bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Low‐Frequency Evolution Mechanism of Customized HEAs‐Based Electromagnetic Response Modes Manipulated by Carbothermal Shock
Authors: Wang Honghan , Xiao Xinyu , An Qingda , Xiao Zuoyi , Zhu Kairuo , Zhai Shangru , Dong Xiaoling , Xue Chuang , Wu Hongjing
Published: March 2024

An emerging carbothermal shock method is an ultra‐convenient strategy for synthesizing high‐entropy alloys (HEAs), in which the intelligent combination of carbon support and HEAs can be serve as a decisive factor for interpreting the trade‐off relationship between conductive gene and dielectric gene. However, the feedback mechanism of HEAs ordering degree on electromagnetic (EM) response in 2–18 GHz has not been comprehensively demystified. Herein, while lignin‐based carbon fiber paper (L‐CFP) as carbon support, L‐CFP/FeCoNiCuZn‐X with is prepared by carbothermal shock method. The reflection loss of −82.6 dB with thickness of 1.31 mm is achieved by means of pointing electron enrichment within L‐CFP/FeCoNiCuZn HEAs heterointerfaces verified by theoretical calculations. Simultaneously, low‐frequency evolution with high‐intensity and broadband EM response relies on a “sacrificing” strategy achieved by construction of polymorphic L‐CFP/semi‐disordered‐HEAs heterointerfaces. The practicality of L‐CFP/FeCoNiCuZn‐X in complex environments is given prominence to thermal conductivity, hydrophobicity, and electrocatalytic property. This work is of great significance for insightful mechanism analysis of HEAs in the application of electromagnetic wave absorption.
NiCo2O4 Nanowires Immobilized on Nitrogen‐Doped Ti3C2Tx for High‐Performance Wearable Magnesium–Air Batteries
Authors: Qian Aniu , Cui Miaomiao , Sun Yue , Wang Guangyu , Hao Yuehui , Yang Chengli , Shi Hu
Published: March 2024

Flexible magnesium (Mg)–air batteries provide an ideal platform for developing efficient energy‐storage devices toward wearable electronics and bio‐integrated power sources. However, high‐capacity bio‐adaptable Mg–air batteries still face the challenges in low discharge potential and inefficient oxygen electrodes, with poor kinetics property toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, spinel nickel cobalt oxides (NiCo2O4) nanowires immobilized on nitrogen‐doped Ti3C2Tx (NiCo2O4/N‐Ti3C2Tx) are reported via surface chemical‐bonded effect as oxygen electrodes, wherein surface‐doped pyridinic–N–C and Co–pyridinic–N moieties accounted for efficient ORR owing to increased interlayer spacing and changed surrounding environment around Co metals in NiCo2O4. Importantly, in polyethylene glycol (PVA)‐NaCl neutral gel electrolytes, the NiCo2O4/N‐Ti3C2Tx‐assembled quasi‐solid wearable Mg–air batteries delivered high open‐circuit potential of 1.5 V, good flexibility under various bent angles, high power density of 9.8 mW cm–2, and stable discharge duration to 12 h without obvious voltage drop at 5 mA cm−2, which can power a blue flexible light‐emitting diode (LED) array and red smart rollable wearable device. The present study stimulates studies to investigate Mg–air batteries involving human‐body adaptable neutral electrolytes, which will facilitate the application of Mg–air batteries in portable, flexible, and wearable power sources for electronic devices.
Brain‐Targeted Black Phosphorus‐Based Nanotherapeutic Platform for Enhanced Hypericin Delivery in Depression
Authors: Tan Hanxu , Cao Kerun , Zhao Yuying , Zhong Jialong , Deng Di , Pan Bo , Zhang Juping , Zhang Rong , Wang Zhiyu , Chen Tongkai , Shi Yafei
Published: March 2024

Depression is a significant global health concern that remains inadequately treated due to the limited effectiveness of conventional drug therapies. One potential therapeutic agent, hypericin (HYP), is identified as an effective natural antidepressant. However, its poor water solubility, low bioavailability, and limited ability to penetrate the brain parenchyma have hindered its clinical application. To address these shortcomings and enhance the therapeutic efficacy of HYP, it is loaded onto black phosphorus nanosheets (BP) modified with the neural cell‐targeting peptide RVG29 to synthesize a nanoplatform named BP‐RVG29@HYP (BRH). This platform served as a nanocarrier for HYP and integrated the advantages of BP with advanced delivery methods and precise targeting strategies. Under the influence of 808 nm near‐infrared irradiation (NIR), BRH effectively traversed an in vitro BBB model. In vivo experiments validated these findings, demonstrating that treatment with BRH significantly alleviated depressive‐like behaviors and oxidative stress in mice. Importantly, BRH exhibited an excellent safety profile, causing minimal adverse effects, which highlighted its potential as a promising therapeutic agent. In brief, this novel nanocarrier holds great promise in the development of antidepressant drugs and can create new avenues for the treatment of depression.
Biosynthesis Parameters Control the Physicochemical and Catalytic Properties of Microbially Supported Pd Nanoparticles
Authors: Morriss Christopher Egan , Cheung Casey K. , Nunn Elliot , Parmeggiani Fabio , Powell Nigel A. , Kimber Richard L. , Haigh Sarah J. , Lloyd Jonathan R.
Published: March 2024

