bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantum Interference between Fundamentally Different Processes Is Enabled by Shaped Input Wavefunctions
Authors: Lim Jeremy , Kumar Suraj , Ang Yee Sin , Ang Lay Kee , Wong Liang Jie
Published: February 2023

This work presents a general framework for quantum interference between processes that can involve different fundamental particles or quasi‐particles. This framework shows that shaping input wavefunctions is a versatile and powerful tool for producing and controlling quantum interference between distinguishable pathways, beyond previously explored quantum interference between indistinguishable pathways. Two examples of quantum interference enabled by shaping in interactions between free electrons, bound electrons, and photons are presented: i) the vanishing of the zero‐loss peak by destructive quantum interference when a shaped electron wavepacket couples to light, under conditions where the electron's zero‐loss peak otherwise dominates; ii) quantum interference between free electron and atomic (bound electron) spontaneous emission processes, which can be significant even when the free electron and atom are far apart, breaking the common notion that a free electron and an atom must be close by to significantly affect each other's processes. Conclusions show that emerging quantum wave‐shaping techniques unlock the door to greater versatility in light‐matter interactions and other quantum processes in general.
Full Control of Plasmonic Nanocavities Using Gold Decahedra‐on‐Mirror Constructs with Monodisperse Facets
Authors: Hu Shu , Elliott Eoin , Sánchez‐Iglesias Ana , Huang Junyang , Guo Chenyang , Hou Yidong , Kamp Marlous , Goerlitzer Eric S. A. , Bedingfield Kalun , de Nijs Bart , Peng Jialong , Demetriadou Angela , Liz‐Marzán Luis M. , Baumberg Jeremy J.
Published: February 2023

Bottom‐up assembly of nanoparticle‐on‐mirror (NPoM) nanocavities enables precise inter‐metal gap control down to ≈ 0.4 nm for confining light to sub‐nanometer scales, thereby opening opportunities for developing innovative nanophotonic devices. However limited understanding, prediction, and optimization of light coupling and the difficulty of controlling nanoparticle facet shapes restricts the use of such building blocks. Here, an ultraprecise symmetry‐breaking plasmonic nanocavity based on gold nanodecahedra is presented, to form the nanodecahedron‐on‐mirror (NDoM) which shows highly consistent cavity modes and fields. By characterizing > 20 000 individual NDoMs, the variability of light in/output coupling is thoroughly explored and a set of robust higher‐order plasmonic whispering gallery modes uniquely localized at the edges of the triangular facet in contact with the metallic substrate is found. Assisted by quasinormal mode simulations, systematic elaboration of NDoMs is proposed to give nanocavities with near hundred‐fold enhanced radiative efficiencies. Such systematically designed and precisely‐assembled metallic nanocavities will find broad application in nanophotonic devices, optomechanics, and surface science.
Li–S Chemistry of Manganese Phosphides Nanoparticles With Optimized Phase
Authors: Deng Qiao , Dong Xinji , Shen Pei Kang , Zhu Jinliang
Published: February 2023

The targeted synthesis of manganese phosphides with target phase remains a huge challenge because of their various stoichiometries and phase‐dependent physicochemical properties. In this study, phosphorus‐rich MnP, manganese‐rich Mn2P, and their heterostructure MnP–Mn2P nanoparticles evenly dispersed on porous carbon are accurately synthesized by a convenient one‐pot heat treatment of phosphate resin combined with Mn2+. Moreover, their electrochemical properties are systematically investigated as sulfur hosts in lithium–sulfur batteries. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate the superior adsorption, catalysis capabilities, and electrical conductivity of MnP–Mn2P/C, compared with MnP/C and Mn2P/C. The MnP–Mn2P/C@S exhibits an excellent capacity of 763.3 mAh g−1 at 5 C with a capacity decay rate of only 0.013% after 2000 cycles. A phase evolution product (MnS) of MnP–Mn2P/C@S is detected during the catalysis of MnP–Mn2P/C with polysulfides redox through in situ X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. At a sulfur loading of up to 8 mg cm−2, the MnP–Mn2P/C@S achieves an area capacity of 6.4 mAh cm−2 at 0.2 C. A pouch cell with the MnP–Mn2P/C@S cathode exhibits an initial energy density of 360 Wh kg−1.
Introduction to senior hunger special issue
Authors: Ziliak James P. , Gundersen Craig , Vaudin Anna
Published: February 2023

Over 5 million persons aged 60 and older are food insecure in the United States. Research on food insecurity among seniors, however, has been sparse. In response, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (USDA, FNS) funded a series of studies in this research area. In this introduction, we describe trends and consequences of food insecurity among seniors followed by an overview of the nine funded projects. These papers constitute a second round of papers funded by USDA in this research area –the first round was published in volume 44, issue 2 of this journal.
Deficit irrigation effects on adjunct and all‐malt barley yield and quality
Authors: Rogers Christopher W. , Hu Gongshe , King Bradley A.
Published: February 2023

