bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brain functional connectivity based on phase lag index of electroencephalography for automated diagnosis of schizophrenia using residual neural networks
Authors: Polat Hasan
Published: June 2023

The complexity of symptoms of schizophrenia (SZ) complicate traditional and effective diagnoses based on clinical signs. Moreover, clinical diagnosis of SZ is manual, time‐consuming, and error‐prone. Thus, there is a requirement to develop automated systems for timely and accurate diagnosis of SZ. This paper proposes an automated SZ diagnosis pipeline based on residual neural networks (ResNet). To exploit the superior image processing capabilities of the ResNet models, multi‐channel electroencephalogram (EEG) signals were converted into functional connectivity representations (FCRs). The functional connectivity of multiple regions in the cerebral cortex is critical for a better understanding of the mechanisms of SZ. In creating the FCR input images, the phase lag index (PLI) was calculated based on 16‐channel EEG signals from 45 SZ patients and 39 healthy control (HC) subjects to reduce and avoid the volume conduction effect. The experimental results showed that satisfactory classification performance (accuracy = 96.02%, specificity = 94.85%, sensitivity = 97.03%, precision = 95.70%, and F1‐score = 96.33%) was achieved by combining FCR inputs of beta oscillatory and the ResNet‐50 model. The statistical analyses also confirmed that there is a significant difference between SZ patients and HC subjects (p < 0.001, one‐way ANOVA). More specifically, the average connectivity strengths between nodes in the parietal cortex and those in the central, occipital, and temporal regions were significantly reduced in SZ patients compared to HC subjects. Overall results demonstrated that this paper not only provided an automated diagnostic model whose classification performance is superior to most previous studies but also valuable biomarkers for clinical use.
Triggering daily online adaptive radiotherapy in the pelvis: Dosimetric effects and procedural implications of trigger parameter‐value selection
Authors: Yock Adam D. , Ahmed Mahmoud , Masick Sarah , Morales‐Paliza Manuel , Kluwe Christien , Shinde Ashwin , Kirschner Austin , Shinohara Eric
Published: June 2023

Background

Online adaptive radiotherapy (ART) can address dosimetric consequences of variations in anatomy by creating a new plan during treatment. However, ART is time‐ and labor‐intensive and should be implemented in a resource‐conscious way. Adaptive triggers composed of parameter‐value pairs may direct the judicious use of online ART.

Purpose

This work analyzed our clinical experience using CBCT‐based daily online ART to demonstrate how a conceptual framework based on adaptive triggers affects the dosimetric and procedural impact of ART.

Methods

Sixteen patients across several pelvic sites were treated with CBCT‐based daily online ART. Differences in standardized dose metrics were compared between the original plan, the original plan recalculated on the daily anatomy, and an adaptive plan. For each metric, trigger values were analyzed in terms of the proportion of treatments adapted and the distribution of metric values.

Results

Target coverage metrics were compromised due to anatomic variation with the average change per treatment ranging from ‐0.90 to ‐0.05 Gy, ‐0.47 to ‐0.02 Gy, ‐0.31 to ‐0.01 Gy, and ‐12.45% to ‐2.65% for PTV D99%, PTV D95%, CTV D99%, and CTV V100%, respectively. These were improved using the adaptive plan (‐0.03 to 0.01 Gy, ‐0.02 to 0.00 Gy, ‐0.03 to 0.00 Gy, and ‐4.70% to 0.00%, respectively). Increasingly strict triggers resulted in a non‐linear increase in the proportion of treatments adapted and improved the distribution of metric values with diminishing returns. Some organ‐at‐risk (OAR) metrics were compromised by anatomic variation and improved using the adaptive plan, but changes in most OAR metrics were randomly distributed.

Conclusions

Daily online ART improved target coverage across multiple pelvic treatment sites and techniques. These effects were larger than those for OAR metrics, suggesting that maintaining target coverage was our primary benefit of CBCT‐based daily online ART. Analyses like these can determine online ART triggers from a cost‐benefit perspective.
A clinical application of fair value estimate (FVE) for R50%: Separating overlapping 50% isodose volumes in single isocenter multiple targets SRS
Authors: Desai Dharmin D. , Cordrey Ivan L.
Published: June 2023

In the treatment of single isocenter multiple targets (SIMT) stereotactic cranial cases with linac‐based, multi‐leaf collimated delivery, one encounters cases when the 50% isodose clouds (IDC50%s) of planning target volumes (PTVs) in close proximity overlap and cannot easily be separated. In such cases, it is difficult to assign an IDC50% to each individual PTV, which is necessary to allow evaluation of individual PTV intermediate dose spill for comparison to established intermediate dose spill metrics for plan quality assessment. The Fair Value Estimate (FVE) for R50% (R50%FVE) is a method to unambiguously apportion the overlapping volume of IDC50% to allow calculation of the intermediate dose spill metric R50% (defined as volume of IDC50% / volume of PTV). Full application of R50%FVE requires knowing the surface area of the PTVs. Since surface area information is not always available, we develop a spherical PTV approximation to R50%FVE‐sphere and compare this to R50%FVE. Then we apply the R50%FVE‐sphere to clinical data from the University of Alabama, Birmingham (UAB) that catalogs 68 PTVs from various SIMT plans with overlapping IDC50%. The UAB dataset reports intermediate dose spill as Falloff Index. While Falloff Index looks mathematically equivalent to R50%, the Falloff Index attributes the “entire overlapping IDC50% of PTVs in close proximity” to each individual PTV in the cluster. R50%FVE‐sphere provides a value that is conceptually correct and numerically smaller relative to the Falloff Index data reported by UAB in all cases. This reprocessing of the UAB data places many of the PTVs with very high intermediate dose spill within recently proposed R50% guidelines.
Toward an early clinical diagnosis of MM2‐type sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease
Authors: Chen Zhongyun , Kong Yu , Zhang Jing , Chu Min , Liu Li , Xie Kexin , Cui Yue , Ye Hong , Li Junjie , Wang Lin , Wu Liyong
Published: June 2023

Objective

To assess the proportion of clinically diagnosed MM2‐type sporadic Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (sCJD) in a Chinese cohort, describe the clinical features of MM2‐cortical (MM2C) and MM2‐thalamic (MM2T) type sCJD to improve the early detection of MM2‐type sCJD.