The biosynthesis of Pd nanoparticles supported on microorganisms (bio‐Pd) is achieved via the enzymatic reduction of Pd(II) to Pd(0) under ambient conditions using inexpensive buffers and electron donors, like organic acids or hydrogen. Sustainable bio‐Pd catalysts are effective for C‐C coupling and hydrogenation reactions, but their industrial application is limited by challenges in controlling nanoparticle properties. Here, using the metal‐reducing bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens, it is demonstrated that synthesizing bio‐Pd under different Pd loadings and utilizing different electron donors (acetate, formate, hydrogen, no e− donor) influences key properties such as nanoparticle size, Pd(II):Pd(0) ratio, and cellular location. Controlling nanoparticle size and location controls the activity of bio‐Pd for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol, whereas high Pd loading on cells synthesizes bio‐Pd with high activity, comparable to commercial Pd/C, for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions. Additionally, the study demonstrates the novel synthesis of microbially‐supported ≈2 nm PdO nanoparticles due to the hydrolysis of biosorbed Pd(II) in bicarbonate buffer. Bio‐PdO nanoparticles show superior activity in 4‐nitrophenol reduction compared to commercial Pd/C catalysts. Overall, controlling biosynthesis parameters, such as electron donor, metal loading, and solution chemistry, enables tailoring of bio‐Pd physicochemical and catalytic properties.
A New Composite Material with Energy Storage, Electro/Photo‐Thermal and Robust Super‐Hydrophobic Properties for High‐Efficiency Anti‐Icing/De‐Icing
Authors: Zhao Zehui , Wang Yamei , Wang Zelinlan , Cui Xianxian , Liu Guang , Zhang Yi , Zhu Yantong , Chen Jichen , Sun Shize , Zhang Kaiteng , Liu Xiaolin , Chen Huawei
Published: March 2024

All weather, high‐efficiency, energy‐saving anti‐icing/de‐icing materials are of great importance for solving the problem of ice accumulation on outdoor equipment surfaces. In this study, a composite material with energy storage, active electro‐/photo‐thermal de‐icing and passive super‐hydrophobic anti‐icing properties is proposed. Fluorinated epoxy resin and MWCNTs/PTFE particles are used to prepare the top multifunctional anti‐icing/de‐icing layer, which exhibited super‐hydrophobicity with water contact angle greater than 155° and conductivity higher than 69 S m−1. The super‐hydrophobic durability of the top layer is verified through tape peeling and sandpaper abrasion tests. The surface can be heated by applying on voltage or light illumination, showing efficient electro‐/photo‐thermal and all‐day anti‐icing/de‐icing performance. The oleogel material at the bottom layer is capable to absorb energy during heating process and release it during cooling process by phase transition, which greatly delayed the freezing time and saved energy. The icing test of single ice droplet, electro‐/photo‐thermal de‐icing and defrosting tests also proved the high efficiency and energy saving of the anti‐icing/de‐icing strategy. This study provided a new way to manufacture multi‐functional materials for practical anti‐icing/de‐icing applications.
Lightweight, Flexible, and Thermal Insulating Carbon/SiO2@CNTs Composite Aerogel for High‐Efficiency Microwave Absorption
Authors: Wang Xiaohan , Yuan Ye , Sun Xianxian , Qiang Ruo , Xu Yichao , Ma Yu , Zhang Enshuang , Li Yibin
Published: March 2024

A complex electromagnetic environment is a formidable challenge in national defense areas. Microwave‐absorbing materials are considered as a strategy to tackle this challenge. In this work, lightweight, flexible, and thermal insulating Carbon/SiO2@CNTs (CSC) aerogel is successfully prepared coupled with outstanding microwave absorbing performance, through freeze‐drying and high‐temperature annealing techniques. The CSC aerogel shows a strong reflection loss (−55.16 dB) as well as wide effective absorbing bandwidth (8.5 GHz) in 2–18 GHz. It also retains good microwave absorption properties under tension and compression. Radar cross‐sectional (RCS) simulation result demonstrates the CSC processing a strong reduction ability of RCS compared with a metal plate. Further exploration shows amazing flexibility and good thermal insulation properties of CSC. The successful preparation of this composite aerogel provides a broad prospect for the design of microwave‐absorbing materials.
DFT Predirected Molecular Engineering Design of Donor‐Acceptor Structured g‐C3N4 for Efficient Photocatalytic Tetracycline Abatement
Authors: Wang Guangfu , Dong Xiaqing , Cheng Min , Liu Yang , Wang Jun , Liu Hongda , Chen Yongxi , shi Qingkai , Ouyang Zenglin , Liu Xuanming
Published: March 2024

The photocatalytic environmental decontamination ability of carbon nitride (g‐C3N4, CN) typically suffers from their inherent structural defects, causing rapid recombination of photogenerated carriers. Conjugating CN with tailored donor–acceptor (D–A) units to counteract this problem through electronic restructuring becomes a feasible strategy, where confirmation by density functional theory (DFT) calculations becomes indispensable. Herein, DFT is employed to predirect the copolymerization modification of CN by benzene derivatives, screening benzaldehyde as the optimal electron‐donating candidate for the construction of reoriented intramolecular charge transfer path. Experimental characterization and testing corroborate the formation of a narrowed bandgap as well as high photoinduced carrier separation. Consequently, the optimal BzCN‐2 exhibited superior photocatalytic capacity in application for tetracycline hydrochloride degradation, with 3.73 times higher than that of CN. Besides, the BzCN‐2‐based photocatalytic system is determined to have a toxicity‐mitigating effect on TC removal via T.E.S.T and prefers the removal of dissociable TC2− species under partial alkalinity. This work provides insight into DFT guidance for the design of D–A conjugated polymer and its application scenarios in photocatalytic decontamination.
Simultaneously Engineering the First and Second Coordination Shells of Single Iron Catalysts for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction
Authors: Chi Kai , Wang Zhuoping , Sun Tao , He Peng , Xiao Fei , Lu Jiong , Wang Shuai
Published: March 2024

