bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water-constrained green development framework based on economically-allocable water resources
Authors: Bozorgzadeh Eisa , Mousavi S. Jamshid
Published: April 2023

Water as a main driver for sustainable development (SD) should be optimally allocated to different users to support economic, social, and environmental functions. Traditional approaches are not able to account for all the mentioned functions simultaneously, therefore a change in the allocation approaches is necessary. This paper proposes a new framework for inter-sectoral water allocation called “water-constrained green development” (WCGD) to better meet the SD goals. The framework optimally allocates economically-allocable water (EAW), which is the total available water resources left after subtracting the amount of water required for drinking, sanitation, and environment (DSE), to different job classes. It was tested in Sistan Region- a low-developed area in southeast of Iran- which stands on agriculture. In the recent years, because of water crisis, intensity of dust problem, lack of sustained occupation, and immigration, the region’s rate of population growth has been negative. Also, due to decrease of Helmand River inflow, Hamoun wetland, being the major source of food and shelter for the Sistan’s residents, has been degraded. Therefore, Sistan Region needs to take a new development route. The shares of occupation and gross domestic product (GDP) in the agricultural sector of Sistan are respectively 29.1 and 14.8%, whereas they are on average 1 and 7% in Iran. Application of the proposed framework in Sistan Region under three scenarios of available EAW resources showed that the optimal reallocation of water among 15 job classes can improve job availability and GDP of the region currently suffering from poor economy and employment conditions. Based on the optimal job pattern obtained, the share of GDP of Sistan’s agricultural sector drops to 7.1% while the shares of industrial and service sectors increase respectively from 9.7 and 75.4% to 13.7 and 79.2%, which are close to those of the country averages. Also, under the WCGD-based optimal solution, 68, 14, and 18% of people will respectively be employed in service, industry, and agriculture sectors. Additionally, the total available jobs and GDP will increase by 8.9 and 51.1%, respectively, leading to improved socio-economic well-being of  the region’s people and protection of its environmental resources.
High-precision spatial analysis of mouse courtship vocalization behavior reveals sex and strain differences
Authors: Oliveira-Stahl Gabriel , Farboud Soha , Sterling Max L. , Heckman Jesse J. , van Raalte Bram , Lenferink Dionne , van der Stam Amber , Smeets Cleo J. L. M. , Fisher Simon E. , Englitz Bernhard
Published: April 2023

Mice display a wide repertoire of vocalizations that varies with sex, strain, and context. Especially during social interaction, including sexually motivated dyadic interaction, mice emit sequences of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of high complexity. As animals of both sexes vocalize, a reliable attribution of USVs to their emitter is essential. The state-of-the-art in sound localization for USVs in 2D allows spatial localization at a resolution of multiple centimeters. However, animals interact at closer ranges, e.g. snout-to-snout. Hence, improved algorithms are required to reliably assign USVs. We present a novel algorithm, SLIM (Sound Localization via Intersecting Manifolds), that achieves a 2–3-fold improvement in accuracy (13.1–14.3 mm) using only 4 microphones and extends to many microphones and localization in 3D. This accuracy allows reliable assignment of 84.3% of all USVs in our dataset. We apply SLIM to courtship interactions between adult C57Bl/6J wildtype mice and those carrying a heterozygous Foxp2 variant (R552H). The improved spatial accuracy reveals that vocalization behavior is dependent on the spatial relation between the interacting mice. Female mice vocalized more in close snout-to-snout interaction while male mice vocalized more when the male snout was in close proximity to the female's ano-genital region. Further, we find that the acoustic properties of the ultrasonic vocalizations (duration, Wiener Entropy, and sound level) are dependent on the spatial relation between the interacting mice as well as on the genotype. In conclusion, the improved attribution of vocalizations to their emitters provides a foundation for better understanding social vocal behaviors.
Capturing effects of blood flow on the transplanted decellularized nephron with intravital microscopy
Authors: Corridon Peter R.
Published: April 2023

Organ decellularization creates cell-free, collagen-based extracellular matrices that can be used as scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. This technique has recently gained much attention, yet adequate scaffold repopulation and implantation remain a challenge. Specifically, there still needs to be a greater understanding of scaffold responses post-transplantation and ways we can improve scaffold durability to withstand the in vivo environment. Recent studies have outlined vascular events that limit organ decellularization/recellularization scaffold viability for long-term transplantation. However, these insights have relied on in vitro/in vivo approaches that need enhanced spatial and temporal resolutions to investigate such issues at the microvascular level. This study uses intravital microscopy to gain instant feedback on their structure, function, and deformation dynamics. Thus, the objective of this study was to capture the effects of in vivo blood flow on the decellularized glomerulus, peritubular capillaries, and tubules after autologous and allogeneic orthotopic transplantation into rats. Large molecular weight dextran molecules labeled the vasculature. They revealed substantial degrees of translocation from glomerular and peritubular capillary tracks to the decellularized tubular epithelium and lumen as early as 12 h after transplantation, providing real-time evidence of the increases in microvascular permeability. Macromolecular extravasation persisted for a week, during which the decellularized microarchitecture was significantly and comparably compromised and thrombosed in both autologous and allogeneic approaches. These results indicate that in vivo multiphoton microscopy is a powerful approach for studying scaffold viability and identifying ways to promote scaffold longevity and vasculogenesis in bioartificial organs.
Plant functional trait responses to cope with drought in seven cool-season grasses
Authors: Taleb Mohammad Hadi , Majidi Mohammad Mahdi , Pirnajmedin Fatemeh , Maibody Sayed Ali Mohammad Mirmohammady
Published: April 2023

