bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and functional analysis of Spodoptera litura galectins
Authors: Zhong Jielai , Li Jin , Wu Denghui , Deng Xinyue , Lu Yuzhen , Yu Xiao‐Qiang
Published: February 2025

BACKGROUND

Insects rely on their effective innate immune system to defend against pathogen infection, and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) play a crucial role in insect immunity. Galectins, a family of animal β‐galactoside‐binding lectins, may serve as PRRs. Mammalian galectins are involved in diverse physiological processes; however, less is known about functions of insect galectins.

RESULT

In this study, we focused on an agricultural pest Spodoptera litura and identified a total of 13 Slgalectins, and a functional study of Slgalectin‐4 and Slgalectin‐7 was conducted. Both recombinant Slgalectin‐4 and Slgalectin‐7 proteins directly bound to Bacillus thuringiensis and an entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium rileyi. Importantly, supplementing recombinant Slgalectin‐4 to S. litura larvae significantly increased larval survival after M. rileyi infection but accelerated larvae death after B. thuringiensis infection, whereas supplementing Slgalectin‐7 increased larval survival after B. thuringiensis infection but did not influence larval survival after M. rileyi infection. Supplementing both Slgalectin‐4 and Slgalectin‐7 altered the expression of some antimicrobial peptide genes in larval hemocytes after microbial infection, which may partly account for the roles of Slgalectin‐4 and ‐7 in larval survival.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed that Slgalectin‐4 and ‐7 may serve as PRRs to bind different pathogens and alter expression of immune effector genes such as antimicrobial peptide genes, eventually modulating immune responses of S. litura larvae to pathogens such as B. thuringiensis and M. rileyi. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Low‐Temperature Atomic Layer Deposition of GeTe/Sb2Te3 Superlattice with High‐Quality van der Waals Structure
Authors: Zhu Rong‐Jiang , Zhao Rui‐Zhe , Gao Ke , Tong Hao , Miao Xiang‐Shui
Published: February 2025

The GeTe/Sb2Te3 superlattices (SLs) has garnered significant attention due to its exceptional electrical properties, with the interfacial structure playing a crucial role in its performance. Conventional deposition methods necessitate high‐temperature conditions to achieve highly crystalline SL films. However, this process can result in substantial interfacial mixing, leading to overall alloying of the films and diminishing the advantageous electrical properties associated with the interfacial structure. This limitation poses challenges for the commercialization of these materials. Herein, a low‐temperature atomic layer deposition technique at 90 °C is employed, which mitigates the interfacial mixing typically induced by high‐temperature deposition environments. By optimizing the interface of the Sb2Te3 films, a highly textured Sb2Te3 interface is achieved that facilitates the growth of SL films with a high degree of crystallinity and a high‐quality van der Waals gap structure at low temperatures. The resulting SL films exhibit characteristic multivalued behavior and low resistance drift characteristics.
Pyrolysis Kinetics of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
Authors: Wang Yongjin , Wang Shengkai , Chu Qingzhao , Chen Dongping
Published: February 2025

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is widely used in fields such as propellants and flame retardants. However, this is still a vacancy of detailed kinetic mechanisms to describe the complete decomposition of PTFE in the gas phase. The current work addresses this issue by conducting ab initio calculations for key reactions involved in the PTFE pyrolysis system. The potential energy surfaces (PESs) of PTFE unimolecular and bimolecular reactions are determined at the DLPNO‐CCSD(T)/cc‐pVTZ//B3LYP‐D3/6–31++G(d,p) level. Rate constants and branching ratios of the main reaction pathways are calculated by solving the RRKM master equation, and the thermochemical properties of related species at the DLPNO‐CCSD(T)/CBS level are calculated via the atomization method. The current study found that the initial decomposition of PTFE is dominated by the CC scission reactions and free radical (H, OH, CF, CF2, and CF3) abstraction reactions, forming the corresponding free radical species. Further β‐CC scission reactions dominate the overall kinetics and continuously generate CF2CF2. Self‐decomposition and free radical–driven decomposition of PTFE produce small molecules such as HF, FOH, CF2, CF3, and CF4. This work provides quantitative predictions of the detailed decomposition reaction pathways of gas‐phase PTFE and will lay a solid foundation for the development of detailed kinetic mechanisms for PTFE combustion and degradation.
Extrinsic Pseudocapacitive CoOOH Achieved by the Suppression of Its Phase Transition Triggered by S2− Doping
Authors: Qi Lizhuo , Li Jing , Liu Yuanyuan , Liu Kaihua , Wang Meiri , Cui Hongtao
Published: February 2025