The atomically dispersed Fe‐N4 active site presents enormous potential for various renewable energy conversions. Despite its already remarkable catalytic performance, the local atomic microenvironment of each Fe atom can be regulated to further enhance its efficiency. Herein, a novel conceptual strategy that utilizes a simple salt‐template polymerization method to simultaneously adjust the first coordination shell (Fe‐N3S1) and second coordination shell (C–S–C, a structure similar to thiophene) of Fe‐N4 isolated atoms is proposed. Theoretical studies suggest that this approach can redistribute charge density in the MN4 moiety, lowering the d‐band center of the metal site. This weakens the binding of oxygenated intermediates, enhancing oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity when compared to only implementing coordination shell regulation. Based on the above discovery, a single Fe atom electrocatalyst with the optimal Fe‐N3S1‐S active moiety incorporated in nitrogen, sulfur co‐doped graphene (Fe‐SAc/NSG) is designed and synthesized. The Fe‐SAc/NSG catalyst exhibits excellent alkaline ORR activity, exceeding benchmark Pt/C and most Fe‐SAc ORR electrocatalysts, as well as superior stability in Zn–air battery. This work aims to pave the way for creating highly active single metal atom catalysts through the localized regulation of their atomic structure.
Optimization of Carbon‐Defect Engineering to Boost Catalytic Ozonation Efficiency of Single Fe─N4 Coordination Motif
Authors: Qu Wei , Tang Zhuoyun , Wen Hailin , Tang Su , Lian Qiyu , Zhao Huinan , Tian Shuanghong , Shu Dong , He Chun
Published: March 2024

Carbon‐defect engineering in single‐atom metal‐nitrogen‐carbon (M─N─C) catalysts by straightforward and robust strategy, enhancing their catalytic activity for volatile organic compounds, and uncovering the carbon vacancy‐catalytic activity relationship are meaningful but challenging. In this study, an iron‐nitrogen‐carbon (Fe─N─C) catalyst is intentionally designed through a carbon‐thermal‐diffusion strategy, exposing extensively the carbon‐defective Fe─N4 sites within a micro‐mesoporous carbon matrix. The optimization of Fe─N4 sites results in exceptional catalytic ozonation efficiency, surpassing that of intact Fe─N4 sites and commercial MnO2 by 10 and 312 times, respectively. Theoretical calculations and experimental data demonstrated that carbon‐defect engineering induces selective cleavage of C─N bond neighboring the Fe─N4 motif. This induces an increase in non‐uniform charges and Fermi density, leading to elevated energy levels at the center of Fe d‐band. Compared to the intact atomic configuration, carbon‐defective Fe─N4 site is more activated to strengthen the interaction with O3 and weaken the O─O bond, thereby reducing the barriers for highly active surface atomic oxygen (*O/*OO), ultimately achieving efficient oxidation of CH3SH and its intermediates. This research not only offers a viable approach to enhance the catalytic ozonation activity of M─N─C but also advances the fundamental comprehension of how periphery carbon environment influences the characteristics and efficacy of M─N4 sites.
Saccharin Sodium Coupling Fluorinated Solvent Enabled Stable Interface for High‐Voltage Li‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Yang Fujie , Wang Pipi , Huang Qizhang , Luo Juan , Hu Ridong , Huang Qiujie , Mao Chong , Yang Lewen , Liang Guanjie , Li Yang , Chen Xudong
Published: March 2024

Optimizing the electrode/electrolyte interface structure is the key to realizing high‐voltage Li‐metal batteries (LMBs). Herein, a functional electrolyte is introduced to synergetically regulate the interface layer structures on the high‐voltage cathode and the Li‐metal anode. Saccharin sodium (NaSH) as a multifunctional electrolyte additive is employed in fluorinated solvent‐based electrolyte (FBE) for robust interphase layer construction. On the one hand, combining the results of ex‐situ techniques and in‐situ electrochemical dissipative quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM‐D) technique, it can be seen that the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer constructed by NaSH‐coupled fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) on Li‐metal anode significantly inhibits the growth of lithium dendrites and improves the cyclic stability of the anode. On the other hand, the experimental results also confirm that the cathode‐electrolyte interface (CEI) layer induced by NaSH‐coupled FEC effectively protects the active materials of LiCoO2 and improves their structural stability under high‐voltage cycling, thus avoiding the material rupture. Moreover, theoretical calculation results show that the addition of NaSH alters the desolvation behavior of Li+ and enhances the transport kinetics of Li+ at the electrode/electrolyte interface. In this contribution, the LiCoO2ǁLi full cell containing FBE+NaSH results in a high capacity retention of 80% after 530 cycles with a coulombic efficiency of 99.8%.
Expanding Multiple‐Resonance Structure of a Double‐Borylated Skeleton by Fusing with Indolocarbazole a Multiple‐Resonance Donor for Narrowband Green Emission
Authors: Li Mo‐Yuan , Wu Hao , Fan Xiao‐Chun , Huang Feng , Yu Jia , Wang Kai , Zhang Xiao‐Hong
Published: March 2024