In semi-arid and arid regions, the selection of suitable grass species with high-yield production, tolerance to drought stress, and potential for recovery from drought is of special importance. Despite extensive research in cool-season grasses, inter-species differences in post-drought recovery, persistence, survival, and summer dormancy and their relationship with drought tolerance need more investigation. In the present study, 28 diverse genotypes belonged to seven cool-season grass species, includingFestuca arundinacea(tall fescue),Festuca pratensis(meadow fescue),Festuca ovina(sheep fescue),Festuca rubra(red fescue),Lolium perenne(perennial ryegrass),Lolium multiflorum(Italian ryegrass) andLolium × hybridumwere evaluated during 2016–2019 under three irrigation regimes (normal, mild, and intense drought stress). Then in the fourth year (on August 2019), irrigation was withheld at all previous irrigation regimes for two months during summer, and then species were re-irrigated to study the effect of prolonged drought conditions. A wide range of genetic diversity was detected in all the measured traits among and within species in response to different irrigation levels. Recurrent drought stress decreased forage productivity, post-drought recovery, and survival in all grass species. Among the studied species, tall fescue had higher forage production, drought tolerance, survival, recovery rate, and persistence. Sheep fescue had low forage production and recovery after drought. Drought tolerance (based on stress tolerance score, STS) was highly associated with forage yield and post-drought recovery and partially with summer dormancy under both mild and intense drought stress conditions. This indicated that selection based on higher STS would lead to choosing genotypes with better recovery after prolonged drought. Superior species and preferable genotypes for forage use from speciesFestuca arundinaceaand for turf application from speciesFestuca arundinacea,Lolium perenneandLolium × hybridumwere identified across different water environments for future programs.
Profiling Covid-19 patients with respect to level of severity: an integrated statistical approach
Authors: Cugnata Federica , Scarale Maria Giovanna , De Lorenzo Rebecca , Simonini Marco , Citterio Lorena , Querini Patrizia Rovere , Castagna Antonella , Di Serio Clelia , Lanzani Chiara
Published: April 2023

A full understanding of the characteristics of Covid-19 patients with a better chance of experiencing poor vital outcomes is critical for implementing accurate and precise treatments. In this paper, two different advanced data-driven statistical approaches along with standard statistical methods have been implemented to identify groups of patients most at-risk for death or severity of respiratory distress. First, the tree-based analysis allowed to identify profiles of patients with different risk of in-hospital death (by Survival Tree-ST analysis) and severity of respiratory distress (by Classification and Regression Tree-CART analysis), and to unravel the role on risk stratification of highly dependent covariates (i.e., demographic characteristics, admission values and comorbidities). The ST analysis identified as the most at-risk group for in-hospital death the patients with age > 65 years, creatinine $$\ge$$
≥
1.2 mg/dL, CRP $$\ge$$
≥
25 mg/L and anti-hypertensive treatment. Based on the CART analysis, the subgroups most at-risk of severity of respiratory distress were defined by patients with creatinine level $$\ge$$
≥
1.2 mg/dL. Furthermore, to investigate the multivariate dependence structure among the demographic characteristics, the admission values, the comorbidities and the severity of respiratory distress, the Bayesian Network analysis was applied. This analysis confirmed the influence of creatinine and CRP on the severity of respiratory distress.
Association between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and peripheral neuropathy in US population, a cross-sectional study
Authors: Gu Xi , Tang Dou , Xuan Yan , Shen Ying , Lu Lei Qun
Published: April 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become an important risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Peripheral neuropathy (PN) is regarded as one of the main microvascular complications of diabetes. But the association of NAFLD with PN is still unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between NAFLD and PN in US population by conducting a cross-sectional study. We enrolled 3029 participants aged 40–85 years from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2004. NAFLD was defined as a US Fatty Liver Index (FLI) score ≥ 30, and PN was defined as having one or more insensate areas on either foot. Participants were divided into two groups (with or without PN). We performed multivariate logistic regression models to evaluate the association between NAFLD and PN. Subgroup analyses were used to find out whether the association was stable in different stratified groups. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results. All the analyses were weighted. Among the individuals, 524 (17.3%) had PN and 1250 (41.27%) had NAFLD. In the multivariate logistic regression models, NAFLD was associated with an increased risk of PN (OR 1.44 [1.03 ~ 2.02]) after fully adjusting for covariates. In the subgroup analyses, NAFLD was significantly associated with PN in the age group (40–64 years), compared with those in the age group (65–85 years), (P for interaction: 0.004). The results of association of NAFLD with PN were stable in sensitivity analyses. In this cross-sectional study among US adults aged 40–85 years old, NAFLD was associated with an increased likelihood of prevalent PN.
Metabolic profiling, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibition potential of Iris pseudacorus L. from Egypt and Japan: A comparative study
Authors: Yehia Suzan M. , Ayoub Iriny M. , Watanabe Masato , Devkota Hari Prasad , Singab Abdel Nasser B.
Published: April 2023