Semiarid regions are reliant on irrigation to produce large‐yielding and high‐quality malt barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Drought in the western United States is of concern as surface and ground water reductions are occurring that affect irrigation water availability. Implementing a seasonal water deficit compared to evapotranspiration (ET) is a potential strategy to reduce water usage if yield and quality can be maintained. Research was conducted in Aberdeen, ID, on the effects of deficit irrigation on yield, grain quality, and malt characteristics. Five genotypes were selected to represent those used for large‐scale adjunct brewing and those targeted at the all‐malt craft industry. Irrigation was managed at three rates (100%, 75%, and 50%) of estimated crop evapotranspiration (ETc) using sprinkler irrigation. Total aboveground dry matter was not affected by irrigation until soft dough (Feekes 11.2). Yield was similar within a genotype with irrigation reduction from 100% ETc to 75% ETc. Averaged across genotypes, yields were 6936 kg ha−1 at 100% ETc and 6297 kg ha−1 at 75% ETc. At 75% ETc, protein remained just below the adjunct target (130 g kg−1) for four of five genotypes while all five exceeded the all‐malt target (120 g kg−1). Reduced irrigation decreased malt extract and increased diastatic power, where β‐glucan either did not differ or increased. Deficit irrigation is promising, particularly for adjunct brewing; however, expected changes to malting quality must be understood and genotype selection, altered fertilizer management, and/or changes to malting criteria may be needed for implementation.
Moving away from one disease at a time: Screening, trial design, and regulatory implications of novel platform technologies
Authors: Lekstrom‐Himes Julie , Brooks P J , Koeberl Dwight D. , Brower Amy , Goldenberg Aaron , Green Robert C. , Morris Jill A. , Orsini Joseph J. , Yu Timothy W. , Augustine Erika F.
Published: February 2023

Most rare diseases are caused by single‐gene mutations, and as such, lend themselves to a host of new gene‐targeted therapies and technologies including antisense oligonucleotides, phosphomorpholinos, small interfering RNAs, and a variety of gene delivery and gene editing systems. Early successes are encouraging, however, given the substantial number of distinct rare diseases, the ability to scale these successes will be unsustainable without new development efficiencies. Herein, we discuss the need for genomic newborn screening to match pace with the growing development of targeted therapeutics and ability to rapidly develop individualized therapies for rare variants. We offer approaches to move beyond conventional “one disease at a time” preclinical and clinical drug development and discuss planned regulatory innovations that are necessary to speed therapy delivery to individuals in need. These proposals leverage the shared properties of platform classes of therapeutics and innovative trial designs including master and platform protocols to better serve patients and accelerate drug development. Ultimately, there are risks to these novel approaches; however, we believe that close partnership and transparency between health authorities, patients, researchers, and drug developers present the path forward to overcome these challenges and deliver on the promise of gene‐targeted therapies for rare diseases.
Demography and epidemiology of captive former biomedical research chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) 1: Survival and mortality
Authors: Arbogast Drew M. , Crews Douglas E. , McGraw W. Scott , Ely John J.
Published: February 2023

Accurate and up‐to‐date data on longevity and mortality are essential for describing, analyzing, and managing animal populations in captivity. We assembled a comprehensive demography data set and analyzed survival and mortality patterns in a population of captive former biomedical research chimpanzees. The study synthesized over 51,000 life‐years of demographic data collected on 2349 individuals between 1923 and 2014. Our goal was to assess the population's current age–sex composition, estimate rates of survivorship, mortality and life expectancy, and compare findings with other chimpanzee populations of interest. Results indicated an increasingly geriatric contemporary population declining in size. The median life expectancy (MLE) of the entire population was 32.6 years (males 29.1, females 36.1). For chimpanzees who reached 1 year of age, the MLE increased to 34.9 years (males 31.0, females 38.8). Survival probability was influenced by both sex and birth type. Females exhibited greater survivorship than males (β1 = −0.34,z = −5.74,p < 0.001) and wild‐born individuals exhibited greater survivorship than captive‐born individuals (β2 = −0.55,z = −5.89,p < 0.001). There was also a seasonal trend in mortality, wherein more individuals died during the winter months (December–February) compared with other seasons. Analyses of life expectancy over time showed continual increases in both median age of living individuals and median age at death, suggesting that these chimpanzees have yet to reach their full aging potential in a postresearch environment. As they continue to age, ongoing monitoring and analysis of demographic changes will be necessary for science‐based population and program management until extinction occurs some decades in the future.
Meaningful measures of enamel hypoplasia: Prevalence and comparative intensity of developmental stress
Authors: Skinner Mark Fretson
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Developmental stress causing enamel thinning is an important topic in primate biology. Because taxa differ in growth rates and enamel thickness, the goal is to provide a new method allowing direct comparison of prevalence and salience of enamel defects among samples.

Materials and Methods

Casts of ape teeth spanning the Late Pleistocene to Late Miocene from three site areas of increasing seasonality, equator (Sumatra) to 20° (Vietnam) and 25°N latitude (China), were examined for enamel defects among paleo‐orangutans (n = 571, 222, respectively) and Lufengpithecus lufengensis (n = 198). Frequency of affected teeth and number of linear enamel hypoplasia were recorded. Defect dimensions were measured with a confocal microscope. Simple prevalence is compared to weighted prevalence (%), calculated by dividing “number of LEH from specific tooth groups” by “specific tooth sample size”; this quantity divided by “tooth‐specific years of imbricational enamel formation.” Defect dimensions are reduced to a dimensionless index termed “enamel deficit ratio” through dividing “daily enamel deficit” by “daily secretion rate.”

Results

Weighted prevalence increases to the North, highlighting latitudinal similarities. In contrast, “enamel deficit ratio,” designed to express comparative severity of developmental stress among samples, was least in the high latitude sample and differed little between paleo‐orangutan samples.