Double‐borylated multiple‐resonance (MR) skeletons are promising templates for high performance, while the chemical design space is relatively limited. Peripheral segments are often used to decorate/fuse MR skeletons and modulate the photophysics but they can also cause unwanted spectral broadening. Herein, a narrowband MR emitter ICzDBA by fusing an MR‐featured donor segment indolocarbazole into a double‐borylated MR skeleton is developed. In ICzDBA, the nitrogen atom located away from the core benzene ring can also contribute to the generation of the overall MR‐featured distribution through the long‐range conjugation effect, along with the other boron/nitrogen atoms on the phenyl center. Thus, ICzDBA in toluene displays a narrowband emission peaking at 507 nm with a full width at half maximum of merely 20 nm (0.09 eV). Moreover, organic light‐emitting diode devices using ICzDBA emitter exhibit ultrapure green emission with Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.27, 0.70) and a high external quantum efficiency of 32.5%. These results manifest the importance of MR characters of peripheral decorations/fusions in preserving the narrowband features of MR skeletons, which provides a solution for further expanding MR structures with well‐maintained narrowband characters.
Grinding‐Induced Water Solubility Exhibited by Mechanochromic Luminescent Supramolecular Fibers
Authors: Liu Qiming , Zhang Tianyue , Ikemoto Yuka , Shinozaki Yudai , Watanabe Go , Hori Yuta , Shigeta Yasuteru , Midorikawa Takemi , Harano Koji , Sagara Yoshimitsu
Published: March 2024

Most mechanochromic luminescent compounds are crystalline and highly hydrophobic; however, mechanochromic luminescent molecular assemblies comprising amphiphilic molecules have rarely been explored. This study investigated mechanochromic luminescent supramolecular fibers composed of dumbbell‐shaped 9,10‐bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene‐based amphiphiles without any tetraethylene glycol (TEG) substituents or with two TEG substituents. Both amphiphiles formed water‐insoluble supramolecular fibers via linear hydrogen bond formation. Both compounds acquired water solubility when solid samples composed of supramolecular fibers are ground. Grinding induces the conversion of 1D supramolecular fibers into micellar assemblies where fluorophores can form excimers, thereby resulting in a large redshift in the fluorescence spectra. Excimer emission from the ground amphiphile without TEG chains is retained after dissolution in water. The micelles are stable in water because hydrophilic dendrons surround the hydrophobic luminophores. By contrast, when water is added to a ground amphiphile having TEG substituents, fragmented supramolecular fibers with the same molecular arrangement as the initial supramolecular fibers are observed, because fragmented fibers are thermodynamically preferable to micelles as the hydrophobic arrays of fluorophores are covered with hydrophilic TEG chains. This leads to the recovery of the initial fluorescent properties for the latter amphiphile. These supramolecular fibers can be used as practical mechanosensors to detect forces at the mesoscale.
The Emerging Star of Carbon Luminescent Materials: Exploring the Mysteries of the Nanolight of Carbon Dots for Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Li Jiurong , Zhao Xiujian , Gong Xiao
Published: March 2024

Carbon dots (CDs), a class of carbon‐based nanomaterials with dimensions less than 10 nm, have attracted significant interest since their discovery. They possess numerous excellent properties, such as tunability of photoluminescence, environmental friendliness, low cost, and multifunctional applications. Recently, a large number of reviews have emerged that provide overviews of their synthesis, properties, applications, and their composite functionalization. The application of CDs in the field of optoelectronics has also seen unprecedented development due to their excellent optical properties, but reviews of them in this field are relatively rare. With the idea of deepening and broadening the understanding of the applications of CDs in the field of optoelectronics, this review for the first time provides a detailed summary of their applications in the field of luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs), light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), solar cells, and photodetectors. In addition, the definition, categories, and synthesis methods of CDs are briefly introduced. It is hoped that this review can bring scholars more and deeper understanding in the field of optoelectronic applications of CDs to further promote the practical applications of CDs.
Synergistic Effect of Co‐Mo Pinning in Lay‐Structured Oxide Cathode for Enhancing Stability toward Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Han Wenzhe , Gao Xuan‐Wen , Song Yingying , Wang Xuanchen , Gao Guoping , Chen Hong , Gu Qinfen , Luo Wen‐Bin
Published: March 2024

Owing to the high economic efficiency and energy density potential, manganese‐based layer‐structured oxides have attracted great interests as cathode materials for potassium ion batteries. In order to alleviate the continuous phase transition and K+ re‐embedding from Jahn‐Teller distortion, the [Mn‐Co‐Mo]O6 octahedra are introduced into P3‐K0.45MnO2 herein to optimize the local electron structure. Based on the experimental and computational results, the octahedral center metal molybdenum in [MoO6] octahedra proposes a smaller ionic radius and higher oxidation state to induce second‐order JTE (pseudo‐JTE) distortion in the adjacent [MnO6] octahedra. This distortion compresses the [MnO6] octahedra along the c‐axis, leading to an increased interlayer spacing in the K+ layer. Meanwhile, the Mn3+/Mn4+ is balanced by [CoO6] octahedra and the K+ diffusion pathway is optimized as well. The proposed P3‐K0.45Mn0.9Co0.05Mo0.05O2 cathode material shows an enhanced cycling stability and rate performance. It demonstrates a high capacity of 80.2 mAh g−1 at 100 mAh g−1 and 77.3 mAh g−1 at 500 mAh g−1. Furthermore, it showcases a 2000 cycles stability with a 59.6% capacity retention. This work presents a promising solution to the challenges faced by manganese‐based layered oxide cathodes and offers a deep mechanism understanding and improved electrochemical performance.
3D Printing Highly Efficient Ion‐Exchange Materials via a Polyelectrolyte Microphase Separation Strategy
Authors: Lee Kenny , Mata Jitendra , Bobrin Valentin A. , Kundu Dipan , Peterson Vanessa K. , Corrigan Nathaniel , Boyer Cyrille
Published: March 2024