Genus Iris comprises numerous and diverse phytoconstituents displaying marked biological activities. The rhizomes, and aerial parts of Iris pseudacorus L. cultivars from Egypt and Japan were subjected to comparative metabolic profiling using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. The antioxidant capacity was determined using DPPH assay. In vitro enzyme inhibition potential against α-glucosidase, tyrosinase and lipase was evaluated. In silico molecular docking was conducted on the active sites of human α-glucosidase and human pancreatic lipase. Forty-three compounds were tentatively identified including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, phenolics and xanthones. I. pseudacorus rhizomes extracts (IPR-J and IPR-E) exhibited the highest radical scavenging activity with IC50 values of 40.89 µg/mL and 97.97 µg/mL, respectively (Trolox IC50 value was 14.59 µg/mL). Moreover, IPR-J and IPR-E exhibited promising α-glucosidase inhibitory activity displaying IC50 values of 18.52 µg/mL, 57.89 µg/mL, respectively being more potent as compared to acarbose with IC50 value of 362.088 µg/mL. All extracts exerted significant lipase inhibitory activity exhibiting IC50 values of 2.35, 4.81, 2.22 and 0.42 µg/mL, respectively compared to cetilistat with IC50 value of 7.47 µg/mL. However, no tyrosinase inhibitory activity was observed for all I. pseudacorus extracts up to 500 µg/mL. In silico molecular modelling revealed that quercetin, galloyl glucose, and irilin D exhibited the highest fitting scores within the active sites of human α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. ADMET prediction (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) showed that most of the phytoconstituents exhibited promising pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics and tolerable toxicity properties. According to our findings, I. pseudacorus might be considered as a valuable source for designing novel phytopharmaceuticals.
Facies evaluation and sedimentary environments of the Yamama Formation in the Ratawi oil field, South Iraq
Authors: Al-Iessa Israa A. , Zhang Wang Zhi
Published: April 2023

Microfacies and environmental analyses of the Yamama Formation were conducted in the Tithonian–Hautervian sequence in the Ratawi oil field of Basra city in southern Iraq. The study includes petrographic, facies, and depositional models for the study area. Seven main facies and several secondary facies have been deposited in multiple environments. Moreover, they are affected by many diagenesis processes. Those facies have noncore depths that can be monitored by matching them with their corresponding well logs to obtain their electrofacies. The facies are distinguished according to the grain or mud supported or on the appearance of the configuration facies through microscopy. After comparing them with the well logs, electrofacies are identified as the following main limestone facies (mudstone, mudstone–wackestone, wackestone, wackestone–packstone, packstone, packstone–grainstone, and grainstone facies). The formation environments in this field are divided into several environments depending on the facies and electrofacies characteristics of the formation, including a lagoon environment, open marine environment, shoal environment, and slope environment.
Sulfur and nitrogen co-doped carbon quantum dots as fluorescent probes for the determination of some pharmaceutically-important nitro compounds
Authors: Magdy Galal , Ebrahim Shaimaa , Belal Fathalla , El-Domany Ramadan A. , Abdel-Megied Ahmed M.
Published: April 2023

In this study, highly fluorescent sulfur and nitrogen co-doped carbon quantum dots (SN-CQDs) were synthesized by a simple one-pot hydrothermal method using thiosemicarbazide and citric acid as starting materials. Various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques were applied to characterize the prepared SN-CQDs. The synthesized SN-CQDs’ maximum fluorescence emission was obtained at 430 nm after excitation at 360 nm. Rifampicin (RFP), tinidazole (TNZ), ornidazole (ONZ), and metronidazole (MNZ) all quantitatively and selectively quenched the SN-CQDs’ native fluorescence, which was the base-for their-spectrofluorimetric estimation without the need for any tedious pre-treatment steps or high-cost instrumentation. SN-CQDs demonstrated a “turn-off” fluorescence response to RFP, TNZ, ONZ, and MNZ over the ranges of 1.0–30.0, 10.0–200.0, 6.0–200.0, and 5.0–100.0 μM with detection limits of 0.31, 1.76, 0.57, and 0.75 μM and quantitation limits of 0.93, 5.32, 1.74, and 2.28 μM respectively. The suggested method was successfully used to determine the investigated drugs in their commercial dosage forms. The method was further extended to their determination in spiked human plasma samples, with satisfactory mean % recoveries (99.44–100.29) and low % RSD values (< 4.52). The mechanism of fluorescence quenching was studied and discussed. The suggested method was validated in accordance with ICH recommendations.
Self-report symptom-based endometriosis prediction using machine learning
Authors: Goldstein Anat , Cohen Shani
Published: April 2023

Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition that affects 5–10% of reproductive age women. Nonetheless, the average time-to-diagnosis is usually between 6 and 10 years from the onset of symptoms. To shorten time-to-diagnosis, many studies have developed non-invasive screening tools. However, most of these studies have focused on data obtained from women who had/were planned for laparoscopy surgery, that is, women who were near the end of the diagnostic process. In contrast, our study aimed to develop a self-diagnostic tool that predicts the likelihood of endometriosis based only on experienced symptoms, which can be used in early stages of symptom onset. We applied machine learning to train endometriosis prediction models on data obtained via questionnaires from two groups of women: women who were diagnosed with endometriosis and women who were not diagnosed. The best performing model had AUC of 0.94, sensitivity of 0.93, and specificity of 0.95. The model is intended to be incorporated into a website as a self-diagnostic tool and is expected to shorten time-to-diagnosis by referring women with a high likelihood of having endometriosis to further examination. We also report the importance and effectiveness of different symptoms in predicting endometriosis.
Structure-preserving visualization for single-cell RNA-Seq profiles using deep manifold transformation with batch-correction
Authors: Xu Yongjie , Zang Zelin , Xia Jun , Tan Cheng , Geng Yulan , Li Stan Z.
Published: April 2023