Methods

A total of 209 patients with sCJD admitted to the Xuanwu Hospital between February 2012 and August 2022 were reviewed. The patients were classified into probable MM2C, MM2T‐type sCJD, and other types of sCJD according to current clinical diagnostic criteria. Clinical and ancillary data were compared between the groups.

Results

Fifty‐one (24.4%) patients were clinically diagnosed with MM2‐type sCJD, of which 44 were diagnosed with MM2C‐type sCJD and 7 with MM2T‐type sCJD. In the absence of RT‐QuIC, 27 (61.3%) patients of MM2C‐type sCJD did not meet the US CDC sCJD criteria for possible sCJD on admission, even though the mean period from onset to admission was 6.0 months. However, all of these patients had cortical hyperintensity on DWI. Compared to the other types of sCJD, MM2C‐type sCJD was associated with slower disease progression and the absence of the typical clinical features of sCJD; the MM2T‐type sCJD group had a higher proportion of males, earlier age of onset, longer duration of disease, and a higher incidence of bilateral thalamic hypometabolism/hypoperfusion.

Interpretation

In the absence of multiple typical sCJD symptoms within 6 months, the presence of cortical hyperintensity on DWI should raise concerns for MM2C‐type sCJD after excluding other etiologies. Bilateral thalamic hypometabolism/hypoperfusion may be more helpful in the clinical diagnosis of MM2T‐type sCJD.
A transfer learning‐based deep convolutional neural network approach for induction machine multiple faults detection
Authors: Kumar Prashant , Hati Ananda Shankar , Kumar Prince
Published: June 2023

The condition monitoring of squirrel cage induction motors (SCIMs) is vital for uninterrupted production and minimum downtime. Early fault detection can boost output with minimum effort. This article combines the application of transfer learning and convolution neural network (TL‐CNN) for developing an efficient model for bearing and rotor broken bars damage identification in SCIMs. A simple technique for the 1‐D current signal‐to‐image conversion is also proposed to provide input to the proposed deep learning‐based TL‐CNN technique. The proposed approach embodies the advantages of TL and CNN for effective fault identification in SCIMs. The developed technique has classified faults efficiently with an average accuracy of 99.40%. The complete analysis and data collection have been done on the experimental set‐up with a 5 kW SCIM and LabVIEW‐based data acquisition system. The propounded fault detection model has been created in python with the help of packages like Keras and TensorFlow.
Additive Manufacturing of Porous Biominerals
Authors: Zhao Ran , Wittig Nina Kølln , De Angelis Gaia , Yuan Tianyu , Hirsch Matteo , Birkedal Henrik , Amstad Esther
Published: June 2023

Nature fabricates hard functional materials from soft organic scaffolds that are mineralized. To enable an energy‐efficient locomotion of these creatures while maintaining their structural stability, nature often renders parts of these minerals porous. Unfortunately, methods to produce synthetic minerals with a similar degree of control over their multi length scale porous structure remain elusive. This level of control, however, would be required to design lightweight yet robust biominerals. Here, a room temperature process is presented that combines a localized mineralization with emulsion‐based 3D printing to form cm sized biominerals possessing pores whose diameters range from the 100 s of nm up to the mm length scale. The samples encompass up to 80 wt% of CaCO3 and display a specific compressive strength that is significantly higher than that of previously reported 3D printed porous biominerals and close to those of trabecular bones. The universality of this approach by forming different types of bioactive minerals, including calcite, aragonite, and brushite is demonstrated. The ability to 3D print these materials under benign conditions renders this energy‐efficient process well‐suited to construct cm‐sized lightweight yet load‐bearing structures that might find applications, for example, in the design of the next generation of flying or motile objects.
Reactivating the Dead Lithium by Redox Shuttle to Promote the Efficient Utilization of Lithium for Anode Free Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Zhang Yuhao , Liu Jie , Li Yufei , Zhao Dongchen , Huang Wei , Zheng Yiwei , Zhou Jinqiu , Zhu Changhao , Deng Chengwei , Sun Yi , Qian Tao , Yan Chenglin
Published: June 2023

Anode free lithium metal batteries (AFLMBs), as a kind of novel battery configuration with zero excess lithium, can improve the energy density to the limit compared with lithium metal batteries and effectively ensure the safety. However, the lifespan of AFLMBs is a tricky problem because there is no extra lithium source to compensate for the irreversible loss of active lithium, which is mainly caused by the continuous decomposition of electrolyte and the formation of dead lithium. Herein, a redox shuttle additive, which can be oxidized in the cathode and reduced in the electrolyte reversibly, is introduced to improve the lithium utilization and lifespan of AFLMBs by reactivating the dead lithium. During the charging process, the redox shuttle additive can be oxidized on the cathode surface and serve as electron acceptor toward dead lithium. The electrically isolated dead lithium in the electrolyte can be re‐activated into active lithium ions when captured by oxidized redox shuttle additive.As a result, electrolyte with redox shuttle achieves average higher coulombic efficiency of 99.13% than electrolyte without redox shuttle (97.71%). In addition, the AFLMB with redox shuttle exhibits improved cycling performance with extended lifespan.
Progresses and Perspectives of All‐Iron Aqueous Redox Flow Batteries
Authors: Belongia Shawn , Wang Xiang , Zhang Xin
Published: June 2023