The behavior transformation of battery‐type materials to extrinsic pseudocapacitive behavior is accomplished by suppressing their phase transition. The resulting extrinsic pseudocapacitive materials are a valuable supplement to intrinsic pseudocapacitive materials, enriching the connotation of pseudocapacitive materials. Nevertheless, the research on this category of materials remains inactive as of now, probably due to the as yet unclear phase transition suppression mechanism and the associated electrochemical mechanism. In this work, the battery‐type Co(OH)2 is selected as a research object to create an extrinsic pseudocapacitive material by S2− doping. It is revealed that the K+ intercalation/deintercalation is the essential reason for the phase transition of CoOOH that is irreversibly converted from Co(OH)2, leading to its battery‐type behavior. Whereas, the fully protonated CoOOH produced due to the high reaction activity of S2− doped Co(OH)2 only allows the intercalation/deintercalation of H+. During the process of intercalation/deintercalation of H+, CoOOH retains the P3 structure, thereby giving rise to extrinsic pseudocapacitive behavior. The electrochemical measurement results indicate that this extrinsic pseudocapacitive material and the assembled device have electrochemical performance equivalent to that of intrinsic pseudocapacitive materials.
Low‐Concentration Flame‐Retardant PC‐Based Electrolytes for Wide‐Temperature and High‐Voltage Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Tonghui , Luo Shengyao , Wu Mengqi , Amzil Said , Ru Zhengzheng , Yue Ye , Xiao Yiyao , Peng Meilan , Li Yinghui , Zuo Xiuxia , Gao Jie , Yu Ying , Zheng Tianle , Zhao Hongbin , Cheng Ya‐Jun , Xia Yonggao
Published: February 2025

Propylene carbonate (PC) is regarded as a promising solvent for replacing ethylene carbonate due to its high dielectric constant and wide working temperature range. However, the co‐intercalation behavior between PC and Li+ on graphite poses limitations to its further application. In this study, a weakly solvating solvent of methyl trifluoromethyl carbonate (FEMC) and lithium bis(oxalato)difluorophosphate (LiDODFP) synergistically enable reversible cycling of low‐concentration PC‐based electrolytes on graphite. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and theoretical calculations indicate that FEMC partially substitutes PC in the solvation structure and interacts with PC through intermolecular forces, facilitating desolvation of Li+. Moreover, the utilization of LiDODFP enhances the solvation structure of Li+, effectively resolving the compatibility issue between graphite and PC. This electrolyte exhibits exceptional oxidative stability and nonflammability properties. At a cut‐off voltage of 4.5 V, the NCM811/graphite full cell exhibits 88.86% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 25 °C, and retains 76.23% capacity after 100 cycles at 60 °C; even at −40 °C, it still delivers a capacity of 67 mAh g−1. This work presents a novel strategy for developing low‐concentration, wide‐temperature‐applicable, high‐safety, and high‐voltage PC‐based electrolytes.
Counter Ions Determine Self‐Assembled Nanostructure and Activation Energy of Ion‐Conductive Mesogens
Authors: Rim Minwoo , Kim Woojin , Kang Dong‐Gue , Pham Huu Huan , Wi Youngjae , Oh Mintaek , Ko Hyeyoon , De Sio Luciano , Kim Dae‐Yoon , Jeong Kwang‐Un
Published: February 2025

By varying counter ions of ion‐conductive mesogens (ICMs) from bromide (Br), to tetrafluoroborate (BF4), and to bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI), the ionic conductivity of ICM is systematically investigated based on their self‐assembled nanostructure and activation energy. Thermal and phase transition behaviors of ICM‐Br, ‐BF4, and ‐TFSI exhibit significant variation based on the anion type. These differences are further reflected in the self‐assembled nanostructures of the ICMs, which are characterized through X‐ray and electron diffraction experiments. Ionic conductivity measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and activation energy calculated by Arrhenius equation allow us to build the relationship between self‐assembled nanostructures of ICMs and their activation energy. The constructed relationship between self‐assembled nanostructures and activation energy can provide valuable insights for the development of novel ion‐conductive materials.
Room‐Temperature Synthesis of Amorphous Fe‐Doped Nickel Phosphate for High‐Efficiency Alkaline Seawater Oxidation
Authors: Xu Deshuang , Zhang Chenxi , Liu Yun , Ye Qing , Lu Jinjun , Zhao Yanxia , Ma Jiani , Cheng Yongliang
Published: February 2025

The construction of an efficient and durable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalyst through a simple synthesis strategy is crucial for the hydrogen produced from seawater splitting. However, achieving this goal remains a great challenge. Herein, the synthesis of amorphous Fe‐doped nickel phosphate (Fe‐NixPO4) as a high‐performance OER electrocatalysts for alkaline freshwater/seawater splitting is presented using a straightforward co‐precipitation method at room‐temperature. Experimental results reveal the structural reconstruction of Fe‐NixPO4 into Fe‐doped NiOOH decorated with PO43−. The collaborative interplay between Ni2+ and Fe3+, along with the decoration of PO43−, can effectively modulate the electronic environment of the electrocatalyst. Consequently, the optimized Fe‐NixPO4 exhibits exceptional OER activity, requiring overpotentials of 359 and 422 mV to generate 1000 mA cm−2 in alkaline freshwater and alkaline seawater, respectively. Moreover, Fe‐NixPO4 also displays outstanding stability for 100 h at 100 mA cm−2 in alkaline seawater. This research presents a viable approach for fabricating OER electrocatalysts with exceptional efficiency for seawater electrolysis.
All‐Inorganic Lead‐Free Cs₂AgBiBr₆/ZnO Artificial Retina Synapse Based on Photoelectric Synergistic Dual‐Mechanism for Neuromorphic Computing
Authors: Cheng Zhenpeng , Wang Tianle , Zhu Junyan , He Yaqi , Liu Shijie , Li Ming‐Yu , Lu Haifei , Wen Xiaoyan , Lee Jihoon , Liu Sisi , Mao Sui
Published: February 2025