Dimensionality reduction and visualization play an important role in biological data analysis, such as data interpretation of single-cell RNA sequences (scRNA-seq). It is desired to have a visualization method that can not only be applicable to various application scenarios, including cell clustering and trajectory inference, but also satisfy a variety of technical requirements, especially the ability to preserve inherent structure of data and handle with batch effects. However, no existing methods can accommodate these requirements in a unified framework. In this paper, we propose a general visualization method, deep visualization (DV), that possesses the ability to preserve inherent structure of data and handle batch effects and is applicable to a variety of datasets from different application domains and dataset scales. The method embeds a given dataset into a 2- or 3-dimensional visualization space, with either a Euclidean or hyperbolic metric depending on a specified task type with type static (at a time point) or dynamic (at a sequence of time points) scRNA-seq data, respectively. Specifically, DV learns a structure graph to describe the relationships between data samples, transforms the data into visualization space while preserving the geometric structure of the data and correcting batch effects in an end-to-end manner. The experimental results on nine datasets in complex tissue from human patients or animal development demonstrate the competitiveness of DV in discovering complex cellular relations, uncovering temporal trajectories, and addressing complex batch factors. We also provide a preliminary attempt to pre-train a DV model for visualization of new incoming data.
Perovskite nanocrystal superlattices: self-assembly, collective behavior, and applications
Authors: Yan Danni , Shan Qingsong , Dong Yuhui , Han Lu , Wu Xinli , Peng Yi , Zeng Haibo
Published: April 2023

In this review, we focus on the collective behavior of perovskite NC superlattices and successively review the development of perovskite NC superlattices from the perspective of self-assembly, collective photoelectric properties, and applications.
Small polaron hopping conduction mechanism and enhanced thermoelectric power factor in the perovskite LaCoO3 ceramic
Authors: Mohamed Jibri K. P. , Archana J. , Navaneethan M. , Harish S.
Published: April 2023

In this work, we investigated the effect of La-site cation deficiency and Sr-substitution on the thermoelectric properties of polycrystalline samples of the La0.9−xSrxCoO3 (x = 0, 0.03, 0.05) ceramic synthesized via a solid-state reaction.
Anti-inflammatory activities of black raspberry seed ellagitannins and their structural effects on the stimulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion and intestinal bitter taste receptors
Authors: Kim Ryun Hee , Lee Ga Eun , Lee Kiuk , Hwang Keum Taek , Park Jaewoo , Lim Taehwan
Published: April 2023

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ellagitannins from black raspberry seedsin vivoand the structural effects of ellagitannins on glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion and mouse bitter taste receptor (mTAS2R).
Mercury determination in bioresorbable calcium phosphate using a new electrothermal vaporization system coupled to ICP-MS
Authors: Silva Jussiane S. , Heidrich Graciela M. , Poletto Bruno O. , Paniz Jose N. G. , Dressler Valderi L. , Flores Erico M. M.
Published: April 2023

A new ETV system coupled to ICP-MS was developed to determine Hg at the ultra-trace level in bioresorbable calcium phosphate-based ceramic materials.
Boosting the electrochemical performance of ZnO nanomaterials through a conductive CuS matrix for aqueous supercapacitors
Authors: Mubeen Khalida , Shah Muhammad Zia Ullah , Sajjad Muhammad , Irshad Afshan , Ali Zahid , Zafar Zainab , Shah A.
Published: April 2023

The impressive electrochemical performance of metal oxides/metal sulfides and their derivatives are proven to be innovative electrodes for achieving a remarkable performance for supercapacitors.
Ultrahigh stable laminar graphene membranes for effective ionic and molecular nanofiltration with a machine learning-assisted study
Authors: Paechotrattanakul Poonsawat , Jitapunkul Kulpavee , Iamprasertkun Pawin , Srinoi Pannaree , Sirisaksoontorn Weekit , Hirunpinyopas Wisit
Published: April 2023

This work succeeded in the preparation of graphene-based membranes with ultrahigh stability in water, high salt concentration and seawater, and also studied the machine leaning-based ion permeability.
Generic stress rectification in nonlinear elastic media
Authors: Benoist Félix , Saggiorato Guglielmo , Lenz Martin
Published: April 2023

In the cytoskeleton, the buckling of fibers rectifies internal stresses towards contraction. We use theoretical continuum elasticity to show that rectification is a general effect in nonlinear materials subjected to anisotropic internal stresses.
A liquid metal–polydopamine composite for cell culture and electro-stimulation
Authors: Allioux Francois-Marie , Merhebi Salma , Liu Li , Centurion Franco , Abbasi Roozbeh , Zhang Chengchen , Ireland Jake , Biazik Joanna M. , Mayyas Mohannad , Yang Jiong , Mousavi Maedehsadat , Ghasemian Mohammad B. , Tang Jianbo , Xie Wanjie , Rahim Md. Arifur , Kalantar-Zadeh Kourosh
Published: April 2023

A liquid gallium–polydopamine composite was synthesised and utilised as a soft biocompatible electrode for cell culture by electro-stimulation increasing the proliferation rate of model animal fibroblasts.
Retraction: Enhanced bone defect repairing effects in glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head using a porous nano-lithium-hydroxyapatite/gelatin microsphere/erythropoietin composite scaffold
Authors: Li Donghai , Xie Xiaowei , Yang Zhouyuan , Wang Changde , Wei Zhun , Kang Pengde
Published: April 2023

Retraction of ‘Enhanced bone defect repairing effects in glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head using a porous nano-lithium-hydroxyapatite/gelatin microsphere/erythropoietin composite scaffold’ by Donghai Li et al., Biomater. Sci., 2018, 6, 519–537, https://doi.org/10.1039/C7BM00975E.
Molten-salt etching synthesis of delaminatable MXenes
Authors: Wang Xingyu , Shi Yu , Qiu Jieshan , Wang Zhiyu
Published: April 2023