Discussion

The actual numbers generated are not as important as efficacy of the proposed methods for other taxa. Developmental stress appears least severe in the high latitude (Lufengpithecus) sample but affects a greater proportion, compared to paleo‐orangutans. Regardless of findings, the proposed solutions to improve comparability of disparate samples, yield reasonable results.
The relationship between hippocampal amyloid beta burden and spatial distribution of neurofibrillary degeneration
Authors: Walker Jamie M. , Goette William , Farrell Kurt , Iida Megan A. , Karlovich Esma ,   The PART Working Group, White Charles L. , Crary John F. , Richardson Timothy E.
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Neurofibrillary degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) typically involves the entorhinal cortex and CA1 subregion of the hippocampus early in the disease process, whereas in primary age‐related tauopathy (PART), there is an early selective vulnerability of the CA2 subregion.

Methods

Image analysis‐based quantitative pixel assessments were used to objectively evaluate amyloid beta (Aβ) burden in the medial temporal lobe in relation to the distribution of hyperphosphorylated‐tau (p‐tau) in 142 cases of PART and AD.

Results

Entorhinal, CA1, CA3, and CA4 p‐tau deposition levels are significantly correlated with Aβ burden, while CA2 p‐tau is not. Furthermore, the CA2/CA1 p‐tau ratio is inversely correlated with Aβ burden and distribution. In addition, cognitive impairment is correlated with overall p‐tau burden.

Discussion

These data indicate that the presence and extent of medial temporal lobe Aβ may determine the distribution and spread of neurofibrillary degeneration. The resulting p‐tau distribution patterns may discriminate between PART and AD.

Highlights

Subregional hyperphosphorylated‐tau (p‐tau) distribution is influenced by hippocampal amyloid beta burden.

Higher CA2/CA1 p‐tau ratio is predictive of primary age‐related tauopathy–like neuropathology.

Cognitive function is correlated with the overall hippocampal p‐tau burden.
Thermally Activated Long Persistent Luminescence of Organic Inorganic Metal Halides
Authors: Gong Hao , Yu Heng , Zhang Yang , Feng Letong , Tian Yang , Cui Ganglong , Fu Hongbing
Published: February 2023

Long persistent luminescence (LPL) materials of SrAl2O4 doped with Eu2+ or Dy3+ can maintain emission over hours after ceasing the excitation but suffer from insolubility, high cost, and harsh preparation. Recently, organic LPL of guest‐host exciplex systems has been demonstrated via an intermediate charge‐separated state with flexible design but poor air‐stability. Here, we synthesized a nontoxic two‐dimensional organic–inorganic metal hybrid halides (OIMHs), called PBA2[ZnX4] with X=Br or Cl and PBA=4‐phenylbenzylamine. These materials exhibit stable LPL emission over minutes at room‐temperature, which is two orders of magnitude longer than those of previously reported OIMHs. The mechanism study shows that the LPL emission comes from thermally activated charge separation state rather than room‐temperature phosphorescence. Moreover, the LPL of PBA2[ZnX4] can be excited by low power sources, representing an effective strategy for developing low‐cost and high‐stability LPL systems.
Der starre Kern und die flexible Oberfläche von Amyloidfibrillen – Magic‐Angle‐Spinning NMR Spektroskopie von aromatischen Resten
Authors: Becker Lea Marie , Berbon Mélanie , Vallet Alicia , Grelard Axelle , Morvan Estelle , Bardiaux Benjamin , Lichtenecker Roman , Ernst Matthias , Loquet Antoine , Schanda Paul
Published: February 2023

Aromatische Seitenketten sind wichtige Indikatoren für die Plastizität von Proteinen und bilden oft entscheidende Kontakte bei Protein‐Protein‐Wechselwirkungen. Wir untersuchten aromatische Reste in den beiden strukturell homologen cross‐β Amyloidfibrillen HET‐s und HELLF mit Hilfe eines spezifischen Ansatzes zur Isotopenmarkierung und Festkörper NMR mit Drehung am magischen Winkel. Das dynamische Verhalten der aromatischen Reste Phe und Tyr deutet darauf hin, dass der hydrophobe Amyloidkern starr ist und keine Anzeichen von “atmenden Bewegungen” auf einer Zeitskala von Hunderten von Millisekunden zeigt. Aromatische Reste, die exponiert an der Fibrillenoberfläche sitzen, haben zwar eine starre Ringachse, weisen aber Ringflips auf verschiedenen Zeitskalen von Nanosekunden bis Mikrosekunden auf. Unser Ansatz bietet einen direkten Einblick in die Bewegungen des hydrophoben Kerns und ermöglicht eine bessere Bewertung der Konformationsheterogenität, die aus einem NMR‐Strukturensemble einer solchen Cross‐β‐Amyloidstruktur hervorgeht.
Revealing the Mechanism of Pressure‐Induced Emission in Layered Silver‐Bismuth Double Perovskites
Authors: Zhang Long , Li Shuoxue , Sun Huaiyang , Jiang Qiwen , Wang Yue , Fang Yuanyuan , Shi Ying , Duan Defang , Wang Kai , Jiang Hong , Sui Laizhi , Wu Guorong , Yuan Kaijun , Zou Bo
Published: February 2023