Adaptive learning capability of optoelectronic synaptic hardware holds promising application prospects in next generation artificial intelligence, and the development of biometric retina perception is sternly hampered by three crucial issues, including well‐balance between excitatory and inhibitory, non‐volatile multi‐state storage, and optimal energy consumption. In this work, a novel Cs2AgBiBr6/ZnO non‐volatile optoelectronic synapse is proposed and successfully programmed with optical excitatory and electronic inhibitory in the light of dual‐mechanism: Lead‐free perovskite Cs2AgBiBr6 guarantees abundant photogenerated carrier concentration, and the process of carrier capture and release occurs in ZnO layer, which can collaboratively modulate various synaptic plasticity behaviors depending on distinct stimulus. Consequently, multi‐bit storage is attained with the dual‐mechanism non‐volatile memory (DNVM) as a function of consecutive light spikes. The energy consumption of the DNVM is 1.85 nJ at a single light spike, and an ultra‐low one of 13.8 fJ is triggered with a single electrical pulse, which approximatively meets the requirement of the biological synaptic event energy consumption. The performance of the DNVM is further evaluated with the Pavlov's classical conditioning experiment and visual hardware system, offering an exciting paradigm for implementing on‐chip adaptive visual perception and neuromorphic computing.
Interstitial Manganese‐Tuned Nickel–Iron Diselenide Anode for Efficient and Durable Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis
Authors: Wang Shihao , Li Ming , Tang Haolin , Zhang Haining
Published: February 2025

Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) employing Ir/Ru‐free anodes emerges as a bright prospect for green hydrogen society. Here, a Ni0.8Fe0.2Mn0.1Se2 nanosheet electrocatalyst is reported, in situ grown on stainless‐steel paper, as an efficient and durable self‐supporting AEMWE anode for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The interstitial [MnSe4] tetrahedra elevate the Fermi level and narrows the band gap of the electrocatalyst, thereby expediting electrode reaction kinetics and increasing the electrical conductivity. In addition, the interstitial Mn atoms attenuate the electron density of Ni and Fe and motivate phase transition to actual active (Mn, Fe)‐doped γ‐NiOOH species. The downward d‐band center of Ni active center facilitates the rate‐limiting *OOH desorption step, refreshing the active center, and reducing the free energy barriers for OER. Accordingly, the Ni0.8Fe0.2Mn0.1Se2 electrode achieves OER overpotentials of 149 and 232 mV at 10 and 100 mA cm−2 in 1 m KOH. The AEMWE cell incorporating Ni0.8Fe0.2Mn0.1Se2 anode demonstrates high performance (1.0 A cm−2 at 1.68 Vcell) and durability (at 1 A cm−2 for 300 h), surpassing most AEMWE cells that use NiFe‐based anodes. This work highlights the potential of noble‐metal‐free anodes for efficient and durable AEMWE.
Innovative Approach to Achieving Polarization Dependent Highly Directional Nanolasers Through Propagating States in Diverse Plasmonic Lattices
Authors: Lv Fanzhou , Zheng Yan , Wang Yi , Wie Hao , Tang Min , Ma Libo , Vaynzof Yana , Wang Wenxin
Published: February 2025

With their extremely small mode volumes, excellent field enhancement, and low radiative loss, metallic nanoparticle arrays supporting plasmonic lattice resonances have emerged as a potential design for on‐chip plasmonic lasers. Due to the similarities between photonic crystals and plasmonic lattices in terms of structural features and energy band structure, the properties of plasmonic lattice‐based nanolasers, including low threshold, lasing wavelength, coherence, directionality, and polarization, can be designed using band structure computations. Here 2D plasmonic lattices of Al nanocone arrays (NCAs) are presented, supporting narrow linewidth resonances that provide optical feedback for the stimulated emission process of optically pumped Rhodamine 6G (R6G). Remarkably, highly directional nanoscale lasing with polarization dependence at red‐light wavelengths is presented by the artificially predesigned plasmonic band structure at the propagating state with different lattice symmetries and enables effective coupling with quantum emitters at various wavelengths. Furthermore, the lasing dynamics in these structures are also investigated, employing a dynamic semi‐quantum approach that considers both stimulated and spontaneous emission. These findings broaden the lasing characteristics diversity in plasmonic nanoparticle arrays and provide a simple framework for presenting promising prospects for the management and operation of on‐chip nanoscale laser sources.
Graphitized Layers Encapsulated Carbon Nanofibers as Li‐Free Anode for Hybrid Li‐Ion/Metal Batteries
Authors: Lyu Taiyu , Liang Lizhe , Liu Kaige , Luo Fenqiang , Fan Qianyu , Guo Peiwan , Wang Dechao , Wei Guozhen , Tao Lei , Zheng Zhifeng
Published: February 2025