A modified novel molten-salt etching method is developed for producing delaminatable MXenes by involving LiF in a molten-salt medium to facilitate the exfoliation.
Single-atom-anchored microsweepers for H. pylori inhibition through dynamically navigated reciprocating locomotion
Authors: Cai Xinqi , Li Zhiyang , Zhou Wen-jing , Deng Hui , Cao Xiaoxu , Xu Jieqiong , Yin Zhiwei , Wang Shen , Xia Xin , Ma Chao , Chen Long , Ding Ding , Tan Weihong , Chen Zhuo
Published: April 2023

Catalytic microsweepers with single-iron-atom centers were designed to search for and inhibit Helicobacter pylori using dynamically navigated reciprocating locomotion.
Halide perovskites for sensitive, stable and scalable X-ray detection and imaging
Authors: Tie Shujie , Dong Siyin , Yuan Ruihan , Cai Bing , Zhu Jianguo , Zheng Xiaojia
Published: April 2023

Halide perovskites are developed to be sensitive, stable and scalable in the future commercialization process.
Dibenzo[b,d]furan/thiophene-fused double boron-based multiresonance emitters with narrowband ultrapure green electroluminescence
Authors: Wang Menglei , Fu Zhangyi , Cheng Rui , Du Jiping , Wu Tanping , Bin Zhengyang , Wu Di , Yang Yudong , Lan Jingbo
Published: April 2023

Double boron-based multiresonance emitters DBF-DBN and DBT-DBN have been synthesized. The OLED device based on DBT-DBN shows an ultrapure green emission at 520 nm with EQEs up to 31.3% and a narrow FWHM of 24 nm.
Stereodefined synthesis of cyclic amidines by domino 1,7-H shift and 6π electrocyclisation
Authors: Martin Matthew L. , Wilson Claire , Boyer Alistair
Published: April 2023

Heating unsaturatedN2-sulfonyl amidines with BF2OTf in acetonitrile transformed them into stereodefined cyclic amidines. Investigating by-products of the reaction suggested a fascinating mechanism including 1,7-H shift and electrocyclisation.
Preparation of large-size single-crystal metal–organic frameworks via the Marangoni effect
Authors: Fan Fuqiang , Zhang Zhihui , Guo Jin , Zhang Liying , Zhang Xuemin , Wang Tieqiang , Fu Yu
Published: April 2023

We utilize the exclusive feature of the Marangoni effect to create a special nucleation and growth environment, and oriented centimetre-size Zn-MOF crystals are synthesized.
Two-dimensional TiCl2: a high-performance anode material for Na-ion batteries with high capacity and fast diffusion
Authors: Zhu Hong-Yao , Ye Xiao-Juan , Meng Lan , Zheng Xiao-Hong , Jia Ran , Liu Chun-Sheng
Published: April 2023

Two-dimensional TiCl2 as a high-performance anode material for Na-ion batteries with high capacity and fast diffusion.
Crystalline matrix-activated spin-forbidden transitions of engineered organic crystals
Authors: Zhang Heming , Ke Lianbao , Nie Yufang , Tu Zhengqian , Wang Jiaxuan , Saikin Semion K. , Bi Hai , Wang Yue
Published: April 2023

Based on perturbation theory organic crystals are engineered to activate spin-forbidden excitation through crystal lattice matrix confinement.
Phosphine interacting with argon: potential energy surface and line widths of PH3 perturbed by Ar
Authors: Salem J. , Badri A. , Salem M. , Al-Mogren M. Mogren , Hochlaf M.
Published: April 2023

We provide the first 3D potential energy surface of the PH3–Ar interacting system. This 3D-PES is used later to derive the line broadenings of phosphine perturbed by Ar.
Machine-learning-assisted discovery of boron-doped graphene with high work function as an anode material for Li/Na/K-ion batteries
Authors: Luo Yi , Chen Haiyuan , Wang Jianwei , Niu Xiaobin
Published: April 2023

Work function (WF) modulation is a crucial descriptor for carbon-based electrodes in optoelectronic, catalytic, and energy storage applications.
Ionic Ir(iii) complex-interfacial layer for efficient carrier collectionviainduced electric dipole
Authors: Lee Minsoo , Kim Hyun-Tak , Seo Ji Hoon , Shin Hyeon Oh , Wibowo Febrian Tri Adhi , Jang Sung-Yeon , Seo Kwanyong , Kwon Tae-Hyuk
Published: April 2023

This work reveals the relationships between the ion species and charge collection, and enhances both the efficiency and stability of a PSC device.
Development of charge carrier-selective heterodyne transient grating spectroscopic technique and its application in the distinction of surface trap states in hematite
Authors: Kim Young Hyun , Bae Yu Gyeong , Sohn Woon Yong
Published: April 2023

We developed a new spectroscopic technique named a charge carrier-selective heterodyne transient grating (CS-HD-TG) method, which could be utilized for the distinction of surface trap states.
Computational insights into the singlet–triplet energy gaps, ionization energies, and electron affinities for a diverse set of 812 small fullerenes (C20–C50)
Authors: Chan Bun , Karton Amir
Published: April 2023

A thorough DFT investigation of over 800 small fullerenes reveals the ones with promising thermochemical properties for electronics applications.
Ternary PdNiO nanocrystals-ornamented porous CeO2/onion-like carbon for electrooxidation of carbon monoxide: unveiling the effect of supports and electrolytes
Authors: Ipadeola Adewale K. , Haruna Aderemi B. , Abdullah Aboubakr M. , Al-Hajri Rashid S. , Viter Roman , Ozoemena Kenneth I. , Eid Kamel
Published: April 2023

