bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Mutation on Seed Yield per Plant and Chlorophyll Content in M3 Generation of Green Gram [Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek]
Authors: Ahir D. K. , Kumar Rajiv , Chetariya C. P. , Upadhyay Vidushi , Pandey Abhishek , Chaitanya Alamuru Krishna
Published: June 2023

Aims: Mutation breeding used to induce quantitative variability in M3 generation of green gram of two excellent variety GM-4 and Meha with a view to study effect various mutagen and for the estimation of genetic variability parameters like GCV, PCV, Heritability and Genetic advance percent of mean for characters like as seed yield per plant and chlorophyll content.

Place and Duration of Study: The Field experiment was conducted at Instructional Farm, COA, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during the Summer-2015.

Methodology: The experimental material consisted of M2 derived M3 seeds which consists of sixty-six M3 progeny lines (64 mutant + 2 controls). The progeny lines were selected on the basis of yield and its associated characters from M2 generation.

Results: The analysis of variance between family revealed that families differed significantly for chlorophyll content while non-significant for seed yield per plant. GCV and PCV were higher in all the mutagenic family with respect to control for both the characters as well as for both the variety. For both characters, phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than genotypic coefficient of variation indicating that there was environmental influence on these traits. Heritability exhibited higher in all the mutagenic families and also higher genetic advance was observed. The combined results for heritability showed that the high estimates of heritability and genetic advance were scored for seeds per plant indicating that these characters were under the control of additive genetic effects.

Conclusion: Mutagenic progenies with additive gene effect can be selected for improvement of desirable traits in mungbean.
An Apple a Day
Authors: Landon Emily
Published: June 2023

In this narrative medicine essay, an infectious diseases physician compares her past near bucolic experience in the emergency department when treated for anaphylaxis with the now perpetually chaotic and crowded scene ushered in by COVID-19.
Place of Death From Cancer in US States With vs Without Palliative Care Laws
Authors: Quan Vega Main Lin , Chihuri Stanford T. , Lackraj Deven , Murali Komal Patel , Li Guohua , Hua May
Published: June 2023

Importance

In the US, improving end-of-life care has become increasingly urgent. Some states have enacted legislation intended to facilitate palliative care delivery for seriously ill patients, but it is unknown whether these laws have any measurable consequences for patient outcomes.

Objective

To determine whether US state palliative care legislation is associated with place of death from cancer.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study with a difference-in-differences analysis used information about state legislation combined with death certificate data for 50 US states (from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2017) for all decedents who had any type of cancer listed as the underlying cause of death. Data analysis for this study occurred between September 1, 2021, and August 31, 2022.

Exposures

Presence of a nonprescriptive (relating to palliative and end-of-life care without prescribing particular clinician actions) or prescriptive (requiring clinicians to offer patients information about care options) palliative care law in the state-year where death occurred.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Multilevel relative risk regression with state modeled as a random effect was used to estimate the likelihood of dying at home or hospice for decedents dying in state-years with a palliative care law compared with decedents dying in state-years without such laws.

Results

This study included 7 547 907 individuals with cancer as the underlying cause of death. Their mean (SD) age was 71 (14) years, and 3 609 146 were women (47.8%). In terms of race and ethnicity, the majority of decedents were White (85.6%) and non-Hispanic (94.1%). During the study period, 553 state-years (85.1%) had no palliative care law, 60 state-years (9.2%) had a nonprescriptive palliative care law, and 37 state-years (5.7%) had a prescriptive palliative care law. A total of 3 780 918 individuals (50.1%) died at home or in hospice. Most decedents (70.8%) died in state-years without a palliative care law, while 15.7% died in state-years with a nonprescriptive law and 13.5% died in state-years with a prescriptive law. Compared with state-years without a palliative care law, the likelihood of dying at home or in hospice was 12% higher for decedents in state-years with a nonprescriptive palliative care law (relative risk, 1.12 [95% CI 1.08-1.16]) and 18% higher for decedents in state-years with a prescriptive palliative care law (relative risk, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.11-1.26]).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of decedents from cancer, state palliative care laws were associated with an increased likelihood of dying at home or in hospice. Passage of state palliative care legislation may be an effective policy intervention to increase the number of seriously ill patients who experience their death in such locations.
Associations of Internalizing and Externalizing Problems in Childhood and Adolescence With Adult Labor Market Marginalization
Authors: Alaie Iman , Svedberg Pia , Ropponen Annina , Narusyte Jurgita
Published: June 2023

Importance

Mental health problems in early life are associated with labor market marginalization, especially in youths with persistent internalizing and externalizing problems. However, previous research has not adjusted for familial (genetic and shared environmental) factors.

Objective

To examine associations of early-life internalizing and externalizing problems with adulthood unemployment and work disability, adjusting for familial factors.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This population-based prospective cohort study included Swedish twins who were born in 1985-1986 and surveyed at 4 consecutive waves across childhood and adolescence until 2005. Through linkage to nationwide registries, participants were followed up from 2006 to 2018. Data analyses were conducted between September 2022 and April 2023.

Exposures

Internalizing and externalizing problems, assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist. Participants were differentiated regarding duration of internalizing and externalizing problems (persistent, episodic, and noncases).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Unemployment (180 days or more of being unemployed) and work disability (60 days or more of being sickness absent or disability pensioned) during follow-up. Cox proportional hazards regression models were calculated to obtain cause-specific hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs in the whole cohort and exposure-discordant twin pairs.