Redox flow batteries (RFBs) are a promising option for long‐duration energy storage (LDES) due to their stability, scalability, and potential reversibility. However, solid‐state and non‐aqueous flow batteries have low safety and low conductivity, while aqueous systems using vanadium and zinc are expensive and have low power and energy densities, limiting their industrial application. An approach to lower capital cost and improve scalability is to utilize cheap Earth‐abundant metals such as iron (Fe). Nevertheless, all‐iron RFBs have many complications, involving voltage loss from ohmic resistance, side reactions such as hydrogen evolution, oxidation, and most significantly electrode plating, and dendrite growth. To address these issues, researchers have begun to examine the effects of various alterations to all‐iron RFBs, such as adding organic ligands to form Fe complexes and using a slurry electrode instead of common materials such as graphite or platinum rods. Overall, progress in improving aqueous all‐iron RFBs is at its infant stage, and new strategies must be introduced, such as the utilization of nanoparticles, which can limit dendrite growth while increasing storage capacity. This review provides an in‐depth overview of current research and offers perspectives on how to design the next generation of all‐iron aqueous RFBs.
Cu Aerogels with Sustainable Cu(I)/Cu(II) Redox Cycles for Sensitive Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensing
Authors: Fang Qie , Wang Hengjia , Wei Xiaoqian , Tang Yinjun , Luo Xin , Xu Weiqing , Hu Liuyong , Gu Wenling , Zhu Chengzhou
Published: June 2023

Developing functional nanomaterials for nonenzymatic glucose electrochemical sensing platforms is vital and challenging from the perspective of pathology and physiology. Accurate identification of active sites and thorough investigation of catalytic mechanisms are critical prerequisites for the design of advanced catalysts for electrochemical sensing. Herein, Cu aerogels are synthesized as a model system for sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensing. The resultant Cu aerogels exhibit good catalytic activity for glucose electrooxidation with high sensitivity and a low detection limit. Significantly, in situ electrochemical investigations and Raman characterizations reveal the catalytic mechanism of Cu‐based nonenzymatic glucose sensing. During the electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose, Cu(I) is electrochemically oxidized to generate Cu(II), and the resultant Cu(II) is spontaneously reduced back to Cu(I) by glucose, achieving the sustained Cu(I)/Cu(II) redox cycles. This study provides profound insights into the catalytic mechanism for nonenzymatic glucose sensing, which provides great potential guidance for a rational design of advanced catalysts in the future.
Oxidation of Hydrogen Sulfide to Polysulfide and Thiosulfate by a Carbon Nanozyme: Therapeutic Implications with an Emphasis on Down Syndrome
Authors: Derry Paul J. , Liopo Anton V. , Mouli Karthik , McHugh Emily A. , Vo Anh T. T. , McKelvey Ann , Suva Larry J. , Wu Gang , Gao Yan , Olson Kenneth R. , Tour James M. , Kent Thomas A.
Published: June 2023

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a noxious, potentially poisonous, but necessary gas produced from sulfur metabolism in humans. In Down Syndrome (DS), the production of H2S is elevated and associated with degraded mitochondrial function. Therefore, removing H2S from the body as a stable oxide could be an approach to reducing the deleterious effects of H2S in DS. In this report we describe the catalytic oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to polysulfides (HS2+n−) and thiosulfate (S2O32−) by poly(ethylene glycol) hydrophilic carbon clusters (PEG‐HCCs) and poly(ethylene glycol) oxidized activated charcoal (PEG‐OACs), examples of oxidized carbon nanozymes (OCNs). We show that OCNs oxidize H2S to polysulfides and S2O32− in a dose‐dependent manner. The reaction is dependent on O2 and the presence of quinone groups on the OCNs. In DS donor lymphocytes we found that OCNs increased polysulfide production, proliferation, and afforded protection against additional toxic levels of H2S compared to untreated DS lymphocytes. Finally, in Dp16 and Ts65DN murine models of DS, we found that OCNs restored osteoclast differentiation. This new action suggests potential facile translation into the clinic for conditions involving excess H2S exemplified by DS.
Single‐Gate In‐Transistor Readout of Current Superposition and Collapse Utilizing Quantum Tunneling and Ferroelectric Switching
Authors: Chen Ching‐Hung , Lai Yu‐Ting , Chen Ciao‐Fen , Wu Pei‐Tzu , Su Kuan‐Jung , Hsu Sheng‐Yang , Dai Guo‐Jin , Huang Zan‐Yi , Hsu Chien‐Lung , Lee Shen‐Yang , Shen Chuan‐Hui , Chen Hsin‐Yu , Lee Chia‐Chin , Hsieh Dong‐Ru , Lin Yen‐Fu , Chao Tien‐Sheng , Lo Shun‐Tsung
Published: June 2023