Hard carbon, the Li‐free anode for hybrid Li‐ion/metal batteries (LIB/LMBs), has great potential for enhancing fast charging capability, energy density, and battery lifespan. However, low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and Li dendrite growth are crucial factors constraining its development. In this work, graphitized layers encapsulated carbon nanofibers (G‐CF) are fabricated via Joule heating within 10 s. The Csp2 structure in graphitized layers reduces side reactions with the electrolyte, promotes LiC compound formation, and improves Li ions/metal reversibility. The inner amorphous carbon structure boosts fast charging capability. As a result, the G‐CF anode attains an 85.2% high ICE and exhibits long‐term cycling stability. Under 2 C fast charging, it maintains an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.94% and a 500 mAh g−1 capacity after 200 cycles. Moreover, when the N/P ratio is 0.5, the G‐CF||NCM811full cell has an ICE of 84.5% and provides a capacity of 530.8 mAh g−1 and an energy density of 365.9 Wh kg−1 at 1C. The G‐CF||LFP full cell can also provide a capacity of 541.0 mAh g−1 under the same N/P ratio. A 30 mAh pouch cell can stably cycle over 100 times. This heterogeneous hard carbon design paves a revolutionary path for manufacturing high‐efficiency Li‐free anodes for hybrid LIB/LMBs.
MAPbX3 Perovskite Single Crystals for Advanced Optoelectronic Applications: Progress, Challenges, and Perspective
Authors: Dong Xue , Shen Yue , Wang Fangmin , He Zemin , Zhao Yuzhen , Miao Zongcheng , Wu Zhongbin
Published: February 2025

Perovskite single crystals have garnered significant attention due to their impressive properties in optoelectronic applications, including long carrier diffusion lengths, low trap‐state densities, and enhanced stability. Methylamino lead halide perovskite (MAPbX3, where X is a halogen such as Cl, Br, or I) is a notable example of a metal halide perovskite with desirable properties and ideal cubic perovskites with a tolerance factor between 0.9 and 1.0. MAPbX3 has adjustable bandgap, high thermal and chemical stability, and excellent light absorption capacity. Here the unique characteristics of MAPbX3, including molecular structure, optical absorption properties, and carrier transport of MAPbX3 single crystals are summarized. Universal growth technologies for MAPbX3 single crystals, including inverse temperature crystallization, anti‐solvent evaporation crystallization, solvent evaporation method, and single‐crystalline thin film, including epitaxial method and space limiting method, are briefly introduced. Additionally, a comprehensive review of MAPbX3 single crystals in various optoelectronic device applications, including photodetectors, X‐ray detectors, light‐emitting diodes, lasers, and solar cells is mainly discussed. Finally, the current challenges and future prospects of the large‐scale preparation and growth of MAPbX3 single crystals are put forward. With the continuous progress of photoelectric technology, more innovative photoelectric applications in the future are expected to bring more convenience and progress.
Anti‐Inflammatory Treatment of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage by Self‐Assembled Silymarin Nanoparticles
Authors: Li Yong , Zhou Youdong , Tan Yinqiu , Deng Gang
Published: February 2025

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a common hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease with high disability rate and high mortality. Early brain injury (EBI) is the main cause of high mortality and delayed neurological dysfunction in patients with SAH. Neuroinflammation is the important pathological processes of EBI.We prepared Silymarin nanoparticles (SIM NPs) through the solvent precipitation method and investigated their role in combating EBI following SAH in mice. We found that SIM NPs with a diameter of 150 nm have the strongest ability to cross the blood‐brain barrier. SIM nanoparticles are spherical and contain irregular particles inside, which may be composed mainly of silibinin and assembled through hydrogen bonding. Further in vivo experiments showed that SIM NPs improved short‐term neurological dysfunction in SAH mice, reduced cortical neural damage, and reduced EBI inflammation through the Nrf2/STING pathway. Finally, water maze experiments showed that SIM NPs can improve long‐term memory and learning ability in SAH mice. Based on the above results, we conclude that silymarin nanoparticles can reduce EBI after SAH by inhibiting the Nrf2/STING pathway, inhibiting neuroinflammation and M1 polarization of microglia.
Toward Personalized Immunotherapeutic Drug Monitoring with Multiplexed Extended‐Gate Field‐Effect‐Transistor Biosensors
Authors: Nguyen‐Le Trang‐Anh , Neuber Christin , Cela Isli , Janićijević Željko , Loureiro Liliana Rodrigues , Hoffmann Lydia , Feldmann Anja , Bachmann Michael , Baraban Larysa
Published: February 2025

The selection and optimization of therapies for cancer patients urgently need personalization. Portable point‐of‐care electronic biosensors emerge as a groundbreaking solution contributing to better decision‐making in precision oncology. In this study, the innovative use of extended‐gate field‐effect‐transistor (EG‐FET) biosensors is showcased for monitoring the concentration and pharmacokinetics of immunotherapeutic drugs in vivo. Complementary positron emission tomography and radioactivity biodistribution studies in mice validate the EG‐FET measurements. Herein, a novel indirect assay format is also introduced for detecting target modules (TMs) in an adapter chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy model, effectively addressing the current limitations of potentiometric measurements. In pharmacokinetic evaluations, the EG‐FET biosensor performance aligns with standard radioactivity measurements, revealing the distinct lifespans of small‐sized single‐chain‐fragment‐variable‐derived TMs (15 min) and larger IgG4‐derived TMs (14 h). Advantageously, the EG‐FET sensors exhibit exceptional sensitivity and fulfill the requirements for immunotherapeutic drug monitoring without complex radioactive labeling, which is indispensable. In these promising findings, the exploration of next‐generation electronic biosensors as therapeutic monitoring tools is advocated for. With their cost, size, and response time advantages, these biosensors hold immense potential for advancing personalized oncology, transcending the conventional diagnostic roles typically highlighted in the literature.
Recent Advances in DNA‐Templated Protein Patterning
Authors: Xia Qinglin , Zhou Mo , Jiao Kai , Li Bin , Guo Linjie , Wang Lihua , Li Jiang
Published: February 2025