Ion‐exchange materials are commonly composed of polyelectrolyte networks in which crosslinking preserves macroscopic geometry and prevents dissolution in aqueous conditions. However, crosslinking inherently inhibits efficient swelling and mass transfer during ion‐exchange processes. Herein, a one‐step polymerization‐induced microphase separation (PIMS) approach directly using water and linear polystyrene sulfonate macromolecular chain transfer agents (macroCTAs) is developed to engineer bicontinuous nanostructured materials with rapid ion‐exchange capabilities. These materials feature water‐swollen liquid‐like polyelectrolyte domain embedded in a rigid polymer network, where the domain spacing, as determined by small angle X‐ray scattering experiments, is precisely modulated between 15 and 89 nm based on the molecular weight of the macroCTA used. As the bicontinuous nanostructure enables rapid mass transfer throughout the material bulk, the 3D printed PIMS materials are able to rapidly remove model charged dyes from solution, exhibiting a mass transfer coefficient ≈35 times higher than commercially available counterparts. This work is the first example demonstrating direct self‐assembly of water into continuous nanochannels in a well‐controlled manner as supported by time‐resolved small‐angle neutron scattering experiments during polymerization. Moreover, these nanostructured materials are readily produced using commercially available 3D printers, enabling unparalleled high‐resolution fabrication of targeted complex structures, including accurately controllable macroporous geometries and surface areas.
Expansion and Light‐Sheet Microscopy for Nanoscale 3D Imaging
Authors: Pesce Luca , Ricci Pietro , Sportelli Giancarlo , Belcari Nicola , Sancataldo Giuseppe
Published: March 2024

Expansion Microscopy (ExM) and Light‐Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM) are forefront imaging techniques that enable high‐resolution visualization of biological specimens. ExM enhances nanoscale investigation using conventional fluorescence microscopes, while LSFM offers rapid, minimally invasive imaging over large volumes. This review explores the joint advancements of ExM and LSFM, focusing on the excellent performance of the integrated modality obtained from the combination of the two, which is refer to as ExLSFM. In doing so, the chemical processes required for ExM, the tailored optical setup of LSFM for examining expanded samples, and the adjustments in sample preparation for accurate data collection are emphasized. It is delve into various specimen types studied using this integrated method and assess its potential for future applications. The goal of this literature review is to enrich the comprehension of ExM and LSFM, encouraging their wider use and ongoing development, looking forward to the upcoming challenges, and anticipating innovations in these imaging techniques.
A High‐Voltage Cathode Material with Ultralong Cycle Performance for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Jiaqi , Liang Zixin , Jin Yuqin , Yu Binkai , Wang Ting , Wang Tong , Zhou Limin , Xia Hui , Zhang Kai , Chen Mingzhe
Published: March 2024

Vanadium‐based polyanionic materials are promising electrode materials for sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) due to their outstanding advantages such as high voltage, acceptable specific capacity, excellent structural reversibility, good thermal stability, etc. Polyanionic compounds, moreover, can exhibit excellent multiplicity performance as well as good cycling stability after well‐designed carbon covering and bulk‐phase doping and thus have attracted the attention of multiple researchers in recent years. In this paper, after the modification of carbon capping and bulk‐phase nitrogen doping, compared to pristine Na3V2(PO4)3, the well optimized Na3V(PO3)3N/C possesses improved electromagnetic induction strength and structural stability, therefore exhibits exceptional cycling capability of 96.11% after 500 cycles at 2 C (1 C = 80 mA g−1) with an elevated voltage platform of 4 V (vs Na+/Na). Meanwhile, the designed Na3V(PO3)3N/C possesses an exceptionally low volume change of ≈0.12% during cycling, demonstrating its quasi‐zero strain property, ensuring an impressive capacity retention of 70.26% after 10,000 cycles at 2 C. This work provides a facial and cost‐effective synthesis method to obtain stable vanadium‐based phosphate materials and highlights the enhanced electrochemical properties through the strategy of carbon rapping and bulk‐phase nitrogen doping.
Cell Membrane Camouflaged Biomimetic Nanoparticles as a Versatile Platform for Brain Diseases Treatment
Authors: Wang Shiyu , Yang Longfei , He Wenya , Zheng Meng , Zou Yan
Published: March 2024

Although there are various advancements in biomedical in the past few decades, there are still challenges in the treatment of brain diseases. The main difficulties are the inability to deliver a therapeutic dose of the drug to the brain through the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) and the serious side effects of the drug. Thus, it is essential to select biocompatible drug carriers and novel therapeutic tools to better enhance the effect of brain disease treatment. In recent years, biomimetic nanoparticles (BNPs) based on natural cell membranes, which have excellent biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, are widely used in the treatment of brain diseases to enable the drug to successfully cross the BBB and target brain lesions. BNPs can prolong the circulation time in vivo, are more conducive to drug aggregation in brain lesions. Cell membranes (CMs) from cancer cells (CCs), red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and so on are used as biomimetic coatings for nanoparticles (NPs) to achieve the ability to target, evade clearance, or stimulate the immune system. This review summarizes the application of different cell sources as BNPs coatings in the treatment of brain diseases and discusses the possibilities and challenges of clinical translation.
Defect‐Engineered Tin Disulfide Nanocarriers as “Precision‐Guided Projectile” for Intensive Synergistic Therapy
Authors: Zhu Yanlin , Zhao Ruoxi , Feng Lili , Wang Wenzhuo , Xie Ying , Ding He , Liu Bin , Dong Shuming , Yang Piaoping , Lin Jun
Published: March 2024