In nanostructure assemblies, the superposition of current paths forms microscopic electric circuits, and different circuit networks produce varying results, particularly when utilized as transistor channels for computing applications. However, the intricate nature of assembly networks and the winding paths of commensurate currents hinder standard circuit modeling. Inspired by the quantum collapse of superposition states for information decoding in quantum circuits, the implementation of analogous current path collapse to facilitate the detection of microscopic circuits by modifying their network topology is explored. Here, the superposition and collapse of current paths in gate‐all‐around polysilicon nanosheet arrays are demonstrated to enrich the computational resources within transistors by engineering the channel length and quantity. Switching the ferroelectric polarization of Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 gate dielectric, which drives these transistors out‐of‐equilibrium, decodes the output polymorphism through circuit topological modifications. Furthermore, a protocol for the single‐electron readout of ferroelectric polarization is presented with tailoring the channel coherence. The introduction of lateral path superposition results into intriguing metal‐to‐insulator transitions due to transient behavior of ferroelectric switching. This ability to adjust the current networks within transistors and their interaction with ferroelectric polarization in polycrystalline nanostructures lays the groundwork for generating diverse current characteristics as potential physical databases for optimization‐based computing.
Unique Tridentate Coordination Tailored Solvation Sheath Toward Highly Stable Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Wu Junru , Gao Ziyao , Tian Yao , Zhao Yun , Lin Yilong , Wang Kang , Guo Hexin , Pan Yanfang , Wang Xianshu , Kang Feiyu , Tavajohi Naser , Fan Xiulin , Li Baohua
Published: June 2023

Electrolyte optimization by solvent molecule design is recognized as an effective approach for stabilizing lithium (Li) metal batteries. However, the coordination pattern of Li ions (Li+) with solvent molecules is sparsely considered. Here, an electrolyte design strategy is reported based on bi/tridentate chelation of Li+ and solvent to tune the solvation structure. As a proof of concept, a novel solvent with multi‐oxygen coordination sites is demonstrated to facilitate the formation of an anion‐aggregated solvation shell, enhancing the interfacial stability and de‐solvation kinetics. As a result, the as‐developed electrolyte exhibits ultra‐stable cycling over 1400 h in symmetric cells with 50 µm‐thin Li foils. When paired with high‐loading LiFePO4, full cells maintain 92% capacity over 500 cycles and deliver improved electrochemical performances over a wide temperature range from −10 to 60 °C. Furthermore, the concept is validated in a pouch cell (570 mAh), achieving a capacity retention of 99.5% after 100 cycles. This brand‐new insight on electrolyte engineering provides guidelines for practical high‐performance Li metal batteries.
Defect Engineering of a High‐Entropy Metallic Glass Surface for High‐Performance Overall Water Splitting at Ampere‐Level Current Densities
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Yang Yiyuan , Liu Yujing , Jia Zhe , Wang Qianqian , Sun Ligang , Zhang Lai‐Chang , Kruzic Jamie J. , Lu Jian , Shen Baolong
Published: June 2023

Platinum‐based electrocatalysts possess high water electrolysis activity and are essential components for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). A major challenge, however, is how to break the cost‐efficiency trade‐off. Here, a novel defect engineering strategy is presented to construct a nanoporous (FeCoNiB0.75)97Pt3 (atomic %) high‐entropy metallic glass (HEMG) with a nanocrystalline surface structure that contains large amounts of lattice distortion and stacking faults to achieve excellent electrocatalytic performance using only 3 at% of Pt. The defect‐rich HEMG achieves ultralow overpotentials at ampere‐level current density of 1000 mA cm−2 for HER (104 mV) and oxygen evolution reaction (301 mV) under alkaline conditions, while retains a long‐term durability exceeding 200 h at 100 mA cm−2. Moreover, it only requires 81 and 122 mV to drive the current densities of 1000 and 100 mA cm−2 for HER under acidic and neutral conditions, respectively. Modelling results reveal that lattice distortion and stacking fault defects help to optimize atomic configuration and modulate electronic interaction, while the surface nanoporous architecture provides abundant active sites, thus synergistically contributing to the reduced energy barrier for water electrolysis. This defect engineering approach combined with a HEMG design strategy is expected to be widely applicable for development of high‐performance alloy catalysts.
Stabilizing Supersaturation with Extreme Grain Refinement in Spinodal Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Xu Wei , Zhong Yiming , Li Xiuyan , Lu K.
Published: June 2023

Supersaturated solid solutions can be formed in alloys from various non‐equilibrium processes, but stabilizing the metastable phases against decomposition is challenging, particularly the spinodal decomposition that occurs via chemical fluctuations without energy barriers to nucleation. In this work, it is found that spinodal decomposition in supersaturated Al(Zn) solid solutions can be inhibited with straining‐induced extreme grain refinement. For the refined supersaturated grains at the nanoscale, their spinodal decomposition is obviously resisted by the relaxed grain boundaries and reduced lattice defects. As grains are refined below 10 nm the decomposition is completely inhibited, in which atomic diffusion is blocked by the stable Schwarz crystal structure with vacancy‐free grains. Extreme grain refinement offers a general approach to stabilize supersaturated phases with broadened compositional windows for property modulation of alloys.
Multi‐Channel Image Encryption Based on an All‐Dielectric Metasurface Incorporating Near‐Field Nanoprinting and Far‐Field Holography
Authors: Yuan Huan , Zhong Zheqiang , Zhang Yunhao , Zhang Bin
Published: June 2023