Results

Of 2845 participants, 1464 (51.5%) were female. Incident unemployment was experienced by 944 (33.2%) and incident work disability by 522 (18.3%) participants. Compared with noncases, persistent internalizing problems were associated with unemployment (HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.27-1.92) and work disability (HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.80-2.99). Similarly, compared with noncases, persistent externalizing problems were associated with unemployment (HR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.55-2.26) and work disability (HR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.87-3.03). Persistent cases had overall higher risks of adverse outcomes than episodic cases. After adjustment for familial factors, associations with unemployment were no longer statistically significant, whereas associations with work disability remained or were only slightly reduced.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of young Swedish twins, familial factors explained the associations between early-life persistent internalizing and externalizing problems and unemployment; such factors were comparatively less important for the association with work disability. This suggests nonshared environmental factors may be important for the risk of future work disability among young individuals with persistent internalizing and externalizing problems.
Risk Factors for Progression and Toxic Effects After Preoperative Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Patients With Resected Brain Metastases
Authors: Prabhu Roshan S. , Akinyelu Tobi , Vaslow Zachary K. , Matsui Jennifer K. , Haghighi Neda , Dan Tu , Mishra Mark V. , Murphy Erin S. , Boyles Susan , Perlow Haley K. , Palmer Joshua D. , Udovicich Cristian , Patel Toral R. , Wardak Zabi , Woodworth Graeme F. , Ksendzovsky Alexander , Yang Kailin , Chao Samuel T. , Asher Anthony L. , Burri Stuart H.
Published: June 2023

Importance

Preoperative stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been demonstrated as a feasible alternative to postoperative SRS for resectable brain metastases (BMs) with potential benefits in adverse radiation effects (AREs) and meningeal disease (MD). However, mature large-cohort multicenter data are lacking.

Objective

To evaluate preoperative SRS outcomes and prognostic factors from a large international multicenter cohort (Preoperative Radiosurgery for Brain Metastases–PROPS-BM).

Design, Setting, and Participants

This multicenter cohort study included patients with BMs from solid cancers, of which at least 1 lesion received preoperative SRS and a planned resection, from 8 institutions. Radiosurgery to synchronous intact BMs was allowed. Exclusion criteria included prior or planned whole-brain radiotherapy and no cranial imaging follow-up. Patients were treated between 2005 and 2021, with most treated between 2017 and 2021.

Exposures

Preoperative SRS to a median dose to 15 Gy in 1 fraction or 24 Gy in 3 fractions delivered at a median (IQR) of 2 (1-4) days before resection.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end points were cavity local recurrence (LR), MD, ARE, overall survival (OS), and multivariable analysis of prognostic factors associated with these outcomes.

Results

The study cohort included 404 patients (214 women [53%]; median [IQR] age, 60.6 [54.0-69.6] years) with 416 resected index lesions. The 2-year cavity LR rate was 13.7%. Systemic disease status, extent of resection, SRS fractionation, type of surgery (piecemeal vs en bloc), and primary tumor type were associated with cavity LR risk. The 2-year MD rate was 5.8%, with extent of resection, primary tumor type, and posterior fossa location being associated with MD risk. The 2-year any-grade ARE rate was 7.4%, with target margin expansion greater than 1 mm and melanoma primary being associated with ARE risk. Median OS was 17.2 months (95% CI, 14.1-21.3 months), with systemic disease status, extent of resection, and primary tumor type being the strongest prognostic factors associated with OS.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, the rates of cavity LR, ARE, and MD after preoperative SRS were found to be notably low. Several tumor and treatment factors were identified that are associated with risk of cavity LR, ARE, MD, and OS after treatment with preoperative SRS. A phase 3 randomized clinical trial of preoperative vs postoperative SRS (NRG BN012) has began enrolling (NCT05438212).
Accuracy of Artificial Intelligence in Estimating Best-Corrected Visual Acuity From Fundus Photographs in Eyes With Diabetic Macular Edema
Authors: Paul William , Burlina Philippe , Mocharla Rohita , Joshi Neil , Li Zhuolin , Gu Sophie , Nanegrungsunk Onnisa , Lin Kira , Bressler Susan B. , Cai Cindy X. , Kong Jun , Liu T. Y. Alvin , Moini Hadi , Du Weiming , Amer Fouad , Chu Karen , Vitti Robert , Sepehrband Farshid , Bressler Neil M.
Published: June 2023

Importance

Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) is a measure used to manage diabetic macular edema (DME), sometimes suggesting development of DME or consideration of initiating, repeating, withholding, or resuming treatment with anti–vascular endothelial growth factor. Using artificial intelligence (AI) to estimate BCVA from fundus images could help clinicians manage DME by reducing the personnel needed for refraction, the time presently required for assessing BCVA, or even the number of office visits if imaged remotely.

Objective

To evaluate the potential application of AI techniques for estimating BCVA from fundus photographs with and without ancillary information.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Deidentified color fundus images taken after dilation were used post hoc to train AI systems to perform regression from image to BCVA and to evaluate resultant estimation errors. Participants were patients enrolled in the VISTA randomized clinical trial through 148 weeks wherein the study eye was treated with aflibercept or laser. The data from study participants included macular images, clinical information, and BCVA scores by trained examiners following protocol refraction and VA measurement on Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) charts.