Porous ternary Pd-based catalysts at low Pd mass exhibit inimitable surface area, accessible active sites, and tunable electronic structure advantageously utilized for high CO oxidation (COoxid) activity and stability in different electrolyte media.
Triazine covalent organic framework (COF)/θ-Al2O3 composites for supercapacitor application
Authors: Liu Lei , Cui Di , Zhang Shuran , Xie Wei , Yao Chan , Xu Na , Xu Yanhong
Published: April 2023

Integrating modified θ-Al2O3 and triazine-based covalent organic framework composites for electrode materials in supercapacitors with enhanced specific capacitance performance.
Charge transfer doping of graphene oxide with nickel oxide nanoparticles for stable and efficient carbon-based, all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells
Authors: Dou Jie , Tan Jin , He Benlin , Duan Jialong , Tang Qunwei
Published: April 2023

NiOx decorated GO improved the photovoltaic performances of all-inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite solar cells.
NMP makes the difference – facilitated synthesis of [FeFe] hydrogenase mimics
Authors: Benndorf Stefan , Buday Philipp , Callies Benedikt , Görls Helmar , Kupfer Stephan , Weigand Wolfgang
Published: April 2023

To overcome the limitations of high reaction temperatures and long reaction times preparing [FeFe]H2ase mimicking complexes, we developed an efficient synthesis route in the presence of aprotic polar co-solvents such asN-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP).
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum attenuates Coxsackievirus B3-induced pancreatitis through the BAX/BCL2/CASP3 signaling pathway
Authors: Yu Xiaomin , Zhang Yejia , Pei Ke , Tan Junjun , Tian Huizhen , Xu Tian , Liu Fadi , Peng Nanqin , Huang Yilin , Huang Xinying , Huang Xinlei , Wu Jianfeng , Liu Qiong , Zeng Lingbing , Hua Wei , Huang Xiaotian
Published: April 2023

L. plantarum FLPL05 attenuates CVB3-induced pancreatic cells apoptosis through the BAX/BCL-2/CASP3 signaling pathway and inhibits the release of inflammatory cytokines (e.g. IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α).
High-efficiency X-ray emission spectroscopy of cold-compressed Fe2O3and laser-heated pressurized FeCO3using a von Hámos spectrometer
Authors: Albers Christian , Sakrowski Robin , Thiering Nicola , Libon Lélia , Spiekermann Georg , Kaa Johannes M. , Gretarsson Hlynur , Sundermann Martin , Tolan Metin , Wilke Max , Sternemann Christian
Published: April 2023

Fast and efficient (resonant) X-ray emission spectroscopy setup for the electronic structure at lower mantle conditions: high spin in laser-heated FeCO3and a two-step spin transition in pressurized Fe2O3with increasing valence to core intensity.
Molecular engineering on a MoS2interlayer for high-capacity and rapid-charging aqueous ion batteries
Authors: Han Xuefei , Yang Jing , Zhang Yong-Wei , Yu Zhi Gen
Published: April 2023

Intercalated CO2molecules can expand the interlayer spacing of layered materials, resulting in high-capacity and rapid-charging aqueous ion batteries.
Facile synthesis of porous transition metal hydroxides from a poly(4-vinyl pyridine) film by controlling pH
Authors: Ha Gyeongwon , Lee Jaeyong , Kim Keon-Woo , Choi Chungryong , Kim Jin Kon
Published: April 2023

This work introduces a simple method for fabricating porous structures of transition metal hydroxides, with potential application in pseudo-capacitors.
Peripherally, non-peripherally and axially pyrazoline-fused phthalocyanines: synthesis, aggregation behaviour, fluorescence, singlet oxygen generation, and photodegradation studies
Authors: Yalazan Halise , Kantekin Halit , Durmuş Mahmut
Published: April 2023

Pyrazoline-fused peripheral zinc phthalocyanine (HY-ZnPcP) showed the highest singlet oxygen generation in DMSO, and it is thought to be a photosensitizer candidate for photodynamic therapy.
Development of Z-scheme bimetallic tungstate-supported nitrogen deficient g-C3N4heterojunction for the treatment of refractory pharmaceutical pollutants
Authors: Leelavathi H. , Muralidharan R. , Abirami N. , Arulmozhi R.
Published: April 2023

The binary BMT/ND-GCN-based heterostructure photocatalyst for pharmaceutical industry wastewater treatment.
Improving Pd-C catalysts via heteroatom doping for the dehydrogenation of formic acid: a non-noble-metal modulation strategy
Authors: Wang Junhui , Zhou Tianyou , Wang Qiuju , Xiang Jun , Zhong Shan , Zou Lianli , Shen Xiangqian
Published: April 2023

A non-noble-metal modulation strategy has been developed to adjust the electronic structure of Pd, resulting in enhancement of the catalytic performance for the dehydrogenation of formic acid.
Pd-catalysed cross-coupling of allenylic carbonates with gem-diborylalkanes: efficient synthesis of isoprenylboronates
Authors: Ma Xin-Ru , Zhong Qin , Zhang Qian-Cheng , Hu Hua-Xing , Yu Ma-Hong , Zhao Jian
Published: April 2023

A novel strategy for the selective synthesis of isoprenylboronates by employing a Pd-catalysed cross-coupling reaction of allenylic carbonates with gem-diborylalkanes was developed.
An update on chiral phosphoric acid organocatalyzed stereoselective reactions
Authors: Jiménez Eddy I.
Published: April 2023

This review article presents an in-depth analysis of the strategies and methodologies for using chiral phosphoric acids as organocatalysts in asymmetric syntheses from recent literature.
3,4-Diaminopyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines: a new three-component microwave-assisted synthesis and anti-leukemic properties
Authors: Ng Jia Hui , Lim Felicia Phei Lin , Tiekink Edward R. T. , Dolzhenko Anton V.
Published: April 2023