In recent decades, the advancement of DNA nanotechnology enables precise nanoscale organization of diverse functional materials with DNA templates. Particularly, a variety of DNA‐templated protein patterns are constructed as powerful tools for programming biomimetic protein complexes. In this review, recent progress in DNA‐templated protein patterning, including cutting‐edge methods for arranging proteins with DNA templates, and protein patterns across varying dimensions are briefly summarized. Representative applications in biological analysis and biomedicine are discussed. DNA‐protein patterns with programmable dynamics, which hold promise in precision diagnosis and therapeutics are highlighted. Finally, current challenges and opportunities in the fabrication and application of DNA‐templated protein pattering are discussed.
Mechanically Robust 3D Flexible Electrodes via Embedding Conductive Nanomaterials in the Surface of Polymer Networks
Authors: Kim Sangmok , Yoo Dongwoo , Kim Joonwon
Published: February 2025

3D flexible electrodes are essential to implement flexible pressure sensors in various flexible electronic applications. Conventional methods for fabricating these electrodes include electroless deposition, spray coating, and incorporating conductive nanomaterials into a polymer matrix. However, the electrodes fabricated using these methods are characterized by poor adhesion between the conductive layer and polymer surface and fail to maintain intrinsic mechanical properties of the polymer, such as elastic modulus and ductility. Herein, a transfer method in which conductive nanomaterials are embedded into the surface of polymer networks via optimal surface energy control is proposed, such as reducing adhesion between the mold and nanomaterials. This method induces mechanical interlocking between the surface of polymer networks and conductive nanomaterials, firmly anchoring them onto the polymer network surface. Moreover, the intrinsic mechanical properties of the fabricated 3D flexible electrodes remain unchanged. Flexible capacitive sensors prepared using the resulting electrodes exhibit a stable sensing performance (ΔC0,5000/C0 = 0.169%) even under repetitive pressure conditions (5000 cycles at 70 kPa). The proposed robust 3D flexible electrode fabrication method presents a promising strategy for the future development of flexible pressure sensors.
Decoding Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Insights from Multi‐Fluid Metabolomic Analysis
Authors: Xu Xiaoyu , Tan Haisong , Zhang Wei , Liu Wanshan , Chen Yanbo , Zhang Juxiang , Gu Meng , Yang Yanxi , Chen Qi , Wang Yuning , Qian Kun , Xu Bin
Published: February 2025

With the rising incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) due to societal aging, accurate and early diagnosis has become increasingly critical. The clinical challenges associated with BPH diagnosis, particularly the lack of specific biomarkers that can differentiate BPH from other causes of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Here, matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) metabolomic detection platform utilizing urine and serum samples is applied to explore metabolic information and identify potential biomarkers in designed cohort. The nanoparticle‐assisted platform demonstrated rapid analysis, minimal sample consumption, and high reproducibility. Employing a two‐step grouping screening approach, the identification of urinary metabolic patterns (UMPs) is automated to distinguish healthy individuals from LUTS group, followed by the use of serum metabolic patterns (SMPs) to accurately identify BPH cases within the LUTS cohort, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.830 (95% CI: 0.802‐0.851). Furthermore, eight BPH‐sensitive metabolic markers are identified, confirming their uniform distribution across age groups (p > 0.05). This research contributes valuable insights for the early diagnosis and personalized treatment of BPH, enhancing clinical practice and patient care.
Growth Pathway and Phase Transition From Quasi‐layered Pt5Se4 to Layered PtSe2 Nanocrystals
Authors: Si Nan , Wang Rui , He Qingyuan , Liu Siyu , Wang Yanming , Yuan Qinglin
Published: February 2025

The discovery and control of phases is a significant endeavor for materials science. PtSe2, as a stable Pt─Se phase, is controllably synthesized for electronic, optoelectronic, and electrocatalytic applications, while research on another stable Pt─Se phase, Pt5Se4, is limited to calculations. Moreover, the growth mechanisms and phase transition of Pt─Se compounds remain unclear. Here, we report a two‐step growth pathway of PtSe2 with a stable Pt5Se4 phase as intermediate and reveal the Pt‐Pt5Se4‐PtSe2 transition process. The synthesis of PtSe2 and Pt5Se4 nanocrystals is achieved by controlling the degree of selenization. Theoretical calculations prove that Pt5Se4 phase is thermodynamically favorable under Se‐deficient conditions and PtSe2 nanocrystals are formed along with the diffusion of Pt and Se atoms. This work greatly enriches the knowledge on the growth mechanism and phase transition of Pt─Se compounds, and offers insights into the controlled synthesis of Pt5Se4 for future electrocatalysis and electronic devices.
Advancing Blast Furnace Thermal State Prediction: A Data‐Driven Approach Using Thermocouple Integration and Multimodal Modeling
Authors: Zhou Guanwei , Liu Weiqiang , Yu Yaowei , Saxén Henrik
Published: February 2025