Main Outcomes

Primary outcome was regression evaluated by mean absolute error (MAE); the secondary outcome included percentage of predictions within 10 letters, computed over the entire cohort as well as over subsets categorized by baseline BCVA, determined from baseline through the 148-week visit.

Results

Analysis included 7185 macular color fundus images of the study and fellow eyes from 459 participants. Overall, the mean (SD) age was 62.2 (9.8) years, and 250 (54.5%) were male. The baseline BCVA score for the study eyes ranged from 73 to 24 letters (approximate Snellen equivalent 20/40 to 20/320). Using ResNet50 architecture, the MAE for the testing set (n = 641 images) was 9.66 (95% CI, 9.05-10.28); 33% of the values (95% CI, 30%-37%) were within 0 to 5 letters and 28% (95% CI, 25%-32%) within 6 to 10 letters. For BCVA of 100 letters or less but more than 80 letters (20/10 to 20/25, n = 161) and 80 letters or less but more than 55 letters (20/32 to 20/80, n = 309), the MAE was 8.84 letters (95% CI, 7.88-9.81) and 7.91 letters (95% CI, 7.28-8.53), respectively.

Conclusions and Relevance

This investigation suggests AI can estimate BCVA directly from fundus photographs in patients with DME, without refraction or subjective visual acuity measurements, often within 1 to 2 lines on an ETDRS chart, supporting this AI concept if additional improvements in estimates can be achieved.
Nodule of the Midline Dorsal Tongue
Authors: Trinh Khanh , Wiener Leib , Philipone Elizabeth
Published: June 2023

A 46-year-old man presented for an evaluation of a lesion on the dorsal tongue; he was asymptomatic and unaware of the lesion prior to it being discovered by his dentist. What is your diagnosis?
Effects of task interruptions caused by notifications from communication applications on strain and performance
Authors: Ohly Sandra , Bastin Luca
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To examine the effect of automatic communication notifications on performance and strain. Because of the benefits of communication, we expected this effect to be moderated by fear of missing out (FoMO) and social norms of responsiveness, expressed in the experience of telepressure.

Methods

A field experiment (N = 247) was conducted in which participants in the experimental group disabled their notification during 1 day (N = 124).

Results

The findings revealed that a reduction of notification-caused interruptions is beneficial for performance and reducing strain. The moderating of FoMO and telepressure was significant for performance.

Conclusions

Based on these findings, reducing the number of notifications is recommended, especially for employee’s low in FoMO and medium to high telepressure. Future work needs to analyze the role of anxiety impeding cognitive performance when notifications are disabled.
Vegetarianism and Veganism
Authors: Fox Michael Allen
Published: June 2023

Vegetarianism and veganism are ethical standpoints and corresponding dietary practices that challenge the prevailing societal view that it is morally acceptable to eat animals and treat them as mere resources. After defining vegetarianism and veganism, the major arguments underpinning these contrasting outlooks are explained and evaluated. Opposing views in defense of meat‐eating are also stated in order to provide a fuller picture. Concluding remarks outline current tendencies in the debate over using animals for food and consider some future directions it might take. Careful attention is paid throughout to the larger context within which these arguments are framed, namely, a world characterized by climate change, population growth, food scarcity, and the need for resource sustainability.
Victimless Crimes
Authors: Bergelson Vera
Published: June 2023

The term “victimless crime” refers to behavior that is proscribed by law but does not violate the rights of any particular person. The term is used mainly in Anglo‐American political and criminal justice literature and is of fairly recent origin. It entered the academic and public discourse in the 1950s, with the birth of victimology, a branch of criminology focusing on the victims and the interaction between victims and perpetrators.
Sexual Morality
Authors: Primoratz Igor
Published: June 2023

Ethical discussions of sexual morality focus on two related questions. The first is about the content of sexual morality: what is right and wrong, morally good or bad, in relation to sex? The second concerns the nature and standing of sexual morality: is there a set of moral considerations that apply only to sex‐related behavior, or is such behavior to be guided by and judged in terms of moral considerations that also apply elsewhere? Are there distinctively sexual rights and wrongs, virtues and vices? Our answers to these questions will obviously be determined, wholly or largely, by our views of the nature of sex and its significance in human life. The entry presents and discusses four such views: the traditional view that links sex to procreation, the romantic view that binds sex to (erotic) love, the view of sex as primarily a source of pleasure, and the Marxist‐feminist view of sex as a basic human need that should not be engaged in for some extrinsic reason.
Free Will
Authors: Mele Alfred R.
Published: June 2023

This entry provides an overview of various theories of free will. It links free will to ethics by way of a connection between free will and moral responsibility. Free will is conceptualized as the ability to act freely, making free action the more basic notion. The kind of free action at issue is earmarked to moral responsibility. Among the major topics discussed are compatibilist (including semicompatibilist) theories of free will and three kinds of libertarian theory of free will: agent‐causal, event‐causal, and noncausal. Grounds offered for rejecting these various theories are discussed, as is the question of whether we ever act freely. Other topics receiving significant attention include Frankfurt‐style thought experiments, the ability to do otherwise than one did, what it is for actions of ours to be up to us, kinds of agential control, the bearing of luck on control, and the Consequence Argument. Key terms are defined, including compatibilism, determinism, incompatibilism, indeterminism, and libertarianism.
Quasi‐realism
Authors: Blackburn Simon
Published: June 2023