Nanoformulations with endogenous/exogenous stimulus‐responsive characteristics show great potential in tumor cell elimination with minimal adverse effects and high precision. Herein, an intelligent nanotheranostic platform (denoted as TPZ@Cu‐SnS2‐x/PLL) for tumor microenvironment (TME) and near‐infrared light (NIR) activated tumor‐specific therapy is constructed. Copper (Cu) doping and the resulting sulfur vacancies can not only improve the response range of visible light but also improve the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and increase the carrier density, resulting in the ideal photothermal and photodynamic performance. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the introduction of Cu and resulting sulfur vacancies can induce electron redistribution, achieving favorable photogenerated electrons. After entering cells through endocytosis, the TPZ@Cu‐SnS2‐x/PLL nanocomposites show the pH responsivity property for the release of the TPZ selectively within the acidic TME, and the released Cu2+ can first interact with local glutathione (GSH) to deplete GSH with the production of Cu+. Subsequently, the Cu+‐mediated Fenton‐like reaction can decompose local hydrogen peroxide into hydroxyl radicals, which can also be promoted by hyperthermia derived from the photothermal effect for tumor cell apoptosis. The integration of photoacoustic/computed tomography imaging‐guided NIR phototherapy, TPZ‐induced chemotherapy, and GSH‐elimination/hyperthermia enhanced chemodynamic therapy results in synergistic therapeutic outcomes without obvious systemic toxicity in vivo.
A theoretical analysis of rotating electromagnetohydrodynamic and electroosmotic transport of couple stress fluid through a microchannel
Authors: Siva Thota , Jangili Srinivas , Kumbhakar Bidyasagar
Published: March 2024

The main motivation behind this research work is the electroosmotic flow (EOF), which characterizes the movement of charged particles in a fluid when subjected to an external electric field, which offers precise control over fluid movement without mechanical components. The study of bio‐fluids in rotating microfluidic platforms is becoming much more significant. Hence, it is important to discuss the non‐Newtonian fluids in such environments. This paper analytically investigates the hydrodynamic characteristics of combined electromagnetohydrodynamic (EMHD) and EOF transport of non‐Newtonian fluid through a rotating microchannel with Navier‐slip boundary conditions at the walls. The couple stress fluid model is considered a non‐Newtonian fluid in the flow domain. The linearized Poisson‐Boltzmann equation is considered inside the electric double layer (EDL). The modified Stokes equation is governed by a combined imposed magnetic and EOF field. Closed form expressions are obtained for electrical potential, flow velocity, and volume flow rate in the channel using analytical methods. The dependence of rotating electromagnetic flow velocity and flow rates on appropriate parameters is explained. It is found that the rotational flow velocity displays an opposite pattern when the couple stress parameter and electric field intensity parameters are varied due to the influence of channel rotation. It is also found that the secondary flow rate ratio is amplified with the Hartmann number and slip length parameter, due to the stronger impact of the non‐Newtonian behaviour than the Newtonian situation on the volume flow rate at a relatively higher rotational value. The findings of this study may aid in the design and analysis of practical thermal micro/nano‐equipment for transporting biofluids.
Leveraging the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in exploring the interplay among tax revenue, institutional quality, and economic growth in the G-7 countries
Authors: Saba Charles Shaaba , Monkam Nara
Published: March 2024

Due to G-7 countries' commitment to sustaining United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8, which focuses on sustainable economic growth, there is a need to investigate the impact of tax revenue and institutional quality on economic growth, considering the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the G-7 countries from 2012 to 2022. Cross-Sectional Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) technique is used to analyze the data. The study's findings indicate a long-run equilibrium relationship among the variables under examination. The causality results can be categorized as bidirectional, unidirectional, or indicating no causality. Based on the CS-ARDL results, the study recommends that G-7 governments and policymakers prioritize and strengthen the integration of AI into their institutions to stimulate growth in both the short- and long-term. However, the study cautions against overlooking the interaction between AI and tax revenue, as it did not demonstrate support for economic growth. While the interaction between AI and institutional quality shows potential for contributing to growth, it is crucial to implement robust measures to mitigate any potential negative effects that may arise from AI's interaction with tax systems. Therefore, the study suggests the development of AI-friendly tax policies within the G-7 countries, considering the nascent nature of the AI sector/industry.
Optimizing combined tours: The truck-and-cargo-bike case
Authors: Schiewe Philine , Stinzendörfer Moritz
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we introduce a last-mile delivery concept that is well suited for urban areas. By jointly optimizing the tour of a truck and a cargo bike, we ensure that each vehicle is used optimally. Here, we assume that the bike is restocked by meeting up with the truck so that no dedicated mini-hubs have to be constructed. We model different objective functions and analyze the different variants in comparison to the traveling salesperson problem as well as the capacitated vehicle routing problem. In an experimental evaluation, we compare MIP formulations for different problem variants and assess several heuristic approaches to solve large-scale instances. These results show that we can outperform the truck-only delivery in terms of completion time while reducing the distance driven by the truck.
The Brillouin linewidth in water as a function of temperature and salinity: the missing empirical relationship
Authors: Koestel Daniel , Walther Thomas
Published: March 2024

