to practice common perioperative nursing skills (eg, surgical skin antisepsis) on human cadavers rather than simulation manikins. The orientation program comprises two three‐month phases. Participants were evaluated twice during phase 1: at the six‐week mark and again six weeks later at the end of the phase. Using the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric, the administrator scored participants on their clinical judgment skills; results showed that mean scores increased for all learners between the two evaluation sessions. Practicing skills in a safe environment allows new staff members to learn without fear of causing accidental patient harm, and the additional use of cadavers further increased simulation fidelity and learner satisfaction.
Synthesis of Zn0.1Sn0.1Cd0.8Sx Solid Solutions for Photocatalytic Reduction of Cr(VI): Bandgap Structure and Sulfur Vacancy Regulation
Authors: Zhang Pengfei , Zhang Na , Liu Zhiliang , Du Chunfang
Published: March 2023

Ternary metal sulfides (TMSs) solid solutions have been regarded as ideal semiconductors in various photocatalytic reactions due to their outstanding redox reversibility, high electron conductivity, and great stability. In this work, a series of Zn0.1Sn0.1Cd0.8Sx (ZSCS) solid solutions were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method and applied in the photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI). The Cr(VI) reduction efficiency of ZSCS‐5 quickly reached nearly 100% within 3 min under visible light irradiation. The controlling of sulfur content in ZSCS induced the transformation of cubic to hexagonal CdS, regulating the energy band structure and sulfur vacancy (SV) content, both of which further influenced the redox properties of ZSCS samples. The more negative conduction band position and more sulfur vacancies contributed to the enhanced photocatalytic reduction performance of ZSCS‐5 toward Cr(VI). The active species e−, h+, O2⋅− and 1O2 were all involved and h+ played a pivotal role in the photocatalytic reaction. This work provided an excellent photocatalyst for reduction of Cr(VI) and strongly confirmed the regulation of energy band structure and sulfur vacancies in photocatalysts through controlling the precursor content.
Surface imprinted bio‐nanocomposites for affinity separation of a cellular DNA repair protein
Authors: Xie Huaisyuan , Sun Ying , Zhang Ruilan , Zhang Yuxuan , Zhao Meiping
Published: March 2023

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) is a multifunctional DNA repair protein localized in different subcellular compartments. The mechanisms responsible for the highly regulated subcellular localization and “interactomes” of this protein are not fully understood but have been closely correlated to the posttranslational modifications in different biological context. In this work, we attempted to develop a bio‐nanocomposite with antibody‐like properties that could capture APE1 from cellular matrices to enable the comprehensive study of this protein. By fixing the template APE1 on the avidin‐modified surface of silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles, we first added 3‐aminophenylboronic acid to react with the glycosyl residues of avidin, followed by addition of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid as the second functional monomer to perform the first step imprinting reaction. To further enhance the affinity and selectivity of the binding sites, we carried out the second step imprinting reaction with dopamine as the functional monomer. After the polymerization, we modified the nonimprinted sites with methoxypoly (ethylene glycol) amine (mPEG‐NH2). The resulting molecularly imprinted polymer‐based bio‐nanocomposite showed high affinity, specificity, and capacity for template APE1. It allowed for the extraction of APE1 from the cell lysates with high recovery and purity. Moreover, the bound protein could be effectively released from the bio‐nanocomposite with high activity. The bio‐nanocomposite offers a very useful tool for the separation of APE1 from various complex biological samples.