Metasurfaces that can efficiently control the light‐field characteristics have shown many advantages in ultra‐compact, high‐resolution, and high‐concealment optical imaging such as nanoprinting and holography. The development of metasurfaces with multiple functions operating at multiple wavelengths can promote the progress of optical imaging with high information storage and encryption densities. Here, an all‐dielectric metasurface is proposed for multi‐channel image encryption in the near field by controlling the amplitude distribution based on Marius’ law and for holographic imaging in the far field by controlling the phase distribution based on the Pancharatnam–Berry phase. This metasurface can realize the pattern imaging of 12 channels by independently regulating the three‐wavelength channel and different polarization modes. The metasurface achieves independent control of the amplitude, phase, polarization, and wavelength of the incident light wave, improving the storage capacity of information and its encryption security level. The proposed multichannel metasurface provides an effective solution for high‐capacity optical encryption and information storage applications.
Systematic Mining and Evaluation of the Sesquiterpene Skeletons as High Energy Aviation Fuel Molecules
Authors: Huang Yanglei , Ye Ziling , Wan Xiukun , Yao Ge , Duan Jingyu , Liu Jiajia , Yao Mingdong , Sun Xiang , Deng Zixin , Shen Kun , Jiang Hui , Liu Tiangang
Published: June 2023

Sesquiterpenes have been identified as promising ingredients for aviation fuels due to their high energy density and combustion heat properties. Despite the characterization of numerous sesquiterpene structures, studies testing their performance properties and feasibility as fuels are scarce. In this study, 122 sesquiterpenoid skeleton compounds, obtained from existing literature reports, are tested using group contribution and gaussian quantum chemistry methods to assess their potential as high‐energy aviation fuels. Seventeen sesquiterpene compounds exhibit good predictive performance and nine compounds are further selected for overproduction in yeast. Through fed‐batch fermentation, all compounds achieve the highest reported titers to date. Subsequently, three representative products, pentalenene, presilphiperfol‐1‐ene, and α‐farnesene, are selected, produced, purified in large quantities, and tested for use as potential fuels. The performance of pentalenene, presilphiperfol‐1‐ene, and their derivatives reveals favorable prospects as high‐energy aviation fuels.
Excited‐State Dynamics in All‐Polymer Blends with Polymerized Small‐Molecule Acceptors
Authors: Liu Ziran , Li Qian , Fu Lulu , Wang Jide , Ma Jing , Zhang Chunfeng , Wang Rui
Published: June 2023

Polymerizing small‐molecular acceptors (SMAs) is a promising route to construct high performance polymer acceptors of all‐polymer solar cells (all‐PSCs). After SMA polymerization, the microstructure of molecular packing is largely modified, which is essential in regulating the excited‐state dynamics during the photon‐to‐current conversion. Nevertheless, the relationship between the molecular packing and excited‐state dynamics in polymerized SMAs (PSMAs) remains poorly understood. Herein, the excited‐state dynamics and molecular packing are investigated in the corresponding PSMA and SMA utilizing a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. This study finds that the charge separation from intra‐moiety delocalized states (i‐DEs) is much faster in blends with PSMAs, but the loosed π–π molecular packing suppresses the excitation conversion from the local excitation (LE) to the i‐DE, leading to additional radiative losses from LEs. Moreover, the increased aggregations of PSMA in the blends decrease donor: acceptor interfaces, which reduces triplet losses from the bimolecular charge recombination. These findings suggest that excited‐state dynamics may be manipulated by the molecular packing in blends with PSMAs to further optimize the performance of all‐PSCs.
The Conserved LncRNA DIO3OS Restricts Hepatocellular Carcinoma Stemness by Interfering with NONO‐Mediated Nuclear Export of ZEB1 mRNA
Authors: Hou Ya‐Rui , Diao Li‐Ting , Hu Yan‐Xia , Zhang Qian‐Qian , Lv Guo , Tao Shuang , Xu Wan‐Yi , Xie Shu‐Juan , Zhang Qi , Xiao Zhen‐Dong
Published: June 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive and fatal disease caused by a subset of cancer stem cells (CSCs). It is estimated that there are approximately 100 000 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in humans. However, the mechanisms by which lncRNAs affect tumor stemness remain poorly understood. In the present study, it is found that DIO3OS is a conserved lncRNA that is generally downregulated in multiple cancers, including HCC, and its low expression correlates with poor clinical outcomes in HCC. In in vitro cancer cell lines and an in vivo spontaneous HCC mouse model, DIO3OS markedly represses tumor development via its suppressive role in CSCs through downregulation of zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1). Interestingly, DIO3OS represses ZEB1 post‐transcriptionally without affecting its mRNA levels. Subsequent experiments show that DIO3OS interacts with the NONO protein and restricts NONO‐mediated nuclear export of ZEB1 mRNA. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the DIO3OS‐NONO‐ZEB1 axis restricts HCC development and offers a valuable candidate for CSC‐targeted therapeutics for HCC.
Opening the Bandgap of Metallic Half‐Heuslers via the Introduction of d–d Orbital Interactions
Authors: Li Airan , Brod Madison K. , Wang Yuechu , Hu Kejun , Nan Pengfei , Han Shen , Gao Ziheng , Zhao Xinbing , Ge Binghui , Fu Chenguang , Anand Shashwat , Snyder G. Jeffrey , Zhu Tiejun
Published: June 2023