This study develops a data‐driven framework to predict the thermal state of blast furnaces using feature fusion from thermocouple data and spatial temperature distribution. The article proposes a hybrid framework based on multimodal integration and clustering algorithms, utilizing data extracted from thermocouples and the temperature distribution features around the furnace hearth. Through these fused features, multiple ensemble models are constructed to predict the thermal state of the blast furnace, with a focus on the thermocouple readings at the hearth. This method enhances understanding of the thermal state of the blast furnace, aiming to improve prediction accuracy and operational reliability. By validating the model with actual industrial data, its effectiveness in thermal state monitoring is demonstrated. The integration of multimodal data sources allows for the extraction of rich information from the thermocouple data, significantly enhancing the model's predictive performance.
Monetary and Non-monetary Benefit Sharing Under the BBNJ Agreement
Authors: Broggiato Arianna , Dunshirn Paul , Jaspars Marcel , Pena-Neira Sergio
Published: February 2025

This chapter describes and interprets the system for sharing the benefits arising from activities with respect to marine genetic resources (MGR) and digital sequence information (DSI) on MGR of areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) that is being set up by the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. The chapter provides an overview of discussions and rationales behind the negotiations of this system. It highlights the crucial compromises made to find a creative solution for a de-coupled monetary benefit sharing in the first phase of implementation, and to include digital sequence information in the scope of application and in the operational provisions. It also shows the contribution that the Agreement will make to the harmonisation and further improvement of best scientific practices in disclosing certain data in open access and in involving developing countries’ scientists in the research pipelines. Moreover, the chapter shows how important novelties have been integrated and made legally binding: the deposit of available samples in publicly accessible repositories, thus amplifying access to MGR of ABNJ; and the use of a batch identifier to ensure that samples are linked to materials stored in collections and to the relevant data stored in databases, and that these three elements are retrievable with the use of one single batch identifier. The chapter concludes that several open questions remain, related to modalities for monetary benefit sharing to be decided by the Conference of the Parties, and to the requirement that the monetary benefit-sharing solution related to DSI is mutually supportive of and adaptable to other access and benefit-sharing instruments.
Monitoring and Transparency Aspects of MGR-Utilization Under the BBNJ Agreement
Authors: Langlet Arne , Dunshirn Paul , Jaspars Marcel , Humphries Fran , Kachelriess Daniel
Published: February 2025

This chapter examines monitoring and transparency aspects in the governance of marine genetic resources (MGR) as outlined in Article 16 of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ). It focuses on the development, negotiation history, and operational dynamics of a monitoring and transparency system which combines notification and reporting processes with digital identifiers to streamline the tracing of MGR utilization. By comparing these new measures with existing international frameworks, the chapter assesses the potential gaps and future policy developments necessary to ensure the effectiveness of the monitoring and transparency mechanism in promoting equitable benefit-sharing and responsible use of MGR.
Introduction: Brunei Darussalam’s Economy—Transition towards Development
Authors: Khalid Ahmed M. , Jetin Bruno
Published: February 2025

The global economy is experiencing a major transformation which requires countries, specifically developing countries, to adopt new policies for economic development. Many developing economies need policies to cope with the emerging challenges of environmental change, technological revolution, the high volume of globalised trade and financial flows, cross-border labour movement, rising inequality, and frequent occurrences of economic crises and natural disasters. The United Nation’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) suggests that economic development should have a multidimensional context that includes economic, social and environmental aspects and not just income. Given the recent trends of globalisation, such development is also linked to regional and global factors. Although the development experience of some emerging economies since the 1990s suggests that the fast pace of economic reforms has led to high gross domestic product (GDP) growth, the benefits are not equally distributed. As a consequence, the notion of ‘development in transition’ (DiT) requires not only a mix of well-designed policies but also timely implementation, enforcement and monitoring of such policies, as well as international cooperation to ensure sustainable development and distribution of benefits on an equitable basis. This introductory chapter discusses the evolution of development models suggested in the literature and practised by developing countries. It then provides an overview of Brunei Darussalam’s transitions towards development. Finally, it presents a summary of all the chapters in this volume. The deliberations suggest that more commitments towards policy implementation would help the country achieve the targets set out in its Wawasan Brunei 2035 development blueprint.
Cross-border Tourism between Brunei Darussalam and Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Chin Wei Lee
Published: February 2025

Borders set the authorised limits of national sovereignty or the frontiers up to which a state may exercise its authority. In recent years, cross-border tourism has become an increasingly important economic activity between Brunei Darussalam and the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. This chapter focuses on factors influencing the frequency of cross-border tourism and investigates the cross-border shopping behaviour of Bruneian visitors crossing between Brunei and Miri in Sarawak. The surge in visits to Sarawak may have profound implications for Brunei’s revenue as high outflows of expenditure are believed to have contributed to a significant number of economic leakages. The approximate number of times people leaving Brunei was recorded as high as 2.4 million in 2018–2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. This analysis aims to examine the purchasing patterns of Bruneian visitors as well as their motivating factors. The latter are alluded to as drivers of cross-border tourism with major reasons including price benefits, a favourable exchange rate as well as non-price factors such as the availability of choice.
Operational Excellence through Managing Values in the Brunei Darussalam Public Sector
Authors: Hamdan Mahani
Published: February 2025