Pressure‐induced emission (PIE) associated with self‐trapping excitons (STEs) in low‐dimensional halide perovskites has attracted great attention for better materials‐by‐design. Here, using 2D layered double perovskite (C6H5CH2CH2NH3+)4AgBiBr8 as a model system, we advance a fundamental physicochemical mechanism of the PIE from the perspective of carrier dynamics and excited‐state behaviors of local lattice distortion. We observed a pressure‐driven STE transformation from dark to bright states, corresponding a strong broadband Stokes‐shifted emission. Further theoretical analysis demonstrated that the suppressed lattice distortion and enhanced electronic dimensionality in the excited‐state play an important role in the formation of stabilized bright STEs, which could manipulate the self‐trapping energy and lattice deformation energy to form an energy barrier between the potential energy curves of ground‐ and excited‐state, and enhance the electron‐hole orbital overlap, respectively.
An anticounterfeiting strategy based on photochromic nonwoven polyester fabric by plasma‐assisting spray coating with ultraviolet‐responsive silica@strontium aluminate nanoparticles
Authors: Al‐Ahmed Zehbah A. , Alzahrani Seraj Omar , AlJohani Ahmed K. B. , Obaid Najla A. , Alkhamis Kholood , Alqahtani Alaa M. , El‐Metwaly Nashwa M.
Published: February 2023

Photochromism is an interesting method to enhance the anticounterfeiting activity of commercial products. Polyester fibers have been significant polymers for a variety of applications; however, they have been known to resist staining due to the absence of reactive dyeing site on their fibrous surface. Herein, we present recycled nonwoven polyester immobilized with rare‐earth activated aluminate nanoparticles for anticounterfeiting applications. Using the heterogeneous precipitation method, the lanthanide‐doped aluminate pigment was firstly coated with silica to give phosphor‐encapsulated within silica nanoparticles (Silica@Phosphor). The produced Silica@Phosphor particles were mixed with an adhesive binder in an aqueous medium, which was then spray‐coated directly onto plasma‐pretreated nonwoven polyester fabric. The fibrous composite demonstrated ultraviolet‐induced photochromism. Both phosphor and Silica@Phosphor morphologies demonstrated particle diameter of 4–12 and 90–105 nm, respectively. Various techniques were utilized to examine both morphologies and compositions of the photochromic nonwoven fabrics. The antibacterial activity, cytotoxicity, comfortability, colorfastness, and ultraviolet shielding of the prepared polyesters immobilized with Silica@Phosphor were also reported. The luminescent fabrics demonstrated two emission wavelengths at 435 and 514 nm (green) upon excitation at 369 nm (colorless). The nonwoven fabrics showed an enhanced superhydrophobicity as an improved contact angle up to 129.9° was detected upon increasing the Silica@Phosphor ratio.
In situ growth of Cu(BDC) on microscale Cu‐based carboxymethylcellulose fibers: A new strategy for constructing efficient catalysts for A3‐coupling reactions
Authors: Huang Yuling , Fan Xuetao , Zhou Yuping , Liu Shirong , Li Yiqun
Published: February 2023

Based on the coordination properties of carboxylates in carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and metal ions, we have prepared microscale Cu‐based carboxymethylcellulose fibers (Cu(II)/CMC) by extruding the CMC‐Na solution into a Cu(II) ions coagulation bath. We found that the as‐obtained microscale Cu(II)/CMC fibers are well suitable for the in situ growth of the copper terephthalate (Cu(BDC)) MOFs directly from the coordinated Cu(II) sites enriched on the surface of fibers (Cu(BDC)@Cu(II)/CMC) in the terephthalic acid solution. The composition and structure of Cu(BDC)@Cu(II)/CMC composite fibers were verified using various FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDX, elemental mapping, XPS, TGA, and BET tools. The characterized data revealed that well‐defined Cu(BDC) particles were distributed uniformly on the surface of the microscale Cu‐based fibers. The resulting Cu(BDC)@Cu(II)/CMC fibers were used as an effective and retrievable heterogeneous catalyst for the aldehyde‐alkyne‐amine (A3) coupling reactions. The superior catalytic activity is attributed to the excellent dispersion and stability of the Cu(BDC) MOFs crystallites containing the numerous active Cu(II) sites on the microscale fibers. In addition, the microscale fibrous catalyst can be conveniently retrieved with tweezers after each cycle and reused at least six times without a significant drop in its activity.
Influence of pozzolans on plant oil‐sulfur polymer cements: More sustainable and chemically‐resistant alternatives to Portland cement
Authors: Graham Matthew J. , Lopez Claudia V. , Maladeniya Charini P. , Tennyson Andrew G. , Smith Rhett C.
Published: February 2023

Low cost and high durability have made Portland cement the most widely‐used building material, but benefits are offset by environmental harm of cement production contributing 8–10% of total anthropogenic CO2 gas emissions. High sulfur‐content materials (HSMs) are an alternative that can perform the binding roles as cements with a smaller carbon footprint, and possibly superior chemical, physical, and mechanical properties. Inverse vulcanization of 90 wt% sulfur with 10 wt% canola oil or sunflower oil to yield CanS or SunS, respectively. Notably, these HSMs prepared at temperatures ≤180 °C compared to >1200 °C hours for Portland cement CanS was combined with 5 wt% fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), or metakaolin (MK) to give composites CanS‐FA, CanS‐SF, CanS‐GGBFS, and CanS‐MK, respectively. The analogous protocol with SunS likewise yielded SunS‐FA, SunS‐SF, SunS‐GGBFS, and SunS‐MK. Each of these HSMs exhibit high compressive mechanical strength, low water uptake values, and exceptional resistance to acid‐induced corrosion. All of the composites also exhibit superior compressive strength retention after exposure to acidic solutions, conditions under which Portland cement undergoes dissolution. The polymer cement‐pozzolan composites reported herein may thus serve as greener alternatives to traditional Portland cement in some applications.
Preparation of conductive polyaniline hydrogels co‐doped with hydrochloric acid/phytic acid and their application in Ag NPs@PA/GCE biosensor for H2O2 detection
Authors: Zhang Yanwei , Wang Hong , Liu Yaru , Niu Baolong , Li Wenfeng
Published: February 2023