Half‐Heusler compounds with semiconducting behavior have been developed as high‐performance thermoelectric materials for power generation. Many half‐Heusler compounds also exhibit metallic behavior without a bandgap and thus inferior thermoelectric performance. Here, taking metallic half‐Heusler MgNiSb as an example, a bandgap opening strategy is proposed by introducing the d–d orbital interactions, which enables the opening of the bandgap and the improvement of the thermoelectric performance. The width of the bandgap can be engineered by tuning the strength of the d–d orbital interactions. The conduction type and the carrier density can also be modulated in the Mg1‐xTixNiSb system. Both improved n‐type and p‐type thermoelectric properties are realized, which are much higher than that of the metallic MgNiSb. The proposed bandgap opening strategy can be employed to design and develop new half‐Heusler semiconductors for functional and energy applications.
DeepMaizeNet: A novel hybrid approach based on CBAM for implementing the doubled haploid technique
Authors: Ayaz Ibrahim , Kutlu Fatih , Cömert Zafer
Published: June 2023

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal plant in the family of wheatgrass cultivated all over the world. With the increase in human population and environmental factors, the need for maize plants is increasing day by day. One of the efficient methods of increasing production of the maize is maize breeding. The most effective and rapid method for maize breeding is the doubled haploid (DH) technique. This technique reduces maize breeding time and increases productivity. There are different selection methods to select haploid maize seeds in the maize breeding process. Among these selection methods, the most common and most successful selection method is the visual checking of the R1‐Navajo marker. Maize seed separation by hand is a time‐consuming and error‐prone operation. It is labor‐intensive and very tiring; therefore, it is essential to develop a fast and highly accurate intelligent system that separates diploid and haploid maize seeds from each other. This study presents a pioneering approach, introducing the DeepMaizeNet, a hybrid deep learning model that showcases its prowess in accurately classifying haploid maize seeds. The classification of haploid seeds holds significant value for the DH technique, and the proposed model's success is a promising step toward enhanced efficiency. The proposed hybrid model exploits some new techniques such as convolution block attention module, hypercolumn, 2D upsampling, and residual block. For the assessment of the proposed model, the five‐fold cross‐validation technique is employed. The result shows that DeepMaizeNet provides a promising performance by achieving 94.13% accuracy, 94.91% F1‐score, and 97.27% sensitivity.
A grassroots antiracist program: The motivation and perceived growth of participants in a community‐based, intergroup dialogue program
Authors: Marcucci Olivia , Roberston Tiffany , Morgan Donald , Lazarus Elizabeth , Mitchell Lisa
Published: June 2023

In the United States, racial segregation still organizes the social lives of most people. This segregation of social life continues reinforcing attitudes and behaviors that sustain racial injustice in the United States. Given the longstanding structural forces sustaining the segregated status quo, why do certain individuals seek out opportunities for ‘intentional integration’? And what happens when they do? This qualitative study interviewed racially diverse participants in a community‐developed, sustained, and strategic intergroup dialogue program called Touchy Topics Tuesday (TTT), located in St. Louis, Missouri. Overall, participants (N = 30) described three interwoven motivations for involvement in the program–a catalytic moment, a long‐term commitment mindset, and/or the influence of their social network. Of all these, participants' social network was the predominant motivating force for individuals across racial lines. Participants also reported three main categories of outcomes: intellectual growth, emotional growth, and relational growth. Each of these categories encompass both attitudinal and behavioral changes. The article interrogates these major findings in the context of the intergroup dialogue literature and studies of attitude change and psychotherapy.
Risk Profile of Patients with Spontaneous Cervical Artery Dissection
Authors: Del Zotto Elisabetta , Grassi Mario , Zedde Marialuisa , Zini Andrea , Bersano Anna , Gandolfo Carlo , Silvestrelli Giorgio , Baracchini Claudio , Cerrato Paolo , Lodigiani Corrado , Marcheselli Simona , Paciaroni Maurizio , Spalloni Alessandra , Cappellari Manuel , Del Sette Massimo , Cavallini Anna , Lotti Enrico Maria , Delodovici Maria Luisa , Gentile Mauro , Magoni Mauro , Padroni Marina , Azzini Cristiano , Calloni Maria Vittoria , Giorli Elisa , Braga Massimiliano , La Spina Paolo , Melis Fabio , Tassi Rossana , Terruso Valeria , Calabrò Rocco Salvatore , Piras Valeria , Giossi Alessia , Sanguigni Sandro , Zanferrari Carla , Mannino Marina , Colombo Irene , Dallocchio Carlo , Nencini Patrizia , Bignamini Valeria , Adami Alessandro , Bella Rita , Pascarella Rosario , Keser Zafer , Pezzini Alessandro ,   the Italian Project on Stroke in Young Adults—Cervical Artery Dissection, (IPSYS CeAD) Research Group
Published: June 2023

Objective

Epidemiological data to characterize the individual risk profile of patients with spontaneous cervical artery dissection (sCeAD) are rather inconsistent.

Methods and Results

In the setting of the Italian Project on Stroke in Young Adults Cervical Artery Dissection (IPSYS CeAD), we compared the characteristics of 1,468 patients with sCeAD (mean age = 47.3 ± 11.3 years, men = 56.7%) prospectively recruited at 39 Italian centers with those of 2 control groups, composed of (1) patients whose ischemic stroke was caused by mechanisms other than dissection (non‐CeAD IS) selected from the prospective IPSYS registry and Brescia Stroke Registry and (2) stroke‐free individuals selected from the staff members of participating hospitals, matched 1:1:1 by sex, age, and race. Compared to stroke‐free subjects, patients with sCeAD were more likely to be hypertensive (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37–1.98), to have personal history of migraine with aura (OR = 2.45, 95% CI = 1.74–3.34), without aura (OR = 2.67, 95% CI = 2.15–3.32), and family history of vascular disease in first‐degree relatives (OR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.39–2.05), and less likely to be diabetic (OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.47–0.91), hypercholesterolemic (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62–0.91), and obese (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.31–0.54). Migraine without aura was also associated with sCeAD (OR = 1.81, 95% CI = 1.47–2.22) in comparison with patients with non‐CeAD IS. In the subgroup of patients with migraine, patients with sCeAD had higher frequency of migraine attacks and were less likely to take anti‐migraine preventive medications, especially beta‐blockers, compared with the other groups.