Quasi‐realism is the view that expressive theories of ethics can explain and justify those features of ethical thought and discourse that tempt some philosophers to varieties of realism.
Agricultural Ethics
Authors: Thompson Paul B.
Published: June 2023

Agricultural ethics deals with issues that arise in the production and distribution of food and fiber commodities. It includes both cultivation of plants and husbandry of livestock. Recent work touches on health and aesthetic issues in food consumption. Many topics of contemporary interest relate to industrial production methods that have emerged since World War II, including the exhaustion of agriculture's resource base, famine, treatment and welfare of farmed animals, and the significance of genetic engineering in the food system. Issues relating to the abuse of labor and the ethical significance of smallholding or family farms have a much older philosophical tradition, including treatments by historical figures including Xenophon, Aristotle, Locke, and Hegel.
Happiness
Authors: Tiberius Valerie , Li Qiannan
Published: June 2023

Everyone wants to be happy. Happiness is obviously a good thing and if we can get it without sacrificing other important things, we would. Most people wish not just for their own happiness but also the happiness of people they love; some compassionate souls may even wish for the happiness of all sentient creatures. What exactly is it that we all want? Is it to be pleased or satisfied? To feel tranquil or joyous? To attain certain objective goods? And what role does happiness play in morality? Is the production of happiness the goal of morally right action? Is it the organizing principle of moral theory? Or is it just one contingent value among many? This entry reviews answers to these questions from the perspectives of ancient, modern, and contemporary philosophy.
Liberty
Authors: Pettit Philip
Published: June 2023

It is a platitude that I enjoy liberty just to the extent that I as an agent am in control of my choices. A good way into understanding the notion of liberty or freedom – I shall use these words interchangeably – is to ask what this platitude rules out. How do we best interpret the three requirements it imposes, namely that I am the agent of the exercise, that the exercise is one of control, and that the target of control is my choices?
Feinberg, Joel
Authors: Rainbolt George W.
Published: June 2023

Joel Feinberg (1926–2004) was a social, political, and legal philosopher who did seminal work on issues such as punishment, rights, and the moral limits of the law. In addition, his philosophical method and writing style have been widely influential.
Contrary‐to‐Duty Paradox
Authors: Rönnedal Daniel
Published: June 2023

A contrary‐to‐duty obligation is an obligation that tells us what ought to be the case if something that is wrong or forbidden is true. Alternatively, we might say that a contrary‐to‐duty obligation is a conditional obligation where the condition is fulfilled only if a primary obligation is violated. Consider this example: “If you have hurt her feelings, you should make amends.” Since contrary‐to‐duty obligations play an important role in our moral and legal thinking, we want to find a good analysis of this concept. However, it has turned out to be difficult to formalize various contrary‐to‐duty obligations. This is illustrated by the so‐called contrary‐to‐duty paradox. This paradox is generated when we try to symbolize various scenarios that include at least one contrary‐to‐duty obligation in many formal deontic systems, such as Standard Deontic Logic. Such symbolizations are often inconsistent or entail some other problematic consequences. This entry is a brief introduction to this problem.
Engineered extracellular matrices facilitate brain organoids from human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Muñiz Ayşe J. , Topal Tuğba , Brooks Michael D. , Sze Angela , Kim Do Hoon , Jordahl Jacob , Nguyen Joe , Krebsbach Paul H. , Savelieff Masha G. , Feldman Eva L. , Lahann Joerg
Published: June 2023

Objective

Brain organoids are miniaturized in vitro brain models generated from pluripotent stem cells, which resemble full‐sized brain more closely than conventional two‐dimensional cell cultures. Although brain organoids mimic the human brain's cell‐to‐cell network interactions, they generally fail to faithfully recapitulate cell‐to‐matrix interactions. Here, an engineered framework, called an engineered extracellular matrix (EECM), was developed to provide support and cell‐to‐matrix interactions to developing brain organoids.

Methods

We generated brain organoids using EECMs comprised of human fibrillar fibronectin supported by a highly porous polymer scaffold. The resultant brain organoids were characterized by immunofluorescence microscopy, transcriptomics, and proteomics of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compartment.

Results

The interstitial matrix‐mimicking EECM enhanced neurogenesis, glial maturation, and neuronal diversity from human embryonic stem cells versus conventional protein matrix (Matrigel). Additionally, EECMs supported long‐term culture, which promoted large‐volume organoids containing over 250 μL of CSF. Proteomics analysis of the CSF found it superseded previous brain organoids in protein diversity, as indicated by 280 proteins spanning 500 gene ontology pathways shared with adult CSF.