Accurate measurement of hydrogen peroxide is of great significance in monitoring human diseases and environmental safety. At present, there are a variety of testing methods, among which the use of electrochemical sensors to accurately measure hydrogen peroxide has gradually become a research hotspot. In this article, phytic acid (PA) with dual functions of doping and cross‐linking and HCl with strong ionization capacity was introduced as dopants to co‐doping polyaniline, and polyaniline hydrogel with a three‐dimensional network structure was prepared. The influence of the HCl/PA co‐doping ratio on conductive polyaniline hydrogel (CPAniH) was explored. The synthesis process and mechanism of HCl/PA‐CPAniH were analyzed and explained. In addition, the conductivity and mechanism of HCl/PA‐CPAniH, as well as the hydrogel characteristics were characterized and studied. A new electrochemical sensor based on polyaniline hydrogel and silver nanoparticles was constructed to detect hydrogen peroxide. The sensor has a good linear relationship, a wide linear range, and a high‐detection limit for H2O2. In addition, it also shows that HCl/PA‐CPAniH is a good interface material for electrochemical sensors and has a certain application potential.
Study on preparation and performance of advanced nano‐modified epoxy asphalt
Authors: Wang Danlei , Zhang Fenglei , Huang Kai , Zhang Lei
Published: February 2023

The rapid growth in traffic volume and loads has increased the demand for high strength and durability paving materials. As the primary paving material of long‐life pavements and long‐span steel bridge decks, epoxy asphalt (EA) has the problems of poor tensile strength and low fracture toughness. In this study, graphene oxide nanosheets (GOs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used to improve the mechanical properties of EA. Tensile tests, segregation experiments, Fourier transform infrared analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and fluorescence microscope (FM) were used to analyze the mechanical properties and micromorphology of nano‐modified EA, and to explore the optimal content of these two nano‐modifiers in EA. The results of tensile properties tests show the tensile properties of advanced nano‐modified EA are better when 0.01 wt% CNTs and 0.02 wt% GOs are added. Among them, EA modified by CNTs has the best toughening effect, and its fracture toughness is increased by 21%. Finally, combining macroscopic and microscopic experimental analysis, it is concluded that the mechanical homogeneity of the advanced nano‐modified EA is better, and the asphalt is uniformly dispersed in the continuous phase of epoxy resin. Furthermore, CNTs are chemically reacted with the amino group in oleylamine and modified EA through fiber network reinforcement, and GOs modified EA through the amidation reaction with oleylamine.
A flexible strain sensor of porous conductive silicone rubber composites prepared from high internal phase emulsion
Authors: Liu Zhouyu , Xiang Dong , Qiu Tian , Li Zhen , Zhao Chunxia , Li Hui , Li Zhenyu , Wang Li , Wang Ping , Li Yuntao , Wu Yuanpeng
Published: February 2023

In this work, a stretchable and compressible strain sensor was fabricated from conductive porous carbon nanotubes/polydimethylsiloxane (CNT/PDMS‐P) high internal phase emulsion (HIPE), which was obtained by simple mechanical mixing of CNTs, PDMS, and water. Micropores were uniformly distributed in the PDMS matrix, with diameters mainly in the range of 3–9 μm and averaging 5.3 μm. Due to the confined dispersion of CNTs in the porous PDMS framework, the CNT/PDMS‐P achieved a lower percolation threshold of 0.29 wt%. Compared to the non‐porous composite (CNT/PDMS), its percolation threshold was reduced by 25%. Besides, the CNT/PDMS‐P showed excellent sensitivity and cyclic stability. The sensitivity of CNT/PDMS‐P was 50% higher than that of CNT/PDMS in the tensile strain range of 0%–10%. The stability tests for 1000 loading/unloading cycles showed that the maximum offset rate of CNT/PDMS‐P was 58% lower than that of CNT/PDMS. The sensitivity of CNT/PDMS‐P compression sensor was S = 0.00259 kPa−1, which could detect the stress up to 600 kPa and maintain the standard waveform even after 1000 compression cycles. Finally, the potential application scenarios of the sensor, such as perception of human body limb movement, facial movement, gesture transformation, and human‐computer interaction scenarios, were explored.
Vasopressin, and not oxytocin, receptor gene methylation is associated with individual differences in receptive joint attention in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Hopkins William D. , Staes Nicky , Guevara Elaine E. , Mulholland Michele M. , Sherwood Chet C. , Bradley Brenda J.
Published: February 2023