Operational excellence and continuous improvement are conceptually distinct but closely related. Operational excellence aims to achieve a long-term change in organisational culture while continuous improvement focuses on the process. Operational excellence (including lean manufacturing, Six Sigma and total quality management) has been applied extensively by private firms and companies in the industrial field and today these methodologies are also widely utilised in public organisations to achieve quality excellence in public services. Increases in global competition have put pressure on public services to be as productive and efficient as private services. This chapter aims to explain and uncover the conceptual definition of operational excellence in the context of Brunei Darussalam, analyse the methodologies used to frame it and discuss the challenges faced by public services in implementing it. The study presents data from two sources. The primary data derive from semi-structured interviews with 17 middle management officers from various government departments and agencies using a convenience sampling technique. Secondary data are based on a review of journal articles, reports and news. Results show that operational excellence in Brunei’s public services is defined in terms of processes measured by quality management, productivity, efficiency and effectiveness, and can be achieved through total quality management, balanced scorecards, and programme and performance budgeting. Other elements include value congruence, leadership, human resource management practices, service strategy and cultural involvement which are also critical in pushing excellence within an organisation, together with innovation, technology and policies appropriate to the national stages of socioeconomic development.
Natural Resource Rents and Economic Development: Evidence from Brunei Darussalam
Authors: Slesman Ly
Published: February 2025

This chapter examines Brunei Darussalam’s economic development from the perspective of an oil and gas-dependent economy. First, using relevant socio-economic indicators, it assesses the economic structures, tracing their evolution to their current forms, the dynamics of Brunei’s reliance on the oil and gas sector, and the relative importance of the non-oil and gas sector in its economic progress. Is Brunei’s experience with oil and gas dependency in line with the ‘resource curse’ or ‘resource blessing’ viewpoints? What do the data say? The analysis provides answers to these questions by quantifying short- and long-run effects of oil and gas rents on economic growth over the 1970–2019 period using the dynamic time series econometric modelling framework of the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. Given the importance of economic diversification in achieving Wawasan Brunei 2035 (Brunei Vision 2035), the chapter further discusses its progress and challenges.
Exploring Brunei Darussalam’s Trade Dynamics: Leveraging ASEAN Plus Three and beyond from Its Production Base
Authors: Loon Pang Wei
Published: February 2025

This chapter provides an overview and analysis of the trade linkages between Brunei Darussalam and its main trading partners. Given its small domestic market, the country has relied heavily on oil and gas exports to promote growth and sustain its high standard of living. At the product level, Brunei is mainly dependent on two products, crude oil and natural gas. Its main export markets have been to neighbouring countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), such as Singapore and Malaysia, while Japan has always been a major export market and in recent years China is becoming a very important partner, especially in terms of imports. ASEAN Plus Three is currently one of the most important trading partners for Brunei but there is still potential to further boost trade and investment opportunities within this bloc. As a resource-based economy, Brunei is mostly involved in interindustry trade (trade in different products), although in recent years there has been a tendency to diversify into exports of methanol. There is also a higher level of intra-industry trade in crude oil, as Brunei has started production of processed petroleum. The higher level of intra-industry trade in these products can be attributed to joint ventures with firms from China and Japan. Recently there has also been an increase in China’s investments into important industries in Brunei. The domestic content of gross exports is very high though it is focused mainly on exports of raw materials.
Higher-dimensional Willmore energy as holographic entanglement entropy
Authors: Anastasiou Giorgos , Araya Ignacio J. , Bueno Pablo , Moreno Javier , Olea Rodrigo , Lopez Alejandro Vilar
Published: February 2025

Abstract

The vacuum entanglement entropy of a general conformal field theory (CFT) in d = 5 spacetime dimensions contains a universal term, F(A), which has a complicated and non-local dependence on the geometric details of the region A and the theory. Analogously to the previously known d = 3 case, we prove that for CFTs in d = 5 which are holographically dual to Einstein gravity, F(A) is equal to a four-dimensional version of the “Willmore energy” associated to a doubled and closed version of the Ryu-Takayanagi (RT) surface of A embedded in ℝ5. This generalized Willmore energy is shown to arise from a conformal-invariant codimension-two functional obtained by evaluating six-dimensional Conformal Gravity on the conically-singular orbifold of the replica trick. The new functional involves an integral over the doubled RT surface of a linear combination of three quartic terms in extrinsic curvatures and is free from ultraviolet divergences by construction. We verify explicitly the validity of our new formula for various entangling regions and argue that, as opposed to the d = 3 case, F(A) is not globally minimized by a round ball A = 𝔹4. Rather, F(A) can take arbitrarily positive and negative values as a function of A. Hence, we conclude that the round ball is not a global minimizer of F(A) for general five-dimensional CFTs.
Comment on “Neutrino interaction with matter in a noninertial frame”
Authors: Oliveira R. R. S.
Published: February 2025