Interpretation

Engineered EECM matrices represent a major advancement in neural engineering as they have the potential to significantly enhance the structural, cellular, and functional diversity that can be achieved in advanced brain models.
Using the hands to learn about the brain: Testing action‐based instruction in brain anatomy
Authors: Parrill Fey , Shymanski Jeffrey J. , Cook Susan Wagner
Published: June 2023

Brain anatomy is typically taught using static images. We asked participants to use their own hands to represent the brain and perform gestures during learning. We measured learning via a pretest/postest design. We compared five video trainings in which participants heard similar audio and repeated terminology aloud. Conditions were: (1) Image: Participants saw images of a physical model of the brain. (2) Physical model: Participants saw hands pointing to the physical model. (3) Physical model + action: Participants performed actions on the physical model. (4) Hand model: Participants saw images of hands being used to represent the brain. (5) Hand model + action: Participants performed gestures seen in the video. All trainings improved post‐test performance. Performance in the hand model condition was worse compared to conditions with action. We connect these findings to the larger claim that gesture benefits learning.
Aperture‐Adjustable and Repairable Metal‐Based MOFs Catalysis Membrane for Water Purification
Authors: Zhang Hui , Sun Yinkun , Yang Junjie , Sun Zhiyu , Zhao Yanxin , Li Xin , Wang Wei , Lu Dongwei , Ma Jun
Published: June 2023

Precise adjustment of the pore size, damage repair, and efficient cleaning is all challenges for the wider application of inorganic membranes. This study reports a simple strategy of combining dry‐wet spinning and electrosynthesis to fabricate stainless‐steel metal–organic framework composite membranes characterized by customizable pore sizes, targeted reparability, and high catalytic activity for membrane cleaning. The membrane pore size can be precisely customized in the range of 14–212 nm at nanoscale, and damaged membranes can be repaired by targeted treatment in 120 s. In addition, advanced oxidation processes can be used to quickly clean the membrane and achieve 98% flux recovery. The synergistic actions of the membrane matrix and the selective layer increase the adsorption energy of active sites to oxidant, shorten the electron transfer cycle, and enhance the overall catalytic performance. This study can provide a new direction for the development of advanced membranes for water purification and high‐efficiency membrane cleaning methods.
Structure of Na Species in Promoted CaO‐Based Sorbents and Their Effect on the Rate and Extent of the CO2 Uptake
Authors: Krödel Maximilian , Abduly Lorenz , Nadjafi Manouchehr , Kierzkowska Agnieszka , Yakimov Alexander , Bork Alexander H. , Donat Felix , Copéret Christophe , Abdala Paula M. , Müller Christoph R.
Published: June 2023

To advance CaO‐based CO2 sorbents it is crucial to understand how their structural parameters control the cyclic CO2 uptake. Here, CaO‐based sorbents with varying ratios of Na2CO3:CaCO3 are synthesized via mechanochemical activation of a mixture of Na2CO3 and CaCO3 to investigate the effect of sodium species on the structure, morphology, carbonation rate and cyclic CO2 uptake of the CO2 sorbents. The addition of Na2CO3 in the range of 0.1–0.2 mol% improves the CO2 uptake by up to 80% after 10 cycles when compared to ball‐milled bare CaCO3, while for Na2CO3 loadings >0.3 mol% the cyclic CO2 uptake decreases by more than 40%. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and 23Na MAS NMR, reveal that in sorbents with Na2CO3 contents <0.3 mol% Na exists in highly distributed, noncrystalline [Na2Ca(CO3)2] units. These species stabilize the surface area of the sorbent in pores of diameters >100 nm, and enhance the diffusion of CO2 through CaCO3. For Na2CO3 contents >0.3 mol%, the accelerated deactivation of the sorbents via sintering is related to the formation of crystalline Na2Ca(CO3)2 and the high mobility of Na.
Monocyte Differentiation‐Surveilling Nano‐Shuttles for Activatable Targeted Inhibition of Atherosclerotic Plaque Progression
Authors: Fu Chenxing , Tao Ying , Chen Haoting , Li Minghui , Xiao Yafang , Yao Yuying , Ma Jing , Ning Xiaodong , Li Weirun , Zheng Jun , Dong Songbo , Chen Guoqin , Cao Feng , Ou Caiwen , Liu Lu , Guo Weisheng
Published: June 2023

Atherosclerosis can form intimal plaques in the arteries and undergo plaque rupture with followed stroke or myocardial infarction under certain pathological conditions. However, suboptimal intraplaque accumulation, along with severe off‐target effects, remain formidable obstacles for efficient pharmacotherapy of atherosclerosis. A characteristic feature of the progression of atherosclerosis is the continuous recruitment of inflammatory monocytes that differentiate into foamy macrophages with the generation of legumain in the plaques. In this study, a bio‐activatable nano‐shuttle based on human serum albumin is conceived that contained curcumin to allow the precise inhibition of atherosclerosis progression. Following intravenous injection, the nano‐shuttles are almost exclusively engulfed by inflammatory monocytes in an efferocytosis‐mimetic manner and selectively co‐migrated with the monocytes towards the plaques. The nano‐shuttles are readily activated to release the initially arrested curcumin in response to the generation of legumain upon the differentiation of monocytes into foamy macrophages within the plaques. Treatment assessments on atheroprone apolipoprotein‐E‐deficient mice indicated that the nano‐shuttles substantially inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis by attenuating the plaque inflammation burden without any obvious adverse effects. The integration of highly selective accumulation and specific drug activation of the nano‐shuttles in plaques can arouse an advanced therapeutic strategy to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Versatile Self‐Assembled Hole Transport Monolayer Enables Facile Processing Organic Solar Cells over 18% Efficiency with Good Generality
Authors: Wang Wanhai , Lin Zhijie , Gao Shengzheng , Zhu Weiguo , Song Xin , Tang Weihua
Published: June 2023