A one-pot multicomponent microwave-assisted synthesis was developed for the synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines isosteric to adenine. Some compounds were identified as potent and selective anti-leukemic agents.
One-step synthesis of favipiravir from Selectfluor® and 3-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxamide in an ionic liquid
Authors: Fuentes Germán , García María F. , Cerecetto Hugo , Álvarez Guzmán , Couto Marcos , Romero Angel H.
Published: April 2023

A novel efficient one-step synthetic strategy for the preparation of the antiviral favipiravir from with the available 3-hydroxy-2-pyrazinecarboxamide and Selectfluor® was developed, the use of an IL being essential.
Cytotoxic cytochalasans from cultures of the fungus Metarhizium brunneum TBRC-BCC 79240
Authors: Kornsakulkarn Jittra , Auncharoen Patchanee , Khonsanit Artit , Boonyuen Nattawut , Thongpanchang Chawanee
Published: April 2023

Fourteen new cytochalasans, brunnesins A–N (1–14), along with eleven known compounds, were isolated from the culture extracts of the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium brunneum strain TBRC-BCC 79240.
Insight into the interaction between tannin acid and bovine serum albumin from a spectroscopic and molecular docking perspective
Authors: Xu Wei , Ning Yuli , Cao Shiwan , Wu Guanchen , Sun Haomin , Chai Liwen , Wu Shuping , Li Jingyi , Luo Denglin
Published: April 2023

Based on non-covalent bonds, TA could change the secondary structure change of BSA to a certain extent, and improve its thermostability.
One-step removal of hexavalent chromium in wide pH range using thiourea dioxide: the role of reactive species
Authors: Lei Bin , Wang Chaoyang , Zhang Ran , Xue Zhiyong , Chen Feifei
Published: April 2023

The reduction/precipitation of Cr(vi) could occur simultaneously under alkaline conditions in the presence of thiourea dioxides as reducing agents.
Immobilization of heavy metals in tannery sludge by the formation of tobermorite in subcritical water treatment with rice husk silica
Authors: Akter Ayesha , Goto Masafumi , Megat Mohd Noor Megat Johari , Parvez Ahmed , Khanam Shamsunnahar , Bakar Siddique Md. Abu , Hossain Md Faysal , Kormoker Tapos
Published: April 2023

Successful tannery sludge amendment with rice husk silica formed tobermorite under subcritical water (SCW) treatment conditions can effectively immobilize HMs reducing their environmental toxicity.
Halogen bonding relay and mobile anion transporters with kinetically controlled chloride selectivity
Authors: Johnson Toby G. , Docker Andrew , Sadeghi-Kelishadi Amir , Langton Matthew J.
Published: April 2023

A halogen bonding anion relay with Cl− > OH− selectivity is reported. Selectivity is maintained across lipid membranes of different thicknesses, whereas for selective mobile carriers the discrimination is strongly dependent on membrane thickness.
Cu7S4 nanosheets enriched with Cu–S bond for highly active and selective CO2 electroreduction to formate
Authors: Wen Yan , Fang Nan , Liu Wenqiang , Yang Tang , Xu Yong , Huang Xiaoqing
Published: April 2023

Cu7S4 nanosheets enriched with Cu–S bond can facilitate the kinetics of CO2 electroreduction to HCOO− and suppress the formation of *CO as a result of the high FE of HCOO− (82.7%) and high partial current density (456 mA cm−2).
Systematic study of short- and long-range correlations in RE3TaO7 weberite-type compounds by neutron total scattering and X-ray diffraction
Authors: Gussev Igor M. , O'Quinn Eric C. , Tucker Matthew , Ewing Rodney C. , Overstreet Cale , Neuefeind Jörg , Everett Michelle , Zhang Qiang , Sprouster David , Olds Daniel , Baldinozzi Gianguido , Lang Maik
Published: April 2023

The atomic structures of the lanthanide tantalates, Ln3TaO7, series (Ln = Pr, Tb, Dy, Ho, Tm, Yb) were systematically investigated using total scattering techniques.
A medical waste X-ray film based triboelectric nanogenerator for self-powered devices, sensors, and smart buildings
Authors: Navaneeth M. , Potu Supraja , Babu Anjaly , Rajaboina Rakesh Kumar , K Uday Kumar , Divi Haranath , Kodali Prakash , K. Balaji
Published: April 2023

Medical waste X-ray films are used to fabricate a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). The high-power density of (1.39 W m−2) TENG demonstrated its potential applications in self-powered devices, sensors, and smart buildings.
Study of the different morphologies of Zn0.5Cd0.5S for photocatalytic H2 production
Authors: Ren Wei , Si Ruiru , Wang Jiahui , Yang Yang , Zheng Xiuzhen , Chen Shifu
Published: April 2023

As catalytic reactions usually occur on the surface of a catalyst, regulating the catalyst morphology may largely affect the photocatalytic properties.
The interplay between monocytes, α-synuclein and LRRK2 in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Strader Samuel , West Andrew B.
Published: April 2023