Joint attention (JA) is an important milestone in human infant development and is predictive of the onset of language later in life. Clinically, it has been reported that children at risk for or with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) perform more poorly on measures of JA compared to neurotypical controls. JA is not unique to humans but has also been reported in great apes and to a lesser extent in more distantly related monkeys. Further, individual differences in JA among chimpanzees are associated with polymorphisms in the vasopressin and oxytocin genes, AVPR1A and OXTR. Here, we tested whether individual variation in DNA methylation of OXTR and AVPR1A were associated with performance on JA tasks in chimpanzees. We found that individual differences in JA performance was associated with AVPR1A methylation, but not OXTR methylation in the chimpanzees. The collective results provide further evidence of the role of AVPR1A in JA abilities in chimpanzees. The results further suggest that methylation values for AVPR1A may be useful biomarkers for identifying individuals at risk for ASD or related neurodevelopmental disorders associated with impairments in JA abilities.
Simple and low‐cost antibiotic susceptibility testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis using screen‐printed electrodes
Authors: Ghorbanpoor Hamed , Akcakoca Iremnur , Norouz Dizaji Araz , Butterworth Adrian , Corrigan Damion , Kocagoz Tanil , Ebrahimi Aliakbar , Avci Huseyin , Dogan Guzel Fatma
Published: February 2023

One quarter of the global population is thought to be latently infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) with it estimated that 1 in 10 of those people will go on to develop active disease. Due to the fact that M. tuberculosis (TB) is a disease most often associated with low‐ and middle‐income countries, it is critical that low‐cost and easy‐to‐use technological solutions are developed, which can have a direct impact on diagnosis and prescribing practice for TB. One area where intervention could be particularly useful is antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). This work presents a low‐cost, simple‐to‐use AST sensor that can detect drug susceptibility on the basis of changing RNA abundance for the typically slow‐growing M. tuberculosis (TB) pathogen in 96 h using screen‐printed electrodes and standard molecular biology laboratory reactionware. In order to find out the sensitivity of applied sensor platform, a different concentration (108–103 CFU/mL) of M. tuberculosis was performed, and limit of detection and limit of quantitation were calculated as 103.82 and 1011.59 CFU/mL, respectively. The results display that it was possible to detect TB sequences and distinguish antibiotic‐treated cells from untreated cells with a label‐free molecular detection. These findings pave the way for the development of a comprehensive, low‐cost, and simple‐to‐use AST system for prescribing in TB and multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis.
Embryo‐fetal safety evaluation of ondansetron in rats
Authors: Reis Ana Carolina Casali , Jorge Bárbara Campos , da Silva Moreira Suyane , Stein Júlia , Perdão Carolina Barizan , de Matos Manoel Beatriz , Arena Arielle Cristina
Published: February 2023

Background

Ondansetron is a 5HT3 receptor antagonist, used to mitigate the effects of nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy or surgery. Since nausea and vomiting are common experiences during the first trimester of pregnancy, this antiemetic has been the main drug used during this period.

Methods

To evaluate the effects of ondansetron on the embryo‐fetal development, which are still very contradictory, pregnant rats were exposed to therapeutic doses of ondansetron (1.7 or 2.5 mg/kg) daily, from gestational day (GD) 6 to 15.

Results

No clinical signs of toxicity were observed in dams during the treatment. Although the hemato‐biochemical parameters were similar among the groups, histological changes, as well as a reduction in the weight of kidney were found in the treated dams. After fetal examination, no visceral and skeletal abnormalities were observed in treated fetuses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, therapeutic doses of ondansetron have low teratogenic potential in rats. These data provide important information about the drug safety during pregnancy.
Thermoluminescence in pumice stone collected from the Mediterranean coast
Authors: Toktamış Dilek
Published: February 2023

Pumice is a low‐density, light‐coloured volcanic rock (igneous rock) formed when the magma from a volcanic eruption is suddenly cooled. It has a porous structure and can be different colours and have different densities. Pumice stone, unlike other rock, does not sink in water because it has a low density. In the present study, the thermoluminescent (TL) dosimetric characteristics, such as the dose–response, TL signal fading as a function of storage time, heating rate, and reusability of pumice collected on the Mediterranean coast were investigated. From this study, it was concluded that the pumice stone showed TL properties with a TL glow curve including an obviously wide peak at ∼200°C. A wide linear dose–response region up to 144 Gy, low fading of the TL signal when it was kept in a dark room for a long time, and poor reusability properties were observed for dosimetry use.
Effects of predictive nursing intervention on cognitive impairment and neurological function in ischemic stroke patients
Authors: Xue Lianyu , Deng Jiangshan , Zhu Lingyan , Shen Feifei , Wei Jiewei , Wang Lihui , Chen Qinqin , Wang Lan
Published: February 2023

Background

Ischemic stroke is a clinical emergency caused by insufficient intracranial blood supply, which eventually leads to brain tissue necrosis and neurological impairment. Predictive nursing intervention has achieved impressive success in the nursing of multiple surgeries. However, the role of predictive nursing intervention in the care of patients with ischemic stroke remains unclear.

Methods

This study was a randomized controlled trial. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 126 patients were randomly assigned into two groups, namely the control group and the predictive nursing intervention group. Both groups were treated with thrombolytic therapy with alteplase. The patients in the control group were given routine nursing intervention and the predictive nursing intervention group received additional predictive care. Neurologic functions and cognitive impairment were evaluated by National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Fugl‐Meyer assessment (FMA), Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), and mini‐mental state examination (MMSE) scales, respectively. Door‐to‐Needle Times, venous thromboembolism (VTE)‐related parameters, and complications were recorded.

Results

Predictive nursing intervention significantly shortened the Door‐to‐Needle Times and enhanced the peak/average femoral venous blood flow and femoral venous diameter. In addition, predictive nursing intervention improved the NIHSS, FMA, MMSE, and MoCA scores and remarkably reduced the recurrence of ischemic stroke, deep vein thrombosis and gingival bleeding.