Simplifying solution‐processing of bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs) via efficient interfacial layers with good generality is in great demand for pushing their large‐scale applications. In this study, such a novel and cost‐effective self‐assembled monolayer (SAM) is reported herein as efficient hole transport layer (HTL) for high efficiency OSCs. The SAM‐structured 4‐(5,9‐dibromo‐7H‐dibenzo[c,g]carbazol‐7‐yl)butyl)phosphonic acid (DCB‐BPA) enables not only enhanced photon harvesting in the active layer but also minimized nonradiative recombination losses to improve interface charge extraction/transport. As a consequence, high short‐circuit current (≈28.07 mA cm−2) is achieved for PM6:BTP‐eC9 based OSCs to deliver a champion power conversion efficiency of 18.16%, among the highest values for OSCs using small organic HTLs to date. Importantly, good generality of this SAMs is demonstrated for representative high‐efficiency BHJ OSCs systems like PM6:Y6 and PM6:PC61BM, outperforming conventional poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate)‐based counterparts. Excitingly, the SAM is applicable for large‐area HTL processing via immersion method, affording 16.59% efficiency for PM6:BTP‐BO‐4Cl based OSCs. This study highlights the great potential of engineered SAMs for facile large‐scale fabrication of high performance OSCs.
Lattice Oxygen Redox Reversibility Modulation in Enhancing the Cycling Stability of Li‐Rich Cathode Materials
Authors: Wu Hualong , Dong Jiahao , Zhang Yinggan , Lin Liang , Gao Guiyang , Li Tianyi , Yi Xiaoli , Sa Baisheng , Wang Jiexi , Wang Laisen , Li Jiantao , Amine Khalil , Peng Dong‐Liang , Xie Qingshui
Published: June 2023

The practical application of lithium‐rich layered oxides is prohibited by the drawbacks such as severe capacity and voltage degradation resulting from unstable oxygen redox environment and the accompanied irreversible oxygen release. Herein, a facile and effective strategy is proposed to regulate the oxygen redox chemistry via foreign Fe doping and its induced intrinsic transition metal (TM) doping as well as the in situ constructed spinel surface layer. The Fe doping, together with the induced intrinsic TM dual doping, can stabilize the lattice oxygen in the bulk due to the formed stronger FeO bond, and restrain the irreversible TM migration and then the undesirable phase transformation. More importantly, thermodynamical energy barrier of oxygen activation is dramatically decreased by the O 2p–Fe 3d charge‐transfer, allowing stable oxygen redox activity. And the pre‐constructed spinel layer can effectively stabilize the surface lattice oxygen and suppress harmful interfacial side‐reactions. Such a simple optimizing method make the modified cathode exhibit a high specific capacity of 298 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, outstanding cycling stability with a superior capacity and voltage retentions of 92.5% and 90.8%, respectively, after 400 cycles at 1 C. This study provides a new direction for developing advanced Li‐ion batteries.
Recent Advances of Emerging Spleen‐Targeting Nanovaccines for Immunotherapy
Authors: He Xuanyi , Wang Jing , Tang Yuqing , Chiang Seok Theng , Han Tianzhen , Chen Qi , Qian Chunxi , Shen Xiaoshuai , Li Rongxiu , Ai Xiangzhao
Published: June 2023

Vaccines provide a powerful tool to modulate the immune system for human disease prevention and treatment. Classical vaccines mainly initiate immune responses in the lymph nodes (LNs) after subcutaneous injection. However, some vaccines suffer from inefficient delivery of antigens to LNs, undesired inflammation, and slow immune induction when encountering the rapid proliferation of tumors. Alternatively, the spleen, as the largest secondary lymphoid organ with a high density of antigen‐presenting cells (APCs) and lymphocytes, acts as an emerging target organ for vaccinations in the body. Upon intravenous administration, the rationally designed spleen‐targeting nanovaccines can be internalized by the APCs in the spleen to induce selective antigen presentation to T and B cells in their specific sub‐regions, thereby rapidly boosting durable cellular and humoral immunity. Herein, the recent advances of spleen‐targeting nanovaccines for immunotherapy based on the anatomical architectures and functional zones of the spleen, as well as their limitations and perspectives for clinical applications are systematically summarized. The aim is to emphasize the design of innovative nanovaccines for enhanced immunotherapy of intractable diseases in the future.
Transformative Materials for Interfacial Drug Delivery
Authors: Desai Prachi , Dasgupta Anshuman , Sofias Alexandros Marios , Peña Quim , Göstl Robert , Slabu Ioana , Schwaneberg Ulrich , Stiehl Thomas , Wagner Wolfgang , Jockenhövel Stefan , Stingl Julia , Kramann Rafael , Trautwein Christian , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Kiessling Fabian , Herrmann Andreas , Lammers Twan
Published: June 2023