Brillouin scattering in water has been proposed as a method to measure temperature profiles in the ocean. Spontaneous Brillouin scattering can be understood as light scattering on phonons in the water originating from thermal fluctuations. The scattering signal usually features three peaks in its spectrum, of which one is attributed mainly to scattering from suspended particles and shows no frequency shift from the incident light, while the other two are shifted by the phonon frequency leading to a linear dependency of this Brillouin shift to the speed of sound. The speed of sound is dependent on temperature and salinity. To measure temperature and salinity independently, a second measurement parameter is necessary. The spectral width of the Brillouin lines constitutes a measure for the phonon lifetime and depends on various macroscopic water properties. This linewidth was investigated in a laboratory using a scanning FPI (Fabry-Perot interferometer) over a temperature range from 1.8 °C to 35 °C and 13 salinities from 0 ppt to 36 ppt. A strong temperature dependence was confirmed and a weaker, nonlinear dependency on salinity was found. An empirical model was created to describe the data for the purpose of enabling remote sensing of water temperature profile and salinity simultaneously in the future.
Comparative evaluation of shear wave elastography elasticity values in thyroid nodules with cytology results and TI-RADS scoring in differentiation of benign–malignant nodules
Authors: Polat Zafer , Elmalı Muzaffer , Tanrivermis Sayit Asli , Kalkan Cihan , Danacı Murat , Kefeli Mehmet
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography (SWE) in differentiating benign and malignant thyroid nodules and their correlation with the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS).

Methods

This prospective study included 370 thyroid nodules in 308 patients aged 18–70 years. All the patients underwent B-mode ultrasound (US), Doppler examination, and SWE and were given an ACR TI-RADS risk score before fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) and/or surgery. The correlation between SWE parameters and ACR TI-RADS categories was investigated statistically and compared with histopathologic results. Additionally, the diagnostic performance of SWE was evaluated to distinguish malignant and benign thyroid nodules.

Results

One hundred and thirty-five of the 370 thyroid nodules were malignant, and 235 nodules were benign. The mean shear wave velocity (SWV) value of the malignant nodules (3.70 ± 0.98 m/s) was statistically higher than that of the benign nodules (2.70 ± 0.37 m/s). The best cutoff value of the mean SWV for differentiating benign and malignant nodules was found to be 2.94 m/s (sensitivity 90.4%, specificity 89.9%, positive predictive value 81.3%, negative predictive value 94.1%, p < 0.001). The average score of the nodules according to the ACR TI-RADS was 3.57 ± 1.83 in benign nodules and 7.38 ± 2.69 in malignant nodules (p ≤ 0.001).

Conclusion

This study showed that combining SWE and TI-RADS improves the specificity of TI-RADS alone in differentiating benign and malignant nodules.
Polypharmacy in psychiatry and weight gain: longitudinal study of 832 patients hospitalized for depression or schizophrenia, along with data of 3180 students from Europe, the U.S., South America, and China
Authors: Stassen H. H. , Bachmann S. , Bridler R. , Cattapan K. , Seifritz E.
Published: March 2024

Epidemiologic data indicate that overweight and obesity are on the rise worldwide. Psychiatric patients are particularly vulnerable in this respect as they have an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity, and often experience rapid, highly undesirable weight gain under psychotropic drug treatment. Current treatment strategies in psychiatry are oriented towards polypharmacy, so that the information on drug-induced weight gain from earlier monotherapy studies is of very limited validity. We have analyzed the longitudinal data of 832 inpatients with ICD-10 diagnoses of either F2 (schizophrenia; n = 282) or F3 (major depression; n = 550) with the goal of ranking treatment regimens in terms of weight gain, side effects, and response to treatment. The patient data were complemented by the data of 3180 students aged 18–22 years, with which we aimed to identify factors that enable the early detection and prevention of obesity and mental health problems. After 3 weeks of treatment, 47.7% of F2 patients and 54.9% of F3 patients showed a weight gain of 2 kg and more. Major predictive factors were “starting weight” (r = 0.115), “concurrent medications” (r = 0.176), and “increased appetite”(r = 0.275). Between 11 and 30% of the observed variance in weight gain could be explained by these factors, complemented by sex and age. The comparison between monotherapy (n = 409) and polypharmacy (n = 399) revealed significant drawbacks for polypharmacy: higher weight gain (p = 0.0005), more severe side effects (p = 0.0011), and lower response rates (F2: p = 0.0008); F3: p = 0.0101). The data of 3180 students made it clear that overweight and obesity often begin early in life among those affected, and are interconnected with personality traits, while increasing the risk of developing psychosomatic disturbances, mental health problems, or somatic illnesses. Although the available data did not readily lead to a comprehensive, clinically applicable model of unwanted weight gain, our results have nevertheless demonstrated that there are ways to successfully counteract such weight gain at early stages of treatment.
Genetic Testing Goes Beyond Imaging and Histological Evaluation in Pleuroparenchymal Fibroelastosis
Authors: Alrehaili Ghadah , Kemppainen Jennifer , Kalra Sanjay , Pinto e Vairo Filippo , Moua Teng , Yi Eunhee S. , Ferrer Alejandro , Patnaik Mrinal M. , Carmona Eva M.
Published: March 2024

Background

Lung biopsy remains the gold standard in the diagnosis of fibrotic interstitial lung disease (F-ILD), but there is a growing appreciation of the role of pathogenic gene variants in telomere and surfactant protein genes, especially in familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF). Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) is a rare disease that can coexist with different patterns of F-ILD, including FPF. It can be progressive and often leads to respiratory failure and death. This study tested the hypothesis that genetic testing goes beyond radiological and histological findings in PPFE and other F-ILD further informing clinical decision-making for patients and affected family members by identifying pathological gene variants in telomere and surfactant protein genes.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of 70 patients with F-ILD in the setting of FPF or premature lung fibrosis. Six out of 70 patients were diagnosed with PPFE based on radiological or histological characteristics. All patients underwent telomere length evaluation in peripheral blood by Flow-FISH or genetic testing using a customized exome-based panel that included telomere and surfactant protein genes associated with lung fibrosis.