Interpretation

The risk of sCeAD is influenced by migraine, especially migraine without aura, more than by other factors, increases with increasing frequency of attacks, and seems to be reduced by migraine preventive medications, namely beta‐blockers. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:585–595
Asymmetric Hydrative Aldol Reaction (HAR) via Vinyl‐Gold Promoted Intermolecular Ynamide Addition to Aldehydes
Authors: Yuan Teng , Radefeld Kelton , Shan Chuan , Wegner Carter , Nichols Erin , Ye Xiaohan , Tang Qi , Wojtas Lukasz , Shi Xiaodong
Published: June 2023

Herein, we reported an intermolecular asymmetric hydrative aldol reaction through vinyl‐gold intermediate under ambient conditions. This tandem alkyne hydration and sequential nucleophilic addition afforded a “base‐free” approach to β‐hydroxy amides with high efficiency (up to 95 % yields, >50 examples). Vinyl gold intermediate was applied as reactive nucleophile and Fe(acac)3 was used as the critical co‐catalyst to prevent undesired protodeauration, allowing this transformation to proceed under mild conditions with good functional group tolerance and excellent stereoselectivity (>20 : 1 d.r. and up to 99 % ee).
Facile Processing of Unsubstituted π‐Conjugated Aromatic Polymers through Water‐solubilization Using Aromatic Micelles
Authors: Aoyama Shinji , Catti Lorenzo , Yoshizawa Michito
Published: June 2023

π‐Conjugated aromatic polymers (πCAPs) are central components of functional materials yet suffer from insolubility without multiple covalent substituents on their backbones. We herein disclose a new strategy for the facile processing of unsubstituted heterocyclic πCAPs (i.e., poly(para‐phenylene‐2,6‐benzobisoxazole) and poly(benzimidazobenzo‐phenanthroline)), independent of the polymer length, via non‐covalent encircling with aromatic micelles, composed of bent aromatic amphiphiles, in water. The UV/Visible studies reveal that the efficiencies of the present encircling method are ≈10 to 50‐fold higher than those using conventional amphiphiles under the same conditions. The AFM and SEM analyses of the resultant aqueous polymer composites show that otherwise insoluble πCAPs form fine bundles (e.g., ≈1 nm in thickness) in the tubular aromatic micelles, through efficient π‐stacking interactions. In the same way, pristine poly(para‐phenylene) can be dissolved in water, displaying enhanced fluorescence (10‐fold), relative to the polymer solid. Two types of unsubstituted πCAPs are likewise co‐encircled in water, indicated by UV/Visible analysis. Importantly, aqueous processing of the encircled πCAPs into free‐standing single‐ or multicomponent films with submicrometer thickness is demonstrated through a simple filtration‐annealing protocol.
A multilevel investigation of sensory sensitivity and responsivity in autistic adults
Authors: Sapey‐Triomphe Laurie‐Anne , Dierckx Joke , Vettori Sofie , van Overwalle Jaana , Wagemans Johan
Published: June 2023

Atypical sensory processing is a core symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We aimed at better characterizing visual sensitivity and responsivity in ASD at the self‐reported, behavioral and neural levels, and at describing the relationships between these levels. We refer to sensory sensitivity as the ability to detect sensory stimuli and to sensory responsivity as an affective response to sensory stimuli. Participants were 25 neurotypical and 24 autistic adults. At the self‐reported level, autistic participants had higher scores of sensory sensitivity and responsivity than neurotypicals. The behavioral and neural tasks involved contrast‐reversing gratings which became progressively (in)visible as their contrast or spatial frequency evolved. At the behavioral level, autistic participants had higher detection and responsivity thresholds when gratings varied in spatial frequency, but their thresholds did not differ from neurotypicals when gratings varied in contrast. At the neural level, we used fast periodic visual stimulations and electroencephalography to implicitly assess detection thresholds for contrast and spatial frequency, and did not reveal any group difference. Higher self‐reported responsivity was associated with higher behavioral responsivity, more intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety, in particular in ASD. At the self‐reported level, higher sensitivity was associated with more responsivity in both groups, contrary to the behavioral level where these relationships were not found. These heterogeneous results suggest that sensitivity and responsivity per se are not simply increased in ASD, but may be modulated by other factors such as environmental predictability. Multi‐level approaches can shed light on the mechanisms underlying sensory issues in ASD.
Einfluss von Querzugspannungen auf die Druckfestigkeit von Carbonbeton
Authors: Betz Peter , Marx Steffen , Curbach Manfred
Published: June 2023