Abstract

In this comment, we obtain the complete energy levels for Dvornikov’s paper [1], that is, the energy levels dependent on two quantum numbers, namely, the radial quantum number (given by N) and the angular quantum number (given by J

z
). In particular, what motivated us to do this was the fact that the quantized energy levels for particles (fermions or bosons) in polar, cylindrical, or spherical coordinates depend on two quantum numbers: a radial quantum number and an angular quantum number. From this, the following question/doubt arose: why do the energy levels in Dvornikov’s paper only depend on one quantum number? That is, Where did the angular quantum number given by J

z
go? So, using Studenikin’s paper [19] as a starting point (as well as others in the literature), we write one of the equations from Dvornikov’s paper [1] in a matrix form. Next, we use the four-component Dirac spinor and obtain a set/system of four coupled first-order differential equations. From the first two equations with m → 0, we obtain a (compact) second-order differential equation for the last two spinor components. So, solving this equation, we obtain the neutrino energy levels, which explicitly depend on both N and J

z
. Finally, we note that for J

z

> 0 (positive angular momentum) with u = +1 (component ψ
3), we obtain exactly the particular energy levels of Dvornikov’s paper [1].
Splitting amplitudes at N3LO in QCD
Authors: Guan Xin , Herzog Franz , Ma Yao , Mistlberger Bernhard , Suresh Adi
Published: February 2025

Abstract

In the limit where partons become collinear to each other, scattering amplitudes factorize into a product of universal, process-independent building blocks and scattering amplitudes involving fewer partons. We compute these universal building blocks — known as splitting amplitudes — for two collinear QCD partons up to third loop order in QCD. Our results describe arbitrary time-like splitting processes. Due to the violation of strict collinear factorization in space-like splitting processes, we specifically present space-like splitting amplitudes for three-parton QCD scattering amplitudes at third loop order. To achieve our results, we perform a collinear expansion of three-loop scattering amplitudes using a new expansion-by-subgraph technology, which is based on the method of regions.
The general propagator for S-wave threshold states
Authors: Xu Hongge , Yu Ning , Zhang Zuman , Chen Guoying
Published: February 2025

Abstract

We demonstrate that the propagator, derived from an Effective Field Theory (EFT) that incorporates Weinberg’s compositeness theorem, provides a more general formula for describing S-wave near-threshold states. By fitting the lineshape using this propagator, we can extract the Z factor for these states and elucidate their structures.
Rational Ruijsenaars-Schneider model with cosmological constant
Authors: Galajinsky Anton
Published: February 2025

Abstract

The Ruijsenaars-Schneider models are integrable dynamical realizations of the Poincaré group in 1 + 1 dimensions, which reduce to the Calogero and Sutherland systems in the nonrelativistic limit. In this work, a possibility to construct a one-parameter deformation of the Ruijsenaars-Schneider models by uplifting the Poincaré algebra in 1 + 1 dimensions to the anti de Sitter algebra is studied. It is shown that amendments including a cosmological constant are feasible for the rational variant, while the hyperbolic and trigonometric systems are ruled out by our analysis. The issue of integrability of the deformed rational model is discussed in some detail. A complete proof of integrability remains a challenge.
On supergravity and noncritical strings
Authors: Dei Andrea , Ferrero Pietro , Rastelli Leonardo
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Motivated by the long-term goal of finding holographic descriptions for

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 and

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 2 super QCD, we revisit the subject of “noncritical” superstring theory. Focusing on string models with 6d super Poincaré invariance, we provide a careful worldsheet derivation of the leading-order effective theories for the lowest modes. We identify them as seven-dimensional, maximally supersymmetric gauged supergravities: the SO(4) theory for noncritical IIA and the ISO(4) theory for noncritical IIB. The same theories also arise as consistent truncations on S
3 of the 10d IIB and IIA supergravities, respectively, where the chirality flip is as expected from T-duality. These effective supergravities should be interpreted in the following sense. The noncritical string can be viewed as a special case of a discrete series of backgrounds labelled by an integer k (which counts the number of NS5 branes in a certain duality frame); the “noncritical” value is k = 2, while for k → ∞ one recovers a weakly-curved 10d target space. The effective supergravities described here give an accurate description of the interactions among the lowest modes for k → ∞, with higher derivative corrections suppressed by powers of 1/k. We discuss BPS solutions of the 7d gauged supergravities and their uplift to 10d solutions. In particular, we find a novel class of solutions with RR flux, parametrized by a function of three variables that solves an elegant PDE. While we cannot solve the PDE in closed form except in trivial cases, we confirm that our solutions correspond to a 10d IIA Hanany-Witten setup with continuous distributions of both “color” D4 branes and “flavor” D6 branes.
Testing the lepton content of the proton at HERA and EIC
Authors: Da Rold Leandro , Medina Anibal D. , Roy Subhojit , Wagner Carlos E. M.
Published: February 2025

Abstract

Although protons are baryons with an overall vanishing lepton number, they possess a non-trivial leptonic content arising from quantum fluctuations which can be described by lepton parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the proton. These PDFs have been recently computed and can be used to define lepton-induced processes at high-energy colliders. In this article, we propose a novel way to test the computation of lepton PDFs of the proton by analyzing both non-resonant di-lepton and resonant Z gauge boson production processes induced by leptons within the proton at proton-electron colliders like HERA and EIC. Despite the fact that lepton PDFs of the proton are known to be small, this work demonstrates that both processes imply a measurable yield of events at HERA and EIC, which could be used to test these PDFs.