Results

Herein, we identified six individuals where radiographic or histopathological analyses of PPFE were linked with telomere biology disorders (TBD) or variants in surfactant protein genes. Each case involved individuals with either personal early-onset lung fibrosis or a family history of the disease. Assessments of telomere length and genetic testing offered insights beyond traditional radiological and histopathological evaluations.

Conclusion

Detecting anomalies in TBD-related or surfactant protein genes can significantly refine the diagnosis and treatment strategies for individuals with PPFE and other F-ILD.
H2O-rich rutile as an indicator for modern-style cold subduction
Authors: Lueder Mona , Tamblyn Renée , Rubatto Daniela , Hermann Jörg
Published: March 2024

The trace-element and isotope geochemistry of rutile are robust tools to determine metamorphic temperatures, age, and host-/source lithologies. The use of rutile as single grain indicator for pressure, temperature, time and composition (P–T–t–X) of the host rock, which is vital in the use of detrital rutile to trace plate-tectonic regimes throughout Earth’s history, requires the identification of a pressure dependent trace element in rutile. We investigate the pressure dependence of hydrogen in rutile using polarized in-situ Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. H2O contents in rutile vary between < 10–2500 μg/g H2O with higher contents in samples with higher peak metamorphic pressures, making H2O-in-rutile a viable pressure indicator. The highest H2O contents at ~ 450–2000 μg/g are observed in mafic low temperature eclogite-facies rutile related to modern-style cold subduction conditions. Hydrogen zoning in FTIR maps indicates that H+ is retained at temperatures below 600–700 °C. Ratios of H2O/Zr, using H2O as pressure indicator and Zr as temperature proxy, are a proxy for thermal gradients of metamorphic rutile (i.e. P/T). Low temperature eclogite samples are also characterized by high Fe contents and therefore Fe/Zr-ratios might be used as a first order approximation for H2O/Zr-ratios to identify mafic low temperature eclogite facies rutile. Based on common discrimination diagrams, Nb, W, and Sn can be used to distinguish different host/source rock lithologies of rutile. Combining both H2O/Zr-ratios and Nb, W, and Sn contents can thus identify modern-style cold subduction signatures in rutile. The developed systematics can consequently be used to trace cold-subduction features in the (pre-Proterozoic) detrital record.
GC–MS analysis of 4-hydroxyproline: elevated proline hydroxylation in metformin-associated lactic acidosis and metformin-treated Becker muscular dystrophy patients
Authors: Baskal Svetlana , Posma Rene A. , Bollenbach Alexander , Dieperink Willem , Bakker Stephan J. L. , Nijsten Maarten W. , Touw Daan J. , Tsikas Dimitrios
Published: March 2024

Metformin (N,N-dimethylbiguanide), an inhibitor of gluconeogenesis and insulin sensitizer, is widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In some patients with renal insufficiency, metformin can accumulate and cause lactic acidosis, known as metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA, defined as lactate ≥ 5 mM, pH < 7.35, and metformin concentration > 38.7 µM). Here, we report on the post-translational modification (PTM) of proline (Pro) to 4-hydroxyproline (OH-Pro) in metformin-associated lactic acidosis and in metformin-treated patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). Pro and OH-Pro were measured simultaneously by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry before, during, and after renal replacement therapy in a patient admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) because of MALA. At admission to the ICU, plasma metformin concentration was 175 µM, with a corresponding lactate concentration of 20 mM and a blood pH of 7.1. Throughout ICU admission, the Pro concentration was lower compared to healthy controls. Renal excretion of OH-Pro was initially high and decreased over time. Moreover, during the first 12 h of ICU admission, OH-Pro seems to be renally secreted while thereafter, it was reabsorbed. Our results suggest that MALA is associated with hyper-hydroxyprolinuria due to elevated PTM of Pro to OH-Pro by prolyl-hydroxylase and/or inhibition of OH-Pro metabolism in the kidneys. In BMD patients, metformin, at the therapeutic dose of 3 × 500 mg per day for 6 weeks, increased the urinary excretion of OH-Pro suggesting elevation of Pro hydroxylation to OH-Pro. Our study suggests that metformin induces specifically the expression/activity of prolyl-hydroxylase in metformin intoxication and BMD.
Abuse-freeness in contract signing: a blockchain-based proposal
Authors: Ferrer-Gomila Josep-Lluís , Hinarejos M. Francisca
Published: March 2024

Electronic contract signing requires the design of protocols that guarantee that the exchange is fair. In the past 5 years, we have observed that trusted third parties (TTPs) can be replaced by blockchain. However, none of the analyzed blockchain-based solutions meets the abuse-freeness requirement (established by Garay et al. in 1999), i.e., that neither party has the power to decide whether the protocol terminates or aborts. In this article, we present the first blockchain-based contract signing protocol that meets the abuse-freeness requirement. We analyze the economic impact that the use of blockchain has on the participants of a contract signing, concluding that the solution is both technically feasible and cost effective.