Drug delivery systems (DDS) are designed to temporally and spatially control drug availability and activity. They assist in improving the balance between on‐target therapeutic efficacy and off‐target toxic side effects. DDS aid in overcoming biological barriers encountered by drug molecules upon applying them via various routes of administration. They are furthermore increasingly explored for modulating the interface between implanted (bio)medical materials and host tissue. Herein, an overview of the biological barriers and host‐material interfaces encountered by DDS upon oral, intravenous, and local administration is provided, and material engineering advances at different time and space scales to exemplify how current and future DDS can contribute to improved disease treatment are highlighted.
Cancer Stem‐Like Cells‐Oriented Surface Self‐Assembly to Conquer Radioresistance
Authors: Wang Qian , Cao Hongmei , Hou Xiaoxue , Wang Dianyu , Wang Zhilong , Shang Yue , Zhang Shuqin , Liu Jinjian , Ren Chunhua , Liu Jianfeng
Published: June 2023

Cancer stem‐like cells (CSCs), capable of indefinite self‐renewal and differentiation, are considered to be the root cause of tumor radiotherapy (RT) resistance. However, the CSCs‐targeted therapy still remains to be a great challenge because they are commonly located in the deep tumor making drugs hard to approach, and their hypoxic and acidic niche can further aggravate radioresistance. Herein, based on the finding that hypoxic CSCs highly express carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) on the cell membrane, a CAIX‐targeted induced in situ self‐assembly system on the surface of CSC is reported to overcome hypoxic CSC‐mediated radioresistance. Via the sequential processes of “monomer release‐target accumulation‐surface self‐assembly”, the constructed peptide‐based drug delivery system (CA‐Pt) exhibits the advantages of deep penetration, amplified CAIX inhibition, and enhanced cellular uptake, which greatly relieves the hypoxic and acidic microenvironment to promote the hypoxic CSC differentiation and combines with platinum to boost the RT‐inducing DNA damage. In both lung cancer tumor mouse and zebrafish embryo models, CA‐Pt treatment can effectively assist RT in suppressing tumor growth and preventing tumor invasion and metastasis. This study uses a surface‐induced self‐assembly strategy to differentiate hypoxic CSCs, which may provide a universal treatment strategy for overcoming tumor radioresistance.
Fabric‐Based Ultrasonic Sensor with Integrated Piezoelectric Composite for Blood Pressure Monitoring
Authors: Li Bin , Wang Tanyu , Luo Dan , Peng Pengfei , Wang Yu , Liu Lu , Wang Huiquan , Liu Hao
Published: June 2023

Blood pressure is an important indicator that reflects human health status. Since long‐term monitoring of blood pressure waveforms can provide important information for the diagnosis and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Wearable, non‐invasive, and continuous monitoring of blood pressure waveforms have become a current research hotspot. In this paper, a fabric‐based ultrasound sensors are produced for continuous non‐invasive monitoring of blood pressure waveforms by combining an “S”‐shaped stretchable island bridge electrode with a fabric substrate utilizing hot press transfer. The results show that the 4 × 5 array ultrasound sensors can locate arterial vessels deep in the tissue, allowing accurate, and continuous monitoring of blood pressure. Its axial resolution can reach 330 µm, and the elongation at the break of the “S”‐shaped electrode can reach 35.6%. The prepared sensor has good air permeability and stability, and does not cause skin irritation during long‐term wear.
Organic Cation Modulation of Interlayer Exciton Emission in Two‐Dimensional Perovskite/Monolayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Heterostructures
Authors: Yang Dong , Hu Junchao , Chen Yingying , Li Dehui
Published: June 2023

Interlayer excitons (IXs) are demonstrated in two‐dimensional (2D) perovskite/transition‐metal dichalcogenide (TMD) heterostructures regardless of the lattice match, momentum mismatch, and thermal annealing processes. The broad selection of 2D perovskites and TMDs together with the robust interlayer coupling between constituent layers make 2D perovskite/TMD heterostructures an attractive platform for studying IXs. However, studies on IXs in 2D perovskite/TMD heterostructures are still in their infancy, and how the organic cation affects the IXs in 2D perovskite/TMD heterostructures remains elusive. Herein, this article reports on IXs emission from heterostructures consisting of monolayer WSe2 and 2D perovskites with different organic cations. Notably, by temperature‐dependent photoluminescence studies on (EA)2PbI4/WSe2 and (PEA)2PbI4/WSe2 heterostructures (EA = ethylamine and PEA = phenylethylammonium), it is found that the organic cations of 2D perovskites can effectively change the exciton binding energy of the IXs and thus the emission peak of the IXs. The observed difference can be ascribed to the significant dielectric constant difference between their organic cations. Furthermore, the change in the organic cations can also affect the dipole–dipole interaction and lifetime of IXs. The findings provide critical insights into the 2D perovskite/TMD heterointerfaces and also open up new opportunities for exploiting tunable exciton devices based on IXs.
Unexpected Third‐Order Nonlinear Optical Responses in Two Isomeric Non‐Fused Ring A‐D‐A Electron‐Acceptor Molecules
Authors: Dong Tianyang , Li Jie , Wang Chong , Yu Lingmin , Song Yinglin , Wang Chunru , Jiang Li , Bai Chunli
Published: June 2023