Conclusion

Predictive nursing intervention is beneficial to improve the effects of thrombolytic therapy in patients with ischemic stroke, which improves the neurological, cognitive and motor functions of patients, and reduces the occurrence of complications, suggesting an important clinical application value.
Sustainable mobility choices: Exploring the impact of consumers' values, attitudes, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms on the likelihood to choose sustainable mobility options
Authors: Nogueira Mafalda , Dias Francisca , Santos Vera
Published: February 2023

This study explores consumers' behaviour regarding sustainable mobility options. A mixed‐methods approach was adopted to examine the impact of bio‐altruistic values, egoistic values, environmental attitudes, attitudes regarding sustainable mobility, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms on the likelihood of choosing sustainable mobility options. To collect the data, an online survey was applied to a sample of 645 Portuguese consumers, which included one single non‐mandatory open‐ended question to understand which factors could contribute to increase respondents' likelihood to choose more sustainable transport modes. As most studies in the mobility field are quantitative, combining both quantitative and qualitative data provided a greater in‐depth analysis with richer findings. Firstly, findings revealed that attitudes towards sustainable mobility, subjective norms, perceived behaviour control, and egoistic values influence the likelihood of choosing sustainable mobility options. However, environmental attitudes, altruistic and biospheric values do not impact this choice. Secondly, consumers highlight that the existence of a broad public transport network, safe bicycle lanes, and accessible prices would contribute to their likelihood of adopting more sustainable mobility behaviours. The content analysis of 402 answers allowed to discover new dimensions that influence sustainable mobility behaviour, such as safety, respect towards bicycle users, mindset adjustment, willpower, and especially physical efforts associated with long distances, bad weather, orography, and the difficulty to transport materials or other people. Based on both quantitative and qualitative findings, the paper provides key recommendations for politicians, urban planners, and transport organisations, that according to respondents, would contribute to increase their use of sustainable mobility.
Effect of cricket protein powders on dough functionality and bread quality
Authors: Perez‐Fajardo Mayra , Bean Scott R. , Dogan Hulya
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

The enrichment of foods with insect proteins has gained interest; however, more research is needed to understand how different insect protein functionalities impact food systems. The objective of this study was to understand the effect of cricket protein powder on mixing, pasting, and dough development characteristics of bread dough and on the end‐product characteristics of bread.

Findings

Two different cricket protein powders, GrioPro (G) and Entomo Farms €, were tested. MixoLab constant and optimized water absorption protocols were used to study the effect of cricket protein powder replacement on dough development. Dough extensibility was tested using the Kieffer Rig protocol. Breads were baked with 5%, 10%, or 20% replacement levels of cricket protein powder. Loaf volume was measured, and bread slices underwent texture profile analysis (TPA) at 0, 1, 3, and 7 days. In general, the incorporation of powders G and E led to two opposite effects. Use of powder G led to an increased stability and significantly higher C1 torque (20% level) while powder E led to softer doughs with a decreased stability at the 20% replacement level and no significant difference in water absorption.

Conclusions

Extensibility and loaf volume significantly decreased as the replacement level increased for all treatments. TPA results showed a significant increase in hardness at higher replacement levels with G being harder than E. It is feasible to enrich bread with cricket protein powders at low incorporation levels.

Significance and Novelty

Results show how differing functional properties of cricket protein powders impact their interactions within the gluten network and in turn affect the quality of bread produced.
Effect of infrared heating on the nutritional properties of yellow pea and green lentil flours
Authors: Laing Emma , Stone Andrea K. , Shi Dai , Pickard Mark , House James D. , Wang Ning , Nickerson Michael T.
Published: February 2023

Background and Objectives

To enhance the utilization of pulse ingredients, greater knowledge of the effect of infrared (IR) processing on protein and starch nutrition is needed. The current study investigated the use of tempering (20% vs. 30% moisture) with IR heating (120°C vs. 140°C) to improve the nutritional value of two commercially important pulses: green lentils and yellow peas.

Findings

Proximate composition remained mostly unchanged after IR heating for both pulse types. The protein's secondary structure transitioned to a state with a higher amount of random coils as IR processing conditions intensified (increase in moisture and temperature). In vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) increased from 73% to 78%−82% for green lentil and 78% to 81%−85% for yellow pea, depending on IR processing treatment. Tryptophan was the limiting amino acid in all samples. The IVPD corrected amino acid scores were not significantly altered by IR processing. The content of rapidly (RDS) and slowly (SDS) digestible starches increased, whereas that of resistance starch declined with IR processing.

Conclusions

The combined effect of tempering moisture and IR heat as a premilling treatment changed the protein secondary structure but did not improve the overall protein quality of the pulses. Starch digestibility was improved with IR processing.