Erste Erkenntnisse zum Tragverhalten von Carbonbetonbauteilen unter einaxialer Druckbeanspruchung liegen bereits vor, für eine Anwendung in der Baupraxis sind jedoch vor allem mehraxiale Spannungszustände von großer Relevanz. Aus dem Stahlbetonbau ist bekannt, dass Querzugspannungen zu einer reduzierten Druckfestigkeit führen, wobei international noch keine Einigkeit über die tatsächliche Höhe der Abminderung besteht. In diesem Beitrag wird untersucht, unter welchen Randbedingungen Carbonbetonscheiben unter kombinierter Druck‐Zug‐Beanspruchung geprüft werden können. Dazu gehören die versuchstechnisch erforderliche Verankerung der Carbongarne bei begrenzten Platzverhältnissen sowie der Einfluss des Belastungsregimes – proportional oder sequentiell – und des Herstellungsverfahrens – laminiert oder gegossen – auf die Versuchsergebnisse. Abschließend wird ein Ausblick auf nachfolgend geplante Untersuchungen gegeben.
Enhanced production of difficult‐to‐express proteins through knocking down rnpA gene expression
Authors: Chung Hannah , Kim Jiyong , Lee Yong Jae , Choi Kyeong Rok , Jeong Ki Jun , Kim Geun‐Joong , Lee Sang Yup
Published: June 2023

Escherichia coli has been employed as a workhorse for the efficient production of recombinant proteins. However, some proteins were found to be difficult to produce in E. coli. The stability of mRNA has been considered as one of the important factors affecting recombinant protein production. Here we report a generally applicable and simple strategy for enhancing mRNA stability, and consequently improving recombinant protein production in E. coli. RNase P, a ribozyme comprising an RNA subunit (RnpB) and a protein subunit (RnpA), is involved in tRNA maturation. Based on the finding that purified RnpA can digest rRNA and mRNA in vitro, it was reasoned that knocking down the level of RnpA might enhance recombinant protein production. For this, the synthetic small regulatory RNA‐based knockdown system was applied to reduce the expression level of RnpA. The developed RnpA knockdown system allowed successful overexpression of 23 different recombinant proteins of various origins and sizes, including Cas9 protein, antibody fragment, and spider silk protein. Notably, a 284.9‐kDa ultra‐high molecular weight, highly repetitive glycine‐rich spider silk protein, which is one of the most difficult proteins to produce, could be produced to 1.38 g L−1, about two‐fold higher than the highest value previously achieved, by a fed‐batch culture of recombinant E. coli strain employing the RnpA knockdown system. The RnpA‐knockdown strategy reported here will be generally useful for the production of recombinant proteins including those that have been difficult to produce.
Morphometric assessment of the hip joint in children aged 2–13 years
Authors: Önal Vildan , Metin Tellioğlu Ayfer , Durum Polat Yasemin
Published: June 2023

Our study aimed to evaluate the hip joints of healthy children aged 2–13 years morphometrically through radiographic images. Demographic characteristics of 300 healthy children in our study include an average age of 6.4 years old based on the 2‐to‐13‐year‐old bracket and sex classified to 133 girls and 167 boys. A total of 600 normal hips from these children were digitally measured based on Acetabular Index, ACM angle, MZ distance, Sharp angle, CE angle, Femoral Head Coverage Ratio, Cranial, and medial joint space (MJS). *p < 0.05; **p < 0.01 indicated a statistically significant difference. It was found that Acetabular Index, ACM angle, MZ distance, Sharp angle, Cranial, and MJSs decreased with age; Acetabular Depth value and CE angle increased with age; the CE angle differed between the sides (right–left) in the young teens period and in boys; and the cranial joint space (CJS) differed between the sides in girls. In addition, girls had higher values than boys in terms of Acetabular Index, ACM angle, Sharp angle, MZ distance, and Femoral Head Coverage Ratio; CE angle and MJS were higher in girls; and Acetabular Depth Value and CJS did not differ significantly between sexes. Obtaining the normal values will guide in the diagnosis and treatment of many clinical conditions including DDH and Legg‐Calve‐Perthes disease. It can also be used to compare the hips between healthy children and those diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
Prognostic impact of tumor spread through air spaces for T2aN0 stage IB non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Chen Zixuan , Wu Xianqiao , Fang Tianzheng , Ge Zhen , Liu Jiayuan , Wu Qinglong , Zhou Lin , Shen Jianfei , Zhou Chengwei
Published: June 2023

Background

Spread through air spaces (STAS) is a pattern of invasion recently identified in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with a poor prognosis. However, the predictive impact of STAS in stage IB NSCLC is not well understood. This investigation aims to assess the prognostic influence of STAS in stage IB NSCLC.

Methods

We reviewed 130 resected stage IB NSCLC between 2010 and 2015. Beyond the central tumor edge, lung parenchymal air gaps containing cancer cells were identified as STAS. In order to estimate recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), Cox models and Kaplan–Meier techniques were utilized. Logistic regression analysis was employed to define the factors influencing STAS.

Results

Of 130 patients, 72 (55.4%) had STAS. STAS was a significant prognosticator. Kaplan–Meier method showed that STAS‐positive patients had a significantly lower OS and RFS than STAS‐negative patients (5‐year OS, 66.5% vs. 90.4%, p = 0.02; 5‐year RFS, 59.5% vs. 89.7%, p = 0.004) In a semiquantitative assessment, the RFS and OS were shorter in survival analysis when STAS increased (5‐year RFS, 89.7%, no STAS, 61.8%, low STAS, 57.2%, high STAS, p = 0.013; 5‐year OS, 90.4%, no STAS, 78.3%, low STAS, 57.2%, high STAS, p = 0.002). The association between STAS and poor differentiation, adenocarcinoma, and vascular invasion (p value was <0.001, 0.047, and 0.041, respectively) was statistically significant.

Conclusions

The STAS is an aggressive pathological feature. RFS and OS could be significantly reduced by STAS, while it also serves as an independent predictor.