The third‐order nonlinear optical properties of NOC6F‐1 and NOC6F‐2, two mutually isomeric noncovalently fused‐ring A‐π‐D‐π‐A electron acceptor molecules, are investigated using the Z‐scan technique in both film and solution forms. NOC6F‐1 possesses a planar structure, whereas NOC6F‐2 has a large dihedral angle between its central and neighboring conjugated units. NOC6F‐2 exhibits clearly superior reverse saturation absorption properties compared to NOC6F‐1, both in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) films and in polar solvents such as chloroform and chlorobenzene. In particular, NOC6F‐2/PMMA exhibits a nonlinear absorption coefficient (βeff) of 7.2 × 10−10 m W−1, which is almost an order of magnitude higher than that of NOC6F‐1/PMMA (8.8 × 10−11 m W−1). Density functional theory calculations reveal that NOC6F‐2 has a large dipole moment and second hyperpolarizability owing to its large dihedral angle, which decisively affects its non‐linear optical behavior. In addition to conjugation and charge transfer, the dipole moment is another important factor that enhances the nonlinear optical properties of organic molecules. This study provides useful guidance for the future design of high‐performance organic non‐linear optical materials.
Shaping the Plasmonic Response: Hollow Gold Elliptical Nanotubes
Authors: Yang Shiyu , Huang Ran , Wang Wentao , Zhang Jiaming , Liu Jie , Chen Yonghui , Zhang Shanchao , Zhang Yongliang , Duan Jinglai
Published: June 2023

Highly tunable localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonances in metal nanostructures are of great importance for manipulating light waves and enhancing light–matter interactions at the nanoscale. Here, a new type of plasmonic resonators based on hollow elliptical nanotubes, which can generate highly tunable LSP resonances in the visible frequencies, are reported. High‐quality hollow gold (Au) elliptical nanotubes with fine controllable size and morphology are experimentally fabricated. Dark‐field scattering measurements reveal the presence of multiple plasmon resonances including longitudinal Fabry–Pérot resonances and transverse hybridized LSP resonances due to rotational symmetry breaking. Upon varying the ellipticity, the hybridized LSP resonances exhibit continuously spectral evolution behaviors, such as the hybridized modes shifting and crossing. The experimental results show good agreement with the rigorous electromagnetic modeling and Raman spectroscopic measurements. The hollow anisotropic geometries provide highly tunable plasmonic responses together with homogeneous field distributions and high surface‐to‐volume ratio, which hold great potential for practical applications in sensing, nonlinear optics, surface‐enhanced spectroscopies, and bio‐medicine.
Plastic Recycling: A Review on Life Cycle, Methods, Misconceptions, and Techno‐Economic Analysis
Authors: Salahuddin Usman , Sun Jiyu , Zhu Chunxiang , Wu Mudi , Zhao Binchao , Gao Pu‐Xian
Published: June 2023

Plastics are embedded in every inch of the fabric of the society. Although they have played a tremendous role in the progress and development of mankind, they have done equal, if not more, harm to the environment, human health, and marine life. Omnipresence of plastics can be attributed to their low‐cost and scalable production that no other material has yet achieved. Once produced, they are used in almost every mundane as well as niche application. But the equation of its use to disposal is not sustainable and humungous quantities of plastic waste are generated each year. In this review article, the very problem of plastic recycling is explored and analyzed. The life cycle of plastics is explained to depict the vastness and peculiar problems associated with it. Various misconceptions are discussed on plastic use and recycling. False presumptions are challenged to show where efforts to solve this huge problem and need to be directed. Lastly, quantitative efficiency and economic analysis of the available recycling methods are shown to compare their feasibility and indicate potential development direction. Such analyses are very important for the societal transition to a sustainable economy that economically recycles most of its plastic at a commercial scale.
Identification of Cytochrome P450 2E1 as a Novel Target in Glioma and Development of Its Inhibitor as an Anti‐Tumor Agent
Authors: Hu Guiming , Fang Yan , Xu Haiwei , Wang Guanzhe , Yang Rui , Gao Fei , Wei Qingda , Gu Yuhan , Zhang Cunzhen , Qiu Jinhuan , Gao Na , Wen Qiang , Qiao Hailing
Published: June 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a devastating inflammation‐related cancer for which novel therapeutic targets are urgently required. Previous studies of the authors indicate Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) as a novel inflammatory target and develop a specific inhibitor Q11. Here it is demonstrated that CYP2E1 overexpression is closely related to higher malignancy in GBM patients. CYP2E1 activity is positively correlated with tumor weight in GBM rats. Significantly higher CYP2E1 expression accompanied by increased inflammation is detected in a mouse GBM model. Q11, 1‐(4‐methyl‐5‐thialzolyl) ethenone, a newly developed specific inhibitor of CYP2E1 here remarkably attenuates tumor growth and prolongs survival in vivo. Q11 does not directly affect tumor cells but blocks the tumor‐promoting effect of microglia/macrophage (M/Mφ) in the tumor microenvironment through PPARγ‐mediated activation of the STAT‐1 and NF‐κB pathways and inhibition of the STAT‐3 and STAT‐6 pathways. The effectiveness and safety of targeting CYP2E1 in GBM are further supported by studies with Cyp2e1 knockout rodents. In conclusion, a pro‐GBM mechanism in which CYP2E1‐PPARγ‐STAT‐1/NF‐κB/STAT‐3/STAT‐6 axis fueled tumorigenesis by reprogramming M/Mφ and Q11 as a promising anti‐inflammatory agent for GBM treatment is uncovered.