Significance and Novelty

Employing tempering and IR heating techniques on pulses may be useful in food and feed applications where improved starch digestibility is desired.
Unravelling the Effect of Alkali Metal Deposition on Co3O4 for Catalytic Decomposition of N2O
Authors: Sun Jinru , Song Aolei , Tian Yu , Zhan Hua , Deng Jianlin , Wang Hong , Ke Ming
Published: February 2023

In this paper, the effect of alkali metal deposition on the activity of x‐Co3O4 (x=Na, K, Rb, Cs) catalysts for the N2O catalytic decomposition was systematically explored by DFT calculation and various experimental characterization methods. The results demonstrated that the deposition of alkali metal Na improved the activity of the Na‐Co3O4 catalyst for N2O catalytic decomposition at low temperatures. By contrast, the deposition of other alkali metals (K, Rb and Cs) suppressed the catalytic decomposition of N2O perceptibly. Analysis of the results of XRD, FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, XPS, O2‐TPD and H2‐TPR characterization of x‐Co3O4 catalysts showed that the deposition of alkali metals did not affect the morphology and structure of the catalysts. However, it affected the chemical environment around the Co ion in the x‐Co3O4 catalyst, where the deposition of alkali metal Na not only facilitated the reduction of Co3+ to Co2+, but also promoted the surface decomposition step of N2O (i. e., the oxidation of Co2+ to Co3+ by giving electrons) at low temperatures, indicating that alkali metal Na improved the electron donating capability of the catalyst active center and enhanced the performance of the Na‐Co3O4 catalyst for the DCD of N2O at low temperatures. The deposition of other alkali metals did not show the same results as that of alkali metal Na, indicating that the promotion of different alkali metals was different and would directly affect the catalytic effect. At low temperatures, the catalytic activity of catalysts deposited with the alkali metal Na was greater than that of catalysts deposited with other alkali metals.
Precise Control of Dissipative Self‐assembly by Light and Electricity
Authors: Chen Chunfeng , Guan Zhibin
Published: February 2023

Nature‐inspired synthetic dissipative self‐assemblies have attracted much attention recently. However, it remains a major challenge to achieve precise control over dissipative supramolecular assembly structures and functions of self‐contained systems. Here we combine light and electricity as two clean, and spatiotemporally addressable fuels to provide precise control over the morphology for dissipative self‐assembly of a perylene bisimide glycine (PBIg) building block in a self‐contained solution. In this design, electrochemical oxidation provides the positive fuel to activate PBIg self‐assembly while photoreduction supplies the negative fuel to deactivate the system for disassembly. Through programming the two counteracting fuels, we demonstrated the control of PBIg self‐assembly into a variety of assembly morphologies in a self‐contained system. In addition, by exerting light and electrical dual fuels simultaneously, we could create an active homeostasis exhibiting dynamic instability, leading to morphological change to asymmetric assemblies with curvatures. Such precise control over self‐assembly of self‐contained systems may find future applications in programming complex active materials as well as formulating pharmaceutical reagents with desired morphologies.
Highly selective extraction of aromatics from aliphatics using an N‐methylpyrrolidone‐based protic ionic liquid
Authors: Yu Hui , Geng Chuanqi , Li Xinyu , Wu Xiaojia , Tian Shichao , Zhou Zhiyong , Ren Zhongqi
Published: February 2023

The efficient and sustainable separation of aromatics from aliphatics is an ongoing challenge in chemical engineering. In this work, the protic ionic liquid N‐methylpyrrolidonium methanesulphonate ([NMP][MSA]) was used to separate toluene from n‐heptane or cyclohexane. Nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy were used to demonstrate the successfully synthesis of [NMP][MSA]. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to confirm that the interaction of [NMP][MSA] with toluene would be stronger than those with n‐heptane and cyclohexane, with electrostatic forces and dispersion playing the primary roles and induction playing a minor role. Furthermore, independent gradient model (IGM) analysis demonstrated that van der Waals forces make a major contribution to the stability of [NMP][MSA]–toluene. For a 10 mol% toluene/n‐heptane system, the toluene distribution coefficient and selectivity were found to be 0.35 and >70, respectively, while the corresponding values were 0.40 and 27 for a 10 mol% toluene/cyclohexane system. Changing the extraction temperature seemed to have little effect on separation performance. The effects of solvent dosage, initial concentration, and extractant recycling were also investigated. Overall, our results show that [NMP][MSA] has potential for industrial use.
Simultaneous removal of anionic and cationic dyes from wastewater with biosorbents from banana peels
Authors: Stavrinou Anastasia , Aggelopoulos Christos A. , Tsakiroglou Christos D.
Published: February 2023

Untreated banana peel (BP) is able to adsorb efficiently cationic dyes like methylene blue (MB) but weakly anionic dyes like orange G (OG). One way to enhance the sorption capacity for both dyes is to convert BP into activated carbon (BPAC) after thermochemical treatment. Among the various BPACs tested, the highest sorption capacity for both dyes was achieved when BP was modified with NaOH and pyrolyzed at 700°C (BPAC‐NaOH‐700). The pore structure of adsorbents was analyzed with scanning‐electron‐microscopy (SEM), nitrogen sorption isotherms, and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and the meso‐ and micro‐pore size distribution of BPAC‐NaOH‐700 was the narrowest one with the smallest mean value and the highest specific surface area. Equilibrium tests in batch mode were fitted with the extended Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and used to estimate thermodynamic properties. The MB and OG sorption dynamics onto BPAC‐NaOH‐700 was approximated with the multi‐compartment model, and the external and internal mass‐transfer coefficients were estimated. The maximum sorption capacity of BPAC‐NaOH‐700 was found to be equal to 323 mg/g for MB and 76 mg/g for OG, both higher than the corresponding values for BP, and fully consistent with the high values of its surface area ( = 530 m2/g) and total pore volume ( = 1.81 cm3/g). The synergistic interaction for the sorption of both dyes onto BPAC‐NaOH‐700 was associated with a push‐pull mechanism, while the selective sorption of MB onto BPAC‐NaOH‐700 was attributed to the very slow rates of OG pore and surface diffusion in meso‐ and micro‐porosity, respectively. The adsorption was exothermic for BP, and endothermic for OG.