The accumulation of aggregated α-synuclein in susceptible neurons in the brain, together with robust activation of nearby myeloid cells, are pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). While microglia represent the dominant type of myeloid cell in the brain, recent genetic and whole-transcriptomic studies have implicated another type of myeloid cell, bone-marrow derived monocytes, in disease risk and progression. Monocytes in circulation harbor high concentrations of the PD-linked enzyme leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) and respond to both intracellular and extracellular aggregated α-synuclein with a variety of strong pro-inflammatory responses. This review highlights recent findings from studies that functionally characterize monocytes in PD patients, monocytes that infiltrate into cerebrospinal fluid, and emerging analyses of whole myeloid cell populations in the PD-affected brain that include monocyte populations. Central controversies discussed include the relative contribution of monocytes acting in the periphery from those that might engraft in the brain to modify disease risk and progression. We conclude that further investigation into monocyte pathways and responses in PD, especially the discovery of additional markers, transcriptomic signatures, and functional classifications, that better distinguish monocyte lineages and responses in the brain from other types of myeloid cells may reveal points for therapeutic intervention, as well as a better understanding of ongoing inflammation associated with PD.
Novel roles for G protein-coupled receptor kinases in cardiac injury and repair
Authors: Kayki-Mutlu Gizem , Koch Walter J.
Published: April 2023

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key modulators of cell signaling. Multiple GPCRs are present in the heart where they regulate cardiac homeostasis including processes such as myocyte contraction, heart rate and coronary blood flow. GPCRs are pharmacological targets for several cardiovascular disorders including heart failure (HF) such as beta-adrenergic receptor (βAR) blockers and angiotensin II receptor (AT1R) antagonists. The activity of GPCRs are finely regulated by GPCR kinases (GRKs), which phosphorylate agonist-occupied receptors and start the process of desensitization. Among the seven members of the GRK family, GRK2 and GRK5 are predominantly expressed in the heart, where they exhibit both canonical and non-canonical functions. Both kinases are known to be increased in cardiac pathologies and contribute to pathogenesis through their roles in different cellular compartments. Lowering or inhibiting their actions mediate cardioprotective effects against pathological cardiac growth and failing heart. Therefore, given their importance in cardiac dysfunction, these kinases are drawing attention as promising targets for the treatment of HF, which needs improved therapies. Over the past three decades, broad knowledge on GRK inhibition in HF has been gained by studies using genetically engineered animal models or through gene therapy with peptide inhibitors or using small molecule inhibitors. In this mini review, we summarize the work focusing on GRK2 and GRK5 but also discuss a couple of the non-abundant cardiac subtypes and their multi-functional roles in the normal and diseased heart and the potential and therapeutic targets.
Maternal glucagon-like peptide-1 is positively associated with fetal growth in pregnancies complicated with obesity
Authors: Dumolt Jerad H. , Rosario Fredrick J. , Kramer Avery C. , Horwitz Stacee , Powell Theresa L. , Jansson Thomas
Published: April 2023

Pregnant women with obesity are more likely to deliver infants who are large for gestational age (LGA). LGA is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and risk of developing metabolic disease later in life. However, the mechanisms underpinning fetal overgrowth remain to be fully established. Here, we identified maternal, placental, and fetal factors that are associated with fetal overgrowth in pregnant women with obesity. Maternal and umbilical cord plasma and placentas were collected from women with obesity delivering infants who were LGA (n=30) or appropriate for gestational age (AGA, n=21) at term. Maternal and umbilical cord plasma analytes were measured using multiplex sandwich assay and ELISA. Insulin/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling activity was determined in placental homogenates. Amino acid transporter activity was measured in isolated syncytiotrophoblast microvillous membrane (MVM) and basal membrane (BM). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) protein expression and signaling were measured in cultured primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells. Maternal plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) was higher in LGA pregnancies and positively correlated to birthweight. Umbilical cord plasma insulin, C-peptide, and GLP-1 were increased in obese-large for gestational age (OB-LGA) infants. LGA placentas were larger but showed no change in insulin/mTOR signaling or amino acid transport activity. GLP-1R protein was expressed in the MVM isolated from human placenta. GLP-1R activation stimulated protein kinase alpha (PKA), extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and-2 (ERK1/2), and mTOR pathways in PHT cells. Our results suggest elevated maternal GLP-1 may drive fetal overgrowth in obese pregnant women. We speculate that maternal GLP-1 acts as a novel regulator of fetal growth by promoting placental growth and function.
Malignant melanoma dermoscopy image classification method based on multi‐modal medical features
Authors: Bian Xiaofei , Pan Haiwei , Zhang Kejia , Liu Peng , Chen Chunling
Published: April 2023

Skin cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, and it has been widely developed worldwide since the last decade. Malignant melanoma is currently the most deadly skin cancer. If malignant melanoma is diagnosed at an early stage, the probability of patients being cured will be greatly improved. At present, most existing skin lesion image classification methods only use deep learning. However, the multi‐modal features of skin lesions in the medical domain are not well utilized and integrated. To reduce the classification error of the skin lesion images caused by the complexity and subjectivity of visual interpretation, a malignant melanoma dermoscopy image classification method based on multi‐modal medical features is proposed in this paper which is inspired by the fuzzy decision‐making process of doctors. It can reduce the subjective difference in the image classification process and assist dermatologists to analyze the skin lesion area. Firstly, the feature detection method based on the extension theory can effectively quantify the difference between different colour features. Then, an interpretable segmentation edge of the skin lesion is established by using the neutrosophic theory which can convert the image into the neutrosophic space. The edge of the skin lesion is captured by applying the Hierarchical Gaussian Mixture Model (HGMM) method. Next, the edge sequence is established by segmenting the edge, and the contour regularity, symmetry, and uniformity of the edge of the skin lesion are analyzed. Finally, the extracted multi‐feature sets are used for dermoscopy image classification. Experiments are carried out on real datasets, and the classification accuracy of four kernel functions is verified. The experimental results show that the authors’ method can effectively improve the classification accuracy of benign dermoscopy images and malignant dermoscopy images.